Wicked Dreams [The Wicked] (Siren Publishing Ménage and More) Read Free

probably could’ve taken him—”
    “No, you really couldn’t have. Make no mistake. They look weak and frail, but they are very dangerous. The Fallen will stop at nothing to get their hands on you. They want the power within you. When you change and come into your powers, you won’t be able to hear them.” He tapped his temple. “You’ll sense them, but that’s it. They have no souls, so you can’t hear them.”
    “What change? What are you talking about?”
    “You said it yourself, Genevieve, you’re one of us. You just weren’t born a vampire. You have to be changed. It’s part of your heritage.”
    “And how will this change come about?” The sarcasm in her voice rang loud and clear.
    Eli tapped the steering wheel as he contemplated how to tell her the process. He decided to keep it to himself for the moment.
    “You’ll learn all you need to learn shortly.”
    He drove east. Thankfully she didn’t ask any more questions. All the information she needed to know raged through his mind. He didn’t understand why she couldn’t just hear it for herself. Obviously, her powers weren’t as advanced as he thought they were. Either way, the Fallen knew what she was, and they were after her. The safest place for Genevieve was the compound where the Generals lived.
    Finally, he reached the gates, placed his index finger on the scanner, and waited until the gate opened. As Eli drove down the winding drive, he saw Genevieve out of the corner of his eye wringing her hands in her lap. She should’ve been freaking the fuck out. Instead, she just looked mildly uncertain. He assumed a part of her knew this was inevitable. No matter how much she denied the existence of vampires and other things that go bump in the night, the dormant part of her soul, the vampire side of her, eased the fear away.
    He got out, walked around to the passenger side, and opened her door. He dropped his head with a grunt of frustration as she just sat there, arms crossed. Just as he got ready to toss her over his shoulder and haul her inside, Sophia, one of the Generals, spoke from behind him.
    “Let her be, Eli.”
    He turned, bowed, and moved aside with a sweep of his arm. Sophia, the oldest of the Generals, had hair the color of the sun, and eyes the color of the sky. One would think the Generals would strut around in robes or armor. No, Sophia wore a pair of skinny jeans and a pink tank top. Her hair was pulled up into a sloppy bun sitting slightly crooked atop her head.
    Sophia knelt down next to the car, placing a gentle hand on Genevieve’s forearm. “I know this is overwhelming, but Genevieve, we’ve waited centuries for you. You’ll be safe here. Your Guardian will be here soon.”
    Eli stiffened at that. He had no idea why he cared that the Guardian had been chosen, but he did. Her Guardian would be her ultimate protector, friend, or whatever she needed him to be. The Guardian would play an intricate role in her transformation. Eli shook his hands out, trying to get rid of the feeling brewing inside him.
    “Am I a prisoner? What’s a Guardian?”
    Eli could feel the anger bubbling up inside of Genevieve. For some reason he could feel everything she felt.
    “No, not a prisoner. You have no idea how precious you truly are to us all,” Sophia said.
     
    * * * *
     
    Genevieve sighed. Overwhelmed didn’t even come close to how she felt. She looked at the beautiful woman kneeling next to her.
    “Who are you?” Genevieve asked.
    “I am Sophia, a General.”
    “You don’t look like a General.”
    “Genevieve! You shouldn’t speak like that to her—” Eli snapped.
    “It’s all right, Eli. She isn’t accustomed to our traditions,” Sophia said with a lilting laugh as she practically glided toward the door of the building.
    It was a massive, looming structure that would turn just about anyone away. However, Genevieve felt a sense of peace wash over her as she moved closer toward the door. She felt, for the first time in