You Both (Vampire Assassin League Book 29) Read Free Page A

unruffled at their entrance. Her eyes were open and staring. He couldn’t tell what color they were. The woman was truly beautiful...except even that word fell short. If there was a more descriptive one, he’d use it. She had incredibly long shapely legs, too, skimmed by skinny jeans. Long fingers, too. He glanced at how elegant they looked resting atop the arms of the chair.
    The door closed automatically behind them. A hissing sound accompanied the sealing. And then the intercom buzzed on. And the familiar voice of a newly created vampire, the pilot, Vaughn.
    “Well! Well. Sounds like I have you both tonight! Glad to hear you’ve finally arrived...and with your usual debonair élan. Welcome boys! Strap yourselves into a seat for take-off already. Or...whatever. But no fighting. No damage. Got it?”
    “Vaughn?”
    Athlerod answered. Ethelstone hadn’t moved his eyes from the woman.
    “In the undead flesh.”
    “You can fly? Already? It’s not too soon to be out?”
    “We’re going to Iceland. It’s the dark season up there. We should be fine. And...these cockpits are equipped with UV-blocking glass. Total UV blocking. I have as much chance of catching a sunbeam up here as I have of...well. Stow it. We’ve got a long flight ahead of us. We don’t have time for chitchat. You lads ready?”
    The engines purred loudly. The cabin shuddered and began moving. Athlerod sighed and stood up, releasing him. Ethelstone took a bit longer to stand. He didn’t take his eyes off the woman as he gained his feet. Something was really weird. He couldn’t quite place it. It couldn’t be her beauty. They’d accompanied some of the most gorgeous assassins on many occasions. Angelique. Reika.
    This was different.
    And he didn’t know why.
    “Hey, Ethel. You’re staring.”
    “Do you think she can hear us?”
    “No. I think she looks enthralled. And you just let me call you Ethel. That’s twice now.”
    “Oh. Well...don’t do it again,” Ethelstone replied automatically. Athlerod was right. She did look like she was in a trance. That was even weirder.
    “Why not? It’s your name.”
    “Stop it.”
    “You have a girl’s name. Ha. Ha. Ethel.”
    “Fine. You want to call names? You need to remember yours is Athle.”
    “Now, wait. That makes me sound like an asshole.”
    “I don’t see the problem.” Ethelstone couldn’t prevent the snicker.
    “ Pokker. ”
    “ Rasshole. ” The name-calling was automatic. He wasn’t really paying attention. There was something truly odd about the situation. Athlerod was obtuse. Or he didn’t sense it. A vibration of some kind was in the air, one that didn’t come from the jet’s engines.
    “Wait! I’ve got it. We can shorten names and still be skoruligr. Our manliness stays intact. So. Listen! You can call me Rod. And I will call you Stone. That sounds much better. You agree?”
    “I wonder who she is.”
    “What? Who cares? It’s not like we haven’t seen women before.”
    Ethelstone had gained his feet, and swayed in place. He tensed both leg muscles to stay in one position as the plane gained speed for the take-off. He watched the woman’s body shift slightly as she rocked with the plane’s movement. She was belted into place. A shoulder strap kept her torso upright. A lock of her hair slid forward on her shoulder. The plane slanted. Ethelstone skidded forward but kept from falling. Athlerod wasn’t as lucky. He tumbled headfirst into a chair opposite the woman. It should have amused. Ethelstone should be hooting with laughter. His expression probably mirrored his brother’s as Athlerod gained his seating and looked over at him.
    For once, Athlerod looked completely serious. And then one of his cell phones blasted out. That was one difference between them. Ethelstone was the muted one. Where he used a slight buzz, Athlerod had his phones cued to the sound of horns. A plethora of Viking horns. Announcing a raid.
    “Ooh. Listen to that. I have a call this time.