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. Whatever flows through your body, flows through mine.I am in your likeness, he whofeeds on the warm red elixir of life.I am the dreaded vampire, a blessed composition of yourenergy, lust and desire. My day is the mortal s night, my sustenance their blood.When this world has witnessedits last day, I shall rise again and serve you for all eternity. I come to you now knowing I am but a weak servant at your everlasting mercy.Deliverthe sacred weapon unto me, Dark Lord, so I might serve you faithfully, go forth and do yourrighteous bidding. This I ask in the name of my sire, Traherne, your faithful servant.May his damned soulrest forever by your side in the glory of Hell. 65Footsteps echoed in the chamber outside the tower.Dagan lifted his chin and waited for hislieutenants to enter.Emmett led, his cerulean eyes glazed over with the aftermath of slaked lust.A good sign.His strong, square jaw and flawless features fell under a stream of light from the waveringcandles, evoking a surge of nostalgia in Dagan.Of all his kin, Emmett bore the genetic likenessof his father.Johan followed, his dark hair shining like polished wood in the dim light of the tower.Dagan focused on his eyes, the color of hazelnuts, and knew his father s nephew had not killedthis night, but had been the one to follow Maddock. Success, Emmett said boastfully, bowing before the altar. Pray tell. One less villager to contend with and her death has incited the reaction you desired. Panic and suspicion, the crème de la crème combination, but not enough to forceMaddock s hand yet. Dagan tapped an impatient foot against the marble floor. Continue. After the girl was slain, I waited near the corpse until her father found her. A crimsonflash marked the blue of his eyes as if Emmett was recalling his blood feast this very moment. A touching scene.The man roused the entire village with his mournful wails, then led them toMaddock s abode at the top of the cliff. You followed, of course? Aye, the girl s mother accused the sin eater of slaying her daughter.Maddock came to hisdefense, as did a lass who goes by the name of Carys.The physician convinced them to return totheir homes, and on the morrow the local justice of the peace will begin his investigation. You did well, Emmett. He shifted his gaze to Johan. Do you also deliver good tidings? 66 My Lord will rejoice upon hearing it.Dagan smiled. Spare no details. I remained at my post outside Maddock Manor and heard his ward, Carys, beseech him towarn the sin eater, a lad by the name of Owen.Dagan rolled his eyes, his vexation apparent. Spit it out. Shortly thereafter, Maddock left his dwelling and took flight.He paid a visit to aneighboring village. Johan snorted. In actuality he frequented an abode outside the villageproper. I knew it! And does this whore have a name?Fidgeting with his fingers, the words tumbled forth. He did not call upon a whore. Speak, man.Who then? The sin eater.Dagan gave him a sidelong look of disbelief. He actually meant to warn him? Surelyyou re mistaken.Maddock would not waste his time with a sin eater no more than any mortalfool would. He skirted the altar and stood before them. Perhaps he called upon the sin eater toadminister to the girl?Johan shook his head. It would not take the man two hours to convince him.A long pause ensued, then Dagan tossed back his head. Oh, this is rich! I thought you d be pleased. Do you recall my words? Every man has a weakness.Although I admit to being shockedby his choice of whores, we ve found Maddock s.Johan nodded. What do you wish us to do now, my Lord? 67Dagan looked toward the window.Outside, the rim of the sun breached the horizon invibrant shades of ochre and gold. Rest, of course, and resume your duties at sunset. Kill another? And another and another until the villagers are convinced that a madman lives within theirmidst and preys upon their innocent children. The sin eater? Emmett asked. Of course.Maddock will not be able to control their rage and he can t confess to hisvampiric life lest they turn on him.Johan scratched his head. I fail to see how it furthers our cause if they kill the sin eater. The very reason I lead in my father s stead.Before the overzealous villagers kill the sineater, I ll barter his life for the sword, and save him from a most gruesome death. Why do we not just take the lad now and exchange his life for the weapon?Dagan masked his annoyance with deceptive calmness. Maddock is no fool.He ll fight towin him back.with the sword.No, he must surrender the weapon first if he hopes to see the ladalive again.Emmett and Johan exchanged anxious looks as the first rays of the morning sun filteredacross the floor. Johan, you ve earned the honor of the next kill.Did you get a glimpse of whatMaddock s object of desire looks like? Yes, my Lord.I watched him play the cwth from the stoop of his abode. Under hisbreath he added,  He plays the devil s fiddle to be sure.Never heard the likes of it. Charming, however I couldn t care less about his capabilities.Assume his identity and dotry hard to leave a witness alive, of course. Dagan turned to Emmett. Find Alvaro before youseek rest and tell him to relieve Kale tonight at the gatehouse.I grow weary of his whining. 68 Has he sighted evidence of lycans in the area? None, as I suspected.With a wave of his hand, Dagan dismissed them and headed for his crypt with the sweettaste of victory on his tongue.* * * *Fitful dreams invaded Andras s sleep, winding through his slumber like the tentacles on agiant squid.The wind keened through the forest, its morose howl carrying a sinister portent ofdeath.Onward he ran his legs heavier than the Castle Blarney stone.Leaves swirled and twistedbehind him as if caught up in an eddy of superhuman strength.His foot caught a hollow log,pitching him headfirst onto the narrow path.The smell of damp earth spiraled up his nose with ascent so spellbinding, it paralyzed him.With great effort, he raised his head and terror struck his heart.Long white teeth flashedbehind a malevolent smile, transforming the magnificent features of the vampire s face.Ribbonsof scarlet snaked through the cerulean eyes from which that Andras couldn t seem to tear hisgaze.The black cape descended and hovered over him like the wings of a mighty vulture.Andras bolted upright in bed, his body drenched in sweat, his heart thundering in his chest.He reached for a glass of water on his night bureau, downed it in one swift gulp, and willed hiswild heart to calm.Would he ever be free from the nightmare of Traherne s attack in the forest?Knowing sleep would elude him now, he rose from bed, dressed, and glanced at the mantelclock.Seven o clock in the evening.Carys would arrive soon to inform him the Hales were inthe study waiting to speak with him.After returning to the manor at daybreak, he d conducted his examination of Glynnis andhis suspicions were confirmed.Not a drop of blood remained in her veins and the puncture 69wounds in her neck were too symmetric to have been left by a wild beast [ Pobierz caÅ‚ość w formacie PDF ]