Read Online Created (Book 1 of the Created) by Shannon Shaw - Free Book Online

dark. The sound of its continued pained
cries could be heard throughout the field and woods as the calls resonated off
the far away abandoned homes and barns.
    I asked quietly to anyone that would listen, "What the
fuck was that?"
    Leaning in close an obviously flustered Darby whispered,
"This is what remains of a GV1. Most of them look that way now except a
couple of the more powerful later models that were created before the next
generation was let loose."
    GV1? I asked myself. Scared, my heart beat rapidly.
    Darby looked at my quizzical expression. "Generation
Vampire One."
    "Hush!" Veronica quietly commanded as she moved
forward.
    I wanted to keep her doing something foolish, but Darby
grabbed my hand and I could not break free. I wasn't real sure I wanted to
break free.
    The beautiful young vampire was nearing the edge of where
the shadows covered as much of the road as the light.
    I looked at Darby, who was still holding my hand, to gauge
her reaction. Feeling her hand in mine, I realized she was shaking. Looking at
her cute impish face for reassurance, she gently nodded it was ok and I
relaxed. It was good to know I wasn't the only one afraid.
    Turning my attention to Veronica, she hand her hands on her
hips, the long black cape pushed back, looking totally calm.
    It seemed the world was waiting to see what was about to
happen. The breeze that has been blowing since before I had been saved from
John by Veronica had stopped for the first time all night. The sounds of the
night including those made by the creatures that had flittered comfortably
around our trio, but just beyond our sight had stopped. The only sound I knew
for sure was the pounding inside my chest that was now reverberating in my
ears.
    An imperceptible step back by Veronica alerted Darby and I
that something was about to happen.
    Seconds ticked by as we all held our collective breath. A
rumble within the masses hidden in the darkness signaled our wait was over.
Soon the ugliest monstrosity I have ever seen stepped out to greet her.

Chapter 9

 
    Standing at a height similar to my own was what Darby
referred to as a GV1. I reckoned this one must be in some fashion the leader.
He was slender with grayish skin and long pointed ears and nose. There were
chunks of flesh stripped from the face and the gums were exposed. The face was
absent of lips to cover the teeth and fangs. The tongue and nose wiggled in the
air searching.
    A long, frail hand eased from the sleeve of the thread bare
brown robe as a thin skeletal wrist bent and raised the hand to allow a four
inch long nail to point at Veronica.
    Darby squeezed my hand hard, yanking me closer to her as she
spoke softly, "What do you think you are doing? Let her handle this."
    Not sure what she was talking about I gave her a queer look
that must have sparked her quiet, but stern response.
    "Look down!"
    Doing as she requested, I noticed her shoes were scuffed and
covered in road dust from the pavement. How did that happen I questioned when I
realized Darby was no longer holding my hand? It was that moment that I realize
we shared a mutual fear. She was trying to keep me from ruining any attempt to
become better acquainted with Veronica. Unaware, I had dragged the petite
vampire ten feet taking us much closer to the GV1 than either of us would have
wanted otherwise.  
    Veronica acted indifferent to the boney finger in her face.
"I am sorry Bayne that we are impeding your progress on the way home from
your feeding, but we mean no harm to you or members of your group. We are in
the process of rescuing a changeling who was under attack from a wolf. I beg
your forgiveness sire."
    The red eyes of Bayne appeared hollow, lifeless as he looked
at me. His glare lingered as he looked me over from head to toe. He inhaled
much deeper than I cared. Finished with me, he proceeded to inspect Darby.
Quickly Bayne hissed as he spun and motioned to his legion to proceed.
    Squeezing Darby's hand twice to get her attention I