Read Online A Bite's Tale: A Furry Fable by Veronica Blade - Free Book Online

of the limo. The fedora no longer hid his short white-blond hair or his charcoal gray eyes. He didn’t seem as tall as when I’d seen him earlier, but he didn’t need height to send a chill up my spine.
    “Why are you here?” I asked.
    “While I was in the area, I thought I’d see if you’re going to the ball this weekend.”
    “Wasn’t planning on it.” I swooshed by him on my way to the front door. “If that’s all you want, you can leave now. You can’t be here when my aunt gets back.” I knew my tone was disrespectful, but he wouldn’t tell me what he wanted. He deserved worse than a bad attitude.
    He grabbed my arm. “Careful, little girl.”
    I growled. “I could’ve already bitten you. Let me go.”
    “I’m an Old One. Even if you managed to open your jaw, I’d break your neck and rip out your heart before you ever got a mangy tooth in me.” He released my arm, then chuckled softly. “You’re feisty. I’ll give you that.”
    He was old, alright. I could sense his power and terror gripped me. “Why are you here?”
    “To make sure you’re going to the ball,” he repeated.
    “You gotta be kidding me. What do you really want?”
    “Just ensuring that the royal family gets what they want. And they want a ball with all the eligible girls on the island. All of them.” He turned toward the waiting limo.
    “Are you threatening everyone on the island or am I just special?” I glared at his back.
    “I’ll be back in a couple days to see if you still feel the same way,” he threw over his shoulder. “Maybe you’ll change your mind.
    Now I really didn’t want to go to the stupid ball. If this vampire wanted me there, that was reason enough for me to pass. “Not likely.”
    “Oh, I think you’ll have a change of heart.” He moved to get in the back of the limo, then threw a smile over his shoulder. “I can be very persuasive.”
    I dashed inside my house and locked all the door windows. Did vampires have to be invited in? I thought they couldn’t be out in the sun either, but he’d just confirmed that idea a myth.
    Exhausted from the stress of the vamp’s visit, I flopped onto the sofa. I’d probably sleep very well.

Chapter Seven
    Remy
     
    I knew everyone who passed in and out of our castle to meet with my father, but this was the first time I’d been included in one of his government meetings. One day, I’d take my father’s place — I could live forever, but a sorcerer would only live a few centuries — and I needed to know the inner workings of our country. Well, unless someone murdered me and staged a hostile takeover before I inherited the throne. Ugly thought.
    My father motioned for me to sit next to him. I cleared my throat and moved to obey.
    Stop staring at your feet and lift your chin, Remy, Dunston’s voice boomed silently into my head. Straighten your shoulders and stand tall. Make eye contact with a couple of them, then take your seat. When your eyes meet, you should never be the first to look away. That’s a sign of weakness. One day, these men will answer to you. Now is the time to demand their respect, before you need it.
    I inhaled deeply and gathered my inner strength. Dunston was right. If I lost the respect of the king’s advisors and top officials, I had no hope of ever taking control. If anything happened to my father, I’d be dead before he was buried. What would become of our peaceful island then?
    Remember, Dunston added. We don’t know where the threat is coming from. The traitor could be one of our own. Don’t trust anyone. Not until we can rule them out as traitors.
    I made my way through the conference room, down the length of the oversized table, toward the only empty chair. Out of my peripheral vision, I noted that every single person was staring at me. Five men and three women. I picked the man next to my father and kept my gaze on him. He finally looked away as I sat.
    One down. Seven to go.
    An hour later, I suppressed a yawn and