Read Online Blood Trinity by Carol Lynne - Free Book Online

phone call. He readied himself for the blow that was sure to come, it always came. Maybe not in the next minute, but sooner or later Kern would lash out with his fists or a belt to teach Audric a lesson.
    Haig pulled onto the vineyard and drove down the winding road towards the row of cottages. He parked in the communal parking lot and turned off the engine.
    Audric couldn’t seem to move from the safety of the truck.
    “You coming?” Haig asked from outside of the vehicle.
    Audric shook his head. “I think it would be better if I went back to the dorm,” he mumbled.
    “What?” Haig sighed and climbed back in the truck. “What’s going on?”
    “I talked back to Kern. I hung up on him.” Audric shook his head. “I’d rather just walk away than be hurt again. I wanted this life to be different. But it’s only been a couple of days, and I’m already doing the same stupid shit I did with LaMont’s coven.”
    Haig leaned one arm on the steering wheel and turned in the seat to face Audric . “What is it you think you’ve done?”
    Audric felt tears burn his eyes. He wiped them away before they had a chance to fall. “I talked back. I hung up. I should know better. I got too comfortable.” Audric took a deep breath. He had to get himself under control.
    Haig’s hand shot out and Audric flinched, closing his eyes against the expected blow. When nothing happened, he opened his eyes enough to look through his lashes at the man beside him. Haig appeared even angrier than he had before. Sometimes it was waiting for the punch or slap that was the worst part. “Just do it,” Audric finally said.
    “I—” Haig cleared his throat. “I’m not going to hurt you.”
    Still pressed against the passenger door, Audric opened his eyes fully. “But you’re mad. I can see it on your face.”
    “You’re damn right I’m mad, but not at you.”
    While Haig had been talking, his attention drifted to the window over Audric’s head. “It looks like Kern’s come to check on us.”
    Audric turned and jumped when he saw Kern’s handsome face staring down at him. His first instinct was to lock the door.
    “Don’t,” Haig said. “You need to understand that not all disagreements end in abuse.”
    Audric glanced up at Kern once more. His mate appeared to be more confused than angry. Audric felt the same way. Was it really possible to talk his problems out with Kern?
    “What’s going on?” Kern asked through the glass.
    “Why don’t I go on to the house and let the two of you talk,” Haig suggested.
    “No.” Audric needed to learn to trust. Wasn’t that what this new life was about? “If you really think I’m safe I’ll go inside with the two of you.” It was a giant leap of faith for Audric , but he so wanted to believe in the goodness of the new men in his life.
    “There’s not a safer place in the world for you than between me and Kern. That, I can promise you.”

Chapter Five
     
     
     
    “Are you sure he’ll be okay?” Kern asked Haig as they waited to board the plane.
    “He’ll be fine.” Haig rested his hand on Kern’s thigh. “I know it’s easy to think of Audric as weaker because of his size, but he was right to call us on it.” Haig gave Kern a sideways look. “How many weak vampires do you know?”
    “None,” Kern conceded. Other than Gods and demigods, vampires were the strongest among the Blessed Creatures. “But if he’s so strong, why has he suffered for so many centuries?”
    “I didn’t say he was the strongest,” Haig corrected. “I’m sure he was no match for LaMont and his coven—they were vampires, too. But out in the real world, Audric has the advantage, and we need to remember that.”
    Kern crossed his arms. He’d spent the remainder of the night making love to Audric , trying to reassure his mate of his commitment. “I still can’t believe he thought I’d physically punish him for arguing with me. Sure, I enjoy a hard, brutal fuck, but you know me, I’d