Read Online Dark Heirloom (An Ema Marx Novel Book 1) by J.D. Brown - Free Book Online

pillars, holding the ceiling in their raised hands.
    Jesu chuckled. “There is much more to see. We have not yet covered a quarter of the castle.”
    “This room is so unnecessary. I can’t imagine how much it cost to build.”
    He glanced around. “It is nothing compared to our old castle in Sweden.”
    “Do you have celebrations here?”
    “No, not for many years. It draws too much attention. As far as the good people of Finland are aware, this island is uninhabited. Shall we continue?”
    Without waiting for a response, he led me through an arched opening in the center of the back wall, which gave way to a formal dining room. Oak floors shone brightly in the light that leaked in from the ballroom. A polished mahogany table stood in the center of the room, encompassed by fourteen chairs upholstered in scarlet, with room to spare. Baroque period art covered three of the surrounding stone walls. I gasped at the authenticity of their pre-Columbus origins.
    A striking triple-box fireplace spanned the entire length of the wall to the right. I didn’t know a hearth could be so big. Bleached white brick made up the mantle, which stretched up to the ceiling. A bearskin rug hugged the floorboards at the base of the fireplace. It might have been inviting if it wasn’t staring at me with creepy, glossed wooden eyes.
    A white flag with a blue Nordic Cross hung over the mantle. More flags hung on brass poles on both sides of the fireplace. They were similar, except for the crosses which were each a different color.
    “This place is like a museum.” I glanced at Jesu, who was patiently waiting by the entrance to another hallway. “Whose Coat of Arms is that?” I pointed to the crest mounted on the mantle below the white flag.
    Jesu came to my side. “It belongs to the Neo-Draugrians.”
    I studied it. A black winged serpent, looking rather like a medieval dragon, coiled around a sword on a background of red. The serpent stared with omniscient eyes, as if it didn’t approve of me staring back.
    Jesu inclined his head, gesturing for me to follow. We went down another corridor and emerged into a kitchen. The smallest and simplest room so far, it was still bigger than my apartment in Chicago. Raw lumber made up the cupboards and countertops. A stainless steel island sat in the center. Deep cuts and red stains blemished the top.
    The aroma of raw meat and sawdust hung in the air, awakening a lustful desire deep within, as well as knots of nausea. I salivated and choked at the same time.
    “Jesu,” my voice was a faint whisper as I gripped the countertop. My chest heaved as the rusty salt and metallic smell of dried blood scraped against my throat. The stench was too overpowering.
    Jesu grinned. “Thirsty?”
    Is that what this is, thirst? I nodded. He crossed over to the stainless steel refrigerator and opened the door to reveal a mountain of full IV bags. He took one out. My eyes fixated on the red liquid. My pulse sped as adrenaline coursed through my veins.
    I crouched low, fingers arched, lips raised to show my fangs, one foot back, ready to launch myself forward. I was prepared to kill Jesu for the bag in his hand, even though there were a hundred more in the fridge.
    Jesu was reaching for a glass when he noticed me. He barked out a one-syllable laugh, then closed the cupboard without taking out a cup. Instead, he tossed the bag at me. I caught it in my mouth. As I backed into a corner, a low growl emanated from my throat.
    Mine!
    Not taking my eyes off him, lest he try to steal my meal, I clutched my prize and tore the plastic open with my teeth. The crimson liquid spilled out in a rush and I suckled at the hole, drinking the bag dry. Casting the plastic aside as I finished, I lapped up the small pool that had collected on the floor and then licked my fingers.
    Even though the salty, syrup flavor wasn’t very pleasing, a euphoric rush shot through my core. Blissful energy tingled through every fiber of my body, ending