Read Online Embrace the Twilight by MAGGIE SHAYNE - Free Book Online

harm. In fact, I come to save you.”
    Liar, Will thought.
    â€œThen loose these chains from my wrists and help me find my way back to my family.”
    â€œNot just yet. First, there are things you must know. I will free you when you’ve heard them all.”
    â€œFree me now, and I’ll stay and listen.”
    â€œYou’ll bolt.”
    She almost began to cry. Will could feel the tears brimming in her eyes, the fear bubbling in her chest. But he could also feel the supreme control she exercised over those things. She thought she could fool the beast, pretend not to fear it and gain some kind of an advantage. “At least grant me some light,” she said, forcing her voice not to tremble, “so that I can see you.”
    The vampire grunted, then moved around her, until he stood in the pool of light. She looked at him, and so did Will.
    He was big, oversize really. Heavy, but not fat. His build reminded Will of that of a professional wrestler. He was exceedingly pale, but with eyes and hair as dark as those of a Rom. He looked back at Sarafina, and she realized at last that she wore very little. Only her white shift.
    â€œTell me these secrets of yours and then let me go,” she commanded, but her voice was shaking in spite of her efforts not to let it. His size alone was enough to terrify anyone.
    The vampire nodded. “First I will tell you what you already know. You grow weaker all the time. You have spells of dizziness. Sometimes you faint. You sleep more and more, especially by day. And you are often cold, no matter how warm the sun may be or how many blankets you wrap around you.”
    She blinked in surprise. “How do you know these things?” she asked. “How can you know them?”
    â€œBecause it is always the way with The Chosen.”
    â€œThe Chosen?”
    â€œThat is what we call those few, rare mortals who share some inexplicable bond with us. Only they can become as we are. We always know them, watch over them, protect them if we can. That is why I’ve followed your band. To protect you, because you are one of The Chosen.”
    She blinked very slowly. “What are you, exactly?”
    â€œMy name is Bartrone,” he said. “I am a vampire.”
    She moved reflexively, and Will knew she would have made some protective magical sign if she could have moved her arms. But all she managed was a spasmlike tug on the chains.
    â€œPlease, do not be afraid. You’re dying, Sarafina. Your mortal life is slipping away. The symptoms you’ve been feeling are proof enough of that. The Chosen always die young. You can let it go on and die alone, or you can let me share my gift with you and become what I am. Become…my friend and companion.”
    No, Will thought. Never!
    â€œNo. No, you’re a demon, a killer. You murder the innocent. I’ll never be like you!”
    â€œHardly innocent,” Bartrone said softly. “Your precious Belinda had grown tired of caring for her aging mother. She was poisoning her.”
    Sarafina went very still there in the darkness. “P-poisoning?”
    â€œHad you not noticed the old woman’s health beginning to fail?”
    â€œYes, but…”
    â€œI’ve only removed the dregs from your band, Sarafina. Those who dearly needed killing, though I should have seen your sister for what she was and taken her long ago. I’m sorry I allowed her to betray you this way.”
    â€œWhat way?”
    He lowered his head. “Please—do not pretend you don’t know. You know about her and Andre. You must know.”
    She looked away from him, tears pooling in her eyes as her mind replayed her final conversation with the man she’d thought she would wed. Will ached for her.
    â€œHe planned to marry you only because you were the wealthier of the two, and because he knew your gifts far surpassed those of your sister. Yet by night, he and Katerina slip into the