Read Online Falling from the Light (The Night Runner Series Book 3) by Regan Summers - Free Book Online Page B

vision.
    “Everyone here is mine to worry about,” she said finally, black eyes blinking as though she were waking up. “I am Chev. This is my home.”
    My home . The atmosphere actually tightened when she said her name, and a big chunk of the ambient power gelled around her before it stretched away. An image of massive wings, spanning wider than the building, out over the desert, filled my mind. Jesus. I hadn’t been able to pin her down because her power was everywhere. Master Bronson might be stronger, but his power was threaded throughout a massive territory. She had only this building, on a single stamp of land. She could probably tell when worms rolled over under the ground.
    “We appreciate your hospitality,” I said. If I hadn’t spent years standing up under vampire scrutiny, I couldn’t have managed it.
    “I have permitted your presence as a favor to Malcolm Kelly.” She nodded absently, as though she was carrying on another conversation in her head. “Which puts us even. Do not interrupt or in any way solicit the guests. Do not venture into the feeding rooms.”
    Of all the things that wouldn’t be a problem. “Yes, ma’am.” I kept my tone light and polite even as anger bloomed. As if I was some bite junkie who’d snuck in hoping to score.
    Her head tilted to the side. “My rules offend you.”
    Did it offend me to be thought of as a blood whore for any sucker I could get my pathetic human hands on? Li’l bit. Was I going to tell her that?
    “No, ma’am.”
    Her gaze lowered, and all the fine hairs on the back of my neck stood up as she focused on me.
    “You bear the imprint of a vampire but you are unmarked.” It was almost a question, then her voice darkened. “And Malcolm Kelly somehow forgot to tell me this.”
    “My apologies.” My restless legs kept trying to turn and direct me to the door to the parking garage, but while the sun might stop her, that wasn’t the end of her territory.
    “Unmarked is unclaimed,” she said, patient rather than irritated, “and unclaimed humans do not remain that way for long among guests such as ours.”
    “I’m not looking for trouble, I swear.”
    “You come willingly to a house of the undead, so you’ll forgive me if I do not believe you.” Her eyes glittered, a little burst of light rather than the usual foxfire glow. It faded as she got down to business. “Use the door you entered through. Stay off the lower floors unless you are chaperoned. Those are for named guests only. This floor is humans and servants. You may access the roof at will, but I will not stand for disruptions. Feeding is not permitted in the pool. Send your servant to collect your meals or anything you need.”
    “Right. Perfect. Will do.”
    “Violence and force are not allowed in my territory, not by anyone. As you are unclaimed, punishment will be mine to decide and there will be no negotiation. Do you understand?”
    “Yes.” I took two steps, making a conscious effort not to hug the wall as I passed, then stopped. “Um, speaking of my…servant. He’ll need to feed. How can he…” How did you ask if the hotel had a blood buffet?
    “He may inquire with Guest Services. You have only to permit him to leave you.”
    “Good. Thanks. Thank you. This…” I swept my arm wide. “It’s a beautiful place you have here.”
    “You seem more restrained than Malcolm Kelly. I hope you’ll be a good influence on him for the duration of this visit.”
    I didn’t run, but I rounded the corner pretty damn quickly. Chev hadn’t attempted to influence me—a rarity from a vampire—but the conversation hadn’t exactly been comfortable. Finding my room was easy. It was the one with a vampire standing outside of it, sporting colossal sideburns and a heavy frown.
    “ Señorita ?”
    Maybe it was my enormous relief, or the chemical need for comfort after dealing with Chev, but I was really happy to see him.
    “Hey, Thurston.” I nearly apologized for leaving him out in