Read Online Fledgling (The Vampire Manifesto, Book Two) by Rashaad Bell - Free Book Online Page A

that was before I got my back broken by a goddamn government issued Super Soldier. Who I’ve apparently made an enemy of. I need…I need…what Madison? What do you need? I need to get the hell out these clothes first off; they’re covered in blood, mine and the Defense Initiative Agents I was fighting. That can’t be good. No, blood-spattered clothes to a Vampire can’t be very good at all.
    I started to strip out of them, peeling my shirt off my body. I opened the window and threw them out. I needed to get them the hell away from me. I closed the window immediately and felt better; the fragrance of blood was not underneath my nose anymore. What I needed to do was sneak off, just for a little while and grant someone a special little death, something swift and painless, their blood bequeathing me the strength to get through this night.
    That sounds like the perfect plan.
    I opened the closet and grabbed the first shirt I could find, something with a picture of Gollum from The Lord of the Rings on it, then I took off my chinos, grabbing a clean pair of jeans and slid them on. Even though I was still grimy from earlier, I could shower later. I grabbed a pair of Timberlands, something I’d hadn’t worn since we moved from Baltimore. It was just too hot for them here in Palm Coast, but the heat didn’t affect me like it did before. Plus, after the night I’m having, wearing a pair of boots over sneakers just seemed logical.
    All I have to do is sneak out. I can go right out my window over there. Ten, fifteen minutes tops, nobody would know. Well, maybe Connor would, stupid Vampire hearing, but I can bolt my bedroom door and none of my actual family would be the wiser. I just need to grant someone that special little death is all.
    That special little death is all I need right now.
    The bedroom door opened. I was adrift in thought, concentrating so hard on not losing control that I wasn’t paying attention. Wasn’t listening. If I were only listening, I would have departed by now. I would have locked the door and been out the window by the time they hit the third step, but I wasn’t listening.
    However, I’m listening now.
    All I can hear is Aiden’s heartbeat thundering in my ears. I turned around and saw him standing there, astray in emotion, distraught to the point that he couldn’t speak. He came towards me, wrapped his arms around my neck and just began to cry. I held him as much as I dared but…
    “They’re gone Madison.” He was speaking through sobs, but even if he was mumbling incoherently I would still comprehend him, he's my brother.
    “I know, Aiden, I know.” I held him tighter. “Everything is going to be okay. I’m going to take care of us, I’m going make sure that nothing…that...that nothing…”
    I trailed off. I couldn’t vocalize, I couldn’t think. My body hurt so much. Sure, most of the injuries had healed, but there was so much pain, I just needed something to take the pain away, if only for a second. Then I could go, then I could grant that special death.
    I pulled back somewhat, just enough so that we were still embraced, but I could see his face, see his eyes. “I want you to be very still.”
    His eyes glazed over. “Yeah, sure, whatever you say Madison.”
    I just need…
    …that…
    special little death…
    …to make the pain go away.
    I sank my teeth into Aiden’s neck, gradually, gently, so that it was virtually painless. He drew back somewhat, but my arms were wrapped about him and held him firm. I could taste it now, it was filling up my mouth, sliding down my throat, coating my organs…I just wanted a taste, just enough to stop the pain, then I can…
    Aiden was collapsing to the ground, his eyes fluttering, but I didn’t relinquish my hold upon him. No not yet, I just required a little bit more then everything would be okay. Everything would be fine. His eyes were closed now, but a little relaxation would do him good. Help him get through the night. He’s