Read Online Know Thine Enemy by Rosalie Stanton - Free Book Online Page A

thought about his dead wife or the events that had led him to the hard life he wore now.
    " We are acquainted," Prentiss said softly.
    " But he's not one of yours."
    " No. Mr. Ryker represents the very sort of monster C.R.O.S.S. is determined to eradicate. It is our intention, Izzie, to enter a world wherein vampire hunters such as yourself are no longer required to serve as guardians of the human race." He shrugged. "Ryker and those like him are of the belief that humans are below us in the food chain, and that it is our right to pick you off."
    " We believe vampires are a subhuman species," Moira chimed in. "Those who pledge dedication to C.R.O.S.S. are those who were turned against their will, or unknowing what they would become."
    Juliette nodded. "Feeding on blood isn't right."
    " There are those who believe themselves godlike for their ability to defy time, cheat death, and feast on the flesh of the living," Prentiss said. "Mr. Ryker is one of them. He is of the same breed that butchered Mr. Wright's family, and therein leading him on his dark path."
    Izzie wet her lips, the pain in her head stretching until she felt numb. Everything throbbed and pulsated. Nausea crept into her stomach. "I'm not the one you want for this."
    " No?"
    " You . . . mentioned . . . you mention Harrison. My father."
    Prentiss inclined his head.
    "Vamps have done nothing to me. Hunting is just a job. Or a favor, really. A favor to Wright. I owe him, and that's why I do what I do. It's nothing personal."
    " But Harrison Bennett did," Prentiss said. "Do something to you."
    Izzie winced and did her best to ignore him. "I'm with Zack because he saved me."
    " You're here because you're different from the other hunters."
    She frowned, her thoughts tugging her back to The Wall. Hadn 't Ryker said the same thing? Did she have something tattooed somewhere? Hunters weren't typically known for their conversational skills. How anyone could determine she wasn't like every other badass in her field was beyond her, but it had definitely become a nuisance, and rendered her effectively pissed.
    " Mr. Wright wouldn't listen to us if he was the one sitting in that chair," Prentiss observed.
    " Mr. Wright wouldn't have been dumb enough to wind up in this chair in the first place," Izzie replied. "He would've nailed your ass to the wall."
    " And that's why we want you," Moira said. "You don't act before you think."
    " He does what he has to."
    " He does it for revenge," the blonde continued. "You don't seek revenge on us."
    " Not yet. Keep talking, though, and you might convince me."
    Prentiss grinned. "See. And that's why I like you."
    " I'm flattered." Izzie looked quickly to the quieter woman . . . Juliette, or whoever. She didn't like the way the vamp studied her neck. Maybe she was fresh off the tap. It could be Izzie's imagination, but the chick looked like she could fall off the wagon at any time.
    " You haven't closed your mind off," Prentiss said, drawing her attention back to him. "You're still listening."
    Izzie smiled through her teeth. "Mistake number one."
    " Our interests right now are solely in cleaning up the streets," Prentiss said. "Which is in league with your interest . . . or at the very least, the interest of your friend, Mr. Wright."
    " And you're doing it by kidnapping one hunter at a time?"
    The man shrugged. "Our methods differ from town to town. Finding you here was a happy coincidence, and Mr. Ryker has clearly taken an interest in you. That makes you a weakness where he is concerned."
    Izzie arched a brow. "Don't get me wrong, but he doesn't seem like the type to have such an obvious weakness."
    " You wouldn't think so, wouldn't you?"
    " Unless you're another one of those closest cases who's read Twilight too many times. Vamps don't go moon-eyed for us puny mortals. Ryker wants nothing to do with me."
    Prentiss just grinned. "My dear, you don't know Mr. Ryker as I do."
    " What? You guys go to the same summer camp?"
    The grin thinned