Read Online NightFall: Book One: Bloodlust Is the Cure for the Immortal Soul by Anastacia Kelley - Free Book Online
Authors: Anastacia Kelley
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that threw coins at him on the streets may have made a joke of his predicamen t but at least he had a soul and a heart that beats with feeling.
That was the one thing Van feared most about changing. Would his heart become as cold and as lifeless as some of them?
“You know better than to think of such ghastly things,” admonished Saldivar. “You have a kind heart now and it will not change once you are transformed. It will be enhanced. You will feel things much deeper. You have a great sp irit. That will never waver,” he predicted.
“If feelings are enhanced, what becomes of the ones with evil dispositions? Does the evil possess them even more so then?” Van wondered.
“Unfortunately, it does. I wished it was not so but I cannot change what was there while they were still human. If you are born to evil then there will be an increase of said evil when the change takes place. There are rogue vampires out there, I will not lie. But that is true of every person, human or not. There is alway s a weed amongst the flowers; a thorn on ev ery rose. It is unavoidable,” Saldivar lectured. “The only thing you can do is worry about your life and how to live positively with what you have or will get.”
Van was struck by Saldivar’s philosophy. Given his age, he could imagine he had seen just about every type of person in the world. Saldivar was a mentor. His mentor. Actually, more like the father he really never had.
“Yes, life will be richer. But I must warn you, do not think it will be perfect. Despite what others say, life is not better on the other side. Good and bad. New and old. But the important thing is, is that yo u will be alive to see it all,” Saldivar said with delight in his amber eyes.
Van nodded then moved to the window. “I know life can never be perfect. But I feel it will be greatly augmented. It has to be.” Van firmly believed things will change for the better. He had a choice now. He did not have to beg for money or food any more. He did not have to walk miles just to find a safe place to sleep. Yes, he made the right decision. He could not turn back now.
Van braved a cleansing breath and spoke evenly and irrefutably. “My answer is as clear as the evening sky. My life is now placed in you hands.”
Saldivar nodded once and smiled.
*
At first the pain brought tears to Van’s eyes. No, it was not an excruciating type of pain but an unearthly sensation. Van had vetoed the idea of standing up for fear of falling to the floor at the sheer thought of what was really going on. He opted to sit on a small, armless chair. The headrest was soft and rounded so his head could fall back naturally while supporting the curve in his neck.
Saldivar had explained to him what to expect but nothing could prepare Van for that first feeling of sharp teeth against the soft flesh of his neck. He could actually feel the puncture. His ea rs were alerted to the ‘pop’ of skin as Saldivar bit down.
At once, Van felt he would panic. Did he make a mistake? Would Saldivar drain him dry? Was Saldivar the only escapee from the asylum and drinking blood was a way of ecstasy for him? He did seem to know about the reputation of the asylum. So, was it something sexual for him?
And why on God’s green earth did Van start thinking of these issues now? It was too late for thought now. Besides, Saldivar had been nothing but nice to him. He had no reason to believe otherwise.
Perhaps Van was just a bit disquieted. Van closed his eyes and concentrated on his breathing, hoping that it would calm his frazzled nerves. It would be over soon. A few moments later, Van managed to settle himself.
When Saldivar lifted his head, signaling he was finished, Van realized it was not as bad as he presumed it would be. But it was only half over. Van could feel his stomach churn. He had to swallow hard several times in quick succession. His throat spasmed at the sight of blood oozing from Saldivar’s neck.
Saldivar licked the blood
That was the one thing Van feared most about changing. Would his heart become as cold and as lifeless as some of them?
“You know better than to think of such ghastly things,” admonished Saldivar. “You have a kind heart now and it will not change once you are transformed. It will be enhanced. You will feel things much deeper. You have a great sp irit. That will never waver,” he predicted.
“If feelings are enhanced, what becomes of the ones with evil dispositions? Does the evil possess them even more so then?” Van wondered.
“Unfortunately, it does. I wished it was not so but I cannot change what was there while they were still human. If you are born to evil then there will be an increase of said evil when the change takes place. There are rogue vampires out there, I will not lie. But that is true of every person, human or not. There is alway s a weed amongst the flowers; a thorn on ev ery rose. It is unavoidable,” Saldivar lectured. “The only thing you can do is worry about your life and how to live positively with what you have or will get.”
Van was struck by Saldivar’s philosophy. Given his age, he could imagine he had seen just about every type of person in the world. Saldivar was a mentor. His mentor. Actually, more like the father he really never had.
“Yes, life will be richer. But I must warn you, do not think it will be perfect. Despite what others say, life is not better on the other side. Good and bad. New and old. But the important thing is, is that yo u will be alive to see it all,” Saldivar said with delight in his amber eyes.
Van nodded then moved to the window. “I know life can never be perfect. But I feel it will be greatly augmented. It has to be.” Van firmly believed things will change for the better. He had a choice now. He did not have to beg for money or food any more. He did not have to walk miles just to find a safe place to sleep. Yes, he made the right decision. He could not turn back now.
Van braved a cleansing breath and spoke evenly and irrefutably. “My answer is as clear as the evening sky. My life is now placed in you hands.”
Saldivar nodded once and smiled.
*
At first the pain brought tears to Van’s eyes. No, it was not an excruciating type of pain but an unearthly sensation. Van had vetoed the idea of standing up for fear of falling to the floor at the sheer thought of what was really going on. He opted to sit on a small, armless chair. The headrest was soft and rounded so his head could fall back naturally while supporting the curve in his neck.
Saldivar had explained to him what to expect but nothing could prepare Van for that first feeling of sharp teeth against the soft flesh of his neck. He could actually feel the puncture. His ea rs were alerted to the ‘pop’ of skin as Saldivar bit down.
At once, Van felt he would panic. Did he make a mistake? Would Saldivar drain him dry? Was Saldivar the only escapee from the asylum and drinking blood was a way of ecstasy for him? He did seem to know about the reputation of the asylum. So, was it something sexual for him?
And why on God’s green earth did Van start thinking of these issues now? It was too late for thought now. Besides, Saldivar had been nothing but nice to him. He had no reason to believe otherwise.
Perhaps Van was just a bit disquieted. Van closed his eyes and concentrated on his breathing, hoping that it would calm his frazzled nerves. It would be over soon. A few moments later, Van managed to settle himself.
When Saldivar lifted his head, signaling he was finished, Van realized it was not as bad as he presumed it would be. But it was only half over. Van could feel his stomach churn. He had to swallow hard several times in quick succession. His throat spasmed at the sight of blood oozing from Saldivar’s neck.
Saldivar licked the blood
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