Read Online Rising Shadows by Bridget Blackwood - Free Book Online Page A

going to miss one? Anyway, the crazy bitch queen sent some troops after me and I learned I was the most powerful vampire alive that that day. Not bragging, but I am the shit. I sent the Fae army back to her as dust in a jar. No one told me I was a super vampire. Some shit about if I didn’t know I couldn’t hurt anyone. Proud to say no accidental murders committed by me in centuries. No, all my kills since then are entirely on purpose. I’m attacked by Fae every so often. Those deaths are the most satisfying.
    The woman on my doorstep reminds me of that first Fae experience. She had been looking for bed sport. What is this one looking for? I’m torn. Do I want this woman to be another assassin or just want me for my body? Is it wrong if I want both?
    Brave little firefly for showing up on a Vampire’s doorstep. Currently, Vampires and the Fae are in a cease fire. Manias Artorias, the Vampire Regis, negotiated it at the beginning of his reign. Life has been painfully boring since then.
    “Is this the home of Dr. Keller?” she asks.
    She's looking for Keller? Disappointed, I nod and say,  “He lives here, but the house belongs to Varian Caina.”
      Her eyes bug out.  “Varian Caina? He’s not home is he?” she asks nervously.
    She knows my name and reputation but has no clue what I look like? This should be fun. Instead of telling her ‘Yes, you’re talking to him’ I lie and say  “No.”
    Don’t want to scare off the entertainment.
    “Oh good.” She looks relieved.  “Can you please take me to the doctor? I must speak with him.”
    “What the hell.”  I shrug.  “Been a while since I did anything to piss him off.”
    The puzzled look on her face is familiar. I get that look a lot from people. When you are more powerful than any one person should be, you seldom hear the word no. It breeds tedium. I like to catch people off guard. I think the general consensus is I’m bat shit crazy, but who is going to do anything to me? The Regis? Yeah right. I was supposed to be the king. Too much work so I turned the job down. If I ever decide I want to wear a tiara, I’ll just remove Manias’ head and take his crown. He’s lucky he's my best friend.
    I take her hand and pull her along behind me.  “Come on firefly, the mad scientist is this way.”
    “Firefly? What the hell does that mean?” She demands.
    I ignore her.  “Keller! A visitor has come calling,” I taunt in a sing song voice.
    “Who, Varian? You know I don’t like visitors.” The voice comes from down the hall but gets louder as we move closer to his office.
    Winter's gaze darts to me ,  “Why did he call you Varian?” Her voice is suspicious.
    Shrugging, I screw up my face and draw an imaginary circle with a finger next to my ear making the universal sign someone is crazy.
    We reach Keller’s office. Not taking my eyes off her I say,  “A little Fae chit. An attractive morsel. No idea why she would want to see a mean old bastard like you, but who understands women?” She glares at me. I can’t stop the huge grin from splitting my face. Must have shown a little too much fang 'cause Firefly tugs harder to free her captured hand.
    Keller doesn’t look up from his papers.  “Fae. No use for any Fae whether they’re beautiful or not. Send her away.”
    Well done, Keller. He’s such a bastard he makes me look like a gentlemen.
    Firefly approaches Keller’s desk. She’s not going to leave. Slamming her hands down on the surface of the desk she gets Keller’s attention. But does she really want it? “Doctor Keller, I came to ask you for help. A hybrid Fae-Lycan child is dying. Humans poisoned her with something unknown.”
    “Humans. Fae. Lycan. What a headache,” Keller mumbles, he looks back down.
    Leaning against the door frame I add my two cents worth.  “Keller, if I were you I wouldn’t.” The girl turns her furious eyes on me.  “What? Those are three factions a vampire has no cause to bother with. Why would