Read Online The Dark Gifts Birthright by Willow Cross - Free Book Online Page A

into her face, wondering
exactly when she had started paying attention to his thoughts.
    She winked. “About the part where you were a
killing machine. Very scary stuff.” Her gaze shifted toward her
hands folded in her lap. “It’s hard to imagine you that way
now.”
    “I am what I am,” he said. Taking her face in
his hands, he tenderly kissed her forehead, eyes, and then moved
down to her soft lips. Softly at first, then as his passion grew it
became much more intense. She responded with such fervor that he
almost could not contain himself. Then with a sigh, he pulled back.
“Someone is coming. I hope this isn’t going to set precedence for
us,” he laughed.
    A quick knock on the door, and Athena was in
front of them. “I’m terribly sorry to interrupt, but there has been
an incident, Michael. You are needed.”
    “Well, no rest for the wicked,” he joked.
Leaning over, he kissed Liz one last time and was gone.
    “Everyone moves so quickly around here, it's
like being on another planet,” she said as her eyes remained
focused on the closed door.
    “You’ll get used to it and many other things
as well. I have things to attend to, so I must leave you to your
own devices. Someone will come shortly to show you around the
fortress and take you to your apartment.”
    “Apartment?”
    “Michael’s apartment dear, he chose not to
live with us, but we have always kept his rooms. His father would
not permit them to be used by others. Trouble is brewing, so I must
fly!”
    Liz leaned back on the couch and watched the
wood crackle and burn in the fireplace. It was like being a part of
a blockbuster movie that never ended. Laughing to herself, she
wondered which famous star would play her character's roll in the
movie. Then sobering, her thoughts turned to her family, home, and
all she had left behind. “I can do this,” she assured herself.
    “Of course you can!” An unfamiliar voice
answered.
    Liz bolted from the couch.
    “Oops, sorry!” said the beautiful, laughing
girl.
    She looked about sixteen. With a petite
cheerleader’s body, beautiful waist length golden hair, and
porcelain skin, she looked more like a doll than a person. “I’m
Angie,” she said. “Your tour director on this cruise.”
    Her eyes twinkled with merriment and Liz knew
immediately that other than Michael, this girl would be her one joy
in this place. She offered her hand to introduce herself, sending
Angie into a fit of giggles.
    “I know who you are silly. Everyone knows who
you are! How old are you? Twenty? Twenty-one? I’m so excited to
finally have someone here that is at least close to my age. Well
not my real age, but the age I was and will always be. Isn’t it
great? Don’t you think it’s just wonderful to never grow old?”
Angie rattled on so quickly Liz could hardly keep up with the
changing conversation. They walked out the doorway and down the
tunnel, Angie chattering the whole time.
    Not leaving out any nook or cranny, she gave
Liz the grand tour. By the time they reached Michael’s rooms, Liz
thought she knew where every room, closet, cell, and mouse hole in
the fortress was located and how long it had been there. She’d also
learned Angie was short for Angelica, and Athena was her mother.
Angie had informed her that she was turned the day after her 17th
birthday.
    “Oh yes, my mother is the Athena from Greek
mythology. She's been around a very long time.”
    “That's just amazing.” Liz said.
    “She saved me. My real mother died giving
birth to me. My father, a horrid mean man, died when I was
thirteen. If she hadn't taken me in...well let's just say that some
shriveled old goat would have been my husband.” Her nose wrinkled
for a moment before the endearing smile returned to her face.
    “So you like this? Being a vampire I
mean.”
    A tall cloaked figure approached as they
turned into another corridor. “Wait.” Angie said, pulling Liz
against the tunnel wall and quietly allowing the figure to