Read Online The Hunted by Heather McAlendin - Free Book Online Page B

changed. I noticed a few more books here and there; Andrew had always enjoyed literary pursuits. It was not so much the things that had changed but the feeling of the place. A new era had definitely begun and was continuing here.
    When we finally arrived at the door outside what I assumed was Andrew’s resting place, I pulled back. I felt a presence behind the door, a male presence but I could not determine who it was. An unexpected sense of fear jolted through me like electricity. I knew without a doubt if I entered that room, I’d never leave.
    Forcing calm upon myself I attempted to smile at Andrew as he placed his hand on the door handle.
    “Not just yet,” I said, trying to sound calm as I needed to get a better idea as to who or what was waiting for me. “Let me look at you Andrew, it seems like leadership agrees with you. You look wonderful!”
    My former consort grinned broadly and pulled me close to his chest, guiding my head to where his heart beat. “I have you to thank. You have given me the opportunity to see life in a whole new way and with a new sense of purpose.”
    I could hear his heart beating wild and erratic as he spoke. The voice was the same but there was an uneasiness in his words that I had never heard before. Was he trying to warn me of something?
    “Silver, please know how much I loved you,” he continued. “Although we shall not rule together now, be strong and retain your sense of purpose.”
    Pulling my head away, I looked up into his blue eyes and saw tears forming. It was enough to reassure me that something was seriously wrong. As we locked on one another, I mouthed one word to him silently. “Set?”
    A slight nod and a blink was my answer. I gathered my strength and pushed myself away from Andrew. With one, swift movement I grasped my dagger and steadied myself for what I was sure would be an onslaught.
    “Go, now!” Andrew’s voice was low and strangled and he placed one hand on the side of his head in obvious anguish. “I can’t do this much longer. It is taking every ounce of mental power I had to stop Set from sensing us here. He means to murder you and Drake and I was to help him. All of this sickens me but he is very powerful, Silver. Go!”
    Without another word and resisting the urge to look back, I jumped backward and turned to scale the stairs. I had to find Drake and leave this place before Andrew completely lost any control and Set unleashed his wrath.
    The entrance was empty as I jumped down the final four stairs to the floor below. I closed my eyes and sought out Drake with my mind. I had never perfected this talent but I held on to the hope that it would be enough. It was. Drake’s presence was weak but discernible and directly below my feet.
    I was familiar with the layout of this place as it had been my own original design. In case of emergency, I had secret passages leading to the basement and escape routes that lead underground and into the city. To my knowledge, no one had ever used them. I rushed to the far side of the staircase and placed my hand on a particular spot. The slight movement was enough to release a panel which revealed a hidden door and stairs to the basement.
    As I entered, I heard a loud wail from the top floor of the house. My worst fear had come to true and I knew Set had discovered Andrew, alone in the hallway. Now all I could wish for was that Andrew had the wherewithal to hold Set off as long as possible so we could make our escape.
    I am so sorry things had to end this way my love. I hurried down the stairs to the bowels of the house.
    As I made my way down a darkened corridor, I could hear a muffled sound coming from the room I used to keep for bloodletting ceremonies. Andrew and I had bonded there in what seemed like a lifetime ago.
    With one well-placed heel, I shattered the door in two pieces and made my way inside. There, splayed out on a large bed was Drake with a very young female hovering above him. He had his teeth latched to