Read Online Vampire University (Book One in the Vampire University Series) by VJ Erickson - Free Book Online Page A

we’re not dangerous.”
    “So you're dangerous?"
    “Me? Of course not! I can see why that’s not convincing, but I promise you I’m on your side.”
    Before Taylor could respond, however, the door burst open. Addison stood in the doorway looking annoyed.
    “What is going on in here?” she demanded, looking at the chair toppled over on the ground.
    Hannah looked visibly annoyed with Addison as well.
    “Nothing that wouldn’t require you to knock first,” said Hannah.
    “I heard a crash. I took liberties,” Addison replied.
    Taylor looked at Addison and then back at Hannah. Taylor wondered if Addison was a vampire too. Then Taylor realized that she was debating whether or not Addison was also a vampire and not merely if vampires existed in the first place. She wondered if this meant that she believed Hannah.
    “Well everything is fi...” Hannah began but stopped mid-sentence.
    Taylor turned to follow Hannah’s eyes to the doorway and saw Eric standing there behind Addison.
    “Can I help you?” Addison said, turning to look at him, but her confidence faded when she saw the expression on his face.
    Eric ignored her for a moment and looked at Hannah and then Taylor. His mouth turned into a twisted half smile and he responded without turning away from Taylor.
    “Yes, actually. I think you could be very helpful," he said.
    As he said this, he suddenly reached over and grabbed Addison forcefully towards him, one of his arms around her and the other behind her back. She let out a gasp.
    “What is that? Is that a knife?” Addison asked.
    Eric’s face broke out into a full smile. Taylor could see his fangs clearly now.
    “It is,” he replied and turned her forcefully to the side so that Taylor and Hannah could see behind her.
    He had a long knife pressed against her back.
    “I was going to use it a little differently, but I never pass on an opportunity,” he said and then pulled it around to her neck, holding the edge of the blade against it.
    “So here’s what we’re going to do... I’m not going to hurt her as long as everyone does what I say. You,” he said, gesturing in the direction of Taylor with the tip of his knife, ”are going to follow me.”
    Taylor felt the warmth drain from her body and a shiver travel up her spine.
    “And you,” he said, gesturing towards Hannah, “are going to stay here. And if either of you gets any ideas of your own here, then Addison dies.”
    Addison made a tiny squealing noise and Eric pressed the knife against her neck. A single tear trailed down her cheek. Eric leaned over and pressed the tip of his tongue against the base of her cheek and slowly drew it up the side of her face, catching the tear along the way. He gave Taylor a satisfied look and then turned with Addison, his knife still pressed to her neck. He took a step through the door and then looked back at Taylor.
    “Well? Are you coming?” he asked.
    Taylor looked at Hannah hoping for some kind of guidance.
    “I don’t think you have a choice,” said Hannah.
    “That’s right you don’t. C’mon,” Eric demanded.
    Taylor hesitated a second and then gave in. She turned to follow behind Eric and Addison, leaving the door behind her open.
    Hannah waited a minute and then tentatively stepped towards the door and peered out. There was no sign of them. She pulled up her cellphone and dialed. Joseph picked up on the other end after a single ring.
    “Hello?” he said.
    “Where are you?”
    “Hold on."
    “I can’t hold on, we don’t have ti... oh.”
    Hannah paused as she saw Joseph appear through the elevator door. She ran towards him, grabbed his wrist, and dragged him back into the elevator.
    “Did you see him?” Hannah asked, before Joseph had time to speak.
    “What? No, I came back here thinking they may have made it back to the dorms.”
    He paused for a moment and his face darkened.
    “Something's wrong, isn't it?”
    Hannah nodded gravely.
    “And he's got Addison. He took her hostage,”