Read Online Waning Moon by Elisabeth Morgan Popolow - Free Book Online Page A

off my bite. Its effects are even greater than normal since I just woke up from my sleep, too.”
    Tony let his head loll onto Gabriel’s chest and clutched the sheets at his sides. “Going to sleep,” he whispered.
    The vampire turned to his master who was already in his death-sleep and then focused his attention on his adorable servant. Tony was lost in sleep again and Gabriel laid his head against the mound of pillows behind him and thought about what to do after he met with his great sire that night.
    He’d help Tony. Yes, he’d help him with that bastard Lukas. He’d even kill the bastard for Tony with his own two hands. And then he’d do what Alexander wanted him to—he’d find the person who was killing and eating vampires.
    As all these thoughts flossed through Gabriel’s mind like a movie tape, Tony grabbed at his arm and squeezed. He grinned and settled into a comfortable position, his servant lying his head on his chest while snoring loudly.
    *
    Tony was stiff as a board when he awakened. Anxiety chewed at the corners of his mind like a mouse at a wedge of cheese. He had been so sure earlier that he could see the master vampire without any qualms and now he wasn’t so sure he could even be in the same room with the person. He stood beside Gabriel who waited by the doorway to the tattoo shop as Alexander went to greet his sire.
    Soon Alexander walked to the duo while leading a tall, slender man with short black hair and the standard golden vampire eyes. Mikael made Tony feel like an ant, he was dressed so professionally in a gray plaid suit complete with a cerulean tie and handkerchief. He stopped before Gabriel and Tony and examined them with a wry smirk.
    “Gabriel, I’ve heard many good things about you. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” He extended a hand for the vampire to shake. Then he turned to Tony. “And this is your new servant, correct? Tony Blair, it’s so nice to meet you.”
    Gabriel fished his Purell from his pocket and lathered some onto his palms before speaking. “Mikael, it’s an honor to meet you.”
    Mikael beamed happily. “The pleasure is mine, Gabriel. Now, if you’ll excuse me I have to speak with Alexander in private.”
    “Of course.”
    Gabriel and Tony stepped aside as the master vampires strode past them and descended the stairs. When they’d shut the door to the downstairs, Gabriel looked at Tony and exhaled.
    “Well, it looks like we were only needed for a greeting. What do you think of going to my house for the night?”
    Tony’s jaw dropped to the floor. He had gotten all worked up, all fancy-dressed, just to meet the guy for five seconds and then go? He balled his hands into fists and seethed. “That’s it? That’s what I got all dressed up for? To see the guy briefly and then leave?”
    “Yeah. Vampires don’t like to waste time. We usually get our business done as quickly as possible.”
    Tony scoffed. “I can’t believe I was all nervous for nothing!”
    “Sorry.”
    Tony shrugged. “It’s okay. And I’m going back to my apartment. I’ve had enough of you vampires for a while.” He began to go to the door.
    Gabriel barred the doorway. “Tony, wait! Let me come with you. I’m really worried about you. Those hyenas are still out there and there’s your sire, Lukas, who wants you to fight for position of beta. I’m afraid that he will show up and…”
    “And what? Torture me? He’s already done that enough, one more time won’t make a difference. And don’t you have a killer to look for, anyway?”
    Gabriel mumbled, “Yes, I do, but you’re much more important. Please let me go with you! If only for tonight. After all, I am the master and you are the servant.”
    Tony rolled his eyes, felt an incomprehensible pull to let Gabriel do as he wanted. Was this what he meant when he asserted that he was the master? That he had absolute and total control over Tony’s will? The were-panther ground his teeth together and seethed. “Fine, fine.