Blood Slave Read online

  The elevator ride felt like forever. I rushed in the open door of the penthouse. We kept it stocked with medical supplies, but blood wouldn’t keep. If she’d lost too much she might not survive long enough for a fresh supply to arrive.

  “How is she?” I knelt next to my sister at Kierra’s side. She’d put her in the first bedroom.

  “I called Adriana for blood and clean up. She’ll probably make it without that, but I’m not certain. She lost a lot, Dek.” She finished hooking up the IV with saline.

  I took Kierra’s pale, cold wrist to feel her pulse. “How soon will she be here?” Kierra didn’t stir and that worried me, a lot.

  “Any minute now. I take it Ferine’s no longer an issue?”

  “Yeah. Should have done it decades ago.”

  “I hate to say it…”

  “Then don’t. I know I should have dealt with him before this.” I’d kept hoping he’d get over it and move on. After the first hundred years or so I should have known better. Then Kierra wouldn’t be lying here at death’s door.

  “Why the hell weren’t you right behind us?” I knew something had to have gone wrong. Segrun had never let me down.

  “Car trouble. We had to secure a new one.” She turned at the door. “I suspect that prick Ferine had something to do with it.” She ducked out and closed the door partway.

  I leaned close to whisper in Kierra’s ear. “Hang on. Don’t leave me, please. I never told you I love you. Ah, pet, please don’t break this old vampire’s heart.”

  Her eyes flickered open. “Dekker?”

  I took her small hand in both of mine. “I’m here, pet. You’re going to be all right as soon as we top off your tank.”

  A small smile flickered to life. “I knew you’d come, if I could hold on long enough.”

  I lightly caressed her face.

  She turned to look at me. “Dek, I think I was dreaming but I have to know. Did you say you love me?”

  I crawled onto the bed next to her and settled gently around her. “I did, and I do, Kierra. I love you. I have for a long time. I’m so sorry for involving you in all this.”

  She sighed and snuggled closer. “I love you too, Dek.”

  I buried my face in her hair as tears formed. She loved me. We could work out the rest. Everything would be all right.

  Brannan Black

  Brannan Black grew up dreaming about epic adventures with strong women doing heroic deeds. She’s been a belly dancer, horse breeder, mom, Reiki master and crazy. Really, certifiable crazy. That’s what folks say when the people in your head won’t leave you alone. When their worlds and lives seem as real as this one. Now she writes their stories, making them happy, and people call her an author instead of nuts. She lives quietly, more or less, on a small ranch with her husband, multiple cats, dogs and horses.

  Blog: http://brannansfantasies.blogspot.com

  Website: www.EpicRomances.com

  Email: [email protected]