Free Born to Darkness Book 1 in the Immortal Destiny Series: Vampire Romance Paranormal by Lorraine Kennedy Page A

medallion were like Omar’s trademarks. The ancients had always resisted change - Omar’s sense of fashion was a good example of that.
    Alec scanned the room looking for Ethan, but he wasn’t there.
    Not that Alec had expected him to be. Omar wasn’t that stupid.
    Omar locked cold gray eyes on him. “I don’t see the girl.”
    “Where is Ethan?”
    Omar clucked his tongue. “Alec … you fail miserably as an Immortal. Such concern for your creation will be your undoing.”
    “I have not come to converse with you Omar. Where is Ethan?” Alec asked again, his stare as hard and impassive as Omar’s.
    “How dare you speak to me in such a way!” Omar bellowed.
    Alec stepped forward - not in the least intimidated by Omar’s anger. “Why do you want the girl?” he asked.
    “She knows too much.” Omar glared at him.
    “Who is she going to tell? Who will believe her … even if she tells what she knows?”
    Omar didn’t respond.
    “I don’t believe that’s the reason you want the girl.” Alec knew his statement would be considered a direct challenge to Omar.
    Instead of erupting in a fit of fury, as Alec expected - Omar continued to watch him - his eyes as cold as the arctic night.
    “Tell me Alec … what is your interest in the girl? She isn’t your progeny … why should her fate concern you?”
    “She’s my feeder,” Alec lied, hoping Omar wouldn’t detect his deceit.
    Omar laughed out loud. “You don’t expect me to believe such nonsense do you? If that were her purpose … you would have no qualms about giving her to me.”
    “What do you want with her? Why can’t you just go get her?” Alec answered Omar with his own questions. This was something that puzzled him. He’d hidden Nicole as a precaution, but Alec was no fool. He knew if Omar wanted to, he could have taken the girl instead of Ethan. 
    Why hadn’t he?
    “My interest in her doesn’t concern you Alec. I’m your elder, and you are to do as you are commanded.” Omar stood - obviously agitated by Alec’s defiance.
    Alec smiled - determined not to yield to Omar’s wrath. “Tell me about the Place of Light. I’ve heard this place does exist, but the Immortals are banished. You have the secret to the Place of Light, and to what we are.”
    For an instant, Omar seemed stunned. “This place is a myth … made up by the Light Seekers. You should be aware of that by now.”
    Again Alec smiled. “I don’t believe you.”
    Omar turned away from him and stared at the throne he’d been sitting on.
    “I will make you a deal Alec. If you bring me the girl … I will tell you what I know.”
    Now Alec was shocked.
    Was it a trick?
    * * *
    Nicole could see herself through a thick haze of mist. She was a child again - only five years old.
    Her mother was there too!
    Mom was sitting on the park bench - watching her play. Nicole was trying to swing from a rope that was attached to the playground toy, but she had blisters. It hurt too much when she grabbed the rope and she kept falling.
    The monkey bars always gave her blisters.
    It was getting dark.
    Why were they at the playground at night?
    Once again, the pain in her hands caused her to slip and she fell into the sand below. Her scraped knees began to sting. 
    There was a man kneeling beside her - a strange man she’d never seen before. He was wearing a long black coat and he had dark hair that hung to his shoulders. The scary part was his eyes - they were almost black. His skin was so pale that at first she wondered if he were a ghost.
    “Hello Nicole.”
    “Hi,” she answered. She stole a quick glance at her mom. Vicky was watching her daughter closely.
    She wasn’t supposed to talk to strangers, but since her mom could see her - it must be okay.
    “Are you hurt?” he asked.
    “Just a little,” she told him, getting to her feet.
    The stranger’s eyes were drawn to the small amount of blood on her knees.
    “You’re a very pretty little girl,” he told her - a smile