Free Mortal Defiance by Nichole Chase Page B

their group as if to get them to agree with his comment.
    “What, that was the spookiest part of the whole ordeal? Really? Not the murdering, blood sucking, or fangs?” Weylin cocked his eyebrow, sounding more like himself. “I think a lady not bothering to talk to a worm like you would be the least odd thing that happened to you.”
    “He has a point,” Ree added. “What happened to really bother you? The blood, the gore, the mythical creatures in your V.I.P. room didn’t upset you. So what did?”
    “There was something about her, something cold and sinister. Despite being beautiful, she almost didn’t look human. I tried to not look at her too much. I didn’t want any problems.” Ree felt her heart stutter on the word ‘human.’ Could it be possible there was an original Dark One in Savannah? She turned to look at Sophie, who had managed to get a tight rein on her emotions, leaving her beautiful face blank.
    “Did she do anything that seemed weird? Compared to the other Dark Ones?” The Greek woman leaned forward, the only hint of her real interest.
    “Yeah, there was something else. The others only had two fangs. One set, you know? Kind of like you. But she had four. Two wicked-looking teeth on each side of her upper mouth when she ate. I only saw them once though. She didn’t normally eat when they came to the club.”
    “Oh, well, there goes the neighborhood.” Weylin snorted from his chair. When everyone turned to look at him, he threw his arms in the air. “What? Don’t tell me you weren’t thinking the same thing!”
    “Do you remember anything else?” Ree returned her attention to the darkling.
    “No, but I did notice something.” Unrolling his sleeves, he showed some of the burnt skin on his forearm. The bite marks on his arms were savage, but when Ree looked closer she noticed he had proof of the double fangs he had mentioned. There on his wrist were sets of four puncture wounds oozing a dark, sticky substance. “The other bites I had from the Dark Ones didn’t have this nasty goo. They hurt, but they usually gave me some blood to help heal the bites.”
    “Ree, step back please.” Sophie moved quickly so she was between the darkling and the Alastriana. “That is not a normal infection. The Dark One that left those holes meant for you to die, Scott Chaney. If you aren’t turned in the next few days, her venom will finish destroying your soul and move on to the rest of your body.”
    “Wait a minute. You’re saying I have to become a Dark One after all?” His eyes lit up a little, as if he was being offered a second chance. “You have to let me go.”
    “No, darkling, that wasn’t our agreement. I’m saying that no matter what we do for you, death will be calling your name soon.”
     

 
     
     
     
    Chapter 13

     
     
    “No!” Scott launched himself off the floor with superhuman speed. Obviously there was still enough Dark One blood in his system to give him an edge. Ree almost fell over trying to get out of the way. Sophie whipped a dagger loose from her boot and let the darkling rush her. Faster than Ree could comprehend, the tall woman slid her blade under his ribs until the hilt was the only thing sticking out.
    An inhuman wail slid through the room, and Ree wanted to cover her ears. With a sickening sound of suction, Sophie pulled her dagger back out of his ribs. Immediately he fell to his knees, his eyes rolling back into his head, but his eyes were still open. His flesh began to blacken and fine cracks ran along his exposed skin. A fine ash drifted to the ground around him, but unlike the Dark Ones she had seen disintegrate, his body seemed to be only halfway to that point.
    Turning her head, Ree tried to breathe through her mouth so the stench wouldn’t overwhelm her, but it was too much. For the second time that day, she bolted out the door. Only this time, she ran smack into someone’s chest. She shoved and pushed, but strong hands held her steady. She caught