Free Blood and Redemption (Cassandra Myles Witch Series) by Electa Graham Page A

even fighting back. He was limp yet conscious.
    “Why are you doing this again?” Panic strangled my voice.
    Quintus released him and he collapsed to the floor. Lucius rubbed his neck and glared up at both of us.
    “Cassandra , where did you go? I was frantic. I thought…” He looked towards his son. “I thought Lucius had done something to you.”
    I didn’t see that coming. I never thought he would think Lucius had harmed me.
    “I went to Killian’s. He invited me to stay for a movie.”
    “Why didn’t you tell me?”
    “I just needed to get away. I only went to Killian’s because I’m such a loser that he is the only other friend I have besides the two of you.” I was on the verge of tears. I was sick of the fighting.
    Lucius started to laugh . “She’s even picking him over you. Don’t you get tired of being second, old man?”
    Quintus started kicking him in the side, sending him in the air into the wall , throwing plaster dust in the air as he made a man-sized dent.
    “Stop it, just stop hurting him. He can’t help this. If you kill him , you can’t take that back.”
    It was like he didn’t even hear me. He continued to attack his son and I knew each blow could be the one that Lucius couldn’t recover from. Anger gathered inside me, whipping up like a hurricane hitting warm waters. I wasn’t losing Lucius. I felt something pop inside me like a cork , giving the anger somewhere to go.
    “Stop this now ; you’re going to kill your son over a woman who doesn’t even want you.” A wave of magic carried Quintus away and into the opposite wall.
    We all looked at each other with shock. I couldn’t believe I had done that and apparently neither could they. It was ages before anyone moved.
    “Quintus, I’m sorry I shouldn’t have said it like that. Did I hurt you?”
    He had regained his composure and had his vampire mask firmly in place. “It almost makes me laugh that you think you could hurt me. I could bring this house down around you if I wanted to. I could send such desire into your body that you would lie at my feet and beg me to fuck you. I could drink you dry before you even knew I was beside you. So, no, little girl, you did not hurt me.”
    My heart was in my throat. In a blink , he was right in front of me. “Please don’t hurt me.”
    “Do I really deserve this terror? I have saved you and taken care of you. I placed you above all others.” He caressed my cheek.
    “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to do that or say what I said. I just thought you were going to kill him.”
    “Yes, I may have. I doubt it though. I have been patient with you , Cassandra, and my reward is this insolence. Do you think my son is such an innocent? Is that who you want? Sweet Lucius? Grow up. We are vampires; we are powerful and very old. You must stop judging us by human standards. My son and I are not sweet little puppies; we are tigers, we are the panther.”
    “I don’t understand.”
    “I love you. It hurts to see you sometimes and not be able to have you the way I want, but my eyes have been opened tonight. You may have my son if you want him. I need a partner who will enjoy the things I can give her and not a woman who will judge me at every turn.” He kissed my forehead and walked off.
    I turned to Lucius. He was clutching his side and there wasn’t a patch of skin that wasn’t cut or bruised. I started to go to him.
    “St..stop, Cass. If you come any closer, I will find the strength to get up from here and I will drink you dry. I’m injured and I need your blood very badly.”
    “What can I do?”
    “Go in your room and lock the door and don’t leave until morning. The old man will come back when he knows you’re gone. He’ll get me what I need.”
    “Okay .”
    “I mean it. Promise.”
    I just nodded and left. I locked my door, although it felt silly , considering who I was trying to keep out. I went back to bed. Soon, there were voices outside and then all was quiet again. I