Free Embrace the Darkness (Darkness Series) by Lilly Gayle Page A

she’d believe a damn word Sonia said. The woman had the power to manipulate public records, effectively erasing all evidence of her existence.
    Gerard nodded, casually crossing an ankle over his knee—not the least bit defensive. “She’s expecting you. And she will cooperate.”
    Amber’s gaze flickered over his warm, sympathetic expression. He wasn’t judging her or trying to manipulate her. He even seemed to understand her anger and frustration. Her fury faded.
    “Okay. Fine. So, why couldn’t we find anything on her before?” As if she didn’t know. Some kind of freaking vampire hocus pocus, no doubt.
    His lip curled. “Sonia is a master at keeping our existence a secret from mortals.”
    “So, why don’t you like her?”
    His eyes widened a fraction before he schooled his expression. “What makes you think I don’t?”
    “You wouldn’t make a good poker player either, Delaroche. Your eyes give you away every time.”
    “But I was a spy during the French Revolution,” he said, a note of incredulity in his voice.
    Seriously? His lips might lie but his eyes were a dead giveaway. “You’re kidding.”
    “I fought with the Marquis de Lafayette here in America and in France.”
    “You fought in the American Revolution—with Lafayette?” Well, at least that was something they had in common. He’d been a soldier too—over two hundred years ago.
    “That’s how I met Vincent. During the war. After Cornwallis’s surrender, I returned to France and posed as a supporter of our king to gather information for the Marquis. But the radical Jacobin’s didn’t want moderate change. And evidently, I wasn’t good at subterfuge,” he added with a self-deprecating smile. “A Jacobin spy learned I was plotting against them.”
    “Is that how you died?” Not a typical interview question, but her world had unexpectedly taken on the surreal atmosphere of a cult video game.
    “I never technically died. After the Jacobin slit my throat, Vincent arrived. Before I took my last breath, he took what remained of my blood and fed me his. To save me,” he added when he seemed to notice her horrified expression.
    “He made you a vampire!” The bastard turned his own friend. And Gerard was defending him.
    His jaw bunched and a muscle jumped in his cheek. “Don’t judge what you can’t understand.”
    If she’d had Vincent’s abilities, would she have let Andrew die? Would she have chosen an immortal mother over no mother at all? Her righteous indignation fizzled and died.
    “You’re right. I shouldn’t judge. So, help me out here, Frenchie.”
    “Frenchie?” His lip curled. “ Merde! I’d rather you call me vampire.”
    “Okay, Vampire,” she said, half smiling. “How can you so easily forgive Vincent for making you what you are, but you dislike Sonia for relishing her nature?” Was there something between Sonia and Gerard?
    Unexpected jealousy burned like acid in her stomach.
    “I don’t dislike her,” he said as if carefully weighing his words. “I just don’t understand her. She goes to great lengths to keep our existence a secret from mortals and yet she flaunts her nature as if being vampire was a privilege instead of a curse.” He ground his teeth. “Her wardrobe is designed to draw attention and she hangs out in Fang Clubs, drinking the blood of willing donors who believe she’s a pretender rather than the real deal. She’s a security risk.”
    Revulsion made her nauseous. “She turns her donors into vampires?”
    Gerard waved a hand as if shooing a fly. “Of course not. Drinking mortal blood doesn’t convert them. Blood must be exchanged before conversion occurs. The way Vincent exchanged his blood with mine. It’s a bit like the AIDS virus that way.”
    Was Sonia willingly spreading the disease?
    “Is she dangerous?” Duh. The woman was a vampire. Of course she was dangerous.
    “She definitely has the potential. Not all vampires are as sweet and loveable as me,” he said with