Free Dragan's Redemption Book One of the Manor at Echo Lake Trilogy by Kelly Ilebode Page A

would be ok.”
    “I have about 10 minutes , Harvey , and then my day begins in earnest.  I will certainly do my best.”
    “I have a patient who is 27 years old.  I have been treating her for Protein C Deficiency since she was nine , and she had responded extremely well to treatment up until a year ago whe n she became seriously ill again.  In running a battery of test s , we found she is dying.”
    “I do not specialize in hematology doctor.   Protein C – from the little bit I know , is quite manageable under a doctor ’ s supervision . ”
    Harvey hesitated .  “Dragan, I need to be frank with you.  I was speaking to a Dr. Omar Benjamin of the European Center for Disease control in Sweden .  When he mentioned your name, I told him that I actually knew you.  Dr. Benjamin stated that you were doing major research on various disorders and anomalies of the blood.  I knew it would be a long shot but , Dragan, I have become extremely attached to this patient.   Something very bizarre has happened with her blood.  A mutation has formed.  It is clear that s he will die if I cannot find a cure.”
    Frowning , Dragan stared down at his hands.  Mutations he did know something about.  He had been testing h is own blood for years looking for a cure in an attempt to reverse his vampirism .  He had known that eventually word would get out about his blood research because it was so unique .
    “I ’ll tell you what , Harvey .  Send me her blood reports , and I will take a look and see if it looks familiar . E ither way, I will get back to you.
    Knowing this was all he could ask for , Harvey Kinsley breathed a sigh of relief.  “Thank you so much.  That is all that I need right now.”

CHAPTER 9
    Dragan pulled into the driveway looking at the cottage before stepping out of the car.   He needed to see her but wasn’t convinced that showing up unannounced was a good idea either.   Hesitating , he knocked o n the front door, frown ing when no one answered.  Closing his eyes , he listened for her.  Faintly he heard her voice speaking softly , but she was a distance away.   Did she have a guest? A twinge of jealousy stabbed his gut. Following the path behind her house that wound through the forest, her voice grew louder with each step he took.  After a short few minutes, he stood at the outskirts of a tiny clearing.  Amira was sitting by her self , reading aloud .  Her voice , soft and gentle , was mesmerizing.  Catching movement out of the corner of his eye, he watched as a rabbit hopped in to squat next to her.  Reaching into the basket t h at rested next to her , he watched as she pulled out a pellet of food, holding it out in her palm to the small creature .  Immediately, and unafraid , the rabbit nibbled on the pellet.  Leaning against a tree , h e felt his body relax as he listened to her words .
    And all the world looked upon His greatness
    His love encompasses all.
    From the rabbit to the wolf
    They all heed his call.
    “See Shadow, I even wrote about you.”
    Shadow ’ s giant head rested on his front paws while his golden eyes remained transfixed on her as she continued to read .
    W hat greater gift has H e g iven?
    Throughout th is glorious land .
    True love between woman and man
    Which he holds in the palm of His hand.
    “ That is beautiful , Amira. ”
    The rabbit ran away at the new voice while S hadow jumped to his feet.  The only one that did not seem surprised to see him was Amira .
    “Down , Shadow.”
    “Good evening , Dragan.”
    “Good evening. ”  
    Stepping into the tiny glade, Amira felt h im completely overpower ing the space.
    “ What is it that you are doing out here ?   It will be dark soon . ”
    “Yes , it will be soon but not yet.  I am r eading aloud some of my wor k.  It sounds better out here. ”  Standing to her feet , Amira felt the blood rush to her head , and she became unsteady.   Today had not been a good day . F eeling ill since she woke up, she