Free Reborn to Bite (Vampire Shadows Book 1) by Mark Gronwald Page B

anger building. Never again. Sabine felt Esmerelda enter her mind, and released a wave of power back through the link. Suddenly, the world went black.
     
    Sabine found herself in a featureless wide open space, filled with white light. She stood alone in a white gossamer gown, except for a young woman in a matching gown gliding toward her. The woman had long dark hair like hers, only with a darker complexion. Sabine somehow sensed that this was Esmerelda, though a younger version. Sabine's fear spiked. How was this happening? She stood her ground, unsure what Esmerelda would do.
    Esmerelda gave her a deferential nod. "You're a powerful one. You took me by surprise with that burst of energy, but you underestimated my powers. You won't take control of me that easily."
    Sabine's mind spun in confusion. "I'm not sure what you're talking about."
    "You used some kind of glamour on me," Esmerelda replied. "Fae, perhaps?"
    "You tried to read my mind." Sabine felt her cheeks flush with guilt, which was a real trick for having barely any pulse, but things seemed different here. "The last time I felt that tickle, bad things happened. I didn't mean to do this, whatever this is."
    "You didn't. You're trapped in my mind, so you couldn’t control me."
    "I didn't want to control you. I just didn't want you controlling me."
    Esmerelda smiled and relaxed. "I just wanted to poke around in your head and find out what you are."
    Sabine laughed, remembering Doug's reaction to her attempt to read him. "You could've just asked."
    "Would you have told me?"
    Sabine crossed her arms. "Nope."
    Esmerelda began to pace. "We all have secrets, my dear. The werewolves don't want their existence known any more than true witches do. My husband called me out here to find out if you're a danger to us. Would you welcome a mysterious and possibly dangerous stranger into your home?"
    Sabine watched as the witch paced, and stood there silent for a few moments. "I don't want to tell you what I am."
    Esmerelda narrowed her eyes suspiciously. "You have incredible power, and power tends to hurt people."
    Sabine sat on the imaginary ground. "I don't want to hurt anyone, especially not a friend. Doug is my oldest friend in the world, and if you're protecting Doug then we're on the same side."
    "You know our secrets. Why is it such a concern to you if we know yours?"
    "I don't want Doug to find out."
    Esmerelda sat down in front of Sabine. "If I give you my word that I won't tell anyone, will you tell me?"
    "Ha! You could broadcast it telepathically or something and I'd never know until it was too late."
    "You could bind me to my promise. I'd be compelled to keep your secret. The spell is called a geas. We use it on uncooperative humans who want to talk about us."
    Sabine laid back on the imaginary floor and contemplated forcefully binding the witch. Would she want someone taking away her own choice like that? No. She couldn't help but be impressed that Esmerelda was willing to subject herself to that to know the truth. What would the witch be willing to do to protect her family? What would Sabine do? She let out a sigh, stretching out on the pillow-soft floor. "I don't want to control you. This is really soft. What is it?"
    Esmerelda laid next to her. "Memory foam."
    Sabine laughed, then sat silent for a few moments to contemplate. She hated having to keep secrets and having to deceive people. The truth will set you free , she thought. "Swear you'll keep my secret. I wouldn't compel you, even if I knew how."
    Esmerelda turned her head to regard Sabine. "To bind me, you just-"
    "Don't tell me!" Sabine interrupted, holding up her hand. "I'd be tempted to use it."
    Esmerelda closed her mouth, and spent a long few seconds regarding Sabine. "You don't want power?"
    Sabine felt her stomach churn with frustration. "I have more than I ever wanted already. I'd trade it all for a chance to go back to blissful ignorance."
    "You have honor, Sabine. And you have my promise. I'll keep