Free Aleron: Book One of Strigoi Series (Stringoi Series) by Kane Page B

me so much of my little sister. Her innocence. Her naivety. She walked toward me, and I started walking in the opposite direction. Her pace quickened. I stopped and waited. Her footsteps came to a halt a few feet from me.
    “Thank you,” she said again, this time softer, yet more direct. I turned around and raised my hand to give her something, the silver necklace that Eli had used to lure her into the alley. As she opened her hand and marveled at the bounty, I slipped away into the darkness, never to be seen by her again.
    I arrived back to the safety of the castle just before daybreak. I found Mynea lying on the bearskin that we usually slept on together. She was barely awake. The coming of the sun had taken its toll on her, too. Or so I thought. We didn’t talk this time. We simply embraced, kissed, and drifted.

CHAPTER 7
     
    ’m lost in your arms, Aleron. I chose you above all others. I’ve watched you for decades and you never cease to amaze me. With me, you have known pleasure the likes of which humans cannot imagine. I’ve taught you all of my knowledge and wisdom while making you stronger than any of my other children as well as all others of our kind. You’ll stand alone atop an empire that I’ll create for you. You will be king. You’ve given me the one thing he never will: your heart, my love. He forgot passion long, long ago. His icy core never thaws. I’ll show you what he’s shown me and more. When you awake, you’ll long for what is rightfully yours by birth—me. The void in me will be no more. For now, go and master your immortal gifts. For this lesson I’m no longer needed
.
    “My lady,” Eliza expressed softly. “It’s time. You must start your journey. All has been prepared for you in the hills of Moeciu, as well as in the innermost chamber of the Carpathians. I wish you well, my lady.”
    “I know, my dear, sweet, and loyal Eliza. Thank you. Provide forAleron as you have provided for me. There’s no need to fear him. When he awakens, he’ll have a hunger unmatched by anything you’ve ever witnessed. And even though he knows you are of me, it may be difficult for him to control his hunger. You mustn’t let fear dissuade you from the task at hand. He’ll call out to me and be unanswered. You must go to him and soothe him. You’ll serve him as you serve me. I can’t tell you where my destination is, for he’ll read your thoughts and follow, only to find his death.”
    “And what stops him from killing me, my lady?”
    “He won’t, my dear.”
    “And if he refuses to listen to me and travels as far as the Carpathians in search of you?”
    “Then he’ll be on the doorsteps of a monster, the likes of which he’s never encountered nor possesses the strength to conquer. He’s seen the castle within my blood, for he’s grown strong, and it’s more difficult to hide my memoirs from him. If he allows his longing for me to set him on that path, he’ll kill us both, leaving you vulnerable to those of our kind who are unclean and follow no laws of the immortals. So you see, my dear, your survival depends on his.”
    “How long until your return?”
    “I won’t be gone long. I know you’re troubled with thoughts of your own mortality. You’ve come to understand my immortal blood has made your heart strong and granted you unusually long life for a mortal. I will return before Father Time claims possession of you.”
    “Thank you, my lady. All will be done exactly as you wish.”
    “Goodbye, Eliza. Until my return, farewell.”

     
    While drifting in and out of consciousness, I experienced dreams so vivid I could feel, smell, hear, and taste the realism they mimicked, places I’d never been. An unfamiliar castle, immense in size and more dark and mysterious than the one I’d resided in for so long. This fortress stood overlooking a vast and rugged mountainous region. At its base was amoat that was just wide and uninviting enough to deter even the most curious of creatures.