Free Twilight's Eternal Embrace by Karen Michelle Nutt Page A

he would never achieve his goal.
    Sheerin was Dougal ' s son, his mother ' s brother who had perished in a fight with the Draugr Clan over twenty years ago. Sheerin's mother could not b e ar life without her mate . She walked out into the sun and perished.
    Bram was only five years old when Dougal died. He only remembered his uncle as tall, lean , and with a crop of light hair. Sheerin, he supposed , took after his father in that respect . His blonde hair was long and thick. His eyes were a light color , resembling a gray over green.
    His cousin was seated behind his worktable where he measured a powdered substance before he added it to a container holding some kind of liquid. He then stirred the substance with a long stick. He glanced up for a moment before resuming his work. "To w hat do I owe the honor of your visit, Bram? "
    Bram glanced over his shoulder to see if anyone had followed him . With the coast clear, he closed the door.
    Sheerin sat back in his seat. His light brows rose high on his fore head. " Now I am curious. Do we meet in secret? "
    Bram wasn ' t sure how he should broach the subject. His gaze wavered over his cousin , who looked every bit the warrior with his broad shoulders and fierce bone structure. Yet he preferred to spend his time behind the table with his concoctions.
    Bram scanned the shelves filled with books and scrolls. He wondered if he would find what he sought in an ancient script of long ago. He raised his hand to a scroll aged with time, but before he could put his fingers on it, Sheerin was at his side.
    " Stop. "
    Bram 's hand f e ll away and he turned toward Sheerin, surprised at how fast his cousin had moved. " Are you hiding something? " He gestured toward the shelf.
    Sheerin hissed. " I am protecting the ancient writings. I cannot have you handling the scrolls at a mere whim. They are fragile and must be preserved. "
    His cousin was the warrior of books. Bram wanted to chuckle, but suppressed his mirth. He would not win his cousin over if he ridiculed him. " I apologize. I was not aware. I meant no harm. "
    Sheerin ' s brows furrowed. " Again I ask : W hy are you here? "
    There was no other way to say it. " What I tell you must stay between us only. "
    Sheerin glowered at him with both interest and suspicion . His curiosity must have won out since his cousin didn't demand he leave at once . " Go on. "
    " I know our blood helps to heal us when we are wounded. I want to know if there is a way to use it to our advantage and save the Lathe Sith chosen for our brides. " There he had said it. He couldn ' t take it back even if he wanted to. Sheerin would either help him or throw him out on his ear.
    Sheerin moved away from him and strode back to his seat. " I do not find you humorous. "
    Bram didn ' t know what to make of his cousin ' s odd response, but he wasn ' t about to give up so readily. He approached the table. He leaned close, keeping his words low. The Oiche Sith had excellent hearing. There was no need to broadcast his curiosity if one of his clan lingered outside the door. " I am most serious. I did not know who else I could ask. "
    His cousin met his gaze as if deciding if he spoke the truth. He pursed his lips and shook his head. " Did Loreto put you up to this? "
    Bram pushed away from the table. " No. I am here on my own. This is important to me. "
    Sheerin sat back in his seat. " I mentioned this to the elders some ten years ago, but they refused to let me experiment on a mere theory. I was thrown out of the council room labeled a fool. Your brother knew of my humiliation. He sat in a corner , torturing a poor blood servant as entertainment. "
    Bram cringed. Loreto took great pleasure in torturing those weaker than him. The servants didn ' t always fare well. " I had no idea. I swear. "
    Sheerin seemed to consider this for a moment then he nodded. He sat forward again, resting his elbows on the table. " Let me ask a question now. Why do you care if a Lathe Sith lives or