Free Shon (The Seeker Series Book 2) by Ditter Kellen

the contempt behind them couldn’t be contained.
    “It’s really quite simple. What I’ve wanted from you all along.”
    Staring into her glittering eyes, Shon held what little breath he had, waiting on her twisted demand.
    What she actually said stunned him beyond words. “Kill Vlad the Impaler.”
    He would have laughed if he had the oxygen to do so. “Vlad cannot be killed, Gina. He is basically immortal.”
    “Wrong, my dear, sweet, innocent Shon. He cannot die by natural causes, but I assure you that he can be terminated.”
    “How?” Shon wheezed.
    “By removing his heart, which is what you are going to do. Once you bring it to me, I will seal it in the tomb with Lilith.”
    Shon opened his mouth to speak but the words wouldn’t come. He tried again. “Lilith is dead.”
    “Yes. And the only way to resurrect her is with the heart of an immortal.”
    Shon recalled his earlier conversation with Vlad about Lilith’s death and the near extinction of the entire vampire race.
    “Why not kill him yourself?”
    “I can’t. He made certain of that a long time ago when he fed me his blood to keep me alive, therefore bonding me to him without bonding himself to me.”
    “Smart man,” Shon whispered. “Why bring Lilith back?”
    “That is not your concern. You remove Vlad’s heart, and you and your brother will be set free. I will release my hold on you both.”
    “And if I don’t succeed?”
    “Then your brother dies.”
    Shon allowed the darkness to beckon him closer. His last thought before his mind slipped into unconsciousness was the emptiness he’d seen in John’s eyes.
    Yeah. He would do anything to save his brother. Even if it meant sacrificing one of the last immortal vampires left standing…Vlad the Impaler.
     
    * * * *
    Shon awoke to the feel of warm blood sliding down his throat. He groaned aloud as the blessed liquid traveled through his veins, soothing the burning, the emptiness, the torment.
    “Not too much, now. We wouldn’t want you to overdo it.”
    Gina . The sound of her voice turned Shon’s stomach. With a sneer, he retracted his fangs from her wrist and jerked his head back.
    “How very unappreciative of you, fledgling. I offer you the blood of royalty, yet you turn your nose up at it.”
    “I’d rather drink toilet water,” Shon growled, snapping his bonds with a flex of his taut muscles.
    Gina lifted a dainty eyebrow. “That can be arranged.”
    “Where is my brother?”
    “No worries, my pet. Your hillbilly brother is quite safe. For now, at any rate. Whether he stays that way depends on you.”
    Shon wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. “How the hell do you expect me to remove Vlad’s heart? He’s the oldest living immortal left on this planet.”
    “That, my dear boy, is your problem. Not mine. You have exactly five days to get it done, or your country bumpkin of a brother will die a slow and painful death.”
    Shon’s hand shot out without conscious thought. He gripped Gina’s alabaster throat. “You fucking touch him, and it’ll be your heart I offer up to Lilith.”
    Gina barely flinched. “A moot point, don’t you think?”
    “Remember what I said, Morticia. No harm comes to John.” He shoved her away from him and turned to go.
    “Do not forget that I hold the upper hand here. If you screw this up, I will not honor our agreement.”
    Shon stopped at the door, but kept his back to her. “I won’t screw it up,” he rumbled, gripping the knob. “But go on knowing that once I am free of you, I will kill you without batting an eye.”
    “I simply love a challenge,” Gina retorted. “Makes for good sport.”
    “I’ll just bet you do.” Shon stepped out into the hall, pulling the door closed behind him.
    Shon had never despised another being the way he did Gina Calimari. Being in the same room with her literally turned his stomach. And the sadistic bitch owned him. But owning his body wasn’t enough for her. No, she wanted his