Free Blood Legacy (PULSE Vampire Series #6) by Kailin Gow Page A

Kalina had been instrumental in destroying Molotov’s Mongolian stronghold, and Molotov knew that it was almost as important to execute her as it was profitable to keep her alive. She had destabilized the region – bringing hope to the hopeless, a chance at life for all the humans kept in Molotov’s brutal “farms” for feeding.
     
    Octavius closed his eyes, letting the sensation of the hot water wash over him. Of course, Molotov would come back once he had recovered. He would try to harm Kalina again. And Stuart, being human, was not sufficient company to protect her. He would have to be close by her at all times – fighting against his desire and love for her every step of the way. But how, he wondered, could he bear it?
     

 
    Chapter 10
     
     
    O ctavius couldn't take his mind off her. As he soaped himself down, scrubbing the sweat from his skin, he imagined that she was there with him. Even being this far from her – she was only in the other room – was torture. He needed her, needed her with a craving stronger even than his craving for blood. How beautiful she was – how unique. Like a rare gem: the only one in the world. But she wasn't safe, he knew. Such a rare gemstone as she had to be protected. Even now, she was not safe. She had turned Stuart, but if she hadn't yet consummated her love for him, her blood would still be effective – and that meant that her blood would still send out a powerful scent to any vampires in the nearby radius looking to make a profit off her. He knew that Kalina's actions in Mongolia against Molotov had only added to her fame – vampires from Geneva to Moscow were talking about her. Who was this strange girl – who could turn vampires to human, who could fight like a vampire but sleep and eat like a human? In her, as in no Carrier before him, the true dream of the old Chinese doctor had been realized. At last, humans were able to fight back against vampires with the same abilities as vampires themselves. It had taken thousands of years, but the old doctor's legacy was finally here. She was just like a vampire in all her strengths, but had none of their weaknesses. After all, Octavius thought, Kalina had exhibited no signs of the blood-craving that caused so many vampires to go out of control.
     
    He had not allowed himself to hope that Kalina would go back on her choice – he had resigned himself to living without her, to letting her go off with Stuart. He had dismissed any stirrings in his heart as misguided hope, a barrier against despair. But now he knew, as he sank deeper into the water, that he had always known it deep down: Kalina would never have been happy settling into a normal life, going to college, getting married young. She was destined for so much more. She was brilliant – beautiful – charismatic – she had so much to look forward to in her human life. But Kalina was so much more than just human. Her destiny was great, he knew. But would her destiny be linked with his?
     
    Octavius stirred in surprise as he felt a hand upon his back, scrubbing his calloused flesh with a washcloth. It was a calming sensation – one to which he had grown accustomed. The servants here were trained for their discretion and for their skill in the sensual arts – the vampires who came through here needed all their desires satisfied.
     
    But he didn't need a servant to satisfy his cravings this time. Not with Kalina in the next room. Thinking of her, he could not bring himself to even think about wanting anybody else. The old forms of sensuality – being pampered with massages or kisses, lithe young hands twisting and pounding into his aching muscles – no longer appealed to him. He did not want to lie back and receive the subservient pleasures a servant could offer. No, he wanted Kalina and only Kalina. Her touch was the only one that could satisfy him.
     
    And then he heard a splash, and felt the water move all about him. Somebody else had joined him in the