Free Cast in Blood (Morgan Blackstone Vampires Book 1) by Michelle Rabe Page A

bed.
    “I don’t know. We were talking. Discussing what she remembered and she collapsed,” Nicholas answered, stepping aside so that Lucian could sit beside her. His blue–grey eyes narrowed, as the second oldest living vampire sat on the mattress by Morgan’s side and took her hand in his.
    “You didn’t say anything about a fever, Nicholai.” Lucian muttered; his brows pulled together in concentration, fingers rubbing the back of Morgan’s hand in small circles.
    “It’s a new development.”
    “Leave us!” Lucian ordered, turning away from everyone in the room.
    “Lucian,” Nicholas began, fighting to keep his temper in check but the elder cut him off.
    “Close the door on your way out.”
    “Don’t push it Assassin,” Marcus warned, in an almost inaudible whisper, as he gripped Nicholas’s arm. A chill ran through him when Nicholas turned cold grey eyes on him. Holy shit, this is not good, Marcus thought, as he released Nicholas’s arm.   "Come on, we have a big bad vampire to find," Marcus taunted, hoping it would be enough to get Nicholas to leave. The Lead Enforcer stared at him for a moment, as though Marcus had sprouted sparkly pink fairy wings.  
    “Your mystery Renegade.” He paused and took a deep breath, “Right.” Nicholas gathered his emotions, putting the mask he hid behind, back in place before addressing Morgan’s Grandsire.   “Lucian, please let us know if we can be of any assistance.”
    “Yes,” Lucian muttered, distracted as he lifted Morgan’s hand, and seemed to feel her wrist for a pulse. “Of course.”  
    Nicholas took a step toward the elder vampire, lips pulling back from his teeth in a silent snarl. Lucian didn’t seem to notice the Lead Enforcer’s reaction.  
    “Not the time,” Marcus hissed under his breath, as he latched on to Nicholas’s arm, and steered him out of the room. Charles and Christophe followed a few steps behind.

7 – NEW ORLEANS – SEPTEMBER 26, 2009

    C HARLES WALKED THROUGH the house, up to the second floor, his feet following the path he’d gotten to know well over the past ten nights of reading to Morgan. I have no idea whether or not it’s helping her, but I can’t handle sitting around doing nothing. Marcus and Nicholas are searching for the Renegade . Christophe has taken over just about everything involved with running The Dracul from here. Most nights he doesn’t have anything for me to do. He wasn’t focused on the walk; his attention was on the papers in his hands. It was one of the many contracts that, under normal circumstances, Morgan took care of. This guy’s an awesome vintner, and Morgan likes to support other vampire entrepreneurs, but he is a royal pain in my ass already. I’ve got to remember to ask Morgan how she manages him, when she wakes . Pausing in front of Morgan’s sick room, Charles shook his head, hoping to clear it, before he tucked the portfolio with the contract under his arm, and pushed the door open.
    Lucian was sitting beside her, the lights in the room were on low and Lucian was leaning over Morgan. Charles thought he saw the flash of something silver in his Great Grandsire’s hand, but the elder moved so fast, Charles couldn’t be certain. Lucian turned to face the younger vampire his eyes wild.  
      “Has no one taught you manners?” Lucian roared. A dark shadow passed over his face, and his eyes glowed an unearthly blue.  
    Charles jumped a little, his eyes darted around the room seeking an enemy on instinct. The contract slipped from his hand, and the pages fluttered to the floor. “Forgive me great Grandsire. I was distracted.” Charles shook his head as he felt warmth crawl up his neck. Great, I’m blushing like I did when I was human.  
    “And that gives you leave to be rude?” Lucian’s scowl froze Charles in place.
    “N–n–no, of course not.” Charles stammered, tripping over his own tongue. Oh, great time to lose control over my mouth. What’s going on here?