Free Deep Kiss of Winter by Kresley Cole Page B

tender flesh. And it was like coming home.
    â€œMurdoch!”
    He felt her crying out as her blood filled his mouth, coursing through every cell in his body.
    Connection.
    As the overwhelming urge to come inside her grew, he slammed his body between her legs. Growling against her neck, he began to ejaculate, spending so hard he knew she felt it inside her. Still sucking her blood, he flooded her womb.
    Once he was spent at last, he collapsed atop her, releasing his bite. Afterward, as their hearts pounded, he couldn’t seem to stop kissing her neck and murmuring praise in her ear. This new bond between them was like nothing he’d ever known.
    Yet she began fading, disappearing from him.
    â€œMurdoch, what’s happening?” The fear in her eyes was like the night before—stark, filling him with dread.
    â€œNo! Daniela, don’t go. . . .”
    A strange voice in his mind whispered, “How badly do you want her? What would you sacrifice?”
    He woke to his own yelling, tracing to his feet. With her number still in his hand, he snatched up the phone, staring at one, then the other as he caught his breath.
    He shook his head hard. What the hell was this? Like a spell on him, making him behave in ways he normally wouldn’t.
    Calm yourself. Think this through. You have bloodlust for her.
    He couldn’t control it. He acknowledged that. Yet he kept remembering his brother’s contentment. Murdoch’s mind seized on the rightness of being with Daniela in his dream.
    Think, just think . . . . As he debated, he stalled, tracing to the kitchen to drink blood, though he had no appetite, then showering. He took time selecting which clothes he’d wear for the night—in case he decided to meet her again.
    In the end, Murdoch found it impossible not to call her. To hell with it.
    He was strangely nervous as he picked up the phone. After all, he’d never contacted a woman for an assignation. They’d always come to him.
    He’d have to smooth-talk Daniela, since he’d left it so badly today. That wouldn’t be a problem. He’d been called silver-tongued by more than one lover in the past.
    Eight-six-seven-five-three-oh-nine—
    â€œKristoff wishes to see you,” a male said from behind him.
    He hastily disconnected the call, then cast a scowl over his shoulder. Lukyan, a Russian Forbearer, leaned negligently against the doorframe.
    Murdoch didn’t trust the former Cossack. Not bothering to hide his irritation, he said, “Can’t it wait?”
    â€œIt’s about your brother. You’re to go to Blachmount.”
    â€œ What about him?”
    Lukyan’s expression was studiously blank. “He’s probably about to be executed.”

T WELVE
    Danii had gotten into Val Hall undetected. Now I just have to get my things and get out.
    Although a couple dozen Valkyrie lived here at any time, the manor was quiet this morning. Most were nocturnal, as was Danii usually—it was cooler that way.
    Nïx, the one half sister she wanted to see, was nowhere to be found.
    Upstairs, Danii passed the most shaded chamber in Val Hall, belonging to Emmaline, her beloved niece. But she knew Emma would be asleep as well. It was day, and Emma was vampire. Or half one. No one knew who her vampire father was, and that information wasn’t likely forthcoming, since her Valkyrie mother had died of sorrow decades ago.
    Gentle Emma was the single vampire the Valkyrie accepted. Though a blood drinker, she was so timid that she made it easy to overlook the vampirism.
    Emma was the exception; Murdoch was the rule. Just accept it. He almost bit you . . . .
    Danii reached her room, which was basically agiant freezer, and pushed open the heavy insulated door. A blast of arctic air and the comforting drone of refrigeration met her.
    She lived at Val Hall year-round. But in the summer, even the meat locker—as her sisters called