Read A Shade of Vampire 8: A Shade of Kiev for Free Online

me! You do realize that if we lost them, we’d be—”
    “They seem to be answering to me quite well, don’t they?” He gestured to both of the dolphins, who were happily chewing away on mouthfuls of fish. “You underestimate me, witch. I’m a fast learner.”
    I reached Evie and pulled myself onto her back, glaring at Kiev.
    “I don’t care what you are. Just… don’t touch them again without my permission.”
    I realized that I was also craving food. I withdrew my dagger and eye protection from my belt, and ducked down beneath the waves. I surfaced with two large fish. I glanced over at Kiev who was still eyeing me.
    “Want one or not?” I asked.
    He shook his head.
    I split open a fish and started eating, tossing the other one over to Kai. He grabbed it in his jaws as soon as it hit the water.
    “So, answer my question. What are we going to do now?” Kiev said.
    I fixed my eyes determinedly on my fish. I knew I couldn’t delay answering him for much longer. Of course, I’d known exactly where we’d have to head the moment I’d realized Kiev had been telling the truth about the hawks at The Cove. The safest and nearest place was The Tavern. It was also the most likely place that my crew would have headed to, assuming they had managed to escape from The Cove before the hawks took over.
    I finished chewing before answering. “A small island a few hours away. The Tavern.”
    “The Tavern,” he muttered. “And whose territory is that?”
    “Nobody’s in particular.”
    “What do you mean?”
    “It was founded by a group of pirates,” I said. “They claimed the island as their own and built a wall around it. But over the years, it’s become a place of respite for all wanderers and pirates.”
    “Will I be able to stay there permanently?”
    “You’ll be better off there than The Cove.”
    I’d already decided that I’d show him who to talk to once we arrived there in order for him to obtain permanent residency. And after that, he’d be their problem.
    Just a few more hours to go.
    I washed my face and led the dolphins back to their harnesses. Kiev and I resumed our seats on the boat. As we moved forward, I couldn’t deny that part of me felt guilty that I hadn’t offered to drop him at The Tavern to start with. It hadn’t been that far out of my way. And it was without question safer for him than The Cove.
    Of course I knew why I hadn’t done it; I’d just wanted him out of my sight as soon as possible. I hadn’t even given myself a chance to think of any alternatives to the merfolk’s realm.
    Now that the silence between us had returned, so did my embarrassment. Sitting so close to him didn’t help. I doubted that I would have asked those personal questions of him had I known our journey would be delayed like this.
    I felt thankful for the cool breeze wafting through the cabin, calming my blazing cheeks.

Chapter 9: Kiev
    As soon as the silhouette of The Tavern came into view, Mona slowed the boat. I got up and stepped out on deck. I scanned the area for any sign of hawks. Nothing stuck out as suspicious to me.
    A high black wall surrounded the island. Lanterns were scattered at intervals around it and an orange glow emanated up into the sky from behind the walls. Faint chattering and music drifted toward us.
    I walked back to the cabin and resumed my seat next to Mona.
    “It’s safe,” I muttered.
    She nodded and we continued ahead at full speed until the dolphins approached shallower water and slowed down. When the boat hit the sand, we both jumped out. Mona loosed the dolphins from their harnesses and, to my surprise, let them go swimming off.
    “I’ve trained them well enough. They’ll stay around the area and be here when I need them again.”
    I helped Mona push the boat onto the sand. Wordlessly, she started walking toward the wall. I followed her, scanning the length of the structure. We were headed toward a large oak door carved into it. On approaching it, Mona knocked