Read Eternal Island (Book 1 in the Eternal Series) for Free Online Page B

the first trend-setting High Vampire in history.”
    Abe shot her a hard look through narrowed eyes and walked ahead of her out of the lair. They took the back way to the garage. Rainey was lucky; they didn’t run into anyone that might notice the High Vampire’s new hair-do. They climbed into Rainey’s Lotus and were halfway on the other side of the island before Rainey got up enough courage to tell Abe her latest vision.
    “I don’t know what it means. I knew there was a chance some people would be unhappy with your decision, but I never imagined there could be anything to make you that upset. You were crying, Abe – I mean, My Lord. I’ve never seen you cry before. This is serious. We need to figure out what is going to happen, so that we can prevent it. I guess I can take Ariana back to the mental hospital and erase her memory, too, if that’s what it takes.”
    “No!” Abe hit the console and left a perfect impression of a fist. Rainey jumped. For the first time in seventeen years she was afraid for her position and afraid for her life. Abe could end it all with just one word or the back of his hand across her face. It would only take one hit. Vampires were extremely fast and strong and there were only three things that could kill or weaken them – lack of blood, cutting their head off and the sun. The myths about garlic and crosses and wooden stakes were simply myths.
    “Do not ever speak of returning her to the mainland unless it is her choice alone. Do you understand? I’m starting to question your worth to me, Rainey. I hope you are just having a bad week. Make no mistake, you are only valuable to me until you stop giving me what I need.”
    Rainey stiffened and swallowed loudly. He’d never spoken to her like that before. “I am sorry, My Lord. Please forgive my errors. I will not disappoint you again. I will figure out what is to happen and take care of it.”
    Abe bowed his head and, for the first time in his life, he felt ashamed. What was happening to him? What were all these emotions roiling inside him? Would this be something he’d have to get used to, like a temperamental new car or a wild stallion that needed breaking? Just man up and deal with it? And if he couldn’t? Was there anything he could do about any of this, at all?
    “I’m sorry, too, Rainey. I don’t know what’s got into me. I’ve never felt like this before. It’s unsettling. I’m… confused. Maybe a little anxious, too. It’s so hard to define. I didn’t mean what I said. We… We’ll figure this out together. I am very thankful for your services to me. If this… if this thing I’m feeling is love, can you at least tell me how to control it? Give me a few pointers here.”
    “You cannot control love, My Lord. Love is the strongest thing on earth. If you try and fight it, you will lose every time. You can turn your back on it, but it is still there, every day, reminding you of the mistake you made. I warned you of this before you made your decision. I have a feeling that love isn’t going to be the only new thing in your life. You’ve just apologized to me. Why? Before I brought her here, you wouldn’t have apologized for anything. You would have never admitted you could be wrong about anything. And yesterday, on the phone, you said that you were worried about me and Ariana. You – worried? See what I mean?”
    Abe looked at Rainey and frowned. “I felt… ashamed to have scolded you when you were only trying to help me. I also have another feeling I’m not sure I like. I’m scared.” Abe folded his hands in his lap and looked at them as they started to tremble. “Look at me, Rainey, I’m a fucking mess. The High Vampire is not supposed to fall apart.”
    Rainey wasn’t sure what she should do about her King having a nervous breakdown in the passenger seat of her car, so she pulled into a store parking lot and cut the engine.
    “My Lord, I am sorry. It is I who should be blamed for all your grief. If