Read Fate Of The Minotaur (Her Dragon's Bane 5) for Free Online Page B

that.”
    “We were lucky; whoever hunted you yesterday must have given up for now.”
    “Perhaps he has run out of gargoyles.” She kissed him again, feeling the press of his erection against her thigh. His tongue ran along her lower lip, igniting desire deep inside her. Why couldn’t she just accept this? Why did she have to choose this moment to take control of her prophecies?
    Even when his eyes closed, his lids heavy from the herbs she had added to his meal, which would make him sleep for at least twelve hours, she didn’t move. Again and again, she questioned her need to do this. Why now, did she decide to get involved with people? When she looked at Fin again, she knew the answer. He had chosen to protect her, despite not knowing a thing about her. This was her way of returning that kindness.
    Rising, she went to her closet and pulled out some warm clothes. Then she dressed, going to the bed, leaning over to kiss the top of his head and saying, “Sweet dreams, Fin.”
    She pulled the covers over him, placing her hand on him, feeling the rise and fall of his chest. Then she turned and left, with no backward glance to question her resolve. Downstairs, she made sure everything was secure and then went out of the back door, locking it securely behind her. Across the small clearing and into the woods, she headed in what she hoped was the direction of Hollowton. All she had to go on was the images of her dream, which were, as always, incredibly clear, down to the feeling of unease that covered her as she approached the outskirts of the town.
    It had taken her over two hours to walk here, and as she put her foot on the road, she felt the incredible weight of her decision on her shoulders. She had to find the right house, or she wouldn’t be alive for very much longer. Already she could hear movement in the distance, a whispering as if dry grasses rubbed together in the autumn breeze.
    Across the road she ran, looking for the distinct carvings on the door of the house she needed. Nothing, and still the whispers grew louder. Quickening her pace, she moved from door to door, then onto the next street. It had to be here, she couldn’t be doing this for nothing. In her hand, she felt the small prick of the knife she carried against her skin. If they caught her, this would be her end. There was no way she was going to become one of these creatures. Her plan was to end her life before they bit her, if she became cornered. She closed her eyes and pushed the image of her death from it. That was just her imagination, not a vision. As far as she knew, her fate was still her own. She reached the door of the next house, and was about to move on, when she looked up and saw something. Not the thing she had been looking for: instead, on the roof, hanging down and watching her, were two more gargoyles like the ones that had chased her. Along the roof were two empty spaces where their brothers used to sit. This was the house; she knew it.
    Quickly, she lifted the knocker on the door, but before she could let it go, a hand touched her shoulder. She turned, caught by one of the undead. His eyes, red and aflame with hunger. looked down on her, mesmerising her. The iron ring fell from her hand, echoing through the house behind her. Yet it was too late, the knife useless in her hand, as the creature of darkness bent to sink his teeth into her neck.
    “She is my guest, Raoul. You have no claim to her.” A voice, so forceful, so commanding, came from the now-open door behind her.
    “I found her first,” hissed Raoul.
    “She is my guest,” said the voice again, adding a little more menace.
    “Mine,” Raoul hissed.
    In one swift movement, Sybil was freed and Raoul was flung back against the house opposite. He got up and made to move towards her, but then thought better of it. It seemed even faced with fresh meat in front of him, Raoul wasn’t so lost to his hunger to risk the wrath of this other vampire. But that didn’t comfort Sybil.