Read Night's Cold Kiss for Free Online Page B

her donors, appeared at her side; one a raven-haired girl dressed in a skintight black leather mini dress and the other a stunning blond man in a white see-through body shirt and matching snug leather pants.
    “They’re fresh,” Akentia said, smoothing the hair on the girl’s head. “This one hasn’t known the fang.” She reached out and slid a cool palm down Christian’s cheek. “You could be her first—we could both be her first.”
    Akentia offered him a compliment and he was tempted. To awaken a fang-virgin to the delights of feeding was a beautiful experience for both participants, and with Akentia involved it was sure to be explosive.
    Viktor licked his lips and ran his hand across the young man’s chest. He didn’t discriminate between the sexes whenit came to feeding or pleasures of the flesh. Man or woman, he enjoyed both equally.
    But, much to his own disappointment, Christian bent over Akentia’s long slim fingers and brushed them with his lips again. “We’ll take the room, Princess, but we have much to discuss and can’t afford the distraction. Perhaps another time?”
    Disappointment flashed across Viktor’s face, but then he nodded. “Sorry, Princess, but he’s right I’m afraid.”
    “Anything you wish, my dear boy.” Akentia’s hand slid across Christian’s chest, her own eyes reflecting the glimmer of regret. “Marcus, show these gentlemen to the Peacock Room, and bring them a couple of bottles from my private stock.”
    “Yes, Mistress,” the boy said, bowing low and then leading the way.
    He pressed a panel to open a hidden door behind a velvet curtain, holding it aside so the two men could pass. They entered the tastefully decorated room. A one-way mirror filled the length of the wall and looked out onto the dance floor. Plush leather lounges were scattered around for comfort and pleasure. Viktor closed the curtains on the dancers and then sat opposite Christian. “So did he believe you?”
    Before Christian could answer, the boy reappeared carrying a tray and placed it on the low table. He exchanged a quick heated glance with Viktor before withdrawing. Viktor watched him until the door closed.
    “Sergei couldn’t ignore the evidence,” Christian said when he was sure they were alone again. “But it was better that you didn’t come with me in the end. Good call.”
    “She’s definitely Grigore’s daughter.” Viktor pulled the cork stopper from the bottle and poured a splash of crimson into the glass. After a sip, he smiled approvingly. “Akentia’s taste is impeccable, as usual.” He filled a fresh glass and passed it to Christian before refilling his own. The freshly drawn blood warmed the glass in Christian’s hand. Viktor sat back and draped an arm along the back of the lounge.
    “What did he say?” Viktor asked, growing serious.
    “I think he’ll agree to his niece’s involvement.” Christian drained the crimson nectar and placed his empty glass back on the table.
    “Excellent. Just what I’d hoped but we still have to be careful who we trust.” Viktor said, pouring himself some more, then offered the bottle to Christian.
    He shook his head. “How do you know you can trust me?”
    “Who says I do?” Viktor’s stoic expression held no hint of humor, then it dissolved into a grin.
    For a moment Christian had the impression his friend wasn’t entirely joking. Viktor’s grin faded, but the warmth didn’t leave his eyes.
    “Christian, my old friend, you could never lie to me. Take Dominique, for example. I knew you were in love with her long before you’d even admitted it to yourself. Every time you denied it, I could hear the truth in your voice and see it in your eyes when you looked at her.”
    Pain pierced Christian’s heart at the mention of his late wife’s name. She’d been kindness and love personified. The war tore at her heart with each loss of life. “All that useless death and destruction,” she used to say. So when his father had