Kiss of Crimson Samantha Coville (best short books to read .TXT) 📖

I do, I can tell he's disgusted. He's as trapped in this as I am. But El..."

"What is it?" I rubbed her arms soothingly.

"I have it lucky compared to some of the other girls my age that I tracked down to check on. They were girls who wed vampires shortly before me." She took a deep breath. "A handful of them have not been heard from since their weddings. And a very small few that I was able to visit are nothing more than feeding troughs for their so-called husbands."

My hand stopped its soothing motion on her arm. I didn't know what to do or say. My sister was wracked with pain for those girls, even if she hadn't known them closely before they went their separate ways. I parted my lips to try and say something reassuring, but anything I could have said would have felt fake, like it was glossing over the problem.

"El, I can't stay in this house forever. I'm scared of what will happen if I do."

"Are you planning to run away?" I whispered, aghast. Antony hadn't done anything to her yet. If she ran away now, she'd become an outcast of our society. Or even worse. Mother wouldn't take her back in, that much I knew. This was a marriage she had arranged and her clients would find the whole thing scandalous.

Madge's eyes grew wide, and she scanned the room around us, making sure no one was eavesdropping. She motioned for me to be quiet. "You can't talk about it with anyone. I know someone who will help me. I will be fine. You can't ever give it a second thought."

"Madge... why are you telling me this?" I started to cry with her. This was supposed to be a joyous reunion with my sister, but it had turned dark far too quickly.

She heaved a sigh. "I could never keep a secret from you, Eloise. But I also tell you this as a warning." Her gaze stopped wandering and locked steadfast with mine. "No matter how charming they are, vampires are not to be trusted. It's a risk not worth taking. Don't fall for their elegance, their grace, their sophistication. See through all of that to who, or what, they truly are."

I unconsciously shifted my body away from her, putting distance between us. This was the worst timing possible, but, just as she couldn't keep a secret from me, I couldn't keep a secret from her. "I actually have found someone, Madge. He is a vampire, but he's completely different from the rest of them, I swear!"

The ending of my sentence spilled out hurriedly and with a loud exclamation at the end as she shook her head disapprovingly. She was far more like mother than I could ever explain to her. She wouldn't want to hear it, anyway.

I continued. "He's one of the younger vampires. He hasn't been filled with the same horrid thoughts as the others. He's kind and sweet, and he makes me feel a way that I could have never expected. Do you really believe there are no vampires at all who could be redeeming of their race?"

Her eyes turned dark, like quiet clouds hiding a raging storm. "There are some... who are worth loving. But they are not like us, El. They age differently, they experience life differently. There's no way to tell if they'll simply become like their predecessors. It's a risk I've chosen not to take."

There was a longing in her voice. I could feel there was someone on her mind. A vampire, no doubt. But I wasn't going to press. I grabbed her hands and brought them to my lips for a gentle kiss.

"So your mind is made up about all of this then?" My words almost begged her to change her decision and stay. But I knew she was resigned to the choice she made.

She rested her head on my shoulder. "It is. I won't give you any details, but have faith in me, okay? Everything will work out in the end."

"I've always had faith in you, Madge. I know you will find your happy ending wherever it is you end up."

I could feel her body shaking ever so slightly against mine. I couldn't imagine the weight of all of this on her. She may be older, but she was still young. A girl her age should be daydreaming of children and throwing balls of her own. Not whether or not to flee the country to run from her marriage. Were all vampires truly that horrible?

Arden isn't. He's different.

"Eloise, if you believe this vampire is kind, then you have my blessing. Just promise me you will always be vigilant when dealing with any of them. Do not blindly trust."

I was surprised by her words, but grateful for them. "I promise." She relaxed against me at my reassurance and I continued to soothe her until she was back to her somewhat cheery self.

I spent the rest of that afternoon with my sister. Most of it was in chit-chatting or playing a board game in her bedroom. The entire day was overcast, however, with looming dread. After girlish giggle had the aftertaste of sorrow. I knew that when I walked out of that front door of her luxurious home that I would probably never see my sister again.

Ten

Arden

“You’re not taking me to another club, right?”

I could hear the mischievous smile in her voice.

“No, but I would suggest that you wear something you are not too worried about getting dirty.” I paused for dramatic effect. “I’d hate to be responsible for ruining your favorite outfit.”

She groaned good-naturedly. “Oh God, we’re not going rock-climbing or mud-wrestling, are we?”

I was momentarily shocked into silence at the mental image of Eloise all slick and shiny with sweat, her chest heaving up and down as she fought to catch her breath…

“—shirt is okay?”

I shook my head and focused back to my present. “Sorry, what?”

Her laughter sounded like clear silver