Vows of a Vampire by Ann Cory Page B

you know. I’m well aware of the tainted blood. How do you think I brought our great mentor down.”
    “What?”
    “You heard me right. I killed Dante. He thought his illness resulted from Laura’s death, but I gave him poisoned blood. He deserved it for abandoning me when you came along. Now you can join him and I will take my rightful place as leader.”
    Stunned, Varick tried to pick himself up but Luke brutally rammed into him and pinned him.
      “I’ll bleed you dry,” he growled and bared his fangs.
    Before he had a chance to move, Luke sank his fangs deep into his shoulder. He struggled to throw him off, but his brother’s brawn surpassed his own.
    Varick faintly heard Aubrey calling for him and it helped him gather enough strength to turn the tables on his brother. With the palm of his hand he tore Luke off him and slammed him to the floor.
    Luke thrashed beneath him, barely able to make a sound.
    “You aren’t capable of deciding who lives and dies around here. Your anger and hatred have brought enough darkness to the coven. I don’t want to kill you, but you’ve left me no choice. With you out of the way, our brothers will have no choice but to look to me as leader. For too long have you been responsible for their loyalty being divided.” He leaned over and caught the flesh of his neck, biting him deep.
    Varick fed upon him, ignoring the way the tainted blood worked against him. He’d have little left in the way of energy to fight Denzen, but instincts told him his weaker brother would flee without Luke around. He’d always been a follower and would have no one else to turn to. Regardless, Varick would fight to his death. As long as Aubrey was safe, that’s all he cared out. He continued to feed, draining the life out of Luke. His fury would not be tamed until he drank up every single drop.
    The disease raced through his veins, sapping him of the little energy he had left. His stomach churned and he thought he’d pass out. Aubrey’s elegant face circled around him, and he wished he could reach out and stroke the softness of her cheek.
    Finally, he removed his bloodstained fangs and moved back an inch. Luke lay still pale and lifeless, his body shrivelling up. Within seconds his body turned to ash.
    Varick couldn’t move. His entire being felt lethargic and slow. Wanting nothing more than to be by Aubrey’s side, he dragged his body along the floor. He needed to make certain she was okay.
     

     
    “Varick, can you hear me?” Through a haze he glimpsed Aubrey crawling toward him and resting her head on his chest. Her faint voice brought him relief. “I’m so weak,” she sighed.
    He breathed in her sweet essence and choked back a sob. He’d vowed to protect her and he’d done anything but. “I know, and I’m so sorry for everything. If I hadn’t come into your life, you’d be fine.” He never should have gotten caught up in his feelings for her.
    Raising her head, she stared into his eyes. “No I wouldn’t. I’d have gone over a cliff. You saved me then, and you saved me just now from being bitten again. You are my hero, Varick.”
    In his mind he felt like a killer. “I should have prevented it. I didn’t want you to be harmed by anyone. It’s my fault they found you.” He paused a moment, his chest tightening making it difficult to catch his breath.
    Fear filled her beautiful eyes. “What’s the matter? I can tell you aren’t okay.”
    Here she lay, weak and frightened, and she asked how he felt? “Don’t fret about me, love. I’m more concerned about you right now.”
    She gripped his shirt in her fists and tugged. “Please, talk to me. I’m worried.”
    He tried to offer her assurance with a smile, but the pain made him flinch. “My body is starting to shut down. I haven’t fed for several days and I’ve lost a great deal of blood. It’s weakened me.”
    Her eyelids flickered. “Why haven’t you been nourishing yourself?”
    He tangled his fingers through her