The Dark Sire Issue 7 (Spring 2021) - PREVIEW | Page 31

The Last Summer

By Frances Tate
Part Four
Curiosity . And is that excitement ?
Emotions overflowed from the vampire into the host , spilling and splashing and unprecedented . Followed by a nothingness so abrupt and complete , it reverberated like the slammed door it was .
And then the nothingness spread .
Beneath Richard ’ s palm and splayed fingers resting on the unconscious Mercy ’ s chest , her heart , which for the last few moments had been pounding like the hooves of a thoroughbred , paused for a beat as though clearing a fence , and then resumed its race .
What hoops does it have you jumping through , I wonder ?
Was the vampire considering propositioning the girl after all - now she ’ d demonstrated worth by surviving its assassination attempt ? Skulduggery aside , that was the conversation he expected to have with her since that first volley of jasmine ; host to prospective host . With calmly measured words over afternoon tea and not the drug inspired panic it came down to . Unlike their tranquil and
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