Salvation's Kiss (Tales Of Mython Book 1) by Kathryn Jayne (old books to read .TXT) 📗

Heat chased through her as she realised Conrad had moved to sit beside her, his hand on hers creating a comforting warmth that spread through her to combat the cold dread that had threatened to take hold.

“I know trusting us is a lot to ask, but I promise, my parents would never betray your confidence, that’s why I brought you here in the first place.” He squeezed her hand, his gesture reassuring her beyond any words he had spoken. She glanced between the faces of those present before her eyes fixed upon his, savouring the feather-light sensation of his thumb as it caressed the back of her hand.

“Will you stay, too?” she asked, glancing up at him, giving him the full benefit of her pleading eyes as she looked up at him through her heavy lashes. He gave a slight nod. “Okay, what did you discover?”

“Not here.” Selene gestured towards the hall. “This conversation is one to be had in the protection of my room.”

Her saying that seemed to spark a reaction from both Reuben and Conrad, and Ashley swore she felt the pressure in the air almost solidify. Rising from her seat, she followed, placing a hand to her stomach as it churned, making her wish she hadn’t eaten quite so much.

When everyone but Selene was seated in the room, a heavy blanket of silence descended. Selene seemed anxious. Her finger tapped her chin as she paced, as if finding it difficult to decide on the best approach.

“The reason I suggested speaking here is because nothing leaves this room. Nor can it be overheard by any manner of technology or magic,” she explained, her eyes fixed on Ashley. “Before I talk about the results, I believe Reuben may be able to offer some closure on one of the issues you’re facing, but first, since Ashley has agreed to have you here, I’d like her to relay what happened the night she was attacked.”

“Mother!” Conrad snapped, coming to her defence, clearly not wishing for her to relive the events of that night again.

“It’s fine.” Finding the same small imperfection she focused on last time she was in here, Ashley began to recount the events, her vision occasionally chancing a glance towards Conrad, who sat beside her, his fists balled but resting on the table. She saw his anger, his jaw clenching as she spoke about how they had restrained her, tearing into her flesh. When she spoke about them fleeing, his shoulders seemed to relax, his fists uncurling ever so slightly. It was a moment before she realised why. “Conrad, I’m sorry, I didn’t think. You thought…”

“No, I assumed, given where the bite was and what you told me. It changes nothing, though. Those bastards attacked you and—I mean, just look at that scar, that’s not intent to turn, it’s intent to kill!” He gestured towards her leg where she had pulled her loose-fitting Lycra trousers up to show them her injury. It was a decision made in haste and embarrassment at being the centre of their intense stares, rather than something she’d intended to do. Fumbling with the trouser leg, she pulled it down again, shifting her vision.

“So the first question, before anything else, is why did they run?” Selene took control of the conversation much in the same way a professor would. “Well, the truth is, I don’t believe they did. Reuben?” Selene prompted.

“Self-defence, pure and simple, but still—” he began.

“That is not self-defence,” Conrad snapped and his palm slapped the table, punctuating his point.

“No, sorry, let me explain.” Reuben held his hands up apologetically. “A few nights ago, I was called out to a suspected crime scene by a couple of rookie Blue Coats. One was a shifter, and you know how the saying goes, the nose knows. They were patrolling the park and came across some scorch marks, two, near the bandstand. Forensic data came back today to show the ash samples present contained vampire DNA. We are in the process of opening an investigation and appealing for witnesses, but no one saw anything. Which is just as well, I assume, based on my wife’s expression.” Ashley watched as a piece of paper exchanged hands. “Is that accurate?” His eyebrows raised as his gaze peered over the paper towards her.

“Afraid so. Was there any blood at the scene?” Conrad’s hand slid across the table to rest lightly upon her arm as if he’d sensed the rising nausea that enveloped her. If she was correctly understanding what they were saying, her attackers hadn’t dropped her that night to flee. They were dead. She recalled hearing the sound of a scream, a scream that, until now, she had honestly believed had been her own.

“I’ll check the crime scene notes once we’re finished here. I don’t believe they found anything. There was a theory about it being suicide, given the thorough manner in which the bodies were destroyed.” His vision dropped to the paperwork still held within his grasp. “I can’t imagine any new evidence coming to light, so the case will go cold. Did you leave any traces of this?”

Ashley felt herself begin to tremble as Reuben inclined his head towards her while addressing his wife. She felt almost invisible, like a child being discussed between two very concerned adults, and she still didn’t understand all of what was being said.

“Nothing. The samples I took were destroyed. You hold the only record of the results, and I’ve already initiated a full-scale system wipe.”

“What is going on? Why would you need to wipe your systems? They’re protected.” It was as if Conrad had sensed her building fear. Perhaps it was the way she had shuffled closer to him, her hand now gripping his arm. Hearing his outburst, Ashley released her grip, realising her knuckles had turned white.

“I can’t be too careful. Ashley, your blood shows you to be preternatural,” Selene revealed.

“But that’s because I was both bitten and ingested