Читать книгу The Blood She Betrayed - Cheryse Durrant - Страница 13

Dozens of flickering candles cast an eerie glow across the carved relief of Balor. Thirteen men fell silent at the polished oak table as their coven leader began the proceedings with a prayer.

When he then turned to the agenda, he was swamped by a gaggle of protests.

`The Beardmore heir is dead — our sixth Rip`n'Stitch victim in less than a year,' the Second addressed the Supreme One. `Neither your police nor your spies have any leads. I demand the killer's heart on a platter!'

The Supreme One raised an eyebrow. `If you are so keen to track him down, go spear him yourself.'

Second's face contorted.

`You know I have not your connections or resources.'

`Then let me proceed as we discussed.'

`No, this needs further discussion,' Fifth interrupted. `Until this killer is found, every Taloner is at risk.'

`The renegade is only killing youngsters, and half-Taloners at that.'

`Yes, half-Taloners. Those with fresh, young hearts, whose bodies have not lived a human lifespan and therefore don't crumble to dust upon death. Their hearts can be ripped out and eaten, making our killer stronger.'

`We will find him.'

`But in the meantime, we risk being exposed!'

`The police investigation is no threat. We have Taloner pathologists on the inside. The humans still think the source is a normal serial killer.'

`Only because we have spent centuries keeping our kind concealed! We are discreet with our victims. One slip up now and—'

`We are conducting investigations.'

`The renegade Taloner flaunts his work openly. How long until he exposes all of us — and obliterates our young?

`Gentlemen!' The Supreme One rose from his chair and strode alongside them. `This renegade is nothing.'

`He is a cannibal, eating our children's hearts to quadruple his own strength and power.'

`You dare interrupt me?' The Supreme One's hand curled like a druid's spell. `I am your ruler! This menace will be found and killed. In the meantime, the breeding program has reached its final stage. Soon, we will have numbers enough to control the world as Balor envisioned. We will no longer need our half-kin.'

`Your words are empty to those who have already lost children.'

`Gentlemen, we have centuries ahead of us. Sons can be replaced. The coven cannot. Join with me in celebrating our victory. It is close.' He raised his blood-filled chalice and drank.