THIRST (The Elite Book 3) by Hanleigh Bradley (read the beginning after the end novel .txt) 📕

Once inside, I begin to look about, searching for clues. Anything that might tell me what the hell is going on. There’s a desk against one wall, its surface covered with sheets of unorganised papers.

“Whoever uses this desk is a disorganised son of a bitch,” I murmur under my breath as I leaf through the paperwork.

Hestin follows me through the window without incident and quickly joins the search.

“Look for names,” I tell him, my voice quiet yet stern. “Anyone you recognise.”

I don’t want to tell him that I suspect someone close to the Mother, close to me even, is most likely involved. I can’t think of any other way that this could be kept so quiet. Whoever is in charge knows who to talk to and who not to.

He searches the bookcases while I focus my attention on the desk. The room grows quiet momentarily, and I glance his way to find him staring at a piece of paper.

“What’s that?” I ask.

“Er… Just an invoice,” he murmurs, not bothering to look up. “But that’s not what got my attention.”

I close the distance between us, wondering what could have him looking so nervous.

“Kirdem couldn’t…” He pauses, not really believing his own words. “He couldn’t have…”

“Spit it out,” I growl, snatching the paper from his hand.

“He couldn’t have faked his death?”

I almost laugh aloud. A horrible bark, completely lacking in humour, but fortunately I just about keep it inside. There in black and white on the invoice now in my hand is a bill for this very day addressed to Kirdem.

It was probably back dated, I try to reassure myself. Kirdem would never betray the Mother. I don’t have time to consider that line of thought, because I hear a scream coming from the next room. I should ignore it. I should leave. Or continue my search.

It’s probably just a vampire’s human snack. Not something to concern myself about. But then I see the blood oozing through the slit under the door. Vampires don’t waste human blood.

And only royal vampires are allowed to kill.

I move towards the door, only for Hestin to grab my arm. “Everette, where are you going?”

“I’m going to find out what’s going on.”

“Why? We’re not supposed to be here. Remember?”

He doesn’t get it. He’s not responsible for every life, be it vampire, human, or even shifter in England. I am.

Shrugging him off, I reach the door in under a second. Opening it slowly, I’m horrified when several bodies fall into the room, landing at my feet.

A young woman is cowering against the wall, her chest rising and falling as if she’s about to cry or worse, scream. But that’s not the only thing I see. There standing not two meters away from me is none other than Kirdem with a steely tint to his eyes.

My brother.

The Mother’s mate.

“Oh Everette, fancy seeing you here.”

To Be Continued in

OBSESSION

Preview of OBSESSION

They say I love you. But that can’t possibly be true. Love is just lust and obsession, silly human hormones coursing through your blood. A need to claim, a need to own.

I’ve already claimed you. I already own you. So why isn’t that enough?

I’ve seen what happens when my kind fancy themselves in love. I won’t fall into that trap. You’re an obsession, a mindless distraction that needs to be erased.

OBSESSION is the fourth book in The Elite series and continues where THIRST left off…

Everette

“You?” I can hardly believe my eyes. Kirdem is dead. There’s absolutely no possible way that he could be standing in front of me. For the briefest of moments, I wonder if I’m dreaming even though I haven’t dreamed in years. Centuries even.

Or perhaps I’m seeing a ghost. Anything would make more sense than what I’m actually seeing. My brother, Kirdem, standing in front of me. Definitely alive.

“Yes, me.” He looks pleased with himself. A snide expression on his face that I don’t recognise.

This isn’t him. It can’t be. He would never betray the Mother.

“Kirdem?” I hate the sound of my own voice. It’s weak and uncertain and completely wrong. I should be pummelling my fists into his face, not questioning his existence.

“Everette,” he replies mockingly.

“How could you?”

He laughs then, throwing his head back. “How could I?”

I wait for an answer, even though I know that nothing he has to say will be enough. I will never understand this act of betrayal. Anyone else. I could have believed it of anyone, but not him. And worse, the Mother will never believe this. How am I supposed to tell her?

“It was pretty easy to be honest,” Kirdem says, sitting down at one of the many tables in the room. “When you’re the Mother’s consort, there’s a lot of freedom. If I was planning on letting you live, I’d recommend you take my place. There’s really nothing like it. The power. The freedom to do whatever the hell you want.”

His words are vial and offensive. And my fists clench at my side.

“Of course, I’ve heard you’ve got a mate of your own now,” he continues, his voice dripping with venom. “I plan to enjoy her. I had thought to make you watch. But lucky for you, I’m not going to let you live long enough now.”

I lunge for him, seeing fire. Rage has me shaking as I slam my fist into his face. But we’re not alone. Hestin might be with me, but just down the hall I can hear feet pounding on the floor, coming this way.

Kirdem responds in kind, kicking my shin. “You listen to me, Everette. There’s no winning this war. You’d be better to surrender now.”

“Never.”

“Silly little Everette,” Kirdem says. “Too loyal for his own good. And now