"Wilson,.David.-.Vampire.Book.1.-.Bitter.Ashes" - читать интересную книгу автора (Wilson David Niall)

have wasted a lot of years not being close to.
And, of course—to the blood. The power is in
the blood.
TO SIFT THROUGH BITTER ASHES
8
9
DAVID NIALL WILSON
ONE
The villagers scattered as the huge black stallion
thundered into the square. The tall, broadshouldered
rider reined in outside the taverna
contemptuously, sliding from the saddle like liquid
darkness. He was standing beside the master of the
stable before the horse had fully calmed.
The old man took in his late visitor in quick,
nervous glances. This was no rough mercenary, or
country lord. He wore the finery of a noble, and his
sharp, aquiline features and the glittering arrogance
in his eyes were those of a warrior. A formidable
pairing, and not one to be taken lightly. He tossed
the long black tresses of his hair over his shoulder
and stepped closer.
TO SIFT THROUGH BITTER ASHES
10
“Yes, Lord?” The stable master said in hushed
tones, as though afraid anything he might say, or
any stray movement he might make would bring
this dark man’s wrath. He’d seen such as this one
before, more times than he could count, and their
temperaments were as unpredictable as the winds.
He’d seen friends and relatives who hadn’t the wits
to learn this lesson and live.
“I am Montrovant,” the dark one said softly. His
words carried forcefully despite the softness with
which they were spoken. “You will care for my
mount,” he ordered. “You will watch him
throughout the day, and I will call for him
tomorrow evening. I am not certain of the hour of
my return. Have him ready and keep him ready.
Your head rests on his condition, your future
depends on my pleasure.”
The old man bowed his head, accepting the reins
without question, and led the magnificent animal
off toward the stalls in back. He had not grown old
by being a fool, and there were some men it was
better to obey and be done with. He’d never seen
this noble before, and he hoped never to see him
again, beyond his return to retrieve his mount. The
less known, the less risked. They were dangerous
times, and danger not faced was the best sort