by Becky Allen
A pink cloth covered the table. A crystal vase held a dozen roses. There were colorful balloons everywhere, a dress-up silver crown beside her plate.
Kaitlyn grinned when she saw the crown. Her mother had given her one every year for as long as she could remember. It wouldn’t be a birthday without it.
“Please, sit, Your Highness,” Elena said. She placed the tiara on Kaitlyn’s head. “The roses are from your father.”
“They’re beautiful.”
“Best eat those pancakes while they’re hot,” Elena said.
“Looks good, as always.” Kaitlyn helped herself to several pancakes, three strips of bacon, as well as a slice of buttered toast.
“Milk or orange juice?” Elena asked.
“OJ.”
“This is nice.” Taking a seat across from her daughter, Elena filled her own plate. “I’ve missed our mornings together.”
Kaitlyn nodded. When she lived at Wolfram, she adjusted her waking hours to the ones her father kept so she could spend time with her parents. In Tahoe, her hours had been erratic. Sometimes she adhered to mortal hours; sometimes she kept vampire hours. Especially after meeting Zack.
She smiled inwardly. Zack. She could hardly wait to see him.
“So, what do you want for your birthday?” Elena asked.
“I don’t know. It’ll be pretty hard to top what you gave me for graduation and my birthday last year.”
“True.”
“I really don’t need anything,” Kaitlyn said.
“Well, think about it.”
“I will. These pancakes are great,” Kaitlyn said. “I forgot what a good cook you are.”
“It’s nice to have someone to cook for besides myself.”
Kaitlyn ate in silence for several minutes, thinking about what her mother had just said. “Mom, do you ever regret marrying Dad?”
“Of course not. Why would you ask such a thing?”
“It must be hard sometimes, living with a vampire. Eating alone all the time. Never being able to go out together during the day. You know, stuff like that.”
“No relationship is perfect. I don’t always eat alone. Sometimes I dine with Northa and the other women. And your father often sits with me . . .” She paused, brow furrowed. “Kaitlyn, you’ve only known Zack a short time. You’re not seriously thinking of marrying him, are you?”
“Why shouldn’t I marry a vampire? You did.”
“I know, but . . .” Elena paused. “I was about to say that the two of you are different kinds of vampires, but that argument doesn’t really hold water, does it? I mean, your father and I are different and yet we’ve been happy together. We’ve had to make compromises, yes, but every couple has to make adjustments. Still, marrying a vampire isn’t like marrying someone from another religion.” She smiled wistfully. “I guess it would be easier for you, all things considered.”
“I love him, Mom, with all my heart. I can’t imagine my life without him.”
Elena nodded. “You’re old enough to make up your own mind, sweetheart. Whatever you decide is all right with me.”
Kaitlyn reached across the table and squeezed her mother’s hand. “Thanks, Mom. For everything.”
After breakfast, Kaitlyn went into the library to read while her mother went to take care of some household chores.
Sitting there, an unopened book on her lap, Kaitlyn remembered how it had been, growing up at Wolfram. Before she went to school, she had kept the same hours as her parents, but that had changed when she turned five. Her mother had considered teaching Kaitlyn at home, but after thinking it over, she had decided that Kaitlyn needed to have the opportunity to play with other kids her age, that she needed to learn how to interact in a group, and to share.
And so her mother had changed her routine to accommodate Kaitlyn’s schedule. Thinking about it now, she realized her father must have changed his sleeping habits, as well. It must have been hard on her mother, trying to arrange it so she could spend time with a daughter who slept at night and a husband who slept most of the day.
Kaitlyn stretched her back and shoulders. She wouldn’t have to make any adjustments like that if she married Zack. Zack couldn’t have children, so it would be easy to keep the same hours he did.
Zack. She ran her fingertips over her lips as she recalled how he had kissed her last night. It was probably just her imagination, but she was certain she could still taste him.
Zack. Right or wrong, she wanted him with every fiber of her being, yearned for him with every breath. Until she’d met him, she had never believed in love at first sight, or soul mates, or that there was just one perfect man for every woman. But she believed it now.
She opened the book and tried to read, but instead of seeing the words on the page, she saw Zack’s image—dark gray eyes that were sometimes enigmatic but always beautiful. She loved the shape of his mouth, his smile that was sometimes cynical but always sexy. She loved the way he kissed her, the way being in his arms made her feel loved and protected. If she could have assembled the perfect man, he would have looked just like Zack.
Setting the book aside, she left the library. The Fortress was unusually quiet as she walked down the hallway. Kaitlyn grinned. No doubt her mother was holed up with Northa and some of the other women making last-minute preparations for her upcoming birthday party.
Kaitlyn stopped in midstride when the doorbell rang. It wasn’t an ordinary doorbell, of course, but a bell that resounded through the whole house.
Kaitlyn hurried toward the front entrance. She couldn’t be certain, but she thought there would probably be a present waiting for her when she got there.
She paused when she reached the front door. “Who’s there?” she asked, suddenly cautious.
“Victoria Galleries. I have a delivery for Kaitlyn Sherrad.”
She smiled as she opened the door.
A man wearing a uniform stood on the porch beside an enormous box wrapped in brightly colored paper. “Miss Sherrad?”
“Yes.”
“I need you to sign this, please.” He held out a digital clipboard.
“Certainly.” Wondering what on earth could be in such a large box, Kaitlyn reached for the clipboard, gasped when the man grabbed her by the wrist and pulled her outside. Before she could scream, he jabbed a needle in her arm. The effect was immediate. As if in slow motion, she watched him lift the lid on the box. She tried to scream when he picked her up, but only a whisper emerged. She tried to fight him off, but she had lost all control of her arms and legs. As if she was a rag doll, he dumped her into the box and replaced the lid.
And her world faded to black.
Zack rose with the setting of the sun, his first thought for Kaitlyn. He took a quick shower, pulled on a pair of clean pants and a gray shirt, combed his hair, and left his room.
As soon as he stepped into the corridor, he knew something was wrong. The sound of angry voices drew him toward the council chamber. He paused outside the door. It was closed and he hesitated to go inside. Until he heard Kaitlyn’s name.
When he stepped into the room, all eyes swung in his direction. Zack nodded at Drake, who stood on the dais in the front of the room. Elena stood beside her husband, her face pale, her eyes swollen and red. The thirteen chairs at the horseshoe-shaped table were all occupied.
“Zack,” Elena said, “do you know where Kaitlyn is?”
He shook his head. “I haven’t seen her since last night. Why? Is something wrong?”
“She’s missing. We’ve looked everywhere. No one has seen her since late this morning,” Elena said. “I even checked your room while you were sleeping. . . .” She smiled apologetically.
Zack looked from Elena to Drake. “You don’t think that I . . .”
“No, of course not,” her father said. He sat down heavily. “There can be only one answer,” he said, his voice as cold as glacier ice. “Nadiya.”
“But how?” Stefan asked.
“A good question,” Ciprian
said. “Since Kaitlyn’s return, we have placed additional wards around the Fortress to warn us of intruders.”
“Maybe the intruder didn’t come in,” Zack remarked. “Maybe Katy went out.”
Drake stared at him a moment, then nodded. “Andrei, I want you to go to the Korzha estate and see if anyone is there. Liam, go to the Russian Fortress and see if they have heard anything. Stefan, visit the Italians, Ciprian, the Fortress in Ireland. If we want to find Kaitlyn, we must find Nadiya.”
Zack shook his head as he listened to Drake assign the other members of the council to Fortresses throughout the world. It was, he thought, a waste of time and energy. But he understood Drake’s need to be doing something, anything.
Leaving the council chamber, Zack returned to his room and shut the door. Standing in the middle of the floor, he closed his eyes and opened his vampiric senses, searching for the blood bond that had been forged between himself and Kaitlyn.
After twenty minutes, he gave up. Either she was dead—an option he refused to consider—or she was unconscious.
Swearing under his breath, he began to pace the floor. Whether she was dead or alive, he would find her, and God help the man or woman who had taken her.
Chapter 29
Lucien looked up, smiling, when he saw Nadiya striding toward him. “I can see by the look on your face that you have good news.”
“Indeed.” She took the chair beside him. “The Carpathian Fortress will soon be ours. I have a bargaining chip that Sherrad cannot ignore.”
“What have you done?” he asked, suddenly wary.
“I have his daughter.”
“Are you mad? He will kill you for that.”
“This is no time to lose your nerve, Lucien! The Fortress is within our grasp.”
“Where is the girl?”
“Heavily drugged and in a secure location.”
“I see.” He braced his elbows on the arms of his chair and studied her over his steepled fingers. “So, what are your plans?”
“Ready your men. I have sent a messenger to Sherrad telling him to abandon the Fortress immediately.”
“And if he refuses?”
She sat back in her chair, her expression serene and confident. “He will not.”
“But if he does?” Lucien pressed.
“She dies, of course. She has to die, no matter what happens.” A slow smile spread over Nadiya’s face. It was an event she looked forward to with great anticipation. Blood for blood, a life for a life. Her sons would be avenged.
“I don’t like this,” Lucien said. “You said nothing of kidnapping the Sherrad heir.”
“No one is asking you to like it,” she said curtly.
“You have the girl. What do you need me for?”
“In case Sherrad decides to fight. If he agrees to leave, we will have to quarter some of your men there to hold the place after he evacuates. My sons and daughters will also be there, as well as those of Sherrad’s people who wish to join us.”
Lucien tapped his fingers on the arm of his chair. To be Master of the Carpathian Fortress was a long-held dream. But was it worth the risk? Drake Sherrad was not a man to be trifled with. He would make a formidable foe.
Lucien was still debating the wisdom of Nadiya’s plan when one of his sons entered the room. “Stefan Sherrad wishes to see you, Father.”
“He is here? Now?”
“Yes. He said he will not leave until he has spoken with you.”
“Tell him to wait. I will be out shortly.” Rising, Lucien ran a hand through his hair. “This is a fine mess. What is he doing here?”
“Sherrad is obviously looking for his daughter,” Nadiya said. “Keep your wits about you. Stefan will find nothing here. Get rid of him as soon as you can. I will be waiting for you at the Fortress, at the foot of the mountain.”
“Very well.” Taking a deep breath, Lucien went out to meet his guest.
Stefan was waiting in the antechamber.
“Stefan, how good to see you,” Lucien said jovially. “It has been years. I heard you had gone to America.”
“Yes.”
“What brings you here?”
“I am looking for my father’s wife, Nadiya,” Stefan said, his voice cool. “I believe you know her.”
Lucien cleared his throat. “Yes, of course. Lovely woman.”
“We believe she has kidnapped Kaitlyn.”
“They are not here.” Lucien spread his hands wide. “You may search my home if you wish.”
“Thank you. I will.”
Drake stared at the human male standing on the porch. He was obviously in thrall to someone. His first words confirmed Drake’s suspicion.
“The lady Nadiya demands that you, your family, and everyone else who dwells within these walls leave immediately.”
“And if I refuse?”
The drone reached into his pocket and withdrew a scrap of bloodstained cloth. He offered it to Drake.
A muscle worked in Drake’s jaw as he took it. He recognized the material immediately. It was from a dress Elena had given Kaitlyn.
The blood was also hers.
The threat was plain.
“Very well. Tell your lady that we will be gone by midnight.”
Zack stared at Drake. “You’re going to leave, just like that? You don’t even know if Katy is still alive.”
They had gathered in the council chambers once again. The council members had all returned, save for Stefan. None carried news of Nadiya or Kaitlyn. Every Master Vampire questioned had denied knowing anything of Nadiya’s or Kaitlyn’s whereabouts.
“I am not going to take any chances with my daughter’s life,” Drake said. “Once Kaitlyn is safely with us again, we will retake the Fortress. Stefan! What news have you?”
“Lucien denies any knowledge of Nadiya or her whereabouts, but she has been to the Italian Fortress recently,” Stefan said, striding toward the dais.” I am sure of it.” He glanced at the somber faces of the council members, then looked at Drake. “What has happened?”
“Nadiya has demanded that we evacuate the Fortress. I told her emissary we would be gone by midnight.”
“So she has Kaitlyn?”
“I believe so, yes.”
“You believe so?” Stefan exclaimed.
Drake held up the scrap of Kaitlyn’s dress. “She has her, or knows where she is.”
“How do you know she will return Kaitlyn once the Fortress is hers?”
“I do not.” Drake shrugged, his expression implacable. “But my daughter’s life is worth more than a pile of stone. We are leaving.”
“What of the mortal families?” Andrei asked.
“Their vampire mates will care for them. Northa will go with Marta and Cullen. Elena, tell the others we are leaving, then go and pack anything you wish to take with you. Stefan, you are welcome to come to Wolfram with us.” After a moment, he said, “Ravenscroft, you are also welcome to join us at Wolfram.”
Zack nodded. “Thanks.”
Since they were vampires with preternatural power, it didn’t take them long to gather their belongings. Katiya and Andrei decided to visit with Katiya’s parents. Drake’s other brothers and sisters all had homes of their own in various parts of the country. Liliana also had a place of her own. She opted to go there, at least for the time being, and asked Stefan to go with her.
“Are you sure that is a good idea?” Drake asked. “I would feel better if the two of you would come to Wolfram with us.”
“You are sweet to worry about me,” Liliana said, patting his cheek. “But I wish to stay in my own house. Besides, I am not afraid of Nadiya Korzha. And Stefan will be with me.”
An hour and a half later, everyone was gone save for Drake, Elena, Stefan, Liliana, and Zack, who were the last to leave the Fortress.
“You know you cannot trust Nadiya,” Liliana said. “Her mind is rotten with her need for revenge.”
Drake nodded. “I know.”
“She’s coming,” Zac
k said. “And she’s not alone.” It hadn’t taken him long to recognize the peculiar scent of the Romanian vampires. Once that was done, it was easy to distinguish between the Romanian vampires, humans, and vampires like himself.
Nadiya materialized out of the darkness. She was a pretty woman, Zack thought, if you liked women made of ice. She wore a long white dress that gave her a ghostly appearance. An odd power radiated from her, one he had never experienced before.
There were other vampires aligned behind her. Zack wasn’t sure how many, perhaps fifty.
“Drake,” Nadiya murmured. “So good to see you.”
“I have done as you asked. Where is my daughter?”
Nadiya looked offended by his curt tone. “She is well enough, for now.”
“I wish to see her.”
“That was not part of our agreement.”
Drake glared at her. “I have sent my people away. The Fortress is yours. Give me my daughter.”
“I never said I would give her to you.”
Drake took a step forward, his fingers clawlike, his eyes glowing hot as hellfire when he reached for her.
Nadiya raised one hand and it was as if Drake had hit a wall. He recoiled, his face contorting with pain.
Zack swore as residual supernatural power arced through the air, brushing his skin. It was like nothing he had ever felt before. Not painful, but uncomfortable.
He nodded to himself when Liliana murmured, “Witch.” That explained it.
Elena took a step forward, one hand extended in a silent plea. “Nadiya, I know we have never been friends,” she said, her voice thick with unshed tears, “but Kaitlyn has never done anything to you or your family. Please let her come home to us.”
“Three of my sons are dead,” Nadiya replied, her voice like acid. “No blood has been shed to avenge them.”
“If you want blood, take mine!” Elena cried. “But please don’t hurt my child. My only child.”
“If you want blood for blood, take mine,” Drake said, his voice thick with barely suppressed anger. “I am the one who destroyed Florin. Although you seem to have forgotten he deserved to die for his treachery against your husband.”
