by Sharon Page
Her throat dry, she saw the figures that now stood in the shadows. Not more of the batlike demons, but the men of the council themselves. She would not cower behind Heath. She stepped forward to stand at his side. They were partners in this. Heath wrapped his arm around her at once and clamped her securely against his left side. She could hear the slow, heavy beat of his heart.
One of the tall men pushed back the hood that hid his face. Vivienne’s heart lurched in terror. It was Adder, the vampire lord who had tied her to the altar, who had intended to rape her, then drink her blood. She had to fight not to shrink back as he prowled forward. His gaze was locked on Heath, but Adder held out his hand toward her.
“All right, Blackmoor,” he growled. “We’ve come as you requested. If you want to protect Miss Dare from Nikolai, you must give her to us.”
She froze. Heath had brought the council here? She stared up at him in horror.
Heath stood naked, his arm tight around her. Yet he did not look cowed or afraid. “Nikolai has offered us protection from you. I am not just going to give you Vivienne. You have to give me a reason to betray Nikolai.”
“Betray him?” Adder scoffed. “He intends to invoke your curse and use you as a tool of destruction. You are such a damnably soft-hearted idiot you won’t want that to happ—” Adder broke off, peered at her, at Heath, then at their tumbled bed. “You were lovers once already, and you have done it again. You damn fool, Blackmoor. The curse—”
“Is broken. It’s gone. I did not change into a demon. Vivienne helped me break it.”
“You made love and you did not change?” The vampire’s face contorted into a startled, blank look of horror.
“As I said, we broke the curse. I no longer need to be destroyed, Adder. There is no need to kill me to protect mortals and vampires.”
Adder sneered. “It means you are of no use to Nikolai. He’ll stake you and turn you to dust. And use your brother instead.”
“So I expect,” Heath answered coolly without a trace of fear. “So I have to destroy Nikolai. Yet I know if I help you by killing him, you will repay me by taking Vivienne from me. I won’t let that happen.”
Adder waved his hand impatiently. “You wish to bargain? There is to be no negotiation. You have found Nikolai for us and brought us into his house. I can destroy him myself right now. With a snap of my fingers, I can summon my demons. How many minions does Nikolai have in this house, a few dozen? I can fight him and win.”
Vivienne looked from one fierce, stubborn vampire to the other. Heavens, they’d been plunged into a vampire war. And she had no idea where Sarah was. Sarah would be in danger. Why had Heath done this? She could see the anticipation in Adder’s eyes. The man would attack. He was gloating at Heath. Adder believed he could kill Heath, then do with her whatever he wished.
What did he want from her? Nikolai had told her she had been specially created to tempt men, to be the first of an army of succubi. But why would a vampire want to destroy humans, when he needed their blood?
The other men—there were five more, swathed in black cloaks—moved swiftly into a circle, so all six surrounded her and Heath. She met Heath’s eyes. Silvery-green, they still appeared calm. Trust me, he said in her head.
Trust you! They are going to attack you. And we have nothing with which to fight them. I would have to jump over Adder to reach the fireplace poker.
You saved me by giving me hope and love. Keep your hope now. “You can’t win against Nikolai,” he said softly.
Adder’s sharp laugh rang out. “I will. You have nothing to bargain with.”
But Heath had her—and if she agreed to go, she could save Heath. Perhaps today she was destined to die, and leave him and Sarah forever….
Her thoughts died away as she saw Heath’s eyes suddenly widen and the silver-green depths brighten. She knew that look. It was hope. “But you don’t want her anymore, Adder.” Heath added, “She cannot give you want you want.”
“W—what do you mean?” Her voice sounded strange, falling into the sudden silence.
Heath spoke to her, but never shifted his gaze from Adder. “When you helped me to break the curse, it freed you. It makes sense, since Nikolai created you as a … a temptation to ignite his curse. You did your job, but by beating the curse, I believe you are freed from your servitude to Nikolai. We destroyed his magic. Which means you are no longer a succubus.”
His words astonished her. Heath and Adder locked gazes, like animals pacing, waiting for the moment to attack.
Could it be true? Or was it a bluff? She remembered the rich tang of Heath’s blood on her lips. Dimly, she remembered trying to resist, then giving in. It had been so intimate. He had drunk from her and she from him. She felt bonded to Heath now.
Did that mean she would not go to other men in their dreams, or in reality, and seduce them?
But Adder roared. He spun, slammed his fist into the plaster wall, drilling a six-inch hole. “That is impossible, Blackmoor,” he snapped. “And impossible to prove.”
“You know it is the truth,” Heath countered. “She is a vampire now. And she is mine.”
Heath’s possessiveness shot through Vivienne with the force of a bolt of lightning. She ran her tongue over her teeth. She didn’t have fangs. But sunlight slanted through the windows, spilling on the floor in front of her. She jerked back instinctively, pulling Heath with her.
Adder gave a sickening smile. “I will need to take her to ensure this is the truth. If it is, then she will be freed, I assure you. And if it is true, you have brought about her destruction. Remember Nikolai holds your brother Raine. Miss Dare was useful to Nikolai if she could ignite the demon in either you or your brother. Now that she is bonded to you, she could have sex with Raine and set off the demon, but she would not give your brother the power Nikolai needs him to have. Out of anger and for revenge on you, Nikolai will destroy her. Let her come with me and I will keep her safe.”
The other vampires stepped forward, hands outstretched.
There was no way in Hades she would go with Adder. But how were they to stop six powerful vampires?
Heath wrapped both arms around Vivienne’s waist. “Adder, don’t be a bloody fool. Nikolai doesn’t know Miss Dare is freed from his service. He won’t expect it, so we can use it to distract him. If you want to destroy him, that will be your chance. That was why you wanted Vivienne all along, wasn’t it? To take her power—and stop Nikolai?”
Heath had no idea if it was the truth. But the way Adder recoiled told him he had guessed right. Adder had needed to destroy Nikolai before the super demon was unleashed. No doubt Nikolai intended to use his demon to destroy the council.
Vivi was Nikolai’s child. She was of his blood. If Adder took her blood into his body, her power could give Adder the strength to defeat her father.
Heath’s mind stopped in its tracks. There had to be more. Adder could have easily stopped Nikolai’s plan long ago by destroying the two cursed vampires, he and his brother.
He grasped at an idea. Vivi’s father had been one of the oldest vampires, created by a fallen angel.… He quickly posed a question in Vivi’s head. You told me about your mother, Vivi. What made her special to you?
Vivi looked at him as though he were mad. But her thoughts flowed into his head. Her name was Rose. She was strong and courageous, and she would look after every woman in the flashhouse. She used to make up stories for me, of how one day I would marry a prince….
He saw Vivi swallow hard, her beautiful throat moving. I know that mustn’t be what you want to know. But it is all I know. She was an ordinary woman.
She can’t have been, he said softly. She must have been special—different in some way.
You mean a demon. She said the words flatly. Adder was watching them, trying to fathom the words they were exchanging privately in their thoughts.
No, I don’t believe that. Not of a woman who healed others. I believe Nikolai chose her because she must have been like you—beauti
ful, good, strong—and he knew those qualities would make you irresistible.
Vivienne stared helplessly at him. You know Nikolai told me my mother had a glow inside her. Could it have been … true? Heath, I must tell you: your wife looked exactly like my mother did, when she was young. Nikolai had fallen in love with Ariadne, and that was why he chose you for the curse.
“Stop!” Adder roared the word. “You will stop speaking in your thoughts or I’ll destroy Blackmoor where he stands.”
Heath knew he had only moments to figure this out. Had it been a broken heart that had turned Vivi’s mother to gin? Had Nikolai compelled Rose to destroy herself, because he no longer needed her? Or had she been drinking because she had realized she was not human, that she had strange powers, and they frightened her?
Was it possible Rose had been just as strong as Nikolai, but her powers had been those of good and healing, whereas his magic was dark and evil?
There was one thing Heath knew about men: the thing they wanted most was usually the most dangerous thing they could have. He had fought his love for Vivienne, his desire to have love and family, because it meant he had to open his heart and risk not just death, but also pain and heartbreak. Was it possible Adder wanted Vivi because she held the power to destroy him?
Vivi had stopped him from becoming a demon. Did Vivi have some kind of power that could kill demons—or possibly the power to heal and save them? Could she save vampires?
Had he destroyed her power by turning her into one? Obviously Adder wasn’t certain, because he still wanted her.
The council had power only because they were vampires. If Vivi could heal the Nosferatu, if she would return them to their human state, she could end the undead world and leave men like Adder as ineffectual mortals.
Hell, had Dimitri known? No wonder the elder vampire had told him not to bring Vivienne to the vampire queens. If Vivi could “heal” the queens, she would destroy them. They would want her dead. He had to pray he actually had ended her powers by turning her into a vampire. He had to hope Sarah had not inherited the same power. Otherwise they would be hunted for eternity. They would never be free.
But he had to worry first about the here and now. He grinned cockily at Adder, his confidence surprising the other vampire. “I will help you kill Nikolai if you guarantee freedom for Sarah and Vivi. I don’t care what happens to me.”
What are you doing? Vivi whispered desperately.
I have to ensure they won’t pursue you. That you and Sarah will be free and safe. Once Adder gives his word, he will honor it. He has no reason to go after you. He was lying to her now, when she trusted him. When she had faith in him. But he had to, because he was not going to fail Vivienne.
But what about you? I love you. You are going to risk everything for me. I can’t lose you.
23
Vivienne tried to stand at Heath’s side, but he firmly propelled her back. Then, in front of her eyes, Adder tipped his head back and shouted an incantation of magic. The door seemed to tremble in its frame, it glowed red, then it flew open. Light flashed on blades and Vivienne watched in horror as the two guards charged at Heath with scimitars drawn.
Now she knew why he’d pushed her back. But she had the fireplace poker in her hand and she ran forward. One of the vampire council grabbed her and stopped her.
Heath swiftly dispatched the first servant—he chopped his hand into the man’s neck and the body flopped limply to the carpet. The second guard sliced Heath’s arm so deeply blood spurted. But Adder pulled the turbaned man back and broke his neck by swiftly jerking the man’s head. The snapping sound was unmistakable.
She could hear the slow breathing of the guard Heath had attacked. Heath had spared a man’s life; Adder hadn’t. The blood on Heath’s arm stopped flowing. Before her eyes, the wound healed. More proof the curse had been thwarted.
Suddenly she realized the guards had not come in when the window had smashed. She whispered that into Heath’s thoughts. Didn’t they hear anything?
He shook his head, looking grim. No, the council must have cloaked their minds. The servants here are not vampires. And it means Adder is stronger than I’ve given him credit for.
What are you going to do? She whispered it fearfully.
Use arrogant men against each other, came his cool reply.
They had traveled only a few yards down the hallway when more of Nikolai’s servants attacked. The vampire council attacked these men. The guards had treated Heath viciously, but it still broke her heart to see how easily the vampires could kill.
Heath clasped her hand. Was there a way out? Could they escape while Nikolai and the council fought each other? Was that Heath’s plan—?
Vivienne, you will come to me. You have failed me. And I have Sarah.
Nikolai’s voice, in her head, froze her on the spot. She stared helplessly up at Heath. “Nikolai just spoke to me. He knows what I’ve done, and he’s going to hurt Sarah.”
Heath kicked open the drawing room door and ran in, with the council members behind him. Vivienne followed, and the sight before her eyes turned her blood to ice. Sarah stood facing Nikolai. The tall, blond-haired vampire held Sarah’s chin and he slowly tipped her head, then brushed her blond hair back to expose her neck.
“No!” Vivienne screamed.
Heath launched forward and slammed his fist into the side of Nikolai’s face. The blow would have knocked a mortal man unconscious. Nikolai merely lifted his hand and a blast of white light sent Heath sprawling backward.
“Stop,” Sarah gasped. “I—I’ve agreed to do this. I am willing to become a vampire, because my grandfather will bring Julian back to me. This way I will be the same as Julian. I can be with him. And Nikolai has promised”—tears welled in her blue eyes—”he’s promised he will let you and Heath go free, Mother.”
She didn’t believe it. And Heath jumped back to his feet, just in time to grab Adder as the vampire ran at Nikolai.
“Bloody hell, don’t attack him.”
“Very good, Blackmoor,” Nikolai sneered. “You don’t want me to accidentally hurt my granddaughter because of the council’s stupidity.” He glared at Adder. “They will want both Vivienne and Sarah dead, because that will keep the council safe.”
“I know,” Heath said, but Vivienne had no idea what he was talking about. How could she or Sarah hurt the vampire council?
“I have waited a long time to take the blood that was meant for me. In Rose, it was not strong enough. Vivienne has made it stronger; the blood absorbed her courage and fire. And now, in this beautiful child, the blood is filled with the strength of love and courage, and the passion of youth.”
“Y—you want our blood?” Vivienne had no idea what he meant. She edged toward Nikolai. He had his attention on the men.
Sarah tried to back away. “You said you would change me.”
Nikolai grasped her daughter’s wrist tightly. “And I must take your blood first, to do it. I must bring you to the brink of death.”
Vivienne saw Sarah’s welling fear. Was she now realizing the horrible deal she had made? Vivienne had to prevent him from turning Sarah. She didn’t want Sarah to give up mortal life for any reason, even love. Sarah was too young to make such a choice—
A sharp pain shot through her jaw. Startled, Vivienne stumbled back. A knifelike tip almost punctured her tongue. She had fangs.
But she didn’t hunger for blood. Strength rushed through her body. She was a mother, and it was a mother’s duty to protect her child. Suddenly she rose off the ground and she flew at Nikolai. Grasping his shoulders, she pulled him away from Sarah and they both slammed to the wood floor. But she didn’t feel the pain of impact.
She pinned Nikolai.
His gaze locked with hers. “How?” he howled. “How did you break the curse?” Then he saw her teeth and his black eyes went wide with shock.
“I broke it with love. And I will save my daughter with every weapon I possess. Including this.” She bent and plunged
her fangs into Nikolai’s throat. She had no idea how to take blood; instinct was guiding her. Blood surged into her mouth. The thought of what she was doing revolted her.
“Mother, no! He was going to bring Julian back. He can’t die.”
The horrible fear and pain in Sarah’s voice stopped her. Her hesitation was enough. Nikolai threw her off and she slid back across the floor. She crashed against Heath’s legs and, of course, he paused to help her. In that moment, Nikolai leaped up. Blood flowed from his neck. It wasn’t a normal rich red; it was so dark it was almost black.
Heath ran for Sarah, but Nikolai reached her first. Eyes burning with fury, the ancient vampire dragged her terrified daughter hard against his chest. Light from the fire glinted on a blade. Nikolai held it poised over Sarah’s throat.
Heath moved forward slowly. In her thoughts she also heard the warning Heath sent to the council. Don’t move. I’ll finish him for you. If you attack, you’ll kill her. And then I’d kill every one of you. I now know how to do it.
What did that mean? But she was too sick with fear to care.
“Stop there, Blackmoor,” Nikolai barked.
Heath did. But he said softly, “Vivienne made me open my heart to love. Your curse was not very powerful after all, Nikolai. All I had to do was realize I wanted love more than anything else. That Sarah’s love and Vivienne’s were worth risking my heart. I had my eyes opened to the real treasure of the world: not power or glory or wealth. But love. And you, damn idiot, have thrown away any chance of love and redemption.”
Nikolai hissed like an angry snake. She knew what Heath was trying to do—appeal to the human in Nikolai. But Vivienne saw the blade press to Sarah’s throat and she doubted the old vampire had any human emotion left.
Sarah’s eyes met hers fearfully. Her thoughts suddenly flew into Vivienne’s head. He lied and I’ll never get Julian back. I’m going to die. But I didn’t want to be a vampire. I didn’t want him to do it. I was too weak and afraid, and I’ve lost Julian forever. Heavens, she could read her daughter’s mind.
