The Taste of Magic

by Gina Rosavin

  Stefan held up his hand, annoyance evident in the slight scowl crossing his face. "The ceremony will prevent that from happening. It will take several hours, and your body will easily grow accustomed to the slow increase. Any other way could have serious consequences. But prior to that, you must be properly prepared. As it involves a bath and the application of body oils, I thought you would prefer your mother perform that task."

  Her face flaming, Katerina nodded, and allowed her mother to draw her away. The large bathroom was inviting and luxurious, and Katerina slipped out of her clothes as her mother filled the tub. Olga turned to face her, and Katerina's uneasiness rose again. There was something more here going on, she was sure of it.

  "Mama, why did you wait so long to tell me about this?" she asked. Olga turned back to the tub and fussed with some jars on the shelf, carefully arranging the bottles. "I didn't want you to be frightened by all I have learned. There are forces at work, and we must be strong to understand and deal with them."

  "Does this have anything to do with why Adrian paid my way?"

  Olga once again moved the bottles, but finally faced Katerina. "No."

  The unsettled feeling in her stomach grew. Her mother's eyes were shuttered, revealing not a trace of emotion. Something about the release of her powers wasn't right. Katerina felt as if she were in the eye of the storm, the false calm and serenity before nature's violence picked up once again. As she lowered herself into the tub, Katerina could barely focus coherently on one thought. Images of Adrian collided with flashes of fear, and excitement over what was to come. She would need her mother more than ever, but turning to Olga for help seemed wrong. And Stefan Malinay was too intense. She sensed an underlying urgency in him, and briefly wondered why. Why did she have the sense this would end up being more dangerous than any threat Adrian posed?

  When she returned to the other room, her nerves calmed somewhat from the soothing oils Olga had massaged into her, she was dressed in a long white tunic, which clung to her hips. The long sleeves had elongated cuffs, much like a medieval gown. Stefan stood at the end of the room, before a small altar and an array of cushions on the floor. The altar she recognized, her mother had often prayed before it, or cast spells, when Katerina was a child. She glanced at her mother now. Clearly, she still kept up the old practices, but somehow Katerina had managed not to think of what her mother did with her time and powers.

  Olga pushed her forward until she stood before Stefan. She glanced at the thick cushions on the floor.

  "What are they for? And what happened to the furniture?"

  "There is no reason why we can't be comfortable while we do this. I prefer cushions to traditional furnishings, so I transformed what would be needed."

  "Transformed?" Katerina shook her head. His English was good, no hint of a specific dialect. She thought back to Adrian's flowing manner of speech, his sometimes wordy turns of phrase, and his elegant, Rumanian accent. She'd gone weeks without hearing it, and until she'd faced him yesterday, she hadn't realized how much she'd missed it. Soon enough, she would be hearing it all the time.

  Stefan directed her to make herself comfortable. As she lay across the cushions, she couldn't help feeling silly, as if she were in a harem in a sultan's palace. Stefan and her mother conversed for several minutes in quiet tones. She couldn't make out the words.

  Her mother turned to her and held a small jar and a goblet in her hands. As she neared, she poured the contents of the jar into the goblet and recited words unfamiliar to Katerina. When she held out the goblet, Katerina hesitated.

  "Drink. It will allow you to relax and for the powers to start to break free." Stefan's voice reached her, seemingly from far away, and she took the goblet. Eying the strange purple liquid carefully, she took a snip. It smelled like grapes. Shouldn't be too bad. She put the goblet to her lips and swallowed the potion in one gulp.

  Almost instantly, a feeling of serene peace came over her. She lay back against the pillows, her arms suddenly too relaxed to hold her up. Her mother knelt beside her, Stefan on the other side and they held their hands out over her, palms open and down. In unison, they began to speak, an incantation in a language unfamiliar to her.

  Warmth grew in her belly, spreading outward to her limbs and head. The warmth soon grew into a strange vibration coursing throughout her, like the gentle hum of a well-tuned car engine. She closed her eyes, and gave herself over to the sensations.

  She was flying. At least, that's what it seemed like. The sensations flowing through her left her breathless and suddenly feeling as strong as if she could literally move mountains. Above her, the pair continued to chant, and Katerina savored each new pulsing tingle as it spread through her. Sometimes it concentrated in one place, and sometimes it was everywhere at once. She'd never felt as free or as light as the energy throbbed through her, and slowly became a part of her, melding with her body.

  By the time she started to truly feel comfortable with the sensations, the chanting slowed, then faded away. The sensations settled back to a low hum, distant, but still there. The knowledge the heady feelings hadn't left comforted her. She felt energized, and somehow even more herself, as though this was a missing part of her which had finally been put back into place. She opened her eyes.

  Her mother grinned down at her, and Katerina couldn't help her own responding smile.

  "Is that it? It's over?" she asked. Olga nodded. "Yes. For now."

  Katerina eased herself to a sitting position. "I definitely feel different, but how do I know if I really have powers? All I feel is this incredible energy. It makes me feel like I can move buildings."

  "Not buildings," said Stefan. "But look."

  Katerina turned to look at Stefan. He levitated several feet above the floor. Her eyes widened in astonishment.

  "How did you do that?"

  Stefan shook his head. "It's not I. This is your energy. Look at your mother, yourself."

  She did as he suggested. Both she and her mother also hovered over the cushions. Katerina clapped a hand to her mouth.

  "This is why you must learn control." Stefan's voice was low, a whisper, as if he feared to startle her. "And you must learn it now, so we can all get down."

  Katerina wanted to shout with laughter, but was afraid to move, lest they all tumble to the floor. "Okay, show me how."

  "Concentrate on the energy. Instead of letting it run through your body, you must force it back, so it does not interfere with your daily actions. It must become a part of you, like your arms and legs. And you must control it the same way."

  Closing her eyes, Katerina focused on the force of the thrumming sensations, and willed them to ease. Nothing happened right away, but after a few moments, the roaring in her ears quieted, and the throbbing settled to a slow steady pulsing, comforting and warm. When she opened her eyes, they were all firmly on the ground once more.

  She grinned. "I did it. This isn't so hard."

  Stefan shook his head. "That is only the beginning. While your strength of mind is potent, your powers are still stronger, and will continue to grow with each passing day."

  Olga nodded. "There is much more for you to learn."

  "Mama, I'm moving into Adrian's castle in two days. How am I supposed to learn everything before then?"

  "You won't be able to," said Stefan. "Your training will take much longer than two days."

  "How long?" Katerina asked.

  "Perhaps years. I cannot say until we begin."

  "Years? I don't have years. I have days. I can't go in there without some way to protect myself. And I don't want him to know what I'm doing."

  "You will be able to protect yourself, but we'll need to meet on a regular basis, until you are competent enough to control other things on your own. Tell du Lac you have plans with your mother, we will use that time to our advantage."

  Katerina nodded. How drastically her life was about to change. At least now the despair lifted, which had threatened to choke her. She had protection, at le
ast of a sort, even though her fear was not completely eradicated. Besides, fear was good, it would keep her wary and on alert. She would have to be very alert when it came to Adrian.

  At the same time, she found herself anticipating the nights, alone with him. Was she insane? Despite her powers, he could still destroy her, without a second's hesitation. And yet, part of what drew her to him was the danger he represented. How many times had she placed herself at his mercy? Not once had he harmed her. She was unafraid of him, despite all she knew. He manipulated her, and she went along with him willingly. Why? Was her mother right? Was this truly meant to be? She had no doubt when Adrian said he would never let her go, he meant it. Part of her was exhilarated by the very fierceness of his determination to possess her, but another part of her was afraid. Very afraid.

  Chapter Twelve

  Kat looked around the large bedchamber as the zombie placed her bags on the floor. She should hardly be surprised Adrian had instructed her to be brought here. She recalled the last time she'd been in this room. What a night that had turned out to be.

  There was one thing she could truthfully admit to herself she looked forward to. Adrian was an incredible lover. Those knowing hands had brought her to the heights of passion, hands which could as easily break her in two. She swallowed. But when he made love to her, she could almost forget what he was, what he was capable of.

  Now she was caught neatly in his trap. She had tried so hard to avoid letting him set her up like this, but failed. She had freed her family from his evil influence and now she belonged to him, body and soul. Her worst fears. Would he transform her? Probably, though she intended to try to convince him not to. She didn't want to be a vampire, but how else would he ensure her loyalty? She was sure he would take her, and she was terrified. She didn't want to kill to survive, but worse yet, what if she died? What if he was unable to bring her over and she remained dead? She forced the thought out of her mind.

  Several hours passed and dinner was brought, but Adrian still did not appear. After she ate, she was suddenly very weary and she stretched out on the bed. She felt odd. Was it the emotional upheaval keeping her appetite at bay? Or was it simply the atmosphere of the castle, a sort of surreal peek into the past, which left her feeling lost between worlds? She wanted to flee to the safety of the world she knew. It was not to be.

  She had made a deal and she would uphold her end. Somehow, she had to trust in him, and pray he cared enough about her to treat her well. Trust him. How?

  She wanted to scream in frustration. This conflict tore at her. Her mother said if she resisted, she would know despair. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, trying to clear her mind and see if she could find an answer. She couldn't relax. She sat up again and glanced at her watch. Adrian was sure to arrive at any moment. Just sitting here, waiting like this, was too nerve-wracking. She needed something to focus her racing thoughts on. She unpacked some more of her bags, and changed into a white cotton nightgown, checking her watch again. She'd killed a whole ten minutes. She sighed. Her gaze wandered about the room, settling on a row of books on a table in the far corner. With a last glance over her shoulder at the door, she returned her attention to one of the books. Narrowing her thoughts until they focused completely on the text, she willed it to her.

  For several moments, nothing happened, then slowly, the book began to vibrate, and it slowly slid out from its place between the others. It remained there for a few moments, and Kat sighed, taking a deep breath and redirecting her attention.

  This time, the book lifted off the desk and floated slowly across the room to her. She held her hands out and closed her eyes, and the worn leather-bound tome dropped neatly into her palms. She hugged it in excitement.

  How easily control of her powers grew. At first, she had absolutely none, but in a few days, Stefan had taught her a technique to keep them quiescent. A good thing, since keeping her powers secret from Adrian would have been impossible if every time she sneezed, something levitated or exploded. And now, she became stronger. She'd been able to levitate many things, spoons, hairbrushes, a pillow, but the book in her hands was the largest, and heaviest, so far. She lovingly caressed the text, then peered more closely at the title. Moby Dick. She opened the cover.

  It appeared to be a first edition, and there was something written on the title page…To Adrian, a finer sailor there will never be. Herman. No, it couldn't be. According to the inscription, Adrian had been a sailor. Another interesting fact about his past. She glanced around the room, taking a closer look at the copy of a Michelangelo painting. At least, she'd thought it was a copy. She walked over to it and studied it. It looked like an original. She glanced from the book and back to the painting. A smile crossed her face as she shook her head. How many other things had Adrian been, how many other historic people had he known, before he became a modern-day business tycoon? She intended to find out.

  She sat down once more, opened the book again, and turned to the first page. As she began to read, she leaned back against the pillows. She'd read the book in high school, but somehow, reading this copy made it so much more intense and real.

  She must have dozed, for the next thing she knew, she was being held, spoon style, in Adrian's arms. The book was placed carefully on the nightstand. He nuzzled at the nape of her neck, and in her drowsy state, she couldn't resist the yearning which flared within. His hands roamed over her breasts and belly, his touch bringing her to fever pitch, before slipping briefly between her legs. Aching need raged, and she moaned and tried to turn, but he anchored her down with his legs, slowly caressing her, his mouth hovering over her ear and throat, scorching her with flames he quickly built into an inferno. His other arm wrapped around her, holding her tightly against him. She'd never felt so safe before, despite the precarious heights his tormenting fingers were taking her to. He encircled the swollen bud of her core, urging her still higher until she was mindless with need. The haze of sleep evaporated, replaced by swirling passion, and she couldn't help but fall into the rippling pool of desire.

  "Please, Adrian, I need…I need…"

  He rolled her to her back, spreading her legs and kneeling between them as he grasped her hands, twining his fingers with hers. His heated gaze pierced her for several heartbeats, conveying his own hunger, inflaming her further before his mouth devoured her, his tongue dancing with hers in an imitation of what was to come. She moaned as he drew away, his lips trailing down her chin, to her throat. The cool touch of him against her fevered skin left her ready to explode. She bowed against him, too energized to feel any fear. All she cared about was the way he made her feel, as though she were soaring into the clouds. He plied his mouth all along her neck and shoulders, holding her hands still as he nipped gently at her. Blissful sensations buffeted her, and she was lost. Her every awareness was only for him, his touch, his scent, his body pressing against her. She gasped and rose against him, trying to convey without words what she wanted. She couldn't find words for this. Then he was tearing away her nightgown and driving powerfully into her. She almost screamed with delight. She clung to him, fusing her mouth to his as she arched wildly against him, and he drove her higher with the breathtaking pace. He was cool, yet hot, he smelled of expensive cologne and raw masculinity. His very essence surrounded her, and she was helpless not to fall into the abyss. She exploded around him, sobbing his name as mind-spearing tremors illuminated her very soul. He swallowed her cries with his mouth, and she collapsed weakly beneath him.

  After several moments, she stirred, her eyes opening to meet his. He had done more than make love to her tonight. He had possessed her, become a part of her. As she had become a part of him. She truly did belong to him. The thought both exhilarated and frightened her.

  "When you…do that, I can almost forget…." "Hush," he said. "Such pleasure will always be ours."

  Adrian kissed her lightly and rolled to his back. She nestled perfectly against him, and her dark hair fanned out over the pillows. He lifted some an
d let it fall slowly between his fingers.

  "I think I will rather enjoy having you here."

  She lifted her head, her dark eyes suddenly clear. "Adrian, I want to get one thing straight right now."

  He smiled, at the moment ready to indulge her anything. "And that is?"

  "I do not want to be a vampire."

  That he had not expected. The fog slowly lifted, and he raised himself up on one elbow. He detected a note of wariness in her eyes, and stroked her cheek. She sighed at the touch, despite the seriousness of her gaze.

  "Perhaps you'll change your mind." He leaned over and brushed his lips lightly against hers. She would someday, he was sure of it.

  "No, I want you to promise me one thing. You won't do this against my wishes."

  He remained silent, holding her gaze. Excitement surged in him. Convincing her to want to join him was going to be an exhilarating ride. He nodded. "Very well. I won't bite you against your wishes. Except like this."

  He dipped his head, letting his mouth trail along her throat. He was aware of the fear mingled with her desire, her heart raced out of control, her breathing light and harsh at the same time. He lightly grazed his teeth along the ivory column, soothing her with soft kisses when she jerked away. He let his hands slide up to tangle in her hair, to draw her more tightly against him as he captured her mouth with his once more.