by Gina Rosavin
"No! It must be now." He paused, not wanting to incur the witch's wrath any further. Adrian had no doubt the older woman would curse him if she felt it necessary. He knew her powers were real enough. Hadn't she been the one to cast his protection spell? He didn't want to taste the other side of her power.
"Why? Does this have anything to do with that enemy of yours, the one who is trying to ruin your empire? You need her powers to help you, to stop him."
Startled by her acute awareness, he maintained an impassive expression. Again, he shrugged. "You have a vivid imagination. But I would see Kat's full abilities are explored."
"Or exploited."
"Your word, not mine. Mrs. Romanov, your husband lives because I wish it. So does your daughter. Go against me, and that could change." A burst of fiery white energy flew from her clenched hand, shooting just past Adrian's head. He grabbed her wrist before she could aim another fireball at him.
"Do it, and you die. Then who will protect your daughter from me? Not your husband."
She lifted her chin, but he read the resignation in her dark eyes. Triumph flared, exciting him. She had fought him, but he had won, as he always knew he would.
"Very well, I will speak with Katerina."
"You and your husband are invited to my castle to dine with us tonight. You can tell her then."
She shook her head. "No, you cannot be there. What must be done is private, and should not be witnessed by others."
"Others? Or me?"
A hint of a smile played on her lips. "You, in particular."
Now it was his turn to smile. He leaned in close, impressed when she didn't cower away in fear. "I will be by Kat's side while she learns to control her magic. Nothing can keep me away."
"But…"
"There is no further discussion. I will be expecting you at seven this evening."
Before Olga could say anything further, Adrian was through the door. She shook her head. If du Lac knew Katerina had already begun, he would be furious. And as powerful as Katerina was, she could not hold him off yet, should he choose to attack. She had to warn her daughter, and they needed to convince du Lac that nothing yet had changed.
At least he believed what she told him. His surety of having Katerina would make him careless, and let down his guard. Her chance was coming.
* * *
Adrian glanced out his office window. The sun was beginning to set. Kat should be getting home soon, but he still had some time to finish up. He'd accomplished much today, but tonight would be even busier. If he didn't see to the details on the latest bank merger, he would be distracted. And he wanted no distractions while he witnessed Kat come into her magic.
When he finally shut off the lights, he had let a few more hours go by. He hadn't meant to. Would she be worried about him? Now that he thought about it, she should have called looking for him by now. She couldn't still be with her mother, could she? He smiled, recalling his meeting with Olga. If the older witch had done as he requested, Kat would likely be angry with him when he arrived. Calming that anger would make for a very enjoyable night. He confirmed the offices were empty and strode to the window. Anxious to be with Kat, he opened the window and stepped up. Then he soared out over the city, in the form of a raven.
The castle was strangely silent, and he could not even sense his personal servants. Something was not right. He transported to his bedchamber and stared in shock at the destruction there.
The bed curtains hung in tatters, the mattress split open. Tables were overturned, broken glass scattered across the floor, and clothes were strewn everywhere. He turned, and gaped at the cracked mirror.
Written in red were the words, "And now you'll pay."
Machiavelli.
Chapter Fourteen
Before she came to full consciousness, Katerina felt as if her arms were being yanked off at her shoulders. And her feet did not touch the ground. She opened her eyes. And immediately closed them.
The tall, dark man across the room watched her. She knew who he was. His boots echoed on the stone floor of the cavernous room as he approached her. His hand was on her face, squeezing her cheeks.
"Come lovely, I know you're awake."
Once again, she opened her eyes, trying not to flinch at the sight of the demonic hatred she found in his dark eyes. The pupils were red, and tinges of gold hovered around the edges of his irises. He smiled, thin lips stretching over white teeth in a frightening leer, his canines sharp and threatening. Adrian, help me. Please. She prayed he could read her thoughts now, and find her. Before this monster transformed completely.
"That's it, call for your lover. And when he comes to your rescue, I'll destroy him."
Silently, she cursed as she realized this madman could also read her thoughts. She forced her mind to go blank. She had to hold Machiavelli off before Adrian fell into his trap, but she had to find a way to block him first.
Her captor laughed.
"Yes, I can hear you. Clearly. As he will when he gets here. He will hear every terrifying and painful thought that goes through your mind."
He laughed as he paced around her, like a lion stalking its prey in the brush. He casually reached to caress her breast through her shirt. She squirmed away, but hanging as she was like this, she couldn't escape his reach. Think! There has to be some way out of this mess.
"Adrian won't come. He won't fall for your trap."
"He won't have a choice. I believe he's weak enough to offer himself in your place. I can hardly wait for the fun." He squeezed her breast a little harder, twisting her nipple in his fingers. She inhaled sharply, but refused to cry out.
"You may as well kill me now. Adrian would never do that."
Machiavelli chuckled. "We'll just have to wait and see, won't we? And perhaps, I'll keep him alive long enough for him to endure having you help me destroy him."
"Never."
"Oh my dear, but you will. Before I am through with du Lac, you will belong to me. He will see it happen, he will know the exact moment you become mine. And then you will help me, your master."
"I'll kill myself before I'll help you."
With a snarl of rage, Machiavelli drew his hand back and slapped her, hard and then again. He jerked her head back by her hair. "You will serve me. I see no reason not to start your lessons now."
He stepped away and went over to a table where he had various instruments. When he turned back, she focused her energy, her gaze boring into his. She would not allow him to hurt her. She focused her energy on keeping him at bay, calling on the elements to aid her task. Power surged through her as she summoned everything she had. The energy vibrated in her bones, and she breathed deeply to allow it to flow throughout her, fueling it with her desperation to get free.
He smiled cruelly as he shook out a long leather whip and neared. And suddenly stopped. Confused, he took one step back, his eyes roaming wildly, as if searching for something. He tried once more to approach her, but was unable.
She let out the breath she'd been holding in a rush. It worked. She'd created a barrier, using her power to change the air around her, forming an energy field that Machiavelli couldn't penetrate. He tried once more to get closer, but couldn't. It was as if an invisible wall stood between them.
"You bitch, what have you done?" His face darkened with rage. Within moments, his fangs had elongated further, his eyes burning a deep red. She shivered but the barrier held. Now if only she could get free of these chains. Machiavelli composed himself and replaced the whip on the table. He folded his arms, his still-blazing eyes narrowing thoughtfully. The sight was terrifying, and Katerina began to tire as the energy she channeled faded slightly. It took all her concentration to keep the barrier in place. She wouldn't be able to continue indefinitely. She had to think of something else soon.
"There's a way to get to you, I'll figure it out long before du Lac gets here." He paced slowly before her, no longer attempting to get closer. She clenched her numb fingers, wishing she could unlock the
cuffs. The more tired she became, the more painfully the cuffs bit.
Suddenly, Machiavelli seemed to tense, and lifted his head as if he'd heard something. He swore and turned toward the door. Her heart pounded. Adrian. Could he be here? Excitement roared through her, and renewed her determination and strength. Power surged, growing stronger once again. As if in response to her rejuvenation, the energy surrounding her vibrated and hummed, resonating throughout the room. Her fear faded.
Machiavelli turned back. "He's here." He tried once more to approach Katerina, but the protective barricade had grown stronger, and he was propelled away. As if in a panic, he began to open drawers in the chest near the door. He withdrew something as the door slowly opened, but Katerina could not make out what it was.
Her heart threatened to burst from her chest as she caught a glimpse of Adrian. He had come. She tried to keep her mind free of thought, focusing only on the energy surrounding her. Machiavelli would also hear whatever message she tried to send, so she couldn't risk it.
Machiavelli took up a position behind the open door, a wooden stake raised above his head. Katerina longed to scream a warning, but was afraid to anger Machiavelli into doing something which would harm Adrian. She remained silent, praying Adrian would evade the trap. If only she could transfer some of her power to protect him as well. Machiavelli jerked his head toward her and she knew he'd been able to invade her mind again.
Damn, she couldn't do anything. Except wait.
Each second seemed to pass as slowly as an hour, then a burst of golden, swirling lights appeared behind Machiavelli. Adrian materialized, one hand clenched tightly on the Italian's shoulder. Machiavelli twisted, trying to bring the stake down. Adrian stopped him, easily lifting him and tossing him across the room. The other vampire hit the ground with a loud thud and groaned. He slumped forward, stunned and motionless.
For the first time, Adrian finally met Katerina's gaze. She stared at him, for the first time seeing him in full vampire state. He was truly frightening. His eyes burned with red-gold flame, his long teeth clearly visible through the sneer of his upper lip. His skin was so pale, a strange shade of grayish blue. Like some hideous creature from a horror movie. She forced back a shudder, yet held his wild gaze for a few brief moments. He stepped toward her, then stopped, as he realized he could get no closer. Katerina relaxed her concentration, feeling the energy slowly fade, the barrier disappearing. Questions were clear in his flaming eyes, but there was no time to voice them as he reached up and tugged on the chains, using his vampiric strength to break the iron as if it were little more than paper. She slumped against him, longing to wrap her arms around him, but her numbed and aching limbs wouldn't respond.
"Kat, go. Now. There's no time."
"I won't leave you here. Come with me." She clung to his arm, but he shook her free.
Adrian glanced over his shoulder and swore. "It's too late. Go!" He turned completely about, searching the room.
Machiavelli was not there. Where had he gone? Was he still in the house at all? Adrian silently cursed his distraction once again. Kat would end up dead if he kept letting his guard down. Anticipating what was coming, he grabbed her arm, ignoring her protests as he pulled her toward the door.
She was suddenly wrenched free of his grasp, and he roared with outrage to see Machiavelli hold her tightly against him, pulling her head back and exposing her throat.
"Adrian!" she cried.
He wouldn't take the chance this time. He refused to meet her gaze as he stalked Machiavelli.
"Stop right there, du Lac, or I'll finish her now."
Adrian paused. He had no doubts the Italian would do exactly that. "Your fight is with me. Let her go and face me. "
"She's your weakness. Through her, I'll destroy you."
"Hiding behind a woman? Coward."
The other vampire stiffened at that, his face darkening with rage, and Adrian knew he could force him into doing something foolish. The Italian's pride would take over and make him careless. But before Adrian could taunt him further, unseen hands suddenly wrenched Machiavelli free and flung him against the stone wall with alarming force. Adrian turned to Kat and stared.
She stood fully erect, her arms held out before her, her eyes aflame with fury, her mouth twisted. He felt the energy pouring off her and knew with a sudden surety she had come into her powers. He put the discovery away for later. He had more to see to now, her safety being the first.
"Kat, did you…?"'
She turned, her eyes softening, though she still watched him warily. "Yes. Come on, let's go."
"No, I must finish this. Wait for me outside."
"No, he'll kill you." She tugged on his arm, and the plea in her voice was almost enough to get him to agree.
"I must end it now. Go home, I'll be there shortly."
"I won't leave you here. I can help you…NO!"
Adrian felt Machiavelli's presence behind him and spun about, dodging just out of range of the descending stake. The Italian's rage intensified at being thwarted again, and it took most of Adrian's strength to twist the other man away and beneath him. He subdued the arm that tried once more to strike with the stake, but Machiavelli would not stop.
He grappled with the other man, trying to gain control of the stake. His clawed fingers wrapped around the Italian's throat and he squeezed, but his nemesis was as strong as he, and held him off.
Adrian quickly flipped onto his back, now forced to defend himself as Machiavelli struck out once more. Adrian grabbed the Italian's wrist and using his legs, twisted free and was upright before Machiavelli realized what happened.
An outraged bellow escaped the Italian, and he charged Adrian, slamming him back against the wall. But before he could do anything more, Adrian whirled him over, resuming his former position and pinning Machiavelli down.
"What are you doing here? Get out!"
"I came to help."
"Don't come any closer!"
The voices broke through his concentration. Who the hell is Kat shouting at? The scream that followed reverberated along his spine. His brief hesitation at the sound was all Machiavelli needed to free his arm and drive the stake into Adrian's side. A pained roar shattered the windows as Adrian yanked the stake free and raised it above his head.
"Never again." Adrian drove the stake down, piercing his adversary's chest. Machiavelli let loose an agonized howl as he clutched at the stake, wrenching it free, and then disappeared from sight in a cloud of black, gritty smoke. Adrian stared at the soot-darkened floor. Had Machiavelli perished? He expected to see more left behind than the remaining coarse dust. He ran his fingers along the stone, and rubbed them together, satisfied the residue was Machiavelli's ashes. He stood. His enemy was no more.
The pain in his side reminded him of his wound, and he turned to Kat. His eyes widened in shock.
She stood with her back to him, facing the door, her hands held up and out before her. A silver stream of light emanated from her palms. It stretched out and held someone against the wall. Sophie Mannfried.
"Kat."
The sound of his pained voice broke Katerina's concentration and the stream faded, releasing Sophie from its bonds. But she was satisfied Sophie could not take both of them on. She turned to Adrian.
He swayed slightly, and she noticed the blood oozing from a wound in his side. She rushed to him, supporting him when he seemed as if he might fall. But she stumbled as pain washed over her, leaving her momentarily shaken. It radiated outward from her side, and she realized she experienced Adrian's pain. Her heart ached for his suffering as she forced her mind away from the agony.
"What's she doing here?" he asked, his arm coming around her shoulders as he leaned heavily into her. Her senses came back to her again, and she steadied him.
"I don't know. She came in when you were…fighting. I had to stop her and I didn't know what else to do."
She shivered under his intense gaze. Well, her secret was out. She had her powers and he kne
w it. But she didn't care anymore. He was alive. Alive, but wounded.
"You're hurt."
"Yes. Come, before the little hunter here decides I'm an easy target." Katerina turned back to Sophie, who had remained where she was, almost as if the energy bonds still held her immobile.
"What do you want?" Katerina asked. "Where's your…partner?"
"He doesn't know I'm here," Sophie said. "I came to see if I could help."
Adrian snorted in disbelief, and Katerina patted his arm. "Help? How did you know what happened?"
"I was watching the castle when du Lac returned home tonight. I…wanted to…anyway, Ms. Romanov, your parents were there. They said they were expected but no one was there. I took a chance I could get here before anything happened to…" Sophie's worried gaze was fixed solely on Adrian as she rambled her excuses.
