by Gina Rosavin
"You must stay here, it is almost over." Olga came toward her, but Katerina shook her head.
"Stay away from me." She skirted her mother, and faced Stefan. Before she could do anything, one of Adrian's many minions appeared behind the wizard and dragged him down the corridor.
Katerina made her way back to the hall, stunned by how many of Adrian's servants had come to their master's aid. Where was Machiavelli? Had Adrian destroyed him? She spotted Sophie running through a doorway at the other end, Joshua in close pursuit. Her gaze scanned the men as they dispatched, until it came to rest upon Adrian.
Sensing her presence, his gaze caught hers and he was suddenly beside her. She dropped the sword and threw her arms around him and his tight embrace was a welcome haven from the chaos of moments ago.
"Where is he?" she asked, her words muffled against his shoulder. His stiffening told her Machiavelli had escaped once again.
"It's not over yet," Adrian said. He set her away from him and examined her carefully, turning her head to view her neck, and the rest of her, for injuries.
"I'm fine. My mother is here. With Stefan. They…they helped Machiavelli." Adrian nodded, his fury at the wizard and witch for interfering almost overpowering him.
"I will see to them."
Katerina shook her head and clutched at his arms. "You can't. He'll try to kill you."
"Kat, it's okay. Malinay cannot hurt me."
"Please, let me get rid of them. I can do it."
Adrian's fear for her safety arose again. "No, I will handle it."
"You find Machiavelli. I'll handle them." Before he could protest, she broke free of him and ran up the stairs. Before he could follow, one of his men materialized before him.
"Sophie Mannfried's been cornered in the mausoleum. Taylor sent me to fetch you."
"I'll be there in a moment. Go back and ensure she cannot escape." Adrian turned to the judge, who emerged from his hiding place. "I apologize Heinrich. I never expected this to happen."
Heinrich smiled. "It's nothing I'm not used to myself. Though it's been a while, so many of my enemies have died. I see you're not as lucky."
"True. This one's given me more trouble than anyone else. But I will have him soon."
"I'm sure you will. If there's anything I can do to help…"
"You've done enough. No need for you to get involved here."
"Good evening, du Lac. It's been interesting." The judge gathered his hat and transported out.
Adrian was glad the judge was easily dismissed. He had more important matters to see to. His mind went to Kat. He needed to get to her. Where was she?
* * *
Katerina crept closer to her chamber, certain Stefan and her mother were still here somewhere. Where had Adrian's man taken them? She peered inside her room, but it was empty. A sudden crash down the hall changed her direction and she moved toward the sound.
She jumped into an open doorway as the servant who'd grabbed Stefan crashed to the floor ahead of her, his head hanging back and his throat torn apart. Bile burned the back of her throat and she covered her mouth, as the vampire disintegrated, turning to ash before her eyes. Stefan's voice echoed in the hallway.
"We must find her. Now that she's married him, the spell won't work properly. But we can use the child to complete it."
"She won't allow you to hurt her baby. She'll kill you first."
"I won't hurt the child. She'll be perfectly safe. Besides, what do you think your daughter will do when she learns you were the one to free Machiavelli?" Stefan's voice was filled with malice.
Katerina covered her mouth to keep her shocked gasp from escaping. Her mother had done this? Why? She held perfectly still, afraid to move lest Stefan see her. As they neared, their voices got louder, and she shrank further into the room. They passed, and she waited several heartbeats before stepping clear of her hiding space.
She needed to warn Adrian, but she had to get to him before they found her. She made her way to the hall, alert and wary. Her mother and Stefan were nowhere to be seen.
She stood at the top of the stairs. Adrian was below, his back to her. He had apparently not registered her presence. She was about to go to him when his voice in her head startled her.
I need you here. Return to the castle at once.
Before Katerina could respond to the strange request, another voice intruded, answering in the affirmative. She recognized the voice, but for some reason, couldn't quite place it. Her agitation left her unable to think clearly, to focus on anything.
Adrian's voice cut once more through her jumbled thoughts. Come at once. I must find Kat.
She hesitated, not telling him she was right there. He was talking to someone else, another vampire servant, and she wanted to know who it was. As she waited, a presence slowly materialized beside Adrian. Her stomach churned anew as she took in the familiar form. She couldn't contain her gasp.
Adrian turned, his eyes wide with surprise. But it was the horrified expression on her father's face that shook her. The room swam, and she reached for the banister. But she was falling, Adrian's shout sounding very far away even as he was beside her and caught her. Her last sight before the blackness overtook her was the fear in his eyes.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Thankfully, Vining had sprung into action when Katerina collapsed, but Adrian wasn't convinced it was enough. He sat beside her, her hand in his, and for the first time since he'd been turned, he uttered a silent prayer to the heavens. Finally, Vining stood and placed his stethoscope into his bag.
Adrian couldn't wait for the doctor to speak. "How is she? The baby?"
"They're both fine. I think stress is the reason for her collapse." Vining fixed him with a scolding stare.
Adrian nodded. This was all his fault. He barely had time to dwell on his guilt when Vining continued.
"She's in good health, which makes things better. But keep a close watch on her, and call me immediately if there are any other changes."
"What can I do to help?" Adrian asked.
"Nothing. Just keep her calm and rested."
Adrian wasn't sure it would be enough. Guilt was a terribly heavy emotion to bear. He did not like it at all.
Vining studied him a moment. "You know, Adrian, I remember that night a few months back. I still stand by what I said."
Adrian also recalled Vining's words. Peter had spoken of love. Adrian had scoffed. Until today, he still didn't believe love was real. Now he wasn't so sure. He'd never felt such fear before, to see Kat falling in a faint from the stairs. Even when he'd been facing certain elimination himself, he'd never been this afraid. He vowed he would see her through this, and hoped she would forgive him when she recalled what she'd seen.
He dared a glance at Dimitri. The enchanter hovered in the corner, still in shock himself over what had happened. Katerina knew now what he was, and she'd found out in the worst possible way. His servant's already pale skin was whiter than usual, and his hands held a slight tremor. For the first time, Adrian truly understand the guilt and shame which had driven Dimitri to keep his secret.
Adrian turned back to Katerina, knowing she was the one who had made him feel this way. He willed her to open her eyes. She would hate him for what he'd done, he knew it. The very thought brought forth an agony almost as piercing as the joy she gave him. That didn't matter, though. Nothing did, except her well-being. She had to be all right. At least for now. Time was his one true luxury, he could win her back.
She stirred, and he reached for her hand, twining his fingers with hers. "Adrian." His name was a sigh, but to his ears, it sounded like a shout.
"Right here, my love."
She opened her eyes, and for a moment, the warmth and affection he saw there left him reeling. But all too quickly, it was gone, replaced with disappointment and betrayal. She pulled her hand away.
"Please tell me you didn't."
He couldn't deny it. He wouldn't lie to her again. He lowered his head. "No." Her whisper
ed plea tore at him. For a brief moment, the warmth of her hand rested on his bowed head, but then it was gone.
"Go. Please. Just go."
He raised his head and met her tear-filled gaze. He wanted to wipe those tears away, to hold her close and ease her pain. But he knew she wouldn't let him. He nodded and stood.
"When you are ready to talk to me…"
"I'll let you know."
He stood at the foot of the bed, absorbing the sight of her, committing it to his memory. If she was ever going to forgive him, he had to do as she asked. His throat strangely tight, he turned and dematerialized in golden light. Katerina closed her eyes against the sting of tears. This final betrayal was too much to bear, the lie too great to forgive. A throat clearing drew her attention to Peter Vining. He gazed at her solemnly.
"What?" she asked.
"He loves you, you know."
Katerina shook her head. "You might think so, Doctor. But I know better."
"Trust me. He married you. That alone speaks volumes." He held up his hand when she would have interrupted. "I know him better than anyone. I've been his friend longer than you can imagine."
"I can't trust him. All he does is lie. He uses and hurts people to get what he wants, without regard. I thought…I hoped he'd changed, but he hasn't."
"No, he has, and it's because of you. He would destroy himself before he let anything happen to you."
Katerina desperately wanted to believe Vining's words, but the fragile hope for Adrian to earn her complete trust had been shattered beyond repair. She placed a protective hand on her belly. Adrian had hurt her family, more than she'd imagined. No wonder her mother hated him so deeply. As hard as she tried, Katerina couldn't hate him. Despite her rage at what he'd done, she longed for his embrace, for it was all that could soothe her.
She couldn't stay. Not after this. Her baby needed a happy, secure and safe life. Katerina was no longer convinced Adrian could give them one.
The door burst open and Stefan and her mother came into the room. Immediately, Vining and Dimitri sprang to block them from approaching Katerina.
"We'll kill you," Vining said.
"He won't kill his wife." Stefan sneered at Dimitri, and seemed to dare her father to attack.
"To protect my daughter I would." Dimitri's firm vow shocked his wife. Her eyes widened, then filled with tears. Katerina felt her mother's pain, tearing at her heart as if it were her own. She hated her empathic abilities, especially now.
"Stefan, please, let us go," said Olga.
"No. We've worked too long for this."
"She's going to have a baby soon. You would risk her life?"
"She's in my care. I won't let you near her," said Vining.
"You will not help her!" Olga shouted, stepping close to the vampire.
"I will. You don't have a choice." Vining's gaze fell on the wizard. "I know more than you'll ever learn in your extended lifetime, Malinay." Stefan strode over to the vampire, fists clenched. Rage poured off of him.
"You would let this child be raised by evil?"
Katerina admired the strength and fearlessness Vining showed as he met her teacher's poisonous glare, a hint of a smile playing upon the corners of his mouth, his fangs resting lightly against his lip. Though he was much smaller than Stefan, Katerina sensed he would make a formidable opponent for the wizard.
"du Lac is not evil. Ruthless, perhaps, but not evil."
"He destroys, he kills," Stefan barked.
"So do you," Vining replied evenly. "Arthur Jenkins?"
Stefan's face reddened, and he was unable to form any coherent words. Yet it was clear he knew exactly what Vining was talking about as the doctor continued.
"Arthur was a peaceful man, kept to himself, didn't bother anyone. You lured him into a trap and killed him."
Katerina gasped, drawing Stefan's attention. "You? Why?" she asked.
"He was a blood-sucking monster. He deserved to be destroyed."
Vining shook his head and explained to Katerina, "He was a patron of the arts, gave out many scholarships to needy students. He donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to orphanages, and children's hospitals. He funded half the medical research in England. And in over one hundred years, he never fed from a human who was not willing. He killed no one."
"He was not human."
"You toyed with him." Vining nodded and smiled. "I know how you tormented and tortured him, made his death agonizingly slow. There were witnesses, you know."
Katerina pushed herself up, her strength returning with her anger as Vining spoke. How could Stefan do such a thing? Yet, he had helped Machiavelli, this shouldn't surprise her. Despite the open window, the air in the room was stifling. She needed to be out of here. Damn her weakened condition! She eased her legs over the side of the bed, ignoring her father's soft- spoken protests. As if realizing she would not heed him, Dimitri moved to her side to help her stand. Vining continued to remain as a shield between her and the others. She turned to her mother.
"You lied to me. I asked you if this was the truth and you lied. How could you?"
"I had to. Your father didn't want me to tell you. And I needed you to help me. So I could…" Olga stopped and buried her face in her hands.
"So you could what?" Katerina grabbed her mother's arms, and prevented her from hiding anymore. "Tell me!"
"So I could turn him back!"
Stunned by her mother's response, Katerina released her. "What do you mean?"
Olga sighed. Her soft voice was filled with weariness. "There is a spell, used to destroy a vampire, but if it is done properly, anyone he has turned will revert back to their true age."
"And you…needed me to perform this spell."
Olga nodded. "A woman with blood ties to the victim must perform the spell. Only you could have done it."
Katerina whirled to face Malinay. "So all along, you were planning to teach me to kill Adrian. Even after you knew I loved him."
"That didn't matter, he had to be destroyed in order for your father to be restored."
"What about Machiavelli? I heard you say my mother freed him. What's that about?"
"It was to take du Lac's attention from you, so hopefully you would end your relationship. You would see him for what he is, a monster who needs to be killed." Olga reached out, but Katerina shook her head and backed away.
"Get out, both of you, before I call Adrian and let him deal with you."
"Katerina, no," Olga begged.
Stefan grabbed Olga's arm. "Come. We cannot do this now."
Katerina turned to face her father once more, ignoring her mother's tears and pleas to be allowed to stay. When the door closed, she released the breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. That had been harder than she would have thought, given the depth of her anger. But she'd had no choice. Her mother had lied to her from the start, planning to use her to hurt the man, the vampire, she loved. In spite of everything, she couldn't deny she still loved Adrian. Needed him. If not for her mother…
Dimitri's voice cut into her thoughts. "Your mother is not at fault here. I warned her not to trust Malinay and his lies."
"She lied too."
"Not just your mother, all of us."
Katerina shook her head. "She's twisted up in her thoughts of revenge, and bringing you back."
"I don't want to go back. And she denies it, doesn't understand I don't want to be restored."
For the first time, she let her gaze wander over him. He hadn't changed since she'd left. Not at all. He was still young and hearty and despite the pale color of his skin, he was healthy looking. There were no lines near his eyes like Olga had, no gray streaked his black hair and thick mustache. She placed her hand on his cool cheek, realizing for the first time what she hadn't allowed herself to consider before, what had been deliberately kept from her.
Her father was a vampire, turned by Adrian, bound to him as a servant for eternity. Her throat tightened, as she had sudden recollection of all of the s
igns, signs she'd deliberately ignored. Refused to see what was right in front of her. As if denying its possibility made it impossible. Her mother's denial had enabled her own.
She could make some sense out of all of the recent events now, though more questions arose with each passing second. One in particular. "When did he attack you? Was it before you sent me away, or after I was already gone?"
Dimitri shook his head, caressing her cheek. His calloused hand was rough and cool, but the touch warmed her, comforted her. "He did not attack me, Katerina. I chose this, I asked him to give it to me."
