by Gina Rosavin
"Don't cover up for him. He knew all along you were…his, and he never told me. He never told me no matter what I did, I could never free you." She choked back a sob, and Dimitri gathered her close.
She cried for a long time, her fingers clenched in his shirt, and he held her, like he had long ago when she was a child. And all the years apart suddenly melted away, and she felt safe for the first time in a long time. She sniffled and raised her head, wiping at her eyes.
"Katerina, I did not want you to know because I thought you would be ashamed I would want this life."
"Papa, weren't you afraid you would die?"
He nodded, his eyes shining suspiciously. "Yes, I was. But I was willing to take that chance."
Her strength once more swelling, she stepped free of her father's embrace. "And how did he convince you to want this existence?"
Dimitri smiled. "He didn't, sweetheart. It truly was my choice. The night he almost died, I had been following him. I sought him out. And it was a good thing I did."
At the moment, Katerina wasn't sure she agreed with her father. But that was not her focus now. While she still had to deal with Adrian directly, there were other more immediate concerns.
"Why didn't you just tell me all those years ago?"
Dimitri's voice was grave as he took Katerina's hand. "It wasn't easy for us, but you were still too young to know the truth. It was best you were away from here, you were safe. From du Lac. From me. The first few years, they weren't easy for your mother. And she hated what I had to do to survive. She still does."
He looked away, and she saw in his pained expression how much he had lost when he made his choice. She wanted to ask if he regretted it, but couldn't voice it. So she focused on her mother.
"Then why has she stayed?"
Dimitri smiled. "Because in her own way, she loves me. As I still love her. I wanted her to come across with me. She refused."
Katerina squeezed her father's hand. "Are you sure this was truly your choice?"
Dimitri nodded. "I give you my word. Adrian cares deeply for you. Perhaps it is as Vining said, that he loves you."
"All he does is lie. And now I'm his wife, and I'm going to have his baby. How can I be sure he won't…?" She couldn't bring herself to complete the thought.
"I know him well. He is ruthless, he is greedy and power hungry. But I think you have touched him as no one else ever has. And because of that, you will always be safe from him. I trust he will not harm you. If I thought otherwise…"
Katerina smiled. "Thank you. But I have a lot to work out. All the lies, the secrets, the need for control. He should have told me everything. You should have."
Dimitri sighed. "You are right. We all should have been honest with you. Your mother knew what your destiny could be, and I allowed her to take charge. Look where it's gotten all of us. From now on, your destiny is in your hands. I will make sure of it."
* * *
Adrian paced anxiously before the hearth. He had left Kat for what seemed an eternity, but couldn't have been more than thirty minutes. A presence materialized beside him. Vining.
"What's going on? How is Kat?"
"She'll be fine. Malinay showed up…" "Malinay! I must go to her. He'll…"
Vining grabbed his arm. "They're gone. She's alone with her father. I let a few details slip about Malinay's murder of Arthur Jenkins. She knows what he is." A smile curled Adrian's mouth. "Good. Whatever I do to him won't make her hate me more." The ache caused by those words was unfamiliar and definitely unwanted.
"She doesn't hate you, du Lac. Quite the contrary."
"I turned her father. It's the one thing she'll never forgive." He knew she would blame him for this.
"Don't be so sure." Vining's brow furrowed as he studied Adrian.
Adrian rolled his eyes. "What?"
"She's your wife. And she's in love with you. Give her time to get used to this, and I think you'll have everything you've ever wanted." Until a few short months ago, power and money were all that mattered. Now there was Kat, and nothing seemed to matter without her. His ultimate plans would certainly bring him comfort and ease, but he doubted he could ever truly enjoy that life without her. Vining was right. Whatever this was, love or something else, he would do anything to keep her beside him.
He turned to Vining for his assistance, but to his dismay, the other vampire had already left. Wailing from the corridor drew his attention. He reached the top of the stairs in time to see Stefan dragging a hysterically sobbing Olga behind him. Before he could stop them, the wizard uttered a few words, and they both disappeared.
Slamming his fist against his open palm, he stopped short to see Joshua approaching. Empty-handed.
"What the hell happened to Sophie?" Adrian asked, not bothering to hide his snarl. The aching hunger that had started at Machiavelli's arrival was rapidly getting stronger.
"She's gone."
Adrian clenched his fists. "You fool, you let her…"
"They were going to kill her. I made sure they didn't."
"What the hell did you do?" Adrian grabbed Joshua's shirt. His hunger grew. The hunter pried him loose. Adrian shoved him toward the stairs.
"I gave your men a distraction."
As they reached the last step, Adrian grabbed the hunter's arm. "Damn you, Joshua…"
Joshua wrenched free. "Where's Katerina?"
Adrian curled his lip. "She is upstairs. Resting."
Joshua's eyes narrowed. "Why is she resting?"
The hunger gnawed at him, he needed something to ease it. He eyed Joshua critically, then glanced at the stairs. Had his opportunity just presented itself? Turning the hunter would be just the way to turn this night around. He reached out and sensed both Kat and her father still above in her chamber. He smiled.
Adrian waved a hand toward a chair. Joshua accepted the offer, but seemed strangely uneasy, as if he discerned the direction of Adrian's thoughts. "She's had a long day. The stress of Machiavelli's attack left her feeling unwell. As it has me. Your little escapade with Sophie doesn't help matters."
"I'll do whatever it takes to keep her safe."
This was too easy, Adrian thought. "You care for her very much." Joshua nodded. "She's the most important thing to me. I'll do anything for her."
This was his chance, he needed to move now. But he didn't. He pictured Katerina's reaction if she learned he had done this, especially so soon after learning about her father. She would be angry, and any chance he had of earning her trust back would be gone. He sighed.
Joshua turned and met his gaze. He recognized the curiosity in the hunter's eyes and turned away.
"What are you up to du Lac?"
"Nothing. Trying to figure out how to fix this disaster."
Joshua stood and approached. "I have a way."
Adrian turned to face him and folded his arms. The younger man's heart raced, and the sound drove Adrian's hunger upward once more. He forced back the threatening growl and struggled to keep his voice steady.
"What is your plan?"
"Turn me."
No, he couldn't be asking that. It was all Adrian could do not to pounce on the hunter. The hunger sharpened further. He shook his head. "No, I will not risk…"
"Risk what? Turn me, I can get to Sophie. It's the only way. You need me. As a vampire."
Had the hunter read his thoughts? Adrian stared. But he wouldn't do it. Katerina was too important to risk. Taking Joshua would only drive her further away.
"Joshua, be careful. You don't know what you are asking."
"Yes I do. Come on, don't tell me this isn't exactly what you've been wanting for years. Do it."
Adrian turned away. He wouldn't, he would be strong. He had to. But the idea of sinking his fangs into the hunter's neck was exhilarating.
"Don't tell me you're afraid."
A growl escaped him as his head jerked toward the younger man. In two steps he had reached Joshua and twisted his fists into his shirt.
"Y
ou mock me."
Joshua smiled. "You make it easy."
Adrian shoved him away, feeling his teeth start to grow. "You have no idea what you're doing. You're a fool."
Joshua shrugged. "You think so? I think you're the fool. I think you're a coward, du Lac. You're so afraid of what Katerina might think, you won't even…"
Adrian once more had hold of Joshua, this time by the shoulders as he dragged his victim toward him. Unable to control his anger, he revealed his fangs. Joshua's dark eyes widened and he began to fight back. But his strength was no match for Adrian's who held him immobile with one arm. With his free hand, he tilted Joshua's head, despite the young man's now ferocious struggles. In moments, he'd sunk his teeth into the soft flesh skin of Joshua's neck, the warmth of the dark red nectar quenching his growing hunger as it poured down his throat. He fed deeply, as Joshua's resistance weakened, then stopped, his heartbeat almost at a standstill. He pulled away, and allowed the warmth of the blood renew him, fill him with energy. While the sensations and taste did not compare to Kat, it was very satisfying, and went a long way toward easing the gnawing ache of hunger. He released his hold on Joshua, and the deathly still hunter slumped into the chair. Now, the crowning touch. With one of his fingernails, he sliced open his wrist and held it over the young man's mouth. It took a few moments, but finally Joshua began to suck at the wound, drawing Adrian's vampire blood into him, unable to resist, now that he'd sampled the blood giving him life anew.
When he sensed the young man had had enough, Adrian pulled his arm away. Joshua remained motionless in the chair. Adrian came and stood before him.
"You did it. You actually did it." There was defeat in Joshua's voice. It stirred a strange remorse in Adrian's gut.
"It's your own fault."
"Yeah, but you…really did it."
"I warned you not to push me. Wasn't that all in your plan?"
"No, but I didn't…."
"Think I'd really do it? What did you expect when you called me a coward and a fool?"
Joshua shook his head. "I don't know." Suddenly strong again, the new vampire stood. "So how did it feel to kill me?"
"Just as good as I'd hoped it would be." The remorse began to fade, replaced with excitement over Joshua's successful transformation. The hunter was his now.
Joshua shook his head and ran a hand through his hair. "I didn't think this through."
"Apparently not," said Adrian. "But there's nothing we can do to change it now."
"No, there isn't. How do you think Katerina will react when she finds out?"
Adrian shrugged and turned away. "I'm damned already."
"What the hell does that mean?"
"It means she knows about her father and she hates me. This won't change anything." He waved a hand between them.
Joshua's eyes widened in understanding. "Now everything makes sense. No wonder it was so easy to drive you to it. But what the hell am I supposed to do now?" He turned and began to pace, muttering continuously about his work, his life. And Sophie.
Adrian smiled. "Contact Sophie. You can reach her now, you know. Wasn't that what you wanted?"
Joshua stopped and faced Adrian. "What the hell are you talking about?" "You're a vampire now. You have telepathic abilities. You can connect with her. Like this."
Joshua's eyes widened to hear Adrian's voice inside his head. He said nothing as comprehension overcame him, revealed in the excited gaze he directed at Adrian.
"I can really talk to her? She'll hear me?"
Adrian nodded. Training this young man would be just what he needed to keep his mind on his plan and off of his troubles with Katerina. He had something to focus on, something to keep him centered. Until he could win Kat back.
"Joshua, you have a lot to learn. It would be in your best interests to listen to me, and heed my words."
Joshua nodded, resignation making him frown. "I don't have much of a choice, do I? It's done, you actually did it."
"I did, and if you want to help Sophie, you'll do as you're told."
Joshua's mouth tightened, his fists clenching at his side. "Follow your orders? No way. I won't obey you."
Adrian stood and stepped closer, grabbing Joshua by the neck. He kept his voice to a low growl. "I can still rip your throat out. Don't ever forget that."
Joshua gasped, and tried to pull Adrian's ever-squeezing grip free. "Okay," he gasped. "Okay."
Adrian released him, folding his arms as Joshua rubbed at his sore neck. "I will always be stronger than you, simply because I am so much older."
Joshua fell into the chair once more, letting his head fall into his hands. "Why, du Lac?"
Adrian hesitated before answering. "You may not believe this, but in spite of our differences, I've always admired you."
Joshua's head snapped up, a quizzical expression on his face. "Me?" Adrian nodded. "Determination and intelligence. Two of my strongest qualities. You also possess them."
"But I hunted you, tried to kill you."
"One of your faults, however, is your tendency to act before thinking. One I'm looking forward to correcting."
"I won't kill to survive. I'd rather find some way to destroy myself."
"Relax, Joshua. These days, killing is no longer necessary. Though the undeniable pleasure to be had is incomparable, and the time will come when…"
"Never!" Joshua leaped to his feet. "I won't ever want to hurt someone like that."
"What about Sophie?" Adrian walked slowly toward the hunter. Joshua tensed, but Adrian merely stopped a few inches away.
"What about her?"
"Once the Machiavelli situation is resolved, you two will be free to live your eternal life together. Other than when I need you, of course." He began to move in a circle around Joshua, holding the young man's gaze as he turned his head to follow the movement.
"Of course."
Adrian leaned in close, his voice soft and low. "But you will find a vampire mate is someone who can truly understand your needs, and you can let yourself go."
Joshua inhaled sharply, and closed his eyes. Picturing Sophie, adorned in a silk nightgown, reclined in bed, arms wide, Adrian projected the image into Joshua's mind. The newly born vampire gave a strange shudder, and Adrian prodded his thoughts. He carefully pulled out of Joshua's mind as the young man took on the fantasy himself.
After a few moments, Joshua shook his head, his eyes snapping open. "What did you do to me?"
"Just a suggestion, a hint of what could be." Adrian continued his slow amble around his fledgling. "You want her, you always have. Now you can have her."
Joshua shook his head. "She wants you."
Adrian stopped. "I doubt that. Her grandfather would roll over in his grave."
"It's true. She's been in love with you for a while. Why the hell do you think I always had so much trouble? She would always find some way to make sure you walked away."
This new information was definitely intriguing, and a lot of things suddenly made sense. It explained why she'd shown up that night at Machiavelli's villa. And why she'd brought Kat when he'd been wounded. How would Mannfried react to that? He suppressed a chuckle and turned once more to Joshua.
"Since I do not return Sophie's affections, you can be there to help her get over it."
"You really are a heartless bastard aren't you?"
Adrian smiled, though he narrowed his eyes. "You would do well to remember that. My loyalty is only to myself."
"What about Katerina?"
The pain slicing through him took his breath away, but he controlled the impulse to throttle Joshua once again. Instead, he turned away and strode across the room.
"What exists between Katerina and me is none of your concern. If you interfere, you will regret it."
"Controlling everyone around you again, I see."
Adrian spun about to see Katerina atop the stairs. The fury reflected in her inky eyes was unmistakable. She slowly descended the stairs, and any hope he had that she might forgive
him died.
She approached, her manner calm, though he sensed her turmoil. She'd shielded him from her thoughts. When she stood before him, she folded her arms and lifted her chin.
"Right now, I'm so angry and hurt I don't really know what to say to you." The ice in her voice made him shiver. He swallowed, feeling strangely weak and vulnerable, even though he'd fed from Joshua not long ago. He fought the urge to tug his tie open. Clearing his throat, he spoke. "My intention was never to hurt you."
