Three excruciatingly long days had passed. Alexander sat in his office, behind his desk, at the Red Lily. The patrons were aplenty yet there was no word of his mother or her location from his hired help.
He reread the contract he was composing for the millionth time. Nothing was sinking into his preoccupied mind. Alexander tossed aside the pages on his desk and pushed away from his desk.
A loud knock on the door had him snapping, “Who is it?”
The door opened and one of his men, Lev, entered. Behind him was an older gent with a receding grey hairline, a bushy moustache, and an unkempt beard. His cheap and well-worn clothes smelled of horse manure, causing Alexander to wrinkle his nose upon the stranger’s approach.
“Alexander, I have brought a man who claims he saw your mother,” Lev explained.
Hope was rekindled inside of him when Alexander, ignoring the stench, got close to the man. “Where is she? Is she well?”
The man shook his head. “That woman died not ten months ago, sir.”
“That is not possible. You are lying to me!”
Sadness filled the elder’s eyes. He clutched his hat with his dirty, overworked fingers. “I would not lie ‘bout someone’s death. It would send the heaven’s wrath upon me. I—I remember that she, Lesya she called herself, was roaming the streets alone and in bad health. Her body was thin from malnourishment. Did a good deed, that I did. I sneaked her into my master’s home and gave her bread and milk. Couldn’t keep her there. They’d throw me out. Lesya told me of her son going missing. Soon after, the young lady who returned from her studies forced your mother out of the house.”
Alexander grasped the old man by the throat and lifted him off the ground. He heard Lev’s protests, but he ignored them.
“Are you trying to tell me that the love of my life expelled my ill mother onto the streets?” Alexander demanded.
The man coughed. “If your…lady’s name…is Katharine, then yes, sir. That is what…I am saying.”
The strength was sucked out of Alexander. He dropped the man, who fell down on his knees. His brain was not capable of processing the information he had received. It had to be lies. Despite his mind’s rationalisations, honesty rang prominently in the old man’s speech. And that truth he could not deny, no matter the protests his heart made.
Alexander clutched at his chest. His dead heart was aching. Tears ran down his cheeks when he glanced at Lev. “Locate where my mother is buried and”—he drew in a strained breath and his eyes began to glow with their preternatural light—“find out everything the Sokolov family owns.” He looked at the old man with his stormy grey eyes as rage took hold of him.
The old man scrambled away until his back hit the bookcase. His eyes grew rounder the longer he stared at Alexander’s face. “What monster are you?”
A growl burst from deep within Alexander’s throat. “A monster that will tear this city apart to get my revenge.” He lifted the flailing man off the floor and bit savagely into his neck.
CHAPTER 9
Lev had confirmed the man’s words to be true, and Alexander had to know why his Katharine would do such an unsightly thing. She pushed his ill mother out of her home where she had tirelessly worked her life away. Would an honest word leave his beloved’s lips? To be certain, he needed to learn the art of vampire influence.
He stormed up the staircase of Max’s mansion to the first floor and hurried to Jana’s room. It was only two doors to the left from his. Impatient, he knocked a few too many times and heard her inviting him in.
Alexander entered and saw Jana sitting at her vanity, brushing her long raven hair that fell over her red silk nightdress.
“Where is the fire?” she inquired with a smile.
Alexander opened his mouth to speak and no words left him. His mind raced. Too many thoughts wished to get out at once. He wanted to tell her about his mother, about what Katharine did, about his plan, yet nothing became audible.
Jana set down her comb and walked to him. She took his hand and led him to sit down on her bed where she joined him.
“What is wrong?” she asked, all humour leaving her porcelain face.
Alexander drew in a laboured breath, afraid to speak. Doing so would mean that his mother was truly not of the living and there was no way to turn her into one of the immortals.
“My mother…is no longer with us,” he managed to say after a long pause.
Jana pulled him in close, letting his head rest on her soft bosom. She buried her slender fingers in his hair and stroked his head like she would a child. “Oh, Alexander, I am so sorry. Losing family is awful.”
“I need to learn how to influence others, Jana. I need to know the truth…” He pushed away from her touch, his eyes aglow from the sorrow and rage that took hold of him.
“Why would you need to influence someone? I could do it for you.”
He grasped her hands with his and held them tightly. “I beg of you, do not ask me for the details of why I must learn it.”
Jana seemed torn. He knew that she needed a reason for every action, yet she was fighting her nature for him. She let out a French cuss and gently cupped his cheeks with her hands.
“I will do as you ask, but you will owe me a great deal. Max will not be pleased if we are discovered or if any of us are placed in danger because of your covert actions.”
“You have my word that no harm will come to our family.”
“Then I shall begin.” Her eyes lit up with a blue flame. “You must have eye contact with the one you wish to influence…like this.” She focused solely on him.
He felt her energy curling around him until it felt like he was surrounded by a blanket.
“Depending on the strength of their willpower, some will succumb quickly while the others will fight your control. The more years you practice, the easier it will become.” She let go of his face and glanced at her hands in her lap. Her energy dispersed. “The stronger the emotion you are feeling the better. You take that feeling and convert it into energy that you coil around your victim. Once their body stops fighting and their eyes display vacancy, that is when you know you have them at your disposal.”
“Is there a way to test it?”
Jana studied him with care. “What is going on, Alexander?”
He lowered his gaze to the red carpet beneath his polished shoes. “I told you, I wish to know the truth behind my mother’s death.”
“And your personal involvement? Could Lev not do a thorough enough investigation for you?”
“Katharine may be involved…” he admitted through gritted teeth.
Jana gasped. “That Katharine? The love of your life?”
Alexander did not grace her with a response as there was no need to do so.
Jana erupted from her seat and lifted his face to meet her storm-filled eyes. “I will make that harlot pay for bringing such sorrow to your beautiful face.”
He swatted her touch away and stood, towering over her. “You will do no such thing!”
She crossed her arms and raised a brow. “You still defend that horrid wench? Has she put some strange spell on you when you held her close on the royal balcony?”
“You saw that?”
“I believe the whole ballroom saw her wanton ways!” Jana snapped.
Alexander grasped her shoulders. “You must not intervene. Promise me!”
“I cannot promise that. She has played you for a fool, brother. How can I idly sit by and watch you suffer? I must tell Matvey—”
His fingers dug into her skin, and Jana glared at him.
“He will not be involved in my personal matters,” he forced out, shaking her lightly.
Jana grasped his wrist. With a bone crushing sound, she snapped it as easily as if it was a straw of hay.
Sharp pain shot through Alexander’s arm, and he cried out. He cradled his wounded arm to his heart. “Did you have to go so far as to break my wrist?”
Already he could feel his bones realigning and t
he pain lessening.
She pursed her lips. “You would not listen to a word I have to say if I did not.”
Alexander dropped his arm to his side. “What do you suggest I do? I already plan to purchase everything the Sokolov family owns. I will force them to live on the street as they did my mother.”
A mischievous gleam appeared in her eye. “Why stop there? They have a strong family name and reputation. They can rebuild their empire with ease after borrowing some money. No, dear brother. You must take everything away. Their name, their credibility, even their love for each other.”
Alexander thought about her words. His plan had too many holes that he could not fill without her insight. If he took everything from them, even their ability to rebuild, they would suffer the same fate as his mother.
He smiled. “Where do we begin?”
It was close to seven o’clock in the evening. The familiar to him streets were dimly lit and all the way to the Sokolov mansion Alexander could smell the Moscow River. He faced the place he used to call home but felt no warmth towards it. This was now a home of murderers and liars.
He lifted his gloved fist and knocked twice on the front door. Almost immediately, he heard shuffling of heavy feet which he recognised to be Leonid’s.
The door opened and, as expected, the old man stared back at Alexander with two bulging eyes. He scrutinised Alexander from his head to his shiny new leather shoes.
“Where did you get such fine clothing?” Leonid asked.
Alexander forced a pleasant business smile. “Please inform Lady Katharine that I have come as per her request.”
Leonid scoffed. “And why would I listen to a servant’s word? Shouldn’t you be cleaning floors somewhere, child?”
Although it irked Alexander, he hid his emotions deep within himself. “No, Leonid, I do that no longer. I own a business you see, the Red Lily. If you ever feel the need to have a good time in your dull existence, come and attend one of our weekly parties. Tuesday is a good day for that. But while you are here, do your job and inform Katharine of my arrival.”
The butler glared at him. He opened the door, permitting Alexander to enter. He led the guest to the parlour and left.
Alexander settled into one of the chairs. Patiently, he watched the fire hugging the logs in the marble fireplace as minutes ticked by.
Katharine breathed into the room. Her cheeks were flushed and her chest rose and fell in an inviting manner. She collected herself and a smile spread across her face the moment their eyes locked.
“Have you waited long?” she asked and, before he could reply, her eyes travelled to the empty table in front of him. She called for Leonid, and he ambled into the room.
“Yes, Lady Katharine?” Leonid asked, eyeing his mistress and then Alexander.
Katharine pointed to the table. “What is wrong with this view?”
Leonid frowned as if not understanding her question.
“Why is there no food, no tea, nothing there? Have you not been trained as a butler to make certain the guest is satisfied before you leave them be?”
Leonid visibly paled and bowed at the waist. “I apologise, I did not think—”
“Indeed, you did not think at all!” she yelled. “Bring tea and refreshments immediately.”
The old man shuffled out of the drawing room and closed the door behind him.
Katharine settled into a chair next to Alexander. “I apologise for his rudeness.”
Alexander studied her. Could his love be the evil creature the witness portrayed her to be? Perhaps it was her father who had sent his mother away or Leonid.
He smiled at her. “There is nothing to apologise for. Leonid only knows me as a lowly servant and not a businessman.”
“I should have informed him…”
Alexander took hold of her clammy hand. He heard her heart quicken, and it pleased him.
“My dear Katharine, please forget this incident. I hold nothing against him or you.” Upon hearing Leonid’s footsteps, Alexander let her go and relaxed into his seat.
The door opened, and the butler brought in a tray with tea and sweet desserts. He placed the drinks on the table with practiced prowess and bowed his head.
“Will there be anything else, Lady Katharine?” Leonid asked.
She waved for the butler to leave, and he did so after a silent glare in Alexander’s direction when her back was turned to him.
Alexander chuckled and observed Katharine lifting the porcelain teacup to her lush lips.
She flushed bright red at the attention and set the cup down. “Won’t you be eating or drinking?”
Alexander scooted to the edge of his seat so that their knees brushed under the table. “I would rather we converse, my love.”
Her heart rate jumped and her breath hitched. She shifted closer, her face a few inches from his.
Alexander ran his fingers over her smooth cheek. He had missed the feel of her and the rose oil scent that perfumed her skin. He tried to focus on his task and pushed his desires and needs aside. Letting his sorrow take over, he gazed into her eyes. He released the hold on his mental shields, allowing his energy to twist around her frame and mind.
Her breathing spiked and then levelled out. As Jana had said, Katharine’s expression became slack and her eyes showed vacancy.
“Katharine, will you answer anything I ask?”
She gave a light nod, not breaking eye contact.
He traced his finger over the sharp edges of her jaw. “Tell me what happened to my mother.”
“She became ill, with what we did not know. We sent her out with her things because she could have infected us all.”
Disgust contorted his features. “And who gave such an order?”
“I did,” she admitted.
Alexander clutched his chest. So, she was responsible for my mother’s death! This house claimed the lives of his parents, and the Sokolov’s spared no tears.
“Why did you not call for a doctor?” he demanded, feeling his control slipping.
“Each day you were gone, she reminded me of you. I could not bear to have her around. Not when Andrey said you were dead. She needed—” Katharine’s eyes became alive, and she clamped her hands over her mouth. “How did you make me say all those things?”
Alexander rose from his seat and faced the fire, trying to regain his composure. He would not let emotions rule him. Jana said that emotions were a hindrance when plotting revenge and now he could see why.
“Alexander, I did not mean to do that.” Katharine rose from her chair.
He forced another pleasant smile and faced her. He would not let her soft voice or her pretty face sway him any longer. “It is fine. I heard she was helped by some man in a village outside of Moscow. She resides there for now.”
“Oh…” she muttered and nibbled on her lower lip. In that instant, he could tell that she knew exactly what had happened to his mother. “That is wonderful news. I am pleased to hear that she has recovered.”
“I am, too.” He got close to her again.
Katharine looked up at him through her thick lashes. “Your presence has a tendency to make my heart flutter.”
Alexander whispered in her ear, “I plan to make your heart burn, my love. Come to the Red Lily when your husband is not around, and I will take good care of you.”
With that, he lifted her hand to his lips and left a soft kiss there. Knowing full well of the impact such a simple gesture had on her, he bowed his head and left her breathless in the parlour.
CHAPTER 10
Three days went by without Katharine showing her presence at the Red Lily, and Alexander was becoming impatient. His steps quickened as he paced around his office. The Sokolov family had multiple businesses: the jeweller’s store that catered to nobility and royalty, the tea houses all around Moscow, and their new venture—a fashion magasin in the heart of the city. Alexander sent Lev to look into the business details and any information that could be utilised for buying out
the land from under them. So far, no word came.
“What is taking her so long?” he asked.
“Patience is a virtue,” Jana chimed in from the black chaise lounge.
“My patience ran out the second she admitted her wrongdoings!” Alexander shouted.
His chest rose and fell rapidly. Madness threatened to consume him. His revenge would be swift if it were not for Jana and his new family. He could not betray those who gave him a new life; one he always dreamed of living. No longer did he need to bow his back to other gents and ladies. They all knew he was part of the Grekov family, and everyone wished to be on his good side.
Jana got up from her seat with the elegance of an experienced dancer. She glided over to him and placed her gloved hand on his chest. “What will you do when she arrives? Throttle her? Question her further?”
Alexander shrugged. He did not know the answer to her question. On the inside, his emotions were amplified tenfold. Even when Andrey tormented him in the Sokolov tea house, Alexander never hated him. He wanted to be with Katherine and for his dear mother to be content.
Was that too much to ask?
“Allow me to teach you something, brother. Women love mystery. They may pretend that simplicity is a must, but men who expose all their cards too early are a bore. They are simple and easy to manipulate. You wish to inflict pain on her, the same daggers she wedged into your heart…” She poked the spot over his heart and looked up. “You want her to beg you to bed her or have her on her knees at your beck and call as you once were for her?”
Alexander grasped Jana by the waist, pressing her slender body into his. He lowered his head until their lips were about to touch.
She sighed softly.
A cocky smile tugged on his lips, and he drew back. “Is this good enough?”
“You are good at teasing, Alexander, I will admit that.” Her excitement vanished from her pale face in the next moment and was replaced with a smirk. “But I can play a man better than a violin.”
He let out a heartfelt chuckle. She may have appeared as innocent as an ordinary young maiden, but Jana was centuries older than him. She had lived through times he could only imagine. Having her on his side was a blessing.
Alexander: Memoirs (A Vampire In Love Book 1) Page 7
