‘Why aren’t you dead?’ His face was inches from mine, brow furrowed.
Another thin, red line burned across my chest where he’d dragged the white-oak spike across my skin.
My weakness grew with every passing second. A haze fell across my eyes, and my body ached as if I’d been stretched out along the wrack – every joint pulled out of place, muscles screaming in agony. Even my breathing was laboured. Would the serum last? How much more could it take? My only hope was that Marcus would somehow pick up my scent.
‘Interesting.’ Rasputin’s face loomed next to Stockton’s. ‘Your body’s fighting the poison instead of being destroyed by it. Why is that?’
‘Guess.’ I said, although the effort drained me. It was imperative he believe it was the Ingenii blood that created my immunity. Otherwise I, too, could become their puppet – kept alive to create the serum for Timur, and maybe Rasputin’s exclusive use.
He angled his head, gaze boring into mine. ‘Ingenii blood. Why did we not know about this before?’
‘Not my problem,’ I said.
‘No, Princeps. I think there’s something more here; more secrets, and unless you share them with me, it will be your problem.’
‘You really think so?’
‘A man can endure only so much pain.’ He inhaled. ‘And I can smell yours. The pain’s increasing, isn’t it? Look at you – you’re shivering, sweating. It doesn’t have to be this way. If only you would join me.’ His voice dipped to a lulling, soothing tone. ‘I could make it all go away. We’re Brethren. We shouldn’t fight.’
He was trying to mesmerize me again. I gave him my best sneer. ‘It didn’t work last time. Why do you think it’ll work now?’
He sighed. ‘I had to try. Perhaps in your weakened state, you’d be more amenable.’
‘Sorry to disappoint you.’
‘Oh no princeps, I don’t believe you’re sorry at all.’
‘You’re right. I’m not.’
He laughed. ‘I’m enjoying this!’
‘Let’s just kill him.’ Stockton wrenched my head back. I groaned. ‘He won’t tell you anything and I’ve had enough.’
‘Why so impatient? I don’t have all my answers yet. Patience, patience.’
Stockton growled. ‘We don’t have much time. They’re probably out looking for him.’
‘You told me they’ll never find us here.’ His voice dripped with menace.
Stockton had a fistful of my hair, and I felt his hand tremble. ‘With all this water around? No way. But why take a chance?’ He exuded fear – of his new pal, Rasputin, or being caught by Marcus and the men?
Rasputin returned his attention to me. ‘Why don’t you succumb to my will like all the others? Is that another of the gifts of the Ingenii?’
‘Seems you have all the answers.’
His gaze slid to the chain around my neck. I tried not to tense. He jerked his head at Stockton and indicated for him to remove it. My breathing became more laboured, and I strained at the chains binding my wrists behind my back.
Stockton gave me a fanged smile and released my head. He grabbed the chain with the crucifix and bloodvault key and ripped it from my neck.
My head dropped onto my chest, barely able to lift my gaze.
Stockton dangled it and its precious contents before Rasputin, whose handless arms remained in his coat pockets.
‘It was my mother’s,’ I said. ‘No value to you.’
‘You surprise me. I never took you for the sentimental type.’ He gazed at the crucifix, his eyes taking on a distant look. Unexpectedly he said, ‘I once had one, too. Gift from the Czarina – Matushka. Most prized thing I ever owned. Wore it always. Used to exorcise demons with it.’ He paused and laughed. ‘Now I am a demon.’
He had once been friend and confidant to the Romanovs, the last Russian ruling dynasty. Many blamed him for their demise and thought him a devil. ‘Only if you want to be,’ I said.
He blinked and spread his arms, the sleeves of his coat covering the gap where his hands once were. ‘This,’ he slammed his chest, ‘is what I am!’
I didn’t have the strength to argue.
Rasputin’s eyes narrowed as he gazed at the key. ‘What’s this for?’
‘Unlocks her vault,’ I lied. I pictured my mother’s grave in my mind, imagined inserting the key, turning the lock, trying to convince my body to give off the required scent.
His eyebrows shot up and he stared at me. ‘The crucifix I understand, but that,’ his head jerked toward the key, ‘I do not.’ He leaned toward me and sniffed. ‘The scent of truth, yet.... I always know when someone lies. The Czar depended on me; so many lied to him, and I exposed them.’
No wonder the Russian nobility tried to kill him.
‘I suspect you’re lying, Princeps.’
‘Suspect all you want. I told you—’ I coughed for the first time in nearly a century. Damn! My lungs were filling with fluid. So much poison must be flowing through my system, both serum and the Ingenii immunity were struggling under the onslaught.
Stockton smirked and dropped the chain on the table in front of me, next to my sword. ‘I’d say your immunity is going for a dive, princeps.’
Bastard. I had to stay alive; had to, for Laura’s sake. I called her name as my body grew numb and I drifted into unconsciousness.
Suddenly my head was wrenched back again. ‘Not yet, Munro.’ Stockton’s voice hissed in my ear.
‘Our donsangs saw your men out in the daylight.’
‘Yeah, they’re allowed to daywalk, even if only once a year. But no, not the rest of us. We don’t fit in to your exclusive little club.’ Stockton sneered, his fist twisting my hair more tightly. The muscles on my neck strained to breaking point.
‘You know why,’ I struggled to say. ‘Principate would have fallen long ago if all Brethren had shared in the Gift.’
‘Yeah, that would’ve been a real tragedy.’
Rasputin’s eyes narrowed in concentration. ‘Who’s blood were they given, I wonder. Not Lady Judith’s, surely. Hasn’t hers begun to wane? And that little bitch who did this to me.’ His eyes paled as he thrust his handless stumps at my face. ‘Show him,’ he said.
Stockton released me and removed Rasputin’s gloves. The skin had healed and where his hands once were, small, pale protrusions had begun to grow – the beginnings of fingers. Juveniles healed more slowly than mature Brethren, and it would be weeks before Rasputin would have a new pair of hands.
‘She did a good job,’ I said, my blood boiling at his reference to Laura.
Rasputin’s fangs slid from his upper lip. He glanced at Stockton and jerked his head in my direction. Stockton backhanded me and I tasted blood on my lip.
‘Her blood is poison, which leads me to ask, who’s blood were they given?’ He stared at me while Stockton replaced the gloves.
Rasputin was cunning. Nearly an hour had past since Stockton had infected me with white-oak. I had faith in the serum, but with the amount of poison circulating through my system, recovery would take longer. Did I have the time? ‘What answer do you get?’
He grinned, and his gaze flashed from me, to my chain, and back again. ‘Come, princeps, let’s not play games. You and I know that key is not for any burial vault. It has the smell of blood on it, not earth. In particular, Ingenii blood.’
‘Ha, brilliant. I feed from an Ingenii, the key’s on my chest and a drop of blood spills on it. What reasoning!’ I attempted a feeble laugh.
He leaned over the table, a snarl pulling his upper lip back. ‘Whose blood did your men receive? The only answer that comes to me is stored blood – stored First Blood. Lord Luc has a cache somewhere, hasn’t he? Somewhere he can easily access it.’ His eyes flared. ‘Like The Residence.’
My heart hammered in my throat. Could I convince him otherwise? ‘Wrong—’
‘Yes, yes, that’s it!’ His grin was triumphant. ‘I remember the scent of blood somehow mixed with all those wine bottles in the cel
lar where you held me.’ He laughed aloud. ‘And to think I almost burnt it down.’
I strained against my bonds – too damn weak.
He and Stockton exchanged glances. ‘The place is empty. They’re all on his yacht,’ Stockton said. ‘Want me to find where Lebrettan has it stored?’
Rasputin looked at Stockton. ‘No, we’ll go together. The temptation might be too great for you.’
‘What the fuck is that supposed to mean?’ Stockton glared, fists clenched at his sides. ‘You questioning my loyalty?’
That gave me hope – Rasputin didn’t trust him. I silently thanked Sam.
Rasputin levelled his gaze at him, but Stockton shielded his eyes. ‘Don’t you try that on me, you son-of-a-bitch.’
The door burst open, and a Rebel, whose face I recognized, strode in. ‘Two boats speeding in this direction. The Principate’s found us.’
‘You sure?’ Stockton asked.
‘I’m sure. The big one’s called “Judy” and the smaller one’s “Judy II.” It’s Lord Luc all right.’
‘Fuck! How?’ Stockton spun around and glared at me.
For a split second I saw fear in the Rebels’ eyes. ‘Dunno. Reckon we’ve got five minutes. I’m off.’
‘No, wait,’ Rasputin said. ‘This is perfect. You,’ he addressed the Rebel. ‘Take one other, go to The Residence, and wait for me at the entrance to the cellar. Do not go in. Understand?’
The man nodded and departed, leaving the door ajar.
Rasputin turned back to me, a wide grin on his face. ‘I could not have planned this better – the prime elders running around here while I help myself to Lord Luc’s little secret.’ If he could, I’m sure he would’ve rubbed his hands together.
I called to Laura. Warn Luc. They’re headed for the house. The Rebels know about the blood-vault. To Rasputin I said, ‘The Residence is guarded. Your men won’t get through.’ A necessary lie.
‘Really? I thought they were all hiding in their safe houses?’
‘You thought wrong.’
He rubbed his forearm along his chin. ‘No, I don’t believe I am. My men won’t have any trouble. Which brings me to my next question. How much does he have?’
‘You expect me to answer that?’
‘No, in fact I don’t. My friend here’s getting restless and needs an excuse to play with his ring.’
Stockton leered at me and dug the spike of the white-oak deep into the side of my neck, creating a long gash as he dragged it along my skin.
I felt blood trickle down. My body convulsed as the deadly poison snaked through my system. Another wave of pain engulfed me and leached into every muscle, nerve and sinew. I became so weak I could barely raise my head.
‘Amazing. The strength of Ingenii blood.’ Rasputin gazed at me with the impassioned stare of a sadist. ‘No wonder he hoards it and refuses to share. How much does he have?’
Fluid filled my lungs, and I coughed.
He ran his fingers through his beard. ‘Perhaps Lord Luc only keeps a small amount of Ingenii blood here. There’s got to be more. But where?’
‘Maybe not here – where they lived before,’ Stockton said.
Rasputin’s eyes gleamed. ‘Of course. The Dantonville Chateau in France; the original Residence. Together with the serpent ring, what better gift to present to my master.’ He turned to Stockton. ‘Send a message to Lord Timur. Tell him what we discovered, with my compliments, and place the chain in my pocket. I mean to discover what it unlocks.’
Helpless, I could only watch as Stockton relayed the message on his mobile then dropped my chain with the crucifix and blood-vault key into Rasputin’s coat pocket.
Rasputin strode to the door. ‘Nothing compares with the satisfaction of a job well done. Don’t forget the ring, Stockton.’ He kicked the door open and walked out.
Stockton grabbed the sword from the table and stalked toward me.
Chapter 38 - Not Helpless
LAURA
The western end of the harbour, along the Parramatta River, was less densely populated. Being further from the touristy sections of the city, few ventured this way. This was where the locals moored their boats; where the old industrial wharves and factories had been transformed into trendy suburbs; of high-rise apartment blocks with million dollar views.
We passed the former naval dockyard of Cockatoo Island, when Kari cried out, ‘That’s it, over there.’ She pointed to a large outcrop jutting from the water. It looked tiny – our boat was bigger. Lights on either end blinked as a warning to passing ships. ‘The jetty’s next to those two palm trees,’ she said.
A smaller boat appeared, its engines roaring louder the closer it came.
‘It’s Luc,’ Judy said.
I leaned out of the window for a better view. It was speeding to catch up with us. With my enhanced vision, I could clearly see his face. ‘He’s not happy,’ I said.
‘Laura, tell your mother to stop that boat.’ His voice carried clearly over the water.
‘He wants you to stop.’
‘Leave your father to me.’
‘I hate domestics,’ Kari said, screwing up her nose as she gazed towards the black expanse.
Next to her, Jenny looked tense and pensive, unlike her usual bubbly self. ‘Is Terens on the boat following us?’
‘Uh huh.’
‘That’s good.’ She gave me a wan smile, but I could tell she was anxious.
She’s really fallen for him. ‘I’m sorry all this happened while you’re here, Jen.’
‘Not your fault, hon. I wanted to know about vamps, uh, Brethren, and, well, now I know.’
Warn Luc! They’re headed for the house. They know about the bloodvault. I jumped at Alec’s voice in my head. The Serpent Ring erupted in a blaze of light and just as suddenly dimmed.
For a split second I debated what to do first – contact Alec or tell Luc, but his message sounded urgent. ‘They know about the bloodvault,’ I threw over my shoulder to Judy as I raced out of the wheelhouse. I leaned over the railing and called to Luc in the motor launch, its lights gaining on us.
‘Papa, the Rebels know about the bloodvault. They’re on their way to the house now.’
Luc swore. ‘Alec told you?’
‘Yes. He’s okay, but I have a bad feeling.’
‘We’re coming alongside.’
The launch sped up, and within minutes, had manoeuvred close enough for Sam to leap onto the main deck and secure it with a line of rope. A noise caught my attention. Although it was dark I saw the outline of a small vessel speed away from the island.
‘It’s them,’ I called down to Luc and pointed at the departing vessel.
He spun around and issued orders to the men, and then he and Marcus joined Sam on the main deck. Jake threw the rope down, took the launch wheel and with Terens and Cal, sped after the Rebels, leaving nothing but the smell of diesel, and churned waves, in their wake.
Rather then take the stairs, Sam, Marcus and Luc bounded up, landing on the deck in front of me. In their long, black leather coats, swords at their sides, they looked intimidating, until Marcus smiled, leaned down and kissed me on the cheek. ‘We’ll get him back,’ he said.
Sam gave me a brief nod as he strode past, on the way to the helm I presumed.
‘I should be angry with you,’ Luc said, lips a thin line.
‘With both of us.’ Judy came to stand beside me.
Luc shook his head then enveloped us in a fierce hug. ‘Thank God, you’re both safe.’
‘Do you know how many are left on the island,’ Marcus asked.
‘No, Alec didn’t say.’
Luc released us and we joined Sam at the console. ‘Dock at the jetty, next to the two palm trees,’ Luc told Sam, who had replaced Judy at the wheel. ‘Laura,’ there was an edge to Luc’s voice, ‘what is that matchstick tucked into your belt?’
Kari and I exchanged a glance, and she gave me an encouraging grin.
‘I wanted to know how to use a swor
d. Kari taught me.’
‘Good for you.’ Sam said.
Luc rolled his eyes, but there was a smile on Marcus’s lips.
‘I’m not going to be helpless, Papa, with you, Alec or the men coming to my rescue. Not any more.’ I stood facing him.
‘We’re here,’ Sam announced. He’d sidled the boat alongside a crumbling, wooden jetty. Probably riddled with termites. He cut the engine.
Two lone palms stood at the other end, behind which were huddled a group of dilapidated, derelict, corrugated-iron buildings. The weathered sign read, ‘Snapper Island,’ and featured a picture of a naval ship. A smaller sign nearby showed it had once, long ago, been a boys’ naval training facility.
‘The moment we step on land, they’ll know we’re here,’ Marcus said.
Luc looked directly at me. ‘I know you’re brave, ma petite, and I’m proud of you for that, but you’re no match for the two Rebels we’re going after. And we move too fast for you keep up.’ He glanced at my sword. ‘Keep that on and pray you won’t have to use it.’
‘Ready?’ Sam asked.
Luc kissed Judy then he, Marcus and Sam leapt over the side and disappeared. The four of us stood silent at the railing looking out. I drowned out all other sounds and concentrated on locating Alec’s voice somewhere within those shabby buildings.
Jenny touched my arm. ‘Can you hear?’ she whispered.
‘I’m trying. Mostly shouting and swearing. I think someone’s dead!’ My heart jolted. It couldn’t be one of ours. Automatically I glanced at the serpent ring – eyes still black. My heartbeat returned to normal. It wasn’t Alec.
A ferry loaded with partygoers chugged past, the loud music amplified as it boomed across the water. I clapped my hands over my ears. Talk about bad timing. Some of the revellers called, ‘Merry Christmas’ and waved. Obviously they’d been celebrating for a while – Christmas was yesterday.
Kari waved back.
‘If only they knew what’s really going on in the world,’ Jenny said and shook her head.
I turned to look at her. ‘I don’t blame you that you regret coming.’
She linked her arm through mine. “No way, hon, wouldn’t have missed it for anything. Well,’ she shrugged, ‘except for a few bits.’
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