by Cora Zane
Immortal Lovers:
Wicked Obsession
By
Cora Zane
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
Wicked Obsession
Copyright© 2011 Cora Zane
ISBN: 978-1-60088-677-5
Cover Artist: Sable Grey
Editor: Mindy Fausey
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced electronically or in print without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews.
Cobblestone Press, LLC
www.cobblestone-press.com
Dedication
Special thanks to my husband, my kids, and my parents for listening to me talk about vampires and vampire lore for two months straight while writing this book, and also for putting up with the crazy hours I kept so I could meet my deadline. I love you bunches. Without a doubt, you guys have unlimited patience. Also, to my publisher, Deanna Lee, for her understanding during a very dark time for my family, and for holding open the door for me so I could slip through it. To my editor, Mindy, for taking a long project on short notice. And, a special shout out to my bff and critique partner, Cassandra Curtis, for lending her ear when I needed it most, and for her cheers, brilliant advice, and support. Big hugs, girlfriend.
Chapter One
At ten minutes before midnight on January 27th, the hearing to determine Eleni Audridov’s fate began. Sick with nervousness and a jangling sense of heart-weary anticipation, she stood before the vampire council, and forced herself not to hang her head in shame.
Dressed in a sleek black dress, her long hair flowing over her shoulder like a cascade of moonlight, she struggled to appear aloof, indifferent, as shrewd eyes—doubtful eyes—studied her from across a long board table set up in front of a grand fireplace. Whatever the outcome, if she managed nothing else tonight, she had to at least appear put-together and calm; both for her sake, and for her sister, Anya’s.
On Wednesday, she’d received the summons. She’d been called to the private home of a society vampire located in Nob Hill, and she would only be allowed one representative. Her brother-in-law, Dominic Lisandro, had agreed he must go with her. If the council would listen, he planned to speak on her behalf. It was Eleni’s hope that his familial name and the honorable history of his bloodline would be enough to afford her a lighter sentence than the one she expected to receive.
Together, they waited in the crackling silence of the library for the Regent Elect, who sat looking exceptionally grim and unimpressed, to begin the hearing. Seven other vampires had gathered with him to determine her future.
As an Acolyte, a human born into vampire society and groomed from a young age to be a companion and potential mate for a vampire, it was the only life she knew. Eleni didn’t know what she would do if they cut her off from society, or forbid her from having any contact with vampires.
Her sister was newly turned, blood bound to Dominic. For the past year, Eleni had lived in their household while they took care of her, and helped her recover from Biter’s Addiction. Such a verdict would cut her off from the only family she had. The idea was more terrifying than death.
She had nearly lost everything to Zander Rubio, her former Biter—her fortune, her inheritance, her sanity, and her life. She tried not to think about him, about all the pain he had caused, but that was a little like trying not to breathe. When he’d abandoned her, it had nearly driven her to madness. The Biter’s Addiction had all but consumed her by that point. She had not only craved his bite, but in the darkest moments of her addiction, she had craved the pain he inflicted on her as well.
It embarrassed her to think of it now. How desperate she’d been to feel that thrilling physical connection with Rubio, all the while battling a growing desperation and paranoia that had come to possess her. Knowing he had infected her on purpose still made her wince with shame and heartache. She’d been helpless then, so very weak.
She was much better now, but her life was far from perfect. She’d come out of those dark days aware that it would take a long time to heal her emotional scars—if they ever healed at all. Rubio’s abuse and greed had left her desolate, her ability to trust broken. Even though she wasn’t in love with him anymore, she had been with him for so long, she felt lost without him. Like there was a great gaping hole in her heart. Even now, the frightening emptiness of being rejected in the most brutal way lingered. Eleni accepted the possibility that she might never get over what he had done to her.
To her left, and across the room, her sister Anya watched in pensive silence. Ethereal and blond, she sat with a handful of witnesses that included a medical specialist serving the San Francisco vampire community, an historical archivist, and Vladimir Lechenko—the owner of the house that served as her courtroom.
Her sister looked pale and angelic in her immortality. Her cool blue eyes were a comfort to Eleni, even now. Anya looked much like their mother, what little Eleni remembered of her. Ever since she was a little girl, her big sister had represented home and safety. Now that was at risk. Emotions running high, a lump formed in her throat. She swallowed thickly, and took a deep breath to regain her composure, trying to soothe herself with the knowledge that her sister would live forever. No matter what happened, the council couldn’t take that away from her.
On the other hand, one black mark on the Audridov line, and the taint of shame would leave an indelible mark on their familial line. And Biter’s Addiction was a shame that had far reaching roots, part of the reason Dominic was so willing to become involved in her welfare, Eleni was sure. Anything representing a danger to Anya’s bloodline could very well represent a danger to his own.
Regardless of his reason for attempting to place her under the protection of his name, she was grateful. He and Anya had done so much for her already. If not for both of them, she imagined she would have been turned out in disgrace by now, and would likely be living on the streets.
The council had patiently waited until she had recovered from Biter’s Addiction before appointing this meeting. Whatever sentence they planned against her, it would be life altering. Dominic told her Grigori Vidam was fair, but he was also a stickler for vampire law. Yes, the Audridov family bloodline had run red through vampire society for countless generations, but her transgressions against the Acolyte code could make that a moot point. For that reason, Dominic had refused to speculate where she could end up after this evening. The council’s decision could go either way.
Grigori Vidam cleared his throat, and opened a large leather book in front of him. A strip of silk marked a specific page. Eleni’s heart raced when she realized the heavy tome was the Book of Acolytes. The name of every Acolyte born was listed in a volume for the archives. A record was kept of their life and death, including information on their Biter, if they were sponsored by a bloodline, and if any child was born to them befitting the heritable title of Acolyte. Her stomach churned at the thought of her failures as an Acolyte being listed forever on those pages. That would be her legacy—the shame and disgrace she brought on her family name. It stripped her pride bare, and tore at her heart.
Grigori Vidam looked across the table at her, and called the hearing to order. He was a burly man, middle-aged, with thin, prickly brown hair shaved to the scalp, and a slightly ruddy complexion. His unattractiveness was very unusual for a vampire, especially one of such high rank. Despite his looks, he held himself like the noble he was, and Eleni Audridov did not miss the way he looked down his broad nose at her. His piercing blue eyes weighed
her worth.
He then turned his gaze on Dominic. His deep, rumbling voice was made all the more authoritative by his heavy Russian accent. “What interest do you have in this Acolyte, Lisandro?”
“Eleni is the sister of my blood mate,” Dominic stated for the record.
The burly Russian eyed her with curt appraisal. “Your breeding is evident,” he remarked in a dry tone. “You have the look of your sister. Audridov is an old line, am I correct?”
“It can be traced back several centuries,” she admitted quietly.
Vidam asked Dominic, “She is not one of your protégés?”
“No. But she has been in my care since being recovered from Zander Rubio’s harem.”
The Regent Elder bent his head and began to write notes in the margin of the book. “Ms. Audridov, how long did you live as Rubio’s protégé?
“I was his premiere protégé,” she corrected him, “for more than two years. I was also his fiancée for six months. It was during that time I became…ill.”
Grigori’s brows lifted. “I’m aware of your grievance with Rubio. I have statements on the record that say he promised to make you his blood mate, and took a sizeable dowry from you. I am also aware of his attack on your sister, prompted by a fit of rage when he was forced to return that dowry. Tonight, however, we must figure out what to do with you. As far as I’m concerned, no one is innocent in this circus of reprehensible behavior shared by you and your former Biter.”
Tears pricked at her eyes as heat rose to her face. Eleni swallowed hard, but said nothing.
Grigori scribbled more notes while saying to her, “Very few Acolytes who have been stricken with Biter’s Addiction have managed to recover completely. It appears you have come a long way in a year, but you will always need careful handling to prevent a relapse. And there is always the chance of passing it to your children.” He studied her face. “What do you say about this?”
“I wish I could change the past,” she said tremulously. “I wish I hadn’t been such a fool. Rubio took advantage of my feelings for him.” She shook her head. “I know he is not entirely to blame, but I…wanted to make him happy. I can’t see how it could have turned out different with us, because he was never honest with me. He deliberately…compromised me…to take advantage of me for financial gain. I am far wiser now than I was a year ago. But I must confess, at the time, I would have done anything to please him. But that is hardly my fault alone. Rubio knew I was vulnerable, and he took advantage of me.”
“It was your responsibility to know your limits, and also to say no to your Biter, to protect yourself and your bloodline. You have been grossly irresponsible. Zander Rubio is only partly to blame. It’s an Acolyte’s duty to make smart and beneficial decisions. Everything he or she does, affects not only him or herself, but also impacts your future bloodline. You know this. These facts have been ingrained in you since childhood. Your deplorable decision making, your risky behavior, has not only brought shame to your family name, but has likely ruined any chance you might have had of ever entering a blood bond.”
“And I will accept that.” Eleni bowed her head.
“How noble of you.” Vidam sneered, the action giving her a brief glimpse of his fangs. “Do you believe Zander Rubio feels the same as you? That he is willing to wallow about in self-degradation while his name and that of his ancestors is sullied and diminished?” He gestured up to the balcony box, on the second floor of the library.
She glanced up to the place where he indicated and felt a quick, wincing shock when she saw her former Biter watching her from a little glassed-in office. Of course, the council wouldn’t permit him in the room during her hearing. But, since he had been charged on the abuses he caused her, it was his right to sit through her trial to learn of the outcome.
“His sentence was quite severe, Ms. Audridov. Like me, he couldn’t care less about your show of sympathy.”
Eleni didn’t tell him she hadn’t gone to Rubio’s trial. She’d been too sick at the time, under constant supervision. Still, his tone put her teeth on edge. “Zander made his bed—”
“As have you, with your lack of judgment,” Vidam snapped. “Was it not in your power as an Acolyte to refuse his fangs? To tell him you would not accept the bite of any other vampire? I can only imagine the gross number of times he and others must have bitten you daily to produce such an illness. Your disgrace is only the beginning of this problem, do you see? If I were to allow you to retain your status, where would I even place you? What Biter would have you in house, much less his harem? You’ve been ill used. You’re damaged goods, Ms. Audridov. This is the problem, and I’m left to wonder if it would even be worth the effort.”
“Julian de Sevigne is prepared to take her into his household,” Dominic interjected.
Grigori Vidam’s gaze snapped to his face. He scoffed. “de Sevigne? You’ve been in contact with him? One would think him dead considering his lack of interaction with the outside world. Where is he living now?”
“Where he has always lived, I would imagine—in the Sévigné chateau. The family lands in the Périgord Pourpre are still his.” Dominic gestured his indifference with a wave of his hand. “More importantly, he’s aware of Eleni’s delicate condition. He’s agreed to take her in regardless of her status. He’s a traditionalist, and will pay careful attention to her requirements. I will stake my blood name on that as truth. As Eleni’s current guardian, I have accepted his offer, bearing the council’s decision, of course.”
The Regent Elder’s eyes glittered in cold calculation as he silently contemplated what Dominic said. Finally, he took a deep breath, his mouth drawn down at the corners, and picked up his pen. He wrote in the Book of Acolytes for several minutes. Turned a delicate, razor-fine page, and wrote some more.
Eleni glanced over at Anya, who watched her with fear in her blue eyes. Finally, Vidam put down his pen and sighed deeply. He closed the huge leather book.
“Very well. If it satisfies everyone involved, Ms. Audridov shall be placed into the care of Master Vampire Julian de Sévigné of France. But consider this a probationary arrangement to be revisited in four months.” His hard expression never wavered. “Make no mistake, Ms. Audridov, if you have not truly mastered your illness, if you cannot prove to me in four months’ time that you can readapt to the lifestyle of an Acolyte, both as a lover and a donor, I will not hesitate to place you in permanent disgrace and sever you from your bloodline. Doing so will place a black mark against the Audridov name. I hope you keep that in mind. Biter’s Addiction runs in families. The family lines are like a garden—weeds must sometimes be plucked to ensure the health of the rest of the crop. You will be watched closely, am I understood?”
She swallowed hard. “Clearly.”
“Then so it is written,” the Regent Elder announced to the room. “This hearing is adjourned.”
Numb to the core, Eleni could barely breathe. It hadn’t yet settled in—the full implication of the verdict. Dominic threaded his arm through hers and quickly led her away toward the door, stopping only to wait for Anya, who was heading toward them, sobbing into a handkerchief, her eyes rimmed-red and brimming with tears.
It could have been much worse, but it still wasn’t over. Eleni’s heart sank like a stone as her sister embraced her, rambled in her ear that it would all be okay. Dominic allowed his wife a moment, then took her by the shoulders and directed her toward the door. “We really should get out of here.”
Eleni followed them across the room and was right behind Dominic when Grigori Vidam called out to her.
“Eleni Audridov.”
She halted at the door and turned. Dread pooled like blood in the core of her stomach. The room had grown suddenly silent. Vidam’s piercing gaze sent a shiver down her spine.
“Know that had it not been for Dominic, you would be stripped of your status right now, and removed from society. This is an opportunity very few Acolytes would have been granted in the same situation.” His serious
expression turned grave. “Do not think to take advantage of my generosity.”
She swallowed hard, and bowed her head in respect. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”
“I suppose we will know when we see each other again in May,” he challenged.
Eleni frowned as heat swept across her face. Embarrassed, she wondered if Rubio had seen Vidam’s slight. She glanced up at the balcony box overlooking the library floor. Zander Rubio wasn’t paying attention to her at all. He was arguing violently with two members of his household, and a reddish-haired man whose face she couldn’t see.
Chapter Two
France
Twilight fell over the patchwork landscape of Ville Cleménce. It was late Sunday, and a light snow fell in silent swirls from the darkening sky. Eleni held her breath as the charter plane touched down on the private runway. The flight from Paris seemed almost like a dream, numb and colorless, as if she were suspended in a world of gray. The bouncy landing drew her back to the real world, and as the plane finally slowed and exited the runway, Eleni sat straighter. On the edge of the frosty tarmac, a limo waited. The plane rolled to a stop, and she anxiously stared out her window until the co-pilot drew her attention. He had let down the side-steps so she could disembark, and was waving her forward.
She paused for a moment to pull on her red wool coat, then took down the travel bag she’d carried onboard with her. She walked up the aisle and ducked her blonde head to peer out of the charter plane. The world had been wiped clean with a thin layer of snow. She hoped it was an omen for the future. Stepping off of the plane, her breath frosted white on the cold air. The co-pilot waited for her at ground level, and held a hand out to help her step carefully down to the pavement.
A limousine with dark tinted windows was parked at the side of the runway. Seeing it, she felt a brief stab of panic. The car wasn’t a surprise, but the possibility that Julian had come for her himself startled her. She hadn’t considered he might do that.
