Vlad

by Stacey Rourke

  Scooping up my pup, I accepted his shower of sloppy kisses as I strode to the night stand to hand Carter the glass of water I kept there. “Maybe stick to water for the rest of the day.”

  His hands quaked as he brought the glass to his lips, sloshing drops over the rim.

  “So, want to tell me what really happened today?” he asked, after successfully managing to force down a gulp.

  Slapping at his knee, I urged Carter to scoot over then sank onto the mattress beside him. Kicking off my heels, I curled my legs under me. “An old enemy of Vlad’s, Dorian something, was behind today’s assault. Apparently, he has a ridiculous amount of black magic. The two have bad blood that dates back centuries. The guy wanted to coax Vlad’s darker side out to play. But, I was with him the entire time and—as far as I could tell—he never came close to letting it slip. Either the part of himself Vlad lives in fear of is buried too deep, or he has way better control than he gives himself credit for.”

  “Is that a bit of affection I hear developing in your tone?” Carter reached past me to set the water on the end table.

  “Are you seriously asking me if I have a crush on the guy you all arranged for me to marry? Really?”

  “That’s not a denial.”

  Hopping off my lap, Batdog spun in three circles before sinking down into a cozy spot.

  “He’s a god among men in the literal sense of the term. How could I not find him fascinating?” I paused long enough to gauge Carter’s reaction, part of me secretly thrilled when he bristled. “I also find him incredibly intimidating. Then, of course, there’s the multi-generational gap between us. He’s mystified by indoor plumbing, while I’m bummed the wifi isn’t better here.” That part was a blatant lie. Vlad drank blood from those of us accustomed to the modern world, which allowed him to integrate with ease. Still, that wasn’t what Carter needed to hear. “Truth is, other than fangs, we have nothing in common.

  Struck by another wave of his jittery high, he leapt off the bed and hurled himself into a series of jumping jacks. “How did the god among men think we should handle his arch-nemesis? Please tell me it involved finding Markus and mailing parts of him back to this Dorian guy in tiny gift-wrapped boxes.”

  It was on the tip of my tongue to reveal Vlad’s plan of searching for Dorian’s painting. It was Carter’s extreme vulnerability as a human amongst vampires and warlocks that held me back. If Dorian could coerce someone into stabbing themselves simply to make a point, what measures would he take to get information out of a breakable mortal?

  Clamping down on that bit of information, I leaned back on my elbow and dragged one hand through my hair. “He suggested we keep on track to wedded bliss.”

  Carter dropped to the floor, pumping out a series of push-ups. “Of course he did,” he bitterly grunted in between reps.

  “Has there been any more footage of Jeremy?” Rolling onto my stomach, I peeked over the edge of the mattress to see the bands of muscles across Carter’s back straining against the fabric of his shirt. “Did he look all right? No visible signs that they’re hurting him?”

  Set over, Carter bounced to his feet, only to stumble and reel as if the world was spinning. “Okay, it wasn’t crack in that wine. It was LSD. You mentioned Jeremy, and poof. He’s in the mirror, staring back at me. I’m officially straight-up tripping balls.” Hunching his shoulders, he waved at his hallucination. “Hi there, my freaky little mind fuck! Thanks so much for stopping by!”

  “Uh, hi?” the mirror responded.

  Leaping to my feet, I dropped fang and spun toward the full-length mirror. All battle instincts faded, floating away on a breeze, the second I saw the familiar face peering back at me with a sardonic smirk.

  “Hey, sis. Good to see ya.” Jeremy grinned, as if time, and death, hadn’t separated us.

  “Jer?” Legs threatening to buckle, I steadied myself against the bedpost.

  Carter’s shoulders sank with relief. “Oh, good. You can see him, too! So happy I’m not trippin’. Last time I did shrooms I got kicked out of Dairy Queen for getting to second base with their Blizzard display.” At my quizzical glance, he added, “I licked it. A lot. Obscene amount of tongue.”

  Holding up one finger, I halted any further details of that particular disturbing backstory. “We are going to move past that, and vow never to speak of it again.” Turning my attention back to the mirror, I floated forward, drawn by the improbable. “How? How is this possible?”

  Jeremy’s head listed to the side, one brow hitching in amusement. “Said the girl who came back from the dead, to her brother that managed to do the same. Is it just the mirror part boggling your mind, genius?”

  Reaching out, my fingertips found the cool face of the glass. I traced the outline of his face in desperation to commit him to memory—alive and well. “Are you okay? I swear to Vlad I will kill anyone that harms one hair on your—”

  Jeremy glanced to the right of him, as if worried someone was coming, then held up one hand to silence me. “Vinx, I don’t have much time, but I had to warn you.” His image began to falter, flickering in and out of focus. “This big public show you’re … putting on with Vlad? Dorian … doesn’t like it.”

  Slapping my hands to the glass to get better reception, I blatantly ignored the fact that made no damned sense. “Jer? Stay with me! I love you!”

  As the image dwindled to nothingness, I fought to piece together my brother’s pivotal caveat. “Dorian … coming for Vlad. If … in the way … go down with him. Run, Vinx … no idea what he is capable of.”

  Chapter twenty-two

  Vlad

  What do you think will become of your sweet Jusztina now? Drákon’s demonic hiss trumpeted through my mind with stabbing intensity. His return provided proof that Dorian hadn’t suppressed him as I thought. Not permanently anyway. Instead, it seemed he chose to lay dormant, waiting for the perfect opportunity to exploit my weakness to its full extent. Meanwhile, here you sit—the noble hero, who threw his sweet little lamb to the wolves thirsting for his blood.

  “Stop it!” Swinging into a strike, I pounded my fist into one jagged stone wall of the dungeon cell that held me. The knuckle of my middle fingers cracked open, skin pealing back in an angry gash. “Leave me alone!”

  “Enough of that! Settle down.” Hollered Corvinus’s guard stationed at the door, shifting the heavy weight of his armored physique from one foot to the other.

  “You could have helped!” I screamed my throat raw at The Dragon, completely ignoring such a pointless thing as the guard’s command. “You could have gotten us out of here!”

  Face reddening to match his auburn beard, the guard slammed his sword against the iron bars with a deafening clang. “You will be silent, or I will silence you!”

  Help? My dark passenger purred for my ears only. After all I’ve done, you still desire more?

  “All you’ve done?” I repeated with a humorless laugh that bordered on manic. “You’ve made me a monster!”

  “Last warning, boy!” Keys jangling, the guard searched for the right one to unlock my cell from the plethora of those strung to his belt with a leather string.

  I gave you power. Prestige. Reputation. Drákon boasted. Everything you have is thanks to me. Still, you seek more without offering anything in return.

  “What you want I cannot give,” I sobbed at my own ineptitude, shoulders sagging.

  The guard’s hand fell away from the keys with a brief nod of approval. “That’s it, lad. Just settle.”

  Snaking from one ear to the other, The Dragon’s voice shifted all around. Ah, but you can. Drink of the sacrament. Secure our bond that we may be one at long last.

  “Please, no,” I pleaded, fearing for the only thing I had left to lose—my soul. “Take my body. Do with it as you will. I merely ask that you not demand of that which I cannot give, as my soul belongs to Christ.”


  The guard glanced over his shoulder, undoubtably praying no one heard that. “I … never asked for your body. No need to spread that bit of rubbish around.”

  If you want to save Jusztina, and the people of Transylvania, the bond must be forged. No further allowances will be granted.

  “No,” I whimpered, head shaking in defeat.

  They will save her for last, after they’ve burned the entire village whilst she is made to watch. How do you think her sweet spirit will fair after such turmoil?

  Chin falling to my chest, I loathed myself for stammering out the words that would condemn me for all eternity. “W-what … will you have me d-do?”

  Blood, the word rattled through my core, winding through my veins with the vile awareness of what must be done. It completes the bond.

  Closing my hands in prayer, I sought out the Lord to protect me from this damning temptation. “Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name: Thy kingdom come: Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”

  Yessssss, call out to Him, The Dragon snickered. I’m sure He’ll come bursting in to save a man who has taken so many lives with such grand flourish.

  Shaking his head in aggravation, the guard stuck the key in the lock. “We’re going to get you in shackles and to a priest. I’m not prepared to handle one speaking in tongues.”

  “No! Stay back!” Stabbing one hand out to halt him, I frantically resumed my prayer vigil. “Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.”

  To my great regret, the lock clicked, and the gate swung open. The instant the guard stepped inside, I could smell the heady tonic of his blood calling to me. Saliva filling my mouth, I fixated on the thick vein of life pulsing at the side of his neck. I squeezed my eyes shut, fighting the lure the only way I could. “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”

  “Hold out your hands.” Shackles dangling from his thumb, the guard waved me closer. “We need to get you restrained.”

  Unimaginable power will be yours to wield. You will be … unstoppable.

  Scrambling back, my shoulder blades slammed into the wall. “Stop! I beg of you!”

  “Easy now.” Freehand poised in front of him, the guard risked another step closer.

  Act out of love for your wife, and people, Drákon urged, talking directly to my slipping resolve. How could that be wrong?

  “There now, that’s a good lad.” Opening the shackles, the guard reached for my wrists.

  I let myself slump in his direction, breathing in the appetizing allure of his aroma.

  “Sorry for the weight of these, friend.” The guard grunted, fiddling to clasp the first shackle into place. “These are for your safety as much as mine.”

  “T’is I that am truly sorry.” The decision was made as I uttered those fateful words. Lips peeling from my teeth, I lunged.

  I knew not what I was doing, had no weapon to speak of. Like a rabid animal, foaming and snarling, I went for his throat. Chomping down with dull, human teeth, I ripped my way through meat and tendons. As my head flung from side to side, I felt the sickening pops of tearing flesh. The hot rush of coppery warmth flooded my mouth, gushing down my chin. Its metallic taste gagged me at first swallow. Earsplitting screams rang in my ears. Lips locked around the bubbling flow, I alternated between ravenous pulls and stomach lurching heaves.

  I rode the guard’s body to the ground, not loosening my hold until his lifeless eyes stared up at the ceiling. His mouth forever frozen in a silent scream. Throat hanging open in a gaping maw of shredded tissue, blood spread around him in a growing pool.

  Palms slapping against the slick floor, I pushed myself as far from the carnage as my miniscule cell would allow. What started as tremors morphed into spastic convulsions that rippled through me, jarring my bones to their marrow. “What ... have … I … done?”

  You secured our bond, slave. The Dragon’s voice came more crisp and clear than ever before, puffs of its breath tickling down my spine. As I always knew you would.

  I whipped around, fully expecting the beast to have manifested behind me.

  Nonetheless, I found myself alone with my sin.

  “You told me you would help me save Jusztina!” I shouted at the blood streaked walls closing in. “What happens now?”

  Now? Amusement twined through Drákon’s hellish whisper. Dear boy, now you … die.

  The instant he uttered the word, my heart seized in my chest. Unable to draw a breath, I clawed at my throat, dots swimming before my eyes. Sinking to the ground, the black steed of death rode in to claim me.

  Chapter twenty-three

  Vinx

  Perched, once more, on the bathroom countertop, I kept my eyes closed while Micah brushed eye shadow over my lids. My outfit for yet another day of publicity spots was a forest green cowl-necked sweater belted at the waist, tawny colored leggings, and ankle boots. The front of my chin-length bob had been braided at my temples and pinned back, the rest curled into a crown of messy tendrils.

  “I know you love your brother, but adhering to the warning of a mysterious figure in a mirror isn’t really an option.” Micah stated. Standing back, she inspected her work only to add a bit more color to my left eye. “Trust me, if that Dorian person has the power to cause self-mutilation, something like that would be a parlor trick to him. Right now, you need to focus. BBC is coming today to see the ballroom where the wedding will be held. It’s your job to make sure charming and adorable Vincenza is here to meet them.”

  When she backed off yet again, I opened my eyes to meet her mahogany stare. “Whether it was Jer or not, anyone delivering that kind of message proves we’re getting under Dorian’s skin. The more irritated he is, the more likely he is to get sloppy and reveal himself.”

  “Merp!” Batdog yipped in agreement. Readjusting his position in my lap, he draped his head over my knee.

  Lips sinking into a frown of disapproval, Mics peered down the bridge of her nose at him. “I’m so glad we worked this long to perfect your style, just so you can cover it in little black dog hairs.”

  Feigning innocence, I offered her a toothy grin. “Me too! I think it makes me more relatable.”

  Rummaging through the plethora of cosmetics Ego fetched for us—and no, the irony of that wasn’t lost on me—Micah selected a rose-gold lip gloss. “Don’t joke. Relatable is exactly what we need. You need to be the Vampire Queen of the people. All of the ladies should want to be you, while the guys want to be bitten by you.”

  “But no pressure,” I huffed a humorless laugh, scratching Batdog’s round little belly. “We should come up with some sort of plan or incantation to counter Dorian’s magic if he tries anything like at the television studio again. I say that like it’s something we can do. I mean, do we even have a spell guy? I feel we should. That seems like a more crucial thing to acquire than the right shade of eyeliner.”

  “Vinx! Vincenza!” Footfalls thundered through my bedroom. Hand on the door jam, Finn swung himself around the corner into the bathroom. “There you are! I think I found something. Like really found something!”

  Pulling back, I blocked my nose with the back of my hand. “Whoa, dude. What the hell is that smell? Is that you?”

  Micah seconded that question with a dry heave.

  Unable to match Finn’s speed, Carter jogged in behind him. Doubling over, he planted his hands on his knees in his struggle to catch his breath. “I’ve got to get my hands on more of that wine,” Carter gasped. “That smell would be Finn, by the way. He’s been glued to the computer in search of Jeremy and Rau. Gave up sleeping, and showering. Good God, I’m out of shape. Whoa! Anywho, the only thing he’s eaten in days has been the blood delivered to him by the kitchen. Which as of late has belonged to a striped polecat—the smelliest animal on the planet. I arranged it as a joke. But
, now he smells like dog shit baking in the sun, and I regret everything.”

  Eyes watering at his stench, I inched closer to the glassed-in shower enclosure. “Finn, how about if you stay right where you are, and tell me what you found?”

  “It’s not that bad,” Finn tsked, then noticed his rumpled clothing. “Although, this is the same thing I was wearing when we got here. But, we’re getting off topic.” Snatching his phone from his back pocket, he tapped the screen then held it up for me to see. On it was a satellite map of Connecticut. “Rau is off the grid. They only bring him out for big spectacles. My guess? Since the police still have a warrant out for his arrest, and the last thing Markus wants is for Rau to get arrested. That happens, and he loses his favorite toy. But Jeremy? That kid is everywhere, and … they gave him a phone. One I have been able to ping numerous times to get a read on where they’re keeping him. “

  “Where is he?” Stare locked on that screen, as if it held the answer to the greatest mysteries of the world, I lowered Batdog to the floor.

  With two fingers, Finn zoomed in to pull up an address on Town Walk Drive. “A condo near Yale University owned by … wait for it … Representative Alfonzo Markus. It seems Markus has taken it upon himself to keep tabs on your brother. No doubt wherever Markus is, his yes-man, Rutherford, is sure to follow.”

  “How can we use this?” Trying to pull himself to standing, Carter winced at what I guessed to be a runner’s cramp, and hunched to the side.

  Micah tapped a blush brush against her palm, chewing on her lower lip. “It means where we find one, we find the others. Play it right, and we could free Jeremy and take out Markus. That, sounds like a pretty damn good day.”

  Thumbing the home button, Finn stowed the phone back in his pocket. “Big flaw in that plan. We’ve made Vinx—the future Mrs. Dracula—the most recognizable woman on the planet. How could we sneak back into the states without paparazzi basically announcing to Markus that we’re coming?”