by Gina Rosavin
Chapter Two
As she drove down the narrow cobbled streets of Reimherburg, Katerina mentally berated herself. Her meeting with du Lac had not gone at all like she intended.
How could she have agreed to dinner with him? At his castle, no less. When she stopped for a red light, she let her gaze wander to the mountain at the edge of town. Sitting atop it was a tall stone fortress, its enormous turrets reaching to the sky. She would be there tonight. With du Lac. Alone.
The shiver passing through her wasn't caused entirely by fear. But she refused to let her thoughts travel that path.
The short, angry toot of a car horn alerted her that the light had changed. She turned, and headed away from the mountain, toward the highway running along the town's southern border.
She found an American music station on the radio, but barely paid attention to the songs. All she could think about was du Lac, how he leaned over her in a way which had been slightly menacing, yet made her stomach flutter with excitement.
She knew what he was, had known ever since her father brought him home so long ago. Her mother explained vampires to her, but at age twelve, Katerina had found it hard to reconcile the fair, handsome man with the monsters she saw in the cinema. Until then, she'd never seen a vampire up close, and he looked as human as she and her parents. She never told anyone, but when she made eye contact with him, she felt his pain, as if she had been the one wounded. Even now, she recalled the trace of vulnerability in his gaze.
There had been no hint of vulnerability in the man she met today. No, he was powerful, intimidating…and too damned sexy. She could still feel his touch on her face, and realized how much she longed to feel his cool caress once again. Her heart pounded.
She shook her head and parked the car in front of her parents' home. For several moments, she stared at the house where she'd spent the first twelve years of her life. How different the house seemed. In the flurry of relocating and starting her new job, she hadn't visited, except for the night of her party. That night, so many people wanted her attention, then she met du Lac. This afternoon, she took some time to study her childhood home.
The cottage had been added on to, enlarged to resemble a small villa. Obviously, her father had done well working for du Lac. Once again, that man was at the forefront of her thoughts. She sighed and stepped out of the car. She had a lot of questions for her mother.
As she approached, the door opened. Olga emerged to stand on the steps. Her long, dark hair was liberally streaked with gray and tied in a thick braid, its length emphasizing her height. Katerina knew she shouldn't be surprised her mother had known when she'd be here. She hadn't called ahead, so this visit was completely unexpected. She remembered how Olga had always known when, as a child, Katerina was about to do something forbidden or dangerous. Being away for so long had made her forget much of the life she once had here.
A bright smile lit Olga's slender face and she enclosed Katerina in a hug. "I am so glad you are here. But tell me why. Shouldn't you be working?"
Katerina followed her mother inside and shut the door. "I finished early." For some reason, she didn't want to tell her mother why she left work, or where she'd been not long ago. She was thankful her mother didn't already know that as well.
"So tell me all about your new job." Olga led her into the kitchen, where she set about making tea.
"It's fine. I'm really enjoying it. Actually, Mama, I'm here because I wanted to ask you a few things."
"Like what?" Olga's back remained to Katerina as she measured out the tea leaves.
"What hold does du Lac have over Papa?"
She didn't miss the way her mother's shoulders tensed. When Olga finally faced her, her expression was serene.
"What do you mean?"
"He paid for my education. But I can pay him back now, so what else keeps Papa working for him?"
"Your father is very grateful to du Lac for sponsoring you. He feels it is his duty to…"
"His duty. To serve a vampire? Mama, I'm sure du Lac is not using Papa for his financial advisory skills." Katerina slid into a chair at the table.
Olga remained silent for a few moments. "Your father is very happy working for du Lac."
The tea kettle whistled and, with relief in her eyes, Olga turned back to pour the hot water into the two prepared cups. Katerina took the cup her mother offered. "It's more, though, isn't it? Why else would du Lac pay for my education?"
"Du Lac is a very generous man." Olga seated herself across the table. Katerina shook her head. "That's not exactly how I see it, Mama. There's something else."
Olga didn't respond for several moments. Finally, she raised dark eyes and pierced Katerina with a stare.
"What your father does for du Lac, I don't know. I stay out of it. Your father does what he sees fit, and I go about my business."
Katerina took a deep breath. "Is Papa a vampire?"
For several tense moments, Olga simply stared at her. Her face was carefully composed, not an iota of emotion revealed.
"No, he is not."
Katerina wasn't sure if her mother's words were true, but she desperately wanted to believe them. Still, there was more, she was positive. But she didn't press further. Clearly, Olga was not going to reveal her secret now. With her mother still gazing evenly at her, Katerina sighed and glanced about the room. Once more, she was struck by the home she'd left behind, and how it had changed almost as drastically as she had. What had once been a comfortable cottage was now a small mansion. It was a glaring reminder of how well her father's job paid. And how her parents now depended on the income her father brought in.
"I see you've managed to benefit from du Lac's benevolence, as well. You've done a nice job with the place."
Her sarcasm earned her a sharp glare from her mother, and Katerina shifted in her seat, feeling as small as a child once again.
"Watch your tongue."
"I'm sorry, Mama."
Olga smiled and squeezed her hand. "Is it so bad to enjoy the fine things your father's salary can bring?"
Katerina shook her head. "No, I understand, and I'm glad you can. But there's so much I don't know, I can't help feeling there's more. You sent me away on a moment's notice, and all I had were phone calls and letters for years. You never told me why. You can afford all this, but you couldn't afford for me to come home and visit?"
"It was an opportunity for you that your father and I could not pass up. We would never have been able to give you an education, not for a very long time. You are a very smart woman, and you will need all of your intelligence to guide you down your path. Traveling would have taken you from your studies, when you needed to focus on them. I could not allow the distractions to keep you from achieving everything you have. And what is to come."
"What does that mean?"
"You will know soon enough. Your power will guide you."
Katerina wanted to shake her mother, force out whatever she wasn't telling her. She restrained herself with great difficulty. What power did Olga refer to? She felt more adrift than ever. In all her time in America, she'd never shown one hint that she possessed any of the powers her parents did. Fortune telling was a disaster, levitation of any kind was even worse, as was reading minds. She'd tried it all, from summoning a book to calling forth a demon. Nothing. Being away had made her wonder if what she'd been taught as a child was even real.
"I've been away too long, I don't understand."
"We all have our paths we must travel. I wanted you to have the best advantages. You are the first child in our family to go to college, and you surpassed everyone's expectations. I would do it again if I had the choice to make now. Your education has given you power, and you will use it well."
Her mother's pride warmed Katerina and she smiled. "I'm glad you did it, Mama. But I missed you and Papa so much."
Olga looked away. "Sending you off was the hardest thing I ever had to do. But it was best for you."
"And now I have this wonderful ed
ucation, and I'm going to use it to clear whatever debt or obligation Papa has to du Lac."
"Katerina, you mustn't involve yourself in things which don't concern you." Olga's brow furrowed, her eyes filled with worry.
"This does concern me. I have the best education, and Papa is still working for a vampire. Surely any responsibility Papa has is over now." "Du Lac treats your father well."
"It has to stop. And I'm going to do it. I'm seeing him tonight and I'm going to find some way."
"You are seeing him? Tonight?" Olga pressed her lips together, revealing her consternation.
Katerina nodded. "And I'm going to make him accept a way to end this. I want Papa free. All of us."
Olga shook her head. "But you mustn't. You must stay away from him." She frowned and narrowed her eyes. "Mama, I know you're worried, but I'll bring protection. Unless there's something else you need to tell me?"
Again, her mother shook her head. "No, there's nothing else. But you mustn't go."
So far, her mother had not given her sufficient reason, beyond what Katerina already knew. "Why? Do you really think he'll attack me?"
Olga sighed. "You know what he is. He's dangerous. Don't let his charm make you forget."
"Don't worry. I can handle myself." I have to. If I don't, I'll be as trapped as my father is.
Maintaining her determined front before her mother, she rose. This was almost harder than standing up to du Lac. "I have to go. I have a lot to do before tonight. I've been trying to find out more about du Lac, but there's not much. I guess I shouldn't be surprised. Imagine starting your corporate biography with the information you're a blood-sucking killer. Not good for business."
"You must be careful." Olga followed Katerina to the door, where she hugged her daughter goodbye. Ever since she had returned from America, Olga had been charting her daughter's path. While not everything was clear, one path Katerina might take spelled doom. Olga had to make sure things progressed as she'd planned.
* * *
Katerina was ready when the Mercedes limousine arrived. The glassy-eyed driver said nothing, just held the door. The sun dipped behind the mountains, the sky almost purple, in stark contrast with the whitewashed stone castle atop the hill. Illuminated with lights, its towers were eerily menacing. Katerina's heart pounded and she absently fingered the small gold crucifix at her neck. She was sure du Lac wouldn't be pleased she'd worn it, but she needed some sort of defense against him, no matter how small. Would it be enough?
Despite her assurances to her mother, she was terrified he would attack her. Certainly, she would need protection, for once she reiterated her demand that he release her father, he would be angry. Recalling how her father had declared his allegiance to du Lac and insisted he wanted to continue in his service had only convinced her more strongly she needed to settle this debt.
She considered du Lac and the hold he had over Dimitri. At the very least, he was extremely persuasive, though she suspected he used some sort of mind control. He was certainly capable of such a deed. The task she'd set for herself seemed impossible.
Especially since the man was too damned attractive.
The car stopped at the entrance, and the driver ambled awkwardly around to open the door. As she walked up to the massive, carved wooden doors, he stood mute. Before she could knock, they opened, and a servant, dull-eyed as the chauffeur, motioned her to follow him into the hall. She eyed him curiously as he shuffled ahead of her down the hallway. Suspicion formed in her mind. What had du Lac done to him?
She paused inside a massive double doorway, at the top of an elaborate two-level stone staircase. Adrian stood in the cavernous room below with his back to her, staring into the mammoth hearth. For a moment, her heart raced. She steadied herself. Though there was definitely a darkness surrounding him, he didn't look evil.
He spoke without turning. "Please, come in, Kat."
She pressed her lips together and stepped down to the first landing. Why did he persist in using that nickname? Why did she let him? The semi-dark room was lit by candlelight and the hearth, bare but for a few ancient as well as modern objects. Some chairs and tables were set about, but she couldn't see them clearly through the gloom hovering in the room. Two chairs faced the hearth, covered in inviting, thick cushioned, red velvet. Finally he turned, but made no move toward her. His gaze beckoned. Propelled by some unseen force, she descended the stairs and walked across the room. She stopped several feet away. Adrian looked oddly annoyed. His gaze fell upon the crucifix at the hollow of her neck.
"I'd prefer you didn't wear that tonight."
"But…"
He shook his head. "It won't protect you, and I prefer not to see it. Its presence makes me uncomfortable. As a guest in my home, you are safe from me. You have my word."
Katerina didn't know if she should trust him, but found herself doing as he asked and placed the tiny cross inside her purse. Adrian heaved a sigh, clearly relieved. She held back a smile, knowing she was still guarded against him. Underneath each ear, hidden by her hair, were temporary tattoos in the shape of crosses. Should he attempt anything, she could easily reveal them, at least long enough to escape his clutches.
Why did the thought dismay her?
Damn, why did he have to be so handsome? Dressed in a tuxedo, he was a formidable and enticing sight. His golden hair shimmered in the firelight, his sharp features illuminated by the glow. He stepped closer, and she fought the urge to turn and run. She remained where she was and lifted her chin. His smile widened.
"I'm pleased you came."
"I have a feeling I didn't have a choice." That was true. Somehow she'd been compelled to be here, and suspected he used his vampiric powers. She knew she couldn't trust him. But something in his gaze left her feeling breathless and giddy. She was helpless to resist.
"You always have a choice, Kat. Some wine?"
She nodded. She needed to soothe her nerves. He chuckled, as if he'd read her thoughts. She narrowed her eyes.
"Why did you want me to come?"
He handed her a glass of red wine. How appropriate, she thought, and eyed the glass warily.
"Relax, it's just wine. I assure you, you have nothing to fear." Just losing my sanity, she thought. Aloud, she said, "How do I know I can trust you?" She took a long drink of wine.
He chuckled again. "You don't. You are right to be cautious."
"Maybe this was a mistake." She put her glass down, but he grabbed her wrist.
"You won't get far." He immediately softened the compressed line of his lips. "Why not just relax and enjoy the evening?"
"All right. But at the first sign of…"
He rolled his eyes and frowned in exasperation. "I can control myself, Kat."
What was the matter with her? She was beginning to like the way the nickname sounded on his lips. If she couldn't resist him as a man, she was doomed. She had to free her family, nothing more. So why did she wish tonight was simply two people being together? She lowered her head.
"I'm sorry. It's just…"
He reached out and lifted her chin. "You're afraid of me."
"Can you blame me? I mean, you're a…you…kill people. Your servants, they're…zombies, aren't they?"
He smiled. "Someone of my…nature requires servants who do not ask questions, who do not speak of what they see."
She pressed her lips nervously. "Do all of your victims end up like him?"
She nodded in the direction of one of his servants, who was bringing more wood for the fire.
He shook his head. "Is that why you are afraid? Do you think I will turn you into one of them?"
She remained silent, worried her answer would anger him. "I would never. The only thing you have to fear from me, sweet Kat, is this."
He leaned in, still holding her gaze. His lips, oddly cool, yet amazingly sensual, brushed lightly against hers before he drew away. Then Adrian grabbed her and crushed her against him, his mouth claiming hers in a fierce kiss, his tongue plundering h
er mouth. And all she could do was cling to him helplessly, as she gave herself over to the tumult assailing her senses, the heat he drew from deep within her.
Adrian's hands roamed her back, his mouth still fused to hers. Her knees weakened, and her arms tightened around his neck, her fingers tangling in his hair. She couldn't get enough of him, his heady taste, and she pressed herself more tightly against him. This was madness, but she couldn't help herself, the sensations flowing through her were too wonderful. Maybe insanity wasn't such a terrible thing after all.