The Taste of Magic

by Gina Rosavin

  The young vampire nodded. "He's getting closer. He's not alone. I sense at least two others."

  Katerina assumed Adrian was one of them. Who else had he brought? Stefan reached up to idly stroke her breasts, and she shivered under his harsh touch. Should she warn him away again?

  An alarm suddenly went off, the acoustics in the stone room making the shrill echo deafening. Katerina winced, as Stefan stiffened.

  "He's here." Machiavelli motioned to Sophie and they took up positions opposite Stefan and Katerina.

  As if on cue, a burst of golden light revealed Joshua. Katerina tried to cry out, but Stefan muttered something and a gag covered her mouth. She struggled against her captor, stunned to stillness when his hand slipped between her legs. Her senses returned as Joshua made eye contact with her, and she fought against Stefan's invading hand.

  "Katerina, it's okay. We'll get you out." Joshua turned to face Sophie and Machiavelli.

  "Josh, why don't you just help us?" Sophie's voice was low and seductive and she sauntered over to him.

  He held his ground, his eyes hard and angry. "You're insane Soph. But I can help you. Come with me."

  Machiavelli now approached Joshua. "She is my pet, she will never leave me." Before Machiavelli reached the former hunter, another cascade of golden light appeared before him. Katerina sucked in her breath as her father came into view.

  "We'll take you down," Dimitri said. "Give up now, and it will go easier for you."

  Machiavelli threw his head back and laughed. "You have no idea what we've got planned for you."

  Dimitri turned and faced Stefan. "You are to blame for this."

  Stefan shook his head. "Your wife started all of this. We are just going to finish it for her."

  "You'll pay. du Lac will see you all dead!" Dimitri shouted.

  Yet another cascade of light revealed Vining, who took up a third position across from Machiavelli.

  "That's a guarantee," he said calmly. He met Katerina's gaze, and she understood the message of reassurance he sent her. But it didn't calm her.

  A movement by the door caught Katerina's eye. She tried not to react to the sight of the black wolf padding into the room, but was unsuccessful as she gasped for breath. Was this the same animal she'd seen outside her flat that night? It seemed so long ago, and suspicion started to rise. It was confirmed when the wolf leapt at Machiavelli, catching him unaware and knocking him to the ground. But as Machiavelli fought, the wolf transformed.

  Adrian.

  Katerina's heart almost exploded as he became clear. Tears stung her eyes. He would get himself killed. She fought against Stefan's restraining hands, finally breaking free and falling to the floor.

  Before her, Adrian wrestled with Machiavelli, his hands around his enemy's throat. She crawled toward them awkwardly, without her hands she was useless. Adrian had the Italian pinned, but Machiavelli was almost as strong, and succeeded in breaking Adrian's grasp. He disappeared and reappeared behind Adrian, and Katerina struggled to scream out a warning. She inched her way across the floor, desperate to evade Stefan's reach once more, and caught sight of Machiavelli lifting Adrian and throwing him. But before Adrian made contact with the wall, he vanished.

  "You die tonight, du Lac!" Machiavelli bellowed, twisting to face Adrian, who was suddenly behind him.

  "It won't be my ashes they'll be sweeping off the floor." As Adrian lifted the Italian, his clawed fingers piercing the skin of his throat, a hand grabbed at Katerina's ankle. She jerked away, desperate to get free from the threatening grip which pulled her back toward her captor. The hand was gone, but a tug at her wrists made her cry out against the gag. Suddenly, her hands were free, and she turned to see her father standing over her. He took her hand and helped her to her feet. She pulled the gag away from her face.

  "Papa, Stefan froze my powers. I can't help Adrian."

  "Adrian will finish this."

  "No, I will."

  Katerina turned to gape at her mother, and before she'd realized it, Stefan had wrenched her against him and out of her father's reach. This time, with hands unbound, she was able to land several blows. But his grip was relentless, and he soon had her hands pinned at her back once more, and pressed her tightly against him. Behind her, Adrian's howl of outrage jolted her with fear. He needed her help, and she was useless! She needed her magic.

  "You will be mine. Your mother promised me." Stefan's dark eyes glittered with malice, and he ground his hips against her. There was no mistaking his message.

  "You bastard, I'll kill you for this."

  Stefan laughed. "When it's over, as it soon will be, you'll have no choice. Don't fight it, it is your destiny. As your mother foretold."

  Katerina turned away, fixing a pleading gaze on Olga. "How could you?"

  "Your father must be saved. At all costs." Olga's brow furrowed in cold anger. "Can you not understand that?"

  Katerina could not answer past her shock. Her own mother was willing to sacrifice her in any way she could to save a man who didn't want to be saved. The pain threatened to suffocate her.

  "Katerina, she will not harm you, I swear." Dimitri was beside his wife in a flash. He grabbed her arm, hauling her against him. "You have gone too far this time, woman. I told you not to do this, but you ignored my wishes."

  "Dimitri, I want you to come back to me. I want you to be my husband again, not a monster."

  Dimitri released Olga with a shove, and she stumbled against the wall, slumping to the floor. "You disgust me. We are finished."

  A moan escaped Olga as Dimitri turned to Stefan, still holding Katerina against him.

  "Release my daughter and I'll let you both live."

  Katerina struggled against Stefan's hold, and kicked out at him. With a snarl, he tangled his hand in her hair.

  "I was promised. I will not be denied."

  "Then you die."

  As Dimitri made his move toward them, Katerina slammed her heel onto Stefan's foot. The wizard finally released her with a scream of anger and pain, and she scrambled away from him. Her mother had regained her senses, and watched with cold eyes, not making a single move to help her. Katerina suddenly realized she didn't know who this woman was. This was not her mother, she was a vengeful shrew who cared nothing for other people's desires. Her single-minded determination to see Adrian destroyed had almost gotten them all killed.

  Olga straightened, rising to stand, her dark eyes boring into Katerina. "You should have killed him. It was in the destiny. I saw it."

  Katerina shook her head. "No, you saw what you wanted to see. I'll never kill him, Mama, because I love him."

  Olga inhaled sharply, her eyes ablaze with anger. "He is a monster, he will destroy you when he tires of you."

  "Never."

  Katerina turned to Adrian. He stood over Machiavelli's stake-embedded body, his chest heaving, his shirt in tatters. His hair was wild in disarray. His golden gaze met hers, and the sight of him in full vampire state left her breathless. He was a magnificent beast. Beneath him, Machiavelli's body aged rapidly, and slowly faded to dust. Adrian placed one foot into it, grinding the soot into the floor.

  "Kat." Her name was a whisper. "I will never tire of you. You are my heart, my soul. I would rather die than live without you."

  Katerina took a step toward him, a flash of movement beside her making her pause.

  Sophie lunged at her, growling. Katerina's attempt to evade her was no match for the vampire's speed and strength. Sophie twisted her arm behind her.

  "You'll pay for this!" Her shriek shattered the glass in a mirror and she lifted a stake as she wrenched Katerina closer.

  "No!" Adrian's roar shamed Sophie's, and as he moved, the younger vampire drove the stake downward.

  Fiery pain exploded in Katerina's gut as the wooden point pierced her. She couldn't even manage a gasp, but she was aware of a sudden clamor around her. Her legs gave out and she collapsed to the floor. Adrian's arms were suddenly around her and he drew her close.
His frantic gaze darted from her face to the stake in her stomach. His fingers were at her hair, her chin, her lips.

  "Adrian."

  "Shhh, my love. Save your strength. Vining's here."

  No sooner had he mentioned the name than the doctor appeared in her view. Katerina felt him pulling at the stake, and the pain, which had been numbing, renewed viciously. She arched in Adrian's embrace, aware he barked at Vining, but unaware of what he was saying. Then he cupped her head, drawing her close.

  "Adrian, I love you."

  Adrian's eyes burned. He blinked. "And I love you."

  "You have to take care of Vic-vic-toria." She coughed again, a deep spasm, and a few drops of blood escaped her mouth. He bent and kissed her.

  "Hush, Kat. Let Vining see to you."

  The effort it took to shake her head panicked him, but he forced it back. She would be fine, she had to be. He turned to Vining. "Do something," he hissed

  Vining gave a sad shake of his head. He looked back at Kat, her eyes were closed. He stroked her cheek, and her lids fluttered open. Her beautiful dark eyes were glassy with pain.

  "Adrian, watch over my little Tori. Tell her-" She coughed again, and he gathered her closer, careful not to jar the stake that still pierced her. "Tell her I love her."

  "Kat, rest now." He pressed a kiss to her lips, the burning real tears, tinged pink as they spilled over and blurred his vision. Her fingers found his and gave a weak squeeze. Her heart slowed, each beat like an ominous drum, each one felt throughout his entire being. Then there was silence.

  For several moments, he was aware of nothing. Nothing but a blind agony he'd never known. He pressed another kiss against her lips, and thought he would die himself when there was no response.

  No, it couldn't be. With a growl, he sliced open his wrist and held it against her mouth. But she did not latch on, did not draw in the nectar which would bring her back.

  "Drink, Kat, it will save you." His throat burned, his voice a hoarse whisper. "Please, Kat, you must." But she didn't.

  A sudden wailing drew him out of his shock. Carefully releasing her from his hold, he stood and faced Olga Romanov. He made no attempt to hide his raging transformation, and he bared his fangs, satisfied when she gave a little scream and scooted away. To cower behind the wizard who had helped her plan this scheme.

  "You had better run, for this is your doing." Adrian taunted her as he stalked closer, his hunger at its peak, driven by his fury.

  "No, you brought this upon her—"

  "No!" His bellow made her cover her ears, though the wizard remained motionless and silent. "You did this when you brought him to teach Kat how to kill me. You knew what could happen, and you chose to ignore your daughter's wishes, for your own gain. Why?"

  He continued to circle the two, though he anticipated more resistance from Stefan. The wizard remained motionless.

  "To free my husband."

  "I did not want to be free. Do you not care what I want?" Dimitri's voice rang through the room. Adrian turned to see him standing over an injured Sophie. Joshua tended to her, but Dimitri was clearly there to prevent her escape. Adrian smiled.

  "Dimitri, how could you want to stay like that?" Olga took a short step, but Adrian jumped at her, hissing. She scrambled back, this time perching near the door.

  "This was my choice, it always was. You didn't want to believe me. I wanted you to join me. Instead, you've destroyed our daughter."

  "No, it was him."

  Dimitri shook his head. "No, he loved her. And she loved him. You shouldn't have interfered."

  "Dimitri, you know what must be done." Adrian held his servant's gaze.

  Do it.

  "Adrian, I…"

  "She killed Kat. She did this. She freed Machiavelli, she brought Malinay into my home. She must pay."

  "No." Dimitri shook his head. "I cannot."

  "Then I will see to it."

  Adrian turned to Olga, fangs bared. Malinay chose that moment to step forward.

  "I will kill you if you do. If you let her go, I will let you live."

  "And what if I just kill you, and then kill her?" Adrian moved still closer.

  "Would Katerina want you to kill her mother?"

  Adrian sucked in his breath. But he pictured Kat if she knew what he had done. Malinay was right. No matter how Olga had betrayed them all, Katerina would not wish her dead. Adrian would honor her this way. He nodded and stepped back. The wizard went to Olga and enclosing her within the folds of his cape, the two disappeared.

  Adrian remained motionless for several moments. He couldn't bear to turn around and gaze upon Kat's lifeless body. He bowed his head, the pain so agonizing, he thought it might consume him.

  "du Lac," called Vining.

  "What?" Two thousand years ago, he swore he'd never feel this again. Never would he suffer such a loss again. Even after all this time, how could he have forgotten how excruciating this could be?

  "I should probably… that is, she'll need to be…tended to. I should see to it." He couldn't let her go, not yet. He turned and was beside her again. He lifted her hand, twining her limp fingers with his. He laid his forehead against hers, and willed her to open her eyes.

  Surely this was all some mad dream, and he would wake up and she would be beside him in his arms, warm and breathing, and smiling at him. Nothing happened. He pulled her close, holding her near once more. Despair raged through him when her arms didn't come around him to pull him tighter.

  No, he couldn't accept this, it was impossible. She was to be his mate, for all eternity. Somehow, there had to be some way.

  He looked at Vining, but the doctor shook his head. After what seemed forever, Adrian nodded and released Katerina for the last time. He stood and turned his back as Vining arranged her before transporting out.

  He turned to where Joshua and Dimitri held Sophie. She still lay unconscious, whatever they'd done had been effective. "Bring her to the castle." And he transported out.

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Adrian sighed, and stared out the window into the night. The infant in his arms slept fitfully, her cheek against his shoulder, mouth open and dampening his shirt with drool. He didn't mind. He would hold her all night, and hope when she awakened, she would not start crying again. The child missed her mother, and her pitiful wails had echoed throughout the castle all day and evening. Although chronologically only six weeks old, the infant had developed equivalent to an eight-month-old. The despair in the cries had made Adrian want to weep himself.

  But he wouldn't. He had already shed his tears. He would not waste more time longing for what was lost. He absently drew his hand through the dark curls, and felt her tiny heart beat against his chest. Her little arm was around his neck, her fingers caught in the hair at his nape. He turned and pressed his lips against her cheek. "Sleep, my sweet one. And know Daddy will keep you safe." He sighed as Victoria nestled closer to him in her uneasy sleep. He winced as the diminutive fingers tightened in his hair, pulling it. He would endure much more for her; he knew that now. How much had changed this past year, most especially the last months.

  Oh, Kat, she misses you as much as I do.

  An image of his beautiful wife flashed in his thoughts, her dark eyes sparkling with laughter, her sensual mouth wide with a broad smile. Had it really only been five days since that bitch of Mannfried's had killed her? It seemed eons ago already. Yet, Vining still had not brought her for a proper burial. Adrian hadn't pushed, for that was the final step, and he wasn't sure he was ready.

  He stroked his daughter's back and stood. Sitting in the chair left him cramped, something that hadn't affected him in centuries. The oddity of the sensation brought a startling realization. Grief caused the physical ache, and made him more human than he could ever have imagined. Adrian stretched out on the bed, carefully positioning Victoria atop him so she was most comfortable. He closed his eyes, only for a moment, he thought. But again, he was assailed with memories, vivid images of his beaut
iful Katerina.

  He recalled the night of her welcome home party, when he'd first seen her. Determined to be free of him, while he had been determined to possess her at all costs. Their short time together wasn't enough, he raged silently. It wasn't nearly enough!

  He shifted and let Victoria slide to the bed beside him. He leaned over her, resting his head on his hand, while he stroked the child's back with his other hand, smiling at the recollection.

  "Your mama didn't like me very much when we first met. Not that I gave her much of a reason."

  He sighed and sat up. This agony gnawed at him, making his insides feel as if they were being twisted by an invisible fist. He half expected to see her come into the room, dressed in a silky robe or nightgown, and chastise him for letting the baby sleep on her stomach. He hung his head, wishing it could be true. She was lost to him forever. Forever. The word echoed in his mind, tormenting him. He had forever and now he was going to spend it without her. His hands curled into fists, and he wanted to scream with anguish, let it roar out of him and somehow take the hurt away with it. But if he did, Victoria would awaken. Such behavior accomplished nothing but more misery.