At last convinced that he was once again in command of himself, Sebastian closed the remaining space to the willing curve of her neck and gently eased his fangs to the satin skin. Within moments, the faintest trace of her blood was flowing through his body, nearly sending him to his knees with the burst of intimatacy that filled his heart.
It was all there. The magical sweetness of her heart, the utter loyalty of her soul, and the overall golden glow of her love for him. It all rushed through him so swiftly that he reeled slightly before pulling back to regard her in amazement. Truly she was a most remarkable woman. And now she was his. Thoroughly and completely.
Lifting his arm toward his teeth Sebastian prepared to complete the binding. He held her wide gaze with his own as he drew blood from his wrist, and then, scooping a drop onto his finger, he pressed it gently to her lips.
Her reaction was just as startled as his own had been.
A small gasp echoed through the silent forest as she clutched at his arms to steady herself. Sebastian swept his arms about her, briefly concerned that the joining had been too powerful for her to bear. After all, she was a mortal despite the Medallion that hung about her neck.
Slowly becoming accustomed to the potent awareness that they were now bound together, Amelia regarded him with eyes that glittered in the moonlight.
“Oh.”
“Are you well, my dear?” he asked in concern.
“Well?” Without warning, she tipped back her head to laugh with an unrestrained joy. “Mr. St. Ives, you have just made me the happiest, luckiest, most satisfied maiden in all the world.”
Chapter 14
It was only with a heroic effort that Amelia allowed Sebastian to leave her in the protection of Nefri as he went in search of the renegade. Sensibly, she understood the need to halt Drake. As long as he remained at liberty he would pose a constant threat to her as well as to William. Even to Sebastian.
Still, such common sense did not keep her from pacing uneasily beside the carriage where William slept. Nor halt the growing sense of dread that was filling her heart.
She knew all too well just how dangerous the treacherous Drake would be when he was cornered. During the ghastly time in the cottage she had sensed his ferocious lust for power. But more than that, she had sensed a deeper, darker emotion. One of fear.
Her brows furrowed as she continued to pace. Why would the vampire so fear failure? Because of the retribution his brother vampires would offer? Surely that could not be the explanation. Sebastian had offered to allow him to return to the Veil in safety more than once. So what was it?
What could force the vampire to risk utter destruction rather than concede that the Medallion was out of his reach?
The bothersome question nagged at the edge of her mind until she sternly reined in her thoughts.
What did it matter? Soon Sebastian would have him trapped and he would be forced back to the Veil or destroyed. Either way, the ghastly threat that he posed would be at an end.
Closing her eyes, she allowed herself to concentrate upon the gentleman who was now a part of her very essence.
He was moving ever farther away but she could easily assure herself that he was unharmed and filled with a grim determination. A faint smile chased away her fears. Even at such a distance, she could feel the golden warmth of his love flowing through her.
Unwittingly, her fingers rose to her lips. They still tingled from the fierce, possessive kiss he had bestowed upon her before leaving. A kiss that promised that the intimacy of their joining was far from complete. And that he would very soon tutor her in the pleasures of a more physical nature.
“Amelia.”
The soft call of Nefri’s voice had Amelia abruptly wrenching her eyes open. An absurd blush stole to her cheeks as she wondered if the wise old vampire was capable of reading her wicked thoughts.
“Yes?”
“Move into the carriage.”
Any hint of embarrassment faded as a chill inched down her spine. “Is something the matter?”
The seemingly frail woman lifted her face toward the moon, closing her eyes as if concentrating upon the shadows that surrounded them.
“I feel . . . a strangeness in the air.”
Amelia frowned. With great reluctance she turned her thoughts from the wondrous image of Sebastian and concentrated on the velvet darkness that surrounded them. For long moments she could feel nothing but the tingling presence of Nefri. It was a growingly familiar prickle that she knew belonged solely to vampires. But determinedly searching with her thoughts, she at last managed to catch the faint hint of wrongness that had alerted Nefri.
“What is it?” she breathed in puzzlement.
Nefri slowly lowered her head, turning to regard Amelia with a closed expression. “Something approaches.”
“Drake?”
“No. This is a force that is much more powerful. And it nears.” The wrinkled countenance hardened. “Join your brother in the carriage, Amelia.”
With stumbling steps, Amelia rushed to obey the urgent command. The air was beginning to thicken with a bleak dread that was making her skin crawl and her throat tighten. Whatever was nearing, she was quite certain she did not wish to face it.
She had barely managed to wrench open the door and trip up the stairs when what felt like striking lightning hit her in the back and knocked her forward. Gasping, Amelia awkwardly turned to peer out the still-open door.
“Nefri,” she breathed in horror, watching the fragile old woman struggling back to her feet as a layer of black shadows shifted and hardened to form a tall, gaunt-faced gentleman.
Valkier regarded the elderly vampire as she scrambled back to her feet. A rare, chilling smile touched his lips. After centuries of plotting and scheming, it was all about to come to fruition. Soon he would be done with this noble, self-sacrificing, aggravating woman. At last she would be destroyed and along with her, the power that she wielded. He alone would be in control of the vampires. And the world.
“Good evening, Nefri,” he murmured with an elegant bow.
“Valkier.” Her expression hardened as she deliberately allowed the facade of the harmless Gypsy to fade. With a shimmer she was once again a tall, strikingly beautiful vampire with thick, ebony hair that flowed well past her slender waist. The porcelain features were perfect and unmarred by age, although there was no way to disguise the ancient wisdom that filled the ebony-black eyes. “I have been expecting you.”
Valkier briefly felt his empty heart flare with the bittersweet emotions that he had once harbored toward this female. An eternity before, he had allowed himself to be held captive by Nefri’s beauty. He had offered his very soul to possess her, but the treacherous vampire had denied his attempts at binding. She claimed that her life would be devoted to all vampires. And that she would willingly waste her superior powers in an effort to lure his brothers from their rightful place in the world to imprison them within a Veil.
Now he ruthlessly crushed the unwelcome weakness. Nefri had chosen to oppose him. She would be destroyed for her foolishness.
“How very pleasant to realize that you have not lost your wits entirely, Nefri,” he mocked as he stepped toward the beautiful vampire. “I was beginning to fear that you would never realize that I was playing you for a fool.”
“No, not a fool. However, I will admit that I hoped that I was mistaken, Valkier.” The dark eyes held an annoying hint of sadness. “Despite our differences I have never considered you my enemy. Indeed, I continued to hold the belief that you would overcome your conceit and realize that our powers are not meant to compel others to our will.”
“My conceit?” Valkier gave a sharp, unamused laugh. “You have bullied, cajoled, and castrated vampires until they are no more than pathetic shadows of themselves. And for what? To cower behind the Veil and pretend that we do not long to return to our rightful inheritance? It is your conceit that has led us to near-destruction.”
“What is it you desire?” she demande
d.
“I?” He ran a contented hand down the soft satin of his black jacket. “What is mine by right. Dominion.”
“Over humans?”
He grimaced. “I do not seek to rule mere fodder. What are mortals to me? No. My dominion will be over vampires. As is only proper.”
Nefri narrowed her dark gaze. “The Great Council will stop you. You cannot overcome them all.”
Valkier offered a soft laugh. “A bothersome problem that you have at last allowed me to overcome, my dear Nefri.”
“The Medallion is beyond your reach,” she warned.
“Ah yes, the precious Medallion.” He folded his arms over his chest, fully enjoying this moment of superiority over the woman who had spurned him. She would learn that he was not a vampire to accept defeat. Not ever. “I had hoped that my ruse would prove an adequate distraction for you and the Great Council.”
“Distraction?”
“But of course.” His smile was edged with a smug satisfaction. “I realized that if I were to accomplish my goals I must do something that would command the complete attention of all vampires. What better means than to threaten the precious Veil?” His smile widened in a chilling fashion. “It was a simple matter to seduce the three fools into believing they would soon possess the power of the Medallion. And even simpler to persuade the Great Council to choose to send in defense those vampires who were so noble and filled with righteous self-worth that they would not merely dispose of the traitors, but actually attempt to save them from their own lusts. They provided all the diversion I required.”
Oddly, the sadness about Nefri only seemed to deepen. The knowledge sent a surge of anger through Valkier. He wanted her frightened and begging for mercy, not regarding him with pity.
“And what did you hope to gain, Valkier?” she asked softly.
His hands curled as he battled the need to strike the flawless countenance. He would be respected. And feared.
“Unlike my brethren, I have not forgotten that the Medallion was only one of a pair,” he retorted in smooth tones. “As with all ancient artifacts, it was made to provide a balance to the one who wielded the power. The eternal Yin and Yang. Darkness and light. Love and hatred. Creation and destruction.” He slowly reached beneath his jacket to reveal the Medallion he had so recently stolen from Nefri’s hidden lair. “You have quite foolishly chosen to divide the Medallion of Creation, lessening it to mere baubles. While I now possess the Medallion of Destruction.”
The smooth expression never altered. “And what do you intend to do with it, Valkier?”
“It is quite simple. I intend to destroy the Veil and anyone who stands in my way.”
There was a long silence before she stepped toward him, a slender hand outstretched.
“Do not do this, Valkier. You will only harm yourself.”
His nose flared in fury. Why did she remain so calm? Why did she not plead for his mercy?
“Nothing can harm me now, Nefri. I am invincible.”
“No, not invincible. The Medallion is a danger in itself.”
“Do not speak.” Valkier held up the Medallion, the wondrous glory he had expected to experience ruined by this woman who had plagued him for centuries. “You could have ruled at my side, Nefri. You could have been the Queen to my King. But instead you have chosen to oppose my will. For that you will be the first to feel my retribution. I fear I must say good-bye to you now. My destiny awaits.”
Holding the Medallion high, Valkier felt the power cascade through his body with an intoxicating flood of pleasure. Soon, he moaned in painful arousal. Soon it would all be his.
Amelia was frozen in horror as she watched the two powerful vampires confront each other. Deep within her, a tiny voice whispered that she should do something. Surely she should at least run in search of Sebastian, or call out in warning?
But despite the frantic urge to help, she was bound by a paralyzing fear.
Instead she helplessly watched as Nefri squarely faced her assailant, her shabby disguise falling away to reveal a tall, proudly beautiful woman. She could sense no fear in the ancient vampire. Not even when Valkier revealed his evil intentions. Instead, there was an unmistakable pity that frightened Amelia even more.
It was obvious that Nefri had some feelings for the horrid intruder. Would such emotions keep her from protecting herself? Would she allow herself to be destroyed rather than strike out against this vampire who had clearly loved her at one time?
Struggling to find some means past the panic that clutched at her, Amelia was abruptly distracted when the distinct sound of Sebastian’s voice echoed in her mind.
Amelia.
Raising trembling fingers, she pressed them to her temple in confusion. “Sebastian?”
Yes, my dear.
“Where are you?”
Just beyond the trees.
Unnerved by the sensation of having his voice echoing within her mind, Amelia nevertheless swiftly concentrated upon the urgency of the situation.
“You must come. Nefri is in danger.”
I know. I need you to come to me, Amelia. Try to move slowly and do not attract the attention of Valkier.
“But . . .”
Amelia, please. This is very important.
She attempted to swallow past the thick lump in her throat. “Very well.”
Remember, be very careful.
“I will.”
Pausing long enough to ensure that William remained sleeping peacefully upon the leather seat, Amelia gritted her teeth and began to inch her way through the door of the carriage. Her skirts briefly threatened to tangle between her legs, but she swiftly tugged them above her knees and poked the hem through the ribbon that tied beneath her bodice. This was no time for modesty.
Step by excruciatingly slow step, she reached the ground and began to slide along the length of the carriage. Her gaze never strayed from the cold, forbidding countenance of Valkier, but it was obvious that Nefri consumed him.
Still, she preferred to err upon the side of caution; ignoring the quivering muscles of her legs, she continued her crab-like steps until she was well away from the vampires. Only then did she breathe in deeply and allow herself to sense where Sebastian awaited.
He was closer than she had expected, and not alone. With a frown of concern, she ducked low and dodged her way through the edge of the trees. Had Drake followed Sebastian? Did he even now hold him hostage? Was that why he had called to her?
Her pace hastened until she at last forced her way through a deep thicket and stumbled forward to find Sebastian impatiently awaiting her.
“Amelia.”
With satisfying swiftness, she found herself swept into a fierce embrace as Sebastian pressed a kiss to her lips and only reluctantly pulled back to study her.
“Sebastian.” Her hands gripped the lapels of his coat, as much to keep her upright as to keep him close. “What has happened? Did you capture Drake?”
He gave a pained grimace. “No. He was destroyed before I could reach him.”
“Destroyed?” Her eyes widened. “How?”
“Valkier. He must have been awaiting him the moment he left the cottage. I tried to follow the trail of the slayer, but it was impossible.”
She shuddered at the thought of the dreadful vampire who even now threatened Nefri. “Oh, Sebastian, he is near the carriage. He is determined to harm Nefri.”
“Yes. We must stop him.” He managed a faint smile as he gave her shoulders a reassuring squeeze. “Thankfully, Nefri seemingly suspected the truth about Valkier and was wise enough to take steps in case he attacked.”
Amelia frowned. “What steps?”
Moving to one side, Sebastian waved a slender hand toward the silent forms that stood in the shadows. Just for a moment, Amelia remained puzzled. There were two gentlemen, one tall with an arrogant beauty about him, and the other a golden-haired rogue with a smile that could melt the most impervious female heart. There were also two women, both outrageously lovely, a
lthough one possessed a cold, Nordic fairness and the other was blessed with a serene charm with raven curls and deep blue eyes.
It was not until she noted the matching golden amulets that hung about the women’s necks that realization struck. These were Sebastian’s brothers and the maidens they had been sent to protect.
“Amelia, may I introduce you to Gideon and his wife Simone? And Lucien, who has recently wed Jocelyn.”
There was a muted greeting before Amelia returned her attention to the vampire at her side.
“What is occurring?”
“Nefri summoned Gideon and Lucien to bring their brides to the cottage,” he explained.
“But why? Are we to battle Valkier?”
“Only in a manner of speaking.” Sebastian held her gaze steadily, his expression somber. “I must have your amulet, Amelia.”
She blinked in surprise at his request. “Why?”
The tall, rather arrogant vampire stepped forward. “The Medallion must be made whole again. It is the only means of stopping Valkier.”
“Oh.” Amelia searched Sebastian’s face for the answers to her lingering questions.
He offered a reassuring glance. “The Medallions are a pair, each with their own powers and each able to hold the other in balance. We must return your Medallion to Nefri if we are to save her.”
Amelia was still uncertain what powers he spoke of, but she did not hesitate to tug the necklace over her head. She would do anything she could to halt the horrid Valkier.
With absolute trust, she placed the amulet in Sebastian’s hand, rather surprised when Simone and Jocelyn appeared at her side to add their own amulets.
For a moment there was nothing but the odd glow that was always a part of the amulets. But even as she wondered what was supposed to occur, the glow brightened, limning Sebastian’s body in a blazing light. Amelia narrowed her gaze against the abrupt flash of light, stepping back instinctively.
“Sebastian,” she cried softly, terrified that he was being injured.
Thankfully, the light vanished as swiftly as it had burst to life. She met Sebastian’s reassuring glance.
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