Karolina Dalca, Dark Eyes

by M. R. Noble

  The rest of the lineup laughed along with them.

  “Careful, you never know when you’ll show up on my retrieval list,” Andre said.

  The vampires in the line hushed, the chance of a fight holding their attention.

  They were all a part of the vampire underground. Andre wasn’t Loukin’s top man at all.

  I had the urge to bite a chunk out of Andre’s hand. I would have, if I wasn’t a tad impressed he’d tracked down the real Karolina Dalca. The pursuit of my identity looked to be some sort of bounty-hunting derby. The question was what was the prize? Andre was clear that my retrieval was his object. It’d been obvious he acted for his own self-interest, but he’d swindled his way into getting me to comply. It was an ingenious half-truth, mixed with lies. But I wasn’t going to lose my chance to meet Loukin now.

  I called forth my fire. My skin prickled with heat and grew to a low flame. Andre jumped back, his burn being nothing compared to the humiliation I felt for falling for his lines at the restaurant. As quickly as the fire was produced, it dispersed. I stepped toward the man in uniform, into a patch of light. “I am Karolina Dalca,” I said, “and I demand to see my uncle, Loukin Nabokov.”

  A fury of whispers rose like a storm throughout the hall.

  “Very well,” the man in uniform said. “We shall see who is correct. You six follow me.”

  Andre walked in front, creating more distance between myself and the other two agents. Roman covered my back. We passed by those who remained in the lineup. The ire in the other vampire agents’ expressions made it clear this was a competition no one wanted to lose.

  We passed through a set of doors onto a sunken floor. An intense prickle of magic draped over my skin. The room was a hexagon with vaulted ceilings. Multiple gold doors between hanging tapestries made it feel like the center of a maze.

  A row of women who stood before a rich wooden desk turned their heads at our entrance. The men in the room hovered at the sides of the desk. It was untouched by the light of the chandeliers, but the noise of fingertips tapping the wood lifted my gaze to realize a person was there.

  A candelabra flickered to life on the desk, lighting up a man’s pale skin and striking dark features. Features similar to mine. He leaned his head against a green leather chair. His gaze fixed on me, lingered on my face, and trailed to my necklace.

  He rose from his desk and paced around the women to stand before us. With a wave of his hand he urged the others away from me. Roman and Andre left my sides. He paused a moment for another appraisal of me, and then breathed in the faintest of breaths. Within his slight moment of stillness, his body spewed into a ball of flames. The liquid fire pummeled toward me in a torrent of flame.

  In the millisecond I had to react—I froze. The heat blistered onto me as the massive ball of flames rose before my face.

  Chapter Sixteen

  The Truth

  My eyes stayed open. The surge of flames activated parts of me my stunned brain couldn’t. My own magic balled forth without being called. Before now, I would have said it wasn’t possible. Just as the flames licked at my skin, a fiery mass blew out from my chest.

  The force of fire on fire combusted the surrounding air, sending out a broiling shock wave. Everyone dove backward. Furniture flew into the air and crashed onto its sides. The heat wave dissipated, and my hair fell to my shoulders. Light smoke wafted across the room. The smoldering remains of the chandelier above fell to the ground with a clatter. I called up my fire for another attack.

  “Da!” the man cried. “Da!” He spread his arms upward and laughed.

  I let my flames die.

  “My niece, at last I’ve found you. Clear the room!”

  Everyone jumped to action, climbing over the flipped furniture and heading toward the doors. A few men and women had torn clothing, but most were untouched.

  “Stay,” I said to Roman and Andre. I wanted to tell them this wasn’t the welcome I had hoped for.

  “My dear, my name is Loukin Nabokov, and I am pleased to meet you.” He took my hand, placing a light kiss on it.

  “I’m Karolina Dalca. Ana Dalca’s daughter.”

  “Ah yes, Ana,” Loukin said. “She was here to visit my brother often.”

  Andre straightened like he was giving a military report. “Ana Dacla gave birth to Karolina nine months after Aleksandr fled to Romania after the assassination attempt. I have confirmation, verbal and written reports, indicating Aleksandr fled to the Albesuc house in Romania and died there from his wounds in the night. After Karolina was born, her mother fled to Canada. I have proof Karolina is Ana Dalca’s child with both of their birth certific—”

  “That will not be necessary, Mr. Zima.” Loukin held a hand in Andre’s face. “I can tell she is my niece by just looking at her. You will henceforth cease all contact with Miss Dalca.”

  “No,” I said.

  “Not to worry, my dear,” Loukin said. “We have plenty of others to assign as your personal guards.”

  “My apologies,” I said, “but they will not be a vampire I trust. With all due respect, Andre found me, not the others. He risked his life to save mine and managed to get me here alive, despite multiple attempts on my life. He’s proven himself to me.” I didn’t tell him I had plans to confront Andre about his lies after he and I were done speaking.

  “We’ve bonded,” Andre said.

  Loukin snapped his head to me. “Is this true?”

  “I needed blood, and I don’t drink from humans. I was injured by a spel—.”

  Loukin held up another hand. “Please, don’t continue.” He looked like he had something distasteful in his mouth. “We have willing humans here for feeding, so perhaps this will change your taste.” He turned to Andre and Roman. “As you can imagine, gentlemen, I would enjoy a moment alone with my niece. Perhaps Mr. Zima can show you around, Mr…”

  “Lupei,” Roman said and held his chin up.

  “Ah, A wolf. How lovely. It’s been a while since we had your kind here. Zima!” His gaze fixated on Andre. “Please show our guest around. Perhaps the dining hall, billiards, and gentleman’s room would be of interest. You will, of course, arrange the finest of rooms for our guests. The Princess Quarters would be fitting for Miss Dalca.” His face warmed. “It’s where your mother stayed when she visited.”

  Andre nodded. “Yes, Tzar.” He turned and signaled Roman toward the door.

  “Oh, and congratulations, Mr. Zima,” Loukin said. “It seems you’ve made yourself indispensable.”

  “No,” Andre said. “It’s was all the years you commanded me to track down and kill our own which did that.”

  Roman and Andre left, with Andre slamming the door behind him. A heavy thud echoed against the floor as the wood shook in its frame.

  Loukin turned to me. “Well, shall we?” He led me to his desk and gestured to a chair. He flicked his hand and more candles were given flame. The darkness which cloaked the area dispersed and detailed tapestry of portraits enlivened behind him. Of the men which were resurrected on the cloth, the one on the left held my attention.

  “Tea?” Loukin asked and shifted an ornate tray beside a gold samovar. “It’s still warm.”

  My gaze was still hooked on the portrait. I slipped out of my chair and rounded the desk. His face was younger, but the chill creeping over me confirmed it was him. It was the man from my nightmare on the boat.

  Loukin stepped beside me. “It’s our family tree: your father Aleksandr, myself, and our younger brother Kazimir. I knew you were Aleksandr’s daughter from your eyes.”

  The man who tried to kill me was my other uncle. My fingertips turned cold. I stuffed my hands into my pockets. The center photo was of Loukin. To the right…Loukin was correct…my father and I shared the same eyes. I traced the lines of my father’s face on the tapestry, my mind absorbing every detail from the shape of his nose to the texture of the fabric.

  “Aleksandr inherited his eyes from our mother. I see her now when I look at yo
u. She loved her firstborn the most. It was only fitting he would share her likeness.” He grinned, but the lines of his eyes didn’t crinkle. “Your father was a valiant leader, of course. Everyone loved him, the people, our mother…Ana. They loved him for his love. Ironic, I know. You see, your father believed humans, vampires, the whole supernatural community really, could achieve peace. The Grand Hotel was a meeting ground in your father’s time—still is. I try to keep it this way.”

  Warmth stirred in me at the mention of my parents together. “You said my mother was here often? Was it how they met? Were they in love?”

  “Oh, very much so.”

  I always knew there was more to the story. How can you fall in love with a man in one day, Mama? What do you mean that was it? So, you were seduced by some bloody rages and a half-dead man?

  Loukin’s voice rang out like bells, and I would never have guessed he had such a warm laugh. “Ah! There is Ana. You have your mother’s smile.”

  “Did she live here with him?”

  “Your father liked to keep his private life closed to the public, for fear of an enemy lashing out at those he loved. He liked others to believe he had many lovers. Women would come and go and stay in the Queen Suite. I don’t know how they met, but I first noticed Ana in the rose garden. She had the look of a teenager in love. It was only after I met her, I noticed Aleksandr had the same look. Ana was always here after, and no one stayed in the Princess Suite but her. Later, Russian politics got more complicated and Ana left.” He turned to his desk. “Your father’s assassination shortly followed.”

  I resumed sitting in my chair. “Andre called you Tzar. It’s my understanding you’re the Second in Command of the vampire underground?”

  “Your father was once Tzar, but after his assassination I was next in line for the throne. However, our younger brother unlawfully assumed control as Tzar, First in Command. Now Russian vampires are divided. Those loyal to me, the true Tzar, stay in the south. Kazimir’s men remain in the north. We’ve been warring amongst ourselves ever since.”

  “You fight for your position back?”

  “I try to keep the peace! Kazimir believes the human governments are to be dominated, while your father and I advocated for harmony. We are not so different, except for our moods, strength, and fangs. We need each other.” He crossed his hands on his desk and the aristocratic air about him took hold.

  “Is this why you’ve been looking for me?”

  “Yes, my dear. You’re Alek’s only heir, and we couldn’t risk losing you in this war.”

  “Did Kazimir kill my father?”

  “Yes.”

  “Is he trying to kill me?”

  “Yes, but we’ve found you, and on my word, no harm will come to you under my roof.”

  It was the truth which Mama died protecting me from. Dad was Russian royalty of a vampire organized crime ring. Uneasiness rolled in my stomach. “Is the hotel warded?”

  “Surely you felt them?” he asked. “The hotel and all of its grounds are yours to roam.”

  “That’s a lot of ground to cover.”

  “It’s your mother’s family which is most famous for their wards. The Albesuc house is said to be impenetrable.”

  “I have something to tell you,” I said. “Mama was killed when my house was attacked by Shadow Forged.”

  Loukin’s face turned into a stone mask. “So, the worst is true. When I noted you were alone, I hoped she’d stayed in Romania.” He got up and paced to a painting. “I’m sorry, Karolina. I wanted to hear more about your Great Aunt’s skillful wards. And to tell you about the heirloom you wear around your neck. But I’m afraid I need some time. Please make yourself at home.” He gestured to the door.

  I knew all too well the pain he might be feeling. My heart bore down heavy in my chest. I outstretched my hand to his arm to comfort him.

  He tensed at my approach.

  I backed away. Relationships with my last remaining family were priceless, and I didn’t want to smother mine with Loukin. I turned to the door, when a thought flashed across my mind. I had the opportunity to extend a kindness to him. I slung my pack off my shoulder and rustled around inside until my hand clasped the book. I lifted it out and undid the security string.

  “Here. It’s the Albesuc book of the Light Charm.” I held it out. “To answer some of your questions about the wards. I just want you to know how grateful I am for your support.”

  “Thank you.” Loukin took the book. “How kindhearted of you.”

  “No problem.” I threw my pack back over my shoulder and turned before I witnessed any more of Loukin’s private moments, but when I opened the door, I paused. “Loukin.”

  He kept his back to me as he clutched the book. “Yes, dear?”

  “In sociology class, they say it’s natural for all children to feel like their parents love the other more, but it’s impossible. They always love their children equally. Just thought it was worth mentioning.”

  “You sound just like my mother. Thank you, Karolina, we’ll chat again soon.”

  “See you,” I said and stepped through the door.

  I walked back down the cavernous hall. The warmth I had gained from my chat with Loukin faded when I reviewed what I’d learned about the man who’d killed both my parents. The wide slits of light had traveled across the floor and up the walls. It was midafternoon, and Roman and Andre were probably at each others’ throats by now.

  A woman’s screams rang through the hall.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Unexpected Friends

  I raced down the hall. A woman’s voice cried out in Russian. Splashes of blonde hair flew out from behind the wooden door. She fell backward onto the floor. The woman I had mistaken for Bronwyn kicked out at a meaty set of hands. Her body slid from view, and a gold button bounced across the ground in front of the door.

  I rounded the doorway and saw a mouth open wide near the woman’s throat—fangs about to pierce her flesh. Reacting on instinct, I slammed the door into the vampire’s face. He stumbled from the blow, covering his face with his hands and letting go of the woman. She fell to the ground and scrambled behind me.

  I recognized his lumpy bald head. It was the bouncer who had previously let us into the hall. It was no wonder a six-inch-thick door to the face barely nudged him. His meaty form blurred toward me. My body lit up with a low glow of flames.

  He stopped dead. “Whoa, whoa. I don’t want any trouble here.”

  “Really?” I panted. “Because it looked like you did.”

  “Ina and I have a little game going. She says I can’t feed on her, but she doesn’t mean it.”

  “Sounded like she meant it this time.”

  “Sure. Whatever you say.”

  “Okay.” It was too easy. He turned to walk away. “Oh, Lumpy,” I said. “What are you forgetting to say?” I tilted my head to the woman.

  He stared blankly at me.

  “Really?”

  “Oh! I’m sorry. I’m sorry, Ina.”

  She rustled around behind me and muttered in Russian. Lumpy took it as his signal to leave and hustled out. I turned back to the woman and looked up. The woman’s eyes shared the same shade of blue as the Dyad Bronwyn, but her features were much fuller. She smoothed out the wrinkles of her skirt and dusted off her knees.

  “Thank you.” She took a small tube from her pocket. Bending down to pick up the button, she squeezed the tube and super-glued the button back into place. Then, as a finale to what seemed like a regular routine, she straightened a little nametag on her bust which read Ina.

  “No problem,” I said. “That happen a lot?”

  “It’s nothing a swift knee to the groin can’t fix, but thank you for your heroism.”

  This is what my crewmembers would have called resilience. I took another look at the woman. She wasn’t a vampire, or she would’ve been able to hold her own. Yet after her tango with the bouncer, she was calm. She could be a mix of species. Summoning up my senses, I sni
ffed the air.

  “You’re human,” I said.

  She thrust her hand out to me. “And you must be Aleksandr’s heiress.”

  I shook her hand. “Yeah. How’d you know?”

  “Same way, Lumpy, as you call him, did. Your fire. Only the Royal Family wields the Fire Charm around here.” She gestured to the door. “Shall we? I’m here to show you around.”

  I followed her through the doors and felt the light tickle of the hall wards again. It didn’t quite compare to the ones around Loukin’s office.

  “This way,” Ina said and climbed the stairs.

  “You said the Royal Family. Do you just mean Loukin or others too?”

  She led me through a set of arched doors at the top of the stairs and we wound through the crowded halls. “Yes, and his two sons, Alexi and Leonid. Your father had it too.” She nodded to a woman across the room as we turned another corner.

  “And Kazimir?”

  “No. It was ironic really. He inherited the Water Charm.” She laughed. “Some thought he would become a priest.”

  “Sounds like they were wrong.”

  Ina shoved me onto a barstool. “Not here,” she whispered and sat down. “I need a moment.” She greeted the bartender and ordered in Russian. Her fingers ran across the bar absentmindedly as she spoke, but her gaze had locked onto a man in the reflection of the mirror behind the bar.

  The Bandhgala he wore rustled as he walked to a woman sitting at a table for two. Rings of huge emeralds shone in the light as he placed his drink down on the table beside her. They chatted for a moment and then he left, but the napkin which surrounded his glass remained. There were words scribbled across the surface of the napkin, barely there to the naked eye.

  My eyes strained as I read the writing, and my vampire senses were summoned too late. The woman’s delicate hand casually covered the napkin, and a moment later she slipped it into her purse. The thick layers of gold jewelry around her neck tinkled as she glanced around the room. She straightened her woven vest, which could have been made for a Kayanin queen.