It had been a foolish thing to do. He would not heal without feeding, but his anger and his pride had overridden his thirst.
Rodin had glared at him. Though his sire hadnat spoken a word, it was obvious he knew why Drake had refused to feed, and just as obvious that he recognized the gesture for the useless act of rebellion it was.
Drake swore. How had things gone so wrong, so fast? He had badly underestimated Rodinas determination to have his own way. Considering the events of the last two days, it was difficult to believe he was his sireas favorite son, but Drake knew it to be true. The fact that he still lived was proof of it.
He groaned low in his throat as the hunger burned through him. Maybe he should have fed. The pain that wracked him was constant. He could feel his veins shrinking. His fangs ached. His blistered skin throbbed incessantly. But even worse than his physical pain was his need to see Elena, to hold her in his arms, to bury himself in her sweetness.
Closing his eyes, he summoned her image to the forefront of his mind. How had he lived so long without her? She was like the sun, bringing light into the darkness of his life. He thought of the night they had made love, the way she had given herself to him, the joy he had found in her arms. She had been afraid of what he was, yet she had come to him eagerly, giving him all she had, her love pouring over him as warm and bright as summer sunshine. He remembered the taste of her on his tongue, the way her lifeas blood had warmed him, turning away the hunger, lighting the darkness of his soul.
What was he to do without her? Where was she now? He tried to find her through the blood link they shared, but he was too weak, the pain too strong, to concentrate.
A cry erupted from his throat, torn from the very depths of his being, a mournful wail that rolled all his pain and loneliness into one long anguished howl that reverberated off the walls and echoed in every room in the Fortress.
And those who loved him heard and wept bitter tears.
Elena woke with an overpowering sense of loss. As much as she might wish otherwise, her brief marriage was over. What was worse, Drake was going to marry someone else. He might insist he didnat want to wed Katiya, but what mana"mortal or vampirea"would find such a union distasteful? The vampire was beautiful. Her skin was so clear, it almost glowed. Her hair was thick and rich, her figure perfect. Looking at her had made Elena feel as grubby and undesirable as an old worn-out shoe.
If only she could leave this place now! How long would Rodin insist on keeping her here? What ifa"horrible thoughta"he made her attend the wedding? She would rather die than watch Katiya become Drakeas bride. How was she going to face the future, knowing he was sharing his life with another woman, fathering a child with someone else? No matter how long she lived, she would never forget him.
Swinging her legs over the side of the bed, Elena sat up and stared at the wall. If Rodin sent her away, where would she go? Surely not back to her uncle. Drake had said if the time came when she no longer wanted to be his wife, he would give her Wolfram Castle and the means to support herself for the rest of her life. But he was in no position to do that now, so where did that leave her?
Rising, she went into the bathroom and washed her hands and face while she considered her options.
Whether Drake approved or not, she had little choice but to return to Wolfram Castle when and if she left here. She had nowhere else to go. Maybe she could demand that Rodin provide her with enough money to live on until she could find a job. After all, it was his fault she was now a divorced woman with no visible means of support.
She paused as she dried her hands. Did she really want to go back to the castle when Jenica was buried in the garden? What was she going to do about Jenica? Drake had promised to find her cousinas murderer, but that wasnat going to happen now. And what about her uncle? She would be helpless without Drake to protect her.
Going to the window, she pulled back the curtain and stared outside, a gasp rising in her throat. The view in daylight was spectacular. The Fortress, situated on a mountain peak, overlooked a deep green valley bisected by a narrow ribbon of blue water. Several small cottages dotted the valley floor. How sad for the men and women who were kept here to live in view of such a beautiful place and never be able to see it, never be allowed to go outside to enjoy it.
Turning away from the window, she removed her nightgown, then went to the small wardrobe beside the bed. Opening the double doors, she found a simple green cotton dress with a round neck, long sleeves, and a bell-shaped skirt hanging beside her lavender silk. There was also a pair of jeans and a short-sleeved pink sweater.
Dress or pants? Pants or dress? Deciding the jeans made her feel less vulnerable, she quickly pulled them on and slid the sweater over her head. Liliana had also thoughtfully provided a pair of white sandals. Like the jeans and sweater, they fit perfectly.
Summoning her courage, Elena unlocked the door and stepped into the corridor. A mana"a very big man with ma.s.sive shouldersa"stood beside her door. He didnat speak, didnat smile, just stood there like a statue, his gray eyes curiously empty. Was he the drone Liliana had mentioned?
Elena hesitated, then turned and started walking down the hall. Liliana had said she could roam at will. Being curious about the Fortress, she intended to do just that.
She hadnat gone far when she realized the Hulk was following her. To protect her? Or to keep her from stumbling into something she shouldnat?
No matter, she thought, she was going exploring.
The room to the right of hers was a library, larger than any she had ever seen before. Floor-to-ceiling shelves, each filled with books, lined every wall. Several sofas and comfortable-looking chairs occupied the center of the room, along with several low tables. She wandered from shelf to shelf, perusing the t.i.tles, noting that there were books in a mult.i.tude of languages. She took one from the shelf and thumbed through it. It was in a language she didnat recognize, but thought might be Russian. The pages were edged in gold leaf; the drawings that accompanied the words were breathtaking.
After carefully returning the volume to the shelf, she left the library.
There were two rooms across the hall. The first held numerous works of art. Some were framed and mounted on the walls; other canvases were on easels. Gla.s.s shelves held figurines and statues made of blown gla.s.s, pewter, onyx, and marble. Picking up a statue of an old woman carved from wood, Elena ran her hand over the smooth oak, marveling at the intricate detail even as she wondered whether the works of art had been created by the vampires.
The next door opened onto a music room. She stood there a moment, her gaze moving from the piano in the far corner to the harp, violins, cellos, flutes, triangles, and drums scattered around the room. Several music stands held pages of sheet music. Did vampires dance? And sing? And play musical instruments?
The room at the far end of the corridor was the Council chamber. There were no pleasant memories in that room and she didnat go inside.
The man continued to follow her as she went in search of the dining room, which she knew was somewhere downstairs. She didnat know if she was too early or too late, but she had the place all to herself. Going into the kitchen, she helped herself to a scone from a covered tray and washed it down with a cup of lukewarm tea. Plucking another scone from the tray, she nibbled on it as she left the dining room.
Behind the next door, she found a laundry room furnished with several washers and dryers, as well as a sink and a long counter. A quick glance, and she moved on.
Remembering that there were no windows in the lower levels, she plucked a fat candle from a wall sconce to light her way before descending the stairs to the dormitories and the day rooms. A lantern hanging from the ceiling provided faint illumination on this floor. She frowned, wondering who the light was for. The drones, perhaps?
The doors were all locked from the outside, of course, but she could hear voices coming from the rec room. She stood there a moment, listening to the muted voices of the women, the occasional laughter. She felt a brief rush of loneliness. The sheep might not be free, but they seemed happy in their captivity, while she had nothing, and no one.
The next floor down was pitch black and eerily silent. She knew immediately that this floor housed the vampires. Was Drake down here? Would she feel his presence if he was nearby? She tiptoed down the long hallway, her footsteps m.u.f.fled by the thick carpet. She paused at each door but heard nothing. Did Rodin and Liliana live down here with the others, or did they have quarters elsewhere?
At the end of the hallway, she found a narrow wooden door. When she tried to open it, the drone caught her hand. When she looked up at him, he shook his head.
aDungeon,a he said, his voice flat. aYou should not go there.a aLiliana said I could go wherever I wished.a The drone looked confused for a moment, as if no one had ever dared defy him before, and then it occurred to her that she was probably the first to do so. Surely the sheep would not disagree with any order given them. When she didnat back away, he shrugged and allowed her to pa.s.s.
Elena opened the door, and then hesitated at the top of the stairs. Did she really want to go down there alone? But then, she wasnat alone. The Hulk was right behind her. Still, it seemed the height of foolishness. Who knew what she might find down there? Visions of skeletons and dead rats flashed through her mind. Maybe the drone was right.
With a shake of her head, she was about to close the door when she heard Drakeas voice in her mind, as clearly as if he was standing beside her. She peered into the darkness at the foot of the stairs. Was Drake down there?
Chewing on her lower lip, she started down the stairs. The musty scent of rot and decay rose up to meet her. She paused midway down the staircase, one hand on the rail, listening, but all she heard was the sound of the Hulkas breathing coming from behind her.
She had come this far, she thought, might as well see it through. She moved cautiously down the remaining steps, the drone at her heels.
When she reached the bottom of the staircase, she paused. In the eerie glow of the candle, she saw that she was indeed inside a dungeon. Iron-barred cells lined both sides of the room. Did the vampires keep prisoners down here? If so, how did they survive the smell? The air was rank, the low ceiling and stark surroundings oppressive. She shuddered at the thought of humans being locked away down here for days, or perhaps weeks, at a time, where no one could hear their screams for help.
Elena moved forward, her steps sounding overly loud in the silence. She gasped as a rat scurried past her. She was about to turn back when she heard Drakeas voice in her mind again.
aDrake!a She hurried forward, her gaze darting right and left. aDrake?a She found him in the last cell.
He blinked against the light of the candle. aWhat the h.e.l.l are you doing down here?a aI was just exploring, and . . . Oh, Drake.a He looked a little better than the last time she had seen him. It was obvious that he had been given the opportunity to bathe and change his clothes, but it still broke her heart to see him locked away in this dreadful place. aHow long are they going to keep you here?a she asked, then frowned. He wasnat chained this time. aWhy donat you just . . .a She lifted her free hand and let it fall. aYou know, just leave?a aI gave Rodin my word I would do as he wished.a aAnd that includes letting him torture you? What kind of monster is he?a aI defied him,a Drake said. aFor centuries. Whatever fault there is, is mine.a She reached through the bars, needing to touch him.
aKeep away from me.a aDrake, please.a aNo, Elena. Whatever we had is over.a aIs it?a She hated the way her voice trembled. aYou said you loved me.a Why couldnat she be as cool and detached as he appeared to be?
aI do love you. I will love you as long as I live.a Unable to resist her tears, he moved toward her, one hand reaching through the bars to wipe the dampness from her cheeks. aDid he hurt you?a She didnat pretend not to know what he was talking about, just as she knew there was no point in lying. aYes, but Iam all right.a She placed her hand over his, then rubbed her cheek against his palm. aI donat want to live without you.a aYou must. I need to know you are alive and well. I have made provisions for ownership of Wolfram Castle to be transferred to you.a aBut itas your home!a aI will be staying here from now on. Rodin will see that you have everything you need.a aI donat want anything from him!a aTake it. It comes from me, not him.a His gaze moved over her face, as if to memorize every line. aI am sorry for the pain I caused you. Had I stayed out of your life, none of this would have happened. Forgive me.a aThereas nothing to forgive. You saved me from my uncle. Iave loved the time we had together.a She blinked back the tears that threatened to fall. aAnd I love you.a His hand slid down her cheek, his fingers curling around her nape, gently drawing her closer, closer. Murmuring her name, he pressed his lips to hers.
Holding the candle out to the side, she placed her free hand on his shoulder and closed her eyes. His kiss was so tender, so filled with longing, that it brought a fresh wave of tears to her eyes.
Knowing he would not be alone with her again, Drake kissed her harder, deeper, his tongue tasting the sweetness of hers while a voice in the back of his mind urged him to defy his sire, to hold fast to Elena and will the two of them back to Wolfram even though he knew it would be madness. There was no escape. If he defied Rodin again, his sire would hunt him down and destroy him, and Elena, too.
She moaned softly as his tongue tangled with hers. The sound, filled with yearning, fired his desire and he kissed her again and yet again, his rising desire igniting his hunger. His fangs extended. One sharp tip grazed her tongue. The taste of her blood roared through him. It had been days since head fed. Need rose up within him, urging him to drag her closer, to drink his fill and, in so doing, ease the dreadful agony that ebbed and flowed with every breath.
Cursing the bars that separated them, he slid his hand over her shoulder and down her arm, his fingers curling over her wrist. He could feel the rapid beat of her pulse beneath his fingertips, hear the quick tattoo of her heartbeat.
Why not take what he so desperately needed? He lifted her arm, ran his tongue over her palm to her wrist. The scent of her warm, living blood called to him, enflaming his hunger, promising an end to his pain. The beating of her heart was like sweet music to his ears. His hand tightened on her arm as his fangs teased the tender skin of her wrist.
aDrake . . . Drake! Stop!a He was breathing heavily now, the urge to feed riding him with whip and spurs.
Elena struggled in his grasp. She would willingly have given him what he needed, but he wasnat going to allow her that option. He was going to take what he wanted. For the first time since she had met him, she was in sudden fear for her life.
Muttering, aForgive me,a he bit down, his fangs piercing the tender skin on the inside of her wrist.
Exclaiming, aForgive me!a Elena jabbed the candleas flame against his neck.
With a howl, he released her and backed away, one hand slapping at the scorched cloth of his shirt collar.
aIam sorry!a she cried. aSo sorry!a aGo.a He forced the word out through clenched teeth. aGo now!a Sobbing, Elena turned on her heel and bolted up the stairs as if all the hounds of h.e.l.l were barking at her heels.
She didnat stop running until she was safely in her room, with the door locked.
Chapter 18.
aShe was here.a It was not a question.
Drake nodded. There was no point in lying. Rodin could detect Elenaas scent in the air as easily as he.
aYou promised not to try to see her.a Drake glanced at his surroundingsa"the thick iron bars, the stone floor, the corpse of the large brown rat in the next cella"before he stated the obvious. aShe came to me.a aYou expect me to believe you did not summon her? That she found you without any help?a Drake shrugged. aBelieve what you will.a Rodin lifted his head and sniffed the air. aYou drank from her.a Drakeas hands curled around the bars, his knuckles going white as he tightened his grip. aI tried.a Rodin grunted softly as he caught the faint odor of burnt cloth. aAre you ready to feed?a Drake nodded. He was certain Elena would never return to the dungeon, but if she did, he needed to be in control of his hunger.
aI will send one of the sheep to you,a Rodin said, approval in his voice. aIs there anyone in particular you would care for?a a No.a aI have arranged for a meeting between you and Katiya for tomorrow night.a Drake took a deep breath. Then, knowing it was useless, he asked, aIs there nothing I can say or do to change your mind about this?a aYou are my eldest son. You should have taken your rightful place at the head of the Council centuries ago.a aLet Olaf take my place as head of the Council. He has made no secret of the fact he wants it. I do not.a Rodin uttered a short, pithy curse. aI thought we had come to terms on this!a aYes, your terms!a aDid I not agree to your stipulations regarding the woman?a Drake snorted. aMy stipulations? Keeping her safe is nothing more than she deserves. I brought her here as a guest. I expected you to treat her as such.a aBe careful your weakness does not become your undoing.a Drake shook his head. aBe careful your arrogance does not become yours.a aWe are much alike,a Rodin remarked as he turned to leave. aPerhaps too much.a He paused, speaking over his shoulder. aVery well,a he said curtly. aI will appoint Olaf as head of the Council until you come to your senses.a Drake stared after his sire. Rodin had changed in the years since Drake had last seen him, but then, change was inevitable, even for vampires.
It was near midnight when the drone known as Number Ten entered the dungeon, with one of the sheep in tow. Drake regarded the girl impa.s.sively as the drone unlocked the door.
aHer name is Sophie,a the drone said, and thrust her into the cell.
She was tall and slender, with long brown hair and timid gray eyes. He guessed her to be no more than fifteen or sixteen. Had he ever been that young? At the moment, he felt every one of his five hundred years.
He grunted softly as her clean feminine scent filled his nostrils. It was forbidden for vampires who were old enough to reproduce to mate with the sheep. It would be doubly forbidden for him, he mused glumly. He was to save his seed for Katiya in hopes she would conceive and bear a son.
But it wasnat Sophieas body he wanted, tempting as that might be. It was the blood he could hear whispering through her veins.
She took an involuntary step backward when he moved toward her.
Drake stopped, his eyes narrowing. aIs this your first time?a She nodded, her gaze darting around the room, looking everywhere but at him. He couldnat blame her for that. With his scorched flesh and gaunt cheeks, he must look like he had walked out of a nightmare.
aI am sorry the surroundings are not more pleasant,a he muttered with a wry grin.
She said nothing, only stared at him, like a fawn confronted by a wolf.
aI will not hurt you,a he said, and hoped it was true. She flinched when he reached for her hand. Swallowing his anger and his humiliation, he drew her down on the pallet. He could smell the terror on her skin, hear it in the rapid beating of her heart. Taking a deep breath, he murmured, aRelax, child,a as he wrapped her in his arms.
It took all his willpower to control himself. Her blood called to him. His body urged him to take her quickly, to drink and drink and put an end to the incessant pain that wracked him.
She trembled in his arms, her fear increasing his instinct to hunt, to take it all. She cried out when she looked into his face and he knew his eyes had gone red.
aDo not fight me!a he warned, his voice harsh. aI will not be responsible for what happens if you do.a Eyes tightly shut, she went rigid in his embrace.
Hating himself for what he was about to do, hating Rodin for sending him a woman young and untouched, he lowered his head to her neck and took what he needed so badly, craved so desperately.
Relief was immediate, quickly soothing the pain that burned through him, easing a long and terrible thirst.
He growled when the drone entered the cell, hissed when the girl was wrested from his arms. And then, with a cry, he slammed his fist against the stone floor, despising himself for what he had almost done; indebted, in spite of himself, to Rodin for sending the drone to take the girl away before he drained her dry.
Rodin entered the dungeon two hours later.
Drake regarded his sire through narrowed eyes. Clad in a long wine-colored dressing gown with a high, black velvet collar, the Master Vampire looked like royalty. Which he was, as far as the vampire community was concerned.
Rodin leaned one shoulder against the cell door. aI trust the woman was to your liking?a Drake shrugged. aThey are all the same, as you well know.a aShe satisfied your need?a aWhy did you send that particular female to me?a aShe was young and untouched, exactly what you needed for a quick recovery. Judging from your improved appearance, I would say she was just right.a aI almost killed her.a Rodin made a dismissive gesture with his hand. aIt happens now and then.a aBut you made sure it wouldnat happen tonight.a aOne of your brothers fancies her,a Rodin said with a shrug. aI promised him he could have her when you were through.a Striving for calm, Drake took a deep breath. The indifferent att.i.tude of his sire and his brothers toward the sheep was one of the reasons he had left the Fortress. He was a vampire, but he had fought against becoming what they were. In some ways, he thought it would be kinder if they killed those they fed upon. He couldnat help thinking that death would be preferable to captivity, knew that he would rather be dead than live the kind of life the sheep led, never knowing freedom, never seeing the outside world, forced to surrender their will to that of their captors. Occasionally, if one of the vampires took a liking to a particular man or woman, they claimed them for their own, a private stash, as it were.
Years ago, one of the human males had led a rebellion against the vampires. It had not ended well for the human population. Many of them had perished here, in the dungeon.
aYou are to meet with Katiya tomorrow night,a Rodin said. aIt will give the two of you a chance to get acquainted. Your mother has requested that we hold a reception in two weeks to honor your betrothal. You will dress appropriately and you will dance every dance with Katiya. When the evening is over, you will escort her to her chambers.a aAm I ever to have any freedom again?a aThat depends on you. You will feed again tomorrow night, and every night until you are wed.a aSend me someone with experience.a Rodin nodded. aAs you wish.a He turned to leave, then paused. aDo not shame me in front of Katiyaas parents,a he warned, then vanished from sight.
Drake grasped the bars in his hands. Katiyaas father, Cezar, was a Master Vampire in his own land. Rodin and Cezar had been allies for centuries. In the past, they had joined forces to fight off legions of human hunters bearing torches and swords and stakes.
But it wasnat the past that concerned Drake now. It was Elena. For the first time in days, he could sense her whereabouts, knew she was in one of the guest chambers upstairs, sleeping.
And dreaming of him.
Drake smiled faintly. He had promised Rodin he wouldnat try to see Elena, but he hadnat promised not to visit her in her dreams.
Elena stirred restlessly, tormented by dreams of Vardin holding her down, forcibly taking her blood, his eyes a h.e.l.lish red. And then, abruptly, her dream changed and it was Drake holding her, his voice softly whispering her name, his hands gentle as they lightly stroked her hair, the curve of her cheek. She sighed as he kissed her. Was this also a dream? It felt so real.
aDrake?a aYes, love?a aAm I dreaming?a aYes. And no.a He kissed her again, kissed her with such aching sweetness it brought tears to her eyes.
His hands caressed her out of her nightgown and then he was lying beside her, molding her body to his, arousing her with strong, masterful hands. She reveled in his touch, her own hands moving over him, reacquainting herself with the width of his shoulders, the swell of his biceps, the taste of his skin on her tongue, the thick silk of his hair.
When he rose over her, his eyes glowing with need, she opened to him gladly. If she lived to be a hundred, there would never be anyone else for her. Only Drake, always and forever, whether they were together or apart.
aI love you,a she murmured.
aAnd I love you,a he replied. aWhether you are near or far, you will always be the other half of my soul, the wife of my heart.a He caught her close, their bodies melding, moving together, her heat warming him, his kisses arousing her, until she writhed beneath him, reaching, reaching, for that one perfect moment in time when two became one.
She sobbed with pleasure as he moved deep within her, caught up in the wonder and the magic that sparked between them, bound by the pa.s.sion between them, bound by the night.
Breathless, she clung to him as pleasure exploded deep within her, cried his name when she felt him withdrawing.
aI love you,a he murmured, his voice fading. aI will always love you.a She woke naked and alone in her bed, her cheeks damp with tears.
The woman the drone brought him the next night was in her late twenties. There was no fear in her eyes when Drake took her in his arms, only a kind of weary resignation that twisted like a knife in his gut, flaying him with guilt and regret for what he was, for the need that would not be denied.
He bent her back over his arm, his hand sweeping her hair to the side as he lowered his head to her neck. He took what he wanted with uncharacteristic roughness, and sent her away.
When she was gone, he wrapped his hands around the bars and rested his forehead against the cold steel, grateful that Elena would soon be gone from this place, a place that he hated with every fiber of his being.