The Taste of Magic (36 page)

"You lied to me. I asked you if this was the truth and you lied. How could you?"

"I had to. Your father didn't want me to tell you. And I needed you to help me. So I could…" Olga stopped and buried her face in her hands.

"So you could what?" Katerina grabbed her mother's arms, and prevented her from hiding anymore. "Tell me!"

"So I could turn him back!"

Stunned by her mother's response, Katerina released her. "What do you mean?"

Olga sighed. Her soft voice was filled with weariness. "There is a spell, used to destroy a vampire, but if it is done properly, anyone he has turned will revert back to their true age."

"And you…needed me to perform this spell."

Olga nodded. "A woman with blood ties to the victim must perform the spell. Only you could have done it."

Katerina whirled to face Malinay. "So all along, you were planning to teach me to kill Adrian. Even after you knew I loved him."

"That didn't matter, he had to be destroyed in order for your father to be restored."

"What about Machiavelli? I heard you say my mother freed him. What's that about?"

"It was to take du Lac's attention from you, so hopefully you would end your relationship. You would see him for what he is, a monster who needs to be killed." Olga reached out, but Katerina shook her head and backed away.

"Get out, both of you, before I call Adrian and let him deal with you."

"Katerina, no," Olga begged.

Stefan grabbed Olga's arm. "Come. We cannot do this now."

Katerina turned to face her father once more, ignoring her mother's tears and pleas to be allowed to stay. When the door closed, she released the breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. That had been harder than she would have thought, given the depth of her anger. But she'd had no choice. Her mother had lied to her from the start, planning to use her to hurt the man, the vampire, she loved. In spite of everything, she couldn't deny she still loved Adrian. Needed him. If not for her mother…

Dimitri's voice cut into her thoughts. "Your mother is not at fault here. I warned her not to trust Malinay and his lies."

"She lied too."

"Not just your mother, all of us."

Katerina shook her head. "She's twisted up in her thoughts of revenge, and bringing you back."

"I don't want to go back. And she denies it, doesn't understand I don't want to be restored."

For the first time, she let her gaze wander over him. He hadn't changed since she'd left. Not at all. He was still young and hearty and despite the pale color of his skin, he was healthy looking. There were no lines near his eyes like Olga had, no gray streaked his black hair and thick mustache. She placed her hand on his cool cheek, realizing for the first time what she hadn't allowed herself to consider before, what had been deliberately kept from her.

Her father was a vampire, turned by Adrian, bound to him as a servant for eternity. Her throat tightened, as she had sudden recollection of all of the signs, signs she'd deliberately ignored. Refused to see what was right in front of her. As if denying its possibility made it impossible. Her mother's denial had enabled her own.

She could make some sense out of all of the recent events now, though more questions arose with each passing second. One in particular. "When did he attack you? Was it before you sent me away, or after I was already gone?"

Dimitri shook his head, caressing her cheek. His calloused hand was rough and cool, but the touch warmed her, comforted her. "He did not attack me, Katerina. I chose this, I asked him to give it to me."

"Don't cover up for him. He knew all along you were…his, and he never told me. He never told me no matter what I did, I could never free you." She choked back a sob, and Dimitri gathered her close.

She cried for a long time, her fingers clenched in his shirt, and he held her, like he had long ago when she was a child. And all the years apart suddenly melted away, and she felt safe for the first time in a long time. She sniffled and raised her head, wiping at her eyes.

"Katerina, I did not want you to know because I thought you would be ashamed I would want this life."

"Papa, weren't you afraid you would die?"

He nodded, his eyes shining suspiciously. "Yes, I was. But I was willing to take that chance."

Her strength once more swelling, she stepped free of her father's embrace. "And how did he convince you to want this existence?"

Dimitri smiled. "He didn't, sweetheart. It truly was my choice. The night he almost died, I had been following him. I sought him out. And it was a good thing I did."

At the moment, Katerina wasn't sure she agreed with her father. But that was not her focus now. While she still had to deal with Adrian directly, there were other more immediate concerns.

"Why didn't you just tell me all those years ago?"

Dimitri's voice was grave as he took Katerina's hand. "It wasn't easy for us, but you were still too young to know the truth. It was best you were away from here, you were safe. From du Lac. From me. The first few years, they weren't easy for your mother. And she hated what I had to do to survive. She still does."

He looked away, and she saw in his pained expression how much he had lost when he made his choice. She wanted to ask if he regretted it, but couldn't voice it. So she focused on her mother.

"Then why has she stayed?"

Dimitri smiled. "Because in her own way, she loves me. As I still love her. I wanted her to come across with me. She refused."

Katerina squeezed her father's hand. "Are you sure this was truly your choice?"

Dimitri nodded. "I give you my word. Adrian cares deeply for you. Perhaps it is as Vining said, that he loves you."

"All he does is lie. And now I'm his wife, and I'm going to have his baby. How can I be sure he won't…?" She couldn't bring herself to complete the thought.

"I know him well. He is ruthless, he is greedy and power hungry. But I think you have touched him as no one else ever has. And because of that, you will always be safe from him. I trust he will not harm you. If I thought otherwise…"

Katerina smiled. "Thank you. But I have a lot to work out. All the lies, the secrets, the need for control. He should have told me everything. You should have."

Dimitri sighed. "You are right. We all should have been honest with you. Your mother knew what your destiny could be, and I allowed her to take charge. Look where it's gotten all of us. From now on, your destiny is in your hands. I will make sure of it."

* * *

Adrian paced anxiously before the hearth. He had left Kat for what seemed an eternity, but couldn't have been more than thirty minutes. A presence materialized beside him. Vining.

"What's going on? How is Kat?"

"She'll be fine. Malinay showed up…" "Malinay! I must go to her. He'll…"

Vining grabbed his arm. "They're gone. She's alone with her father. I let a few details slip about Malinay's murder of Arthur Jenkins. She knows what he is." A smile curled Adrian's mouth. "Good. Whatever I do to him won't make her hate me more." The ache caused by those words was unfamiliar and definitely unwanted.

"She doesn't hate you, du Lac. Quite the contrary."

"I turned her father. It's the one thing she'll never forgive." He knew she would blame him for this.

"Don't be so sure." Vining's brow furrowed as he studied Adrian.

Adrian rolled his eyes. "What?"

"She's your wife. And she's in love with you. Give her time to get used to this, and I think you'll have everything you've ever wanted." Until a few short months ago, power and money were all that mattered. Now there was Kat, and nothing seemed to matter without her. His ultimate plans would certainly bring him comfort and ease, but he doubted he could ever truly enjoy that life without her. Vining was right. Whatever this was, love or something else, he would do anything to keep her beside him.

He turned to Vining for his assistance, but to his dismay, the other vampire had already left. Wailing from the corridor drew his attention. He reached the top of the stairs in time to see Stefan dragging a hysterically sobbing Olga behind him. Before he could stop them, the wizard uttered a few words, and they both disappeared.

Slamming his fist against his open palm, he stopped short to see Joshua approaching. Empty-handed.

"What the hell happened to Sophie?" Adrian asked, not bothering to hide his snarl. The aching hunger that had started at Machiavelli's arrival was rapidly getting stronger.

"She's gone."

Adrian clenched his fists. "You fool, you let her…"

"They were going to kill her. I made sure they didn't."

"What the hell did you do?" Adrian grabbed Joshua's shirt. His hunger grew. The hunter pried him loose. Adrian shoved him toward the stairs.

"I gave your men a distraction."

As they reached the last step, Adrian grabbed the hunter's arm. "Damn you, Joshua…"

Joshua wrenched free. "Where's Katerina?"

Adrian curled his lip. "She is upstairs. Resting."

Joshua's eyes narrowed. "Why is she resting?"

The hunger gnawed at him, he needed something to ease it. He eyed Joshua critically, then glanced at the stairs. Had his opportunity just presented itself? Turning the hunter would be just the way to turn this night around. He reached out and sensed both Kat and her father still above in her chamber. He smiled.

Adrian waved a hand toward a chair. Joshua accepted the offer, but seemed strangely uneasy, as if he discerned the direction of Adrian's thoughts. "She's had a long day. The stress of Machiavelli's attack left her feeling unwell. As it has me. Your little escapade with Sophie doesn't help matters."

"I'll do whatever it takes to keep her safe."

This was too easy, Adrian thought. "You care for her very much." Joshua nodded. "She's the most important thing to me. I'll do anything for her."

This was his chance, he needed to move now. But he didn't. He pictured Katerina's reaction if she learned he had done this, especially so soon after learning about her father. She would be angry, and any chance he had of earning her trust back would be gone. He sighed.

Joshua turned and met his gaze. He recognized the curiosity in the hunter's eyes and turned away.

"What are you up to du Lac?"

"Nothing. Trying to figure out how to fix this disaster."

Joshua stood and approached. "I have a way."

Adrian turned to face him and folded his arms. The younger man's heart raced, and the sound drove Adrian's hunger upward once more. He forced back the threatening growl and struggled to keep his voice steady.

"What is your plan?"

"Turn me."

No, he couldn't be asking that. It was all Adrian could do not to pounce on the hunter. The hunger sharpened further. He shook his head. "No, I will not risk…"

"Risk what? Turn me, I can get to Sophie. It's the only way. You need me. As a vampire."

Had the hunter read his thoughts? Adrian stared. But he wouldn't do it. Katerina was too important to risk. Taking Joshua would only drive her further away.

"Joshua, be careful. You don't know what you are asking."

"Yes I do. Come on, don't tell me this isn't exactly what you've been wanting for years. Do it."

Adrian turned away. He wouldn't, he would be strong. He had to. But the idea of sinking his fangs into the hunter's neck was exhilarating.

"Don't tell me you're afraid."

A growl escaped him as his head jerked toward the younger man. In two steps he had reached Joshua and twisted his fists into his shirt.

"You mock me."

Joshua smiled. "You make it easy."

Adrian shoved him away, feeling his teeth start to grow. "You have no idea what you're doing. You're a fool."

Joshua shrugged. "You think so? I think you're the fool. I think you're a coward, du Lac. You're so afraid of what Katerina might think, you won't even…"

Adrian once more had hold of Joshua, this time by the shoulders as he dragged his victim toward him. Unable to control his anger, he revealed his fangs. Joshua's dark eyes widened and he began to fight back. But his strength was no match for Adrian's who held him immobile with one arm. With his free hand, he tilted Joshua's head, despite the young man's now ferocious struggles. In moments, he'd sunk his teeth into the soft flesh skin of Joshua's neck, the warmth of the dark red nectar quenching his growing hunger as it poured down his throat. He fed deeply, as Joshua's resistance weakened, then stopped, his heartbeat almost at a standstill. He pulled away, and allowed the warmth of the blood renew him, fill him with energy. While the sensations and taste did not compare to Kat, it was very satisfying, and went a long way toward easing the gnawing ache of hunger. He released his hold on Joshua, and the deathly still hunter slumped into the chair. Now, the crowning touch. With one of his fingernails, he sliced open his wrist and held it over the young man's mouth. It took a few moments, but finally Joshua began to suck at the wound, drawing Adrian's vampire blood into him, unable to resist, now that he'd sampled the blood giving him life anew.