The Taste of Magic (11 page)

Katerina gasped. Staked? Then he'd be… "No! How? What happened? You said he's all right. How?"

"It was in the back, in his shoulder, and his heart wasn't…or he'd already be…but, he's still hurt."

Katerina grabbed her purse and slammed the door behind her. She felt like her own heart was rising up to choke her, her stomach clenched with nausea. "Where is he?"

"At his castle. Dr. Vining is with him, but he was calling for you." Sophie ran after her and jumped into the car before Katerina could protest. In moments, she sped toward the castle. Keeping her eyes on the road, and her voice steady, she asked, "What were you doing there?" "We were trailing Machiavelli. By the time we realized where he'd gone, they were already facing off. When du Lac was hurt, Joshua went after Machiavelli, but he got away."

Katerina didn't voice the next question, since she already knew the answer. Joshua had not destroyed Adrian. "And what did you do?"

"I…I helped du Lac and waited until Vining got there. Then I came for you."

"Who's Vining?" Katerina pushed the gas pedal further, silently cursing the vehicle for not responding quickly enough.

"He's a vampire, too. Sort of a, if you can believe that. He and du Lac go back a long way."

Katerina shot a glance at the other woman. "You know an awful lot about Adrian."

"I was raised to be a hunter, Ms. Romanov. I know everything there is to know about du Lac."

Everything? Katerina wondered. "Then why didn't you kill him when you had the chance?"

As she pulled up in front of the castle, she didn't even bother to listen to Sophie's whispered reply. Katerina ran inside, her legs like rubber. Barely aware Sophie still trailed her, she took the stairs two and a time and burst into Adrian's bedchamber.

He was in the large bed, a man beside him checking his…pulse? Did he have one? This must be Vining. She was aware of Joshua across the room. A quick glance revealed concern in his face, and she briefly wondered why. Then her attention focused on Adrian.

His eyes were closed, and she stepped closer. She moved nearer still and reached a hand to touch him. His cool fingers curled slowly around hers and his eyes opened.

"Kat."

"Adrian. Are you all right?" She leaned over him, touching his cheek, his chin, as if to assure herself.

He smiled. His other hand came up to brush her cheek. "Yes. Dr. Vining has taken care of my wound, and it's healing now. I'm just very tired."

"Rest then." She stood, but he didn't release her hand, drawing her back.

"Stay."

She couldn't refuse him. She nodded and sat down. He closed his eyes. She glanced at Dr. Vining.

"He'll be all right?"

"Yes, he'll be fine. Although he'd heal much faster if he wouldn't…"

"That's enough Vining." Adrian didn't open his eyes as he spoke.

"You heed my words, du Lac, or next time you won't be so lucky." Dr. Vining stared at Katerina a few moments, nodded and smiled approvingly before he turned. And vanished into thin air. Katerina gaped at the spot where he had stood. A throat clearing behind her drew her attention. She turned.

Sophie and Joshua watched her curiously. She stood and folded her arms. It seemed this time their presence had actually helped Adrian. Despite that, she wanted them gone.

"What are you still doing here? You were not invited."

"We just wanted to…" Joshua started to say. When she fixed him with an icy glare, he trailed off.

"What? Take the opportunity to kill him now, when he's already wounded and unable to defend himself?"

Joshua shook his head. "No, I won't. I…"

Adrian's voice cut the hunter off. "I assure you, I am perfectly capable of defending myself."

"Really, we aren't going to…" Sophie stopped at the glare Katerina shot her.

"Thank you for helping Adrian. But you're not needed, and frankly, I don't trust you. Get out."

"Ms. Romanov, be careful," said Sophie.

Katerina narrowed her eyes when she recognized the longing in the younger woman's eyes as she gazed upon Adrian's sleeping form. "Get out," she repeated.

The hunters disappeared, and Katerina turned back to Adrian. He looked peaceful and content. She slipped off her shoes, slowly slid in beside him and pressed herself up against him. In slumber, his body moved toward her, and she nestled her head on his shoulder. She would only stay for a little while.

* * *

Olga sat at the table, watching the man pace. She twisted her hands, and waited for him to break the tense silence.

"What you did was foolish. If Machiavelli destroys du Lac, all we're working for will be lost."

"No, he promised he wouldn't kill him."

"He almost did tonight. If those two bumbling excuses for hunters hadn't shown up, all we've done would have been wasted before it began." The man slammed his fist on the table. Olga jumped back startled. He straightened and offered a regretful smile.

"It's all right. Du Lac still lives." Olga tried to keep the worry from her voice, but judging from the sharp glare he sent her, she'd failed.

"Yes, and you're lucky. But we're running out of time. Katerina must be trained. Have you told her anything?"

Olga shook her head. "I am honoring my husband's wishes by not revealing all. I fear she will be angry when she learns what we did."

"Tell her it was for her own safety, which is the truth."

"Not all of it."

"That is your choice, woman, not mine."

"How am I supposed to tell her I've promised her to another? When she learns everything and du Lac is destroyed, she will come willingly."

He stalked closer and leaned over her. "You had better hope so. I do not like to be cheated out of what is mine."

Olga stood, forcing him back. "Do not try to intimidate me. Without Katerina, there is no chance of this plan succeeding. I know that without her, we will never achieve our goals. You must be patient and let things play out."

"I've waited long enough…"

"Think of how sweet it will be when du Lac realizes the catalyst of his destruction is the woman he loves."

He paused, his eyes narrowing. "What do you mean?"

"I mean he is already falling in love with my daughter. And when she completes the circle, his downfall will be doubly sweet."

He nodded as he contemplated her words. "All right, for now, I will go along with you. But be careful, you play a dangerous game when meddling in the affairs of the heart. You had better pray it doesn't backfire."

Olga smiled. "It won't. When she has all the facts, she will hate him, and will help us willingly."

"If you're wrong, it will mean all our deaths."

"I'm not wrong."

Chapter Eight

If I'd known this would drive you into my arms, I might have arranged to be injured sooner."

Adrian's voice drifted through Katerina's sleep-dazed mind. How long had she been asleep? Still dark out, so not very long. As she stirred, she realized the intimacy of her position. She curled into him, and his arm kept her anchored against his side. A flash of heat between her legs drew her attention to just how closely. She finally opened her eyes and met his gaze.

He smiled, and her heart thudded against her chest. His other hand came up to stroke her cheek lightly, and he placed a soft kiss on her lips. "What a delight to finally have you in my bed."

She started to rise, but he held her in place. "Adrian, this isn't what I intended…"

"Of course it is. And now that I have you, I can't let you go."

A frisson of alarm skittered along her spine. She stiffened and tried once again to free herself. She wasn't ready for this yet. She still had so many doubts, so many fears, despite the incredible longing that almost overpowered her. How could she resist what she wanted so much? She had to. "I should probably…I mean, you were hurt before, but now you're all right and…"

She swallowed her next words at the sight before her. Adrian's eyes turned to gold, and he leaned over her. His grip tightened, and she was helpless beneath him.

"Why do you still run from me? Why won't you trust me?" The menace in his voice made her breath catch.

"A-Adrian, I-I really don't like the way y-you're…"

He groaned and released her, rolling to the other side of the bed. Legs trembling, she stood and grabbed her shoes. She was almost to the door when he called out.

"Don't go."

She stopped and slowly turned. He was normal again, and there was a hint of regret in his blue eyes. He was beside her in an instant, leaving her stunned at the speed with which he moved.

"Forgive me. I'm afraid my control is somewhat weakened."

"Y-You were going to…weren't you?"

He shook his head, his eyes wide with horror. "Kat, never. I would never hurt you. Believe me."

"But you were all…your eyes, I mean. I was…"

"Frightened." He sighed and drew her into his arms. She remained stiff, though the feel of his embrace was a comfort. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have let…never mind. Do you forgive me?"

His hands stroked up and down her back, soothing her agitation. She savored his strength, and her fear began to fade. He had almost died tonight and the thought of losing him was too great to dwell on. She was willing to risk anything to be here like this. It had taken her several weeks to recognize the strength of her desire. What a fool she'd been. She'd always known what he was, and still she could not resist him. Shouldn't that tell her something?

"I forgive you. But Adrian, I don't know if I…."

He placed two fingers on her lips. "Hush. Don't ever worry I will hurt you. I care too deeply for you to let that happen."

"But you lost control, you as much as admitted it." Fear taunted her again.

"No. Never to the point I would harm you. Besides, if I wanted to take you by force, I would have done so by now."

She pondered the truth in his words. Still… "How can I know that? When you get angry…"

"Never angry. Frustrated perhaps, but not angry." The corners of his mouth lifted in a small rueful smile. "I show my emotions differently than you do. But I control my nature, it does not control me."

"I want to believe you, but I'm…afraid."

He drew her near and held her for several moments. "Let me show you. Put your trust in me. I want to make love to you, Kat. But I will stop if you tell me." He set her slightly away. His hand cupped her cheek, his thumb gently caressing her lower lip.

She pursed her mouth. If she wasn't so hungry for him, she might walk away. But she wanted him, with a startling fierceness. She'd imagined this moment for so long, and even if nothing ever came of it but this night, she would be a fool to let the chance slip away. She didn't want to resist him, or this all-consuming need to be with him.

His lips replaced his hand and she was lost in the whirlwind of desire that he stirred. Forgotten was her fear of moments ago. His kisses were gentle, coaxing, and when his tongue played upon her lips, she opened for him. Her knees buckled at the intimate caress, and his arms tightened, pressing her tightly against him.

When he drew away, they were both breathless. Adrian stared into her eyes, darkened by passion to the ebony of the night sky. This hunger he felt was unlike anything else he had ever known. He wanted her with a fierceness which threatened to consume him if he didn't give in to it. But it wasn't her blood, her life, he wanted. It was her body and her soul. And her heart. He drew his thumb across her lower lip. She trembled in his embrace. Knowing she was just as helpless against this consuming desire stoked his flames higher and higher. He had to have her, as if she were the very blood that gave him life.

He kissed her again, and she sighed and pressed against him. His fingers trailed along her neck, pausing ever so slightly at the pulse at the base. She jerked slightly away, but he held her still, soothing her wariness with soft kisses and caresses, until she was once more pliant in his arms. When his lips reached the spot where his hand lingered, she stiffened again.

"Adrian, stop."

He broke away and stepped back. She was magnificent, her dark hair hanging around her shoulders in wild disarray, her eyes filled with longing and passion, her lips swollen from his kisses. His groin tightened further, and he knew he could not wait much longer. But he had given his word.

"Do not be afraid."

"I…can't help it. I don't want you to…"

He shook his head. "I only want to make love to you. Nothing more."

He remained motionless, holding her gaze, sensing the moment her fear dissipated. But he held back, unwilling to frighten her again. Katerina wondered what he thought as he watched her. He said he wouldn't bite her, and she believed him. The longer he remained still, she began to wonder if he'd changed his mind. Didn't he want her as strongly as she wanted him? Why didn't he say something, anything? All she wanted was reassurance he found her attractive. She wanted him to take her back to his bed and love her until sunrise.