The Taste of Magic (25 page)

Her heart pounded. Somehow, she'd expected Adrian to be at the door, and was surprised to realize she was disappointed he wasn't.

As she suppressed the thought, heat surrounded her, chasing the chill of the castle. Adrian welcomed her silently.

Kat. Join me in our chamber.

No, downstairs. In the great hall.

She sensed his disappointment. Wait until he saw who she had with her. She went to the stairs, Joshua silently following.

Adrian stood before the hearth, a broad smile on his face as she started down the steps. The smile faded when he caught sight of Joshua.

"What is he doing here?"

"Listen to me, Adrian. I'm not here for the reasons you think," Katerina said. As Adrian moved toward Joshua, she stepped in front of him. "You have to hear me out. He's not going to cause trouble."

Adrian shook his head, his eyes icy with hatred, and sparkling with flecks of gold. "He is not welcome here…"

"Machiavelli's not dead." That got his attention. He blinked.

"What did you say?"

"He's not dead. He somehow managed to survive and he's got Sophie. She's a vampire now," Katerina explained.

"How do you know this?"

Katerina turned to Joshua. "Tell him what you told me."

"Sophie didn't come home the night you and Machiavelli fought. When she finally did, she told me Machiavelli attacked her. He turned her."

Adrian began to pace. "I staked him. I saw the dust. He was dead."

"You missed his heart," said Joshua.

Adrian advanced on the hunter, his eyes now completely gold and his fangs appearing. Katerina stepped between them. Seeing him this way brought back a flood of emotions and almost made her forget why she'd come. Images of the night he'd fed from her, how he'd pleasured her, flashed through her mind and she couldn't stop heat from spreading. She forced her thoughts back to the immediate situation.

"Like it or not, we need him," said Kat. At Adrian's disbelieving expression, she continued, "Machiavelli's got the money to hole up and wait for his chance. We have to get to him first. Joshua can help us."

Adrian's gaze flickered between the two of them, then he nodded. "You may be right. But I don't trust him."

"We don't have a choice. Besides, he promised me he wouldn't hunt you anymore as long as we can save Sophie."

"He promised you? And you believe him?" Adrian's mouth curled in a frown. "I can make his life a living hell if he goes back on his word. And he knows it."

A proud, knowing smile brightened Adrian's face. "Yes, you can."

Katerina poked her finger into his chest. "Don't even go there." He caught her hand in his and brought her fingers to his lips. His cool kiss made her knees weaken. It was good they weren't alone. His proximity crumbled her defenses. Fast.

"I meant no disrespect, Kat. Your presence, as always, is a delight, despite our present company."

Adrian's eyes narrowed once more as he turned his gaze to Joshua. Releasing Katerina's hand, he folded his arms, aware when she followed him.

Her nearness brought warmth, but he forced himself to address the hunter. "What do you know?" he asked.

"Machiavelli's abandoned his homes on the continent, and I've got someone watching the London residence. His businesses continue as always. I'm sure he's made it clear to whoever's in charge he's alive and well."

"What do you know about his businesses?" Adrian asked.

"Not enough. Trying to get information on him is harder than getting it on you. Seems you taught him too well."

Adrian fought back the surge of anger raised by the hunter's insolence. "That attitude is not going to get you far, Taylor. Who's in charge in Niccolo's absence?"

"There's one name that shows up all over the place." Joshua hesitated, and Adrian's fangs once more brushed against his lower lip.

"What is it?"

"Richard Mannfried."

Adrian's shock at that name left him numb. Sophie's father. Whom Adrian had turned over twenty years earlier. Richard had been eliminated years ago, he was sure of it. Then again, he'd been sure he killed Machiavelli and he was wrong about that, too.

While he might not be able to command Machiavelli anymore, he still had control over the younger vampire. He grinned "This is too easy. Richard cannot go against me."

"I smell a trap."

"I think he's right," said Kat.

Her voice sounded right behind him and momentarily distracted him. He could smell her, not just her cologne, but the essence that was Kat. Her heart rate was still elevated, and it pleased him to know she was as affected as he.

Aware Joshua spoke again, Adrian gave his head a little shake to clear it. "I don't think it's really Sophie's father. I haven't seen a sign of him. My network sources are too dependable. I don't doubt them. Richard was staked about six years ago, as you know."

"But who is this other man? Is he a vampire, or just one of Machiavelli's hirelings?" asked Katerina.

Joshua shrugged. "Personally, I think it's Machiavelli. He's using the name, possibly accessing Richard's old contacts, maybe to find a way to you through your ties to Sophie's father. And Mannfried is also scarce. Very few have actually seen him. Someone had to help him set up the identity without raising suspicion. I think our only way to get to him is to find out who."

Impressed with the hunter's reasoning, Adrian nodded. Joshua's intelligence could serve Adrian well. Perhaps his opportunity was closer than he'd thought. If he was careful, he could pull it off. He was disappointed he had lost the chance to take Sophie, but since she'd already been turned, Joshua would be more vulnerable. His feelings for the young woman would distract him, making him an easy target.

Soon, very soon.

"Make yourself useful and find out whatever you can. I have a list of people he's been allied with in the past; my own staff is reaching out to them. I'll have the list emailed to you immediately. By nightfall tomorrow, I want a solid plan in place to end this."

He turned to Katerina. She had remained motionless, studying and listening to everything. The concern in her dark eyes was for him, and he felt a glimmer of hope.

"My dear, you are not safe at your flat. If Machiavelli is truly still alive, you must stay here." He reached for her, but she backed up, shaking her head.

"I can't. There's too much we still have to…"

"You may have your own rooms. I promise I will not bother you." She was clearly undecided, and he could tell she wanted to say yes. He stepped closer. This time she held her ground, though her breath hitched in her throat, the pulse at the base of her neck jumping erratically. He took her hands, and though she tried to pull away, her fingers curled around his. He smiled. "I give you my word, as I did once before."

Her eyes misted and she nodded. He resisted the urge to fold her into his arms, knowing she would resent it. But she was back, and he could keep her safe. Nothing else mattered.

"I have to get my things…"

"Send someone for them. I don't want you out there alone."

"Joshua will come with me. Right?" She glanced at the hunter. Adrian had the sense she was willing to do anything to get away from him. The earlier hope faded.

"If you need me," Joshua replied.

Adrian's eyes narrowed on the hunter. "If anything happens to her, you'll have me to answer to."

"Whatever Ms. Romanov needs, she just has to say the word," Joshua said, holding his hands up to indicate his sincerity.

Adrian shook his head and glanced sidelong at Katerina. "How you can trust him to…"

"I just showed him what I could do. He won't try anything." She gazed steadily at him, as if to say, dare me to do the same to you. He fought back a smile.

"I don't know if he'll be much help. He's been remarkably inept in his attempts on my life. I doubt he could take out Machiavelli."

"We'll be fine, Adrian. I'll be back in a little while."

He said nothing as she left, his concern for her well-being warring with the need to let her do things her way. He had to fight not to take control and force her to stay. He knew that would only make her angrier. He opened their connection, bonding with her for a few moments, until she forcibly reminded him he was not welcome in her head. As he closed off the link, he smiled. She grew stronger. Now he had to get her to forgive him. He put those thoughts aside. Once she was safely back at the castle, he had plenty of time. He summoned one of his soldiers and ordered him to keep an eye on Kat until she returned. Now he could focus on the Machiavelli dilemma.

He'd been so sure his one-time protégé had been destroyed. Recalling the events of the night, he admitted that the amount of dust left behind had been unusually small for such a large vampire. He'd made a grievous error, and now he had to correct that before anything happened to Kat.

Adrian glanced through the information he had compiled so far. He needed more. He summoned Dimitri, pleased at the enchanter's quick appearance. "I need to know what else you've found out about Machiavelli. Apparently, he's still among us."

"Master, I thought you said…"

"I was wrong." He fixed a cold gaze on Dimitri. "What did you learn?"

"Other than what we already know, there isn't much. Machenicco has several smaller holdings which compete with du Lac Enterprises in many markets, but not enough for any of them to pose a serious threat. It turns out I have an acquaintance who works for one of his art galleries. He said he wasn't sure, but he thought there was some illegal artwork being trafficked."

Adrian knew with clarity how he would handle the situation. "Interesting. Dimitri, I'll need you to begin preparations for a deal for me."

Dimitri nodded and smiled in understanding. "You have something you wish to obtain?"

"Yes. Find out what's been stolen in the last twenty-five years. I want every detail. We have to plan this carefully. I'll ask Kat to take a look at your report and determine which direction to take."

"Katerina? I thought she didn't…"

Adrian held up his hand. "It's true, she and I had a…falling out. But as soon as she found out Machiavelli survived, she came straight here. So it seems we still have unfinished business." He smiled, ignoring Dimitri's worried expression.

"Adrian, I am concerned about your intentions for my daughter. Until now, I've said nothing, but I've seen how sad she's been, and I know it's because of you."

Adrian stiffened at Dimitri's impudence. "How dare you question my motives? You made a deal with me. Your daughter, for the gift of immortal life, among other things. Will you back out on that now?"

Dimitri shook his head. "No, I just…"

"You're her father. I understand your protective instincts. I assure you, I mean Katerina no harm." He stared hard at his servant, until Dimitri nodded, shifting uneasily.

"I have proven myself to you, and you know I am loyal. But my daughter…"

"Will be well taken care of. Trust me."

"I do. I will."

Adrian smiled. "Good. Your wife has hired an instructor for your daughter. Do you know who he is?"

Dimitri nodded again. "Stefan Malinay."

"That's right. And do you know what Malinay's particular skill is?"

"No, Olga is the one who knew him. I have had little contact with the man."

"Stefan Malinay is a vampire-hunting wizard. It seems he is quite good at it too."

Dimitri's eyes widened. "I had no idea. Are you sure?"

"Positive. I want to know why you didn't know." He paused, fixing another lethal stare at his servant, before shaking his head in disgust. There had been a time when he would have destroyed Dimitri for failing to report such activity. But doing so now would hinder everything he'd worked for with Kat. Despite Adrian's annoyance, Dimitri was still needed. "I'm not pleased by your lack of performance here, but then again, your wife is far more clever than I'd given her credit for. In any case, you can now make yourself more useful, and I expect better results this time. Malinay is up to something. Find out what it is."

"Surely you don't think Olga would…"

"She's involved somehow. You would do well to watch your back."

Dimitri shook his head. "She wouldn't."

"Don't be so sure. She has resented me since I bestowed my gift upon you. Fifteen years is a long time for anger to fester and grow." "Not Olga. Malinay, I don't know, I will certainly look into it. But believe me, Olga would not harm me."

Adrian nodded. "If you want to believe that…but it's not important. I want to know why Malinay is teaching your daughter, when there are several others more capable than he."

"Olga told me he was the best one to see to Katerina's powers. When she has full command over her magic, she will be even more powerful than Malinay." Understanding dawned in the enchanter's dark eyes. "And she would be able to destroy you, if he trained her to do so."