The Taste of Magic (42 page)

Adrian sat up. Had his long-time friend gone mad? "What is he talking about? She can't be treated by a human doctor. What if…"

"He said it's okay, they wouldn't be able to detect anything. He recommended someone, though, who's aware of people like her."

"Who is it?" Adrian knew most of the medical community worldwide who were knowledgeable about vampires and witches. There were only a handful of them to begin with, and he was not aware of any children's doctors.

"I have the papers downstairs. We can go over it later. But you should be aware of something."

He didn't like the way her expression grew serious, her eyes darkening. "What?"

"She's going to be immortal."

Adrian stared at his wife as she held their nursing infant. He wasn't sure he'd heard her correctly.

"What did you say?"

"She'll grow to adulthood and at some point, she'll stop aging and live forever."

Adrian could only gape at her as the realization the tiny baby he and Katerina had created would live forever. Never in his wildest imaginings had this occurred to him.

"Are you sure?"

Katerina nodded. "Vining ran some blood tests. That's why he suggested the doctor. Any regular doctor would be suspicious when she starts developing faster than a normal baby."

Adrian stood and began to pace. Aware Katerina watched him curiously, he paused. "I must speak with Vining. As soon as possible."

"We can call him later." She held out her hand to him. "Come sit with us." He did, stretching out beside them. Katerina lifted the baby to her shoulder and patted her back. Adrian was startled by the belch which escaped the tiny creature. He chuckled.

"She needs to learn some manners."

Katerina fixed a mock glare on him. She cradled the baby against her for a few moments, then held Victoria out to Adrian. He seemed surprised, but accepted his daughter, his hands closing gently around the blanket-wrapped bundle. His eyes were alight with joy as Victoria squeaked at him.

"She's got your eyes," she said.

Adrian nodded. "Yes, but she looks just like you."

"She's her own self." She met Adrian's gaze.

"Yes, she is. And she will have every advantage at her disposal."

Katerina arched an eyebrow at him. "Only if she wants it."

He sighed and nodded. "Only if she wants it. Whatever she wants, it's hers."

Katerina doubted that. She had no doubt Adrian would dote on Victoria, but would he try and control his daughter, mold her into whatever plans he might have? So far, he hadn't revealed anything, but she had learned to be ready for whatever he attempted.

"Adrian, promise me one thing."

He smiled. "I already know what you're going to say."

She arched an eyebrow. "Do you really?"

"Yes. And never fear, our daughter will live her life as she chooses. Unless it places her in danger. I will not allow that."

Katerina smiled. He really had changed so much from the megalomaniac he'd been when she first met him almost a year ago. How much she'd changed. "I expect you to protect her however you can. And I appreciate your willingness to let her have freedom of choice. Just make sure you keep your word."

"I will." He offered Victoria back to Katerina and stood. "Joshua is expected this morning. He was to try and reach Sophie. I must learn what he's uncovered."

"I'll call Dr. Vining and ask him to set up an appointment for us."

"Let me know, I will go with you."

Katerina nodded and cuddled her daughter close. Adrian stood beside them, now fully dressed. His gaze held heated promise, and Katerina's stomach flipped in response. She drew him near for a kiss. When he moved away, she pulled him back.

"Later," he promised and kissed her once more, before disappearing in a shimmer of golden light.

* * *

A scraping noise broke the silence of the nursery. Katerina spun about to find Sophie behind her, an evil gleam in her eyes.

ʺWhat do you want?ʺ Katerina remained beside the basinet, shielding her daughter from the former hunter.

ʺYou know what I'm here for.ʺ

ʺIf you think I'll let you anywhere near her...ʺ

Sophie leered at her. ʺI was hoping you'd say that.ʺ She was suddenly inches away from Katerina, grabbing her wrists with vampiric speed. But Katerina was ready and let her energy course through her arms, culminating in a flash of white light which escaped her hands and sent Sophie flying against the wall.

Muttering a few words, Katerina waved her arms over the basinet and it disappeared from view. She hoped her daughterʹs appearance in Adrianʹs office would alert him to the danger here.

Sophieʹs howl of outrage hurt Katerinaʹs ears, and she backed away as the vampire slowly neared. She threw her arms up, hoping to repel Sophie once more, but the woman was ready and dove beneath the stream of energy Katerina sent in her direction. Sophie crashed into her legs and she fell to the floor. Before she could shield herself, the vampire had her pinned and transported them both out of the castle.

They arrived in a cavernous room, and Katerina gasped to see two sets of boots beside her and Sophie. Her gaze traveled up and she stifled a gasp at the sight of Machiavelli leering at her. But what filled her with terror was Stefan beside him. His dark eyes were inscrutable, but they bored into her, and she reflexively shrank away.

ʺFine work, my pet.ʺ Machiavelli took Sophieʹs hand and helped her to stand, drawing her tightly beside him.

Katerina scrambled to her knees, ready to flee, but Stefanʹs hands on her shoulders compelled her to rise. She struggled against him, but he captured her wrists and pinned them behind her.

ʺYou bastard!ʺ She held herself straight, lifting her chin in defiance. He smiled, his free hand coming up to stroke her cheek. She jerked away, and his smile faded.

ʺYou would do well to remember your position.ʺ

ʺWhat? Victim? Captive? You hold me against my will.ʺ

He nodded. ʺYes, you would rather give yourself to that monster than become all you can and should be.ʺ

ʺYouʹre insane. Like this guy isnʹt a million times worse than Adrian?ʺ

A sharp tug on her scalp made her wince, then gasp as her head was roughly drawn back. Machiavelli pressed his face close, so his nose brushed hers.

ʺYou will find out exactly how much worse than du Lac I am, my sweet. Later.ʺ He stepped back and gave Stefan a pointed glance. ʺMalinay?ʺ

Katerina caught Stefanʹs answering nod and tried to jerk free when she felt her wrists bound together. Suddenly, she was shoved backward until she fell onto a high mattress. Stefan sat beside her, his hand on her stomach. Nausea assailed her at what he insinuated. She squirmed away, but he held her firmly.

ʺI'm going to freeze your powers,ʺ he said. He studied her, but she was careful to keep her shock from her face.

ʺYou are sick.ʺ She closed her eyes and focused, drawing her energy out into a shield, much as she had done the night Machiavelli first kidnapped her. But at Stefanʹs chuckle, her eyes flew open, and she noticed her energy had started to ebb. He held her gaze, malice clear in his eyes as he continued to chant, and her powers continued to weaken. Finally, they were gone, and she was cold without them. She closed her eyes against the sting of tears.

ʺNow you will understand and we will put everything back on its correct path.ʺ He was so close, his breath fanned her cheek. She turned away, but he grabbed her cheeks and forced her to face him. ʺOpen your eyes.ʺ

She did as he commanded and sucked in her breath at the lust she saw in his gaze. She tugged at her bound hands, but she was truly helpless. He smiled in anticipation, and his hand was suddenly on her breast, squeezing painfully. She cried out and tried to escape his grasp, but he held her firmly. ʺThis was to supposed to be mine.ʺ

Her eyes widened. ʺWhat are you talking about?ʺ

His smile changed to an evil leer. ʺWhen I agreed to help your mother restore your father, I demanded you as my payment. Now I will finally have my due.ʺ

She shook her head as his mouth lowered to hers, mashing her lips against her teeth. She bucked against him, trying to dislodge him and his hand from her breast. But she could do nothing.

He finally drew away. "Later I will teach you how to use magic in ways you never could have imagined." He drew his hand along her leg, resting on the inside of her thigh.

"You wouldn't dare."

He leaned in close, his breath hot on her cheek. "While du Lac is watching."

The horror of what he intended pierced her, numbing her with shock. His fingers squeezed her thigh, his fingers moving toward her groin in an ominous hint of what he meant to do when he had her alone.

"Malinay, control yourself." Machiavelli appeared behind the wizard and Katerina quaked. She had no way to protect herself against these maniacs. She carefully opened her mind, and Adrianʹs frantic pleas reached her. Iʹm here. Stefan and Machiavelli are with me.

Iʹm coming. Keep your mind open, I will find you.

Her heart pounded in panic. No! Stay where you are. Protect Tori. Send my father, anybody. Donʹt come here!

Before he could respond, she shielded him, unwilling to give him any more time to find her and show up in this trap.

ʺProtect your lover. But Sophie has already told her former partner where we are. I expect Adrian will be along shortly, no matter how you try to keep him away.ʺ Machiavelli sneered.

"Damn you, you won't get away with this. Adrian will kill you both." She strained against the bonds holding her arms pinned beneath her.

Stefan chuckled. "He'll be here soon, and he'll see what's to become of you once he's gone." Stefan jerked her up, and dragged her to a large chair. He seated himself, then placed her across his lap. She tried to get up, but his hand squeezing her throat soon had her gasping for air. "You'll remain here. It won't be long."

"Sophie, can you sense Joshua?" Machiavelli asked.

The young vampire nodded. "He's getting closer. He's not alone. I sense at least two others."

Katerina assumed Adrian was one of them. Who else had he brought? Stefan reached up to idly stroke her breasts, and she shivered under his harsh touch. Should she warn him away again?

An alarm suddenly went off, the acoustics in the stone room making the shrill echo deafening. Katerina winced, as Stefan stiffened.

"He's here." Machiavelli motioned to Sophie and they took up positions opposite Stefan and Katerina.

As if on cue, a burst of golden light revealed Joshua. Katerina tried to cry out, but Stefan muttered something and a gag covered her mouth. She struggled against her captor, stunned to stillness when his hand slipped between her legs. Her senses returned as Joshua made eye contact with her, and she fought against Stefan's invading hand.

"Katerina, it's okay. We'll get you out." Joshua turned to face Sophie and Machiavelli.

"Josh, why don't you just help us?" Sophie's voice was low and seductive and she sauntered over to him.

He held his ground, his eyes hard and angry. "You're insane Soph. But I can help you. Come with me."

Machiavelli now approached Joshua. "She is my pet, she will never leave me." Before Machiavelli reached the former hunter, another cascade of golden light appeared before him. Katerina sucked in her breath as her father came into view.

"We'll take you down," Dimitri said. "Give up now, and it will go easier for you."

Machiavelli threw his head back and laughed. "You have no idea what we've got planned for you."

Dimitri turned and faced Stefan. "You are to blame for this."

Stefan shook his head. "Your wife started all of this. We are just going to finish it for her."

"You'll pay. du Lac will see you all dead!" Dimitri shouted.

Yet another cascade of light revealed Vining, who took up a third position across from Machiavelli.

"That's a guarantee," he said calmly. He met Katerina's gaze, and she understood the message of reassurance he sent her. But it didn't calm her.

A movement by the door caught Katerina's eye. She tried not to react to the sight of the black wolf padding into the room, but was unsuccessful as she gasped for breath. Was this the same animal she'd seen outside her flat that night? It seemed so long ago, and suspicion started to rise. It was confirmed when the wolf leapt at Machiavelli, catching him unaware and knocking him to the ground. But as Machiavelli fought, the wolf transformed.

Adrian.

Katerina's heart almost exploded as he became clear. Tears stung her eyes. He would get himself killed. She fought against Stefan's restraining hands, finally breaking free and falling to the floor.