The Taste of Magic (30 page)

"I see some of my advice has reached him."

"That's the other factor," said Joshua. "But why would du Lac have it?"

"Pomegranate juice is known for its restorative powers. It's especially helpful when there's been a blood loss. I often advise my patients to use it to maintain their…minion's health. But there are side effects."

"Like enhanced fertility," Katerina said.

Vining nodded. "Yes. And with the full moon last night, I'd say there's your answer."

Knowing the juice had indeed helped her get pregnant raised her earlier suspicions again. "Do you think Adrian knew I would…"

Vining shook his head. "No, it's unlikely. Du Lac has never given thought to children, I doubt he's aware of that particular benefit of the fruit."

Though she wasn't entirely convinced, it was enough for her to put the worry aside and focus on more important matters. It wasn't as if she could do anything to change what had already happened, she'd drunk the juice, whether Adrian had given it to her knowingly or not. But she wasn't ready to tell him.

"So for once, he didn't manipulate me." At the resignation in her voice, Joshua took her hand. She smiled at his concern.

"You're still angry with him," said Vining. He checked his medical bag and closed it.

Katerina nodded. "A little. But right now, I'm too tired to think about it anymore."

"I understand," said Vining. "You need to rest, and often. I'll take my leave now. You know how to reach me if you need me. Call my office tomorrow to set up an appointment." He took her other hand, and bending low over it, vanished.

Katerina fell onto the sofa. "I hate it when they do that."

Joshua smiled and sat beside her. "Are you okay?"

"I don't know. It's been a rough day, you know?"

"Yeah, I do. You need to get back to the castle. I have work to do and it's not safe for you to be alone."

Katerina shook her head. "I can't face him yet."

"You can't stay here. Why don't you come over to my place?"

"Thanks, but I'd rather be alone. I won't be able to rest comfortably anywhere else. Not now."

Joshua studied her for several moments, then finally nodded. "All right, but take this." He removed a small pouch from his pocket. Carefully, he opened it and revealed the Sacred Pentagram.

Katerina's eyes widened, then narrowed. "How did you get that back?"

"It took some time, but Sophie and I found it."

"How come it didn't harm Vining?"

"The pouch is lead lined. I have to be careful. But you take it, just in case."

"I won't use it against Adrian." She took the pouch. The amulet weighed more than she'd thought.

"No, it's in case…Machiavelli shows up."

She swallowed nervously at the reminder her enemy was still out there. In all of the turmoil of the day, she'd barely given it more than a passing thought. Letting her guard down could be deadly. She couldn't afford to let it happen again, especially now. She fingered the Pentagram, as another thought occurred to her.

"Can this hurt my baby?

Joshua shook his head. "The baby's not a vampire, and besides, it's protected by you."

"Are you sure? I don't want to take any chances."

He nodded. "You'll be fine. It only affects fully converted vampires." Katerina replaced the amulet into the pouch. She could tell by Joshua's troubled expression what he was thinking.

"Sophie?" she asked.

He nodded. "Yeah. I hope she's okay."

Katerina reached over and took his hand, squeezing it reassuringly. "We'll find her. And when we take care of Machiavelli, you and she can work something out."

"You mean she can turn me, don't you?"

"No, I didn't. But there has to be something we can do…"

"Unless you can find a way to turn her back, there aren't a whole lot of choices." He sighed and pulled his hand from hers, running it through his hair. "I just want to find her. I'll worry about everything else later."

Katerina didn't know what to say. She knew how he felt. She wanted to be with Adrian, and the rest… could all be worked out. But she didn't want to dwell on it now. Instead, she forced herself to focus on Joshua's aura.

Concentrating deeply, she warmed the yellow haze surrounding him, brightening it and mending the frayed edges, until the color slowly changed, growing warmer and redder, the raggedness smoothing together . Satisfied with her work, she met his questioning gaze.

"What did you just do?" he asked.

"Something to ease your sadness a little."

He smiled and shook his head in disbelief. "It worked. I don't know how you did it, but I feel better than I have in days."

"Good. Now go, don't you have work to do?"

"All right, all right. You're sure you'll be okay?"

"Positive."

"Call me if…you need to."

He stood and walked to the door. Pausing for a moment, he turned to face her. "Thank you."

She nodded as he left. She quickly locked the door behind him, for the first time feeling as if she had a friend. Someone she could trust. Heaving a sigh, and needing some background noise to combat the heavy silence, she switched the TV on. She clutched the amulet tightly. In spite of her initial resentment toward Joshua, she was growing fond of him. She hoped he and Sophie would be able to have a chance at something. Which brought her back to her dilemma. Her child, and her relationship with Adrian. She yawned as she thought of how to resolve her misgivings. She couldn't deny him his child, but could she forgive his deceit and learn to trust him? She had to try, if only to give her baby a semblance of a normal life. As much as it could be anyway.

Who was she fooling? The real reason she would go back was because she wanted to be there, baby or not. She loved him too much to be apart, and somehow she had to find a way to make it work.

She tucked the amulet between the cushions and changed the channel. She needed to stop thinking about him or she would make herself crazy.

* * *

With the moon high in the sky, Adrian materialized inside Katerina's flat. His worry eased to see her curled up on the couch, sleeping soundly. The tightness in his chest began to fade as he knelt before her. When he'd reached out to try and connect with her thoughts, he'd been assailed with distorted images he soon realized were dreams. Fragments of her memories of the Machiavelli incident transposed with flashes of the nights of bliss they'd shared. Mingled throughout all of it was a deep sadness. Adrian knew he'd been the cause of that sadness. He couldn't bear to let her suffer. The flickering glow of the television illuminated her face and revealed tear-stained cheeks. An icy fist squeezed his heart, and the strange sensation of remorse assailed him. All he wanted was to hold her and ease the sorrow which kept her in its grip. Damn her, how could she do this to him, leave him aching to offer comfort, without even uttering a sound? She shifted. He should leave before she awakened and found him here. He'd promised to give her space and time, yet once again, he'd broken his word. The remorse grew. As he prepared to transport out, she settled down.

"Adrian."

His name was little more than a pleading sigh. It was all the encouragement to stay he needed. A low moan escaped her lips, and he had to do something to ease her distress. He didn't care anymore if she was angry when she awoke, he simply could not stand by and let her suffer anymore. He reached out to her dreams once more. Perhaps there, she would permit him to ease her turmoil.

Eerie images assailed him as he allowed the shadowy world of her dreams to materialize in his thoughts. She was in his castle, in his bed, waiting for him with arms opened wide. It was strange to observe himself approach and enfold her into his embrace.

He realized she relived last night, the bliss they shared. This dream was inviting and affectionate, and filled him with heat. The scene soon changed, though. Now they faced off against each other, and there was no mistaking her fury. He realized his image was in full vampire state. Combined with her anger was a tangible fear, surrounding her in an orange mist which kept him at bay.

He closed off his connection and shook his head. Did she seek some way to keep him away? Or was it her fear of him which prevented him from reaching her? Somehow, he had to dispel her apprehension, for he was sure once he'd done that, she would forgive him.

He needed her, damn it. He would never admit it to anyone but himself, but at least now he could face the truth. Living without her was pointless. It seemed as if the past two thousand years had been leading him here, to this moment of realization.

What had she done to him? She'd enchanted him somehow, but not with her magic, with her very self, the essence of her soul. How else could he explain such unfamiliar feelings? He'd resigned himself to the fact he'd come to care deeply for her, but nothing more. Now…No! He would not be weakened further. Besides, no one left him. Not for long anyway. He wasn't about to let her be the first. He closed his eyes, before he dipped into her dreams once more.

Katerina walked through the shadows, the flickering images much like a dark forest. The orange mist surrounding her grew more dense, making it harder to discern the shapes. The fog clung to her, she couldn't shake it free no matter how hard she tried.

"Katerina." Her name, whispered on the wind, echoed around her. She clutched her cloak about her and continued on.

"Come now, lovely, I know you're awake." That voice! No! It couldn't be. She quickened her step, the vapor thickening further. Surely she was imagining things.

"I'll find you."

Machiavelli wasn't there, she convinced herself. It was only her imagination. Adrian would keep her safe. Adrian. Yellow light flashed momentarily behind her eyes.

She began to run, the orange mist now almost blinding her. She shook her head and it lessened a little, enough so she could more clearly make out the hazy shadows. She stumbled and fell. The voice was closer now, almost upon her. She struggled to her knees as a hand clamped on her shoulder, compelling her to rise.

She tried to shrug him off, but he drew her closer. He was covered in a hooded cloak, and she reached out to pull the hood away, certain she was about to meet her death.

Adrian was there, and she swallowed a sob. Pain eroded her fear, and the clouds whirled and faded into yellow. Forgotten was Machiavelli, the monster in the dream diminished into the shadows, existing no more. Adrian's embrace tightened about her. She tried to pull free, but he eased her head to his chest, softly stroking her hair. The vapor around her swirled, enveloping both of them as it changed color, evolving into a soft, calming blue.

"Katerina. I need you. Come with me."

She wanted to stay like this forever, safe in his arms, feeling cherished. Yet she couldn't forget the pain he'd caused. The fog churned, growing into an erratic tangle of blue and gold.

"You lied to me. You made me believe you cared for me. You seduced me, but you didn't want me."

"I do want you Kat. Come home with me, where you belong."

She longed to accept. The urge to agree was a struggle to resist. "I can't trust you."

"You can. Let me show you."

She wavered, her desire to be with him almost overpowering her need to free herself from his manipulative games. A hint of consciousness poked through the sky of her dream, and she raised her gaze to his, as she recognized the warmth of their bond.

"You're doing it again."

"What do you mean?'

"I'm dreaming, but you're really here aren't you? In my dream."

He didn't answer and her heart felt like a lead ball in her throat.

"Does my power mean that much to you?"

"No. You do. I already told you that. You didn't want to hear it."

"Damn it, Adrian, I want to wake up now."

"Stay here a little longer. No one can intrude upon us here."

She shook her head. "No, I'm waking up, and I want some answers." She forced herself up through the hazy cloud of sleep, her awareness sharpening with each second. With a deep breath, she opened her eyes.

Adrian sat beside her, his gaze filled with apprehension.

"Before we start, I want you to agree to something."

"Anything."

She raised one eyebrow. "Stay out of my head."

"Very well, you have my word."

The link faded, and was gone. Just to be sure, she looked away from him and allowed herself to think of the baby. When she turned back, Adrian still waited expectantly. He gave no sign of having read her thoughts.

"Why are you here?" she asked. She stretched her neck and eased herself into the corner of the sofa, hugging her knees to her chest.