The Taste of Magic (40 page)

"Katerina, are you all right?"

"I don't know." She had to be honest. "I'd always thought somehow, Victoria would be normal, and she would…but now, I don't know what to think. I can't bear to think of leaving her at all, and knowing she'll have Adrian helps, but…"

"Are you saying you want to become a vampire?"

"No. I don't know. I don't want to die, and I can't bear being a killer myself. And what happens if it doesn't work? What if I die anyway?"

Vining seemed to be pondering something. Finally, he lifted his gaze. "I know of a way that wouldn't require you to be bitten."

She froze. Victoria fidgeted in her arms. "What do you mean?"

"There's a way, by using a vampire's blood, that you can be turned without dying first. Well, you have to die, but you can do it naturally, at a later time. When you're old, or at any other time, if you choose."

Katerina considered his words, which raised a thousand more questions.

"But won't I then be too old to…"

Vining shook his head. "The beauty of this method, if it works, is that upon your death, you are restored to the age you were when the initial process took place."

"So you're saying I could live to be 80 years old and then when I die, come back young again."

"Yes, but…"

"This might be just the way." Filled with a renewed sense of purpose, she carefully laid the baby in the bassinet. "I can save this as a surprise for Adrian, when I'm ready, or…wait a minute, did you say, if it works?"

"Yes, I did. The process of transformation can be quite painful, and it is not always successful. You may not survive."

Katerina remained silent as she digested this information. Finally, she nodded. "I'll have to think about it. Do you have any other information?"

"Only what's in my files. I can email you some general notes which will give you an idea of what's involved." Vining gathered his bag.

"Doctor?"

"Yes?"

"Whose blood would you use?"

"I have some samples of Adrian's blood. I think that would be best."

She nodded. "How did you…?"

"Adrian funds a lot of my research. But I insist he also sometimes acts as my guinea pig."

Katerina's eyes widened. "He does it willingly?"

"I wouldn't say willingly, grudgingly might be a better choice of word."

Katerina smiled. She didn't expect Adrian would agree to participate in Vining's experiments, but that he would give in for his friend told her a lot.

"Thank you, Doctor. I'll get back to you."

Vining took her hand and bent low over it before vanishing. She checked on Victoria. Her daughter was finally sleeping, and pocketing the baby monitor, she decided to seek out Adrian. She needed to share this news with him. He would be pleased.

He wasn't in the great hall, so she made her way to his office. As she neared, she was able to sense him. His voice in her thoughts gave a feeling of comfort, and she stood in the doorway.

He stood with his back to her, as he looked through some files. She remained silent, simply watching him, and listening as he summoned a servant. But when the figure appeared in the room, Katerina's contentment quickly turned to anger. Damn him!

Joshua eased himself into a chair, as Adrian thrust a couple of files at him. "Here's the latest. How come you didn't tell me of this?"

"I didn't know. I was in London last night."

Adrian shook his head, but Katerina's anger had grown so she couldn't help herself. She strode into the room, narrowing her eyes on Adrian when he turned and smiled at her.

"You just can't help yourself, can you?" she shouted, before he could speak.

"Kat, what's the matter?"

She shook her head in disgust. "Don't play innocent. You turned him!" She waved a hand at Joshua. Adrian's eyes widened a little, then his brows furrowed.

"Yes. And how does this concern you?" he asked.

She flinched. She hated it when he took on that condescending tone. "How can you ask? After everything else you've done, you actually believe this wouldn't bother me?"

"Who I choose to recruit for my…."

She gaped at him. "Recruit? Is that what you call it? You knew he didn't want to be…"

"I can speak for myself, Katerina," said Joshua, coming to stand between them.

"Did you want this?" Katerina asked.

"Not exactly, but…"

She made a move to step around him and face Adrian once more, but Joshua's hand on her arm stopped her.

"I wasn't finished." He loosened his grip. "At first, I didn't want it. But there was no other choice. It's the only way I can help Sophie. I goaded him into it. I'm not angry, or resentful. I can be with her this way, and I'm glad he did it."

Katerina searched his eyes, not sure she believed him, but said nothing. Her gaze darted to Adrian, who watched her with apprehension. She jerked free of Joshua's grip, and pointed a finger her husband.

"Later, you and I need to have a talk."

Adrian nodded, but said nothing as she strode from the room. He turned away from Joshua's accusing stare and eased himself to his chair.

"She's pretty angry. I told you she would be."

Adrian sent his minion a glare which would have made most cower in fear. "Save your lectures, hunter. I will handle Katerina."

"You better be careful. She looked ready to stake you when she left."

"Never mind, Joshua. Take that information and see if you can locate Sophie. When was the last time you contacted her?"

"Two days ago. But she was careful; she blocked all her thoughts as to where she was. I couldn't even hear anything in the background, as if she'd silenced the area. It's like she doesn't want me to find her, she wants that creep."

"That creep will soon be dead. Then she's all yours. Just find her, so we can get this over with. Machiavelli needs her, so she's our only way to him."

Joshua nodded, but said nothing more as he teleported out of the room. Adrian turned his attention to Kat. He tried to reach out to her, but she had shielded her thoughts. Locked him out. Although he couldn't hear her clearly, her anger was unmistakable, coming to him in waves, warning him their confrontation later would be distressing. To say the very least.

* * *

Katerina fingered the amulet. She wasn't sure she should do this, but how else would she make him understand? Was this the only way to get through to him? Part of her dreaded what she was about to do, but she couldn't deny she was actually anticipating it with a hint of pleasure. She placed the amulet carefully into the lead pouch and tucked it into her robe pocket. She patted it and strode to the nursery.

Victoria slept peacefully, and Katerina placed a kiss on her tiny head. "Your father's days of game playing are over, my little angel," she whispered. "After tonight, he won't dare pull anything like this again. Sleep well, Tori."

She straightened, the weight of the amulet getting heavier with each passing second. She shut the nursery door and paused for several moments.

With a deep breath, she went back into her chamber, and opened her mind.

Adrian?

Yes, my love.

I want to see you. Now. At once.

He appeared before her in a cascade of golden light, a hopeful smile on his face. For a few seconds, she said nothing, as she waited for her heart to stop pounding. She resented how his very presence affected her, distracted her by making her want to throw herself into his embrace. Forcing herself to keep her focus, she folded her arms.

"You turned Joshua."

The smile faded, and he lowered his head. For a moment, she almost tossed her plan away at his repentant stance, but she would not be manipulated. He needed this lesson. If he was ever going to stop hurting those around him, she had to continue.

"Do you have anything to say about that?" she asked.

He raised his head. "You're right, I did."

"He didn't want it. He told me it wasn't his choice."

Adrian held her gaze. "He also told you he practically forced me into it and was glad, once it was over."

"That's not the point. You didn't care about how he felt. You just took what you wanted. Total disregard to anyone but yourself."

"You don't understand. The hunger, the need to feed, combined with Taylor's mockery…"

"Will you do this to me one day? Lose control, let the hunger take over and attack me? Maybe you'll get angry, or have a bad day."

His eyes widened. He reached for her, but she backed away. Letting his hands fall to his side, he shook his head. "Never, Kat. I would never hurt you. I swore I wouldn't take you against your wishes."

"But you're hoping to convince me otherwise, to make me want it." She held her breath as she waited for his answer.

"I do hope the time will come when you want to join me, but it will be your choice. I would do nothing to…"

"I don't believe you. Every time I think I can trust you, you turn around and do something like this. How many people would you hurt to see your goals achieved?" She held up her hand when he would have spoken. "I don't want to hear it. But it's time you learned what it's like to be helpless and at someone's mercy, to be manipulated by someone, against your wishes."

He tilted his head to one side, one eyebrow raised in question. She slid the pouch from her pocket and opened it. His eyes widened before she'd pulled the amulet free, the powers from the Pentagram reaching him already.

"You wouldn't dare!" His voice was already low and weak, though his anger was unmistakable.

"Wouldn't I?" She pulled the amulet free, and he backed away, holding his arms out to shield himself. She neared him as he retreated, until he came against the bed and fell weakly upon it. She stood over him, letting the Pentagram dangle from her fingers.

"Kat, you would destroy me?"

"No, I'm not going to let you die, I'm just trying to make a point." She placed one knee on the bed, between his legs and leaned over him. His eyes were filled with fear, and he swallowed nervously. But his helplessness only renewed her determination, feeding her need to make him understand. She carefully put the amulet on the nightstand, within her reach, and positioned herself between him and the Pentagram.

She leaned closer, and pressed her lips against his, licking him lightly. She leaned back and flicked her fingers, and the buttons of his shirt began to open by themselves, the fabric slipping away to expose his cool, hard flesh to her seeking fingers.

"How does it feel, knowing you're helpless beneath me? I could do anything I wanted and you couldn't stop me." The power over him gave her a heady sensation, fueling her determination. And her desire. "I could."

His arm came up, his hand tightening on her wrist, but his normal super-human strength was missing. He couldn't keep her at bay as she forced her hand back to his chest, holding him still as her other hand continued to stroke him. He shuddered, and turned his head, his eyes closing.

"You can't. And you are mine."

She pressed a kiss to his throat, and let her mouth work along his neck and jaw, her tongue darting out to tease his ear. He shivered then, as her fingers found his nipple and brushed against it. The power over him was arousing her, knowing he couldn't resist her touch. She longed to caress every inch of him, to feel him come to life under her hands.

She leaned back and looked at him. His head was turned away from her, his eyes still closed. She ran her finger down his breastbone, and his body rippled with the force of his reaction. Still, he kept his eyes closed. She turned him to face her.

"Look at me," she ordered. When he opened his eyes, she sucked in her breath. The pain reflected there was more than she could bear. What was she doing? With a gasp, she drew herself away, and reached for the amulet. She dared one more glance at him, her heart breaking to read the sorrow and betrayal in his eyes. She slowly slipped it into the pouch and pulled the strings tight.

He was behind her before she could pocket it, having recovered already. He reached around to pluck the pouch from her now limp fingers. She didn't protest. His hands on her shoulder slowly turned her. There was anger in his eyes, and something else. What was it?

"I'll take that and hold it for safekeeping. It's too dangerous to leave around, wouldn't you say?" He pulled her tightly against him. "I could kill you for what you've done."

"You could." She lifted her chin, certain he wouldn't act on the threat, though he was clearly angry with her. His jaw was set, so tight she thought it might shatter.

"You threatened my life." His low whisper was full of menace and warning.