The Taste of Magic (22 page)

"What did du Lac do when he found out?"

Katerina wrapped her arms about herself. "Nothing. He did nothing. He said nothing. Until this morning."

She buried her face in her hands as the memory of his admission seared her brain. She fought back the threatening sobs, refusing to let her mother or Stefan see how much she'd come to care for Adrian over the last months.

"Tell me." Olga's arm was around her, and she leaned into her mother's shoulder.

"He already knew. Even before I did. He knew I had powers. That's all he ever wanted from me. He wanted my magic." This time, the sobs did break free, and she stood, needing to compose herself. Several uncomfortable moments passed while she gathered her thoughts. She caught Stefan's gaze, and the question in his dark eyes.

"I care for him." There was no point in denying it. "But he lied to me. He knew all along I had powers, even when I didn't. He made me believe he cared too."

I do.

She stiffened. He wouldn't dare! A flash of heat spread through her, confirming his connection with her. It only made her angrier.

Stay out of my head!

I cannot help myself. I can feel your pain. Kat, I can make it go away.

"No! Get out!"

"Katerina?"

Olga's voice revealed she spoken the last out loud! She met her mother's gaze.

"I can hear him now. He's…speaking to me. After he…"

Olga held up her hand. "Please, don't tell me now."

Kat, we must talk.

Damn him, why wouldn't he leave her alone? No. I have nothing to say to you.

"Katerina? Is he…" Olga asked.

Katerina nodded, and tried to force her mind to go blank. But she couldn't. All she could see was Adrian, holding her, caressing her, kissing her. Did he put those images into her thoughts? She wouldn't put it past him.

Adrian, please. Respect my wishes. I do not want to talk to you now.

This is not finished.

You're right, it's not. But not now. I'll let you know when I'm ready. Until then, stay away.

She sensed his resignation, could almost picture him nodding in agreement.

Very well. I will await you.

The warmth was gone, and she knew she was alone. She met Stefan's questioning gaze, but said nothing. For a moment, it seemed as though he might speak. Instead, his glare hardened and he remained silent. Finally, Olga came to stand beside her.

"Do you love him, Katerina?"

She glanced at Stefan again, confused by the sudden intensity he directed toward her. She pulled her gaze away. "I don't know Mama. All I know is that I thought he cared for me. To find out all I am is a pawn…it hurts so much."

She couldn't fight it anymore and covered her face with her hands. Great tearing sobs wrenched free and her legs wouldn't support her as she collapsed to her knees. Her mother's arms came around her, and she leaned into the comfort as she cried, unable to stop the torrent once it had begun.

When she finally quieted, Olga helped her to her feet. She gave her mother one last hug. "Thank you, Mama. I think I want to be alone now."

Olga nodded, placing her hand on Katerina's cheek. "Be strong. Your time is coming."

"Mama, enough with the cryptic hints. You already told me I'm destined for Adrian. It's obvious this isn't over yet. So just tell me."

"I cannot. But I know the pain will not last."

Katerina sighed and turned away. She deliberately avoided Stefan's eyes, knowing she would find disapproval there. She wasn't in the mood for this, and wanted them gone, despite the solace her mother offered. She escorted them to the door, and locked it behind them.

She glanced at her watch. She was still so tired, and supposed it was because of her blood loss. How much had he taken anyway? Another question for him, and one she probably should have asked right away. She went back into the kitchen. She hadn't even stopped at the store on her way home, what could she possibly have to eat? Opening the cupboard doors, she was surprised to find a large supply of what appeared to be herbs and spices. A folded piece of paper with her name on it leaned against the jars.

Her mother had stocked the cabinets with various magical ingredients. Would any of them conjure a meal for her? An idea came to her and she sat at the table and closed her eyes.

She imagined a large salad, with chunks of grilled chicken, and breadsticks. The chicken would be warm, and marinated in a ginger teriyaki, and a sprinkling of cheese would melt against it. She could almost smell it, and peered through a tight eyelid. Her eyes flew open in surprise and delight.

A warm grilled chicken salad and breadsticks sat before her, accompanied by a tall glass of water. She'd done it, she'd actually used her power to conjure food! Apparently, her magic could do more than just command the elements and people's auras. Wait until she told…Adrian. The thought of him sobered her, and she forced herself to eat, even though the salad now tasted like little more than sawdust. When she finished, she felt slightly better, but still tired. She went into her bedroom and collapsed on the bed. In spite of the weariness seeping into her bones, sleep eluded her.

* * *

Sophie let herself into the flat quietly. Joshua was asleep on the couch, a book open across his chest. She glanced at the mess. Papers were strewn everywhere, notes scrawled on them. She picked up a list and scanned it, amazed at how quickly she had recorded the information into her thoughts. The list of some of her acquaintances told him he'd called everyone she knew in town. Looking for her.

She moved closer, and reached out a hand to touch his mussed hair. Just before making contact, she stopped. Better to gather some things and go. She couldn't risk staying longer. His steady heartbeat was audible, and a stirring of hunger began to erode her consciousness. It was too dangerous, she had to leave. She would call him and try to explain.

He stirred and opened his eyes, coming instantly awake as his gaze focused on her. He tossed the book aside and leapt to his feet, enclosing her in a tight hug.

"Soph! Thank God. I couldn't find you. I've called everyone I could think of. No one's seen you. Where have you been?"

She pulled free from his grip. His heart was racing now, and she fought not to cover her ears to drown it out. She moved across the room, and realized how far she'd moved and how quickly. She finally faced him. His eyes reflected his wariness, and his awareness. She should have gotten out of here faster. She would never be able to hide this from him

"Soph? Are you going to tell me what happened to you? You're a mess, and something isn't right."

"No, something's very wrong."

The scent of his fear was heady and tempting, a musky scent which made it so hard to resist getting near him. She shook her head. She had to fight this. All she needed was some of her things and she could go. Before it was too late and she did something to damn her even further.

"Are you going to tell me, or do I have to guess?" he asked.

"Joshua, you have to help me."

Anguish filled his dark eyes. "Whatever you need, Soph. You know I'll always be there for you."

She looked away, and then he was beside her, and the sweet scent of his blood made her mouth water. If he touched her…

"Stay away, Joshua."

"No, I won't. Look at you, you've obviously been attacked. Your clothes and hair are a mess, you're white as a ghost. Tell me who did this to you. Was it du Lac?"

"Nobody did anything to me. Joshua, I have to go." She took a step, but he grabbed her. Unable to control herself, her fangs extended and she growled at him. Shock sucked the color from his face as he released her and stepped back.

"No. Sophie, no!"

"Yes, Joshua." She lowered her head, as she struggled to return to her normal self. It took every ounce of her will, but she managed.

"All right, tell me what happened." He folded his arms and leaned against the wall. "It was du Lac, wasn't it?"

She shook her head. "No. I…Katerina was kidnapped, by Machiavelli. I went to help, and Adrian thought he destroyed Machiavelli, but…" A sob caught in her throat, she couldn't go on. She went to the stairs. "I have to go. I just came to get some things. He'll be looking for me anyway. He wants me to help him…destroy Adrian." She started up the stairs.

"Wait."

She stopped. His comforting hand on her shoulder refused to be shrugged off. "I'll do whatever I can to help you. But you have to tell me all of it. Exactly what happened. I don't know if we can reverse it, but we can sure as hell try."

Sophie smiled. His worst nightmare had come true, and Joshua was still willing to stand by her and help. What had she done to deserve such an understanding man? She reached out to touch him, when a sharp pain in her head seared her.

Come lovely, I need you.

"No," she whispered. Yet she couldn't resist the compulsion to go to the door.

"Soph? What's the matter?" Joshua asked.

"He's calling me. I have to go." She opened the door.

Don't keep me waiting, pet.

She stepped outside and closed her eyes, and was transported to Machiavelli's side. The dark vampire smiled, and drew her close. He tilted her chin back.

"Good evening, my pet. I've been anxious for tonight." He lowered his mouth to hers, gently, nothing at all like the monster he'd been last night. He continued to kiss her, until a deep longing rose in her, mingled with the hunger, drawing a growl from her throat.

Machiavelli lifted his head and smiled. "That's it. I will teach you all the joys of being a vampire, pet. You can't resist the lure of the darkness, the way it beckons." He opened his mouth wide and revealed his fangs. Raising his arm to his mouth, he bit into his wrist, and blood immediately began to ooze from the wounds.

Enthralled by the red liquid, Sophie stepped closer. Machiavelli's fingers slid sensuously into her hair as she opened her mouth, feeling her teeth extend. She ran her tongue lightly across them before latching her mouth to Machiavelli's cool skin and swallowing the thick nectar. She closed her eyes, an ecstasy unlike anything she'd ever known engulfing her. When he pulled his arm away and took her in a hungry kiss, she wrapped herself around him, responding eagerly.

Chapter Seventeen

Katerina stared at the sky, willing the cheerful blue to turn gray with clouds. She'd been at it for almost an hour, but so far nothing had happened. She had spent the entire afternoon with Stefan in the courtyard behind her parents' home, working on her lessons.

"You're not trying hard enough." Stefan's voice broke into her concentration.

"I'm sorry, I'm a little distracted."

Her teacher's mouth curled into a frown. "Your performance today has been atrocious. You cannot allow thoughts of du Lac to interfere with your training."

"I'm not." Yet when he raised his eyebrow, she looked away. Stefan was right. Adrian was never far from her thoughts, no matter how hard she tried to force him out. It kept her unfocused.

Stefan grabbed her chin. "Your powers grow stronger each day, and you must be able to control them better."

She sighed when he released her. "You're right. But all of this, the magic, Adrian, it's still so new. For years, I grew up alone, raised by boarding schools, tutors and guardians, all paid for by a man who knew exactly what I was, even before he made me…"

"Fall in love with him?"

Stefan's question tolled ominously in her head, like a church bell during a funeral. The one thing she'd fought so hard against stared her in the face, daring her to deny it. She couldn't. She wrapped her arms around herself to ward off the sudden chill.

"Katerina, if you love him, I'm sure you will find a way to…work it out."

There was something strangely unconvincing in his tone. Almost disapproving.

She shook her head. "No. He doesn't want me. He only wants my powers. What I can do for him. How does he know what that is, when I don't even know that? Why didn't anyone ever warn me something like this was possible?"

Confusion reigned as she recalled many moments of the past weeks. So much had happened in such a short time, and yet, something had led her to this point. As if her whole life had been building to now. Sometimes the past fifteen years seemed like a long-ago dream, a dream which could easily become a nightmare. Panic nearly overwhelmed her, and she struggled to remain upright on unsteady legs. She forced her body to obey her will. She was aware of Stefan watching her curiously. "What?"

"How deep are your feelings for du Lac?'

She held his potent gaze as she calmed her racing thoughts. "I don't know. It's weird, sometimes when I'm with him, I feel like I've never been more alive." She winced, then let loose a shaky chuckle. "Imagine that. He's been dead for thousands of years, and he makes me feel alive. A rather ironic twist, don't you think?"