“He’ll be happy to have that back,” Fabian said.

  “It belonged to Lilly, his wife?”

  Fabian nodded.

  I cringed. “It must have fallen from her neck when the Stone Masters . . .”

  “They believed they were doing the right thing.”

  “How did you come to be here, though, in this castle? I always believed there were no underground passageways beneath this château. No hidden vaults or secret dungeons.”

  “Yes, I started that rumor myself.” He chuckled. “I designed these very rooms, furnished them with the help of my love—a mortal. However, that was many years ago. I fulfilled my promise and took her half-sister’s life. She was dying, you understand. I just sped up the process. It was a feud between Catholics and Protestants. My lover then repaid her promise to me and secured a place for me beneath this castle where I could live in peace. Away from prying mortal eyes.”

  “This woman you talk of—”

  “The very same. Elizabeth, daughter of King Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, crowned Queen of England in 1558. We met while she was imprisoned here, betrayed by her lover. I sheltered here one winter night and heard her cries. No longer able to ignore her supplications I visited her in the guise of a priest. I was a mysterious guest, no doubt, but soon my social calls grew more frequent. She guarded her castle well, took care of her land by herself with no man to help her. We worshiped one another. She was a brilliant and radiant woman.”

  Fabian’s face lit up.

  “And you dress as a priest still?” I said.

  “I am ordained.”

  “By the Church?”

  “The Church,” he said.

  “Catholic?”

  “Older.” Fabian smiled.

  “Then I believe you are the right person to help me.”

  “I am.”

  “Fabian, help me to get Catherine back. I must return to Belshazzar’s and persuade Alex to leave.”

  “What I am about to tell you will unsettle you,” Fabian said. “Orpheus has given you the greatest of all gifts.”

  I was shocked. “Orpheus has been my enemy for—”

  “You misunderstand me. Orpheus has brought you closer to God.”

  “I’m going out of my mind!” I said.

  At least I’ll have company.

  Fabian smiled patiently. “Our friends are wonderful to have around. They make us laugh and bring us joy. However, our enemies shock us awake so that we look to God for answers. As such, our relationship with Him deepens. We awaken. Orpheus has brought you pain and you brought him pleasure. Such opposites are as light and darkness, illusions that we attempt to define and place into categories. But they are as one—undivided.”

  “Does this mean that I must let go of Catherine?” I asked. “It’s just not going to happen. I won’t allow her to stay with Orpheus.”

  Fabian leaned forward. “When we hold onto something or someone, whether it is a person, a memory or a passion, suffering arises. It’s not enough to fall in love. We must become love.”

  “This isn’t for me.”

  “In time, this will be your guide.”

  “Perhaps.”

  “Consider my words,” he said.

  “My head’s spinning right now. Fabian, please give me the ashes.”

  “Patience.”

  Forgive me.

  “No need,” he said.

  “Are you the oldest of us?”

  “There is one older.”

  “Where is he?” I asked.

  Fabian smiled.

  “So many secrets,” I said.

  “And even more than that.”

  I desperately tried to fathom his words. “What does it all mean?” I said.

  “Of one thing I am certain.” Fabian’s voice was firm. “That the truth lies within love. No greater love is there than one who gives his life for another.”

  I pulled back. “It’s too much.”

  “Trust the process. You have proven yourself worthy.” Fabian rose. “Wait here.”

  He withdrew.

  I turned my gaze toward the tapestries with their stories frozen in time. I understood why Fabian had kept himself hidden away all these years, safe within the walls of this clandestine castle. Fabian was indeed correct in his assumption that immortals everywhere would beg him for the ashes of their loved ones.

  I understood that not every vampire would take the ashes and use them wisely. Was I intending on using Sunaria’s ashes wisely? I realized I would have to restore Sunaria to her full form, otherwise Orpheus would not believe me that the ashes were hers. How, I wondered, did one rekindle the ashes of a dead vampire?

  Fabian reappeared. “Like a phoenix, rising from the ashes!”

  I jumped up and stared wide-eyed at the large urn that Fabian held, ornate with Egyptian drawings.

  “Sunaria will arise,” he said, “and once again walk upon this earth.”

  My heart beat so fast I feared it would burst out through my chest. “Did you know her?” I asked.

  “I did. Inevitably she will return to her true love, Orpheus. He changed her name to Sunaria. Before that, she was known as the Sumerian. She was a princess. She was beautiful, and with her alluring gift she seduced Orpheus. Your father destroyed both Orpheus’s maker and bride.”

  “How do we . . . ?”

  “It takes the blood of two vampir to create the correct environment to resurrect such a being. We will offer up the spell with our blood and relight the spark of life that rekindles. Have you the stomach for it?”

  “Just tell me what I must do.” I approached Fabian, ready to follow his commands and for the incantation to be over with.

  Fabian tipped the urn upside down allowing the gray ashes to fall onto the long walnut table.

  I stood by Fabian’s side, eager to assist. When the urn was empty Fabian placed it onto the floor. He removed a knife from his coat pocket and cut into his wrist. Blood poured from the gaping wound onto the center of the mound of cinders.

  He smiled. “Right, now give me your wrist.” Fabian placed the knife against my arm and cut deeply.

  I closed my eyes, reluctant to see the knife penetrate. The incision stung. “Done?” I asked and opened one eye. My blood splashed onto Sunaria’s remains.

  “How long will it take for Sunaria to rise?” I stared at the table and cringed at the sight of our seething blood.

  “Well, it’s been a little while since I last performed this ceremony, and to be honest I didn’t exactly have a timepiece then.”

  “Dear God.” I sighed.

  “Do you detect it?” Fabian said. “It’s your friend, she has company. It appears she needs you.”

  “Ingrid?”

  “Orpheus. He is with her. We must hurry with Sunaria before Orpheus does something rash.”

  “I can’t leave without her.” I stared again at Sunaria’s ashes.

  “Go. I will deal with her. When she is raised, I will send her to Orpheus. Hurry.”

  “Will you be all right here with her?”

  “Quite safe. Sunaria will be well behaved with me. You know where to go?”

  “Stonehenge,” I said.

  Fabian nodded. “I have enjoyed our time together and hope we will see each other soon. With all that said and done, I ask only one thing of you. I have lived here undisturbed for many years. Tell no one of my whereabouts. This I ask of you as a friend.”

  “You have my word,” I promised.

  “One more thing, Jadeon. When the storm hits, stay centered and you will prevail.”

  Great. Another cryptic message.

  I headed out.

  Chapter 42

  Orpheus

  EAGER TO FINISH what I started, I checked to see that all was in place.

  The towering pillars of Stonehenge offered up their silent prayers to the night. The moon’s radiance reflected off their formidable shafts. The last time she had been here, Ingrid had gazed down at the very stone she now lay upon. Now she was the victim. I had brought her here, carried her through the air, tied and bound her.

  Ingrid was terrified as she glimpsed the two uniformed figures slumped over, laying to her left at the base of one of the stones. She arched her neck, attempting to look behind her. Another female was tied to one of the pillars. The female, whom she judged to be no older than twenty, stood upright and was eerily calm, her long golden ringlets falling over her face.

  Alex tugged at my shirt. “Let her go, please. Catherine has remained loyal.”

  “Shut up, Alex, you’re distracting,” I commanded and tightened Ingrid’s leather straps.

  “Let’s talk about this,” Ingrid said.

  “It won’t be long now. Just be patient.”

  She pulled on her restraints. “My guards are coming right now.”

  I pointed to the dead policemen. “Those were your guards.” I turned to my consorts. “Remove these corpses. When the ceremony is over I’ll need you again, but not until then.”

  My men complied.

  I checked Catherine’s bindings. “Catherine, all this time that you spent with me and you were never mine. Denounce Him. Choose me and I’ll let you go.”

  Catherine turned her head away, giving her answer.

  “So predictable.” I approached Ingrid. My hand moved over her face, pushing her hair back. I readjusted her clothing, straightening out the cuffs of her sleeves. “I will bestow upon you the gift of immortality.” I kissed her forehead. “Alex, it’s time,” I said.

  “Time for what?”

  “Novice, prove your loyalty,” I said.

  Alex froze, gathering his thoughts. He flew toward me and pushed me backwards, striking me against the large stone. Baring his teeth, Alex bit hard.

  “You have made your decision then?” I grasped Alex’s hair, using it as a lever to pull him away. “Have you not learned by now that I am all-powerful?”

  I forced Alex against the stone. I wiped his tears. “So now you have forced my hand. A decision is to be made. I will let Catherine go after Ingrid is transformed.”

  “No!” he said.

  “So when you are ready, you may begin.”

  “Begin what?” Alex said.

  “Do I have to lay it out for you? I have no intention of turning Ingrid.”

  Alex shrunk back, realizing. “I will not.”

  I reached out for his arm and shoved him toward Ingrid.

  Alex gazed at her. “Ingrid, I . . .”

  “Less talk, more action,” I said.

  Alex was panicked.

  Ingrid screamed. “Don’t do this!”

  I glared at Alex.

  Alex begged me with his eyes.

  I threw him a wide smile. “It’ll be kinder if you do it. Me, I’m just too damn rough.”

  Alex held Ingrid’s chin and with his other hand he covered her mouth. He turned her head toward him, exposing her neck.

  “Alex!” I yelled, “For God sake, make it quick and put her out of her misery.”

  Alex steadied himself. Exposing his fangs, he kissed her neck.

  Ingrid struggled.

  “No, Alex,” Catherine shouted.

  I struck Catherine across her face and she slumped forward.

  Ingrid’s heart weakened. Alex reeled as she softened under him.

  “Ingrid,” I said, “let go. Let us bestow this gift. Surrender.” I stroked her hair. “We are locked together by the sacred blood.”

  Chapter 43

  Jadeon

  I FLEW THROUGH THE night, so fast that the air scarcely filled my lungs. My heart raced as I feared what Orpheus was doing with Ingrid at Stonehenge. Whatever it took, I was ready to face him. And with thoughts that had no time to settle I considered how to destroy him. Snowstrom had said that within me lay the power to change everything. With a sense of what had to be done, my heart was heavy.

  The stones loomed up, obscuring the horror within. Fabian was correct sensing Ingrid’s danger, but it was Alex, not Orpheus, who threatened her. Catherine was bound to one of the pillars. Orpheus had drained her, leaving her weak. Our gazes met.

  I am here now.

  “Alex!” I yelled.

  Alex pulled away and stemmed Ingrid’s blood with his fingers.

  “I do believe you’re gate-crashing,” Orpheus said.

  “Orpheus, what is this?” I was disgusted. “Don’t make one more move.”

  “Alex, it will be more painful,” Orpheus said, “if you don’t finish what you started.”

  “It’s over, Alex,” I said.

  Orpheus placed his hand on Alex’s shoulder. “When all this is over, I will reward you for your loyalty.”

  I drew close to Ingrid and squeezed her hand. “I’m here now.”

  Ingrid shifted. She’d heard me.

  “Get out of here,” Orpheus said, “before I kill you.”

  “This ends here, now.”

  “How did you know we were here? Did she warn you?” Orpheus glanced at Catherine. “I thought she was incapable.”

  “Snowstrom,” I said.

  “Yeah, right,” Orpheus said. “Go away, Jadeon.”

  “I have something you want,” I said.

  “I doubt that.”

  I glanced behind him and detected the impending sunrise. “I have Sunaria’s ashes.”

  “Dangerous words, Stone Master,” Orpheus said.

  “One of the lords of the Stones collected the ashes after the ceremonies, and it was during the time Sunaria was here.”

  “Where is she then?” Orpheus said.

  “She is reforming.”

  “You bastard,” Orpheus shouted.

  “This is what I offer you.” I pointed to Alex, Catherine, and Ingrid. “In exchange for them.”

  Orpheus glared. “I should have killed you when I had the chance. Sunaria . . . lies in there.” He gestured to the pillars.

  “You must listen.”

  Orpheus lunged at me, throwing a punch.

  I fell back.

  Orpheus grabbed my throat, choking me. “I will pour Catherine’s ashes into those stones and watch you wail at their base.”

  He threw me up and out of the circle. I landed with a thud. Orpheus leapt at me and thrust his foot onto my throat.

  “Where is she then?” he said.

  “With Fabian.”

  Orpheus’s foot came down hard, smashing my cheekbone. Alex came to my defense and yanked Orpheus back. Orpheus threw him against a pillar.

  I fought the pain and leapt up, swinging wide. My fist met Orpheus’s jaw with a crack.

  I pulled Alex to his feet and we untied Ingrid. I lifted her into Alex’s arms. I turned toward Catherine.

  Orpheus lunged, thrusting me against the altar.

  My head crashed against the sandstone. “Alex, go.” I fended off another blow. “Now!”

  “Alex,” Orpheus yelled. “Don’t.” He struggled against me.

  I rammed Orpheus against the rock.

  Alex untied Catherine and she fell against him. With Ingrid, they ascended and headed south.

  You are safe now.

  Orpheus threw another blow, knocking me to the ground. His foot struck my right arm. I staggered back and cringed at the fracture. Gasping for breath, I grappled for Orpheus’s foot as he lunged toward me again. Pulling hard, I knocked him off balance.

  Orpheus regained his poise and punched me. He struggled free. He threw me into the air and my spine cracked against a horizontal stone, causing the lintel to give way behind me, grating off its structure, spraying dust in its wake. Tumbling after it, I crashed onto the large oblong stone.

  I lay still, shocked by the numbness in my limbs. Horrified, I flinched at the stark white light that stung my eyes and smarted my skin.

  Orpheus rose into the air.

  With supernatural force I willed my rapid recovery and sprang after him, unrelenting. I grabbed his legs again and yanked him down hard.

  Whirling, we fell fast.

  Sunlight melded flesh with light. Being and brightness intertwined.

  Agony.

  Sunaria called to him.

  “No!” Orpheus screamed as the florescence blurred his vision.

  We plummeted, staring at one another, disintegrating.

  The sun gnawed hungrily away.

  For you.

  Chapter 44

  Snowstrom

  SILENT WITNESSES, the stones reflected the dawn’s rays, mirroring light off their surface. Daylight thundered over the ground, illuminating the vampiric necropolis, rendering the immortals into ash as it announced its arrival in its predictable orgulous fashion.

  Quiet befell Stonehenge.

  And she had risen, reawakened, as if from a dream.

  When darkness came Sunaria had flown toward the stones, her full form perfect and uncompromising. Orpheus had projected the images of his warring partner and she had recognized Jadeon’s face. Sunaria had recalled the last time she had seen him. He had been younger. The mirage faded.

  Sunaria approached Stonehenge with fear in her throat. She vividly remembered her last moments of persecution and drew nearer, anxious of what she would find. She scanned the horizon, confirming she was alone. On the very altar she had lain upon within the circle of pillars were mounds of ashes. Twelve hours had passed since she had seen the vision of Orpheus and Jadeon struggling to the death.

  All day, Sunaria had paced my room, waiting until it was safe to travel. I had insisted she be blindfolded, so that she would have no way of returning, and had guided her out into the night, setting her free far from London.

  Drawing close she scooped a handful of cinders, allowing them to fall through her fingers, rejoining the others. And then she saw it—Orpheus’s signet ring, the one she had given him on the night of his rebirth. She picked up the band and slid it onto her left ring finger. Sunaria smiled. Soon they would be reunited.

  She removed the cape that I had dressed her in and laid it down, spreading out the material. She lovingly gathered his ashes up and poured them into the center of the cloth. She worked fast, glancing about for fear of intruders. Her hunger pained her but she ignored it. She secured her find and bound them tightly within the cape.

  She was an ancient and fully aware of how one would revive such remains. Her task complete, Sunaria looked about for Jadeon’s ashes. She saw none. Before Orpheus’s demise, he had also sent her a clear vision of St. Michael’s Mount. Perhaps, she considered, a member of the Artimas family had come here and, like she, had recovered the remains of their loved one.

 

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