It seemed that I had been searching for my father in the many rooms of the castle for half the night. The festivities of the ball continued and in one embarrassing moment I came across Lady Theron and her daughter in the anteroom, ensconced in an argument. Offering my apologies for interrupting I leapt out of the room.

  Eventually I bumped into one of the male servants, who had apparently been searching for me with a message. The young man breathlessly informed me that Lord Artimas was holding a meeting in his study and had urgently requested my presence. It made me wonder if the news of Lady Emily Theron’s predicament had reached him. There was no doubt that it would be zealously deliberated. With a jump in my step I headed to Father’s offices.

  On my arrival, Lord Artimas was completely enraged. Father De Mercy attempted but miserably failed to calm him. My father’s colleagues stood by, watching on.

  A small boy cowered in the corner, dressed in the clothes of a ship’s cabin boy.

  “Jadeon! Where have you been?” my father asked.

  “Looking for you,” I said.

  “I requested your presence half an hour ago. Urgent business—”

  “That’s why I am here.”

  My father frowned.

  I guided him to the back of the room. I lowered my voice. “I feared the news would have gotten to you before—”

  “You knew about Velde?” he asked.

  “What? No. This is about Emily?”

  “Not now,” he snapped.

  I stood my ground. “Alex’s intended is pregnant.”

  Lord Artimas looked tense. “I know.”

  “And you blessed this marriage?”

  “Lord Theron—”

  “I don’t care. Alex is your son and you have forgotten that. This life has hardened your heart. I will not allow you to marry him off in this way.”

  “Jadeon,” my father replied softy, “if you do not find your brother within the hour, your defense of him may well prove fruitless. Lord Velde may have already killed him. Alex was used, and now that Velde is in—”

  I reeled. “What are you talking about?”

  “Lord Velde is not the Spanish lord he appears to be,” he said. “Your brother Alex has befriended a—” Lord Artimas glanced at the boy. His gaze fell upon me again. “Alex ensured this man’s entry into our home,” Lord Artimas said. “This cabin boy has informed us that when he sailed aboard the ship The Blue Rose on its journey from Spain he met Lord Velde, a passenger aboard this vessel. He commissioned the boy to unlock the captain’s door with the payment of a gold coin. Lord Velde murdered the ship’s captain. The boy witnessed the murder.”

  I wanted to bolt, to go and find Alex, but Father clutched at my sleeve.

  The cabin boy was directed to stand in the center of the room.

  Fearfully he said his name was Samuel and recounted his story before the imposing gathering. The boy stated he had hidden from view within the captain’s cabin on many nights in order to have a warm, dry place to sleep. On that fateful night he had witnessed the gentleman actually bite the neck of his master, and then like an animal drink his blood.

  Although the cabin boy had attempted to warn the navigator and other crewmembers, they had not believed his story. Adding insult to injury, they had taken the coin the man had given him. Samuel continued to explain that while on land leave his ship had docked in the harbor. He had recognized Lord Velde with a stranger in the old Marazion Inn, and had soon discovered the name of the other gentleman to be Alexander Artimas.

  I pulled away and headed for the door.

  “Wait,” my father snapped at me. With a pointed finger at Samuel, he said, “Continue.”

  On recognizing the man, Samuel had informed his uncle the innkeeper. His uncle immediately informed Father Edward De Mercy. This time the boy’s story was believed and he was brought to the castle in order for Lord Artimas to question him further. Samuel was reassured that these men found his account credible. He was thanked for his bravery but sternly warned that he should never speak of it again. Samuel’s uncle escorted him toward the door.

  I almost tripped on the boy on the way out.

  “Be warned,” my father called after me. “If you see Velde, do not approach him but send word. Guard your thoughts. He will kill you if he realizes that you know his identity.”

  As I withdrew, Father ordered his men out and directed their search.

  I recalled Athena’s words at my initiation ceremony.

  He is coming for you, she had threatened.

  I should have listened.

  Chapter 14

  Orpheus

  ALEX AND I STROLLED along the sprawling candlelit corridors and perused his father’s fine paintings. I recognized the cabin boy, escorted by an older man, heading fast toward us, and nudged Alex into a deep shadowy alcove, leading to one of many rooms.

  “Alex,” I said, “there is something I have been meaning to ask you.”

  “I’m intrigued.”

  I pushed Alex against the wall and remained still, hoping they would not detect movement as they passed by the alcove. Samuel’s mind confirmed my suspicions. The boy had witnessed everything that had occurred on the ship and Samuel had just shared his experience with Lord Artimas.

  “That was close,” Alex said.

  I stepped back. “Too close.”

  “Well, you have something to ask me?” Alex said.

  I sighed. “Would you consider coming with me?”

  “Back to Spain?”

  “Not exactly.”

  “Then—”

  “Would you . . . like to be more than you are?”

  “I don’t get you,” he said.

  “Are you ready to live the life you always dreamt of?”

  “Free of my father?”

  “Free of everything.”

  “How?”

  I was thoughtful.

  “What do I need to do?” he asked.

  “Are you prepared to come to the end of the world with me?”

  “Where do you have in mind?”

  “I want to give you a gift.”

  Alex stared at me.

  “There will be no turning back,” I said.

  “Sounds serious.” Alex smiled.

  “For now, perhaps just a taste?”

  “How much time do I have?”

  “None.” I lunged, pushing him against the wall. Turning his neck to the side, I bit.

  He shuddered.

  We shared the frisson. Alex tried to push me away. I held him fast. Our two bodies were locked together by the strength of one. I opened my mouth wide to receive the sudden gush and savored the wave of pleasure.

  Through clenched teeth, he moaned.

  Leaning against him, it was a thrill. Our emotions intermingled.

  I broke away.

  Alex fell, dazed. He stared off, blinking.

  I applied pressure to quell the trickling blood. “Alex, do you trust me?”

  A tear fell from his eye.

  With a bite into my wrist I’d drawn blood. “Drink.”

  He turned his head away.

  I thrust my wrist against his lips and pulled his head back, bestowing only enough blood to cause memory loss. I closed Alex’s eyes and wooed him to sleep.

  I dragged his body into the darkest shadows of the alcove.

  Chapter 15

  Jadeon

  FRANTIC, I ENTERED the ballroom where I had last seen Alex with Lord Velde. An overwhelming guilt caught in my throat. Had I been less self-absorbed and more attentive to him, he would not have sought friendship elsewhere. Pushing through the crowd, almost tripping on the long generous dresses of the female guests, I was caught up in a frenzied dizziness by the twirling dancers. Beads of perspiration spotted my brow when there was no sign of Alex.

  Taking three steps at a time, I ascended the central stairway and headed toward the candlelit corridors. Alex had mentioned showing off Father’s art, and as the majority of it was presented here it was a good place to start. The passageways were empty. I bolted outside toward the secluded rear of the castle near the waters edge, aware that this was a favorite place for both of us. I searched along the castle walls. The cool sea air stung my nostrils. A storm approached. I turned to head back toward the castle steps.

  I flinched. Lord Velde stood before me.

  Must close my thoughts.

  “Did he tell you that was possible?” Lord Velde asked.

  He drew toward me.

  Stunned; a barrage of thoughts.

  “Please call me Orpheus.”

  I recalled where I had first heard his name, called out by the terrified female held captive here.

  “Her name was Sunaria.”

  “Where is Alex?” I asked.

  My hands shook and I held them behind my back, hoping he would not notice. I had to keep calm.

  “He’s taking a nap,” he said.

  “Will you take me to him?”

  “Why wake him?”

  “I need to see him.”

  “Do you now?” He smiled.

  Silence. His stare was shocking.

  The quiet threw me. “What is it that you want?” I asked.

  “I want her back.”

  “I’m afraid that—”

  “Impossible, I know. Your father—”

  “The girl we saw, she was Sunaria.”

  “She was the woman I loved. She was no threat. She lived in the shadows, harmless and innocent.”

  “As innocent as a vampire can be,” I replied, wishing I had not.

  “You judge her? And yet you never met her.”

  “She murdered—”

  “Your brother is in love with me.”

  I shook my head. “No.”

  “You know this to be true. He is infatuated with me.”

  “What is it that you want?” I considered my chances of escape.

  “What I want . . . and do not attempt to run, for I will stop you. What I want is merely revenge. A life for a life. Your brother, Alex, is to be that life.”

  “There must be another way.”

  “No.”

  “Perhaps a duel?”

  He shook his head. “It’s not enough.”

  “My father’s men are on their way as we speak.”

  Orpheus glanced at the castle. “This very night . . .” He knelt down and picked up a small rock, standing again. He crushed it effortlessly, exaggerating his point as the rock dissolved into dust. “I will extinguish your brother’s life.” He pulverized the stone.

  “Stay back!” I said.

  “Or you will do what? Have you any idea what it is to love a woman with your entire being as I did? Oh, but you do! Her name . . . yes, I hear it now—Catherine!”

  Trying to fathom how he knew about her, a wave of panic hit me. “Do not say her name!”

  “Beautiful long blond hair, full lips, fuller breasts.”

  “I said do not—”

  “Your mind is as transparent as your brother’s,” Orpheus said.

  “We will duel and that will decide this.”

  He vanished.

  I searched the area. “Orpheus?” I called out.

  The air was chilling. Crashing waves hit the rocks and sprayed foam. Cursing my ineptitude I headed toward the castle.

  Halfway up, Orpheus reappeared before me as though out of nothing.

  Relieved I had a second chance, I began, “You have been wronged. For that I am sorry, but Alex is—”

  Orpheus held a necktie. “I’m going back to him. Only this time, instead of helping Alex with his tie, I’ll strangle him with it.”

  I recognized the material. It was Alex’s.

  “Yes. Pity really, because he’s so vibrant, so—Alex.”

  “You dare touch him!”

  “Consider this place without him.” Orpheus turned.

  I flew at him.

  Orpheus leapt out of the way and I hurtled to the ground. Easily, he flipped me onto my back and his fist struck my chest. Air left my lungs. Struggling to catch my breath I clutched at his jacket, fearing he would disappear again.

  “You were saying?” he said.

  “Don’t harm him.”

  “Are you begging?”

  “Take my life instead. Take me in his place.”

  “How honorable. But you see, you have no idea what you are offering. I am taking your brother to Stonehenge to perform the very same ritual that was performed upon Sunaria, before I strangle him. That is how it must be for me to feel any kind of peace again.”

  Orpheus helped me to my feet.

  Everything was wrong.

  “Take me,” I said.

  Orpheus appeared to think upon this for a moment.

  “This is nonnegotiable,” I said.

  “Very well. There is a boat waiting by the water’s edge. Once upon the mainland you will see my carriage. Its horses are white. This will take you directly to Stonehenge. If you deter from this route at any time or delay it, I will kill Alex. Do you understand?”

  “How can I leave you here with my family, all these people?”

  “Our agreement is over, then?” Orpheus pulled on the necktie, testing its strength.

  “Wait!” I said. “If I do this thing, you must assure me, promise.”

  “I am a gentleman who seeks nothing other than some kind of retribution for the death of a loved one. Such a thing is a nobleman’s right.”

  I could see no other way through this. Father was here. He could take care of the guests. I would take care of Alex. “How will I know that you will not kill him anyway?” I asked.

  “So long as I can take the life of an Artimas, I will be satisfied. A life for a life. Yours instead of your brother’s.”

  “Very well.” Although reluctant, I walked past Orpheus and headed toward the boat docked in the bay. “Orpheus, if you harm my family, if you break your word, I shall personally pour your ashes into the stones.”

  “Spoken like a true Stone Master.” He handed me the tie.

  I stared at it. Not wanting to give my thoughts away, I quick-footed it down to the boat. Although this man had strength and speed, I hoped my adroit mind could outwit him.

  Chapter 16

  Orpheus

  ALEX EVENTUALLY PICKED himself off the floor. Realizing his favorite necktie, a gift from his brother, was gone, he did a quick search. Miserable not to find it, he headed down the corridors back to his room. He was uncertain what had just occurred. With his memory foggy he tried to fill the gaps. Had he offended me? He believed he must have done something to displease me.

  He recalled an altercation but could not fit the pieces together. He considered that perhaps his engagement to Lady Theron, though now probably broken off, might have roused my jealousy although he reasoned I had dealt with the situation calmly at the time.

  He rubbed the area where I had bitten him, soothing its sting. On looking down at his hand, he was dismayed to see some residual blood.

  Some kiss, he thought.

  Alex needed to be alone for a while, away from the meandering crowds partying within the castle walls below. On nearing his own room he was surprised to see his father leaving it, approaching him with worrying speed. Alex reasoned that news of the conversation with Emily had reached his father and he steadied himself. He pulled his collar up.

  “Father, please let me explain,” Alex said.

  Lord Artimas was accompanied by four other men, whom Alex recognized as lords from other nearby estates. His parents had hosted them on many occasions. One of them, Lord Hawke, had presented him with his first fencing sword.

  “Where is he?” Lord Artimas appeared distracted, impatiently glaring at his son.

  “Who, Father? Good evening, sirs. Lord Hawke, it is wonderful to see you again.” Alex politely greeted his father’s associates.

  “Lord Velde. Tell me where he is,” Lord Artimas said.

  “He is gone, Father.”

  “Gone where?”

  “I know what this is about. I can explain.” Alex lowered his voice in fear of offending Lord Theron. “You see, Lady Emily Theron is pregnant!”

  “And how do you think Lord Velde knew?”

  “Did you know?”

  Lord Artimas ignored his son’s question. “You believe that, do you? That you can tell from looking at a girl who does not have a belly that she is pregnant? If you believe that, then you are . . . For God’s sake, he read her mind. Your Lord Velde is none other than a vampire!”

  Alex placed his hand upon his neck again. He backed away from Lord Artimas, staring at him and attempting to fathom his words. Lord Artimas flicked back Alex’s shirt collar and viewed the two fang marks.

  “No!” Lord Artimas steadied himself against the stone wall. “How could you have allowed him?”

  “Father.” Alex stepped backwards. “It is not what it seems.”

  “Do you see?” Lord Artimas said to his men.

  With a nod from Lord Artimas, they lunged toward Alex and overpowered him.

  “Father, please.”

  “My son.” Lord Artimas caught his sobs.

  Lord Artimas followed closely behind the entourage. Struggling frantically, Alex was dragged into the dungeons. They shackled him to the central table, securing his arms, tying his wrists upward and binding his feet together.

  “Blindfold him, for God’s sake!” Lord Artimas commanded.

  The room was prepared, the altar set, the knives sharpened, and the silver chalices placed. Lord Artimas shook, stifling his tears while preparing the instruments. The preparations complete, Lord Artimas’s men offered their words of consolation. The ceremony began, the ritualistic chanting resonating. Lord Artimas took the knife from the altar and with a shaking hand placed it close to Alex’s wrist, doing what he could to ignore his son’s pleas. Lord Artimas cut deeply into his son’s flesh, surprised as the blood flowed easily into the cup below. Despite Alex’s deafening screams, Lord Artimas persisted.

  The door flew open. My menacing silhouette appeared at the entrance.

  Lord Artimas glared at me.

  The shadows danced over me. “He is not a vampire,” I said. “I merely bit into his neck.”

  Alex cried out. “Oh, thank God, Daumia! Please hurry, the pain! I cannot bear it!”

  “Why him?” Lord Artimas asked.

 

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