She lost track of time as the certainty grew within her that she needed to go to the Fortress. Unfortunately, she had no idea where it was.

But Stefan knew.

She drummed her fingertips on the arm of the bench.

Stefan knew.

Eventually, hunger drove her back into the kitchen. She fixed a sandwich, ate it with a gla.s.s of milk while she warmed several pots of water on the stove.

When she finished eating, she bathed in the wooden tub. When this was over, she was going to ask Drake about having a bathroom installed in their bedroom.

Wrapped in her bathrobe, she went upstairs to get dressed, only to come to a halt in the doorway when she saw a large brown cat curled up on her pillow.

aStefan?a aMeow.a She frowned. She had never seen Stefan in his cat form before. Why now? Moving to the bed, she sat on the edge of the mattress.

The cat rolled onto its back, inviting her to scratch his belly.

aIam not sure Drake would approve,a she muttered as she rubbed the catas belly.

The cat purred loudly.

Elena stretched out on the bed, her hand still stroking the cat, who continued to purr, even after she had fallen asleep.

Elena woke with a start. What was she doing in bed? She had come up here to get dressed. A glance at her watch told her that had been over five hours ago. She frowned, remembering how she had found the cat in her bed. There was something supernatural about purring cats, she thought. They inevitably put her to sleep.

Rising, she pulled on a pair of jeans and a sweater and went downstairs.

Stefan was waiting for her in the main hall.

aWhy did you do that?a she asked.

aYou were driving yourself crazy. I thought I would save you a few hours of worry.a aOh. Thank you. I think.a aIt will be over soon.a aWhere will they fight?a aThere is a clearing below the Fortress. They will meet there at midnight, with their seconds.a aJust the four of them?a aNo. There will be four other vampires, summoned from other Fortresses, who will serve as witnesses.a aSo, itas outside?a aYes.a aTake me there.a aNo.a Grasping his shirt in both hands, she shook him as hard as she could. It was like trying to move a mountain. aYou have to take me! Drake needs me. I know it! Please, Stefan.a aDammit, Elena, do you know what he will do to me if anything happens to you?a aDo you know what will happen to me without him?a Stefan swore long and loud. Not all of it was in English, but some words sounded the same in any language, and she knew she had him.

He paced back and forth in front of the fireplace for a moment, then turned to face her. aAll right,a he said. aI will take you. But you will have to stay out of sight. And after he kills me, I expect you to put flowers on my grave.a aI promise.a Moving quicker than her eye could follow, he wrapped her in his arms. aHang on tight, Mrs. Sherrad,a he whispered in her ear, and then he swore again. aI know I am going to regret this.a Elena closed her eyes as a familiar feeling of dizziness and nausea swept over her. There was the sense of flying through time, of freewheeling through s.p.a.ce, and then nothing. When she opened her eyes, she was standing under a tree, wrapped in Stefanas arms.

He smiled down at her. aYou know,a he said, hugging her closer, aI could get used to this.a aWhat?a She looked up at him, her thoughts obviously elsewhere.

aNothing.a He pointed up the mountain. aLook.a At first, Elena didnat see anything. But, gradually, she saw flickering lights moving down the side of the mountain, slowly growing larger, brighter, until she could make out four vampires carrying torches. Behind them, coming single-file, she saw Rodin and Drake, and following them, two other vampires she didnat recognize. All eight wore long black cloaks. And then, trailing far behind, she saw another dark shape that cut away from the group and quickly disappeared into the trees.

aDo not move.a Stefan whispered the words. aTry not to breathe.a aDid you see the other vampire?a Stefan nodded. aIt was Liliana. She is not supposed to be here, either.a Elena wrapped her arms around her waist. What if Liliana had seen them? Well, said a little voice in the back of her mind, what if she had? She couldnat say anything without incriminating herself. That knowledge should have been comforting, but it wasnat.

The vampires in the clearing were moving, spreading out. The four torchbearers formed a circle around Rodin and his opponent. In the bright silver glow of a full moon, she easily identified Drake. Taller than the others, he stood outside the circle, behind Rodin. The eighth vampire took a similar stance behind the challenger.

Rodin tossed his cloak aside and Elena saw that he wore a pair of black leather pants and boots and nothing else. His opponent was similarly attired. Each carried a sword. The long silver blades glinted in the moonlight.

Silver, Elena thought. It would make each cut doubly painful for the vampires.

One of the torchbearing vampires moved to stand between Rodin and his opponent. aRodin Sherrad, Master of the Carpathian Fortress,a he intoned, his voice carrying clearly in the quiet. aBe it known that Gerret Lynch, Master of the Irish Fortress, has come here this night to lay down a challenge for your lands and holdings. Do you accept? Or concede?a aI accept.a aFlorin Korzha. Drake Sherrad. You have been chosen as seconds. Come forward.a Drake and Florin took a step forward. Drake inclined his head, and Florin did likewise.

aAll those required to be in attendance are here present,a the torchbearer said solemnly. aLet whatever blood is shed this night be done with honor.a And so saying, he returned to his place in the circle.

For a moment, it was as if the vampires in the clearing were frozen in time.

Elena shivered as a low, keening wind sprang up, rattling the leaves of the trees, causing the torches to flicker erratically. She looked up at Stefan. His eyes burned red as he stared at the scene in the clearing.

Without taking her eyes from the combatants, she asked, aWhy is Florinas last name Korzha if heas Rodinas son?a aOnly Liliana and her children carry his surname.a Like Elena, Stefan kept his attention on Rodin and his opponent. aHis other children take their motheras maiden names.a There was no signal given that Elena could see, but suddenly Rodin and his opponent were moving. The ring of metal against metal was very loud in the stillness of the night. As the blades met, the wind howled through the trees.

Elena shivered again. She risked a look at Drake. His hands were clenched at his sides, his face like something carved from stone.

She turned her attention back to the battle. The vampires moved so swiftly, there were times when they were little more than a blur so that she couldnat tell one from the other.

Power shimmered through the air as sword met sword. When the scent of blood filled the air, the two vampires parted, and Elena saw that the challenger was bleeding from a long gash in his left arm.

The two combatants came together again and again.

It was like being caught up in a nightmare. The wind howling. The blood in the air. The ringing of metal striking metal. The blazing red eyes of the vampires, the light of the torches casting eerie shadows on the ground.

It seemed as if the fight would go on forever when Rodin suddenly feinted left, pivoted in a circle, and drove his sword through his opponentas heart. The other vampire fell backward, his sword dropping from his hand. Before Gerret hit the ground, Rodinas blade swung again, cleanly severing the challengeras head.

Retching, Elena turned away, her arms folded over her stomach. Stefan had been right. She should have stayed home.

From behind her, someone shouted, aStop him!a In the distance, Elena heard a scream filled with such pain, such agony, it raised the short hairs along her nape.

Beside her, Stefan hissed, aNo!a Afraid of what she might see, Elena glanced over her shoulder. Rodin lay on the ground, a long wooden stake protruding from his chest, exactly where his heart would be. A dark stain pooled beneath him.

In the blink of an eye, Drake had Florin by the throat.

And Liliana was kneeling at Rodinas side, a look of horrified disbelief on her face.

One of the torchbearers drew a sword from beneath his cloak and took a step forward, clearly intending to take Rodinas head.

With a wild cry, Stefan propelled himself across the field. Grabbing the sword from the other vampireas hand, Stefan drove the blade into his heart, then whirled around, ready to fight the remaining vampires, if necessary. The three remaining torchbearers dropped their cloaks to the ground. None of them carried weapons.

Elena stared at the grisly scene and then, slowly, lifted her gaze to find Drake staring at her over Florinas shoulder.

Chapter 28.

Elena knew a moment of fear when Drakeas gaze met hers. Eyes burning red, fangs bared, he stared at her over the head of the vampire struggling in his grasp. She wondered what had possessed the other vampire to stab Rodin from behind, but it was immaterial at the moment.

She had forgotten how frightening Drakeas vampire mien could be. With her, he had always been so gentle and tender, it had been easy to forget that beneath his courtly exterior there lurked a deadly predator who lived on human blood.

One of the torchbearers stepped forward. After pulling on a pair of gloves, he reached into the pocket of his trousers and withdrew a pair of silver handcuffs.

Florin ceased his struggles once the shackles were locked in place.

Elena remained where she was, her heart pounding with trepidation. She knew Drake wouldnat betray her presence, but other vampires were arriving now, followed by a handful of drones. One of them picked up Gerretas body and carried it away.

In the flickering light, Elena recognized some of the vampires as members of the Council. They formed a large, silent circle that encompa.s.sed Drake, Florin, Stefan, Liliana, and the fallen Master Vampire.

And then Liliana rose to her feet. Eyes blazing, cheeks streaked with scarlet tears, she picked up her husbandas sword. aRodin, Master of the Carpathian Fortress, has been destroyed by treachery.a Her voice rang out in the darkness. aI seek a champion to avenge his death and return the Fortress to its rightful heirs.a Every member of the Council took a step forward, as did Stefan and Drake.

Hidden in the shadows, Elena murmured, aNo. Oh, no,a as Liliana offered the sword to Drake.

Liliana nodded. aAs Rodinas eldest son, I honor you with the task of avenging your sireas death.a With a nod, Drake took the sword from her hand.

aAccording to our laws,a Liliana said, ayou may challenge Florin Korzha, or you may execute him for his treachery. The choice is yours.a Drake removed his cloak and shirt and tossed them aside. aRelease him,a he said, his voice as lethal as the weapon in his hand. aAn execution is too swift. Too merciful.a One of the drones stepped forward and removed the shackles from Florinas wrists. Even in the dim light, Elena could see that Florinas skin had already blistered and blackened where the silver had touched him.

Drake glanced at his brother. aStefan, give him your blade.a Stefan glared at Drake, then threw Gerretas weapon on the ground.

Florinas gaze darted from left to right as he picked up the bloodstained sword. Then, lips peeled back to reveal his fangs, he sprang toward Drake.

Elena took a step forward, hardly daring to breathe. Rodin had fought swiftly, skillfully, meting out more punishment than he had received. Florin was not as adept. His moves were slower, less confident.

Drake fought coldly, precisely, his sword slicing into his opponent again and again. Aside from the exquisite pain of silver biting into preternatural flesh, the blade inflicted no lasting damage, the vampireas wounds healing almost immediately, though there would be scars.

Elena choked back a cry as Florinas sword opened a long gash across Drakeas chest. He seemed immune to the pain as he parried Florinas next thrust. As the fight went on, Elena realized that Drake could have ended it at any time. He was deliberately prolonging the battle in order to inflict as much pain as he could before delivering the final coup de grce.

When the end came, it came swiftly. The sword in Drakeas hand moved faster than her eye could follow, opening dozens of deep gashes on Florinas arms, legs, back, and chest before a well-placed thrust drove Drakeas sword into his opponentas heart.

There was a collective sigh from the watching vampires as Florin staggered backward, then spiraled slowly to the ground.

Knowing what was coming, Elena turned her back. It did little good. Perhaps it was because she had been focused so strongly on Drake, perhaps it was simply because of the bond they shared, but she heard the whisper of the sword slice through the air, saw the blade cut easily through preternatural flesh as Drake severed Florinas head.

She swallowed hard, but she wasnat sick this time. Instead, she was only grateful that the man she loved still lived.

Drake came for Elena later, after Rodinas body had been carried away by the members of the Council.

His gaze burned into hers. aWhat the h.e.l.l was Stefan thinking, to bring you here?a aI begged him to do it. Donat be mad at him.a aI told you to stay home.a aI . . . I thought . . . I had this horrible feeling that something was wrong, that you needed me.a She squared her shoulders and stiffened her spine. aI guess I was wrong.a The hurt in her eyes melted his anger. Murmuring her name, he pulled her into his embrace. aI will always need you, but you should not have come here.a He shuddered to think what would have happened to her if she had been discovered by a vampire who didnat know who she was. Out here, alone, she would have been mistaken for a runaway sheep. Those who tried to escape were beyond the protection of the Fortress and were considered easy prey for any who should find them. She would have been drained before she had time to mention his name or explain who she was. The thought made him hold her closer, tighter.

aDrake, I canat breathe.a aSorry.a He loosened his hold immediately. aCome with me. I will take you to my quarters. Katiya is there. Promise me you will not leave.a aI promise.a Keeping his arms around her, he willed the two of them to his apartment.

Katiya looked up, her expression troubled. aI heard what happened to your sire. I am sorry.a Drake nodded. Rodin had been destroyed. It was unthinkable. Unbelievable.

aWhat will happen now?a Katiya asked.

aThe Council is meeting in an hour.a He glanced from Katiya to Elena. aI want both of you to stay here. Keep the door locked. Do not open it for anyone.a aExcept Andrei,a Katiya said.

aAndrei will not knock,a Drake said. After bolting the door, he kissed Elena on the cheek, and vanished from the room.

Elena blinked, amazed, as always, at how quickly vampires could come and go.

aWhat are you doing here?a Katiya asked.

aI felt that I needed to be here, for Drake. I guess I was wrong.a aDo sit down and make yourself comfortable,a Katiya said. aCan I get you anything?a aNo.a Elena worried her lower lip with her teeth. aWhat do you think theyare doing?a aThe Council will decide who is to take Rodinas place. Tomorrow night, all of Rodinas wives and children will gather here. His body will be cremated and they will never speak of him again.a aNever?a Elena asked.

aIt is our way.a aAre you happy, being a vampire?a aI was, until I came here. Rodin ruled his Fortress differently than my sire rules his.a aDifferently?a aRodin ruled as if he were a king and his wives and children and those who took refuge here were his subjects. His word was law. My sireas rules are less stringent, our people given more freedom, except when it comes to marriage,a she said, her voice suddenly tinged with bitterness. aThat is where all vampires are the same.a aSo, vampires never marry humans? Never have children with them?a aNot to my knowledge.a Katiya canted her head to the side, her expression thoughtful. aThere was one case, where one of Rodinas sons impregnated a mortal female.a aWhich son?a aI do not know. I am not supposed to know it even happened. All I know is that it did not end well. The mother and baby both died in childbirth. The strange thing was, the vampire was fifty years shy of being five hundred. He should not have been able to father a child at all.a Elena sighed, wondering if she would ever learn all there was to know about this strange society. And then she frowned. aA drone carried Gerretas body away, but Florinas body was left in the clearing. What will happen to it?a aIn the morning, the sun will burn it up.a aOh.a The more she learned, the less she wanted to know. Sitting back in the chair, she folded her arms over her chest and prayed that Drake would return soon.

Clad in unrelieved black from head to foot, Liliana sat in her chair on the dais in the Council chamber. Drake stood beside her, his arms crossed over his chest, his face like stone as he watched the Council members file into the room and take their places.

Earlier, he had met with Andrei and Ciprian, whoad informed him that Olaf was missing, no doubt destroyed by Florinas hand.

But at the moment, Drake had a more pressing concern on his mind. He held his breath as Liliana rose to her feet.

aYou all know why we are gathered here.a Though she spoke quietly, her voice echoed off the walls. aMy husband has been killed. We will lay him to rest tomorrow night. But appointing someone to a.s.sume his position cannot wait. There is only one among us who is old enough, wise enough, strong enough, to take Rodinas place.a Drake went still as every head in the room turned in his direction.

aIt is no secret that Rodinas firstborn son is the only one qualified to take his sireas place. I aska"nay, I demanda" that the Council name Drake Sherrad as Master of the Carpathian Fortress. How say you? Yea or nay?a As one, the members of the Council stood. Heads bowed, each one said, aYea.a Liliana faced her son for the first time. aSo be it, Lord Drake. The Fortress is now yours.a As one, the members of the Council bowed their heads again. aAs spoken and agreed, let it be done.a With a faint smile, Liliana embraced her son.

One by one, the members came forward to declare their allegiance to Drake before leaving the Council chambers.

aYou knew I did not want this,a Drake said when he and his mother were alone in the room.

aIt was your sireas wish. And mine also.a aYou will regret it,a he said, and with a courtly bow in her direction, he stalked out of the room.

Chapter 29.

Katiyaas face lit up with a smile of welcome when Andrei materialized in Drakeas apartment. Cupping her face in his hands, Andrei kissed her once, twice, three times before acknowledging Elenaas presence.

aWhereas Drake?a Elena asked anxiously. aIs everything all right?a Andrei wrapped his arm around Katiyaas shoulders. aMy brother is not particularly happy just now. Liliana demanded the Council name him as Master of the Coven. It is a position he never wanted.a aSo, where is he?a Elena asked again.

aI cannot say for sure, but I think he has left the Fortress to meditate.a aLeft?a aOnly to go outside,a Andrei said. aI believe he needs some time alone to come to terms with all that has happened.a He shook his head. aAlthough why he needs to think about it is beyond me. He must have known there was a chance, however slim, that Rodin would one day be defeated in battle. As the eldest son, he should have known he would be first in line to take our sireas place.a Elena nodded. She didnat know what to think, what to say. Couldnat begin to imagine how this would affect her relationship with Drake. Would he be expected to stay here now? Permanently? What of Katiya? And Andrei? What of their child? She hadnat seen any vampire children in the Fortress, nor had Drake ever mentioned them. Were they that rare?

aI need to go home,a Elena said.

Katiya and Andrei stared at her.

aI canat stay here,a Elena said. Rising from the chair beside the sofa, she began to pace the floor. She didnat belong in this place, and she never would. aAnd if Liliana finds out Iam here. . . .a She shook her head. aI donat even want to think about that.a Suddenly nauseous, she sat down again.

aElena, are you ill?a Katiya asked.

aIam fine. Itas just all this stress,a she said with a shrug, aplus I havenat had anything to eat.a aOf course,a Katiya said. aHow thoughtless of us, not to offer anything. Andrei, please find her some nourishment.a With a nod, he left the room, only to return moments later with a tray bearing a roast beef sandwich, a bowl of sliced fruit, and a cup of tea.

Murmuring, aThank you,a Elena picked up the sandwich.

Katiya and Andrei sat side by side on the sofa, trying not to stare at her as she ate.

Elena did her best to ignore them, but she couldnat help wondering if they ever missed solid food. She loved malts and chocolate milk and orange juice, but she wouldnat be happy living on a liquid diet, especially one as stringent as theirs. Malts were good, but so was chicken and French fries and steak, not to mention pie and ice cream.