Katiya cleared her throat. aAndrei, what do you think Drake will do now?a aI have no idea, but I would not be surprised if he turned the Fortress upside down.a Elena was trying to figure out what he meant by that when Drake entered the room.

aNot now, Andrei,a he said, seeing the curiosity in his brotheras eyes. aI am in no mood to answer questions. All I want is to spend whatas left of the night with Elena.a Taking her by the hand, he drew her to her feet. aIf that is all right with you?a aIt is more than all right, my lord,a she murmured.

aAndrei, we will need to use your apartment.a aAs you wish. My lord,a he added with a grin.

Drake glared at his brother; then, wrapping his arm around Elena, he transported the two of them to Andreias quarters.

aWhat now?a Elena asked. She glanced around the living room. It was spa.r.s.ely furnished with a brown leather sofa and matching chair, a pair of gla.s.s-topped ebony end tables, and a large, wall-mounted TV. Through an open doorway, she saw a king-sized bed covered with a brown velvet spread.

aWhat now?a Drake repeated. aI wish I knew.a He paced away from her, then stood staring at the pair of paintings over the sofa. Both pictures depicted an oceana"one by day with the sun shining brightly on an expanse of clear blue-green water; the other by night, with the moonas silver light reflected on troubled black waves.

Elena stood in the center of the room, not knowing if she should follow her heart and put her arms around him, or leave him alone.

aI will take control of the Fortress tomorrow night,a he said at last.

aOh?a He turned to face her. aYou need to decide what you want to do.a aDo?a She frowned at him. aAbout what?a aAbout us.a aI thought I had already made that decision.a aThings are different now. I am not sure how what I have planned will be received.a aWhatever happens, I want to be with you.a He didnat say anything, just wrapped her in his embrace. He sighed, and she felt the tension drain out of him.

aDid you think I would leave you?a aI cannot think of a single reason why you would want to stay. Your life has been anything but peaceful since the night we met.a aAnd Iave loved every minute weave spent together,a she said. aWell, almost every minute. So, are you through being the master for the night?a He arched one brow. aThat depends. Is there something you desire?a aYou,a she whispered. aOnly you.a aGranted. Do with me what you will.a aSo, itas okay for me to do this?a Rising on her tiptoes, she pressed herself against him. aAnd this?a Cupping her hand around his nape, she kissed him, long and slow, then drew back so she could see his face. aAny complaints?a aNone so far. What else have you got?a She ran her tongue across his lips, then kissed him again.

aAnd if I was to sweep you into my arms and carry you to bed, do you think you could find something for us to do there?a he asked with a wicked grin.

aI can guarantee it.a aShow me,a he said, his voice low and husky with de - sire as he swung her into his arms and carried her swiftly to bed.

Elena awoke slowly; then, remembering where she was, she turned to study the man sleeping soundly beside her. Whatever else might happen, after last night she had no doubt that Drake loved her completely and that he would do everything in his power to ensure that they could be together.

Rising, she showered, then dressed. Last night, Drake had warned her not to leave Andreias apartment, then told her that one of the drones would bring her something to eat at 10 A.M. A glance at her watch told her the drone would be there any minute. A moment later, there was a knock at the door.

Though it was unnecessary, Elena thanked the drone, then locked the door after him, though she doubted it would keep the vampires out. It was sure to arouse suspicion if any of the vampires learned food had been delivered to Andreias quarters, especially during the day, when he was supposed to be sleeping. But she was too hungry to worry about that now.

After a meal of French toast, scrambled eggs, and bacon, she wandered around the apartment, which consisted of four large roomsa"bedroom, bathroom, living room, and library. The library was stocked with books, CDs, DVDs, magazines and newspapers in several languages, and an a.s.sortment of crossword puzzle books. A desk held a computer with a large monitor. There was also a state-of-the-art stereo system.

Elena turned the stereo on low, found the latest Frankenstein novel by Dean Koontz, and lost herself in another world.

When she tired of reading, she went in search of a movie, surprised to find that Andrei had what looked like every movie John Wayne had ever made. She was watching Hondo when the drone delivered her lunch.

She was browsing through Andreias CD collection when a whisper of power flowed through the room, making the short hairs on her arms stand at attention.

aDrake.a She knew he was there even before she turned around.

She sighed when he drew her into his arms, closed her eyes as his mouth covered hers, whispered amorea when he would have let her go.

He kissed her again, longer, deeper, then brushed his knuckles across her cheek. aI need to go,a he said. aI have business to attend to. One of the drones will come for you in an hour or so.a aWhat are you going to do?a aYou will be there when it happens.a He cupped her cheek in his palm. aSay a prayer for me.a aWhat should I pray for?a aSuccess.a He kissed her again, quickly, and then he was gone.

A short time later, Katiya and Andrei appeared in the apartment.

aI brought you something to wear,a Katiya said. aI think it will fit.a aItas lovely,a Elena said. aThank you.a The dress, of dark mauve, had a velvet bodice and a long satin skirt.

Katiya reached into her pocket. aI brought a brush for your hair, as well.a aThank you.a aI will see you soon,a Katiya said, and vanished from sight.

Elena looked at Andrei, who had taken a seat on the sofa. aDo you know whatas going on?a she asked as she ran the brush through her hair.

aKnowing how Drake feels about this place, I have a fair idea.a aHe seemed worried earlier.a aI would be surprised to hear otherwise.a Elena found little comfort in his words.

The gown Katiya had lent her fit Elena as if it had been made for her. She had barely finished changing clothes when a drone knocked at the door. Elena ducked out of sight when Andrei went to answer it.

aLord Drake requests your presence in the Council chamber immediately,a the drone said.

Andrei blew out a breath. aHere we go.a A million nervous b.u.t.terflies took wing in Elenaas stomach as she followed Andrei down the hall toward the Council meeting room. When they reached the door, Elena grabbed his hand. aAre you sure he wants me here?a aVery sure,a Andrei said, and opened the door.

Elenaas gaze swept the chamber in a single glance. Drake, dressed all in black, sat in Rodinas chair on the dais. Liliana, also dressed in black, sat on his right. Katiya, looking young and lovely in pale blue, sat on his left. The Council members were seated.

Drake rose when he saw her. aPlease, come in.a Taking a deep breath, Elena entered the chamber at Andreias side.

Liliana rose. aWhat is this outrage?a she demanded, her voice as cold and brittle as arctic ice.

aLiliana, sit down,a Drake said, his voice equally cold. aShe is here at my request.a Liliana glared daggers at her son, but she did as he said.

Impressive, Elena thought.

aAs you all know,a Drake said, aRodin has been destroyed. As the new Master of the Carpathian Coven, I have decided there are changes that need to be made.a He cast a warning glance at Liliana, who had started to rise. Fury radiated from her eyes but she remained silent and seated.

aKatiya,a Drake said. aCome forward.a Rising, she stood beside him. She looked cool and unruffled, her face serene, making Elena think that Katiya was well aware of whatever change Drake was about to make. Aware and in agreement.

aAs Master of the Coven, I hereby renounce my marriage vows to Katiya Belova. How say you, Katiya? Yea or nay?a aYea, my lord.a aSo let it be recorded,a Drake said. aSo let it be done.a aSo let it be recorded,a the Council members said. aDone and done.a Leaving the dais, Katiya took a seat in the back of the room.

aElena Knightsbridge, come forward.a Heart pounding, she moved toward the foot of the dais.

Drake smiled at her. aCome, stand beside me.a aNo!a Lilianaas voice echoed through the room like rolling thunder.

aBe still!a Drake shot a quelling glance at his mother. aIf you interfere again, I will have you removed.a He held out his hand to Elena. aCome.a Praying that her legs wouldnat fail her, Elena took Drakeas hand and stepped up on the dais.

Drake faced the Council. aRodin Sherrad annulled my marriage to Elena Knightsbridge. As Master of the Coven, I hereby revoke that annulment. From this time forward, Elena Knightsbridge will be my wife. All who wish to shelter here will accord her the respect to which she is ent.i.tled as my consort. So let it be recorded. So let it be done.a aSo let it be recorded,a intoned the Council members. aDone and done.a Taking Elena in his arms, Drake kissed her lightly. aI love you,a he said quietly. aPlease take your place.a Fully aware of Lilianaas fulminating gaze, Elena took the chair vacated by Katiya.

aAndrei Lazarescu,a Drake said, acome forward. As Master of the Coven, I now unite Andrei Lazarescu and Katiya Belova as husband and wife by my hand. Andrei, how say you? Yea or nay?a aYea, my lord.a aKatiya, how say you? Yea or nay?a aYea, my lord.a aSo let it be recorded,a Drake said, smiling. aSo let it be done.a aSo let it be recorded,a the Council members said. aDone and done.a Hand in hand, Andrei and Katiya left the room, smiling.

aLiam Tarasova, come forward.a The vampire who strode toward the dais was of medium height with short, dark brown hair and heavy-lidded brown eyes.

aLiam Tarasova, as Master of the Carpathian Coven, I appoint you as the thirteenth member of the Council. Do you accept the responsibility this task entails, and do you now swear to uphold our laws? Yea or nay?a aYea, my lord.a aSo let it be recorded,a Drake said solemnly. aSo let it be done.a aSo let it be recorded,a the Council members said. aDone and done.a aOne last matter of business,a Drake said. aI have never approved of keeping humans as sheep. It is my intention to offer them their freedom.a This announcement elicited a gasp from everyone in the room, including Elena.

Liliana stood, her whole body quivering with outrage. aYou have no righta"a aI have every right,a Drake retorted sharply, agiven to me by your own hand. Sit down.a Liliana glared at him, her eyes burning bright red, and then she vanished from the chamber.

aI intend to give the sheep their freedom if they so wish it,a Drake said again. aIf they choose to stay, they will no longer be prisoners. They will be allowed the run of the first three floors of the Fortress. They may stay or go at their pleasure, but those who decide to leave will have all memory of this place and what happened to them here erased from their minds. Further, I revoke the decree making it unlawful for humans and vampires to marry.a This announcement was met with gasps of surprise as well as exclamations of disbelief from those present.

aSo let it be recorded,a Drake said solemnly. aSo let it be done.a There were whispered murmurs from the members of the Council before they gave their unanimous approval.

aI declare this convocation closed until further notice.a As one, the Council members filed out of the chamber, followed by Liam, until only Drake and Elena remained.

He stood there a moment, his head bowed, before he reached for her. aSo, wife, what say you?a aI donat know what to say. Your mother . . .a aReacted exactly as I expected,a he said.

aI donat know which upset her more, your decision to free the sheep, your decision to give Katiya to Andrei, or your declaration that our annulment was stricken.a aShe will accept my decisions or not. If she refuses to abide by my laws, she will be banished.a aYouad make your own mother leave here when you know how much she loves it?a aMy first loyalty is to the Coven. If I cannot enforce my laws, if I cannot command obedience and respect from my own mother, then I do not deserve to be Master of the Coven.a He ran his fingertips over her lips. aNo more talk of vampire business tonight.a Before Elena could respond, they were in the living room of Drakeas apartment. There were dozens of red roses in a sparkling crystal vase on the coffee table. Soft music played in the background, candlelight illuminated the room with a pale golden glow.

aAre you hungry, wife?a he asked.

aFamished,a she murmured.

aWhat are you in the mood for?a aIam not sure.a He quirked an eyebrow at her. aHow about something tall, dark, and dangerous?a aPerhaps,a she said, frowning. aOf course, almost every man in the Fortress seems to be tall, dark, and dangerous.a Drake growled at her in mock anger. aCareful, wife.a aYes, my lord.a She slipped her hands under his shirt, then splayed her fingers across his chest. aIs this careful enough?a He nipped the lobe of her ear. aI warn you, you are playing with fire.a aWill you show me the flames?a aJust look into my eyes.a Sweeping her into his arms, he carried her into the bedroom. There were more roses in here, as well as a pair of candles on the bedside table, along with a bottle of red wine and two cut-crystal goblets. Red rose petals were scattered over the bed.

Elena looked up at him, a question in her eyes.

aI hoped we would end up here sometime tonight,a he said, grinning.

aWell,a she purred, ahere we are.a aAnd here we will stay,a he said, lowering her onto the mattress, aat least for a few more days.a aThen what?a aLet us not talk of that now.a He wished away his clothes and her own. Pulling her into his warm embrace, he kissed her. At the first touch of his mouth on hers, she forgot everything but her need for this man above all else.

She ran her hands over the broad expanse of his chest, along his arms, dragged her fingertips across his belly, loving the way he responded to her touch, the way his muscles bunched and flexed beneath her questing fingertips as she trailed her hand lower, lower. He groaned deep in his throat as he stretched out on his side, then aligned her body with his, so that they were pressed intimately together from shoulder to thigh, their legs entwined.

Her breath caught in her throat as he began a slow, sweet exploration of her body, his hands trailing fire, his tongue a flame as it dueled with hers.

She clutched his shoulders when he rose over her, lifted her hips, eager to receive him, to feel the welcome weight of his body covering hers as two became one, joined flesh to flesh, and heart to heart.

Chapter 30.

Elena spent the next day much as she had spent the previous onea"reading, watching movies, listening to music, thumbing through the daily papers, thinking how strange it was that people lived their lives never knowing that vampires dwelled in their midst. Time and again, she glanced at her watch, willing the hours and minutes to pa.s.s more quickly.

Drake appeared in the living room shortly after she finished dinner. Taking her in his arms, he kissed her. aHow was your day?a aLonely, without you.a aYou must know I would spend my days with you if I could.a aI know.a aFor now, I have business to attend to. Do you wish to accompany me?a aOf course!a aCome along, then,a he said, and taking her by the hand, he led her into the dining hall.

Elena was surprised to see the sheep a.s.sembled there. Tables had been added to accommodate several couples with babies and young children. She had never seen children in the Fortress.

The tension in the hall practically crackled when Drake walked through the door. Glancing at the faces of the sheep, Elena noticed that they all wore the same wary expression, like patients awaiting bad news.

Drakeas gaze swept the room, and the tension in the hall grew thicker.

aAs you know,a he said without preamble, athere has been a change in leadership. I am now the Master of the Coven and as such, I have inst.i.tuted several changes, most of which do not concern you. There is, however, one change that will affect you all.a Elena watched the sheep. Some stirred restlessly, as if sensing danger. Several of the couples held tighter to their children, their expressions fearful. Northa and Marta looked at Elena. She smiled, hoping to rea.s.sure them.

aI realize you have been born here,a Drake went on, aand that you have known no other life but this one. I am now offering you a choice. You may stay here, if you wish, or you may leave.a The sheep stared at Drake and then at each other.

aI am sure you have questions,a he said. aFeel free to ask them.a And still the sheep stared at him as if he were speaking a foreign language.

aI am offering you your freedom,a Drake said.

Finally, one of the men spoke up. He was young, perhaps nineteen. A little girl with pigtails sat on his lap. aWhere would we go? Who would take care of us?a aWho would feed us?a asked another man.

aWe donat know anything of the outside world,a Marta said. aWho is going to teach us what we need to know?a aIf you wish to leave, we will teach you how to survive in the outside world,a Drake said. aIf you wish to stay, you will no longer be prisoners. You will be permitted access to the first three floors of the Fortress and to go outside when you wish. But you will not be permitted to pa.s.s beyond a certain point.a aThen arenat we still prisoners?a one of the men asked.

aIt is for our protection,a Drake said. aAnd yours. If you wish to leave, you may do so at any time, but we must know first.a aWill you still feed off us?a Northa asked.

aYes, in exchange for feeding and housing you, but you will no longer be compelled to go with anyone you dislike. Nor will you be punished for refusing. Think about what I have said. You do not need to make any decisions tonight. Until decisions have been made, you will continue to stay in your rooms. That is all.a aDo you think any of them will stay?a Elena asked when they returned to Drakeas apartment.

aWho can say? What would you do?a Sitting on the sofa, she kicked off her shoes. aI donat know. If Iad never lived anywhere else, never had the freedom to do as I pleasedaa"she shook her heada"aI think Iad be afraid to leave, even though I think Iad want to.a aYou were brave enough to run away from your uncle.a aThat was different. I wasnat a prisoner in his house. And I wasnat going outside for the first time.a Drake nodded as he took the seat beside her.

aWhat do you think theyall do?a Elena asked. aAnd if they all leave . . . ?a She wasnat quite sure how to phrase the next question, but Drake knew what she meant.

aI think the single men and some of the women will go. I know several of the females have strong feelings for some of my brothers. I think they will stay. Perhaps the couples, as well. As for what we would do if they all left . . .a He shrugged. aEvery Coven has a Fortress like this one, but not all of them provide nourishment for those who live within its walls.a aOh.a She shuddered to think of the unsuspecting people who were helpless prey to the hunger of the vampires. aHave you spoken to your mother lately?a aNo. She has left the Fortress.a aWhere did she go?a aI have no idea. I only heard of her departure late last night.a Feeling suddenly queasy, Elena bit down on her lower lip. Drake was supposed to be his motheras favorite son. But what if that were no longer true? Drake had destroyed Vardin. He had annulled his marriage to Katiya, resumed his marriage to a woman his mother did not approve of. And now he was bringing change to the Fortress.

Elena shivered. She recalled all too clearly the outrage in Lilianaas eyes the night before when Drake had a.s.sumed command of the Fortressa"the fury in her voice, the way she had vanished from the Council chamber in a fit of anger.

People made jokes about their in-laws all the time, Elena thought, but there was nothing funny about an angry mother-in-law, not when she was also a powerful vampire.

As it turned out, Drake was right. The four breeding pairs, who had five children between them ranging in age from three months to fourteen years, decided to stay, as did most of the single women. All but one of the men opted to leave.

Those who had chosen to leave were schooled in how to survive in the outside world. Drake was elusive when Elena asked who was teaching them, but when she pressed harder, he told her that the vampires waited until the sheep were sleeping, then spoke to their minds, giving them the information they needed to live in the outside world.

aIt is quicker and more effective than trying to teach them while they are awake,a he explained. aBut most of the sheep are bright and learn quickly, since my sire selected only the best and the brightest for breeding. They made better companions.a Breeding, Elena thought. With Drake as her husband, there was no chance of having children of her own. The thought made her stomach churn. Hurrying into the bathroom, she leaned over the commode.

Drake followed her into the bathroom. aAre you ill?a aI must be catching the flu.a She rinsed her mouth, washed and dried her face. aIall be all right.a Surprisingly, it only took a little over three weeks to prepare the sheep who had decided to leave the Fortress. Stefan and Liam were in charge of transporting them to various small towns in the area. Once they arrived at their destinations, the vampires erased all memories of their life at the Fortress and all memory of the vampires from their minds.

Elena was pleased with the changes Drake had made in the Fortress. It was far less lonely for her now that the sheepa"she had to stop calling them that!a"could move freely about the first three floors of the castle.

For the first time since she had been there, people walked the corridors during the day. The dining hall was no longer silent. The laughter of children echoed off the walls. Elena spent the daylight hours with Northa, Elnora, Marta, and some of the other women. Elnora was very much in love with Dallin, and since Drake had abolished the law forbidding vampires and humans to marry, she had high hopes that Dallin would propose. Marta held the same hopes for Cullin. Northa had elected to stay because she enjoyed the sensual pleasure of the vampireas bite, and because she was afraid to leave the only home she had ever known.

aThereas no reason to leave now,a Northa said one afternoon. aSince weare free to come and go as we please, and to go outside. . . .a She spread her arms wide. aLiving here now is like being a princess in a castle.a aI just wish my prince would ask me to marry him,a Elnora said with a sigh.

aMaybe you should ask him,a Northa said with a wink and a smile.

aMaybe I will!a aElena, youare married to a vampire,a Marta said. aIs it wonderful?a aDrake is wonderful,a she replied, smiling, and then she thought of Vardin. aBut I donat know if all vampires make wonderful husbands.a Returning to their apartment, Elena curled up on the sofa and picked up a magazine. She thumbed through a few pages, but she kept thinking about what Marta had said. Would she have felt the same about Drake in the beginning if she had known what he was? Would she have had the courage to take the time to get to know him? Or would her fear of what he was have kept her from trusting him?

She wanted to think she would have loved him the same no matter what, and yet there were times, when she let herself think about the future, that she wished he was human, that they could share a meal, bask in the sun, return to Wolfram. Have a child.

aYou are looking very pensive this evening,a Drake said.

aWhat?a She looked up, surprised to find him in the room. Usually, she sensed his presence almost before he appeared. aI was just thinking about . . . things.a aUnpleasant things, from the expression on your face.a She started to deny it, then realized it was useless. He would know if she was lying. aNot unpleasant,a she said. aJust . . . It doesnat matter.a Sitting beside her, he reached for her hand. aOf course it matters. I want no secrets between us.a aIsnat that impossible when you can read my mind?a aYes, I suppose it is, but I have been making an effort not to intrude on your thoughts. So, tell me, what troubles you?a aNothing, really. I was just wishing for things that canat be.a aWhat kinds of things?a She made a vague gesture with her hand, as if to push them away. aNothing major, except . . .a She blew out a breath. If he didnat want any secrets between them, then she would tell him the truth. aI was wishing we could have a baby.a aAh.a aIt doesnat matter, not really,a she said quickly.

But they both knew she was lying.

Elena met Northa in the drawing room the following afternoon. She was relating the conversation shead had with Drake the previous night when she bolted for the bathroom.

What was the matter with her? This was the third time she had thrown up in the last few weeks. It wasnat the flu. She couldnat be pregnant, and she didnat really feel sick, but if there was nothing wrong with her, why was she throwing up?

aAre you all right?a Northa asked when Elena returned to the drawing room.

aI donat think so. Is there a doctor here?a aOne of the drones is a doctor.a aReally?a Elena exclaimed. aHow is that even possible? They all look like . . . like, I donat know.a aLike zombies,a Northa said.

aExactly.a aAll the drones have special occupationsa"doctors and dentists and pediatricians. Once the vampires release them from their spell, the drones become regular people again and donat remember being enthralled. Are you really sick?a aI hope not.a Elena didnat care how skilled the drones might be; she didnat want any of them examining her.