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“Cara?”
She whimpered, shifting her legs, and fell silent again.
Raven waited to see if she would stir, but Cara’s breathing remained deep and regular. She was still asleep or unconscious.
Raven wiped at her eyes.
“You should join her.” Borek’s tone was pointed.
“I’ll sleep in Rome.”
“Rome.” His face grew thunderous. “If we make it there alive.”
“One of the soldiers said we’d arrive tomorrow. I can last another day. How long have you lived in Florence?”
“Long enough.”
Raven looked at him curiously. “Where are you from?”
His expression tightened, and he looked out the window again.
Raven turned back to her sister, placing a hand on her head and stroking the fine, blond hair.
“Russia,” he answered at last.
“You don’t sound Russian.”
“I am,” he rumbled.
Raven frowned. “Why did you leave?”
“Too many wars. And the Curia, always bringing death.” He gave her a severe look.
She chewed at the edge of her lip.
“I’m sorry,” she said gently.
Borek snorted. “Your lies mean nothing.”
Raven lifted her chin. “It isn’t a lie. I told Machiavelli the truth when we were in Florence: I’m against killing, even the killing of vampyres.”
His hand moved to his sword. “Yet you threaten us with death.”
“I’ll do anything to protect my sister.”
“You should save yourself.”
“To save my sister is to save myself.” She touched the top of Cara’s head.
Borek closed his eyes.
For a moment, Raven thought he was resting.
He opened his eyes, his lips curling derisively. “How did a Curia spy end up a pet to the Prince of Florence?”
“Perhaps because I’m charming.” Raven glared. “And what we were doesn’t matter. He’s dead.”
“The price of treason.” He gazed in contempt at her injured leg. “You must have gold running through your veins. Why else would the Prince risk his throne?”
“Maybe he loved me.” Raven’s temper flared. “Not everyone chooses a lover based on appearance. No wonder the Prince ruled you and your soldiers for so long. You’re a bunch of empty-headed thugs.”
“Silence.” Borek’s raised voice drew the attention of the other vampyres. They sat up from their resting places, their hands reaching for their swords.
Borek gestured to them to return to their positions.
“The whore has teeth,” he taunted her. “But teeth won’t save you if the Curia decides you’re no longer useful. Then I’ll be the one spitting on your corpse.”
Raven restrained the urge to curse him and turned her back, curling up next to Cara on the floor. She was so angry, her body nearly vibrated.
There were many who could be blamed for her predicament, including herself. But in that moment, lying next to her sister on the cold, hard floor of an abandoned building, she blamed William. He should have fled the city when he had the chance and taken her with him.
Now he was dead. She and her sister stood on the very precipice of death, with only an angry, vindictive Russian to protect them.
Raven ran through the forest, searching for William. She called his name over and over. No answer came.
In her heart, she knew he was dead, but she would not give up.
“To arms!” Borek raised the alarm, interrupting Raven’s dreams.
She moved slowly, shaking off sleep as the vampyres shouted at one another, descending the staircase from the upper floor.
Something smashed through the window, landing on the wooden floor and igniting into flame. A cloud of black smoke lifted to the ceiling before spreading through the room.
They were under attack.
Dim light shone from outside as the last rays of sun faded from sight. Two more fire bombs flew through the windows, engulfing the far end of the space in flames. They licked across the floor and climbed the wall.
“Grab your robes,” Borek shouted. “Douse the flames!”
The soldiers followed orders, picking up fabric and throwing it over the fire.
Smoke billowed in Raven’s direction, and she began to cough. She tried to shake Cara awake, but her sister merely murmured a few words and continued sleeping.
“There’s only one exit.” Stefan stood in the center of the room, gesturing to the front door. “We’re trapped.”
“Then get to work.” A soldier threw a robe toward Stefan.
Borek moved beneath one of the windows, taking care to keep out of sight. He peered outside.
Somewhere nearby, a dog growled.
“Hunters.” He swore an oath and moved away from the window. “At least ten. Maybe more.”
Raven huddled next to her sister, fighting to stay calm. She remembered the hunters who’d cornered her in Florence. They’d felled Aoibhe with an arrow and tried to kill William. Even though she was of no use to their blood trade, they’d threatened her with death.
One of the soldiers approached Borek. “Give them the humans.”
Borek boxed the soldier’s ear with a meaty fist. “The hunters will kill them, and then the Curia will kill us. It would be better to throw you outside, Carlos.”
“Pardon, commander,” the soldier apologized, casting a baleful look at Raven.
Raven continued to cough as smoke filled the room.
Stefan gestured to the women. “The humans are a liability. Leave them.”
Borek rounded on him. “And let them burn to death? Will you be the one to announce our failure to the new Prince? Or the Curia?”
Stefan scowled, pointedly turning his back.
Raven’s coughing grew louder as she struggled for air.
“We must get the humans out now.” Borek pointed at Carlos. “Take your sword and hold them off as long as you can. Your vest will block the arrows.”
“Excuse my words. I was too hasty.” Carlos began backing away.
Borek brandished his sword. “Step outside the door, or I’ll toss you through it.”
The other soldiers began to close ranks, moving behind Carlos with swords at the ready.
Carlos surveyed his brethren. Then, with a tight nod, he walked toward the door.
Borek gestured to two of the remaining vampyres. “Carry the humans. Keep clear of the skirmishes and head south. Those of us who survive will follow you.
“The rest of you, prepare to break through the back wall. Carlos will distract them.”
“We’re probably surrounded.” Stefan grumbled.
“Then succumb to the flames.” Borek glared.
“Be vigilant, all of you. They’re armed with poisoned arrows and relics. Be sure you’re wearing your vests.” Borek nodded at Carlos, who cursed him before opening the door and stepping outside.
A group of soldiers began kicking and hacking through the back wall as the voices of the hunters rose from the front of the building.
As soon as the opening was large enough, the soldiers surged through, leaving Borek and the two vampyres carrying the women behind. Then they also leapt into the twilight.
Chapter Six
THE HUNTERS WERE MERCENARIES, not fools.
They’d tracked the vampyres to the abandoned house, lying in wait until just before sunset. It would be folly to force their prey into the light—the sun’s rays would burn them to a crisp, destroying their valuable blood. Attack dogs prowled the perimeter, but the hunters restrained them, not wanting to alert the vampyres to their presence.
As soon as the first figure emerged through the front door, the hunters closed in.
An archer aimed at the va
mpyre’s chest. He waited until he had the perfect shot, not wanting to waste one of his precious poison-tipped arrows.
But this vampyre was a trained soldier. He ran to face his enemies, avoiding the spray of holy water. Had each hunter not carried on his person a relic, the soldier would have felled some of them. Instead, he could only swing his sword and curse in frustration, edging toward the trees in hope of escape.
An arrow flew. It struck him in the chest but bounced off his Kevlar vest, falling to the ground.
The hunters murmured in shock.
One of them ran forward, holding out a cross. The vampyre retreated toward the building.
