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His attack was far faster than I ever anticipated. I felt his blade slash my throat and my blood pour out. I rammed my blade into his neck all the way to the hilt. He staggered back, b
oth of us gripping our necks as our blood fell to the slick, bloody floor. He pulled the dagger from his throat and smiled.
Without a weapon, my blood streaming down my body, I knew I was close to losing. I could not depend on the regents to protect me. Vlad would fulfill his promise to lop off my hands and feet and entomb me. I would be lost. Damned completely.
I would not let that happen.
I saw a blur of motion and moved my body to absorb the impact of his assault, while coiling my power and my body into a tight spring. Vlad drove both daggers into my chest and back, the pain nearly toppling me to the floor, but my body burst into action as I unleashed the wave of power built up within me. I shoved my shoulder into Vlad’s chest as my power sent him hurtling backward. The windows shattered as he sailed through them and into the wintery night.
My trembling fingers drew out the silver daggers, my body burning with their poison. I gripped their cold handles, hearing my blood and Vlad’s dripping from their blades. I waited for him.
There was no dramatic entrance. He was merely before me in an instant, growling, his teeth bared.
“You are done with this discussion,” Ilinca announced.
Vlad took a step toward me.
Ilinca appeared between us. One hand rose toward Vlad as she said, “Do you dare to risk challenging me now?”
“Or me?” Gavril emerged from the empty air to stand behind Vlad.
His wide shoulders heaving, Vlad glowered at me. I felt his silent plea for me to side with him and plunge my daggers into Ilinca. Instead of obeying, I dropped them to the ground and curtsied.
“She is ours. Not yours. We protect her. You had your talk. I see by your ‘discussion’ with her that you see what we see. A powerful vampire that is an asset to any vampire court,” Gavril said, slowly walking around Vlad. “A pity you have lost her. ”
Gently taking my arm, Ilinca guided me to the ballroom. Covered in blood, wounded but healing, I lifted my chin in triumph. Vlad had failed.
The door opened at her beckoning. We stepped through and heard gasps. I instantly found Ignatius and saw the horror in his eyes. Laura let out a gasp, her hands clasped over her mouth. To reassure them, I smiled.
Vlad swept past me. He did not say a word, but grabbed hold of Cneajna’s arm. She cried out as he dragged her behind him, but went willingly. She cast one more hateful look over her shoulder, then was gone.
“He will be escorted from our domain,” Ilinca assured me.
I nodded slightly, unsure if I was free to go or not.
Ilinca kissed my cheek, her hand gently pressing the dagger back into my hand. “Go home, dear Lady Glynis. Rest. Be restored. Return in a fortnight. ”
Lounging on his throne, Gavril inclined his head. “Good evening, fair warrior. ”
Though I wanted to rush into their arms, I forced myself to walk in a lady-like manner to Ignatius and Laura. My progeny flung her arms around me as Ignatius pressed a loving kiss to my brow. Our gazes met and an understanding passed between us.
“You are my love,” I said to him. “Even my Master cannot quench my love for you. ”
“He is of no consequence for now. ” Ignatius kissed my lips, his love warming me.
Vlad was vanquished and I was free.
Laura sobbed into my neck as Ignatius guided us through the door and out into the cold, wintery night. A carriage awaited us. Adem and his guards were shocked to see me, but Ignatius simply shook his head and they visibly relaxed.
Inside the carriage, Katya and Magda let out gasps of delight. Katya flung open the door for us and Ignatius lifted me inside. I was surprised to see both women had pistols at their sides. Magda hastily hid something in a bag and by the repulsion I felt I suspected it was holy relics. Laura sat between Katya and Magda and Ignatius held me in his arms as we took the seat across from them. Adem surprised me by sliding into the carriage and closing the door.
“It is a relief to see you alive and well,” Adem said, touching my hand. “We were prepared to fight for you. We have been awaiting Ignatius’s signal to storm inside. ”
“You were going to rescue me?” I was surprised, yet touched.
The carriage lurched into motion.
Magda leaned over and kissed my hand. “Adem and Ignatius were going to leave us behind, but we insisted. ”
