“What brings you here?”
“I am looking for my father’s wife, Nadiya,” Stefan said, his voice cool. “I believe you know her.”
Lucien cleared his throat. “Yes, of course. Lovely woman.”
“We believe she has kidnapped Kaitlyn.”
“They are not here.” Lucien spread his hands wide. “You may search my home if you wish.”
“Thank you. I will.”
Drake stared at the human male standing on the porch. He was obviously in thrall to someone. His first words confirmed Drake’s suspicion.
“The lady Nadiya demands that you, your family, and everyone else who dwells within these walls leave immediately.”
“And if I refuse?”
The drone reached into his pocket and withdrew a scrap of bloodstained cloth. He offered it to Drake.
A muscle worked in Drake’s jaw as he took it. He recognized the material immediately. It was from a dress Elena had given Kaitlyn.
The blood was also hers.
The threat was plain.
“Very well. Tell your lady that we will be gone by midnight.”
Zack stared at Drake. “You’re going to leave, just like that? You don’t even know if Katy is still alive.”
They had gathered in the council chambers once again. The council members had all returned, save for Stefan. None carried news of Nadiya or Kaitlyn. Every Master Vampire questioned had denied knowing anything of Nadiya’s or Kaitlyn’s whereabouts.
“I am not going to take any chances with my daughter’s life,” Drake said. “Once Kaitlyn is safely with us again, we will retake the Fortress. Stefan! What news have you?”
“Lucien denies any knowledge of Nadiya or her whereabouts, but she has been to the Italian Fortress recently,” Stefan said, striding toward the dais.” I am sure of it.” He glanced at the somber faces of the council members, then looked at Drake. “What has happened?”
“Nadiya has demanded that we evacuate the Fortress. I told her emissary we would be gone by midnight.”
“So she has Kaitlyn?”
“I believe so, yes.”
“You believe so?” Stefan exclaimed.
Drake held up the scrap of Kaitlyn’s dress. “She has her, or knows where she is.”
“How do you know she will return Kaitlyn once the Fortress is hers?”
“I do not.” Drake shrugged, his expression implacable. “But my daughter’s life is worth more than a pile of stone. We are leaving.”
“What of the mortal families?” Andrei asked.
“Their vampire mates will care for them. Northa will go with Marta and Cullen. Elena, tell the others we are leaving, then go and pack anything you wish to take with you. Stefan, you are welcome to come to Wolfram with us.” After a moment, he said, “Ravenscroft, you are also welcome to join us at Wolfram.”
Zack nodded. “Thanks.”
Since they were vampires with preternatural power, it didn’t take them long to gather their belongings. Katiya and Andrei decided to visit with Katiya’s parents. Drake’s other brothers and sisters all had homes of their own in various parts of the country. Liliana also had a place of her own. She opted to go there, at least for the time being, and asked Stefan to go with her.
“Are you sure that is a good idea?” Drake asked. “I would feel better if the two of you would come to Wolfram with us.”
“You are sweet to worry about me,” Liliana said, patting his cheek. “But I wish to stay in my own house. Besides, I am not afraid of Nadiya Korzha. And Stefan will be with me.”
An hour and a half later, everyone was gone save for Drake, Elena, Stefan, Liliana, and Zack, who were the last to leave the Fortress.
“You know you cannot trust Nadiya,” Liliana said. “Her mind is rotten with her need for revenge.”
Drake nodded. “I know.”
“She’s coming,” Zack said. “And she’s not alone.” It hadn’t taken him long to recognize the peculiar scent of the Romanian vampires. Once that was done, it was easy to distinguish between the Romanian vampires, humans, and vampires like himself.
Nadiya materialized out of the darkness. She was a pretty woman, Zack thought, if you liked women made of ice. She wore a long white dress that gave her a ghostly appearance. An odd power radiated from her, one he had never experienced before.
There were other vampires aligned behind her. Zack wasn’t sure how many, perhaps fifty.
“Drake,” Nadiya murmured. “So good to see you.”
“I have done as you asked. Where is my daughter?”
Nadiya looked offended by his curt tone. “She is well enough, for now.”
“I wish to see her.”
“That was not part of our agreement.”
Drake glared at her. “I have sent my people away. The Fortress is yours. Give me my daughter.”
“I never said I would give her to you.”
Drake took a step forward, his fingers clawlike, his eyes glowing hot as hellfire when he reached for her.
Nadiya raised one hand and it was as if Drake had hit a wall. He recoiled, his face contorting with pain.
Zack swore as residual supernatural power arced through the air, brushing his skin. It was like nothing he had ever felt before. Not painful, but uncomfortable.
He nodded to himself when Liliana murmured, “Witch.” That explained it.
Elena took a step forward, one hand extended in a silent plea. “Nadiya, I know we have never been friends,” she said, her voice thick with unshed tears, “but Kaitlyn has never done anything to you or your family. Please let her come home to us.”
“Three of my sons are dead,” Nadiya replied, her voice like acid. “No blood has been shed to avenge them.”
“If you want blood, take mine!” Elena cried. “But please don’t hurt my child. My only child.”
“If you want blood for blood, take mine,” Drake said, his voice thick with barely suppressed anger. “I am the one who destroyed Florin. Although you seem to have forgotten he deserved to die for his treachery against your husband.”
Nadiya’s eyes narrowed ominously. “You dare say that to my face!”
“It is the truth and you know it!”
“Be gone from here!”
“Drake?” Elena looked up at her husband, her cheeks damp with tears.
“Come, wife, let us go.” Taking Elena by the hand, he started down the trail, then turned back to face Nadiya. “Know this. If you harm so much as a hair on my daughter’s head, I will hunt you down and rip out your heart no matter how long it takes me to find you, no matter what the cost.”