Abandoned to the Night (The Brotherhood Series, Book 3) (18 page)

“That will not be necessary. I have my own sword.” Leo noted the faint flicker of surprise in the blackguard’s eyes. Indeed, Leo’s sword was an extension of himself. It felt comfortable, almost weightless in his hand.

Nikolai inclined his head. “Then I shall meet you in the courtyard.”

Just like the night he challenged Ivana outside Herr Bruhn’s house, the rain lashed against the castle’s facade, bounced off the cobblestones, hammered on the rooftops. Leo glanced at the puddles, noting their number, estimating their depth. He stood in the centre, closed his eyes briefly in order to feel at one with his surroundings.

Nikolai stood opposite him. Without his fancy coat, he appeared less menacing and so twirled his sword in a figure of eight as means to intimidate. Leo ignored the slicing sound, the way the blade whipped at the air. The vigorous movements would only serve to tire him, and the thought gave Leo a little more confidence in his ability to succeed.

Elliot, Alexander, and Ivana stood near the large oak door. Despite Elliot’s initial anger over his relationship with Ivana, his friend held her close to his chest, rubbed her arm to offer comfort. Sylvester and Julia joined them too, and Leo wondered if they were aware their own lives hinged on the outcome of this fight.

Leo’s heart swelled with love for his friends, and for the only woman he had ever truly wanted. But he knew he must detach from all feelings of sentimentality if he had any hope of beating Nikolai. The mind was a fragile thing. Calvino once told him that armour was worn not just as a means of protection, but as a way to sever emotional ties. Dress a beggar in the clothes of a prince and he will behave with more decorum. A suit of steel worked to harden the heart and Leo imagined donning a vest of chain mail for the same reason.

Nikolai stopped his twirling and flexed his fingers before firming his grip on the hilt. “Are you ready?”

Are you ready to die?

Nikolai’s voice permeated his thoughts, and he batted it away as though it were nought but an annoying little fly.

Wearing an arrogant grin, Nikolai stepped forward, his linen shirt sodden as it clung to his lithe frame.

Leo inhaled deeply, blinked away the rivulets of rain clinging to his lashes. He held his sword in front of him, the tip pointing at Nikolai's throat, and waited for him to attack.

Nikolai swung first, the movement controlled as their blades clashed. The sound of meeting metal vibrated through the air like the crack of a thunderbolt hurled down by the gods. Leo defended the first flurry of attacks. It gave him an opportunity to gauge Nikolai’s experience. As suspected, the man had skill, but his movements were predictable.

The majority of sword fights lasted no more than thirty seconds. Leo followed the set routine, a sequence of moves intended to lure one’s opponent into making his first error. With Leo’s speed, he managed to avert an attack, his long reach catching his opponent by surprise as the tip of his blade scratched Nikolai’s jaw.

The sight of the thin sliver of blood bolstered Leo’s confidence. But he knew he had to remain calm and composed. There was a natural flow in all things. One must find and settle into the pace, for to fight against the current only serves to drain one’s strength.

“So you think you know how to handle a blade.” Nikolai’s condescending tone did not distract him.

“It’s been said I am the finest swordsman in England.” It was not his intention to boast but to chip away at Nikolai’s confidence.

Of course, he came back at him with a comment as disabling as the most vicious blow. “When I’ve killed you, Leo, know that I shall take pleasure in torturing Ivana. You will hear her screams from the pits of Hell.”

Ivana gasped.

Nikolai had found the chink in his armour. A host of terrifying images flashed through his mind. Ivana would always be his weakness, and he found his gaze drawn to her if only for a fraction of a second.

It was enough to give Nikolai an advantage. Underestimating the force of his opponents offensive, Leo stumbled, losing his balance on the wet stones as he defended against another barrage of attacks.

Ivana’s ear-piercing cry only served to divert his attention further.

As he tumbled back, his sword flew from his hand, was sent skittering across the courtyard and out of reach. Nikolai charged at him, flashed a devilish grin as he raised his sword to deliver the final fatal blow. But Nikolai was reckless in his eagerness to win. Overconfidence was a weakness too. In an attempt to dodge the attack, Leo rolled onto his side. He continued rolling until he came within an inch of his sword. As his hand curled around the hilt, he turned and thrust sharply, the point of his blade almost touching the hard lump in Nikolai’s throat as the man towered over him holding his sword aloft.

“Surrender your weapon,” Leo commanded. “You will surrender your weapon now.”

“Never! Your mind manipulation will not work on me.” Nikolai narrowed his gaze, his black eyes showing no fear. “You will lower your sword.” Nikolai’s firm command caused Leo’s arm to tremble. “You will do as I say. You will lower your sword.”

Be strong, Leo.

Elliot’s words invaded his thoughts, but Nikolai’s words were like thick vines creeping through his body to strangle his limbs.

Please, Leo, you must fight it.

Ivana’s plea only served to weaken his resolve.

“Lower you sword,” Nikolai repeated.

Leo’s arm had a will of its own and he heard Ivana scream when the weapon fell from his grasp.

Nikolai smiled. “Did you think I would let you win? Abiding by your gentlemanly code of honour was your downfall. You should have pooled your resources. You should have bared your fangs. You should have turned into the creatures you detest. Yes, one or two of you would have died, but it was the only way for you to have your victory.”

Lying on the cobblestones, Leo glanced at his friends expecting to see fear and terror in their eyes. But Elliot’s calm countenance surprised him.

“Say goodbye, Leo.” Nikolai sneered. “I may even take Ivana to my bed before I put her out of her misery.”

Anger flared in Leo’s chest. With his hand near a puddle, he flicked the water, splashing Nikolai in the eyes. It was as though time slowed. Nikolai blinked and sputtered as he raised his sword a few inches above his head to gain more momentum. Ivana fell to her knees with her hands clasped in prayer.

“Roll to the left, Leo,” Elliot shouted just as the tip of an iron spear burst through Nikolai’s chest.

Leo rolled away as Nikolai’s eyes grew wide with shock, his mouth falling open as he gasped for breath. He stumbled forward, the weight of his sword suddenly becoming a heavy burden.

“I’ve never been one for gentlemanly conduct,” Sylvester said as he pushed Nikolai to the floor and twisted the spear further into his back. He bent down and picked up Leo’s sword. “I’ve got no patience for men who threaten women, either.”

As Nikolai groaned and cried out in his mother tongue, Sylvester grabbed him by the hair and with one mighty swing banished the devil from their door for good.

Chapter 16

Ivana stared at Nikolai’s body lying on the wet cobblestones.

A sudden sense of relief obliterated the fear that had been her constant companion for many years. Any memories lost to her by Nikolai’s hand sprung to life in her mind like fresh buds unfurling in spring. She remembered it all. She remembered everything.

Nikolai had not lied.

There was a cure. It lay hidden somewhere in the dark depths of the castle though he had never told her where. Despite her burning curiosity, she shook head to clear her thoughts before fanciful notions of being human again took hold.

There was only one thing that truly mattered to her: Leo was alive. He was still sitting on the ground staring in disbelief as the rain pelted Nikolai’s lifeless body.

Swallowing down a rush of emotion, she ran over to him, knelt down and threw herself into his arms. “For a second, I thought I had lost you.” She rained kisses over his damp face, combed her fingers through his hair to convince herself what she had witnessed was not just another form of mind manipulation.

“I thought so, too,” he replied before kissing her softly on the mouth. “I still can’t believe he’s dead.”

Loud cheers behind them captured their attention and Ivana turned to see Elliot and Alexander embracing Sylvester’s hulking frame. They took it in turns to pick him up and twirl him around. For the first time in years, her loyal servant’s mouth curled up in genuine amusement.

She wanted to hug him, too, for risking his life to save them.

“Can you bloody well believe it,” Elliot shouted shaking Sylvester by the shoulders. “I’ve never been one for gentlemanly conduct.” Elliot mimicked Sylvester’s words before turning and thrusting his arm forward in an attempt to re-enact the moment the spear pierced Nikolai’s chest.

“You certainly took the devil by surprise,” Alexander added.

Elliot caught their gaze. He left Alexander hugging Sylvester and raced over to put his hand on Leo’s shoulder. “Someone up there must be looking out for you, my friend.”

The comment caused a shiver to run through her body. Her heart was still bleeding. The pain of anticipating the loss of her love was still raw.

Leo gave a weary sigh. “I’m damn lucky. But I should have listened to Ivana. I was foolish to think I stood a chance against him.”

“I have to say you were remarkable with a sword.” Elliot nodded with approval. “I think if it had been a fair fight based purely on skill you would have won.”

“And you’re not biased in any way.” The smile touching Leo’s lips went some way to heal Ivana’s wounds.

“Not at all.” Elliot chuckled. “Indeed, I wonder if Calvino still tutors at night. I might take a few lessons so you will have someone to parry with once we are home.”

The mere mention of Leo going home caused a sudden pang of grief to fill her chest. She came to her feet, assisted Elliot in helping Leo up as he seemed tired after his mental and physical ordeal.

“You do know I will not be returning to England.” Leo’s tone was solemn, but Ivana’s heart soared. “Not for the foreseeable future. I plan to stay here with Ivana if she has no objection.”

Ivana clutched Leo’s arm tight to show her approval. They were free to live together in the castle without fearing a devil would come knocking. They could marry; they could sleep in each other’s arms every night without repercussions.

Elliot gave a heavy sigh, blinked away the droplets of rain on his lashes. “I suspected you might. If there is anything you need me to do, just ask.”

“If you could deliver a letter to Mr. Greaves, he will continue to oversee the running of my estate. But we will discuss it tomorrow.” Leo glanced down at his sodden breeches. “We should go inside. I could do with a hot bath and something soothing to drink.”

Ivana licked her lips at the thought he might drink from her again. “I believe Julia has already anticipated your needs and has scuttled off to heat the water.” In truth, her maid had found the gruesome sight of a headless corpse disturbing. She turned to Elliot. There were many things to discuss; there was no point waiting. “I assume your wives stayed in the village.”

Elliot snorted. “We had a battle of our own persuading them it was the most sensible course of action. But from the tone of Leo’s note, I sensed the situation was grave.”

“You’re welcome to take my carriage if you wish to bring them here,” Ivana said. “After such a terrifying ordeal, I would not feel happy asking anything more of Sylvester tonight.”

Elliot smirked. “If they discovered we had declined an invitation on their behalf, the journey home would be more than uncomfortable.” He inclined his head respectfully, yet she still sensed a slight awkwardness which was only to be expected. “Thank you. Alexander will accompany me.”

“Do you need to drink first?” she asked. A bolt of desire shot through her as her gaze drifted to Leo’s neck.

Elliot shook his head. “No. I suggest we all dine together on our return. I believe there are many things that must be said.”

“Dine?” Ivana scrunched up her nose. “On blood? You make it sound as though we are to feast with a king.”

Leo draped his arm casually over her shoulder, the sodden material feeling cold against her nape. “You should know, Elliot likes to keep things as civilised as possible. We have a hell of a job getting the red stains out of the table napkins.”

Alexander strode over to join them. “Your coachman, Sylvester, deserves a knighthood for his loyalty. By God, who wouldn’t want a man like that as a protector?”

Ivana nodded. “He has been my friend and confidante for many years. Indeed, I owe him my life.”

“As we all do,” Elliot added. He turned to Alexander. “I’m taking the carriage to the village to collect Grace and Evelyn. I assume you want to come.”

“Evelyn will be furious to know she has missed it all,” he replied with a sigh.

Ivana wondered if they knew the horror that would have unfolded had their wives accompanied them to the castle. “You made the right decision leaving them behind. Had they been here, Nikolai would have used them against you. He would have manipulated their minds, turned them in front of your eyes. It would not have been pleasant to witness.”