Blood Eternal (30 page)
Maximilian’s eyes closed. The last time Saloman had brought the subject up, even obliquely, he’d done the same thing. “Don’t,” he’d said, in a clear anguish that had given Saloman hope that Maximilian, his Maximilian, was still present in the vampire who’d let overriding ambition rule his heart and his head.
This time, Saloman said nothing to turn the subject. He said nothing at all.
Maximilian said low, “I meant to. When the others had gone. I wasn’t sure I knew how, but I thought if I dragged Dmitriu with me, between us we could remember or work out how to give you peace. But the human battle outside drove us into the open. The vampires revolted, and while I was away, Tsigana and János moved your body.”
That much Saloman had always known.
Maximilian swallowed. “No excuses, Saloman. I tried. I killed János for not telling. Tsigana tried to barter the information for eternal life, which was when I first began to understand what I’d done. I couldn’t make any of it right.”
“Dmitriu worked out where to find me. But he never knew I wasn’t at peace.”
“Dmitriu and I did not speak. It doesn’t matter. As time passed, I didn’t want to be reminded of what I’d done. It was hard enough just to hold on to the reins of power. You know all this. I can’t explain or exonerate myself for any of it. ‘It was all a mistake. Sorry,’ just doesn’t seem to cover it.”
He stopped talking. He swallowed again, convulsively. His gaze, which had had strayed to the artwork on the walls, to the sunlight filtering through cracks in the curtains, finally resettled on Saloman’s face. “But I am,” he whispered. “Sorry.”
In the detached, aloof part of his mind, Saloman wondered why he needed to hear that so much. Perhaps because the betrayal of a born son could not have hurt him more than Maximilian’s. He wanted Max to be sorry. And more than anything, he wanted him not to do it again.
“Halfway there,” he murmured.
“What?”
“Nothing. There is a room here for you. Always.”
Maximilian turned away, as if he couldn’t bear the kindness. “I never understood why you didn’t kill me.”
“Some punishments are worse than death.”
Maximilian closed his eyes again, and Saloman laughed. He put his hand on Maximilian’s tense shoulder and rose to his feet, letting his grip linger there as he added, “I meant yours, not mine. I had three hundred years to think and plan, and this time, I intend to do it all properly.”
Elizabeth found István, Konrad, and Mihaela all together in the hunters’ library. She had meant to catch them early in the morning, somewhere neutral, like Mihaela’s flat or the café, but unfortunately, after the many excitements of the night she’d slept in.
In fact, she’d fallen asleep in the drawing room while Saloman, Dmitriu, and Maximilian talked in low voices around her. She woke up in Saloman’s bed late in the morning, rested but shocked at the time. Of Saloman himself there had been no sign. Only the silent Maximilian had been left in the house, and she discovered him by almost tripping over him on the shadowy staircase on her way out of the house.
After politely greeting the assistant librarian who was on duty, Elizabeth came upon the three hunters huddled around a table near the back of the cavernous room. At least they were quiet there, not too likely to disturb other researchers.
“Busy?” she asked lightly.
With more relief than respect, Mihaela let fall the ancient-looking tome she’d been reading. “Yes, sort of. Trying to find some clues as to Luk’s whereabouts by finding out his old haunts. Not easy after several hundred years. Also, trying to get a lead on the Turkish vampires from Istanbul—see if any of them know Budapest.”
“It could be a total waste of time,” Konrad grumbled. “We don’t even know if they’re still
in
Budapest. Would it not make more sense for Luk to go somewhere else, somewhere safer, to recruit his strength and prepare to do battle with Saloman?”
in
Budapest. Would it not make more sense for Luk to go somewhere else, somewhere safer, to recruit his strength and prepare to do battle with Saloman?”
“It might make more sense,” Elizabeth allowed, “but he hasn’t done it.”
Three pairs of eyes regarded her expectantly.
“There’s been a development,” she said, low-voiced. “Luk broke into Saloman’s place last night.”
“Shit,” said Mihaela. “Were you there?”
“Oh, yes. Apparently, it was me he was looking for.”
“Was there a fight?”
“Sort of. Between us, Saloman and I saw him off. He’s not strong enough yet to win a one-on-one battle with Saloman—which is good for us, I suppose—but he’s gaining power very fast.”
“He’s an Ancient,” Konrad said ruefully.
István frowned. “Was he testing the water? If he knew he wasn’t strong enough to face Saloman, why did he risk the confrontation? Just to get at you?”
“And why?” Mihaela added. “Why go after you?”
Elizabeth sank into the chair István obligingly hooked over for her with his foot. “Because, as an Awakener, I’m capable of killing him single-handedly. Because it would piss Saloman off. Because it would boost his status in the vampire community. And add a significant amount to his strength, I suppose.”
“Fair enough,” Konrad said. “But what the hell gave him the idea he could do it under Saloman’s nose?”
Elizabeth hesitated. She didn’t want to reveal Saloman’s earlier reluctance to kill Luk in Turkey, nor the vulnerability it implied. It seemed too personal. And yet, in the upcoming fight, the hunters needed to know everything.
At last, she said, “I think he knew he’d take Saloman by surprise. Luk can do this mind trick that temporarily paralyzes his victim, even Saloman. While doing it, he certainly doesn’t have the strength to kill another Ancient, but he figured he’d have enough strength to kill me and bolt before Saloman got him.”
Mihaela’s face had whitened. “He paralyzed
Saloman
? How in God’s name did you get out of that?”
Saloman
? How in God’s name did you get out of that?”
Elizabeth gave a quick, self-deprecating smile. “I think he underestimated me. But he knew I
could
kill him, theoretically, and when I threatened him, he wasn’t prepared to take the chance that I wouldn’t.”
could
kill him, theoretically, and when I threatened him, he wasn’t prepared to take the chance that I wouldn’t.”
Konrad’s frown deepened. “The question is, did Luk gain anything by this incident? Did he drink your blood?”
“A tiny drop. I doubt it could make any real difference to him. I think he mainly gained the prestige of breaking into Saloman’s stronghold and surviving. The vampires will all know that now.”
“Will he be able to break in again?” István asked.
“In theory, yes. In practice, he’d be stupid to, because Saloman would kill him.”
“Not if Luk pulled his paralyzing mind trick again,” István argued. “And if he brings support next time, the others could kill Saloman while he’s vulnerable.”
Although the idea wasn’t new to Elizabeth, it still made her blood run cold. “That’s what Dmitriu and Maximilian are for. He has added protection now. Besides, he says the trick won’t work next time, that he can avoid it.”
“Then why didn’t he?” Konrad demanded.
“I think because he didn’t expect it,” Elizabeth said, shifting uncomfortably. “It was regarded as illegal among the Ancients, and it wasn’t something Luk would ever do. Not even when he grew to be insane. Saloman thinks his use of it now shows his fear as well as his determination.”
“Maximilian?” said Mihaela unexpectedly, latching onto a previous point. “Saloman’s Maximilian? He’s in Budapest? Since when?”
“Since last night.”
Mihaela frowned. “He came to protect Saloman? Whom he previously killed? Are you sure that’s why he came?”
“Saloman and Dmitriu seem to trust him. It’s hard to tell. He doesn’t say much.”
The librarian, rustling past their table to the bookshelves at the very back, cast them a quelling frown. Elizabeth lowered her voice. “There’s more. While Luk was distracted, he let his guard down over Dante, and Saloman managed to glimpse something in the senator’s mind. Not where he is, unfortunately,” she added quickly, as hope sprang into the hunters’ eyes. “But something.”
Elizabeth nodded to the disapproving librarian as she passed back that way with her arms full of papers and books. “What ever happened to the lady who used to sleep on duty? I liked her.”
“What?” Konrad demanded impatiently, dragging her back to the point. “What did Saloman learn from Dante’s mind?”
“That they’re not waiting to defeat Saloman before they make their bid for the vampire leadership. They’re planning something soon, some big attack that will bring the vampires flocking to their side. They’re certain it’ll leave Saloman deserted and the way clear for Luk. After which, Dante can return to America and, with the vampires behind him, make his move for ultimate power, as he always wanted.”
Konrad’s lips pursed. “Where? Where is that attack to be?”
“There was no time to ferret for details. Saloman’s convinced it’ll be somewhere in Budapest, but that’s all he knows as yet.”
Konrad shoved his pile of books into the middle of the table, knocking off two at the far end, which István caught in one hand. “Then he’s given us nothing,” Konrad said discontentedly. “He’s stringing us along on his pretense of cooperation when God knows what he’s really up to. Hasn’t it struck anyone else that he could be in league with Luk? Why didn’t he—the great, all-powerful Saloman!—kill the newly awakened Luk in Turkey? Surely that wasn’t beyond his capabilities! All he achieved was preventing us from doing it.”
“I don’t believe that’s true,” Elizabeth said stiffly.
Wasn’t it?
Wasn’t it?
“You’re blinded by him,” Konrad said dismissively. “The sooner you join the hunters formally and learn to understand what being a vampire truly means, the better and the safer you’ll be.”
Mihaela and István exchanged uneasy glances.
Elizabeth bit down on her angry retort. Into the silence, she said carefully, “You’re wrong. But you
have
picked up on one important point. It
is
hard for Saloman to kill his cousin again. Before Luk’s insanity, they were very close, and Saloman told me he let him live much longer than he should because of that affection. I think that came back to him in Turkey. There was a moment when he almost believed he could retrieve the old Luk from whatever it is he’s become now.”
have
picked up on one important point. It
is
hard for Saloman to kill his cousin again. Before Luk’s insanity, they were very close, and Saloman told me he let him live much longer than he should because of that affection. I think that came back to him in Turkey. There was a moment when he almost believed he could retrieve the old Luk from whatever it is he’s become now.”
She raised her gaze to Konrad, glanced around at the others, and came back to him. “That shows compassion, but not collusion. In any case, it doesn’t matter now. What happened last night rid him of any lingering doubts. Luk
must
die again, and Saloman will do it. He wants, he really wants, your cooperation in this. But he will do it anyway.”
must
die again, and Saloman will do it. He wants, he really wants, your cooperation in this. But he will do it anyway.”
Mihaela began to tap her finger restlessly on the open book in front of her. “Are you sure, Elizabeth?” she said abruptly. “Are you sure that’s what
he
wants? Isn’t it you who wants a way of living in good conscience with your relationship?”
he
wants? Isn’t it you who wants a way of living in good conscience with your relationship?”
Elizabeth closed her mouth, staring at her friend. “Yes,” she said defiantly. “I do. And he does. And so should you.”
Unexpectedly, Mihaela reached out and grabbed her hand. “Join us,” she pleaded. “Please. Become a hunter.”
Elizabeth’s lips quirked. “So that
you
can live in good conscience with
our
relationship?”
you
can live in good conscience with
our
relationship?”
“Yes! Something binds you to us, and us to you. Whatever our disagreements or misunderstandings, you’re one of us in spirit. Make it reality. Come on, Elizabeth, you must have thought about it.”
“I have. Part of me wants it, but I’m still not sure it would be the right thing.” She rubbed her forehead with quick, impatient fingers. “Damn, I never used to be this indecisive.”
“What about the university job? Have you formally accepted?”
“I’m going up there later this afternoon,” Elizabeth said, and that at least won a few smiles of approval.
István pushed his chair back from the table and stretched out his long legs. “This telepathic connection with Dante. Can he take it any further?”
“Hopefully. Whenever Luk’s guard is down.”
“Won’t Dante know? Or Luk?”
“Not necessarily. Saloman can be very subtle.”
“Bloody subtle,” Konrad muttered, rubbing his neck at the spot where once Saloman had bitten it.
After a quick coffee, the hunters left to pursue their leads, and Elizabeth returned to Saloman’s house to change before visiting the university. As she ran upstairs, she heard odd bumping and clashing noises, loud enough to make her pause on the landing, wondering if there was another attack. It was unlikely in broad daylight, but still . . .
The sounds seemed to be coming from farther along the passage, where the rooms were largely empty—or had been the last time Elizabeth looked. Silently, she crept into the drawing room.
Saloman. Are you there?
End of the first-floor hall,
the phlegmatic response came back. Elizabeth relaxed, but curiosity sped her steps back out of the drawing room and along the hall to the double doors facing her at the very end.
the phlegmatic response came back. Elizabeth relaxed, but curiosity sped her steps back out of the drawing room and along the hall to the double doors facing her at the very end.
As she reached for the handle, she recognized the familiar clashing of steel on steel and knew before she opened the door that fencing was taking place.
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