Survive the Dawn (33 page)

She looked down at her right hand and the signet ring on her middle finger. She placed it in the lock once again, and once again, the back of the ring pierced her skin and mingled with Tatiana’s blood. She then felt an odd sensation ripple through her. Her breathing quickened; she felt her muscles expand and retract.

It remembers you
.

She heard Tatiana’s words as she opened the book. She leafed through the old worn pages and wondered what this ancient language would tell her. She knew the Irish historian Kerrigan would have to be contacted. She looked down at her right hand and the ring. Flexing her hand, she made a fist and felt the blood coursing through her veins. A rush of energy surged through her. Her body felt light, almost weightless. What was this? she thought.

She put the book in her breast pocket when she heard
Kasandra
and the other elders enter the room.

Kasandra
smiled, Marcellus sported a worried look, and
Daciana
was clearly miffed. However, all three bowed in her presence. Sebastian felt silly but merely scowled and waved them up.

“As it was dictated by Tatiana Messalina,”
Kasandra
started. Sebastian heard the admiration in her voice. “The transference of her power and strength to Sebastian was successful. I was witness, and it will be written in the annals. Sebastian is now a member of the hierarchy alongside
Nicholae
. This was Tatiana’s wish, so it is done.”

Marcellus was quiet.
Daciana
was not convinced; Sebastian could clearly see that. “How was this transference done?” she asked.

Sebastian raised her hand, showing them Tatiana’s ring. Then she raised the amulet that hung around her neck. “Both of these were Tatiana’s. I have the letter she wrote, given to me by her familiar.”

Daciana’s
back was rigid and her nostrils flared with anger. Sebastian smiled. “I’m sorry this does not please you,
Daciana
. I’m also sorry you are not complying with your duties as an elder. You are to see that balance is maintained, nothing more. Sides should not, will not be taken by the three of you.”

“With all due respect, Sebastian.
Kasandra
has chosen sides by holding this clandestine ceremony.”

“
Kasandra
,” Sebastian said and leaned forward from the chair, “was trying to maintain the balance that
Nicholae
disrupted when he had Tatiana beheaded, and we sit in the remnants of her estate.” She looked down at
Daciana
, who flinched as Sebastian spoke. “Tatiana, as
Nicholae
, had the right to give her power to whomever she chose. Tatiana chose me. It is not something I would want, but it is of little consequence now. It’s done. Like it or not,
Daciana
, you can tell that to
Nicholae
when you see him. I have taken Tatiana Messalina’s place in the hierarchy. We can have peace or we can have war.” She sat back and grinned slightly before continuing. “Although the fact that he has resurrected Leigh, I can only assume he wants the latter. That would be unfortunate.”

“Sebastian, no one wants war,” Marcellus said. He glanced at both elders.

“I hope not, Marcellus. I truly do,” Sebastian said evenly. “I understand you,
Daciana
. Remember that. And remember this—if we are to exist in this world, we must find a way to live among the mortals. There are ways to do this. We must find a way.”

“I hope you’re right,” Marcellus said with a slight bow.

Sebastian heard the worried tone and nodded. “I am.”

Marcellus looked up when he heard the firm resolution in Sebastian’s voice. “It is the only way,” Sebastian continued and looked into
Daciana’s
dark eyes. She laughed quietly. “
Daciana
, with my newfound abilities, you might want to remember to watch your thoughts. However, I agree with you, though ‘interesting’ is not exactly the word I would use to describe how
Nicholae
will feel when he hears what has happened.”

Daciana
cringed slightly with embarrassment and pulled her robes around her. She bowed and walked out. Marcellus cleared his throat and glanced nervously at
Kasandra
.

“Marcellus, don’t worry so much. Be loyal to your duties as an elder, and you will do well. There must be a balance,” Sebastian said and sat back. “And you must be honest with me.”

Marcellus raised an eyebrow. “Then I may speak freely.”

“As you did with Tatiana.”

“Then I will tell you this. I don’t believe we can live among the mortals. You believe we cannot only live among them, but with them. This Dr. Taylor…” His voice trailed off when he saw Sebastian’s face grow dark.

“What about Dr. Taylor?” she asked slowly.

“It’s dangerous. Just as it was with Anastasia. Believe me, I understand—”

“You understand nothing, Marcellus,” Sebastian said. “It doesn’t matter. I will take care of Dr. Taylor. You make sure you have
Daciana
under control. There are small factions all over the world that are getting larger. Tatiana was right in her quest to organize and lead the vampire community. It will get out of hand if left to
Nicholae
. He cares about nothing but his own lust. He’s the one you should worry about. Dr. Taylor is the least of your worries.”

“As you wish,” Marcellus said.

“I believe this is enough for now,”
Kasandra
said to Marcellus, who nodded. “Sebastian, we will leave you now. There is much for you to do.”

Sebastian nodded and watched Marcellus as he bowed and made a quick exit with
Kasandra
.

She walked out of the room and turned to Sebastian. With a bow, she said, “Tatiana was right, Sebastian.”

Sebastian said nothing as she sat on the throne alone.

Chapter 29

Kasandra
and Marcellus met with
Daciana
amidst the rubble of Tatiana’s estate.

“
Nicholae
will be furious,”
Daciana
said and looked around.

“
Nicholae
is always furious about something,” Marcellus replied, looking equally nervous.

“
Nicholae
is a petulant child and must learn how to play well with others,”
Kasandra
said.

“This is no time for levity,
Kasandra
. There will be bloodshed,” Marcellus said.

“Much, I’m afraid,”
Daciana
added.

“Yes, and it will go on and on. It’s our existence. We feed, we fight, and we lust after everything the mortals have,”
Kasandra
said and turned away from them. “If there be bloodshed, let the blame be at
Nicholae’s
doorstep.”

Without another word, they each parted ways;
Daciana
watched as
Kasandra
walked alone through the woods. She made her way back to
Nicholae
dreading his reaction. She would get Leigh first; perhaps that would soften the blow.

“Now, my pet,” Leigh said as she stroked the woman’s hair. The woman didn’t stir. “Come now, I won’t be ignored.
Hellloo
?” She put her hand under the woman’s chin and turned her face toward her. Lifeless eyes stared at her and Leigh winced.

“Oops. I suppose you’re not ignoring me.” She slid out from under the deceased woman and into her black silken robes. She stopped when she heard the gentle knock at the door. “I’ll get it. Don’t get up. You look done in, my pet.”

Daciana
stood in the doorway and laughed when Leigh answered; her opened robe displayed her beautiful body. “I’m so glad it’s you. Do you have a spare minion? I’m afraid I made a bit of a mess.”

Daciana
looked past Leigh to see the dead woman in the bed. “At least she’s in one piece. Come with me.
Nicholae
needs to be told what has happened and so do you. Get dressed, for heaven’s sake.”

“All right, all right,” Leigh said over her shoulder, “and don’t forget to have a minion clean my room.”

Nicholae
was in his library staring at the late evening sky. He could barely see the burnt-out remains of Tatiana’s estate. His eye twitched with anger at the idea of Sebastian having all the power of his reluctant partner in the hierarchy. Things were changing much too quickly for his liking. Kendra was dead, but before Sebastian destroyed her, she told him of what was happening in England, as it was starting to happen across Europe.

When he beheaded the only other member of the hierarchy,
Nicholae
started a great deal of unrest in the vampire community. There was indeed no balance and the various factions all over the vampire world were getting the word of what happened. Little by little,
Nicholae
heard from them—

Kendra, in England; now she was dead,
Nicholae
wondered who would take over the British Isles. There was Constantine, who had more power than most; he reigned over Italy and much of the vampire world in France. He had been in contact with
Nicholae
since Tatiana’s demise. And then Bernadette, who
Nicholae
didn’t like; she controlled most of northern Europe.

And the newest immortal heard from, this Phelan in Ireland. He was the most curious of all.
Nicholae
wondered where he came from and why the sudden interest in the vampire world. Kendra was very interested in him. When he gave her the ancient
athame
, hoping
Nicholae
would have more luck with his ritual than Phelan had with his, it was very curious to
Nicholae
. He trusted no one, least of all some Irish sorcerer. It was no secret that Tatiana, the old fool, loved that region.
Nicholae
had no idea why, nor did Kendra, or anyone else for that matter. He wondered what happened when she visited there centuries ago.

Nicholae
remembered she had come back from Egypt and was not forthcoming about her trip. Then she was off to the west, and Ireland and Britannia.
Nicholae
thought perhaps she had found a new community of vampires, but that was not the case. It was forgotten over the centuries. Until this Phelan came into the picture.

“
Nicholae
?”

He turned when he heard
Daciana’s
voice; he also heard the tremor and felt his anger rise.

“This is bad news,” he said, avoiding Leigh’s lighthearted smile and wave as she entered the room, as well. “Tell me.”

“I have come from a meeting with the elders and,” she stopped and swallowed before continuing, “Sebastian.”

He clenched his fists and let out a deep angry breath. “Has it happened?”

“I did not witness it.
Kasandra
did. Marcellus and I were called upon after it was done.”

“How do you know it took place then?” Leigh asked as she sat on the corner of
Nicholae’s
desk.

“Sebastian had the ring, and the amulet hung around her neck. She…she looked stronger, different,
Nicholae
. The air was filled with energy, and I believe whatever power Tatiana had, it now belongs to Sebastian.”

“
Kasandra
,”
Nicholae
said with disgust. “She has been in league with Tatiana since Rome. They forged an alliance long ago with a night of fornication and decadence in that depraved city of orgies and fat emperors.”

“He says that like it’s a bad thing,” Leigh whispered to
Daciana
, who closed her eyes and cringed.

“I knew
Kasandra
would be the one to defy me,”
Nicholae
said, ignoring Leigh. “What of Marcellus?”