Chapter 67

Dracula bellowed a war cry and charged. In a flash, Andrei stepped between Lynda and his father. His father skidded to a stop.

“Enough,” Andrei said. “We have a bigger threat than your petty pride.”

“My what?” Dracula hissed.

“He’s right, Vlad,” Ekaterina said, stepping forward. “Boris has unleashed power and will kill everyone he wishes if we don’t stop him.”

Dracula spun. His sword raised between them. “Is this shade sent to torment me for my past sins?”

“Nay, it’s me.” She bowed her head slightly. “And we both know that I can turn your metal weapon to liquid before you take a step. As far as your pride, that has been your greatest weakness even before I limited the vampires.”

He shook his head but sheathed his sword. “No, my beloved wife was always my heart and soul.” Stalking toward her, Lynda was amazed Ekaterina didn’t flinch. He took her ancestor’s hand and kissed it. “I’m sorry that I couldn’t love you like you deserved.”

“I know.” Her cheeks flushed. “That didn’t stop me from hoping and dreaming.”

He released her hand. “Now, how do we return to the land of the living?”

“A sacrifice. Mine.” Ekaterina gave Lynda a soft smile. “I’ve dallied here in the land-between too long. My time has come and I realize now why I couldn’t move on. I was tied to what ifs.”

“No, wait.” Lynda stepped forward. “I’ve so many questions. How do I control my magic? How do I learn not to allow power to consume me…I don’t want to turn into a cold-hearted bastard like Boris.”

Ekaterina pulled her into a quick hug. “You’ll figure it out like you’ve done everything else in your life. Have faith and trust in love.”

All too soon, her foremother backed away. “Go and teach my cousin a lesson. Let him pay for his crimes.”

Before Lynda could stop her, Ekaterina grabbed the dagger and plunged the blade into her heart. She fell at Lynda’s feet in a heap. The ground shook. Fire exploded around them, encasing them in a circle of flames. The heat seared her skin and Lynda screamed.

Back on the altar, Lynda’s shriek continued, ripping out of her throat. She sat up. Blood coated her chest where Boris had hit her with the dagger. She rubbed the spot, but there was no wound only a piercing ache. All around her, dead bodies littered the ground. Vampires and witches fought like Lynda had never left. How long had she been gone?

Both Boris and Dracula stood.

“I’m free!” Boris shouted, laughing.

Dracula dusted off his embodied vest. “So am I. Today you’ll die a second death and never taste of life ever again.”

The two men clashed with fists and growls. Lynda scrambled off the altar, running to Andrei. Her hope that he would return with them and be cured wasn’t fulfilled. He sat slumped over in the wheelchair like before.

“Andrei?” she whispered clasping his hand. “Please come back to me.”

For now, she hoped Dracula would keep Boris busy. She had to fix Andrei and therefore Mihnea too before neither of them would recover their souls. Lynda bit into her palm with the healing dagger slash, she pressed it to Andrei’s mouth. “Drink, my love.”

But he didn’t move. Didn’t stir.

“Please,” she choked out. “I need you. All of you.”

A vampire jerked her backward, and she gasped. Mihnea’s red-tinged eyes narrowed. He must have smelled the blood. Her blood couldn’t heal him directly, not when he was tied to Andrei and the damn witches’ curse. He’d drain her dry then neither he nor Andrei would recover.

“No! Mihnea, fight this. Give me time to heal your brother and you.” She pushed against his chest. But there was no life in his eyes, only the hollowness of a beast…a demon…a monster. He had no thoughts, no love, no cares or compassion. Only blood and feeding fueled him.

Jerking her forward, his fangs extended. She wrestled to loosen his iron-clad grip on her arms. There wasn’t enough time for this. She’d have to use her magic against him. The thought of that made bile burn the back of her throat. “Please Mihnea, don’t make me do this.”

He wrenched her head to the side and sank his fangs into her neck. Panic seized her thoughts as her life’s blood was sucked away with each draw of Mihnea’s mouth. Everything she’d done to help him and his brother flooded her. She was going to die and they along with her. There was nothing she could do.

Lynda, remember your power,” the dual voices of her mom and Ekaterina whispered in her mind.

Yes! She wasn’t a weakling or a mere human or even a witch. She was a necromancer. The powers of both the living and the dead were hers. Lynda let her magic trickle through her fingers. It was a part of her soul now like her thoughts and desires. Remembering how powerful it was, she focused on her love for Mihnea and how she wanted to prove him wrong and make love to him until he shouted her name for everyone to hear despite his claim of wanting his brothers to get her pregnant first. Wanted to see him seize the moment and live in the present and not the past or the future.

And Pierre who fought by her side. Who was charming and caring and could whip up the most divine-tasting food. Pierre, the youngest of the three brothers was never allowed life or circumstances to get him down. Who made her feel special and laugh.

Finally, she thought of Andrei. The first of the vampire princes she’d met and who’d taught her to love and trust. Whose temperament eased both his brothers and she couldn’t imagine life without each of them.

“Stop!” She shoved her magic forward.

It slammed into Mihnea, knocking him backward. His snarling growl made her knees knock, but she straightened her shoulders. She imagined a bubble around him that would keep him from harm and prevent him from hurting others. Leaping to his feet, he dashed toward her like a charging lion. He bounced back from the magic sphere, then tried again.

Movement near the altar caught her attention. Dracula lay in the air over a bed of sharp, wooden spikes.

“So, comrade, Ekaterina brought you back from the dead and removed your limitations like she did mine.” Boris chuckled. “But you never had magic like me. I can temporarily give your weaknesses back. I want to see you die in the same way so many of your victims did.”

Lynda’s heart froze. She couldn’t allow Boris to kill Dracula. Even without powers, he was the closest to holding his own against the Russian vampire. She just needed a few more minutes to heal Andrei and Mihnea. But Boris wouldn’t wait.

When the Russian spat out a curse and jerked his arms down. Dracula hurled toward the spikes.

“No!” Lynda thrust her hands forward, stopping Dracula’s descent.

“Don’t interfere with me, bitch,” Boris spun and a fireball struck her in the chest.

She cried out, stumbling backward. Her hold on Dracula was slipping.

“Let him go and I’ll allow you to live. Maybe even with one of your princes.” Boris grinned. “Chose. Dracula and death or let him die and keep one of his sons for your own.”

How could she choose? She loved each of the princes deeply and in a unique way. “Never. I will not relent.” Her arms shook as her magic drained out of her.

Boris’ eyes darkened as he scowled. “Then death for you all.”

Against her will, Dracula rose in the air several feet. Boris was going to slam him into the pikes once her magic could no longer hold him up. His eyes met hers. All the loathing and hatred she’d seen reflected there before disappeared. In their dark depths, acceptance and gratitude filled them.

“Take care of my sons,” he mouthed. His body twisted as though he intended to throw himself onto the spikes.

“No!” She couldn’t let him die like this. Not even after what he’d done to her and his sons. Even if they would forgive her, she’d never forgive herself. Using all her strength, she shoved against Boris’ magic.

He snarled out a bellow and thrust fireballs at her. Then Pierre slammed into his side, knocking the Russian onto the ground.

“Hurry, get Father out of here,” Pierre panted.

With the counter-magic against her suddenly gone, Lynda pushed Dracula away from the spikes. She sank to the ground. Her magic was completely spent. Mihnea roared. His heavy steps struck the ground as he rushed toward her. There was no promise of mercy in his gaze…only hunger for her blood. She had no more time left. In moments, both he and Andrei would be doomed to die with the sunrise. Guilt strangled her. If by some miracle Mihnea didn’t drain her completely and she lived, she’d never be alive again on the inside knowing that she’d failed two of her men.