"I seek only to retrieve the Medallion as you requested, Master," he forced himself to retort, his thin countenance wreathed with a chilled smile. "No more."
The mist swirled. "We shall see. Have you discovered the wench?"
"Yes. I managed to rent a town house within the same block as Miss Hadwell. I have even managed to make contact with her brother, a rather pathetic halfwit. I hope to use the boy to get closer to the maiden."
"And Sebastian?"
Drake curled his lips at the mention of the vampire who had been sent by the Great Council to force him to return to the Veil.
"The fool has taken a house a few blocks away. He poses no threat, however. As usual, he is impervious to all but his musty books and ancient studies. He has not even made an attempt to seek me out. When he does, I shall kill him and be done."
There was a dry hiss of disapproval at his flippant tone. "He is there because I swayed the Council to choose him. Just as I chose that tediously noble Gideon and that vain fool Lucien. I presumed that they would easily be defeated. Just as I chose my servants because I presumed they possessed the necessary intelligence and lust to conquer. A miscalculation that I now must rue."
Drake frowned. "What are you implying?"
"Tristan has been destroyed, along with Amadeus. You alone are left."
Drake felt the chill seep to his bones. While he considered the two vampires who had joined him in the battle to destroy the Veil beneath contempt, he could not deny a vague sense of shock.
"How?"
"In their arrogance they thought they could not be defeated. The same arrogance that you carry about you, Drake."
The handsome features surrounded by a short crop of golden curls hardened at the insult.
Tristan and Amadeus were pathetic idiots when compared to him.
"Sebastian is no match for me."
"He possesses the dagger."
Drake shrugged. Although the dagger given to Sebastian had been blessed with ancient power to destroy a vampire, he remained unimpressed. The reclusive scholar was no threat. Not to a vampire destined to rule all.
"Sebastian will soon be at an end. And once I have the amulet from Miss Hadwell, I will seek out the others. Soon enough, the Medallion will be mine."
"I believe you mean ours," that rasping voice reminded him.
"Ah, yes. Of course."
Without warning, the mist struck out, cutting a thin wound along Drake's cheek. Just as swiftly, it wrapped about the vampire's feet and with a thrust had him tumbling to the dust -
covered floor.
"You seek to rise above yourself, Drake. A deadly mistake," the elder warned. "I will have the Medallion. You can rule beneath me or join Tristan and Amadeus in oblivion. The choice is yours."
Wisely remaining upon the hard floor despite the fury that raged through him, Drake patiently waited for the mist to slowly swirl toward the door. It was only then that he raised a hand to touch the blood freely flowing down his face.
Soon, he reassured his savaged pride. Soon he would have the Medallion. Then he would crush all those who had dared to stand in his way.
Beginning with Sebastian St. Ives.
Chapter One
The old Gypsy was huddled upon the filthy street like a bundle of forgotten rags. Amelia had nearly passed her by when the woman had abruptly held out her hand in a desperate motion.
"Please, kind lady, will you help me?" Amelia hesitated. The streets near St. Giles were littered with such pathetic outcasts. Thieves, whores, and the dredges of society waged a daily battle with survival. It was an impossible task to help them all.
The sensible choice was to be about her business so she could return to the comfort of her home. To linger would only invite danger. Especially to a young woman on her own.