I Am the Wild (The Night Firm #1)- Karpov Kinrade Page 0,60

Night herself, when a moonbeam hit a rare black rose at just the right moment, and that rose turned into a beautiful woman, pale as moonlight, lips red as blood, hair black as the night herself, teeth sharp as thorns. The first vampire. And the first woman, before Eve. Adam's true love."

He has us spellbound with his words, with his voice, so hypnotic and melodious. "But Adam betrayed her, and she left him in the garden alone while she roamed the earth in search of others like herself. When she found none, and as humans began to populate the world, she realized she would have to turn them herself, to create her own family. And so she did. First Able, when he was left for dead by his jealous brother. They were lovers for many centuries. Then many after. Until me. But alas, we wanted different things in life. I wanted children, and so we divorced, and I met Mary and gave her what was left of my cold, undead heart."

So Lilith is the mother of all vampires. And I'm about to meet her.

Once the decision is made to visit Lilith, we don't waste any time. Derek and I climb into the carriage and Lily gets us underway without a moment to lose.

I stare out the window as we leave the lowlands behind and climb high into the mountains to the east. The road is narrow, with a staggeringly steep cliff falling away to one side as we make our way into the dark peaks ahead of us, and I'm suddenly thankful that our trusted steeds have an extra pair of legs each to keep their footing secure as Lily drives them onward.

After what feels like forever – at least, to my height-addled nerves – we pass through a narrow canyon and emerge into a wind-swept valley high in the mountains. A Mediterranean-style villa sprawls across the lawn ahead of us, lights beckoning from its windows like a thousand sparkling fires. Dozens of servants work the grounds, tending to roses and lavender, trimming shrubbery into the shapes of dragons and horses. The tail end of a dark coat catches my eye, then disappears instantly behind a pillar of white stone. I wouldn’t be surprised if we’re being watched. Our movements accounted for. After all, a manor like this must have security.

Lily stops the carriage in front of a grand red door, and soon Derek and I are seated in a spacious gathering room inside the main building as Lilith's servants bring us drinks. Everything is gold-crusted or rimmed or framed, and I feel a bit like I've been transported inside an Oscar statue.

Lilith herself is nothing short of divine. Her long black hair is worn in tight curls beaded with gold stretching down her back. Gold powder on her eyelids brings out the gold in her tiger-like eyes, and gold lipstick shines against her pale skin. Her gown is a matching gold, flowing down her slim frame like a waterfall of sunlight. To look upon her is to look upon something sacred.

"He was a terrible husband," Lilith says frankly of Dracula, to the disappointment of Derek and myself. "He had an unparalleled thirst, which is my fault, really. I knew the kind of man he was in war, the blood of his enemies flowed in his veins. I just overestimated my ability to control him. He was violent, prone to flashes of temper that required me to use compulsion on him. He could never harm me, of course, but by the gods he tried." Lilith takes a delicate sip of blood from a gold-rimmed wine goblet before continuing. "I'm convinced he killed his wife and child."

Derek sighs and looks at me. I shrug. We both know what this means. Not only is she not going to be a good witness for us, she'll be a great witness for them.

Then she grins. "Is that what you fear I'll say, when the prosecution calls me to the stand?"

Derek blinks and I narrow my eyes. She's playing with us.

"I could say that," she says, leaning back gracefully and crossing one leg over the other. "There is truth in my words. We all carry within us shades of dark and light. What fun would this drab world be without it?" She glances at my fingers. "You know, my dear, do you not? An artist, more than anyone, appreciates the shades of gray."

I glance at my fingers, but I can't see any visible charcoal smudges