Part 35 (1/2)

Tatiana tried to escape her kidnappers every chance she got, until it became a twisted game between them. Once, she'd nearly gotten a mile down an abandoned country road, only to be accosted by Broderick in full wolfen form. Thinking at first that he was a large, rabid dog, she'd screamed in fear.

Broderick's paws were ma.s.sive as he lunged at her on all fours. His body was covered with a gray fur that stood on end as he snarled and snapped at her. Only when she saw the vivid blue of his eyes gleaming with their strange yellow, did she realize what the creature was. He looked truly vicious with his sharp teeth brandished in his elongated mouth like razors.

Tatiana never expected him to change fully into an animal. In amazement, she'd almost tried to pet him. He shook off her hand and nipped at her. He then forced her to walk the whole mile back by his wolfen side.

Another time, under Leandro's guard, she'd nearly made good her escape. It had been easy to slip away. They were at a road side tavern and the vampire was too busy seducing a young dairy maid to pay her any mind. He'd been so enraptured by the girl's creamy flesh and feminine giggles that Tatiana had walked right past him and out the door. If not for the stupid girl's interference, she would've made it too. The dairy maid pointed her out to Leandro, causing him to whip out the door after her. She only made it two steps before finding herself tied up in a carriage for the rest of the night.

They traveled nearly continuously, only stopping for brief periods for supplies and to change horses. Leandro and Broderick made a point of emotionally distancing themselves from her, though they sat next to her each night. They did not again speak of things like they had that first night.

During the day, Leandro slept in a coffin tied to the back of the carriage. Tatiana wondered how he could stand to sleep bouncing around. But, having witnessed the deathlike state that came to Marcello during the day, she could well guess he didn't notice it at all. Her nightmarish visions had all but faded until they were gone completely. Her dreams were dark voids that pulled her into their mindless depths.

She missed Marcello terribly, though she never once mentioned him to her captors. She tried to communicate with him using her mind, but could never hear if he answered back. To occupy her time, she would think of clues along the way to help him find her. She tried to memorize names of places they pa.s.sed, so that if she did escape, she may find her way back to him.

After little over a week by carriage, they stopped in Strasbourg, on the eastern border of France. Tatiana had always wanted to see the world and, although this wasn't how she envisioned doing so, she couldn't contain her excitement as she saw theCathedrale Notre-Dame . Her captors let her wander the narrow streets of the charming city at will and she did so gladly, happy to be able to stretch her legs. The narrow streets led past newer bourgeois buildings, parks, older timbered houses, shopping districts,hotels particuliers , until finally they reached the banks of the riverIll.

Tatiana looked over the waters, so silent and peaceful beneath the stars. It was a calm night. The sky was clear and perfect.

Only a small breeze filtered up from the sh.o.r.e.

”Where are we going?” Tatiana asked softly. Both men turned to her, looking down from their taller heights. She hadn't dared to ask it since that first night in the carriage. But, she was dying to know what they planned for her. Whatever it was, she knew it wasn't good. She waited, but they didn't answer. In irritation, she persisted, ”If you want me dead, would it not just be easier to kill me? What sick game do you mean to play?”

As her anger rose, so did the power inside her. Broderick glanced at Leandro as the water along the banks began to churn. Dark clouds pulled over the sky. Tatiana's jade eyes looked at Leandro. Every time she saw him, her heart ached for his brother. Her arms ached to hold him. Her eyes ached to see him. Her body ached to make love to him. She missed Marcello and she hated her traveling companions for taking her away from him. The feelings in her chest surfaced, overwhelming her fiercely and suddenly.

Leandro glanced over his head and nodded. Tatiana frowned. She turned only to see Broderick grabbing a leather pouch from his waist. On instinct, she lifted her hands. A surge of energy came forth from her limbs, knocking the lycan in the chest and pus.h.i.+ng him back. He flew several yards before landing on his back in a roll. Instantly, he sprung to all fours, crouching.

Tatiana lifted her hand to Leandro and sent him flying as well. Only this time she flicked her wrist toward the water. Leandro landed in the cold river with a loud splash. A grin curled Tatiana's features and she began to laugh. Then, feeling Broderick coming for her, she again turned. Only, she hesitated too long.

Broderick blew dust into her face. It smelled like the flowers that lured her from Marcello's home. Her hands dropped to her side. A slight smile found her as she blinked, in a daze. Through the fog of her mind, she heard Leandro climbing out of the water, cursing bitterly in Italian. She didn't care. Her body was calm. Her heart beat so slow and steady she couldn't feel it working. It was as if she were caught in a gentle dream.

Broderick grabbed her arm and pulled her behind him. Tatiana followed quietly and with no protest. She felt someone take up her hand. She blinked, seeing it was Alice. Alice smiled at her. Tatiana smiled back.

”What did you do to her?” Leandro asked in irritation. ”Why is she smiling like that?”

Broderick turned to see Tatiana indeed smiling into thin air, looking aimlessly at nothing. ”I blew the enthrallment into her face to keep her powers calm. It could be causing her to hallucinate. I've never used it up close before.”

Leandro chuckled. He waved his hand through the air before her eyes. She only blinked. Tatiana's lips moved and she seemed to whisper. Leandro shook his head.

”Let's just get going,” the vampire said. ”We need to get to the train.”

Broderick nodded, pulling Tatiana along faster. Both men ignored her.

Tatiana didn't hear them speak. She smiled again at Alice. How good the maid looked, with her clear complexion and bright blue eyes! So much better than the corpse she'd envisioned her being as of late.

Alice's lips parted, but no words came out. Tatiana leaned to her and mouthed, ”Find Marcello. Tell him to come for me. Stay by his side and protect him.”

Alice frowned considerably, moving to shake her head in denial.

”Please, Alice,” Tatiana begged.

Alice nodded, silently agreeing, though her eyes seemed to doubt her task.