My Lord Eternity (Immortal Rogues #2)(50)

Lucien could conjure no sympathy. Amadeus had brought this wicked compulsion upon himself. He had long ago turned his back on decency and integrity. It was too late to realize his desires had cost him his soul.

"Release Miss Kingly," he commanded in cold tones.

"Unfortunately she has not yet given me what I need," Amadeus retorted.

With a smooth motion Lucien reached beneath his jacket to reveal the deadly dagger. The blade glinted with a dangerous fire in the flickering light.

"Release her. Now."

Amadeus gave a rasping laugh as he crossed his arms over his chest. "Really, Lucien, I must say I am rather surprised. I would have thought you would have lost interest in the chit long ago.

You have never been very constant in your attentions." He paused, his expression mocking.

"How did you escape?"

Lucien hid a shudder at the icy pain that still lingered. "It is a long and rather tedious story."

"No matter." The vampire stepped forward. "I shall attend to your death myself. It will no doubt be far more satisfying."

With slow, steady motions Lucien backed toward the woman stretched upon the table, careful to keep his attention upon the dangerous Amadeus. He had to release Jocelyn before the vampire could attack him.

He was far from certain that he was strong enough to fend him off for long.

"I fear that I cannot accommodate you. I have rather pressing business to attend to."

Amadeus merely smiled with cruel amusement. "So it would seem."

"It is not too late." Lucien continued, desperate to keep the vampire off guard long enough to give Jocelyn a chance for freedom. "We can return to the Veil together."

"Fool. I am beyond the petty rules of the Council. I will never return."

"You will return or die."

Amadeus moved toward him, his expression one of icy determination. "One of us will certainly die."

Lucien backed into the table and heard Jocelyn stir. "Lucien?" she whispered.

Clutching the dagger, he struggled to clear his throbbing fear. It took a moment before he was able to at last reach out and touch her mind with his own.

"Jocelyn, lay still," he urged as he carefully shifted so that he could use the dagger to slice through the ropes that bound her. Still keeping his gaze upon the vampire moving ever closer, he helped her to sit upright. "Can you move?"

"I think so."

"Then get behind me."

With awkward stiffness she half tumbled off the table and scurried behind his form. At the same moment Amadeus gave a grating laugh.

"You surely do not believe I will allow the Medallion to leave, do you, Lucien? I will kill her before I allow that to happen."

Lucien once again reached out with his thoughts. "Jocelyn, listen to me carefully."

"What?" she replied in the same manner.

"I want you to run from here as fast as you can. There is a horse waiting in the trees. Return to London and find Gideon Ravel. He will protect you."

"No. I will not leave you."

He gritted his teeth as the vampire neared. "Then we both will die. I cannot protect you and fight Amadeus at the same moment."

"No."

"Jocelyn, do as I say. The Medallion must be protected."

"I do not care."

"You will do this, Jocelyn."

"I cannot."

"Please, Jocelyn, I need you to be strong. You will do this for me."

"I—" There was a reluctant pause. "Very well."

Easily realizing that Lucien was plotting Jocelyn's escape, Amadeus narrowed his gaze.

"Do not be a fool, Lucien. If you do not want the wench to die, then return her to the table."

"If... if you insist." Lucien slumped his shoulders as he turned toward Jocelyn, then with swift motions he was violently pushing her toward the door. "Run, Jocelyn. And don't look back."

She stumbled and nearly fell, but thankfully she managed to regain her balance and was hurriedly charging from the room and up the stairs.

"No," Amadeus snarled, moving to follow her.

Lucien was just as swift. Leaping over the table, he placed himself in the vampire's path with the dagger pointed straight at his heart.

"I do not think so, Amadeus."

Coming to a reluctant halt, the vampire trembled with fury. "You have interfered for the last time, Lucien. I will kill you and then that stubborn whore."

"You may try."

A sneer twisted the thin lips. "You believe you can halt me? You remain weak from your life behind the Veil. You are no match for me."

At the moment Lucien could not argue the truth of his words. He was still weakened from his earlier battle, and his wounds had not completely healed. To face a vampire filled with the power of blood lust was no doubt foolish beyond measure.

Still, he knew that every moment he could keep Amadeus trapped in the cellar was precious.

It meant that Jocelyn was one step closer to safety.

"Not so weak, Amadeus," he softly taunted, shifting to ensure he blocked the door. "I managed to best the mist wraith."

"Ah, yes. A pity I do not have the time to hear your remarkable story."

Lucien shrugged. "We have all the time you desire. Perhaps we could have a nice chat over a fine bottle of wine."