My Lord Immortality (Immortal Rogues #3)(20)

Having sacrificed the last of his fading energy, Sebastian could do nothing to stop the villain from attacking him, nor the intruder. Instead he could only lie upon the hard ground as he rasped agonized breaths.

Inwardly, he cursed his weakness, but he knew he could do nothing. Without rest to restore his strength he was as helpless as a babe.

Barely keeping the darkness at bay, Sebastian vaguely heard the sounds of approaching footsteps and the dry hiss of an indrawn breath. A part of him awaited the blow that would send him into oblivion; at the same time, he ludicrously clutched the dagger as if he hoped the fool would conveniently lie down next to him so he could stab him.

He supposed that time passed, although it was difficult to determine with his head filled with fog. Then, soft and comforting hands touched his face.

"Sebastian, can you hear me?" a husky female voice whispered near his ear.

He lifted his head, only to discover that his right eye had swollen shut.

"Who is it?"

"Nefri."

A sigh was wrenched from his burning throat. He was saved. The ancient vampire was by far the most powerful of all. Even without the Medallion. None would challenge her.

He did not know what had brought her to the abandoned stables, but he had never been more relieved in his Immortal life.

He coughed, the bitter taste of blood filling his mouth. "Forgive me for not rising," he said wryly.

"Be at ease, my dear." The elder vampire gave a disapproving click of her tongue as her hands ran lightly over his battered body. "Without the Medallion, I can not heal you properly."

Sebastian opened his one eye to assure her that he only needed rest when a searing heat abruptly raced through his blood. His teeth clenched in shock and his legs jerked. He felt as if he were being roasted from the inside out. Then, as swiftly as the heat had struck, it was fading.

Surprisingly, Sebastian discovered the throbbing aches had muted to a near-bearable level, and that he was even capable of rising to a sitting position. Standing, however, was still out of the question.

"That is better," he murmured. "Thank you."

"Just remain here for a bit. You must give yourself time to recover."

As the darkness receded, Sebastian began to regain a portion of his shattered wits. With Nefri near, there was little to fear. Still, he wanted to ensure that he was not about to face another savage attack.

"The vampire ... he is gone?"

Nefri shifted so that she was kneeling within view of his undamaged eye. He was rather surprised to discover she was attired in a bright, patched skirt and the loose blouse generally associated with a Gypsy. Her silver hair hung about her shoulders and her arms were covered with numerous bracelets. It was her expression, however, that at last captured and held his attention. Even in the shadows, he could tell that it was troubled.

"Yes, he is gone."

"It was odd. I could sense his presence, but not his identity. He is very powerful."

Nefri nodded slowly. "And very dangerous. Whoever this is, he has called upon ancient powers that have been forbidden."

Sebastian swallowed a curse. His return to London was proving to be complicated enough without the added distraction of a vampire using dark powers.

"Do you know who it is?"

"No. I do fear, however, that he is determined to claim the Medallion."

Medallion. Sebastian's heart came to a frozen halt as he recalled the reason he had left his home in the first place.

"Amelia," he breathed in anxious tones.

Nefri gave a rueful nod of her head. "Yes. While you were being lured to these stables, she was confronted by Drake."

Instinctively he attempted to rise, only to fall back to his knees as a wave of dizziness rushed through him.

"Damn."

A gnarled hand reached out to touch his shoulder. "Do not fear. She is safely returned home."

He exhaled a sharp breath of relief, although his expression remained tight with concern. The woman was going to drive him to madness. To even think of her being in the company of Drake while he was incapable of rushing to her rescue was enough to make his stomach clench and the throbbing in his head increase to a nearly unbearable level.

"She is ... difficult," he muttered in disgust.

The elder vampire lifted her brows. "She possesses the spirit necessary to protect the Medallion, I will agree."

"Oh yes, she possesses a wretched amount of spirit," he swiftly agreed, his hand reaching to touch the deep gash on his temple. "Unfortunately, she has no notion of the danger she courts so blithely."

Nefri tilted her head to one side, as if considering his words.

"I believe she senses the danger, but she is a woman who feels a very deep sense of loyalty.

One cannot fault her for such a commendable trait."

Oh no? At the moment, Sebastian would willingly do more than fault her stubborn sense of loyalty. What good would such a wondrous trait do her if she were to be killed?

"That loyalty might very well endanger the Medallion," he retorted, not at all prepared to admit that his frustration was more in fear for Amelia than the anc ient artifact. "She will do whatever is necessary to keep her brother safe. Including handing her amulet to Drake if she had to."

Nefri regarded him with a steady gaze. "There is that danger, certainly."