My Lord Immortality (Immortal Rogues #3)(50)

Almost inanely, she noted the perfect cut of his black coat and ivory breeches. Even his curls had been carefully crimped and brushed toward the thin face.

A perfect gentleman, she grimly acknowledged, unless one looked close enough to perceive the flat deadness of his eyes and the cold cruelty of his mouth.

A cruelty made even worse when a sneering smile curved the thin lips.

"Well, well, Sebastian," he drawled as he deliberately regarded the taller gentleman's bare chest. "It appears that you are not entirely the eunuch that I feared. Of course, I cannot approve of your taste. Mortals are so utterly repulsive to discriminating vampires."

Sebastian's expression remained stoically indifferent to the insult. "What are you doing here, Drake?"

"I wished to speak with Miss Hadwell." Slightly turning, the intruder performed a mocking bow toward the desk. "Good evening, my dear."

Although consumed with a choking fear, Amelia managed to tilt her chin to what she hoped was an imperious angle.

"I have no desire to speak with you."

Lethal fury flashed through the pale eyes before the taunting smile was forcibly returned to his lips.

"What you desire matters little, my dear. I have given you the opportunity to be sensible. Now, I fear I must be more direct."

Her hands instinctively shifted to grasp the amulet about her neck. "I will not give you the Medallion."

"Oh, I believe you will."

Across the room, Sebastian abruptly stepped toward his brother vampire, his expression set in determined lines.

"It will never belong to you, Drake."

"My words are for Miss Hadwell," the intruder snarled, his hands clenched at his side. "And after this evening I doubt your bothersome interference will be welcome."

Sebastian growled from deep in his throat. "I have no patience with your riddles—if you have something to say, then speak plainly."

"Very well." Drake held out a thin, skeleton-like hand. "Miss Hadwell, I desire the Medallion."

Amelia took an instinctive step backward. "No."

"Why do you remain so stubborn? It can mean nothing to you."

"Sebastian has warned me of your plot to destroy the Veil and return vampires to London. I will not allow that to occur."

His gaze narrowed to icy slits. "And you believe you are capable of standing in my way? You are a fool."

Amelia readily concurred. She was a fool. Had she the least amount of sense she would be fleeing from this dangerous madman with all possible speed. Unfortunately, her knees were barely capable of holding her upright, never mind allowing her to move so much as a step.

Instead, she was forced to meet that threatening gaze with as much courage as she could muster.

"You cannot force me to give you the Medallion."

"Ah, but I can," he drawled.

Sebastian once again moved forward, placing himself between Amelia and the threatening vampire. In his hand the dagger glinted with deadly intent.

"Do not take a step, Drake," he warned. "I do not desire to destroy you, but I will do whatever is necessary to protect Amelia."

A harsh, rasping laugh echoed through the room. "I have warned you to remain out of this, Sebastian. Miss Hadwell will not thank you if some ghastly fall were to befall her beloved brother."

The icy terror that had gripped Amelia was suddenly forgotten at the mention of her brother.

Without a thought, she moved around the desk to confront Drake with a frantic expression.

"William? What do you mean?"

Drake lifted his golden brows with a faint smile. "Did I fail to mention that sweet William is now my guest at a rather remote cottage?"

"No," she breathed, her heart squeezing in horror Not William. She could not bear it.

Easily sensing her rising panic, Sebastian placed a comforting arm about her shoulders.

"Amelia... do not."

She barely heard his words. Her attention was grimly focused upon the smiling vampire standing before her.

"What have you done to him?"

Drake lifted an indifferent shoulder. "For the moment he is merely my guest. I cannot promise, however, that he will remain unharmed for long. My servants will soon grow impatient if I do not appear with the Medallion."

The image of William alone and afraid in some remote cabin brought tears to Amelia's eyes.

What sort of monster would harm such an innocent soul?

"No ... please ..."

"Amelia." Sebastian sternly turned her to meet his steady gaze. "Do not fear. I will retrieve William."

"He will be dead before you even locate the cottage, Sebastian," Drake retorted in icy tones.

"The only way to save him is to hand over the Medallion."

Sebastian's hands tightened upon Amelia's shoulders. "Amelia, you must not."

Swallowing the thick lump in her throat, Amelia squarely met the warning gaze. She fully understood Sebastian's fierce desire to keep the Medallion from the vile traitor. He had to consider what was best for vampires. It was his duty.

She, however, had a duty to William. A duty that she would not deny, no matter how great the cost.

"Sebastian, I will not allow William to be harmed."

His features hardened to forbidding lines. "Drake will kill your brother no matter what you do.