My Lord Immortality (Immortal Rogues #3)(52)

Somehow she had hoped that once she made the decision to go with Drake, a numb acceptance would protect her. Absurdly, however, as the miles rattled past, the thick, pulsing fear only increased.

With every turn of the wheel she was being hauled ever further from Sebastian. She could physically feel the distance growing between them. Soon enough there would be no more than the faintest sense of him. She was forced to accept the knowledge that she was alone and at the mercy of a murderous, unfeeling monster.

In desperation she blocked out all thoughts of Sebastian. She should be considering William, she sternly reminded herself. The poor boy was no doubt hysterical by now. He was in a strange place with ruffians who had forced him from his bed, and who knew what else. He would be calling for her and unable to understand why she was not at his side.

Her heart gave a sharp twinge. If only she could save William, then all would be well. That would give her all the strength she needed.

She kept that thought foremost in her mind as they continued ever onward. And onward. She barely noticed the passing fields or the thickening woods about them. Not even when the carriage at last rolled to a halt.

Indeed, Amelia had barely assimilated the fact that the sickening sway had come to an end when Drake was thrusting her out of the door and up a twisting path.

"Move along," the vampire growled.

Struggling to regain her balance, she hurried forward, her fogged senses briefly discerning a crumbling cottage with a thatched roof. It was just as remote and desolate as Drake had warned; only the faint glow of candlelight that could be seen through one of the broken windows assured her that someone was inside.

Reaching the door, she was briefly halted as the vampire reached out to grasp her arm. Warily, she turned to study his tight features.

"What is it?"

He paused for a long moment before giving an annoyed shake of his head. "Nothing. Let us be done with this."

The bony hand reached out to shove the door open. Amelia did not wait to be pushed forward. Instead, she rushed into the cramped, dust-shrouded room with anxious haste.

It took but a moment to spot her brother huddled in a dark corner. With a soft cry, she moved to kneel beside him.

"William." She placed her arms gently about his shoulders, not at all surprised to discover that he was trembling in fear and weariness. He had probably been curled in the corner since he had been brutally kidnapped. "My poor William."

He slowly lifted his head to regard her with wounded eyes. "Bad man."

Tears filled her eyes as she softly brushed his hair. "Yes, they are very bad men."

A growl from behind her had Amelia shifting to face the vampire, who filled the small room with his repulsive presence.

"You see that he is alive," Drake stated in flat tones. "Now give me the Medallion."

Amelia reluctantly rose to her feet, her heart racing so fast she feared it might burst. It had come to the moment of crisis. She would now discover if her desperate ploy would work, or if she had lost all on a daring gamble.

"Not until William is released."

His eyes glittered like shards of glass. "Do not attempt to play me the fool. Sebastian is pathetic enough to be seduced by your wiles, but I am far too clever for such games. If you do not believe me, I can reveal the corpses of any number of beautiful mortals who thought to please my fancy."

She swallowed heavily, not allowing herself to remember the battered and abused bodies of those poor maidens. She had to concentrate upon William. Only William.

"You promised that my brother would be kept safe. I want him allowed to leave before I give you the Medallion."

A dark, nerve-shattering silence descended as he regarded her with malicious fury. The very air seemed to crackle with his fierce desire to punish her for her audacity.

"You try my patience, wench," he rasped, his lengthening fangs suddenly visible.

Amelia nearly balked. Saints above. He was a ruthless vampire. A beast that killed without mercy. How could she possibly hope to outwit him?

Then from behind her, she heard the faint sound of William's whimper. He had clearly sensed the danger in the air. A danger that only thickened as Drake glared at her with murderous intent.

Much to her astonishment, she felt her chin tilting with a renewed determination.

"Do you desire the Medallion or not?"

Her fate hung upon a knife's edge as the pale gaze lowered to the amulet glowing with a tantalizing power. For a heartbeat she was icily aware that his lust to torture her for her daring far outweighed his need for the amulet. Only when her fingers closed protectively over the Medallion did he abruptly regain control of his anger and step back.

"Send him away."

Urging William to his feel, Amelia warily led him across the room, her arms wrapped tightly about him. Once at the door she pulled it open and gazed into her brother's worried eyes.

"Listen to me carefully, William," she said firmly. "I want you to run from here as fast as you can."

His brow wrinkled in puzzlement. "Run?"

"Yes. Run to Mr. St. Ives. He will protect you."

There was a moment of silence before he gave a reluctant nod of understanding. "Run."

"As swiftly as you can."

"Be on with it," Drake interrupted sharply.

Drawing in a deep breath, Amelia shoved her brother with all her strength. "Do not look back, William."