My Lord Immortality (Immortal Rogues #3)(60)

In silence they moved back toward Nefri and the forbidding Valkier. Amelia shivered as the thick feeling of bleak hatred threatened to overwhelm her. In truth she had no desire to continue onward. What possible help could she be? She had no means to overcome the obviously crazed vampire or even to offer Nefri any assistance.

But there was no chance that she was going to allow Sebastian to be in the presence of the deadly Valkier without her near. No matter how her heart might quail or her knees threaten to buckle.

Grimly she fought to keep her feet moving forward, only halting when Lucien turned to hold up a warning hand. On cue, all three women crouched in the overgrowth and turned their attention toward the two vampires locked in their private war of wills.

Amelia tightly clutched the hands of her companions as the three gentlemen continued forward, Sebastian taking the lead as he hid the Medallion in his clenched hand. Her heart nearly came to a full stop as Valkier abruptly spun to confront the intruders. Dear heavens, she had never seen eyes that glittered with such a lethal intent or features so lacking in emotion. She knew beyond a doubt that he would cut down his brothers without a hint of regret.

He would destroy anything or anyone who stood in his path.

"Ah, Sebastian, you have invited companions. What a charming surprise," the gaunt-faced vampire drawled, his flat gaze flickering over the large figures stalking ever closer. "I did not dare to hope that I would have witnesses in my moment of glory. You shall be the first to bow to my authority."

"Never," Sebastian snapped, not even flinching beneath the deadly glare.

A cold laugh swept through the air. "Do not be any more of a fool than necessary, Sebastian.

You were nearly bested by the pitiable Drake. I have command of the Medallion. You cannot hope to stand against me."

Sebastian never wavered. "I do not fear you, Valkier."

"You should." The vampire lifted the heavy Medallion, smiling as the malevolent radiance filled the shadows. "There are few things that I shall enjoy more than ridding our world of such spineless wretches." His eyes narrowed. "To know you have willingly bonded with mortals is nauseating. You have defiled all vampires with your animal lusts."

Amelia cried out in alarm, but before anyone could react, Nefri was standing in front of Sebastian, her expression stern.

"No, Valkier. This must not happen. The Medallion was never meant to be used in such a manner."

The vampire gave a low snarl. "The power is mine. No one can deny me what is rightfully my destiny. You should have stood at my side, Nefri. Now you must be destroyed."

"Valkier..."

Nefri's plea went unheeded as the vampire abruptly unleashed his power. Amelia's eyes widened in horror as the sickening glow flared out with a bluish glare. Sebastian and his companions were suddenly engulfed, disappearing in the foul light.

"Sebastian, no," Amelia breathed.

Frantic to reach his side, she struggled to her feet only to be ruthlessly pulled back behind the bush by the women she had thought were her champions.

"Wait," Jocelyn whispered close to her ear. "Have faith in Sebastian."

Amelia trembled with fear. Faith? She did not desire to have faith. She wanted to rush forward and vanquish the horrid vampire with her bare hands. The women, however, refused to loosen their fierce grip, and she was forced to watch in helpless terror.

The glow deepened, pulsing in an ominous fashion. Amelia moaned in despair, certain that the end was near; then, abruptly, Valkier's eyes widened and a keening cry was wrenched from his throat.

"No ... it is impossible. No."

The cry became a bloodcurdling scream and in shocked disbelief, Amelia watched as his thin frame began to tremble with unnatural force. For what seemed an eternity, Valkier screamed in horrific agony, and just when Amelia became convinced that she could bear no more, the vampire began to blacken as if being burned from within.

Nauseated by the ghastly scene before her, Amelia turned her head aside. Whatever her disgust for the arrogant, avaricious Valkier, she could not bear to witness his end.

Battling the rising bile, it took long moments for her to realize that a deep, wounded silence had filled the copse. Indeed, she did not even sense Sebastian's approach until she was being gently pulled into his arms.

"It is over, Amelia," he said in weary tones.

With an effort she lifted her head to regard him with tear-filled eyes. "How?"

It was Nefri who answered as she gently bent over the burned ashes that lay upon the damp ground.

"It was the Medallion," she said softly, her voice hoarse with regret. "The powers were intended to balance one another. To attempt to gain dominance caused the Medallion to turn itself against Valkier. He should have known. Above all, harmony must be maintained."

Shamelessly clutching Sebastian close to her, Amelia burrowed her head in his shoulder.

"It is truly over?"

"Yes, my love." She felt his lips lightly brush the top of her hair. "And now I think it is time to go home."

Home. A slow, wondrous smile curved her lips as she breathed deeply of his warm, familiar scent. Yes. That is what she now possessed. A home. Complete with the man who would be at her side for all eternity.

Epilogue

The wedding of Sebastian and Amelia a fortnight later was intended to be a quiet affair.

With her parents stiffly declining her invitation to join her in London, and her handful of acquaintances having turned their back on her the moment she had left society, Amelia had no one but William and Mrs. Benson to be her witnesses.