Love Me to Death (Underveil, #1)(111)

Dazed, blood running from his nose, Fydor slid down the wall to a crouch.

“Sorry, we had to check out the scenery on the way in,” Uza said. “Nothing like a little elf tushie to improve your circulation.”

“My dear uncle has been clearing up many things for me.” Nik wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, smearing more than wiping away blood. The smell of it made Elena’s jaws ache. As soon as this was over, she had plans for King Nikolai.

Aleksi and Tatiana entered, along with Fee.

“Well, Uncle, now that we are all here, why don’t you share with them what you told me?”

It was just a flick of his eyes to the sword, nothing more, but Elena knew what Fydor planned. “Ni—”

Before she could even get his name out, Fydor lunged, picked up the sword, and shoved it through Nik’s thigh. When he doubled over in pain, Fydor put the blade at his throat and pulled up, causing Nik to stand upright to keep from being decapitated—which would end his immortal life.

Stefan and Aleksi had weapons drawn, but had not gotten there in time.

“Don’t do anything stupid, or he’s dead,” Fydor said. “Close the door, drop your weapons, and move back against the wall.”

Elena’s heart tried to leap out of her chest as she pushed the door closed and weapons clattered on the stone floor.

“This is your fault.” His eyes twitched as he glared at Elena. “All your fault.”

“Calm down, my love,” Nik’s mother said in a soothing tone. “You need a dose of your medicine so you can focus.”

“Yes. Medicine. It’s in my pocket.”

Tatiana’s eyes flitted to Aleksi as she walked toward him. She knew! Aleksi must have told her on the balcony. She reached into his front pocket while he kept the sword at Nik’s throat and removed two identical vials of purple liquid. Again, she looked at Aleksi, who shrugged. “How about taking two this time?”

“No. I need to focus. Only one. Now. I’m in pain.”

“Of course you are,” she said, brow furrowed as she studied the vials.

“Now.”

Eyes closed and body relaxed, Nik grunted as Fydor jerked the sword against his throat.

Tatiana pulled the stopper out of one of the bottles and poured it into Fydor’s mouth. Elena held her breath, hoping he’d keel over right then and there. Nothing. It must be the remaining vial.

“I killed him, you know,” he said, still shaking. “I killed them both. I had to.” He closed his eyes and took a deep breath through his nose. “And then the markings started appearing.” His eyes flew open, and his now-steady gaze landed right on Elena. “The markings saying you were coming for me, on the bodies of every Slayer under the Veil. So, of course, you had to die.”

A bit of blood trickled down Nik’s neck where the blade scored the skin as Fydor tightened his hold.

They needed to stall, possibly through enough time for him to drink that other vial of liquid. She had to keep him occupied. Damn, she hoped the elixir Fee gave her really rendered the ore in her arm inert. She focused on sending charge to her hands and felt a tiny buzz. Hardly anything, but maybe she’d charge up fast once it took effect.

“I have a deal for you, Fydor,” she said.

“No deals.”

“You’ll like this one.” She moved to stand right next to him. “It’s me you want. An even trade. Let Nik go and take me.”

“No!” Nik’s voice was strained and harsh. Desperate.

“Why would you do that?”

Yes! She had him now. “I love him. Would rather die than watch him die. Plus, you might be able to get my aunt to open the sunroof here so you can teleport if you use me as a bargaining chip.”

“Smart girl. Lie down on your back right next to my foot, hands behind your head. If any of you move, I’ll run her through. That’s all it takes to kill a Dhampir.”

“Truly, it’s okay,” she said, hoping the others would realize she had a plan. “Everyone do as he asks.” She lay on her back on the floor.

Fydor, in a smooth maneuver, stepped back, lowered his sword, and shoved Nik with his foot on the backside. He then stood over Elena, foot on either side of her thighs, sword tip at her throat. Nik, with his injured leg, lost his balance and fell forward.

Man, oh, man, she hoped that elixir to restore her powers was working or this was a really bad plan. A look of pain crossed Fydor’s face. He shook his head and held the sword steady. “Kill the spell, Uzana, or I kill her.”

“Nope. Sorry. No can do, dude,” Aunt Uza said from near the door. “Roaches check in, but they don’t check out.”

“Let him go! He’s not worth it,” Nik said, struggling to his feet, blood coating his thigh.

“Sorry, hottie. Gotta think of the greater good and all.”

Fydor dragged the tip of the sword from her throat down between her breasts in a stinging trail of fire. “I can make her death slow and painful.”

“No!” Nik shouted, shuffling closer.

“Move and I kill her, nephew.” His gaze drifted down her body. She could feel the cool air over her belly button. Her shirt must have ridden up. He lifted the bottom edge with the tip of the sword and nudged the leather up. “What’s this?” He blinked hard and made another grimace. “What the f*ck is it!” he shouted. “Answer me, Uzana, or I’m slicing her open.”