Andrei and Roman made niceties with the host and hostess of the charity ball. As promised, Andrei presented them with a sizable check, which would go toward more research for cancer.
From the looks of it, most of the community—at least those who held any worth—were here tonight, but he was only looking for one. "Do you see the witch?” Andrei should be able to sense her, but who knew if that power was still working or not.
Roman scanned the room thick with men in tuxedos and women in long, flowing gowns. "She shouldn't be hard to spot, considering she's a redhead with violet eyes. A rather unusual combination."
"Well, we’ll keep looking, but in the meantime I could use a drink." Andrei headed for the bar with Roman by his side. After they each had a Cognac in hand, they headed to the ballroom. Roman jabbed Andrei in the ribs with his elbow.
"There she is."
Andrei followed Roman’s line of vision. Sure enough, across the room stood a redhead, her hair piled high on her head, framing a porcelain complexion. Even from where he stood, there was no way to miss those violet eyes between thick, black lashes. Her dress, a long straight gown of silk, was only a couple of shades darker than her eyes.
Their gazes met and she tilted her head as she stared at him. He shoved his glass at Roman. "Here, hold this." He was across the room before his friend could object. Andrei held out his hand. "Good evening, I am Andrei Vladimir. Would you care to dance?"
She lifted a delicate brow and looked as if she might decline. Instead, she surprised him by placing her hand in his and gave a slight nod. “My name is Korinna, and I would have been devastated had you not asked."
Andrei swept her onto the floor, and they began an old-fashioned waltz. The woman smelled of lilacs, and his mouth began to water.
"Don't even think about it, Vampire. If one curse upon you isn't enough, I would be happy to oblige you with another should you even consider sticking those fangs into my neck,” she murmured.
"Well, now that we have that out of the way—"
“You can tell me why you’re dancing with a witch?"
"I like you. To the point, so that's what I’ll be. I'm hoping you can help me," he whispered as he swept her across the floor.
“Let me guess, you want me to break your curse. Of course, you must know that's impossible," she stated.
"I wasn't born yesterday, obviously. I'm hoping you can help me figure out how to get this wretched thing off my back. And by the way, how the hell did you even know I carried a curse?"
She tipped her head back and flashed her violet eyes up at him, giving a sweet smile. "Well, since you weren't born yesterday, you must know that being a witch, I can see the curse. I can touch it, I can feel it. And by the way, I wasn't born yesterday either." She batted her lashes. "Now, on to how I can help you. If anyone understands what it's like being under a curse, it is me, for I carry my own."
He was perplexed. He didn't think it was possible for a witch to be cursed. Of course, his curiosity grew. "You've been cursed? By whom?"
"It's a rather long story, but let's just say it was an evil stepmother who cursed me to never find my true love. So, you may or may not know that I help others find theirs. I travel the world. I travel through time. I find unique objects and I enchant them. Hopefully, the person who needs true love most will find the right object, and it will lead them to their destiny."
The song ended so Andrei offered his arm and escorted her off the floor. "I am sorry to hear about your own misfortune. It seems you have at least found a way to help others. So tell me, what do you see when you look at my curse?"
"I see the witch who did this was very powerful. Not only did she curse your people to be stuck in their world, unable to come here, she cursed you personally. Every time you feed, you create creatures of the darkness.” She sighed. “Of course, since you killed the witch, she won’t be breaking your spell. There is, however, another one who can save you. You must take a female’s life and send her into the darkness.”
Interesting. He hadn’t taken nourishment from a female since he realized he was turning them into evil creatures. He’d started drinking from men who weren’t worth the air they breathed. Drug addicts, criminals, those who didn’t deserve life and wouldn’t be missed. “It sounds too simple. While I don’t like the idea of sending a female to her death, I suppose I can find one fitting.”
Korinna leaned in closer. “No. There is only one female who can break the hell bestowed upon you. Andrei Vladimir, the witch who cursed you was evil. The woman who can break your spell is your very own mate."
Andrei nearly stumbled backward from the news. He must have misunderstood, and his mind raced to the woman in his visions.
No!
Her violet eyes studied him. “I am sorry.”
“My mate. Are you sure?” he whispered. If he were capable of vomiting, he would be retching all over the highly polished floor.
“I am. Have your visions started yet?”
His fangs began to descend as his anger and despair grew. He wished the witch who cursed him was alive, so he could torment her instead of delivering the quick death that he had. Now, he had a choice to make. The one woman who fate had intended for him or the lives of his people. The lives of countless humans that he converted into his evil children. Who knew how many they took down? There was no contest. He had vowed to fix this mess. Korinna waited for him to choose his fate.
“Our bonding time is near, but I have yet to locate her.”
She gave a nod. “I can help you speed up the process. If you are sure this is what you desire.”
Desire? What he fucking desired was to find the woman in his dreams, pull her into his arms, and spend eternity holding on to her. “This is bigger than her or I, so it must come to pass. There are too many lives at stake.”
The witch’s eyes filled with sympathy. “Are you sure that once you meet her, you will not change your mind?”
He ground his jaw. “I am King Andrei Vladimir. I have lived for centuries without her. I can manage a few more. My duty is to my people, no matter the consequences to myself. If my mate must die, then so be it. If she were worthy to be my queen, then she will understand what her sacrifice means.” The very words coated his tongue like bitter acid and drained down the back of his throat. Listen to yourself, you pompous ass.
Korinna gave a slight curtsy. “Very well, King Vladimir. Meet me in the cemetery at midnight in front of the old crypt. I’m sure you know the one. Be prepared to donate a little blood.” Before he could answer, she turned and walked away. Roman slipped in from nowhere.
“Can she help?”
Andrei closed his eyes and dug for every bit of reserve he had in him. “Yes. When the curse is lifted, I need you to do something for me.”
“Anything, Sire.”
“Give me your oath right now that you will carry out my wishes.” He curled his fingers into his palms.
“My oath is given. You know I am forever your humble servant and friend.”
“When the mist is lifted and our people are free, you will kill me.”
Roman’s mouth dropped open, and he started to speak, but Andrei held up his hand.
“Do not question me on this, or I will find another who will be more obedient.”
Roman lowered his gaze. “I will do as you request, Sire.”
“Thank you. I will write a letter with the royal seal once we have entry to the family crest again. I will absolve you of any crime and make sure my brother Lucien takes the throne.”
“Of course, Sire,” Roman stated.
Andrei wanted to run but where? The damn curse followed him like a dark cloud. He looked at his watch, surprised to find it was already near time for his meeting. “I must go attend to business. You’re on your own.” Andrei headed out the front door and made his way to the rendezvous point.
The clock at the old church struck midnight, and Andrei paced in front of the crypt where he’d been instructed to meet Korinna. He tipped his head and stared at the full moon. His wolf stirred deep inside of him, begging for release but it wouldn't come. It was painful not being able to shift, and he gritted his teeth through the sensations that wracked his body.
"Well, I see you’re punctual," Korinna stated.
He spun to face her. "How the hell do you sneak up on a vampire?"
The woman chuckled. Now dressed in jeans and a fleece jacket, her hair fell around her shoulders. He had to admit she was stunning, but since his mate had been coming to his dreams, he felt no desire for any other.
"We never did discuss payment for your services. Name your price, and I will make sure that it's delivered," Andrei said.
"I don't require any payment. Normally I do these things to help bring others together, and I will do the same for you. Your circumstances are simply different. I only beg that you find a way to make all this work." She pushed her curls off her cheek.
Andrei shoved his hands into his pocket. "I think we've already determined how this is all going to play out. So, can we just get on with it?” he growled at her.
She held out her hand, and a dagger appeared in her grip. "Give me your palm."
He freed his right hand from his pocket and held it out to her. With a quick motion, she made a slice across the center of his palm. Blood welled up and she began to chant.
“Tobor uiulph iejir giveth, tobor uiulph iejir taketh. Dronilnr forth wer haurachic vur ehtah wer ir svados kurjh matches mrith nomeno. Majak wer wearer wer vers di wer ocuirir sauriv vur lead jacioniv ekess jacioniv thatheo.”
Andrei’s fangs punched down and he hissed. “Now repeat it so I can fucking understand!” Already he burned from the inside out, and the blood on his palm began to form into droplets and swirl. To say he didn’t trust the witch one hundred percent was a huge understatement. He’d been burned before.
She lifted her gaze to his. “Life's blood giveth, life's blood taketh. Bring forth the fates, and find the one whose own matches with his. Give the wearer the power of the Seeing Eye and lead her to her destiny.”
The blood spun faster until it was nothing but a red blur. Suddenly, it froze and dropped back into his hand in the form of a hard crystal. Korinna plucked it free and enclosed it in her own palm. She blew into one end and when she opened her hand again, she held a beautiful necklace. The stone was shaped like a tiny ocean wave, and the red color swirled from black cherry to deep ruby. It seemed to pulse with life. At one end was a silver loop studded with diamonds, and a silver chain was draped through the eye.
"I will take this with me and place it in one of my shops. When your mate finds it, she will become enchanted by it. When she wears it, she’ll see visions of you and be compelled to find you."
Andrei picked the piece from her hand and examined it closer. "I must say, my blood makes a rather stunning piece of jewelry." He dropped it back in her hand. “Of course, with a little help from your magic."
The witch shoved the piece into her jacket pocket. "I can't say for sure how long it will take to find her, but it's usually not long. Once I enchant a piece and place it in my shop, it usually attracts the right person within weeks. I suspect since she is already your destiny, this will happen quickly. “
Dread coursed through him. Soon everybody's misery would be over, but he was exchanging one for another. He had always hoped to one day find his mate, but now he almost wished she didn’t exist.
Sonia entered through the back door of the shop just as she'd been doing for the last several days. However, today was a little different. Her boss was back from her most recent trip. Sonia was excited to hear how it went, as well as see if Korinna had been able to procure the items she had wanted to bring back. When she walked through the door, Korinna stepped from her office and gave her a smile.
“Good morning. Looks like you sold a few pieces while I was away."
Sonia smiled back, feeling pleased with herself. "I did. How was your trip? Did you buy anything exciting?”
"I was able to bring back several pieces." Korinna headed for the front room and Sonia followed. "I left them here for you to decide the best place to display them." Her boss looked over her shoulder. "I figured I had fun purchasing them, so you should have fun displaying them."
Korinna led her to one of the many glass display cases where she had several objects lined up on a velvet cushion. Immediately, Sonia was drawn to a red stone attached to a silver chain. She ran her finger over the smooth, curved surface of the stone.
“Wow, I've never seen anything quite like this," she said.
"It is rather unique. One-of-a-kind piece, actually. It's what they call a bloodstone."
Sonia lifted her gaze momentarily to look at her boss. "A bloodstone?"
“Yes. It's kind of a silly legend really, but some Romanians believe that the stone belongs to a vampire." She lifted a shoulder. "Well rather a vampire’s mate."
Sonia let out a laugh. "Do they actually believe in vampires over there?"
“There are many strange things in the world,” Korinna replied.
“I agree there are things that can’t be explained. Vampires?” She shook her head and picked up the piece. Something about it felt familiar to her. Odd.
“What kind of unexplained things do you believe in, Sonia?”
“I don’t know. I don’t believe we are the only living beings in the universe.” She swore something inside the gem swirled as if it were alive. Must have been her vivid imagination so she set the piece back on the velvet.
“So you believe in aliens but not vampires? They could be one in the same.”
Sonia wasn’t sure if the woman was joking or not. However, it did make her think. Was she crazy to believe in one and not the other? After all, she did believe in hell and demons. Why would vampires be any different? Myth often came from facts of some kind. “Do you believe in vampires?” she asked cautiously.
“There are worlds that exist outside of our own. Yes, I do believe. Just as there are good people and evil people, the same holds true in other worlds as well.”
Wow, the woman was convincing. “Have you ever actually met one?” Sonia picked up one of the other objects on the velvet pad, a gold filigree bracelet, and found a spot in the front window for it.
“Would you think me honest if I said yes?”
Sonia quickly turned to face her boss. The expression on her face was sincere, and suddenly she wanted to know everything. “I can’t imagine you would lie to me. What reason would you have?”
“None. Yes, I’ve encountered both the vile creatures that myth has led us to believe exist.” She shuddered. “They are worse than depicted. I’ve also met what is called a true vampire.”
“What is a true vampire?”
Korinna smiled. “You should ask your grandmother. Being a native of Romania, she knows of these men who cross the mist into our world to nourish themselves and find their mates.”
Sonia knew her eyes had grown wide because her mouth had certainly dropped open. She wasn’t sure what to say next. Awkward silence filled the room, so she picked up the red gem. Rather than stick it in a prominent place, she slipped it next to a much larger necklace where it wouldn’t get noticed. For some strange reason, she hated the thought of anyone buying it.