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Remus’s fangs extended in annoyance, but he remained three paces away. “You wouldn’t need a babysitter if you’d just grow up and come back to the coven where you belong. There’s no reason for you to continue rotting away in that god-forsaken pile of rubble you call a castle. All you have to do is stop using that forbidden magic of yours.”

“Oh, like you have? How does it feel, brother, to deny such an important part of yourself?”

This time Remus’s hands balled into fists, and Sebastian’s lip twitched upwards. There it was, the nerve. Successfully struck. Remus took a half step forward and gritted his teeth. “We stopped being brothers the moment you stole Mirabel from me! As if we everweremore than two ‘sons’ of Victor.”

“That’s not how you felt about us back then, Remus. Besides, Mirabel made her choice. If she had chosen you, I certainly wouldn’t be still whining about it nearly 400 years later. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I am in the middle of a very important task. One which does not require the assistance of a backstabbing little dog.” Sebastian made a move to walk around Remus, but only got two steps before an excruciating pain tore through his head. He dropped to one knee, his head clutched in his hands.

Remus smiled, a vindictive glitter in his eye. “I don’t think so, Sebastian. You aren’t going to cause me problems this year. Victor thought ahead and allowed me to borrow some powers. If you come quietly and quickly, you might even be able to get back to your task before the clock strikes midnight again.”

The throbbing subsided and Sebastian rose to his feet. “Just let me check for a letter, and I’ll come quietly,” he snarled through gritted teeth. If Victor had allowed Remus to feed from him and thus use the master vampire’s powers, Sebastian had no choice. He would return to the coven under his own power…or slung over Remus’s shoulder, an unconscious sack of potatoes.

The other vampire seemed to consider the offer for a moment, then rolled his eyes. “I suppose that’s easier than carrying you all the way to Venice. You have five minutes before I knock you out and carry you. And we both know I’m faster than you if you try to run.”

Sebastian didn’t even grace the comment with a response. Instead, he allowed his full vampiric speed loose and arrived at the post box in seconds. His heart pounded in his ears as he turned the key, opened the door…and found an envelope inside. “Praises!” he exclaimed, grabbing the letter and stuffing it in his pocket for later. There should be enough down time during the gathering to find a quiet corner in which to read it.

The joy of the paper in his pocket dampened the hostility he felt toward returning to the coven. Moments later he and Remus were zipping through the countryside, stubbornly refusing to acknowledge each other's existence.

They ran silently all through the night, arriving in Venice just before sunrise. A shiver tingled through Sebastian’s core as it always did when he laid eyes on the stone keep which served as the coven’s ancestral home. Every muscle fought for him to run, yet he’d been through this enough times that it was more of an annoyance than a real fear.

Remus pushed open the heavy oak door and stood by until Sebastian was securely inside. Torches spanned the length of the windowless corridor the pair traveled down until they reached the door which hid the spiral staircase which led deep into the earth.

Already the iron scent of blood filled Sebastian’s nose and mouth. His instincts drew him forward, hunger pulsing despite the fact he usually wouldn’t feed for another month. His heart began beating rapidly and Remus smirked. “I knew you’d perk up as soon as we got inside. The Eve always was your favorite celebration.”

“There’s no vampire alive whose heart wouldn’t speed with that much blood in the air,” Sebastian spat, his lip curling upward to reveal his extended fangs. “You know that I can hear yours as well. Just unlock the damn door already.”

Remus snapped his jaw once, but pulled the key from his pocket and unlocked the door. “Youwouldshow up to the coven house without bothering to bring your key. I swear you’re the only member of the family who doesn’t carry it with them at all times.” He moved to the side and allowed Sebastian to pass before locking it again behind them.

“The coven is not my family.” Sebastian’s eyes flashed red with anger and he felt his pectoral muscles tighten. “Only the consequences keep me from never coming back to this godforsaken keep.” He then descended the stairs, his feet falling harder than was strictly necessary with each step.

Sounds of joviality grew louder as he approached the bottom of the staircase, which opened to the center of a massive ballroom. Golden urns four feet tall lined the eastern and western walls, filled to the brim with blood. Dozens of vampires milled around the dimly-lit room with steaming goblets, which they dipped directly in the urns whenever they ran dry. Blood dripped from the goblets they clutched all over their hands, clothes, and the floor as the vampires sang and danced.

Along the northern wall stood a raised dais, where the master vampire himself sat on a golden throne arrayed in a scarlet cloak with gold trim. His face was slender and delicate, with high cheekbones and a sharp chin. A crown of gold with three shimmering rubies on its front rested lightly on his pale forehead, hiding most of his short, dark hair. Victor watched his coven with dark eyes and a smile which made Sebastian feel ill.

Those dark eyes met Sebastian’s and he found himself walking toward the dais without signaling his feet to do so. Sebastian stopped at the edge of the dais and dropped to one knee. His head bowed as his right fist extended toward Victor. “Father,” he greeted.

“The wayward son again makes the yearly trek home,” Victor replied, his voice clear and teasing. “I have been informed you only gave your brother a moment of trouble this year. I’m pleased.” He extended his hand and Sebastian rose, climbing the steps to place a kiss to the master vampire’s knuckles.

Sebastian’s stomach roiled at the intimate action, but he knew far better than to argue with Victor. Much less on The Eve. “He was very persuasive. As are you, Father.”

“You speak truth, my son. Now, gather your goblet and join the festivities! You have traveled far and I’m sure you are hungry. Enjoy our yearly bounty so you will be well prepared this evening.” Victor smiled broadly, his fangs glistening in the light of the torches before they dipped into his goblet.

It was both an invitation and an order. Sebastian took three steps backwards, bowed once more, and exited the dais. The taste of bile lingered in the back of his throat.

Against the southern wall stood a set of shelves which ran the length of the ballroom. The names of each member of the coven were carved into the dark wood, above which their goblets rested when not in use. As he had hundreds of times, Sebastian approached the center of the display. His fingers brushed the letters of Victor’s name, then his own to the right and Remus’s to the left. He sighed, remembering the days when they had first been carved. Oh, how different things had been back then!

But there was no use thinking about that, now. Sebastian picked up his ruby-crusted goblet and plunged it into the nearest urn. Blood dripped down his fingers and chin as he brought the rim to his lips and drank deeply, the hot liquid rolling down his throat into his stomach and streaming through his hollow fangs into his veins.

Immediate bliss filled him from the tips of his toes to the top of his head. This was why every vampire, regardless of their standing with the coven, favored The Eve. The intoxication of excess pushed all other emotions out of the way, at least for one day.

CHAPTER9

Salt Lake City, Utah, United States. 31 October, 2006

Brightly colored balloons and streamers, the raucous chorus of voices, and vanilla scent of baked goods filled Isabel’s apartment with light and joy. Presents were piled high on the coffee table while family and friends milled about eating slices of cake and cookies.

Isabel sat on the couch with a grin on her face. She put another forkful of rainbow-sprinkle-coated birthday cake in her mouth and stared at the pile of gifts.

Gifts weredefinitelythe best part of birthdays.