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A range of emotions flashed across Sebastian’s face and Isabel wished she could read his thoughts. The silence stretched on so long that she began to worry that she’d made a mistake in asking. But finally, he sighed, “If I could start again, I wouldn’t choose this life. But at the time Victor made the offer, I was happy to take it.”

As curious as she was, he seemed hesitant to say anything more. So she swallowed down her questions and chased them with the rest of her dinner. It provided a long enough excuse to keep her mouth closed that the transfusion bag emptied and the nurse returned.

She spoke to Sebastian, who nodded and smiled. “We’re good to go,” he announced. “You just have to sign the paperwork, and I’ll go take care of the payment. I’ll be back as soon as I’m finished, okay?”

Being left alone in a hospital room in a country where she didn’t speak the language sounded terrible, but Isabel nodded as the nurse began removing the sensors, IV, and transfusion lines.

As the nurse worked, Isabel mulled over the things she had learned and how she felt about them. When she made the choice to come with Sebastian instead of going home, she didn’t realize how much stranger things were going to get. And if she really was headed to meet this master vampire guy, odds were she hadn’t even gotten close to the maximum weirdness level yet.

CHAPTER18

Genova, Italy. 7 June, 2007

Sebastian followed the nurse to the front desk and paid the hospital bill as quickly as possible. His mind raced with theories and worst-case scenarios. Every moment of delay compounded the weight on his shoulders. They had to get to Venice and talk to Victor!

When he returned to her room, Isabel was back on her feet and fully dressed. “Are we ready to go, then?” he asked, and she nodded. Sebastian grabbed their bags from the corner of the room and slung them both over his shoulder. He extended his hand and she took it, though he didn’t miss the hesitation before her fingers touched his palm.

He led her through the hospital to the front door, where night had fallen over Genova. That was a relief, at least; he wouldn’t have to worry about covering up. “Hopefully the train runs through the night,” he grumbled as the pair stepped onto the sidewalk and headed for the station.

“Agreed. I’m ready for all this insanity to end.”

Sebastian glanced over at his companion and felt his stomach sink. “Are you wanting to go home? We could go to the airport instead of the train station. Maybe being away from me will keep you safer.”

There was a pause, but Isabel shook her head. “No. I mean, part of me does think that going home and forgetting about this whole thing is the smarter course of action. But whatever this shadow thing is managed to attack me while I was in my own apartment, so I don’t think I’ll be any safer there than I am here with you. At least you know it’s the truth! My family and friends would probably think I was crazy if I told them some shadow ghost was hunting me.”

“So you’re only staying because I’ve seen it too? Not because you feel anything for me?”

Isabel withdrew her hand and shook her head. “I mostly feel fear and confusion right now. There’s no room for anything outside of that. I can tell that you believe everything you’re telling me, but it all sounds like a load of garbage to me. Even with what I’ve already seen, it’s just too much.”

“That’s fair.” Sebastian massaged his now-empty hand and frowned. He couldn’t help feeling like he may have found the new incarnation of his Muse, but he hadn’t managed to find his Muse yet. She was still buried somewhere deep inside of Isabel, and he had to figure out a way to get her out.

The pair walked in silence until they reached the train station. Isabel remained close to his side while he purchased tickets for the next train and found a bench for them to sit on while they waited. Very few other passengers sat around them; apparently nearly midnight wasn’t a popular time for travel. Their silence continued through the wait and as they entered the train.

Sebastian found an empty cabin and ushered Isabel inside. He put their luggage in the rack and settled into his seat with his head in his hands. Everything was wrong. Isabel sat quietly across from him and stared out the window as the dark shapes of the landscape against the sky passed by.

“I think you owe me more answers.”

Isabel’s soft voice broke through Sebastian’s pity party and he lifted his head. She refused to make eye contact, but again repeated her statement. “Yes, okay,” he replied, doing his best to keep his voice calm. If turning himself inside out and baring his very soul was what she needed, he would do it gladly.

“Do you know what this shadow thing is?”

He shook his head. Isabel’s face darkened and he hurriedly said, “I don’t know what it is, but I think it has something to do with my art. Victor was furious when he found out I hadn’t been destroying my paintings when he told me to.”

“Why would he want you to destroy your paintings?”

Sebastian’s frown grew. The truth was embarrassing now, but Isabel had known everything in her past lives anyway. “I don’t know that, either. I got so angry when he told me to burn them that I left the coven. Remember how I told you we had a falling out? That was why. I felt, and still feel, like my paintings are part of me. Telling me to burn them was like telling me to build my own funeral pyre.”

“And now you think maybe he wasn’t just being a jerk.”

“Yeah.” Sebastian shifted uncomfortably in his seat, feeling like he was under police interrogation. “I’m not looking forward to having to admit I was wrong after all these years.” He massaged his eyes wearily, trying to keep any emotion out of them.

Isabel watched with an impassable look on her face. “Well, maybe having to face it will get rid of the burden you’ve carried over it. Though that’s just a bonus on top of figuring out what the hell is trying to kill me.” Her face fell into a scowl, her eyebrows knit together.

“I’m sure Victor will know. We just have to get to Venice before the shadow gets its way.”

Isabel straightened and Sebastian realized he’d slipped up. “What do you mean,before the shadow gets its way? What haven’t you told me, Sebastian?”

He groaned and tossed his head back, eyes closed in frustration with himself. “It was after you ran out of the dungeon. I wanted to find out what the thing was, so I tried to enter the painting. I hadn’t been there five seconds when the shadow passed through me and in my head I heardI’ll have all of her eventually. She’s going to die.” He almost didn’t dare see Isabel’s reaction, but couldn’t keep his eyes from fluttering to her face.