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“Many,” I answer Vlad. “So very many.”

Chapter 20

The sun rose soon after the devil departed. To my surprise, Vlad remained at my side until dawn. The dark storms within his eyes spoke of his inner turmoil. I was thankful he spent his time fuming instead of attempting to engage me in conversation. When sleep tugged on my eyelids, I felt his kiss on my brow before the darkness of slumber claimed me.

I dreamed of Ágota dancing in the moonlight and the vision was a comfort.

I awake to discover the mausoleum awash with the fiery glow of torchlight. The cobwebs, dirt, and decaying corpses are cleared away. Even more delightful, two travelers are chained to my stake for me to feast upon. Their blood restores my vitality and heals all my pains except for the wound around the stake. The desiccated corpses slip free of their shackles and fall to the floor. In the past, I was not such a glutton, but my body’s constant attempt to heal itself despite the impediment of the silver-coated stake burns away all the benefits of my feeding.

Vlad appears soon after sunset when he is certain I will be awake. He immediately disposes of the corpses, another act of kindness among many others since last night. It is unsettling even though the root of his behavior is obvious. He is still perturbed at the discovery of Lucifer visiting my prison and worried about the possible implications.

Once again, he underestimates me, but it is advantageous. Vlad’s worries have imbued me with a degree of leverage against him. It is amusing he fears I will appeal to Lucifer to liberate me from captivity. I am no fool and will never make a deal with the devil. Lucifer would consume me not only to feast on my power, but to also deliver a brutal blow to Vlad’s heart and pride. I have long been a victim their plots against each other. I must carefully consider all possibilities if I am to use my newfound leverage against them.

Watching my husband stalk about the bier, his brow furrowed and his wide shoulders hunched, I sense his brewing anger. I am rather impressed with the length of time it took for his loving, calm façade to begin to crack.

“Why now?” Pivoting about, he regards me with an accusatory glare. “Why has he come to you at this time?”

With my most dismissive tone, I reply, “I thought it obvious. He is recruiting students for the Scholomance.”

“He never approached you before. Not when you were a witch and not after you became a vampire. He attempted to seduce your sister and mother, but not you. So why is he here now?”

The mention of my lost family members strikes deep into my dark, weary soul. I am glad I have drunk fully from the throats of the two travelers. It is easier to retain my semblance of calm when I am fully restored. I cannot falter and give any indication to my husband that Lucifer desires anything more than for me to be his pawn. Vlad cannot know of the witch magic Lucifer sensed. I must protect Ágota’s legacy against the two creatures that conspired in her destruction.

“Perhaps he is struggling to fill his quota.”

“Doubtful,” Vlad says.

“Why else would he come here? Unless you have found a new way to offend him? Perhaps offering to release me if I agreed to be his student is how he plans to punish you. It was a surprise to discover your magic does not hinder him and that he can manipulate it at will.”

Vlad does not respond. Did he know before that Lucifer could undo his magic? Or is he surprised by this turn of events? It is hard for me to decipher his thoughts when he masks them with a stern expression.

“Are you afraid of him, Vlad?”

“Of him. No.”

“You are afraid of me because I am a weapon to be used against you.”

Vlad’s long, rough fingertips glide over my flushed cheek. “You either empower or weaken me. You have always had sway over me.”

A smile touches my lips for I cannot help but rile him. “Release me and free yourself from my influence. Liberate us both.”

Gripping my face, his nails dig into my soft skin. “Why must you always provoke me?”

“Why must you subjugate me?”

“To prevent you from foolishness such as cavorting with the devil!”

“I was far from cavorting! I am pinned to this bier, after all.”

“I saw the illusion he had wrapped about you. You appeared quite cozy together.”

“Yet he offered no comfort from my pain. How alike you two are.”

Vlad lashes out to grip the stake. “This pains me! That I should have to keep my wife captive to prevent her from fleeing to join my enemies is the ultimate insult!”

I am triumphant. Let his anger dwell on me so he will grow weary of our argument and depart.

“Kill me, Vlad, and be done with it. How many have you killed to uphold your strict edicts of what is right? Why am I deprived of the death you gave so many others?”