Total pages in book: 158
Estimated words: 145341 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 727(@200wpm)___ 581(@250wpm)___ 484(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 145341 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 727(@200wpm)___ 581(@250wpm)___ 484(@300wpm)
Xavier petted Olga’s head soothingly, as if he cared for her. Olga settled under his continuous stroking, much like a dog might when her master indulged her. “How sad for Olga.”
“It was, really. There was an investigation, but the findings didn’t help Olga recover or ever dance again. Another girl wanted to be the prima ballerina, and her parents had arranged for the accidents. They were punished, but there was an outpouring of sympathy for the girl. She claimed she knew nothing of what her parents had planned. She cried so prettily in front of the cameras and managed to convince the world she was innocent.”
“But she wasn’t, was she?” Xavier coaxed. His voice intoned sympathy, but his facial expression couldn’t hide his glee.
Vasilisa pretended not to see. “No, she was guilty, and was such a good friend of Aunt Olga’s. She visited Olga in the hospital every day. Cried with her. Brought her news of the ballet. Talked over whether she should accept the position of prima ballerina when they offered it to her. Aunt Olga encouraged her because she was certain she was her friend.”
“Ah, yes, friendship. I have no doubt when Olga found out her friend betrayed her, it was a dreadful time for her. And yet, when Barnabas came to her, she still believed in forming strong attachments. She didn’t learn her lesson, did she? Given such a painful one, I have to conclude she has a stubborn streak, or she is so desperate for someone to care about her that she will debase herself for the chance to serve them if they show her a little affection, false though it be.”
Vasilisa’s stomach lurched. Instantly, Afanasiv surrounded her with warmth. I am here with you. We have only a few more minutes to get through. Once we have the entire pattern, we can bind Xavier to the underworld for all time.
Afanasiv felt her reluctance to expose her aunt’s private life any further. He couldn’t blame her, but he worked without emotions. Vasilisa didn’t compartmentalize her emotions in the way that he did. He hadn’t felt anything for centuries. It was easy for him to slip back into hunting mode and become the ancient warrior tracking vampires when he had no emotions.
Vasilisa felt everything. These people were her family. Her friends. People she looked after and loved. No death or betrayal was going to be easy on her. She wouldn’t be able to push her feelings aside.
“Her friend’s name was Inessa,” Xavier said. “Isn’t that so, Olga?” He used her hair to make her nod her head up and down. “She was quite beautiful. Still is, even with that scar on her face. I wonder how it got there? Your nephews investigated further, as I recall, when you told me the story. They weren’t satisfied and believed Inessa lied. You didn’t hear her lies because you were given pain pills at first, and later, you didn’t want to believe she was guilty. You would rather be lied to than face the truth of betrayal. Do you see how weak and pathetic that makes you?”
Vasilisa nearly took a step forward. By doing so, she would have given away her position. Afanasiv stopped her. You have his entire pattern. He cannot flee to the underworld if he is in possession of his staff. I can shatter both the crystal and the eye with lightning. You will have to reverse his spell in order to send him back and seal him to the underworld for all time. As for Olga, she may get away while we deal with Xavier.
Let her. I can track her. We need to know every portal where the demons are slipping through.
Afanasiv didn’t like how weary she sounded. He needed to hold her, not go chasing after vampires as he had for two thousand years. He hadn’t realized her care would become his top priority rather than the hunt and battle of the undead.
Let’s get this done, my lady.
In the distance, he built a storm. They could hear the roll of thunder as it moved rapidly toward them. Lightning lit up the sky for a moment. Xavier laughed and raised his staff high, as if seeking power.
“I never saw Aunt Olga in that light,” Vasilisa admitted. “I thought of her as powerful to carry on after my brothers exposed Inessa to the world for betraying her.”
“But even then, Inessa turned the tables on her and made her look weak, didn’t she? She refused to bow down. She kept her head high and sneered at how pathetic Olga was. Even then, some of the Lycans agreed with her.”
When the storm was just over the ridge, still a distance from them, Afanasiv directed two forks to streak across the sky, aiming straight for the crystal ball holding the swirling blood and the heart in the center of the staff. Both hit with deadly accuracy, shattering the crystal and incinerating the heart and blood instantly. Blue flames raced up the staff, burning so hot that, howling, Xavier had no choice but to drop the twisted wooden pole into the snow. Still those flames leapt higher, consuming the staff as it lay on the icy ground.