Sebastian growled from deep in his throat. "I have no patience with your riddles—if you have something to say, then speak plainly."
"Very well." Drake held out a thin, skeleton-like hand. "Miss Hadwell, I desire the Medallion."
Amelia took an instinctive step backward. "No."
"Why do you remain so stubborn? It can mean nothing to you."
"Sebastian has warned me of your plot to destroy the Veil and return vampires to London. I will not allow that to occur."
His gaze narrowed to icy slits. "And you believe you are capable of standing in my way? You are a fool."
Amelia readily concurred. She was a fool. Had she the least amount of sense she would be fleeing from this dangerous madman with all possible speed. Unfortunately, her knees were barely capable of holding her upright, never mind allowing her to move so much as a step.
Instead, she was forced to meet that threatening gaze with as much courage as she could muster.
"You cannot force me to give you the Medallion."
"Ah, but I can," he drawled.
Sebastian once again moved forward, placing himself between Amelia and the threatening vampire. In his hand the dagger glinted with deadly intent.
"Do not take a step, Drake," he warned. "I do not desire to destroy you, but I will do whatever is necessary to protect Amelia."
A harsh, rasping laugh echoed through the room. "I have warned you to remain out of this, Sebastian. Miss Hadwell will not thank you if some ghastly fall were to befall her beloved brother."
The icy terror that had gripped Amelia was suddenly forgotten at the mention of her brother.
Without a thought, she moved around the desk to confront Drake with a frantic expression.
"William? What do you mean?"
Drake lifted his golden brows with a faint smile. "Did I fail to mention that sweet William is now my guest at a rather remote cottage?"
"No," she breathed, her heart squeezing in horror Not William. She could not bear it.
Easily sensing her rising panic, Sebastian placed a comforting arm about her shoulders.
"Amelia... do not."
She barely heard his words. Her attention was grimly focused upon the smiling vampire standing before her.
"What have you done to him?"
Drake lifted an indifferent shoulder. "For the moment he is merely my guest. I cannot promise, however, that he will remain unharmed for long. My servants will soon grow impatient if I do not appear with the Medallion."
The image of William alone and afraid in some remote cabin brought tears to Amelia's eyes.
What sort of monster would harm such an innocent soul?
"No ... please ..."
"Amelia." Sebastian sternly turned her to meet his steady gaze. "Do not fear. I will retrieve William."
"He will be dead before you even locate the cottage, Sebastian," Drake retorted in icy tones.
"The only way to save him is to hand over the Medallion."
Sebastian's hands tightened upon Amelia's shoulders. "Amelia, you must not."
Swallowing the thick lump in her throat, Amelia squarely met the warning gaze. She fully understood Sebastian's fierce desire to keep the Medallion from the vile traitor. He had to consider what was best for vampires. It was his duty.
She, however, had a duty to William. A duty that she would not deny, no matter how great the cost.
"Sebastian, I will not allow William to be harmed."
His features hardened to forbidding lines. "Drake will kill your brother no matter what you do.
And you as well. I will not allow you to do this."
Her heart squeezed with regret, but her resolution never faltered. She loved this gentleman with all her heart and soul, but she could not abandon William. Not for anyone or anything.
"I am sorry, Sebastian, but it is not your decision to make," she said in low tones.
His brows snapped together at the determined expression upon her pale features.
"You will sacrifice yourself, and perhaps all mortals, on the impossible hope that this traitor can be trusted?"
She bit her lip at the harshness in his voice. "I have no choice."
"Amelia, you are being utterly irrational."
Unnervingly aware of Drake's glittering gaze and the ominous chill that shivered over her skin, Amelia reached up to gently touch Sebastian's cheek. She could not hope that he would comprehend, or even forgive, her obligation to William. But she had to at least make the effort to explain her rash behavior.
"Perhaps it is irrational," she admitted in sad tones, "but I will not allow William to be harmed.
For his entire life he has been treated as an embarrassment, a mistake that his own family desired to hide away and forget. I am the only one who has ever fought to ensure that he is treated as a person of worth. I will not turn my back upon him now."
Something that might have been pain rippled over his elegant features, but his mouth remained set in a frustrated grimace.
"You are not thinking clearly, my dear."
There was an impatient rustle as Drake shifted closer to Amelia, filling the air with a stench of cold, relentless steel.
"On the contrary, Sebastian," he drawled. "She has at last come to her senses. Now let us be done with this. I will have the Medallion."
Reluctantly turning toward the ghastly intruder, Amelia forced herself to square her shoulders.
A frightening plan was beginning to form in her mind. Unfortunately, she was uncertain that she possessed the nerve to carry it through.
She had always considered herself a bold, courageous woman. A woman who faced life and all of its troubles without flinching. Only now did she truly grasp the realization that it was a simple matter to be bold when confronted with meaningless fears. What did the censure of society, or the disappointment of her parents, or even organizing her own household mean when compared to the thought of what must now be done?
Courage without sacrifice was effortless.
"No," she said firmly.
"What?" Drake snapped.
"Not until I can be with William and make sure that you keep your word that he will be allowed to leave."
An ugly frown twisted the too-perfect features. Just for a moment, she feared that his arrogant temper would overcome his desperation for the Medallion. Then, with an obvious effort, he gave a stiff nod of his head.
"Very well. Come."
Sebastian's low groan echoed through the air. "Amelia, no. Do not do this."
She slowly moved closer to him, her eyes filled with remorse. "I am sorry, Sebastian."
His gaze anxiously swept over her, almost as if he were aware of her dark scheme.
"You speak of saving William, and yet you expect me to allow you to walk into danger."
"Enough," Drake snapped in annoyance. "I weary of waiting for what is mine. Either you join me, Miss Hadwell, or your brother dies."
"Forgive me." Keeping her gaze locked upon Sebastian, she covertly reached to slip the dagger from his fingers, tucking it into the sleeve of her gown before turning toward the impatient Drake. "I am ready."
Reaching out, the vampire grasped her arm and roughly hauled her against him. He was wise enough, however, to keep a wary gaze trained upon the furious Sebastian.
"Do not think to follow," he warned as he deliberately tightened his grip upon Amelia to a punishing level. "Unless yo'u wish to have this delicate flower crushed beyond recognition."
Visibly trembling, Sebastian clenched his hands at his side, the promise of dire retribution smoldering in his silver eyes.
"Drake, I will destroy you if you harm her."
The vampire merely laughed at the threat. "Soon I will possess the Medallion and you, along with all vampires, will be bowing to me."
Sebastian's nose flared with loathing. "It will never be."
"Oh, yes. No one can stop me now." With a sharp jerk, Drake sent Amelia stumbling toward the door. "Prepare to bend your knee to me, Sebastian."
Feeling Sebastian's gaze upon her, Amelia refused to glance backward as she was roughly hustled from the library. She could not afford to witness the disappointment she was certain to see in his eyes. Not now.
William, and perhaps the entire race of vampires, depended upon her to maintain her staunch resolve.
She could not falter.
Her stoic resolve, however, did not prevent the tears from clouding her vision, or the ice-cold fear that was lodged in the pit of her stomach. She had never been so terrified in her entire life.
Nor so heart-wrenchingly sad.
She had just discovered the man of her dreams. Now she would never, ever see him again.
Chapter Thirteen
The drive through London and into the dark countryside was interminable. Perched stiffly on the edge of the carriage seat, Amelia did her best to ignore the vampire who lounged directly opposite her. Not an easy task when his cold eyes remained locked upon her pale face and the smell of him filled the air.
Somehow she had hoped that once she made the decision to go with Drake, a numb acceptance would protect her. Absurdly, however, as the miles rattled past, the thick, pulsing fear only increased.
