“Meet Magnus,” I said grimly.
“Mona gave me a potion so I look like him,” Kiev explained. “It’s odd having two arms again…”
“So Magnus is definitely down there?” Sofia asked.
“Yes,” I replied. “He is there now with Lilith. We’re going back down now, and this time, I hope to return with the real Magnus.”
Kiev and I made our way back into the grave and stood together in the coffin. I lowered myself down through the hole I’d dug leading to the slime, and pulled him down after me, keeping a tight hold on his hand. Before we submerged, I put a spell on him and myself again so that we could survive beneath the surface without breathing.
And then we began our descent to Lilith’s sanctum—my second visit, Kiev’s first.
I didn’t let go of Kiev’s hand even for a moment as we traveled through the liquid. I could sense his tension and I was sure that he was having similar doubts as I’d had on my first journey down as we sank deeper and deeper. For me at least, it seemed to go faster this second time. Soon we were sliding through the chute and had appeared at the bottom of the clear pool of water. Kiev’s first instinct was to kick upward, but I pulled him back down. I placed my thumbs over his eyelids, tugging them gently upward to indicate that he could open them.
I held a finger to my lips, then pointed upward. “Let’s go,” I mouthed silently.
We bobbed up to the surface and the first thing I did was look toward the bed. I was terrified that they might notice us appearing, but no. They were still in bed. This time, they both lay still. Apparently they had tired each other out and were resting in each other’s arms.
I raised myself out of the water, indicating to Kiev that he stay put. I replaced the invisibility spell over myself and neared the bed. Lilith was facing the opposite wall, while Magnus had an arm around her waist. They were still close, but at least it seemed to be a neutral position for Kiev to be in. That would make this an easier job for him.
But I was still worried by their closeness. He was holding her quite tightly. There would be no avoiding her noticing him withdraw from her on the bed. We just had to make sure that Kiev placed his arm around her quickly so she didn’t notice it too much.
Holding my breath, I walked back over to the pool, now indicating that Kiev follow me. He climbed out of the pool silently. I dried off his—Magnus’—body first, then helped him remove his clothes without making a sound, keeping my eyes firmly on his face as I did. Then we moved to the bed, standing on the side closest to Magnus. My pulse racing, I just wanted to get this over with. I first wrapped a hand around Magnus’ mouth, then silenced him with a spell. Before he could writhe around, I paralyzed his body, made him invisible and levitated him off the bed.
I was relieved when Kiev took the cue, quickly and gently placing himself on the bed where Magnus had lain while I moved with the real Magnus back toward the pool of water. Lilith turned slightly at the commotion. When she eyed Kiev, I stopped in my tracks, unable to even breathe. Then she turned back round, reaching for Kiev’s hand and holding it closer against her.
Thank God.
Slowly and carefully, I sank with Magnus back into the pool and made him follow me through the chute, through the portal leading back up to the grave. As we traveled, the whole time I was thinking of my husband and praying that he would not be caught. Of course, Lilith had the power to reveal his true form if she suspected something, but hopefully she would have no reason to. I just had to be as quick as I could with Magnus.
As soon as my head emerged through the base of the coffin, I lifted myself up, making Magnus levitate above me. Now that we were out in the open, I removed the invisibility spell. Everyone stared at Magnus. His limbs were constrained, though his face was filled with alarm and anger.
“Kiev is still down there,” I said. “Make sure you stay here.”
With that, I vanished Magnus and myself from the spot. I had already thought about the best spot to talk with him—somewhere that was far from the grave, yet at the same time would give us ample privacy.
We re-emerged on the rooftop of the Adriuses’ palace. I planted Magnus down a few feet away from me, then, keeping his legs paralyzed, I gave him back control of the rest of his body. Sitting against the wall, he glared daggers at me. I walked to the edge of the roof and looked over it. Noticing an open balcony beneath, a curtain blowing in the wind, I tore the fabric from its railing with my magic and handed it to Magnus so that he could use it to preserve at least some modesty.
“Who are you?” he snarled, tying the cloth around his waist. His blue eyes flashed at me as he bared his fangs.
I breathed out slowly, trying to collect my thoughts.
Now the real work begins.
Chapter 24: Mona
“I am someone whom you need to listen very carefully to.” I approached him cautiously, squatting down so that my face was level with his.
“What do you want?”
I paused, wondering how to even start getting through to this vampire. I didn’t know just how much he loved her, but in bed earlier, he’d seemed to be completely absorbed in her. Whether that was lust or love remained to be seen.
I could try to force or torture him into submission, but the change in attitude toward Lilith had to come from his heart, if he was to break hers. She would detect any insincerity on his part.
“First, I need to explain to you what and who Lilith really is.”
“I know more about Lilith than you could ever know,” he shot back.
“I don’t doubt that you knew Lilith, but do you really know her now? You seem to be unaware, vampire, that you’ve been asleep for centuries.”
He looked shocked. “Centuries?”
“Yes. Lilith kept you imprisoned beneath her grave. Rhys Volkin—one of Lilith’s accomplices—was the one who first caught you and put you to sleep. You really don’t remember being caught?”
He frowned, then shook his head. “Why should I trust a word that comes out of your mouth? You still haven’t even told me who you are.”
“My name is Mona Novalic. I used to be a black witch, a part of Rhys’ clan. I was even inducted as a Channeler by Lilith. But I left their cause because I’ve had a glimpse of the destruction that they will cause not only to the human realm, but all realms if they take over The Sanctuary and rise to prominence.”
“Mona Novalic,” he repeated slowly, then muttered, “This isn’t a dream.” He rubbed his head and blinked hard.
“This is certainly no dream,” I replied.
“Lilith and I parted ways long, long ago, on the understanding that we would never see each other again. She was the one who requested that we stop seeing each other. What reason would her accomplice have to seek me out and put me to sleep?”
“Good question,” I said, relieved that we were starting to have open dialogue. “Magnus, first you need to understand that Lilith used you. The love that you once shared, she took advantage of and used in a spell to keep herself alive and extend her lifespan far past its natural course. Had it not been for you, she would have been dead long ago. Rhys kidnapped you because you are most valuable to them. He didn’t want anything to happen to you, otherwise Lilith risked losing her own life. The only reason you are in contact again now with her is because she needed you. Had she not found use for you, I doubt she ever would’ve bothered speaking to you again.”
He cleared his throat, shifting uncomfortably on the ground. “Even if what you’re saying is true,” he said, sitting up straighter against the wall, “why are you telling me this? How can I trust you?”
“As I said, I’m working to stop the black witches. They are about to perform a ritual which, if successful, would have repercussions for all creatures weaker than them. That includes vampires. I have already had a glimpse of the horrors they can inflict on others, and I do not want them rising to prominence. The reason I took you from the chamber is that I need you to help us. Lilith is key to the ritual beca
use she is the last Ancient living among us. Without her, I doubt they will ever grow stronger than they are now.”
There was a pause. I stared at the vampire, trying to read his expression. It seemed quite blank, though his eyes had darkened. “I would trust more what you’re saying if you would release me from this curse you have me under,” he said, looking down at his paralyzed legs.
“I’m sorry,” I said, before obliging.
He kicked his legs and got to his feet. He walked closer, towering over me and looking me over intensely before beginning to pace up and down in front of me.
“I’ve known all along the type of magic Lilith practices,” he said. “That has never been a secret from me. Black magic runs in her family. It is no surprise to me that all this is happening now, many centuries later—if you are indeed telling the truth and centuries have passed. I lived in those days when the Ancients ruled. When vampires and all other creatures avoided crossing paths with them at all costs. I only came across Lilith by chance… and, as fate would have it, we fell in love. In my view, if they carry out the ritual with Lilith, the situation will be no different now than it was then. I’m already used to living in hiding, in solitude. Nothing you’ve said has convinced me I should help you.”
My stomach sank, and I hesitated before asking my next question. “Do… Do you really still love her?”
His eyes fixed on his feet, then he turned his back on me and stared out at the beautiful view of The Sanctuary the hilltop palace afforded.
“Yes,” he said finally. “I love her now, just as I loved her before.”
“So the fact that she manipulated that love for her own personal gain means nothing to you?”
He didn’t answer my question. He just remained silent.
“You do realize that the form she’s in now is artificial,” I pressed. “It’s not her true form. It’s just a mirage, covering the darkness and evil that she has become—”
He scoffed. “Don’t talk to me of darkness and evil. I’m a child of the Elders, for Christ’s sake. Cruor was practically my birthplace. I’ve seen more darkness and evil than you will ever witness if you live ten thousand years.” He turned around to face me. “I don’t see where this conversation is going.”
“Magnus, you have not experienced what it is like to live without the Ancients reigning supreme. It seems you’ve never experienced a life without hiding and living in anxiety. You don’t know freedom. If you did, you would be fighting alongside us and doing whatever it took to prevent the black witches from rising to power again. Will you allow me to give you a taste of what your life could be if you agreed to help us?”
“It could be like heaven. I don’t care. It’s not reason enough for me to work against Lilith.”
I was beginning to feel desperate. As much as I hated myself for it, the words Xavier had spoken before we left The Shade flitted through my mind:
“Do we have to kill Magnus in order to end Lilith?”
I had dismissed Xavier’s suggestion at the time. I’d said that all we needed to do was break Lilith’s heart. Because I hadn’t wanted to even consider the idea of murdering another person. I had enough blood on my hands already. Now the question haunted me: what if I couldn’t get Magnus to cooperate? Should I just let him go? The consequences of that action could mean countless more deaths.
What if we have to sacrifice his life in exchange for saving innumerable others?
No. I can’t murder again. I just can’t do it.
The lives I’d claimed in the past still haunted me at night sometimes. I couldn’t bear to add to that list.
I have to get through to this vampire somehow.
“Magnus,” I said, fighting to keep my voice steady. “Did you not hear what I said about Lilith using you?”
“I heard you,” he said. “But whatever motivation she had for keeping me alive doesn’t change the past we shared, nor the fact that she still loves me. You admitted yourself that she would not be alive if it weren’t for the strength of her love for me that keeps her heart beating.”
Damn you, Magnus.
I racked my brain for what else I could say to convince him.
Maybe I just need to show him what she actually looks like now.
Paralyzing him again, I pushed him back against the wall and placed my hands on either side of his head. Summoning the memory of Lilith in her true corpse-like form, I surged the vision into his brain through my fingertips. His eyes shut tight as the image blasted through his mind. Once I was sure that he’d had enough time to take it in, I let go again, watching closely for his reaction.
To my dismay, he hardly blinked.
“That is Lilith’s true form.” I grabbed his shoulders and shook him. “Don’t you see the abomination she has become? You allowed her to become like this.”
“Perhaps.”
“Perhaps what?”
“Perhaps that is her true form now. Perhaps the night I just shared with her was simply an illusion. But… I still remember the girl she was. The woman I loved. I’m not willing to go against her.”
I was about to lose myself in desperation when a thought occurred to me. “Do you remember the night Lilith left you?”
“Yes,” he said, his jaw twitching.
“What do you remember of your life after that night? What did you do when she left, and you thought that she was gone forever?”
He furrowed his brows again. “I don’t see what business that is of yours.”
“Did you not love anyone else since Lilith? You must have, Magnus. You can’t have just—”
“No. I have never loved a woman as I have loved Lilith.”
Oh, dear.
I was running out of things to say, and it seemed that he was running out of willingness to engage in this conversation.
Now I realized just how stupid I had been to even think that I might be able to undo a lifetime of love and attraction in just one conversation.
In one way, I couldn’t blame Magnus. He was in love with Lilith—a love that was so strong it blinded him to all else. Either that, or his heart was as black as Lilith’s and he really did not care what happened if the black witches succeeded.
Whatever the case, I’d run out of ideas as to how to get through to him.
I took a step back, staring at him. He glared back, his eyes filled with defiance.
Again, the words Xavier had spoken passed through my mind.
The darker part of me was once again tempted to just finish him off. I was more powerful than this vampire. It would not be difficult to finish him off with a curse and dump his body in the sea. But I just could not bring myself to do it.
He’d never done anything to harm us directly, and he was posing no threat to me now. Even if killing him could have saved countless others, I wasn’t the person to do it. Not any more. I’d sworn to myself that I’d given up that life when I’d arrived in The Shade. I simply wasn’t willing to drag myself back to my dark past.
Instead, another plan began to take shape in my mind. A plan I’d wished with every fiber of my being that we wouldn’t have to resort to.
But before I lost myself in worrying about our next step, first I had to take Magnus somewhere safe and out of the way. I didn’t have time to start venturing out of The Sanctuary to find some hiding place. I had to find somewhere within this realm that was safe.
“Release me now,” Magnus said.
I ignored his command and looked around at the view from the rooftop. My eyes fixed on to the distance—past the city and the suburbs.
Then I approached Magnus on the floor again. I silenced him once again with a spell so that he couldn’t shout out, then made him invisible before placing a hand on his shoulder. I vanished us both and we reappeared again at the bank of a river. There was a waterfall crashing down a few hundred feet away, and the river churned and flowed so rapidly that it was impossible to see the riverbed from the bank. Casting a third spell over Magnus to ensure that he could remain comf
ortably beneath the water even if I left him there for two days, I levitated him off the ground and sank him into the water, deeper and deeper until he touched the bottom. Then I dove into the water after him and swam down toward him so that I could see what I was doing. Ripping off a piece of the fabric tied to his waist, I fastened it around his ankle and knotted it around the root of a tree that grew deep in the riverbed. This would ensure he didn’t bob to the surface in his paralyzed state. There were no dangerous creatures in these waters that would bother him. So he would just remain here beneath the water until I was ready to return.
Once I was satisfied, I was forced to turn my mind again to the plan that chilled me to the bone.
God help us.
If we pull this off, it will be nothing short of a miracle.
Chapter 25: Kiev
I was relieved when Lilith turned her back on me and faced the opposite wall. At least she hadn’t noticed me replacing Magnus. Even just feeling her back leaning against my chest, her hand resting on top of mine, repulsed me.
Granted, she was not nearly as hideous as I had expected. But I still despised everything about this woman. She could be the most beautiful woman on earth and I would still find her presence repulsive.
She made no motion to do anything other than hold my hand for the next few minutes. But then she turned back around again. I looked down at her reluctantly. I was not sure how my emotions were coming across through Magnus’ face. But I did my best to conceal them.
Her dark eyes locked on mine and a small smile formed on her lips. To my horror, she reached her hands around my neck and began leaning toward me.
My hand shot up and I pressed a finger against her lips just in time. I couldn’t stand kissing her even with Magnus’s lips.
I was surprised by the strength of her grip around me. Her frame seemed thin and frail.
She frowned at me.
“What is it?” she asked softly.
I felt mad for saying it, but it was the only thing that I could think of to get out of that kiss.