Amelia.
Raising trembling fingers, she pressed them to her temple in confusion. "Sebastian?"
Yes, my dear.
"Where are you?"
Just beyond the trees.
Unnerved by the sensation of having his voice echoing within her mind, Amelia nevertheless swiftly concentrated upon the urgency of the situation.
"You must come. Nefri is in danger."
I know. I need you to come to me, Amelia. Try to move slowly and do not attract the attention of Valkier.
"But..."
Amelia, please. This is very important.
She attempted to swallow past the thick lump in her throat. "Very well."
Remember, be very careful.
"I will."
Pausing long enough to ensure that William remained sleeping peacefully upon the leather seat, Amelia gritted her teeth and began to inch her way through the door of the carriage. Her skirts briefly threatened to tangle between her legs, but she swiftly tugged them above her knees and poked the hem through the ribbon that tied beneath her bodice. This was no time for modesty.
Step by excruciatingly slow step, she reached the ground and began to slide along the length of the carriage. Her gaze never strayed from the cold, forbidding countenance of Valkier, but it was obvious that Nefri consumed him.
Still, she preferred to err upon the side of caution; ignoring the quivering muscles of her legs, she continued her crab-like steps until she was well away from the vampires. Only then did she breathe in deeply and allow herself to sense where Sebastian awaited.
He was closer than she had expected, and not alone. With a frown of concern, she ducked low and dodged her way through the edge of the trees. Had Drake followed Sebastian? Did he even now hold him hostage? Was that why he had called to her?
Her pace hastened until she at last forced her way through a deep thicket and stumbled forward to find Sebastian impatiently awaiting her.
"Amelia."
With satisfying swiftness, she found herself swept into a fierce embrace as Sebastian pressed a kiss to her lips and only reluctantly pulled back to study her.
"Sebastian." Her hands gripped the lapels of his coat, as much to keep her upright as to keep him close. "What has happened? Did you capture Drake?"
He gave a pained grimace. "No. He was destroyed before I could reach him."
"Destroyed?" Her eyes widened. "How?"
"Valkier. He must have been awaiting him the moment he left the cottage. I tried to follow the trail of the slayer, but it was impossible."
She shuddered at the thought of the dreadful vampire who even now threatened Nefri. "Oh, Sebastian, he is near the carriage. He is determined to harm Nefri."
"Yes. We must stop him." He managed a faint smile as he gave her shoulders a reassuring squeeze. "Thankfully, Nefri seemingly suspected the truth about Valkier and was wise enough to take steps in case he attacked."
Amelia frowned. "What steps?"
Moving to one side, Sebastian waved a slender hand toward the silent forms that stood in the shadows. Just for a moment, Amelia remained puzzled. There were two gentlemen, one tall with an arrogant beauty about him, and the other a golden-haired rogue with a smile that could melt the most impervious female heart. There were also two women, both outrageously lovely, although one possessed a cold, Nordic fairness and the other was blessed with a serene charm with raven curls and deep blue eyes.
It was not until she noted the matching golden amulets that hung about the women's necks that realization struck. These were Sebastian's brothers and the maidens they had been sent to protect.
"Amelia, may I introduce you to Gideon and his wife Simone? And Lucien, who has recently wed Jocelyn."
There was a muted greeting before Amelia returned her attention to the vampire at her side.
"What is occurring?"
"Nefri summoned Gideon and Lucien to bring their brides to the cottage," he explained.
"But why? Are we to battle Valkier?"
"Only in a manner of speaking." Sebastian held her gaze steadily, his expression somber. "I must have your amulet, Amelia."
She blinked in surprise at his request. "Why?"
The tall, rather arrogant vampire stepped forward. "The Medallion must be made whole again.
It is the only means of stopping Valkier."
"Oh." Amelia searched Sebastian's face for the answers to her lingering questions.
He offered a reassuring glance. "The Medallions are a pair, each with their own powers and each able to hold the other in balance. We must return your Medallion to Nefri if we are to save her."
Amelia was still uncertain what powers he spoke of, but she did not hesitate to tug the necklace over her head. She would do anything she could to halt the horrid Valkier.
With absolute trust, she placed the amulet in Sebastian's hand, rather surprised when Simone and Jocelyn appeared at her side to add their own amulets.
For a moment there was nothing but the odd glow that was always a part of the amulets. But even as she wondered what was supposed to occur, the glow brightened, limning Sebastian's body in a blazing light. Amelia narrowed her gaze against the abrupt flash of light, stepping back instinctively.
"Sebastian," she cried softly, terrified that he was being injured.
Thankfully, the light vanished as swiftly as it had burst to life. She met Sebastian's reassuring glance.
"All is well, Amelia." He held out his hand to reveal the Medallion, once again made whole.
"Now, remain here. Gideon, Lucien, and I must take this to Nefri."
Opening her mouth to protest, Amelia stopped when she was firmly flanked by the two women, both wearing expressions as stubborn as her own.
"We will be going as well," Simone said in a soft but determined tone.
Soft laughter echoed through the trees as Gideon and Lucien shared rueful glances. Then, with a shake of his head, the golden-haired rogue moved toward the frowning Sebastian.
"Do not seek to argue, my old friend," Lucien advised in a twinkling glance toward his wife.
"A wise vampire avoids those battles that he is destined to lose. Especially when that battle is with the woman who shares his bed."
Sebastian appeared less than pleased by the thought of Amelia placing herself in danger, but with a sharp nod of his head he began weaving his way through the trees. Gideon and Lucien were swiftly following in his path. Amelia, along with her staunch allies, brought up the rear.
In silence they moved back toward Nefri and the forbidding Valkier. Amelia shivered as the thick feeling of bleak hatred threatened to overwhelm her. In truth she had no desire to continue onward. What possible help could she be? She had no means to overcome the obviously crazed vampire or even to offer Nefri any assistance.
But there was no chance that she was going to allow Sebastian to be in the presence of the deadly Valkier without her near. No matter how her heart might quail or her knees threaten to buckle.
Grimly she fought to keep her feet moving forward, only halting when Lucien turned to hold up a warning hand. On cue, all three women crouched in the overgrowth and turned their attention toward the two vampires locked in their private war of wills.
Amelia tightly clutched the hands of her companions as the three gentlemen continued forward, Sebastian taking the lead as he hid the Medallion in his clenched hand. Her heart nearly came to a full stop as Valkier abruptly spun to confront the intruders. Dear heavens, she had never seen eyes that glittered with such a lethal intent or features so lacking in emotion. She knew beyond a doubt that he would cut down his brothers without a hint of regret.
He would destroy anything or anyone who stood in his path.
"Ah, Sebastian, you have invited companions. What a charming surprise," the gaunt-faced vampire drawled, his flat gaze flickering over the large figures stalking ever closer. "I did not dare to hope that I would have witnesses in my moment of glory. You shall be the first to bow to my authority."
"Never," Sebastian snapped, not even flinching beneath the deadly glare.
A cold laugh swept through the air. "Do not be any more of a fool than necessary, Sebastian.
You were nearly bested by the pitiable Drake. I have command of the Medallion. You cannot hope to stand against me."
Sebastian never wavered. "I do not fear you, Valkier."
"You should." The vampire lifted the heavy Medallion, smiling as the malevolent radiance filled the shadows. "There are few things that I shall enjoy more than ridding our world of such spineless wretches." His eyes narrowed. "To know you have willingly bonded with mortals is nauseating. You have defiled all vampires with your animal lusts."
Amelia cried out in alarm, but before anyone could react, Nefri was standing in front of Sebastian, her expression stern.
"No, Valkier. This must not happen. The Medallion was never meant to be used in such a manner."
The vampire gave a low snarl. "The power is mine. No one can deny me what is rightfully my destiny. You should have stood at my side, Nefri. Now you must be destroyed."
"Valkier..."
Nefri's plea went unheeded as the vampire abruptly unleashed his power. Amelia's eyes widened in horror as the sickening glow flared out with a bluish glare. Sebastian and his companions were suddenly engulfed, disappearing in the foul light.