User blog:Akasha1908/Cursed: Part 2

Cursed: 
 * Chapter 1: http://ayakashi-ghost-guild.wikia.com/wiki/User_blog:Akasha1908/Cursed:_Part_1
 * Chapter 2: This one.  Released 8 Oct 13

             Dracula lifted Sophia’s fragile body from the floor and laid her gently on the bed. He placed her hands across her chest and brushed the hair from her beautiful face. She looked so peaceful, almost as if she were asleep.

             “Master.”   Nicolai called.

             The young vampire stood next to Sophia’s writing desk holding a slip of parchment. As Dracula approached him, he noticed the pained expression on Nicolai’s face. There was a deep sadness in his eyes. One that Dracula recognized immediately.

             “Go and say your goodbyes.”   Dracula said, taking the paper from Nicolai’s hand.

             Nicolai’s eyes widened. Whether it was from fear or shock, Dracula didn’t know, but he was too tired at the moment to care.

             “Go before I change my mind.”

             Nicolai bowed deeply to him, then walked over to where Sophia lay. Dracula kept his back to bed, focusing on the letter in his hand in order to give the young vampire some semblance of privacy. Under any other circumstances, Dracula would have forbidden such as thing. Funny how emotions like jealously mean nothing in the face of death…

<span style="font-size:14.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:Vivaldi;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"">My Dearest Love, 

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in;text-indent:.5in">''<span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Vivaldi;mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Know that what I’ve done was for your sake and the sake of our beloved daughter. With this small sacrifice, Eve will be safe and you will no longer be hunted by our enemies. ''

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in;text-indent:.5in">''<span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Vivaldi;mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"">You have given me more happiness than I deserve, and for that, I will love you for all eternity. Goodbye, my darling. And please, forgive me. ''

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: Vivaldi;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"">           Love, 

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: Vivaldi;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"">            Sophia 

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Dracula stared at the letter, his wife’s final words forever etched in his mind. He clenched his fist, crumpling the paper in his hand. He never should have told Sophia about Dmitri and his plans, but she was his wife and the mother of his child. To be with him, she’d willingly entered this world of darkness and death, and he felt as though the least she deserved was his honesty. What a fool he was…

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Sophia was the quintessential essence of innocence and purity. It was the reason he was so enraptured with her. For him, she’d represented salvation and redemption; the closest thing to heaven he would ever see. And now she was gone. A victim of the malevolence and evil that permeated every fragment of his now shattered life. She was dead, and he was as much to blame   for it as Dmitri.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“Something is wrong here.”   Nicolai said.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Dracula turned to find the young vampire examining the pentagram Sophia had drawn on the floor.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“Master, where did the countess learn this type of witchcraft?”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Dracula placed his wife’s letter back on the desk, then joined Nicolai in the center of the room. For the first time since he walked in, Dracula surveyed the room. His wife had prepared a perfect summoning circle, even gone to the trouble of burning mixtures of myrrh and sandalwood throughout the room. As Dracula continued to search her bed chamber, he saw a scrap of paper stuck between two candles burning on the floor.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“What is it, Master?”   Nicolai asked as Dracula reached down to pick up the piece of parchment.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Dracula unrolled the paper, his eyes quickly scanning it. “It’s an incantation.”   He told Nicolai, handing it over to him.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“Where would she have gotten such a thing?”   Nicolai asked, reading over the paper himself. “And who would be foolish enough to give it to her?”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">As soon as the words were out of Nicolai’s mouth, crashing sounds echoed through the castle.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“I’m afraid this conversation will have to wait.”   Dracula replied, rolling up the sleeves of his shirt. “They are here.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The two of them returned to the throne room where they found roughly twenty vampires waiting for them. Dmitri was one of them, a dark smile spreading across his face when they entered.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“Hello, count.”   He said, taking a few steps towards Dracula. “I’m sure you already know why I’m here, so let’s not waste time on explanations. Give me the child and I promise to give you a quick death.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“Considering I’m already dead, I think I’ll pass.”   Dracula replied calmly.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“Do you think this some kind of game?”   Dmitri asked, his hands clenching at his sides.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             “Game or not,” Dracula replied. “It does not matter. My wife is dead and my child is gone. You will not find what you seek here.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">              Whispers broke out amongst Dmitri’s followers, each one shifting uncomfortably.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             “Do not believe him!”   Dmitri shouted. “He lies!”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             “Believe what you will.”   Dracula said. “It changes nothing. You can search if you wish, but my daughter is not here.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             “You expect me to believe you sent your beloved daughter away?”   Dmitri snickered. “I know you, Dracula. You would never do such a thing.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“Search if you wish.”   Dracula replied. “But considered yourself warned. None of you will leave this castle alive. And if by chance you manage to limp away, you will not survive for long. I will find you. And I will end your miserable existence.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             Several vampires step backed, others looked towards the nearest exit. There were few vampires as old as Dracula. Even less who were as powerful as him. Over the centuries, others such as Dmitri had come to test the limits of his power, and the stories of their failures where known throughout the vampire world.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             “Stand your ground!”   Dmitri hissed. “Flee and I will hunt you down and kill you myself. Cornelia, go and find the child.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             A red-headed vampire stepped forward. She eyed both Dracula and Nicolai warily, preparing to race out of the room. Nicolai readied himself to take her down, but Dracula stopped him.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             “Let her go.”   He said clearly. “She will find nothing but my wife’s dead body.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             Cornelia hesitated, but Dmitri’s deadly gaze spurred her on. She raced past Nicolai at lightning speed, and out of the room.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             Several looks were exchanged between Dmitri’s followers, but no one made a move to leave. Instead, they began to circle both Dracula and Nicolai. Dracula remained relaxed and unmoving, but he could see Nicolai fidgeting from the corner of his eye. The young vampire was ready to fight, his rage pouring off of him in waves.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             “Calm yourself.”   Dracula said to Nicolai. “You must maintain your focus if you are to live through this.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             Nicolai nodded once, the tension in his body noticeably easing. Dracula briefly scanned the room before his eyes returned to Dmitri.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             “Shall we begin?”   He asked, spreading his arms in invitation.

<p class="MsoNormal">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Being a vampire, Nicolai had seen his fair share of carnage. But what he’d just witnessed far surpassed that. The twenty vampires Dmitri had brought to kill Count Dracula now lay dead on the floor. To his credit, Nicolai managed to take down seven on his own, but the rest had fallen to his Master’s deadly hands. Count Dracula stood covered in blood from head to toe, still holding the heart of the last vampire he’d killed.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“This isn’t over.”   Dmitri screeched. The vampire was bleeding from several places. He would eventually heal, but the severity of his wounds would require him to feed immediately.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Dracula tossed the heart in his hand to the floor. “You’re absolutely right.”   He replied. “It ends when you are dead. Which will be very soon.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Before Dracula could attack, Dmitri raced to the window and leapt out. Nicolai ran after him, but his master shouted his name.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“Nicolai, stop.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“But he’s escaping!”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“He won’t get far.”   Dracula replied, wiping the blood from his face. “I will find him and destroy him, but first I need to give you your orders.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Nicolai bowed. “What is your command?”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“I want you to find the demon who took Sophia’s soul. I want to know where he took my daughter and how to get her back. I don’t care what deal Sophia made with him, the longer Eve is beyond my protection, the more danger she is in.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Nicolai looked up at Dracula, determination and hesitation at war in his eyes. “I will do as you ask, Master, but there is one problem. I have no soul. How am supposed to negotiate with the demon once I have find him?”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“I’m sure you’ll figure something out.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“Of course.”   Nicolai replied with more confidence than he felt.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“I suggest you find the one who gave Sophia that incantation. Whoever it is will be able to tell you how to summon the demon. Once you have the information I need, return here. I will decide what we do then.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Nicolai nodded once, standing to his feet. “I will not fail you, Master.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“Good, because with things as they are now, you are the only one I can trust.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“Consider it done.”   Nicolai replied. “What will you do now, Master?”   He asked before taking his leave.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“First, I will bury my wife.”   Dracula answered. “And after that, I have a vampire to hunt.”

<span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Nicolai forced the young woman to her knees. He’d bound her hands behind her back, and taken the liberty of breaking both her ankles to keep her from running away. She wept uncontrollably, her tears leaving streaks down her dirt covered face. He’d abducted the girl from the town brothel. She’d been easy target, and once all was said and done, she would not be missed. He knelt before her and sliced open her wrist, letting the blood drain into the bowl. She let out a cry of pain, but he ignored her.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The scent of her blood made Nicolai’s throat burn. He could hear her heart pounding; the rushing of her blood through her veins. Oh how wanted feast upon her; drink from her slender neck until her lovely heart sputtered to a stop. He clenched his teeth, the tips of his fangs piercing his lower lip. When the bowl was finally full, Nicolai licked her wound clean. The cut healed immediately, leaving nothing but a pink line across her wrist. Slowly and painfully, he pulled himself away from the girl. He tried to dull his senses as his Master had taught him, but with her taste already in his mouth, it did little to curb his craving. He would definitely need to feed after this…

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             Nicolai held up a piece of paper in front of the girl. “Read the incantation.”   He instructed.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             “Please!”   She begged. “Let me go! I don’t want to die. I’ll do anything you want, just don’t kill me!”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             “Speak the incantation and perhaps I will consider it.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             She burst into a fit of hysteria. Her screams threatening to make his ears bleed. Nicolai back-handed her once. Not too hard, but just enough to get her attention. She stopped crying immediately, whimpering softly instead. He cupped her tear-stained cheeks, staring deeply into her large brown eyes. Nicolai was still learning how to force his will upon another. It was far more complicated than he’d first realized, and for someone new to the practice, it took a tremendous amount of energy to maintain. To his surprise and relief, the girl instantly relaxed, gazing up at him with a sort of vacant adoration.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             “Finally.”   Nicolai sighed. “Now, read the incantation.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             Without so much as a second thought, the girl did as she was told, repeating it over and over until finally Nicolai’s guest finally arrived.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             Mephistopheles appeared before him, a look of irritation in his blood red eyes.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             “Why have you called me here, vampire?”   He asked indignantly. “I was about to take the soul of a luscious Japanese empress until you summoned me here.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             Nicolai smiled widely. “I want to make a deal.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             “There can be no deal between us, soulless one. Surely you know that?”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             “I beg to differ.”   Nicolai replied confidently.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             “You cannot pay the price.”   The demon said, accentuating each word. “Therefore you are wasting my time.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             Mephistopheles tried to leave, but soon realized he couldn’t escape the tiny, cramped room. He looked at Nicolai, bearing his teeth in rage.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             “What have you down to me, cursed one?!”   The demon shrieked.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             Instead of answering, Nicolai looked up. Mephistopheles followed his gaze, his eyes widening in horror. On the ceiling was a massive demon trap. He was bound; his powers gone.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             Nicolai smiled triumphantly. “Shall we get back to business?”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             “I don’t do business with vampires.”   Mephistopheles hissed. “You lack the required payment. Without a soul, there can be no deal!”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             Nicolai snatched the girl’s hair, yanking her head back. “There’s a soul right here.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             Mephistopheles looked at the girl, her eyes glazed and empty. “You can’t be serious.”   He said.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             “You said you needed a soul.”   Nicolai replied matter-of-factly. “You didn’t say it had to be mine.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             The demon stared in open astonishment at Nicolai, but when the vampire made no move to recant his statement, Mephistopheles realized he was indeed serious.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             “The soul must be given willing.”   Mephistopheles said.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">              Nicolai cupped the girl’s chin and turned her to face him. Once again he stared into her eyes, delving deep into her mind.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             “Tell him you give your soul willing.”   Nicolai whispered.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             She turned to face the demon. “I give my soul willing.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             Mephistopheles stared at the girl, her vacant expression making it clear she was under the vampire’s control. Unfortunately, there was nothing he could do. She’d spoken the words. He could even feel the sincerity behind them. Whatever the vampire had done made the girl believe she was speaking of her own free will. Mephistopheles sighed, unable to think of a way out of this predicament.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">              “What is it that you want?”   Mephistopheles bit out.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             “Do you really need to ask that question?”   Nicolai asked mockingly. “Surely you know what I’ve come for.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             “I have an idea, but you must speak the desire out loud in order for a deal to be made.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             “I want you to bring back the soul of Countess Sophia Tepes Dracula, and return the child you stole.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             Mephistopheles huffed in irritation. “First of all, I did not steal that baby. I was simply fulfilling my half of the bargain; nothing more. Second of all, the mother’s soul has already been delivered to hell. There is no retrieving it now. And lastly, to reveal any details of the contract Sophia and I made, especially through coercion such as this, will result in my half of the contract being null and void.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             “Then it is null and void.”   Nicolai replied firmly. “Now tell me what I need to know!”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             “Are you sure this is what you want?”   Mephistopheles asked. “I know this isn’t your soul you’re bartering with, but this will make the sacrifice Sophia made mean nothing.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             Nicolai stiffened. “Stop addressing her so informally!”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             “Why?”   The demon snickered. “Titles mean nothing to the dead and damned.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             Suddenly, Nicolai was standing in front of Mephistopheles, his hand wrapped around the demon’s neck.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             “Watch what you say about the countess, demon, or I will leave you here to rot for eternity!”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             “Ah.”   Mephistopheles said, searching the vampire’s eyes. “You loved her, didn’t you?”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             Nicolai snarled viscously.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             “I’m right.”   Mephistopheles laughed softly. “Tell me, how did that work out? You loving your master’s wife? It must have been painful for you. Watching another man touch her; hold her.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             Nicolai shook the demon violently. “I will not warn you again. Tell me what I need to know!”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             Mephistopheles lifted his hands in defeat, and Nicolai released him. The demon straightened his coat and hat, absently brushing the feather from his face.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             “The girl was in danger here, so I moved her to a place where her safety is guaranteed.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">             “There is no place on this earth Eve will be safe from Dmitri!”   Nicolai exclaimed. “He will find her no matter where she is!”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“I know that.”   Mephistopheles replied dryly. “Which is why I moved her to a ‘when’ and not a ‘where.’”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“Excuse me?”   Nicolai asked in bewilderment.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The demon rolled his eyes. “The child is in a place none of you can reach her. She is in the future.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">