Ivana stood. “As I am sure you are all aware, Nikolai was an expert in mind manipulation. He made me forget many things, memories from the first few days we spent together here. Upon his death, those memories were restored to me.” She shrugged and threw her hands in the air. “Do not ask me how such a thing is possible as I do not know. What I can tell you is that Nikolai was a man who wanted everything. He wanted the strength and ability to control the minds of his people. He wanted to walk in the sun and raise offspring to bolster his army. To possess the power to flit between night and day gave Nikolai an advantage over his enemies. Such a feat is only achieved by drinking an elixir that cleanses the blood.”
“Cleanses the blood.” Alexander straightened as he repeated her words. “Do you mean the cure for our affliction?”
Evelyn gasped as her eyes grew wide with disbelief. “There is a cure for the disease that ails them?”
“I believe so, yes,” Ivana replied. “I had a vague recollection of biting Nikolai. Now, I know he suffered from the affliction when he bit me. I know he used me to bite him again once he had taken the elixir.”
Elliot cleared his throat. “And you think he came back here to cleanse himself again?”
“I do. The cure is hidden somewhere in this castle. I have never seen it and Nikolai never mentioned where he kept it.”
They all fell silent as they scanned the Great Hall, their gazes drifting up to the wooden arches and moving to the stuffed animal heads littering the walls.
“There must be many rooms here,” Grace said.
Ivana nodded. “There are forty-three if you count the dungeons.”
“You said it is an elixir.” Leo touched her arm affectionately as he spoke. “So we are looking for a vial, a bottle or something similar.”
Ivana raised her brows and shrugged. “I assume so.”
Leo suddenly jumped to his feet. “Well, if there is a cure lying somewhere in this castle, I do not intend to sit around discussing the matter. Where will I find paper and ink?”
“On the desk in the study.” Ivana stared at him and pointed to the door at the end of the hall. “It’s along the corridor, the second door on the left. Why, what do you intend to do?”
“I’m going to draw a map. I’m going to start at the top and work my way down until I find what we’re looking for.”
Alexander and Elliot stood too.
“It will be quicker if we all work together,” Elliot suggested. “We have a few hours until sunrise and can continue tomorrow evening.”
Grace stood up. “Evelyn and I can search the rooms during the daylight hours.”
Leo smiled. “Just think, come the morning we might never have to worry about being caught in the sun again.”
Collectively they sucked in a deep breath.
Ivana was not prone to fanciful musings, but she closed her eyes and imagined sitting on the grass, eating fruit while the sun warmed her skin. Leo was at her side shielding his eyes from the brilliant rays; their children ran about laughing and giggling whilst at play. Life appeared heavenly.
Dare she hope such an idyllic dream could be possible?
Or like a skilled partner in a game of chess, would Nikolai have anticipated their move.
Chapter 17
Leo took paper and a pot of ink from the study, and they all made their way to the tower bedchamber.
“It will be quicker if we divide into pairs,” Alexander suggested as they gathered beside the bed.
That had been Leo’s initial thought. He trusted his brothers to do a thorough job, but if they failed to find the cure, the compulsive part of his nature would force him to scour the rooms again.
“I think we should stay together,” Leo said feeling more confident in his decision. “Ivana’s knowledge regarding the history and layout of the castle will be invaluable. None of us would notice if a painting or an item of furniture was missing or out of place and there is a possibility she might remember something important.”
Elliot nodded. “I agree. The castle is Ivana’s ho
me. It is only fitting she should decide how best to proceed.”
Ivana clasped her hands together in prayer and tapped the tips of her fingers to her lips. After a moment’s silence, she said, “Leo is right. There is every chance another memory will return as we walk through the corridors. We will stay together. That way we will all be confident nothing has been missed.”