Max stalked after her; she couldn't see him, but could feel the annoyance in the way he moved, silently, but purposefully in her tracks. She picked a place in the shadows of a spreading oak, standing behind its trunk. Max stood just behind her, looking over her head. A piece of bark drifted onto her shoulder from where his fingers touched the tree.
"Victoria, where did you learn this information?"
"It doesn't matter. And besides, I have not asked you how you learned what you know," she replied, still looking straight ahead at the house, trying not to shift. He was right behind her. "Do you think they will remove the book tonight?"
"I don't have the same information you apparently have received, but it would be" my expectation that they will not return to Lilith without the book. "
"Undead have to remove it from the house. If there are only two or three of them, we should have no trouble relieving them of their burden. "
"Theoretically, yes. "
They fell silent, waiting, watching, breathing steadily and smoothly at last.
And then… Victoria started when Max's hand appeared in her periphery, a finger, pointing silently.
Three of them, walking toward the house, in the center of the street as if they owned it. Broad, tall, long hair gusting with each stride. Even from where she was, Victoria saw the whiteness of their skin, the deep, violet-red glow of narrowed eyes. And the long glint of metal swords drooping from their hands.
Her neck felt as if a wedge of ice were pressed against it.
Her stomach tightened and she surreptitiously rubbed her damp palm against the rough bark of the tree.
"Imperial vampires. " Max's voice was in her ear, barely audible.
But she hadn't needed to be told; Victoria already knew. The vampires closest to Lilith, closer than her elite retinue of Guardians, and so powerful they could pull the life energy from their victims without using their fangs—just their eyes.
Lilith was indeed taking no chances.
They didn't move as the Imperials approached Redfield Manor. It was fortunate they were downwind from the vampires, and that there was a gentle breeze. It might keep the three from scenting her and Max. Victoria watched them, her neck burning with chill. They were still a distance away, but even now she could feel the power, the hate… the evil. She stifled a shiver.
For the first time she was truly glad Max was there.
The Book of Antwartha was still inside the house, and would need to be removed by one of the undead, for Sebastian would not have been able to take it.
But why was he here?
Lilith knew that she and Max would do anything to stop her from getting' the book. Perhaps there were even more surprises awaiting them tonight. Victoria had an uneasy feeling that although they were prepared, the queen of the vampires was one step ahead of them.
If she had gone to Aunt Eustacia or Max to share what she knew, they might have been better able to plan their strategy. After all, Max had some experience with Imperials. But Victoria had gone solo, and so had Max, and now they were at the mercy of Lilith's determination.
How did one fight an Imperial? Her heart seemed to pound through her whole body. Surely the vampires must sense it!
As if reading her thoughts, one of the Imperials paused at the stoop of Redfield Manor, turning toward them and sniffing the air. Victoria held her breath and felt Max tense against her.
Then the vampire turned back to his companions, and they separated. Two went up the steps, and the one who'd faced them remained at the bottom, standing near the street. The length of his sword was a third leg, stretching from hip to ground.
The door of Redfield Manor opened and the two Imperials went in. The third was alone.
She nearly jumped when Max's fingers closed around her arm and he breathed into the vicinity of her ear, "Me first. Wait; then you follow. " Without waiting for her response, he stepped from the shadow of the tree and began to walk boldly toward the Imperial.
He had no sword, no weapon but the ash stakes and a long, slender branch that had a jagged end.
Victoria watched as the Imperial turned to face Max striding across the grass that had somehow become damp. His burning eyes no more than slits, the vampire stood ready. Even from her distance, in the glance of light from the moon, Victoria could see the smirk of readiness, the indolent stance that said he was ready for a fight.
When Max came within two arms' breadth, the Imperial lifted his sword. Yes, he had brutal strength that matched Max's, but to fight a Venator, who carried a pike of wood that held death, Lilith took no chances. She armed her vampires with metal pikes, swords. Thus they were evenly matched. Wood to metal. Holy strength to inhuman might.
Victoria understood Max's plan, and though her heart picked up speed as she saw the two tall, broad figures face each other, she waited. The Imperial would have scented their presence; by Max announcing himself and approaching the vampire, it was obvious he hoped Victoria would remain unnoticed.
Metal glinted in the light, and Victoria saw that they were engaged, fighting for life. Or undeath.