As Shadows Fade (The Gardella Vampire Chronicles 5)

“And hope that they work to breach the enchantments therein,” he said grimly.

She replied, “Your grandfather would have known. I presume that’s why he wanted the ring that was hidden beneath London, because he knew how valuable it was.”

Sebastian nodded. “And the Midiverse Portal is less than two days’ ride from the pool, so if all goes as planned, we might be there in a week.”

“Wayren stays safely at the Consilium until she is needed here.” Brim looked at Victoria, understanding in his eyes. “And so we stay for another day?”

She nodded. “Until after Max’s Trial. Then we’ll be five strong and off to Muntii Fagaras.” She couldn’t help but glance toward T?n, up on the hill, and when she looked back, she caught the exchange of glances among the others. Wayren would arrive on the day of the Trial by her own means in order to conduct the event, but until then, there was nothing to do but wait until tomorrow evening.

“Well,” Brim said, “the sun is setting, and I can think of several ways to pass the time.” He flexed his massive arm and smiled menacingly.

“I know of a place that has good brandy,” offered Sebastian.

“And what about food?”

“If it’s food you want, I can take you to a suitable tavern.” He glanced quickly at Victoria. “Not the Lone Horse.”

“And after that… some other amusements might be in order,” said Michalas. “Victoria, you’ll join us, won’t you?”

She nodded, realizing that her other option was to go back to the chamber with a snoring Anton?n and stare out at T?n, or to hunt on the streets alone. Perhaps another night she might opt for the latter, but tonight her friends were offering companionship as well as a distraction.

And she realized she wanted both.

Hours later, Victoria sat in a large, loud, but dingy establishment with the three other Venators, who’d imbibed a generous quantity of brandy or ale or wine-depending on their preference. She, too, had had enough wine to take the edge off her worry, and found herself relaxing and enjoying the companionship of three others who lived the same dangerous, duplicitous life she did.

The tavern catered to mortals, but there were vampires mingling about, which was part of the attraction, according to Sebastian… and the reason he, Michalas, and Brim had slipped into their cups. Every time a vampire walked into the place, all four of them noticed, of course. And then the wagers began.

“He’ll go for the young man over yonder. Easy, and near the door.”

“I think not. See how he’s watching the server girl? It’ll be her.”

“No, no… see how he’s looking at the ones throwing dice? He’ll slip into the game and lure the winner away later… Then he’ll get the winnings, too.”

And then…

“She’s got her eye on that big guy by the wall.”

“No, see how she’s looking at the two over by the counter? The one with the red hair, mark my words.”

“She’s just dropped something-the bald one’s going to pick it up, and that will be his death wish.”

Coins of all denominations clanked and clinked into a small pot on the table until the vampire made a move to lure his victim out of the pub. Then the winning Venator collected his spoils, slipped them into his pocket, took a stake out… and followed.

The rest drained their glasses and poured another round.

After a while, vampires stopped coming into the eatery. Perhaps word had spread that those who did found themselves quickly turned to ash.

“It’s still early,” Michalas said, digging out a pair of dice. He tossed them on the table. “Who’s first?”

“Vioget and I,” said Brim, raising the eyebrow through which his vis bulla glinted.

Sebastian sighed, rolled his eyes, and sat up as though quite put-upon. Yet Victoria saw the gleam of challenge in his gaze. “I accept.”

Victoria watched with interest-all of these pastimes were as new to her as visiting a men’s club and watching them at cards.

Michalas rolled the bones. “Ten.” He laughed and looked up at the other two. “Good luck.”

Brim and Sebastian shoved to their feet, sending glasses clinking, and rushed out.

“Where are they going?” Victoria asked.

“I rolled a ten… Now it’s a race to see who can get ten vampires and get back here first.”

“Ten? Each?” Her eyebrows rose, and she stifled a laugh. “Are there that many undead left in Prague? We’ve been a bit busy.”

“Ten each, and the last one back buys a round.” Michalas settled back in his chair and sipped from his beverage of choice-wine. They chatted amiably for a time, and after a while he said, “Ah, here’s another one.”

Victoria felt the telltale chill on the back of her neck and saw the undead come through the door. “Yours or mine?” she asked.

“I’ll take him.”

“No, wait,” she said. “I’ll do it.” She stood, feeling the gentling effect of the wine, and made her way casually toward the vampire.

He stood near the counter of the bar, sipping something from a cup. Even though she was innocently looking away, Victoria felt the moment she caught his attention. She could imagine the picture she made-clearly a woman who was dressed in men’s clothing, for she’d left her hair unbound and removed her jacket in the warm evening.

The vampire stood tall, nearly as tall as Max, she realized as she came closer. His shoulders were broad, and despite the scar that cut along the edge of his jaw, he was a handsome man. And, she was fairly certain, a Guardian vampire. But she wouldn’t know for certain until his eyes began to glow.

“Well, well,” he said in a liquid voice that somehow penetrated above the dull roar of the eatery. “What is a lovely lady doing in such an ugly place?”

Victoria resisted the urge to roll her eyes. Instead, she gave him large, innocent ones and replied, “I was supposed to meet my brother here, but he hasn’t arrived yet.”

“Your brother?” The interest in his voice ebbed.

“He was supposed to meet me yesterday evening,” she said. “But he’s late.”

The vampire laughed, showing normal teeth. “I should say that is the case. How much longer do you intend to wait for him?”

“I don’t think he’s going to come after all,” she said ingenuously. “I’m thinking it’s time that I went home.”