We arrived at Warsaw early in the evening. Like before we got escorted to the Bloody Court, but this time it was Lily alone that talked to the Queen. She didn't want to flaunt our wizard necromancer before the ages old vampire. That made sense, but I had bad feelings about it.

Since the feral night my parasite was more or less satiated and I was finally able to focus. Which didn't mean I stopped desiring Francesco. But the lust became a bit more manageable. Besides I couldn't watch him without pangs of guilt. He trusted me and I behaved like a monster I truly was. The mere thought of his bruised body when I woke up next to him was enough to make me keep my distance from him.

He should have called my name, make me stop. But he didn't for some reason. I couldn't ask him why – this would sound too much like blaming him for the damage I've done. Or maybe he called Ada and I just ignored it. Shit. I wished I remembered what happened that night. The last thing I could recall were his beautiful, dark eyes wide with fear. Maybe I just didn't let him speak.

In the palace I did my best to shield Francesco from the vamps. I might be a monster, but I knew his fear of bloodsuckers and tried to protect him as best I could. When we were led by a group of vampires to the lab and they were surrounding us tightly, I saw he was on edge. Not sure if it was a good idea I took him by the hand. I expected him to take it away, but he pressed my palm and threw me a grateful look. I smiled at him, hoping it didn't look predatory. I was feeling far too possessive towards him.

When we arrived at the lab Milena was already waiting for us. If it wasn't for Lily she would have attacked Tomek. The red head just knocked her out unceremoniously with a single hit on her temple.

Tomek took out the book and supplies from his backpack and started the preparations for the resurrection ritual. Beyond some simple protection circles I had no knowledge of magic, so I just observed what he was doing. I sincerely hoped that his inborn abilities were enough to perform this spell.

White candles and chalk symbols drawn around Milena's prostrate body were so cliché I felt like watching a B class horror movie. Tomek's incantations rang with a disturbing tone, candle flames were grey instead of yellow and there was a mist rising around the body. Darkness was almost tangible in the nooks and corners of the lab. I felt as if it was hissing and coiling. This wasn't good.

Cecylia warned me that Tomek's magic was tainted with the Dark Arts. She asked me to look over him and don't let the darkness pollute his soul. He was a good lad, I doubted he'd give in to evil, but there was always a risk.

The ritual was progressing smoothly from what I could tell. Lily kept her distance, Francesco hovered near me, fascinated by magic happening before his eyes. My head began to hurt and the vision started without a warning.

As Milena stood up, her eyes human again, there was a large, jet black snake coiling around her body. It wasn't attacking – its movements were languid, caressing the woman's form lovingly. Its head was right beside Milena's and it was looking directly at me with malicious interest. I shivered under that gaze, feeling as something evil uncoiled in me in response. And then the vision ended abruptly, when I heard Milena drawing a deep breath for real.

She was sitting on the floor, among the burnt down candles and looking around her with bewilderment. Tomek was right beside her, explaining the situation and trying to calm her down. I sighed. What I saw definitely wasn't a good omen. Our young necromancer brought something from behind the veil together with his sister's soul. This would be a problem sooner rather than later, but for now I decided to let it slide. There wasn't much I could do anyway. Maybe Cecylia would have any advice once we managed to get back to her.

Finally, safely snuggled in Tomek's embrace, Milena was calm enough to speak about the parasite. Her mind was finally clear and she seemed to have her memories back. What we learnt from her wasn't a good news though.

As it appeared, the worm wasn't a purely biological invention. It was meant to control evolving magic within humans, so it needed arcane power. According to Milena no witch wanted to cooperate with her, once they knew she was with the vampires. She was already a bit desperate when a woman contacted her, offering her help. She belonged to a cult, supposedly not very dangerous. They were dabbling with some sex magic, seeing it as a way to ascension.

"You said they were a cult. Who were they worshipping?" I asked, having a bad feeling.

"Anael. I think that's what they called it. Some kind of serpent deity," Milena responded.

An image of a handsome man, looking like a k-pop idol, flashed momentarily before my eyes. What the fuck was that?

"So how did you get the power from this Anael," I continued inquiring.

"I gave the cultists a sample of the worm I already managed to create. They took it for some ritual and infused it with Anael's energy. At least that's what they told me," she mused. "When I administered the parasite to the patients the results were stunning. All the attacks were gone, the patients were feeling great. Even some brain damage was healing itself fast. It seemed like a miracle," she whispered sadly.

Right. There are no miracles and nothing is free in this world.

"What did the cult want from you in return for their help?" I wanted to know.

"Nothing. It was their idea to lend me a hand. I should have known it was too good to be true, but at this time I wasn't thinking clearly. I was just glad I could try out my theory, that the drug-resistant epilepsy wasn't actually an illness. I'm an idiot. It's all my fault," she wept, hiding her face in her palms.

Tomek held her closer to his chest, gently caressing her hair.

"You wanted well sis. Don't worry. We'll make it all right," he tried to soothe her.

"You've made a suppressant for the parasite from Tomek's blood. Do you think you could create a proper cure now?" I tried changing the subject.

"I'm surprised even the suppressant worked. Some magic from Tomek's blood must have reacted with Anael's power. But for the parasite to be destroyed we'd need to sever the connection with Anael," Milena clarified sadly.

"But you said full royal blood would do it. You didn't mention this snake or whatever," Tomek almost whined.

"My mind was clouded by bloodlust. And maybe something more, I'm not sure... I have a feeling someone didn't want me to remember the origin of the worm..." her voice trailed off in thought.

That would make sense – if this Anael wanted to use her as a means to conquering the world they'd prefer her not to remember its vulnerabilities.

"I could try and make another batch of the suppressant though. It may come in handy," Milena said, untangling from Tomek's embrace and moving towards the medical machines.

Suddenly the doors to the lab opened and there was a suffocating presence among us. It took me a long moment to understand what was happening. Only now did I realize that Lily was missing for the last few minutes. Now she was back, but she didn't come alone. Francesco got his crossbow at the ready, aiming at the new arrival. Milena stood still, as if afraid to breathe. Tomek looked positively shocked.

I cursed, gripping my axe firmly in both hands. Near the door there stood a stunningly beautiful blond haired woman in a long, trailing gown. Her cold, blue eyes were looking at us with cruel interest, slowly moving from one to the other, to finally rest on Tomek. My first thought was that somehow the Regina was here, but it was absurd. I could clearly see the fangs – that had to be the Queen herself.

"The violence won't do you any good. Please drop your weapons and obey, or Francesco will shoot the good doctor here," Lily said unexpectedly, her voice cold and commanding.

Somehow she was right beside my fated mate, his eyes glossy with her charm. Shit. Her speed was unbelievable, even for a vampire.

"You betrayed us!" Tomek exclaimed, hurt sounding in his voice.

"I only did what I should have done a long time ago. I am loyal to my kind," Lily responded haughtily.

"You'd waste the only chance of killing the worm just for this loyalty?" the wizard accused.

"We don't need you to deal with the parasite, now that it is clear, that it's the demon that needs to be destroyed," finally the Queen spoke. Her voice was like a ringing bell, clear and commanding. "Lily, chain the necromancer," she ordered the red head.

Tomek instinctively backed away when the vampire approached him with manacles. I moved closer but with one look the bloodsucker reminded me of Francesco and Milena. I cursed under my breath. She skillfully chained the lad and pulled him closer to the Queen. He was white and trembling slightly, his eyes darting towards his sister.

"Huntress, you'll finally have your chance of taking the suppressant," Lily addressed me with a cold smile.

I raised my brow, "Wasn't you saying just a few days ago you'd never want me to do that? Something about risking my life, I think?"

"That was when we needed your skills to get safely here," the vamp responded disdainfully. "Now, I'll take care of our safety," she added. "Take the shot, I know you have it with you," she ordered me, getting dangerously close to Francesco. She didn't have to say anything more, the threat was written all over her face.

And to think I used to feel protective over this little leech.

I put my axe in its sheath on my back und fumbled with the pouch at my belt. I opened the little box and took out the syringe. For a moment I wondered what effect it would really have on me, then I rolled up my sleeve and did the injection, ignoring Tomek's groan.

The wave of pain took me by surprise, making me fall onto my knees. I felt nauseous, my head spinning, my body burning from the inside like a furnace. I let out a short cry. I was on all fours, gasping for air. Something dark coiled and uncoiled deep within me, angry and hissing, biting all my nerves in a frenzy. I clenched my teeth, my nails clawing at the floor, my arms shuddering in a sudden fit of rage.

The vision crashed into me like a tsunami. I saw a huge cave, richly lit with numerous torches. The stones seemed to be blood red, maybe because of the fire. At the center of the cavern there was a tall rock, covered with hundreds of slithering and hissing snakes – large and small, colorful and dark. On top of it there was a simple, wooden chair occupied by a beautiful, Asian looking young man. Or maybe woman. The form was changing fluidly, from masculine to feminine and back again. I knew that was Anael.

"Ada. Wasn't expecting you to get involved," the figure said, the voice melodious and charming. "I thought you were enjoying your human role-play," it continued.

"You know my name?" was the only thing I could muster.

"Of course. We've known each other for how long? Four, five millennia? I wouldn't let the name of a powerful foe slip my mind."

The playful response took me by surprise. Millennia? As in thousands of years? Was he talking about reincarnation?

BeforeI could ask any more questions another wave of pain hit me with a deadly forceand I blacked out.