Lily was all over me since I woke up after the shot. I didn't protest. I needed to know her plans. Besides I didn't want to risk her hurting Francesco. Fortunately she didn't see me as a threat anymore, sure she kept me in check with keeping my mate hostage. He was still under her charm when we met with the Queen.

The vampire was holding Tomek and Milena on a leesh, making my blood boil at the sight. I clenched my teeth.

"You should tie your bitch or ditch her," the old bloodsucker stated casually.

That was a good piece of advice, luckily for me Lily didn't think so.

We stopped for the day in a ruined house at the outskirts of the city. The Queen took the siblings and locked herself with them in a cellar. I sincerely hoped she wouldn't hurt them.

Lily didn't mind the sunrise, so she decided she had the time for her own fun. She finally released Francesco from under her charm, but she tied him mercilessly instead. She tossed him under the wall with hands at his back, leather strings cutting into the flesh. It took all I had in me not to run to him and help him, but it wasn't the time. Not yet.

My mate followed me with a bewildered gaze, as the leech moved her attention to me.

"The Queen decided to have a walk with the necromancer?" I asked casually, ignoring her hand on my cheek. "Not wanting to kill him on her grounds, or what?"

"Pity he's no use to us anymore. But his father will be perfect," she smiled, making my stomach turn.

"You plan on getting Robert?" I inquired, letting her hand wander around my chest.

Francesco was pale like snow, his eyes flashing with anger. Even from this distance I could smell the sun heated pines and distant rain always lingering on his body. Now it was mixed with the sour scent of fear. I pushed the thought away, concentrating on the red head.

"The Queen will do a little barter with her lovely sister. The witch will get a young and fertile wizard and we'll get the true royal blood. A perfect deal," she laughed cruelly.

That explained much. The old vamp would not like her subjects to know her negotiations with Regina. I doubted they even knew they were related. Though it would become obvious to anyone who saw the two powerful women – they were identical twins. But I guess it was extremely rare for anyone to make acquaintance of both and make it out alive.

"The ladies are going to meet in these ruins?" I continued questioning, my hand playing gently with Lily's hair. It was soft and shiny, really beautiful.

The vampire's eyes were unfocused, her face too close to mine. Her voice was husky and quiet.

"Just after the sunset. We shouldn't waste the time," she whispered right into my ear.

Her hand has already wandered under my shirt. She planted a fervent kiss on my lips, nicking them with her fang. I tsked.

I saw Francesco helplessly pulling on his bonds.

"Leave her alone, leech!" he cried out. The vamp was by him in a blink of an eye, lifting him by the throat, madness flashing in her eyes.

"It's all right. We can enjoy our time together. No need for violence," I made myself sound soothing.

It wouldn't do to provoke a raging, jealous leech. She turned to me, her claws driving into Francesco's flesh, a small trickle of blood showing on his neck. His face was turning blue. Finally she unlocked her hand and let him fall to the ground. He gasped for air.

In a flash she was a breath away from me, taking in my scent. I smiled at her and caressed her face.

"We shouldn't be wasting time," I cooed, letting my voice go all warm and soft. She melted into my palm, locking me in a lustful embrace. I allowed her to feel my shudder. I did my best to ignore Francesco's groan.

I leaned in to kiss her, my left hand tangled in her hair. She moaned quietly, closing her eyes. I moved my lips lower, to her swan like neck. She arched back, revealing her little, shapely breasts. I nibbled at them through the thin material of her dress, getting her to make small, miauling sounds.

With my free right hand I reached for the knife I had at my belt. She didn't think of taking away my weapons. With one swift movement I struck, aiming for the heart. She didn't see it coming. The leech fell lifeless to the ground with a loud thump.

"I told you I wasn't into the undead," I said to the cadaver, wiping the blade on her skirt.

I cut Francesco's bonds, setting him free. He embraced me without a word. I hugged him back, pushing away the lust that roared in me, with him being so close. I helped him up to his feet. He looked at me guiltily, but I didn't let him speak. We didn't have much time till sunset.

The door to the cellar was massive, but I had too much anger and frustration collected in me to let this stand in my way. I grabbed my axe and swinged. The door disappeared in an explosion of splinters. This felt good.

In the dim light coming through the destroyed door I saw the Queen in her deathly slumber and the two humans, bound cruelly. Together with Francesco we freed them immediately. Tomek was gagged with a bizarre, metal contraption. There was a symbol engraved on it – a crescent moon closed with a diamond. I've seen it before – the sealing spell that was used on Robert.

I cursed under my breath and touched the muzzle. A strange current flowed through my hands and right into my heart. The darkness within me coiled and hissed when a spark of light illuminated it all of a sudden. I pulled on the metal and it snapped, surprising even me. But it wasn't the time to wonder about my abilities.

I enclosed the unconscious Queen in a protective circle and instructed my companions to kill her if I wasn't back in an hour. I needed to get Robert out of the clutches of Regina.

I met the witch at a small square, not far from the building we spent the day in. She was lighting the surroundings with a fancy blue flame hovering near her. Showoff.

Beside her I spotted two familiar figures. One masculine and one feminine. Ilona was guarding Robert, his hands bound at his back.

"Good afternoon," I greeted them, walking out of the shadows. The surprise on Regina's face made me smile.

"What the fuck is this? Where is Eva?" the witch barked at me.

Ava and Eva, her parents weren't very creative with names I guess.

"Your sister is safe. For now," I said, watching her face go dark. "Give me the wizard and she'll be just fine."

The blue flame turned red, probably in response to its master's feelings.

"I will kill you," the witch almost hissed.

Robert was tense and pale. Ilona was watching me with keen interest, no trace of malice on her face. I must have impressed her.

"Do it and Eva will die," I responded coldly. "If I don't come back in half an hour, she'll be burnt to a crisp."

Ava was furious, her flame flickering with all shades of crimson.

Oh, and I will need your word, that you will not try to hurt me or my companions," I added, making the witch grit her teeth.

"You have my word I won't hurt you, tonight," Ava said reluctantly. "But I need your word that you won't hurt Eva," she added.

"Fair enough. I promise," I agreed.

"Give him to her," the witch ordered Ilona.

The wolf nodded and pushed Robert to me. I cut his bonds.

"Now take me to my sister," the witch addressed me.

I motioned for her to follow and without looking back walked to our hideout.

When we came into the cellar the Queen turned to us with a smile.

"Ava, I was wondering if you'd come to my rescue," she said, casually stepping over the protection circle.

Only now did I notice it was broken in one place. Francesco's unfocused gaze told me the old vamp managed to charm him and make him destroy the spell. Shit.

"You should have come to the meeting," the witch complained. "We had such a nice deal."

"We can finish it off now," the Queen said and in a blink of an eye was holding Robert by the back of his neck.

The man tried to back off, but he was no match against the ancient leech.

"Eva, no. I gave my word they'd be safe tonight," Ava said wearily.

"I didn't," the Queen responded courtly, inhaling Robert's scent. I saw the man shudder.

"Your captor gave me her word she wouldn't hurt you. She can't fight you – this would not be fair," Ava surprised me. I wasn't expecting this much honor from a sadistic bitch I knew she was.

"Oh well, it will have to be the next time then," the Queen sighed, letting go of the wizard. "It's all fault of my servant after all," she added grumpily.

I wasn't going to wait for those ancient beings to change their minds. The Queen still probably didn't know I killed Lily. I had no idea how she'd take it. I took my companions and we left in a hurry, eager to put as much of a distance between us and our foes as we could.

We stopped around midnight, to catch our breath. We sat on various parts of debris, trying to get some rest. I saw Tomek come up to Robert and discuss something in a hushed tone. I guess they had much catching up to do. Milena was looking into the distance, deep in her own thoughts.

Francesco approached me with his head hung low.

"I'm sorry," he whispered, not looking me in the eyes.

"For what?" I asked, genuinely surprised.

"I'm too weak. I get charmed by those leeches every time..." his voice faltered. "I put us all in danger," he continued after a pause.

"It's not your fault. Those are very powerful vampires that charmed you. And you're only human, there's no way you can withstand their hypnosis," I tried to cheer him up.

"It's not enough. I'm your weak spot. If it wasn't for me you wouldn't have to..." he didn't finish the sentence.

"Don't be silly. Nothing bad happened in the end. We're all still alive. And we got Robert out." I smiled at the thought.

"It's just... I don't want to put you at risk anymore..." he insisted and I felt he had an idea.

"You won't. Just don't look the leeches in the eyes and everything will be all right," I smiled and patted him on the back.

That was a mistake. The lust surged in me at the touch making me catch my breath. Fortunately he didn't notice. I almost jumped away from him. It wouldn't do if I threw myself on him now.

"Put the collar on me," Francesco said unexpectedly, determination ringing in his voice.

I looked at him with disbelief. The darkness in me hissed with delight at the thought of having him under control. It made me feel nauseous.

"It's not necessary," I forced myself to say, fighting the urge to kiss him violently.

"It is. I won't be your weak spot anymore," my mate was pressing on.

"This is a bad idea," I struggled to get the words out. "I may not be able to bring myself to free you when the danger is over," there, I was being honest.

I was afraid of myself, of the sinister instincts waking up, of what I might do to Francesco.

"I'll take the risk. I prefer to have you as my master than those leeches anyway," he said gently.

Where was he taking all this trust from? I've already hurt him more than once. He must have felt I enjoyed it all too much. I looked him in the eyes – they were pleading. My body was already burning with anticipation and desire. I sighed.

"Are you sure? There may be no going back. I'm –"

"I'm sure," he cut me off, taking me by the hand. "Just do it."

I shivered, his palm worm and enticing on mine. The black serpent slithered in my mind, showing me the pleasures of commanding Francesco like a slave. I pushed it away with too much effort.

I took out the collar from my backpack. It was cold and smooth to the touch, it's little light glowing blue in the night. I held it long in front of us, hoping that the sight would bring memories to Francesco and make him change his mind. It didn't work. He just pushed down his jacket, uncovering his neck.

Finally,after an eternity I locked the device on my mate. It clicked, the lightchanging to green. It was done. I felt a wave of ominous pleasure float throughmy body, drowning a little spark of light that was deep down in my heart. Thatwasn't boding well. For anyone.