Two guards led me to a large opulent chamber, at the center of which was a black throne made of human skulls. Borys Maslen still looked the same way he did hundreds of years ago – dark, muddy brown hair, dark brown – almost black – eyes, a stocky, well-built physique, wide and muscular. I recalled his obsession with my sister and couldn’t help but imagine how frail Vivienne looked compared to him.

He was sitting on the skull throne with a smug smile on his face as he watched me being escorted closer to him. “The great Lucas Novak turning on his own kind to join the Maslens … I never thought I’d see the day.”

“I came to claim the sanctuary you offered me,” I answered dryly.

“I’m sure you understand that sanctuary comes with a price?” He asked. “You are, after all, a Novak. One I can’t fully trust.”

“Of course.”

“Answer me a couple of questions first.” Borys rose from his seat and descended down the steps that led to me. “Is it true? Your brother is finally awake?”

“It’s true. This is a matter of concern to you?”

“Should it be? After all the sleeping he’s done, I doubt your brother is still much of a threat.” He began circling me like a vulture.

I recognized his bluff for what it was and scoffed. “Don’t be a fool, Borys. We’ve played this game for hundreds of years. You know what my brother is capable of. Besides, his power and influence isn’t the only reason you ought to tremble. He’s found the girl prophesied to establish his reign by bringing all vampires true sanctuary. He’s in love with her. I’m sure of it.”

“True sanctuary? And yet it’s me you’re running to for sanctuary?”

“Let’s just say that, like you, I don’t want to see my brother succeed.”

“Very well then. Who is this girl you speak of? This girl you say Derek is so enamored with?”

“Her name is Sofia Claremont.”

At the mention of Sofia’s name, Borys Maslen’s face contorted with fury and I happened to be the only person present in the room for him to lash out on. “How dare he! How dare your brother lay a hand upon her! She was mine! The Claremont girl is mine!”

He tackled me to the ground and began pounding my face. It was beyond me how he even knew who Sofia was, much less understand why she was so important to him. I knew how she had this inexplicable way about her that drew me to her, but what was it about her that caused my entire world to start spinning around her?

I tasted blood on my lips as Borys continued to attack me. All I could think of was how much I wished that blood belonged to Sofia. What I would give to taste her again? I was already sure that Borys’ attacks weren’t going to stop until he’d pounded the brains out of me until a sharp female voice called out his name.

“Borys! What are you doing?”

Borys immediately stopped hitting me and turned toward her. “He has Sofia. Derek Novak has her! She’s mine, Ingrid. Sofia Claremont is mine.”

“Of course she is … Sofia is yours, Borys. We’ll get her back.” She spoke soothingly, like a mother calming a young boy.

Ingrid Maslen. The newest vampire in their coven. I trembled at the mention of the name and all the rumors that came with it. I staggered to my feet. Rumors of Ingrid Maslen’s beauty and how she came to be a part of the Maslen clan resurfaced in my mind and I couldn’t wait to catch a glimpse of her.

Her face was hidden by Borys’ large, imposing form as she embraced him, whispering calming words into his ear. Something Borys said caught my attention and sent chills running down my spine.

He pulled away from her and said, “You gave her to me, Ingrid. You remember that.”

“Of course,” she nodded. “I did.”

I strained my neck to catch a glimpse of Ingrid and gasped upon finally laying eyes on her. She was the splitting image of Sofia, albeit an older version. Her eyes met mine and she brushed past Borys to face me.

“You can either tell us what we need to know, Novak, or I will use the means that I know to get the information out of you. Either way, we’re going to find out how to take Sofia away from your brother and bring her here where she belongs.”

“Who are you?” I found myself asking.

“Suffice it to say, I was once Camilla Claremont...”