Angelus’s sky-blue eyes stared up at her through the crystal walls. His red-gold curls writhed and spread out like snakes inside his new prison.
Now Vanse was free of the demon’s possession, Tatya felt their bond, the glowing golden chain, spring to life, channeling his and his vampires’ powers to her. She opened herself, imbibing, assimilating every last drop, and forged herself into the fatal weapon needed to destroy the enemy.
Hate dawned as Angelus realized every struggling movement to free himself drew the walls in tighter, till the deep clear crystal pressed against his skin, swaddling him, leaving him helpless and unable to move. A dark red mist formed, staining the transparent prism, and she saw his cruel blood-red lips move, knew he was cursing her, cursing Vanse, swearing he’d have his revenge, swearing he would soon be free again. But she heard nothing.
Tatya raised the lustrous dagger, and its light filled the space, spreading out and beyond the globe. She brought the knife down quick, thrusting hard. The sigils blazed, and exploded blindingly bright as the blade slid through the crystal casing, and entered Vanse’s heart.
A year ago, after Tatya stabbed Vanse in the heart, they had carried him down to his mausoleum, deep below the basement of St. Raphael’s. Then, she had been catatonic with shock, but today her emotions were under total lockdown. The click of her heels echoed in the silent corridor as she and Sheriff Bill Corwin walked behind Fabio under the subdued lighting. She made this pilgrimage every month, and familiarity helped her maintain control.
They passed Sean’s crypt behind one of the many doors on either side, but she preferred to honor his memory in St. Raphael’s graveyard, where she’d had a tombstone for him placed next to Aunt Lil’s. She inhaled the delicate fragrance of the roses she carried—yellow for hope, because they reminded her of summer, of happier days. She was glad to smell something fresher than the filtered air in a place where few creatures, dead or undead, willingly came.
The twins, Fabio's personal aides, stood at the entrance to Vanse’s mausoleum, their blonde hair covered with black lace shawls, and wearing identical black Chanel pantsuits with the careless elegance vampires gained after turning. They bowed their heads in reverence as she approached.
"After you, Milady." Fabio stood aside.
He and Corwin waited outside while Tatya entered the room.
Inside, the shimmering rainbows cast by the large crystal chandelier relieved the stark whiteness of the walls.
She stepped close to the polished marble plinth, placed the roses by his side, and stared at the body inside the ivory silk lined coffin. It was impossible to forget the guilt and grief that descended after she plunged the knife int
