Luca's Magic Embrace

CHAPTER TWELVE

The afternoon sunlight glinted off the shiny golden metal. There stood Joan of Arc with her armor and steed in Orleans. Proudly displayed atop a large stone base, she sat surrounded by landscaping and pavement. Tourists busily shopped on both sides of the wedged streets, oblivious to her history or potential.

“Well, I’m not sure what I was doing over here. It’s a couple of blocks from the club. I don’t think I could’ve escaped to this statue on my way there. Maybe I came here on my way out of the club?” Samantha estimated.

“Maybe you did. And maybe Asgear lived around here and that’s why you came this way. Maybe you stopped here first before you planted the clue at the club? There’s a lot of vegetation in and around the statue. I brought some tools with me. They’re in the back seat. I’ll grab the clippers and hand shovel just in case we need them. Sydney knows we’re coming here today, so the NOLA PD are expecting folks to be digging around it.” Luca got out of the SUV, opened the trunk and picked up his toolbox.

Samantha was out of the car and across the street ahead of him. She should have worn jeans, not shorts, she thought to herself. Bushes and bugs. Just great. Stepping into the brush, she began to look for something, anything that would lead them to the location of the periapt.

“I wouldn’t have had a lot of time. Whatever I did, it had to be fast. Asgear would’ve seen me run over here across the street. It’s gotta be in or around the brush, maybe over near the cannons.” She broke through the branches, searching around near the ornamental artillery that sat in the shrubbery.

Instead of jumping directly into the brush, Luca examined it for evidence of damage such as broken branches or torn off leaves. As he rounded the statue to the front, he noticed the landscaping was not grown as high in one of the corners. Reaching down over the embankment, he pulled off a leaf that had been slightly ripped. Looking up, he silently thanked the saint. With caution, he climbed up into the bushes. Something was off with the ground near the concrete barrier which held the landscaping. Luca stomped his foot down on the dirt. Hollow?

“Samantha, over here.” Luca knelt down and began pushing aside dirt and rocks until he saw black. He rapped his knuckles on the hard surface. Metal. “Now, what’s this? It could be a sewer lid, but I don’t know. It looks more like a door of some kind.”

Samantha trudged over, reaching the spot Luca was clearing. Something small bounced off her feet, catching her eyes. She knelt down and picked it up. A rock? No, the dark metal covered in dirt was perfectly round.

“Hey Luca, look at this.” Rubbing the object, she examined her prize. “What is it? It almost looks like a golf ball.” She placed it into Luca’s dusty hands.

“It feels smooth, but look at its color; it seems to be made out of pewter.” Brushing off the crusted earth, he held it up to the sunlight. “There’s an inscription. Something I’ve never seen before. Maybe an ancient language? Possibly Sanskrit. Now what does this do? That’s the question.” He rolled the small globe in his hands and pocketed it. He shrugged, continuing to clear the ground. “Well, whatever it does, I have a feeling we’re about to find out soon. Ah, what do we have here?”

Luca returned to his original task, fully exposing the black metal trapdoor that had been hidden underneath the boscage. Slipping his fingers around a small loop handle, he pulled up. Dust and dank air bellowed upward. He coughed.

Samantha carefully leaned over, taking a peek at the dingy cavity. She was full of questions, nervously anticipating that they would need to descend into it. “What the hell? There’s a ladder on the side here. Where does this go? Hey wait, New Orleans doesn’t have tunnels, does it? Don’t they have a high water table? Even the cemeteries are built above ground because of it.” As she was talking through the feasibility of the tunnel, she remembered the underground prison Asgear had created. “Magic? Maybe he used magic to keep the water out, but how’s it possible it’s still here?”

“Not sure. It hasn’t rained at all over the past two weeks. Anyhow, no use worrying about how it got here. Here’s a flashlight. You ready to go in?” he raised an eyebrow at her; a corner of his mouth lifted in a slight grin. He dug out a stake and a few other items from his tool bag and pocketed them.

“As ready as I’ll ever be. But I swear, I’m going to freak out if I see any giant city rats in there. I hear y’all got rats the size of cats down here.” She shivered at the thought of running into one of the furry little beasts.

“Darlin’, now you know you’ll be safe with me. Besides,” he joked, “the nutria lives out in the bayou. Come on now, I’ll go down first.”

Samantha followed Luca down the metal ladder into the tunnel, cursing the day she’d decided to go to a computer conference in the big easy. Shit. Revolting tunnel. Excrement and other unknown foul smells. Rats. Possible Spiders. Roaches. Ew. Who cares about a vampire trying to kill me for an amulet when I could be eaten by some kind of creepy crawling critter?

Halfway down the ladder, she heard a splash. Samantha flicked on her flashlight and saw Luca step into a few inches of brown, unidentified liquid. She froze.

“Luca, I don’t know if I can do this. What’s in that water?”

“Not sure, but you can do this. Come on, I’ll carry you. Get on my back,” he ordered.

“Are you sure?” she asked, still not moving.

“Yes. We need to go find this damn amulet. Both our lives are on the line. Come on, I’m ready for you.”

Samantha released her hands from the rung and put her arms around Luca’s neck. Once she had a firm grip, she held tight and wrapped her legs around his waist. The walls of the tunnel looked relatively modern, yet she knew Asgear had probably held it with magic. And now that the magic was atrophied, the walls were leaking. She prayed they would hold, uncertain of their safety. Within one hundred feet, the tunnel abruptly turned left, and they began a long journey into the darkness. The flashlight illuminated barely far enough for Samantha to see where they were going. She assumed Luca had night vision, because he appeared to have no problem walking even when the light flickered.

Samantha glanced over her shoulder; nothing but blackness. Fear blanketed her as she heard a noise behind her. “What’s that?” she whispered.

“It’s okay. It’s just a tiny creature. He won’t hurt you. You’ll be all right. We probably don’t have much further to go,” he cajoled.

She rolled her eyes. What was it about men that they didn’t mind little beasts with tails? After walking for over fifteen minutes, they finally came upon another metal ladder leading upward.

“A ladder,” Luca observed. He sidled up next to it so that Samantha could reach it. “Looks like this is the end of the road. Okay, we’re going up. Can you get on? Here, let me get you closer to it so you don’t fall.”

“Got it, thanks.” Samantha easily grasped the metal rungs, and caught a lower one with her feet. She held tight, knowing what lay below her.

“Okay, let me pass. I’ll go up first. Looks like there’s a different kind of hatch on this one. Look down and protect your eyes. I’m goin’ to force it upward. Don’t come up until I say it’s safe, okay?”

Samantha nodded, curled her head into her shoulder and put a hand over her face. A rush of sunlight and dust beamed onto them both as Luca easily removed the circular cover. He began his ascent and peered over the rim.

A large, spacious courtyard awaited him. Climbing up onto the patio, he scanned his surroundings. Sensing no humans or supernaturals, he called down to Samantha. “You can come on up. All’s safe. We’re in a courtyard. Well-kept from what I can see.”

A decorative three-tiered fountain stood in the center of the courtyard. It was surrounded by several potted impatiens, hibiscus, palm and banana trees. The old red brick patio contrasted with the white clay pottery.

“This is beautiful,” Samantha commented. “I love the fountain. Do you think Asgear lived here?”

“Not sure. He could have rented the property. But still, if it belongs to him, then he did it under an assumed name. There’s nothing on the records of him owning or staying anywhere else but the warehouse.” Luca was not deceived by the immaculately cared for garden. He felt something was off. “Samantha, be careful. Stay close. We’ll sweep the courtyard, but I’m guessing that whatever we’re looking for isn’t out here in the open. Unfortunately, I think we’ll find what we seek through that door over there.” He pointed to the robin’s-egg-blue door that led into the home.

After a thorough but unsuccessful exploration, Luca and Samantha readied themselves to enter the house. As they stood outside, a feeling of consternation swept over Samantha. She stared up at the home, and examined the exterior for any signs of overt destruction. On appearance alone, it held a warm façade, welcoming to all. Looking beyond the surface, a menacing sense of foreboding rained down from above. She might not have been psychic, but she clearly perceived the trickling damnation emanating from this structure. Every cell in her body told her to stay outside.

Anything could be in that house. A trap? A latent spell? It was true that Asgear was dead. But Samantha knew for certain that magic didn’t always die with its creator. Magic was a living energy which waxed, waned and only sometimes died. It carried with it the good and evil for which it was intended. She knew it was waiting. What ‘it’ was remained to be seen. She steeled her nerves, determined to conquer her fear.

Luca guardedly turned the knob and entered. “It’s unlocked.”

A tidy kitchen located in the back of the home was decorated in red and black tiles with a fifties style chrome and white Formica kitchen set. Quiet. Cold. A long, narrow hallway led to the front entrance. As they explored the small home, Samantha couldn’t help noticing the lack of furnishing or décor. The hallway led to a small living space which only contained a flat screen TV and a recliner that looked as if it had seen better days. The threadbare tan fabric was frayed, and spots of foam peeked through the tears. Stark white walls gave way to cream roller shades. Yet there was no other evidence of someone living in the home: no remains of food, dishes, glasses or newspapers.

“Whoever lived here sure was a minimalist,” Samantha conjectured as she followed Luca upstairs.

“Yeah, that’s an understatement. It’s got fewer furnishings than a cheap motel. Hate to ask you this, Samantha, but are you sure you don’t remember being here? Asgear must have kept you here at some point for you to have left these clues.” Luca rounded another chalky-walled hallway.

“I don’t remember being here at all. But this doesn’t seem right. It doesn’t feel right. It’s like there’s a maleficent presence that’s ingrained into every pore of this house. And there are no bedrooms up here, except that one. Look.” She pointed to a single brown wooden door. “It’s the only one up here? How can that be? This is so strange. I get that this place is small but you’d think there was more than one room.”

“Perhaps someone remodeled to combine the rooms?” The oak door was locked with a large nickel padlock. “It’s locked, but not for long. Stand back, Samantha. Let’s see what’s behind door number one,” he joked.

“What?”

“Monty Hall. Let’s Make a Deal?” He shot her a sly grin. “Okay, here we go.”

Samantha stood with her back against the wall, nervously watching Luca. She prayed the periapt was inside this room. She felt anxious, as though she was watching someone open a prank can of mints, waiting for the giant plastic snake to pop out at them.

Luca pulled a thin metal paper clip out of his jeans pocket. He straightened it then bent it back and forth until it snapped into two pieces. Shaping each piece into an “L”, they could be used as a pick and tension wrench. He held them up and smiled. “Always prepared. If it were night, I’d just break the damn lock but the sun has me too weak to do it by hand. Here we go.”

“By weak, do you mean human? Good thing you are quite the boy scout,” she joked.

Luca grasped the lock with both hands, inserted and applied pressure with the wrench and picked at it until he heard it pop. Jerking the lock off in a single movement, he grabbed the antiqued glass knob and turned, pushing the door wide open. He felt around for a light switch but found none. He flicked on his flashlight and shone it into the darkened space. Settling a comforting hand on Samantha’s shoulder, he tried to ease her fear. “It’s okay. Nothing living is in here.”

Samantha was curious to see what was inside. She pressed up against Luca’s back, peering in from behind him. A large, darkened, rectangular room stood before them. Its walls and ceilings were draped in a black velvety fabric. The wooden planks had been painted a lacquered cardinal red. Elaborate candle wall sconces adorned the far wall; burnt candle wax splattered the floor. On the other side of the room, a metal ring was attached to the seam along the wall and the ceiling. Attached to the ring were long steel chains and two metal cuffs. Evidence of a kept captive were scattered across the floor; clothing, a plate, glass, remains of stale bread. On the farthest wall, opposite the entrance, an ornately carved circular wall hanging glowed in the distance.

“What the fuck?” Luca’s words trailed off on seeing the entire room, realizing it had been used to shackle and hold a prisoner. Samantha.

Samantha turned on her flashlight and ran to the pile of clothing near the chains. “Oh my God, Luca. My clothes. These are mine.”

It started to settle in that she had been here. Stripped of her clothes. Enslaved. She didn’t want to cry but tears pricked her eyes. Even though she couldn’t remember what had happened, she knew he’d done something to her. Gathering the filthy dress into her hands, she fell to her knees and began to sob.

“I was here,” she whispered through small cries. “Oh my God. What did he do to me? Why?”

Luca ran over to her. Kneeling down next to Samantha, he put his arm around her, running his hand up and down her arm. “It’s okay, he can’t hurt you anymore. He’s dead. It’s just an empty room with memories that are best forgotten. You’re safe with me. You’ll be all right. Come on, now. Let it go.” He took the dress from her hands, and placed it back on the shiny red floor. Pulling Samantha to her feet, Luca lovingly embraced her. “You’re okay, now. Remember why we’re here?” He kissed the top of her head.

Rubbing the tears from her eyes, Samantha released Luca. “I’m sorry. It’s just so hard not remembering. It feels like a dream. A nightmare. Seeing my clothes just makes it real. I hope that son of a bitch rots in hell,” she said, regaining her composure. “Okay, I’m fine. Let’s do this.”

“Over here,” he said, pointing to the large circle. “It’s carved with ancient markings. And look here in the center. A divot.” He ran his fingers into the concave groove.

“Yes, a divot that looks like it might be the exact spot for our little golf ball. Do you have it?”

“Here, hold my flashlight. Shine it over there.” He took the rounded pewter ball and held it up to the hanging. “Well, it looks like it might fit but I’m not sure how it would stay in there. It’s not deep enough to put the entire ball into.”

Yet as Luca placed the ball up into the indentation, there was an audible click. Samantha and Luca stepped back as the ball unfolded; eight pieces of metal pierced out from its internal structure, holding it securely against the carving. As if grabbing onto spider legs, Luca reached up and rotated the orb. A slight whoosh of air escaped as the wooden hanging hinged open, revealing the satin interior of a vault.

Samantha started to jump up and down in excitement, as she caught sight of a smooth, scarlet stone encased within the small repository. The Hematilly Periapt. It didn’t look nearly as spectacular as she’d expected. A single, brick-red teardrop-shaped rock hung from brown sisal twine. It was exactly as described, yet nothing appeared magical to the eye. Unassuming, yet people were willing to kill for it.

Luca held the highly coveted gem up by its cord, regarding the amulet. “So this little baby is what’s causing us all the trouble? I’m relieved to have it, especially knowing there’s some freak out there with my blood,” he exclaimed. “Would you like to do the honors?”

Samantha gladly took the periapt into her hands; she had no intentions of letting it go. Rubbing it between her fingers, she dreamt of the day she’d be free again.

“Luca, about your blood. We can’t risk giving this away to the vampire. What if he decides to give it to a witch? It’s too dangerous. No, we can’t give this away,” she insisted.

Luca raked his fingers through his hair, contemplating their dilemma. “I agree. The vampire who seeks it must be put to death. After that, we will destroy it so that no one can ever get their hands on this heinous object. But know this, Samantha, if it comes down between saving me or saving you, then the vampire gets the amulet. We have to keep it safe. Kade and Sydney can help us.” He began sending them a text to explain what had transpired. “I’ll send for a car and then we can decide how to proceed from there. The vampire said he’d find you, and believe me, I’ll be waiting for him.”

Just as Luca went to open the front door, Samantha saw a face peering through the rear kitchen window. “Luca, there’s a woman out there.” Samantha pointed and started walking toward the back door, inexplicably drawn outside. Intellectually she knew she shouldn’t go by herself, but her legs kept walking one in front of another until she found herself at the back door.

“Samantha, no!” Luca yelled.

But Samantha didn’t stop. She wanted to listen to Luca, she really did. But something pulled her. Samantha’s body hummed with magic, high on power. The magic was beckoning her to keep going. She was drawn to the stranger like a piece of iron being pulled to a magnet. Compelled.

Samantha caught a glimpse of straggly black hair in the rain; Rowan stood waiting on the patio, her arms outstretched. What was she doing here at Asgear’s home? Could she have followed her and Luca? How would she have known? Samantha couldn’t understand what was happening; it didn’t make sense. As Luca repeatedly called to her, she struggled to obey him and failed. No, this wasn’t right. She shouldn’t go. But the compulsion was too strong. She tried to fight, desperately attempting to shun the entrapment. Failing, she stumbled out into the courtyard, standing mere yards from the raven-haired witch.

Rowan laughed wildly, watching the novice try to fight her command. She knew that Samantha probably had no idea how to stop the compulsion. She almost felt sorry for her, but no, that ungrateful idiot had refused Ilsbeth’s training. She was blessed with magic but had abjured both her ability and the graces of the coven. If Samantha had continued to train with Ilsbeth, she would have easily been able to deflect Rowan’s will. Instead, she helplessly submitted, like the incompetent she’d always be. No pity for her; Samantha deserved to be overpowered because of her insolence. Rowan was disgusted with the level of disrespect Samantha had shown to her and her sisters by refusing to learn the craft.

She would have given anything to watch Asgear cringe as his puppet floundered. Asgear had always been so pompous in the magical circles, bragging about his new spells and artifacts. In a bar one night, she had learned from another witch that the wily mage was bragging that he had discovered the Hematilly Periapt as part of his grand plan to take over New Orleans. Now that he was dead, Rowan would have the last laugh.

After the stir with Samantha returning to the coven and searching her room, Rowan had grown suspicious. When Ilsbeth had told her that Samantha was looking for the periapt, she was thankful for the fortuitous conversation. It was then she knew for sure she that could successfully acquire it. The novice either knew the location of the artifact or with the help of Luca, would surely locate it. All she had to do was wait and watch; she already had the blood of a vampire.

She enjoyed watching Samantha stumble about, not quite sure why her body wouldn’t listen to her brain. Enough of the fun. It was time to get down to business and take the amulet for herself.

“Ah, Samantha. You’ve found the periapt, I see. The rumors were true; it was here in New Orleans. You see, I’ve been wasting time searching, planning just the right location spell, and now you’ve helped me find it,” she snickered.

“Rowan, what are you talking about? I need this. There’s a vampire who’s after me. I’ve got to give this to him,” she explained.

Luca walked up behind her slowly, not wanting to make any fast movements lest Rowan might harm Samantha. He held the stake he’d brought firm in his hand.

“I just bet he does want it,” she said sarcastically. “I bet all the vampires would like the amulet. Like Luca? Now, now, don’t be shy, Luca. I see you back there. Don’t make any fast moves, vampire.”

She directed her attention back to Samantha. “You see, my friend, we all have powers. Ilsbeth told me you’re an elemental witch, albeit a weak one. Do you want to see my power? No, really, I know you’ll enjoy the show. You see, I’m a telekinetic witch, which means I can do this.” She held out her arms and raised one palm face up toward Luca and Samantha, immobilizing them with very little effort. She laughed before continuing. “Now, let me help you with the amulet.” Rowan’s eyes flashed silver. “Dare me in periapt nunc, pythonissam!”

Samantha fought her own muscles as she felt her hand opening against her will. “No!” Samantha cried as the amulet flew across the courtyard, landing at Rowan’s feet.

Rowan scooped it up in her hand, and pulled a small vial out of her pocket. “Now, the real fun begins. You know what’s in here, don’t you?” she asked, wickedly smiling.

Samantha shook her head. “No, please don’t do this.”

Luca continued his futile attempt at breaking Rowan’s spell; he still couldn’t move further than an inch. He needed to talk reason into the witch. “Rowan, Ilsbeth will ban you forever for your actions. You will lose all you have. Your coven. Your life. Now, give us the amulet. You can have it once we are done,” Luca promised.

“Ha!” Rowan cackled. “Right, like you would simply give it back to me. Since you don’t want to guess what’s in the vial, should I tell you or keep it a surprise?” She laughed and waved her hand. “Okay, okay, I’ll give you a hint. Remember lying in a church chained up? It was such a shame for them to mar your beautiful God-like body with silver, but it simply had to be done.”

“My blood,” Luca said with a growl.

“Handsome and smart. You vampires are so quick and strong. Very hard to capture, you know. Unless you happen to know when one is coming to your house, it is very difficult, indeed. But when you know one is visiting, well, it turns out it’s not very hard at all…just need a little silver.” Unscrewing the top of the vial, Rowan poured a drop of the blood onto the already sanguine stone. “So simple, really. It’s done. Do you feel it? Come on now, Luca, do you know what this means? You are now my slave, vampire. As long as you are in my presence and I have the periapt, you are mine.”

“I’ll never be yours, witch. I feel nothing,” he insisted.

“Really?” she grinned evilly, itching to play with her new toy. “Let’s try it out, shall we? Luca, slave of Rowan, vampire born of Kade, kill Samantha!”

Luca reeled as the command drilled through his brain. The stake fell from his hands as he gripped the sides of his head. Never in his life had he been compelled to do what another told him, yet the desire to wrap his hands around Samantha’s neck grew deep within his belly. He roared and shoved her to the ground. Samantha struggled against him, kicking wildly, trying to escape.

“Luca, no,” she pleaded. “Don’t listen to her!”

Luca fought his own hands as his fingers crept around Samantha’s neck. He tried to fight, reeling his hands back. An excruciating convulsion racked through his body in response to his disobedience. He heard Rowan’s laughter in the distance.

“Ah, what’s that you feel, Luca? That’s right; it’s slicing agony, isn’t it? Get used to it my dear bloodsucker. You no longer have free will. Surely you will fight me, but I will break you over time. Keep ignoring my command, vampire, and you will suffer endlessly. You might even die. What a pity that would be, after all my hard work. Just do it. Kill her.”

At Rowan’s directions, his fingers wandered up to her neck and squeezed. Samantha pounded Luca’s chest with her hands, trying to dislodge him as his hands crept around her throat once more. She could tell from his eyes that he was trying to fight the order, greatly suffering for his refusal to hurt her. But still, his fingers gripped tighter and tighter.

“Grab the stake. It’s right there, on the ground. Kill me, Samantha. Don’t let her do this,” Luca grunted.

Samantha shook her head; the stake was within inches of her reach. “No! I won’t. I can’t,” she protested as she heard a loud whoosh from behind. She lost sight of Luca, as the vise around her throat unlocked. Samantha heaved and sucked in air over and over in an attempt to catch her breath. Pushing up onto the palms of her hands, she sat up and ran her hands through her hair, dizzy from the loss of oxygen.

As she lifted her head, she gazed into the piercing black eyes of the vampire she’d met at Sangre Dulce. He’d rescued her from Luca’s grip. For a split second, he caught her gaze, fangs bared. He had Luca in a headlock, threatening to break his neck. Luca struggled against him, unwilling to give into defeat.

Samantha screamed at the vampire to release Luca. “Don’t hurt him! Please! I’ll give you whatever you want. I promise,” she begged. Samantha stumbled as she tried to stand. Pointing at Rowan, she tried to get the attention of the stranger. “Over there! Rowan, that witch right there. She has the periapt. He’s under her control.”

Luca growled at the other vampire. The clamp on his trachea loosened for a split second, allowing him to maneuver out of the stranglehold. The two magnificent vampires began to roll on the ground, wrestling for control over one another.

Rowan laughed maniacally, “Oh how I love to see the gladiators fight. It’s a fine match. But alas, we must be going. Luca, are you ready to come with your new mistress? You really do need better training. I asked you to kill this insignificant excuse for a witch, and here you are playing games with a vampire. Ah, I must admit I am looking forward to making you my slave in every way possible. Oh yes, I plan to discipline you long and hard, night after night,” she mused, staring down at Samantha.

“No!” Samantha screamed and lunged for her. Samantha shoved Rowan to the ground, but the witch was strong. She grabbed Samantha by the hair, pulling her downward, refusing to relinquish the amulet.

“You should have worked on your powers, little girl. Maybe if you had, you’d be like me. But, no, you wasted Ilsbeth’s lessons. So tell you what, since I’m feeling generous, I’m about to teach you a little trick in transporting.” Rowan held her by the hair and slapped Samantha across the face. “Pay attention!”

“Fuck you!” Samantha yelled and hit her back. “Give me the amulet!” She kicked at Rowan as they fought, but she couldn’t pin her to the ground.

“Enough!” Rowan waved her hand, sending out a wave of magic; Samantha’s body flew across the courtyard and slammed against a brick wall. Rendered unconscious, Samantha drifted into blackness.

Rowan waited for her vampire. After all the work she’d done, she had no intention of leaving without him. Chanting a spell, she opened a swirling gray portal. She turned to the vampires, who’d stopped fighting momentarily to observe the vortex.

“Come Luca, you’re mine. You will come with me now,” she ordered.

In confusion, Luca started to go for Samantha. He wanted to stay with Samantha and protect her. But as he did, searing pain ripped through his body; he knew he was being forced to go with Rowan. Thrown into an agonizing paroxysm, he doubled over, unable to stand. The periapt was the only key to his survival. If he could get the periapt and destroy it, then his binding to Rowan would be broken.

He looked over to the large vampire with whom he’d been fighting. Luca could tell the vampire was many years older than him, a great warrior. Luca was one of the strongest vampires in the world, yet this vampire was not overcome. More importantly, the vampire had saved Samantha from certain death that would have come at his own hands. He sensed this vampire didn’t want him or her dead, but knew he also desired the periapt. Could he be trying to destroy it too? He had to make a decision, go with Rowan willingly and destroy the amulet or stay and try to fight against the compulsion.

He tried once again to go to Samantha, and he was blinded afresh as the fiery torture rippled throughout his bones. Falling on his hands and knees, he backed away, and the pain subsided. Through blurry vision, he glared at the devil who’d done this to him.

Rowan crooked a finger at him, giving him no choice. Stumbling toward her, he attempted an attack. With but a flick of her wrist, she threw him into the churning aperture. A rush of energy flooded his senses. Swept inward, he landed with a thud onto a rock-hard concrete floor. Luca hissed as a silver net blanketed his body. The smell of his own burnt flesh drifted into his nose as he prayed for mercy.