don’t go unrewarded.”
“True.” Charlotte took a breath of the fresh, resin-scented air. She felt normal again – at least physically – whatever “normal” meant. Looking down into the dark treetops, she said, “Somewhere down there is that man…”
“Who had no business coming here,” Karl said. “I believe we know how he found you. Stefan stole a car to bring you home, so he had ample time to follow you, most likely on a motorbike. Stefan says he heard an engine in the distance, but thought nothing of it. Did you?”
“I don’t remember. Perhaps it was luck on his part that he caught us up. And he said he knew the area.”
“So it’s unlikely he has supernatural abilities. He was simply quick-witted or fortunate enough to keep you in sight,” said Karl. After a silence, he added, “I went down there, while you were with Leni. I found a trail of scent and blood where he fell, but no body.”
“You mean he survived?”
“Apparently. He may not have been alone. There are tyre tracks on the path, not made by Stefan’s car, and boot prints. Perhaps the drunken charmer Bruno was with him.”
“If they escaped… I don’t know whether to be glad or horrified.”
“Let’s hope you terrified them so thoroughly they’ll never dare come near us again.” The warmth of his lips felt wonderful on her cheekbone. “However, I won’t rest until I’ve tracked these men down. They won’t get away with attacking you.”
“Oh, Karl.” Her heart sank. “Don’t place yourself in danger over this.”
“They will be the ones in danger, not us,” he said. “You know I can’t resist a mystery.”
Where her hand rested on Karl’s sleeve, she noticed a greyish aura surrounding her fingers. It trailed behind when she moved, like an after-image. A small chill went through her.
It hasn’t left me
, she thought.
I have to overcome it, I must hold on to my true self. I survived Lilith’s bite and I’m too strong to let this… this devilry have any power over me.
She wondered if Karl could see the mist-image. He said nothing, and she daren’t ask.
“And now what?” she said. “Glass can be mended, carpets cleaned. We’ve lived here in peace for a long time… but people are beginning to suspect us, Karl. Even though we hunt far afield, it takes only one or two lapses on our part and there are rumours of Alpine ghosts and demons and
Weisse Frauen
. Mysterious illnesses. And now, this.”
Karl waited for her to continue, as if he knew what she was going to say.
“I have loved being here, but I can’t stay any longer,” Charlotte sighed. “You know that, don’t you? It’s time for us to leave.”
CHAPTER FOUR
SORCERER
T he Firebird spun in a blur of blood-red net, feathers and lace. Her body described a perfect bow of torment: head thrown back, arms stretched behind her like wings.
Emil watched her, entranced. He was so lost in rapture that he nearly missed his cue.
At the last second he jolted from his reverie, leapt over the wall and joined her in the enchanted garden. He became Prince Ivan, capturing the magical Firebird who struggled with ethereal anguish to escape him.
He sensed the enthralled audience, unseen in the darkness beyond the stage lights.
He lifted Violette high on his shoulder, twirled, set her down again to balance
en pointe
on one toe. Her other leg lifted in a high arabesque as she strained for freedom… then they whirled across the stage in perfect step, her costume bright scarlet against Prince Ivan’s gold and crimson.
Emil Fiorani had joined the ballet only last year and become her male principal six months ago. Everything had happened so fast. The thrill of being chosen by the world’s greatest ballerina would never wear off. On stage he was the complete professional – but in a corner of his mind, there was still a boy exclaiming in disbelief,
I’m dancing with Violette Lenoir!
Tonight, in New York on the last night of their tour, he gave the story
“True.” Charlotte took a breath of the fresh, resin-scented air. She felt normal again – at least physically – whatever “normal” meant. Looking down into the dark treetops, she said, “Somewhere down there is that man…”
“Who had no business coming here,” Karl said. “I believe we know how he found you. Stefan stole a car to bring you home, so he had ample time to follow you, most likely on a motorbike. Stefan says he heard an engine in the distance, but thought nothing of it. Did you?”
“I don’t remember. Perhaps it was luck on his part that he caught us up. And he said he knew the area.”
“So it’s unlikely he has supernatural abilities. He was simply quick-witted or fortunate enough to keep you in sight,” said Karl. After a silence, he added, “I went down there, while you were with Leni. I found a trail of scent and blood where he fell, but no body.”
“You mean he survived?”
“Apparently. He may not have been alone. There are tyre tracks on the path, not made by Stefan’s car, and boot prints. Perhaps the drunken charmer Bruno was with him.”
“If they escaped… I don’t know whether to be glad or horrified.”
“Let’s hope you terrified them so thoroughly they’ll never dare come near us again.” The warmth of his lips felt wonderful on her cheekbone. “However, I won’t rest until I’ve tracked these men down. They won’t get away with attacking you.”
“Oh, Karl.” Her heart sank. “Don’t place yourself in danger over this.”
“They will be the ones in danger, not us,” he said. “You know I can’t resist a mystery.”
Where her hand rested on Karl’s sleeve, she noticed a greyish aura surrounding her fingers. It trailed behind when she moved, like an after-image. A small chill went through her.
It hasn’t left me
, she thought.
I have to overcome it, I must hold on to my true self. I survived Lilith’s bite and I’m too strong to let this… this devilry have any power over me.
She wondered if Karl could see the mist-image. He said nothing, and she daren’t ask.
“And now what?” she said. “Glass can be mended, carpets cleaned. We’ve lived here in peace for a long time… but people are beginning to suspect us, Karl. Even though we hunt far afield, it takes only one or two lapses on our part and there are rumours of Alpine ghosts and demons and
Weisse Frauen
. Mysterious illnesses. And now, this.”
Karl waited for her to continue, as if he knew what she was going to say.
“I have loved being here, but I can’t stay any longer,” Charlotte sighed. “You know that, don’t you? It’s time for us to leave.”
CHAPTER FOUR
SORCERER
T he Firebird spun in a blur of blood-red net, feathers and lace. Her body described a perfect bow of torment: head thrown back, arms stretched behind her like wings.
Emil watched her, entranced. He was so lost in rapture that he nearly missed his cue.
At the last second he jolted from his reverie, leapt over the wall and joined her in the enchanted garden. He became Prince Ivan, capturing the magical Firebird who struggled with ethereal anguish to escape him.
He sensed the enthralled audience, unseen in the darkness beyond the stage lights.
He lifted Violette high on his shoulder, twirled, set her down again to balance
en pointe
on one toe. Her other leg lifted in a high arabesque as she strained for freedom… then they whirled across the stage in perfect step, her costume bright scarlet against Prince Ivan’s gold and crimson.
Emil Fiorani had joined the ballet only last year and become her male principal six months ago. Everything had happened so fast. The thrill of being chosen by the world’s greatest ballerina would never wear off. On stage he was the complete professional – but in a corner of his mind, there was still a boy exclaiming in disbelief,
I’m dancing with Violette Lenoir!
Tonight, in New York on the last night of their tour, he gave the story
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