The Rest Falls Away

'I am Maximilian Pesaro, master vampire executioner.'

Chapter Two In Which a Piercing Commitment Is Made

'It was merely a precaution, my dear,' Eustacia said as she lowered her creaking joints and aching muscles into her favorite chair. Favorite, indeed, because of the well-padded seat and generous cushioning on the arms, and because of the small piecrust table next to it where she kept her spectacles, her cross, and a polished white hawthorn stake.

Old habits died hard.

Kritanu was putting Victoria through her paces here in the kalari, the well- curtained ballroom of the Gardella home, which had been outfitted as a practice arena. Some of her dark curls had fallen from their moorings, just as Eustacia's had done when she had trained for her hunting activities… oh, decades ago. Victoria wore skirts during these training sessions, since, due to society's dictates, that would most often be her attire. Eustacia knew that trousers made it much easier to spin and kick, but that would come later when she began to learn the Chinese martial-arts technique of qinggong, in which she would fairly glide through the air, seeming to fly.

Victoria's porcelain skin was flushed dark pink, and her forehead and neck were damp with sweat, but the murderous expression on her face spoke volumes. Eustacia couldn't blame her for being annoyed. Maximilian had chosen the worst possible way to notify her of his presence; but then, that was nothing more than Max's character. Everything was perfectly black or white to Max, whereas most people, including Eustacia, were able to find different shades of gray. It made life more tolerable when one could recognize charcoal or a light mist color.

Victoria had shown excellent promise with Kritanu in her education and training, or kalaripayattu, in the month before her coming-out; but as she'd never faced down a real vampire, Eustacia had felt the need to have plans for contingency purposes at Victoria's debut. It turned out those precautions had been needless; and indeed, perhaps had served to confuse the issue at the ball last night. But Eustacia would have done it again had she the chance.

The pride of a new Venator was a poor price to pay for the safety of her guests.

Kritanu watched with his sharp, dark eyes as Victoria took an offensive stance, then as she flew into action, pivoting, kicking, and whipping her foot into a stack of cushions next to Eustacia's chair. The cushions went flying, and Victoria stopped whirling, hands on hips, right in front of her chair. 'Aunt Eustacia, I nearly staked him! Though it would have served him right.'

'Now, Victoria, that's over and done with. You'll need to learn to move on, to put your anger and frustration aside if you are going to be a fierce Venator. Focus and strength, quick thinking and bravery… these are all characteristics you possess, but you must refine them. Learn to use them.'

As a Venator directly descended from the first Gardella, Victoria had been born with the innate fighting skills she would need to be a formidable vampire hunter. Agility, strength, and speed were already inherent in her; the purpose of Kritanu's training her in various martial-arts forms was to refine and hone those skills… draw them forth and teach her how to use them. And the vis bulla she would receive would provide her with additional protection and strength.

Victoria ducked and spun about to meet a rear attack from Kritanu, mumbling something like, 'I'd like to refine him,' but of course Eustacia wasn't about to acknowledge that kind of talk.

Instead, she allowed herself the pleasure of watching her lover and companion propel himself into smooth, lethal action as he dodged Victoria's defense and sent her tumbling to the floor. Kritanu, a wiry, muscular Calcuttan nearing seventy-five years old, was a daunting opponent even at his age. He wore an amulet that differed from the vis bullae given to Venators, but which gave him additional strength; but even without that, he was still quick and strong.

Nearly sixty years ago, he'd been sent to Eustacia to train her in kalaripayattu, the Indian martial-arts form favored by Venators who fought the inhumanly strong vampires, and the Chinese qinggong. He'd remained at her side as her companion ever since. The fact that he also shared her bed was an item that they kept discreet; although Eustacia sensed that Max suspected the depth of their relationship. Kritanu's nephew, Briyani, had been Max's assistant for three years, and the trio of men spent much training time together.

Eustacia looked at Victoria, who was pulling herself to her feet. Her hair straggled over her shoulders, but her face was set with determination. 'Kritanu, I think she's had enough for the day. Thank you.'

He gave a gentle bow, his dark eyes soft and warm. 'I will excuse myself, then.'

Eustacia turned to her niece. 'Set your pride aside for one moment, Victoria, dear. Max was there as a support to you and for safety in the event that something went wrong. You performed well, even after he revealed himself to you. You will make a fine Venator, cam' she said. 'And together we will put an end to Lilith the Dark.'

The mention of Eustacia's nemesis took the edge from Victoria's eyes, and her annoyance seemed to collapse. 'You promised to tell me more about Lilith the Dark after I executed my first vampire. And about my vis bulla.'

'Indeed, and we will begin that as soon as you've had a chance to clean up a bit. Why don't you—Ah, he is here already. Now, Victoria,' Eustacia said with a warning look as Maximilian entered the room with a swish and an air of impatience. She hadn't expected him so soon, and certainly wouldn't have had him arrive while Victoria was in dishabille. She was going to have to speak to Charley—the cook and erstwhile butler when Kritanu was otherwise engaged—about that again. She suspected that would be a losing battle, as Charley couldn't comprehend denying Maximilian anything, including the freedom to walk into any area of the house without being announced.

'Signora,' he said, squeezing her hand gently while he lifted it to his face and then released her fingers back into her lap. The sweetness of their homeland's language still flavored his words, and it sounded lovely to Eustacia. She missed Venice. 'I apologize for my cursed punctuality.' He turned to Victoria, and Eustacia watched in fascination as his aristocratic features froze into a mockery of a smile. 'And Miss Grantworth. Our protege. I bid you good evening. Apparently I have interrupted some training?'

'Good evening,' Victoria replied stiffly. She didn't bother to hold out her hand, and Max didn't appear to notice or care. 'How does one address… the master of the vampire executioners? My lord? Your grace? Your Stakeness?'

Eustacia intervened before he could reply. 'Max, please take a seat. Victoria was just about to change out of her training gown. Victoria, go ahead. Charley will be along shortly with tea, or brandy if you wish.'

'Brandy? Much as I'd like to indulge, signora, you know that I do not partake when I am going on the hunt.'

Eustacia waited until Victoria had gone before she asked, 'Any news?'

He crossed his long legs and leaned back into the seat he'd chosen on the settee next to her favorite chair. 'Lilith is here for something called the Book of Anwarth. She has apparently located it somewhere in England. London, to be precise. She's moved her entire entourage here.'

'The Book of Anwarth,' Eustacia repeated. A cold shiver curled at the base of her spine. 'I knew there must be a reason for her to bring her court here. That alone frightens me, Max. For her to uproot herself and leave the safety of her haven in the mountains… I have never heard of such a book, but I will send for Wayren. If Lilith seeks it, it can bode no good for us. She'll send Guardians for it, I'm sure. Imperials, too, perhaps.'

'I'll visit the Chalice. Perhaps I can learn more…'

'Yes, and Wayren will help.' Eustacia gave him a warning look, effectively ending the conversation as Victoria walked in. 'Ah, Victoria. That was quick. We were just about to begin reviewing the history of Lilith the Dark,' Eustacia said briskly, rubbing her knobby hands together. 'Max, I have told Victoria very little about her; I thought it would be best if you were here to assist in filling in the details from your vantage point.'

'Indeed. Please, signora, you tell the tale. I will comment as necessary.'