Prologue

Pembroke Castle, Wales

January 1500

"Darling. You missed me. I know you missed me."

"Oh, I've missed you, Kol. I've missed you everyday. Never once did a day go by in which I did not think of you, dearest."

Kol grinned at the beautiful blond vampire, whom he had known for centuries, and not seen for several decades. He had known their eventual reunion was inevitable, and yet, he had hoped he'd have a little more time before his reckoning. The vervain-soaked ropes wrapped all around him were nothing compared to the terror he felt at the unknown. She had always been clever and inventive. Those traits had only grown stronger with age, and her terrible wrath intensified both tenfold. There was also the company she kept – quite the influence in the torture department, he knew firsthand.

"I'm quite flattered, darling. In truth, I also spent a lot of time thinking of you fondly."

The blond grinned. It was a horrifying smile, a promise of dreadful things to come: full of malice, and hurt, and loathing, and most, of all, satisfaction. She was a thing of beauty. Her long blond locks rippled over her shoulders, and her white, lace, sleeping gown trailed behind her for several feet. She was all gossamer and vengeance. Striking and pale; luminous and ghostly; lovely and frightening.

"You know, you set the perfect trap," Kol tried. "A promise of young virgins, ready and waiting. I could never resist."

"I know. I know you. You're very simple."

Kol shrugged and the movement sent spasms of pain down his back. "I can't disagree."

Blue eyes narrowed at him. "Have you been to Spain lately, dear Kol?"

"I have spent the last several decades in the Middle East. It's quite an interesting place to be these days."

"Oh, no doubt. I'm so sad you've missed the strides the Spaniards have made in their investigatory instruments. Religious intolerance is such a shame, but I am so very fascinated with these innovations."

Kol felt himself relax slightly. If she was going to torture him using human methods, this might not be all that bad. It actually might even be fun. Kol was never really afraid of pain. In fact, he rather enjoyed it sometimes. It gave him life. It reminded him that he was more alive than ever.

"Excellent, darling. Tell me about these devices."

"You know, I would. I will. Most definitely. In fact, maybe you'll read about them one day. In the very, very distant future."

Kol's hope began to deflate.

"Dearest. I did think this business was betwixt us two. I am deeply saddened you felt the need to involve my brother."

"Brother? Your brother's only involvement here was a gift. A gift bestowed upon me as an anniversary surprise many years ago."

Kol then noticed a flash of silver in her right hand.

She walked up to him, slowly.

"He knew this was between me and you. He isn't even in the country right now. I'll send for him when this is all finished up. Such a good husband."

"You cannot use that on me; you'll die!"

The grin returned. "A century ago, that certainly would have been true. But the gift I was referring to was not the knife, dear Kol. It was the ability to use it."

Kol gaped at his sister-in-law, bewildered. "How-"

"Do you really think your mother was really the only witch who knew how to create a vampire? Ever? The only one who ever dared?"

"You can't be – it – it's not possible," he stuttered, flabbergasted.

"I assure you, it is."

"But you had already been turned."

"A small hindrance, but nothing that couldn't be worked around."

"You could still die. You can't be positive it will work."

"I think I'm willing to take my chances, brother. I've waited too long. I would love to stay here and torture you for hours, but I think you'd only get a sick pleasure out of it, and though I would too, I am determined to end this. I differ from my beloved in that aspect. I want to finish it, and I want to finish it with my own hand. I want to watch your eyes as the light leaves. I want to see you face the idea that you're going to be stuck in a box until I see fit. Who knows how long that will take? You're going to miss so much. So many inventions, and wars, and pretty virgins. What a shame. I'd almost feel sad about it – if I wasn't so absolutely ecstatic."

Kol shivered. It hurt. "Please. I know he will miss me. I know he will not be able to look at you the same!"

"Of course he will. You won't be dead. You'll be very safe, in fact. He can bring you back at any time. He won't, of course. I would see it as a great betrayal. Nevertheless, the option is there."

The Original stared at her. He never would have thought her capable of this when he first met her, such a sweet girl. So innocent and bright. Her transition had been remarkable. It was like she had been born to be a vampire. And now she was an Original herself. He knew it was all his fault. He knew he deserved this. But he really wished she could find it in her heart to forgive him, a heart that had overlooked so many foul cruelties her husband had committed.

She glared at him, as if reading his thoughts. "What you did – I can never forgive. I hope you think about what you've done while you nap, Sleeping Beauty."

The knife came up.

"CAROLINE! PLEASE! CAROLINE!" he roared.

It was too late. It struck home with a satisfying crunch. He was gone.

Caroline stared at him for a long minute, savoring the moment. She leaned in.

"The worst is yet to come," she breathed lightly into his ear.

She kissed him on the cheek, swept up her robes, and glided out of the dungeon, a look of peace on her countenance.