I headed down the main hallway, making two rapid lefts and through the library to the armory. Evidence of a fight remained in the form of a charred body. Svetlana. She must have attempted to fight him off only for him to burn her dress, catching her on fire. Oh, Sveta.
I swore softly as I noticed one stake was missing from the glass display case. One with a small ring of circles around the hilt. Os. For Ozera.
Running back down the main hallway, I left the house and ventured into the maze.
"Christian," I called out. I narrowed my eyes as I heard a soft rustling nearby. I started forward in the direction of the sound.
"You know you can't hide from me." The rustling grew louder. He was walking slowly, dragging a foot perhaps.
"I'll find you," I promised. A few more turns and I'd be able to track him by smell. I called out his name again and heard a sharp intake of breath. He must have realized I was close. A wicked grin split my face. Excellent.
The rustling stopped, but I was close enough to know exactly where he was. I stopped in front of a bird bath and with a hard kick, knocked the entire thing off its base to reveal Christian.
"Hello, lover."
