France. That’s where he transported to after seeing Valerian and his henchmen killed. It was also where he discovered his need for Valerian’s blood after his abilities disappeared. It was the reason he set off on the journey, heading toward the source of power where Valerian’s blood would await him. He recalled the little stone cottage waiting for him at the bottom of the last hill and his painful attempt to reach it. Instead he ended up at a chateau. Hopelessness settled in him once again, but before it could seize control, Lucius felt another wave of love filling him, chasing it away, giving rise to his next question. “What are you?”
“I’m a Shaman.”
That meant nothing to him; Lucius never heard of it, but figured Kieran wouldn’t harm him. “Who was the other man?”
“Which one?”
“The one who touched me.”
“That’s Remy.”
Lucius’s eyes closed again as a wave of pain shot through his body. It was getting worse even with the blood he was receiving, but he’d known it would. Opening his eyes after the pain passed, he stared at Kieran, remembering what he’d heard Remy say about advice the Elder of the coven had given him. “Are you going to kill me?”
“No…no one will harm you, I promise,” Kieran said softly.
Relief was instantaneous but it was short lived when a new fear arose. “Are you giving me to another vampire?” he asked, with a shaky voice.
“No…not unless you want to go.”
“No!” Then Lucius fell silent as pain again spiked in his body and a small cry escaped his mouth before he bit down on his lower lip to try to quell a violent spasm, far worse than anything he’d experienced before. Seeing the intense concentration on the Shaman’s face as he leaned over him, Lucius whispered, “What is happening to me?”
Kieran murmured, “I…we don’t know. According to Remy, someone used black magic to cast a spell on you which seems to be causing the pain and preventing you from eating. Until Remy can figure out which spell it was, he can’t remove it. Do you know who did this to you?”
Everything suddenly fell into place. Closing his eyes as tears filled them, Lucius cursed Valerian and his last “gift” to him. He had no doubt it was he who ordered the spell to make sure Lucius would never escape his control—even after his master was dead.
