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"Maybe the intruder didn’t come in," Zack remarked "Maybe Katy went out"

Drake stared at hio to the Korzha estate and see if anyone is there Liao to the Russian Fortress and see if they have heard anything Stefan, visit the Italians, Ciprian, the Fortress in Ireland If ant to find Kaitlyn, we must find Nadiya"

Zack shook his head as he listened to Drake assign the other hout the world It was, he thought, a waste of ti so the council cha in the middle of the floor, he closed his eyes and opened his vaed between hiave up Either she was dead--an option he refused to consider--or she was unconscious

Swearing under his breath, he began to pace the floor Whether she was dead or alive, he would find her, and God help the man or woman who had taken her

Chapter 29

Lucien looked up, s toward hiood news"

"Indeed" She took the chair beside hiaining chip that Sherrad cannot ignore"

"What have you done?" he asked, suddenly wary

"I have his daughter"

"Are you mad? He will kill you for that"

"This is no tirasp"

"Where is the girl?"

"Heavily drugged and in a secure location"

"I see" He braced his elbows on the arers "So, what are your plans?"

"Ready yourhim to abandon the Fortress immediately"

"And if he refuses?"

She sat back in her chair, her expression serene and confident "He will not"

"But if he does?" Lucien pressed

"She dies, of course She has to die, no matter what happens" A slow smile spread over Nadiya’s face It was an event she looked forward to with great anticipation Blood for blood, a life for a life Her sons would be avenged

"I don’t like this," Lucien said "You said nothing of kidnapping the Sherrad heir"

"No one is asking you to like it," she said curtly

"You have the girl What do you need rees to leave, ill have to quarter some of your men there to hold the place after he evacuates My sons and daughters will also be there, as well as those of Sherrad’s people ish to join us"

Lucien tapped his fingers on the arm of his chair To be Master of the Carpathian Fortress was a long-held dream But was it worth the risk? Drake Sherrad was not a man to be trifled with He wouldthe wisdom of Nadiya’s plan when one of his sons entered the room "Stefan Sherrad wishes to see you, Father"

"He is here? Now?"

"Yes He said he will not leave until he has spoken with you"

"Tell hi, Lucien ran a hand through his hair "This is a finefor his daughter," Nadiya said "Keep your wits about you Stefan will find nothing here Get rid of hi for you at the Fortress, at the foot of thea deep breath, Lucien went out toin the antechaood to see you," Lucien said jovially "It has been years I heard you had gone to A for my father’s wife, Nadiya," Stefan said, his voice cool "I believe you know her"

Lucien cleared his throat "Yes, of course Lovely woman"

"We believe she has kidnapped Kaitlyn"

"They are not here" Lucien spread his hands wide "You may search my home if you wish"

"Thank you I will"

Drake stared at the hu on the porch He was obviously in thrall to someone His first words confirmed Drake’s suspicion

"The lady Nadiya demands that you, your family, and everyone else ells within these walls leave immediately"

"And if I refuse?"

The drone reached into his pocket and withdrew a scrap of bloodstained cloth He offered it to Drake

A nized the iven Kaitlyn

The blood was also hers