Ooooh, Nikolai

Veil of Midnight

(Midnight Breed #5)

by Lara Adrian

Nikolai, Nikolai…the mercurial, fiery warrior; volatile and passionate, Nikolai meets life head on. His motto, Carpe Diem!

In Veil of Night, Nikolai takes us on a thrill ride in this fast-moving, adventure. He travels to Montreal to search for Sergei Yakut, a reclusive Gen One vampire to alert him about the rash of recent killings of Gen One vampires. This is a deliberate attempt by Dragos to eradicate all Gen Ones, replace them with his newly created army of super beings, and time is of the essence. However, locating Sergei is easier said than done! 

Nikolai’s investigation leads him to a jazz club where he’s ultimately ambushed,  lured into the trap by the seductive Renata, and captured by Sergei’s guard. It’s Renata’s psychic power that immobilizes him; Renata is a Breedmate, her gift, mental psychic blasts that debilitate Breed males. However, one should never, ever discount Niko’s prowess!  He masterfully disarms his captors, for “He was Breed, fast, agile and clever”. The violent confrontation comes to an abrupt end when…Sergei emerges from the shadows. He approaches Niko, haughtily dismisses the Order’s warning and proposals, but allows Nikolai to return with him to his home, a rustic lodge located in a remote area of Montreal. 

Niko observes Sergei’s domain, an environment that sanctions intimidation, brutality, and savagery. Clearly, Sergei Yakut lives by his own rules, above Breed law, follows the canon of the warlord. This Gen One agrees with his forbears, the Ancients, conquerors who believed the planet is theirs for the taking. Homo Sapiens are useful for 3 things only…food, entertainment, and sport.  He’s even dismissive of his own son, shows contempt for Alexei, who in turn, is consumed with hatred and blinding jealousy, a powder keg, ready to explode; volatile, ambitious…and humiliated, Alexei allies with a power player.  (Okaaaay, then!)

Niko’s conversation with Sergei about the recent assassination attempt leaves him with more questions than answers.  He meets the disconcerting Mira, Sergei’s secret weapon, a young Breedmate oracle, who actually stopped the attack on Sergei’s life. Saved him, WTH?

Meanwhile…

The intriguing Renata has her own challenges. As the sole female of Sergei’s personal guard, Renata must hold her own, protect her back and her position in Sergei’s male dominated household. She ignores the flagrant disrespect, and animosity, particularly, Alexei’s  hatred. “…Of course, the bitch wouldn’t be so haughty if her mind, will, and body belonged to him. A Minion to serve his every base whim…and those of the other males at his command.

Yes, Lex mused darkly, it would be damned good indeed to be king.” 

Lex is only one of Renata’s many concerns. Sergei uses Mira as leverage to control her… to service him as his Blood Host, and submit to his virulent whims. Sergei knows that Mira is invaluable, not only to him, but to Renata as well. Similar to Renata, Mira is a Breedmate; however, Mira’s gift is prophesy, a seer whose eyes mirrors one’s future. Renata has vowed to protect Mira, to shield her from the uncensored perversion and the brutal savagery, and desperately seeks an escape from Sergei’s Hell. Trapped, blackmailed, abused, she considers the possibility that Nikolai might help? Will he get involved…entangle himself in Serge’s internal politics, break Breed rules, for her and Mira? She’s not even sure that she likes him, no less trust him! “Come near me again, and I swear I’ll kill you (Renata to Niko)”

And yet, Renata fascinates Niko.

This exotic beauty is athletic, a master fighter (especially with her blades), strong willed and self-reliant. Renata’s a survivor!   Equally, Niko admires and respects   her affectionate protectiveness for the young Mira. Yet, he’s conflicted by…Renata and Sergei’s extremely complex relationship. Particularly, when he discovers Sergei’s illegal deadly secrets and atrocities. Niko openly confronts Sergei, questions Sergei’s dismissal and utter disregard of Breed law, and Niko puzzles over Renata…her role. How loyal is she to Sergei? Is she complicit in his atrocities?

The plot thickens with more political intrigue, malicious schemes, betrayals,  deceptions, assassinations, set ups and kidnappings…

Renata’s compassion and commitment to find and rescue Mira, drives her to make difficult decisions; Niko’s hair-raising rescue from the Enforcement Agency, navigating the streets and alleys of Montreal with an injured warrior, dodging Minions, thwarting Fabien and Dragos’ conspiratorial plots, and surviving critical injuries. “As Nikolai came awake, he wondered why he wasn’t dead”. 

Despite her confusion, her doubts concerning Niko’s commitment to Mira, Renata is focused; she must complete her goals, with or without Niko. She’s alone, needs an ally, but can she trust him to place Mira’s safety above the Order’s mission? Is Mira’s rescue as important to him, as it is to her…for she will stop at nothing to find Mira. “I’m not going to leave you, Mira. Not ever…just like we promised”.

Do I like Nikolai?

Yeah, boy! Another bad boy alpha…arrogant, confident, fearless, intense, cunning, and hott! We watch the indomitable warrior evolve into someone who becomes more…self aware, selfless; enthusiastically, he looks to his future with  purpose, husband and father. Niko channels his restlessness, his protective urges into HIS family. Opens himself, his heart, embraces love, trust, affection and…responsibility. Who knew! “I want to take my girls home.” 

I enjoyed Nikolai and Renata’s romance! A great slow burn that builds inexorably; effectively paced. Both learn about each other, help each confront past demons and present challenges.

Overall Veil of Midnight is an exciting action-packed romance. Nikolai…well, you just gotta love him!