I moved back to Eve on the horse, taking the reins and guiding it around and into the building. I shut the large wooden door behind us, sighing a breath of relief. The fire had dimmed to embers, but the heat radiating from it was a gift from God. I helped Eve down and we hurried closer to the fire, warming our hands.
“What now?” Eve asked through chattering teeth.
“We stay here until the hunt dies down,” I suggested.
Eve looked concerned. “What if someone comes to use the cars?”
I shook my head. “We'll have to risk it.”
Eve nodded, dropping down to the floor before the fire. I joined her, resting my elbows on my knees.
“Thank you,” Eve whispered, glancing at me under her lashes. “I was so frightened, Jonah. I thought of you every night since they took me.”
A jagged lump lodged in my throat. “I had no idea you were gone. I thought you were safe...at home.” I thought of the letter I'd written for her and took it from my breast pocket, handing it to her.
“For you,” I answered her questioning look.
I watched as she unfolded the page and her eyes travelled over the words. Her fingers ran across some of them as if she could capture my feelings from the letter. Perhaps she could.
When she finished, she glanced up, tears in her eyes. “From the sea to the stars,” she whispered and a smile formed on my lips.
She crawled forward into my arms and I took her kisses hungrily, devouring the feel of her warm body against mine. The horse grunted at our display and I knew I was crossing too many lines. I pressed her back and she curled up on the floor, laying her head in my lap. I ran my fingers through her soft hair, taking comfort from her presence.
“You're strong for a woman,” I commented and she glanced up at me, a playful smile on her mouth.
“Or I am simply strong. I'm not sure what being a woman has to do with it.”
“Hm.” I reflected on that. Perhaps she was right. Women were supposed to behave a certain way in society. Strength was not expected of them, but that wasn't to say they didn't possess it. Eve had proved that theory very wrong.
I threaded my fingers through hers, realising I would be dead without her thus far. I thought of London, of what we would do if we ever got back there.
“Come away with me,” I whispered. “When we get back to England. Let's run away and never be found.”
She rolled over, taking my hand and pressing my knuckles to her lips. Urges rose inside me that I had to battle away.
“Perhaps we'll go somewhere warm. To Italy, maybe.” The smile on her lips said she was teasing, but I'd meant every word.
“We're getting out of here,” I confirmed and she nodded, but her eyes glazed with doubt.
A click cut through the air and I sprang to my feet, gun drawn. I gazed at the door, but it didn't open. With a frown, I glanced back at Eve who was on her feet, stake in hand. She shrugged, but the hairs on the back of my neck told me someone was here.
“Over here,” a voice hissed.
I turned about, hunting for who had spoken. I spotted two cerulean eyes gazing at me from a concealed hatch in the wall. The girl poked her head out further and bright blonde locks came into view around her young face. I recognised her from the castle. The Helsing child.
We're done for.
She pushed the hatch wider, stepping into the room. She was barely more than eight-years-old, but I kept the gun raised. A large, cream knit jumper swamped her body, hanging almost down to her knees. “You're the ones everyone's looking for.” She giggled as she spotted the horse.
“Please,” Eve said softly. “Don't tell them where we are.”
The girl pursed her lips thoughtfully. “Hm...is it like hide and seek?”
Eve gave me a firm look and I nodded. “Exactly. Do you think you can help keep us hidden?”
The girl tapped her chin. “Well...I am very good at hide and seek. I once hid in the attic for a whole day and no one found me!” She pushed the hatch wider.
Eve hesitated. “Can we trust her?” she murmured.
I pictured us being found and hung from the castle walls, left for the crows to pick clean or worse. My stomach knotted at the possibility. But this girl might be our only hope. And if we didn't go with her now, she might alert someone to our presence anyway.
“Yes,” I breathed. “We have to.”
I led the way after the girl, ducking my head to fit into the low space. A damp corridor opened up on the other side of the wall. The girl had a candle in her hand to light the way. As Eve followed me into the drafty passage, she closed the hatch behind us.
“What's your name?” I whispered to the girl.
“Mercy Helsing,” she answered promptly. “And you're Jonah and Evangeline. I heard the men talking about you. They think I don't know anything around here, but I can get about the whole castle in these passages.”
“Even down to the docks?” I asked hopefully.
“Yes...but I don't go down that tunnel...”
“Why not?” I asked.
Mercy glanced back over her shoulder, the candlelight dancing in her baby blue eyes. “It's haunted,” she breathed.
I frowned, but she gave me a serious look.
“It is. My brother went down there once and he said there was a ghost down there with his brain hanging out of his head!”
“I think we'll risk it. Perhaps you can show us the way?” I asked.
Mercy fell silent as she considered it. “Alright. I suppose I can do that. But it's on the other side of the castle. We can't stay in the passages the whole way. So you'll have to be really quiet.”
My gut constricted, but I simply nodded. What choice did we really have?
A dripping noise carried from up ahead and the ground rose beneath our feet. We met an ancient ladder that didn't look like it would hold my weight. Mercy climbed quickly up it, slipping through a hatch in the ceiling above us. I headed after her, checking the way was clear before Evangeline followed. The rungs creaked loudly but held my weight. As I climbed, Mercy held the hatch wide, waving her hand wildly for me to hurry up. I poked my head into the room above, finding myself in a narrow staircase of stone steps. I hauled myself out, reaching down to help Eve up. When she was beside me, Mercy quietly shut the hatch and pressed her finger to her lips.
I nodded as she headed up the staircase and we followed.
We crept up several levels, pausing on one of them where men were talking out in the corridor beyond us. A thin tapestry hid an entrance into the hallway.
“-heard he jumped out of a cable car!” a man said, laughing loudly.
“Holy shit. What would possess him to do such a thing?”
I squeezed Eve's hand and she gave me a teasing smile as we hurried up the next level after Mercy. She soon paused beside a stone wall, taking hold of a metal ring attached to the brickwork. She twisted it and pushed the concealed door open, poking her head out into the space beyond. She slipped out into the hall and I was just about to follow when a voice rang through the air.
“Mercy! I've been searching all over for you.”
“I was playing, Mother.”
Shit. Katherine Helsing was just beyond that wall. Mercy left the door slightly ajar, standing in the way of the exit to conceal the gap.
Eve tugged me back and my heart urged me to run.
“Get back to your room this instant,” Katherine demanded.
“Okay...but what's the matter?” Mercy asked innocently.
“Nothing that concerns you. Now move.”
The second Mercy stepped away, I shrank backwards into the shadows.
Footsteps sounded down the corridor and I let out a breath of relief.
“Should we follow?” Eve whispered in my ear.
“I don't know.” I gripped her arm, thinking of turning back. I didn't fancy spending the night in the dark passages beneath the castle, but perhaps it was our best option.
The door flew open and my heart collide
d with my lungs. “Jesus,” I swore at Mercy who was grinning broadly.
“The way is clear. Come on. Hurry.” She beckoned me forward and I slowly crept after her.
The corridor was grand and lit with gas lamps; a red carpet ran down the heart of it. The lights flickered as we headed along. I winced at every footstep and creaking floorboard.
Mercy paused at the end of the corridor, gesturing to a spiral staircase. “Go down there one floor, head through the east wing until you see a portrait of a black tower. Beneath it is a trap door. It will take you all the way down to the passages beneath the castle. It runs straight to the dock.”
“I thought you were taking us,” I hissed.
Mercy glanced over her shoulder. “Mother will check on me. I have to go back to my room.”
Eve frowned, moving closer. “Thank you for your help.”
Mercy nodded. “Good luck!” She danced away, heading back down the corridor.
I felt horribly exposed as we took the staircase down a level, jumping at every noise. We crept into the corridor below, moving into the east wing of the castle. In an instant, I recognised it.
“Belmont's room is near here,” I breathed, my heart racing. I'd been trying to work out how we were going to commandeer a boat with just the two of us. And the answer suddenly hit me like a lightning bolt. “He always takes his boat's crank when he docks, so no one can start the engine. But if we can get it...”
It was the only motorised vessel I could guarantee was in that dock. Which made it the only one we had a chance of stealing.
Eve's eyes widened. “Is that a good idea? What if he catches us?”
“But what if we get to the dock and there's no way to get off this island? Most of the other boats I saw there were sail boats. We can't get one of them moving with just the two of us.” I needed Belmont's engine crank in my hand to reassure myself we could escape.
She nodded quickly, gesturing for me to the lead the way. “We better hurry then.”
I took her hand and we quickened our pace as we headed down the corridor, moving toward Belmont's room. I pressed my ear to the door, gently turning the handle. Unlocked.
It swung inward and I stepped into the empty room, sighing a breath of relief.
“Quick, come on.” I tugged Eve inside and she gently shut the door.
We started rifling through the room as we hunted for the engine crank. When I went through Belmont's fine things in the wardrobe, I came across his prized emerald broach. My stomach lifted with joy and a grin gripped my features. I took the fine coat from the hanger, pulling it on and stuffing the broach into the pocket. “I have an idea,” I announced as Eve stood from Belmont's bed stand. She lifted a hand, waving a piece of bent iron at me. “Is this it?”
A grin pulled at my mouth and I rushed toward her, kissing her quickly. “Yes.” I took the crank, pocketing it.
“What's your idea?” She smiled.
I rifled through Belmont's unpacked bags, plucking out a maid's uniform, complete with white bonnet. “Put this on.”
I snatched a travelling hat from Belmont's bedpost, putting it on. Eve moved closer, tugging up the collar of my coat. “It might work...”
“Hurry.” I urged her toward the maid's clothes. She gestured for me to help her untie the lace at the back of her dress and I quickly did so. She stripped down to her undergarments and I turned away, my heart rate racing.
Now is not the time.
When she'd put on the simple uniform, she stuffed the dress into the bottom of the wardrobe, turning to me. She pulled on the bonnet, tucking her golden hair up underneath it. I moved to her, brushing my fingers across her neck and catching a lock she'd missed, pushing it gently up under the hood. “There. Perfect.” I kissed her and she gripped my lapels, dragging me closer. My breathing hitched and I pulled away, grinning.
The door handle turned.
Eve's eyes widened in alarm. She grabbed my hand and we ran for the en-suite, darting inside. I had just pressed the door closed when someone entered. A female giggle filled the air, followed by a male voice I knew all too well. John. My least favourite of Belmont's servants.
“He won't be back for ages. They're all drinking downstairs,” John said, followed by some heavy groaning.
“This is a bad idea,” the girl giggled. I recognised her voice as the maid, Julie's. John was known for his escapades. And I really didn't fancy listening to any of them. But it appeared we didn't have a choice as the girl moaned loudly and suddenly the bed creaked. Again and again.
I gazed at Eve who was fighting a grin.
John made a noise that made me want to cover Eve's ears. Though she'd certainly heard worse than this in the brothel.
“Fuck,” John gasped. And I hoped it was done.
Eve had pressed closer to me, her ear to the door. “I think they're leaving,” she whispered.
The door clicked out in the room and I almost exited the bathroom when another voice sounded. “Thought you might be up here.”
“Jesus! Get the hell out Gareth!” John barked.
“Hey Julie,” Gareth said casually. “If you ever want to know what real satisfaction feels like, you know I'm willing right?”
“Piss off, Gareth,” Julie sighed.
“Did you hear about Jonah?” Gareth asked as if he hadn't heard her.
My heart beat out of rhythm.
“Yeah. Told you he'd get eaten out there.” John laughed.
Adrenaline fuelled my muscles.
“Do you think they drank all of his blood?” Julie asked.
The door wrenched open and I came eye to eye with Gareth's square face. I took advantage of his shock, flying into action as I threw a punch into his left eye. He cried out, stumbling back and falling onto his arse. I stepped into the room, chest puffed out, the blood rising in my veins. John was still naked, trying to tug on his underpants on the edge of the bed. I ran at him, grabbing his hair and throwing a knee into his face.
I expected Julie to scream, but as I turned to her to try and deal with the problem, I found Eve holding her stake to her throat, a hand clamped around her mouth.
Christ.
“Okay,” I said calmly, grabbing John by the back of the neck and throwing him in the direction of Gareth. I pointed the gun at them, wheeling it back and forth. My arm trembled from my tensed muscles. “No one make a sound.”
Gareth nodded, his eyes flaring with fear. “You're mad.”
“Yes,” I said. “Mad enough to pull the trigger if you don't do as I say.” I gestured to Eve. “Tie their hands and gag them.”
She nodded, pushing Julie toward the others and yanking open the wardrobe doors. Moments later, she'd tied their hands behind their backs with scarves and stuffed their mouths with Belmont's socks.
“Get in the bathroom,” I ordered and they filed inside immediately, cowering from me. I had to admit, it felt pretty good getting one up on these idiots. They'd tormented me for months.
I gripped the door handle, gazing in at them, their eyes roaming over me as if I was an entirely different person to who they knew. Which was true, seeing as I'd let them believe I was weak. I put up two fingers and beamed at them before shutting the door, twisting the key in the lock.
“We'd better move.” I turned to Eve and she flung her arms around me, pressing her lips to mine.
When she pulled away, my heart was racing. “What was that for?”
“Just in case we die,” she said calmly, heading across the room to the door.
Now we just had to make it through the castle and down to the dock without being seen. Easy...
“Ready?” she asked.
I approached Eve at the door, grabbing her waist and pulling her into a fervent kiss, tasting her sweet lips properly this time. When we parted, we were both breathless.
A tingle ran across my mouth. “Ready.”
EVANGELINE
My mouth was on fire from Jonah's kiss. That was a kiss worth living for. And it renewed stren
gth in me as we stepped out into the corridor. The lamps flickered on the walls, sending a rush of adrenaline through my veins.
We hurried along, following the directions Mercy had given us, praying at every turn we weren't going to bump into someone.
A couple of maids passed us and I dropped my head obediently. Jonah nodded to them and they headed on, seemingly unaware of who we really were.
On the next turn, Jonah paused and I nearly crashed into him, bracing myself on his arm. I found myself before a tall painting with a gilded golden frame. A dark tower was pictured in it, as black as death. Jonah dropped down to a crouch, running his fingers across the floorboards. I glanced up and down the corridor, gripping the stake under the folds of my apron.
“Hurry,” I breathed.
A click sounded and I glanced down, finding Jonah lifting up a small hatch.
“You first,” he insisted, tugging me down beside him. I dropped onto the first rung of the ladder, climbing down, the hatch illuminating him in a square of light. His hard features and fearful eyes.
A voice made him turn and I spotted him snatch the gun from his waistband. Arms grabbed him and he lost his grip on the gun, the weapon flying past me and hitting the ground below. The hatch slammed shut and I was buried in darkness. I stifled a cry, hurrying down the steps, hearing a scuffle up above. When my feet hit the floor I dropped down, searching desperately for the gun. My fingertips scraped across stone.
Where is it? Where is it?
My breaths came in panicked pants. My palm grazed metal and I grasped it, scrambling back onto the ladder and hurrying up it. I threw the hatch wide and spotted Jonah pinned to the ground by Varick. The Vampire drooled as he gazed over him.
Jonah's eyes locked with mine. “Run, Eve!”
“Never,” I snarled, aiming the gun at Varick as I rose from the hatch. “Let him go,” I demanded, trying to keep myself composed. My heart was thundering like hooves in my chest.
Varick gazed up at me. “I can disarm you both. You cannot win against me.”
His eyes roamed over my neck and there was that hunger I'd seen on the first day I'd met him. I knew what he wanted. Lifting my free hand, I tore at my sleeve with my teeth, holding out my exposed wrist. “Here, drink. Then let us go. That's all you want, isn't it? I've seen how they talk to you. You're their slave. You don't have to help them find us.”
A Game of Vampires Page 5
