by Lucas Thorn
Senka nodded. Satisfaction a warm trickle down her spine. “It’s all here, Vasilja. And I think we can do it. But we need defiled holy ground.”
“That’s simple. We’re in Paris. There’ll be plenty of that. Won’t there, Freddy? I bet Freddy’s been using his own church for his naughty Luciferian practices, haven’t you Freddy? Of course you have. No need to open your mouth, just nod and be quiet.”
“A priest to perform the rite.”
Vasilja clapped her hands in delight. “Freddy again!”
“And we need a child.”
“Well, I’ve seen at least fifty in the street on the way here. Is that where you find them, Freddy? In the street? They’re bound to be a little smelly and undernourished, but I’m sure our master won’t mind.”
“Also, a dagger which has been used in Holy Ritual.”
“Oh, I’m very sure Freddy has one of those, too!” She beamed down at him. “Aren’t you suddenly more useful than we expected?”
“And a virgin.”
“But, that’s nonsense, Senka. How will we find a virgin in Paris?” She took the book from the younger vampire. “You must be reading it wrong, surely.”
“I’m not.”
“Well, that’s just terribly inconvenient.”
Vasilja had Frederic pack a bag with everything they might need. She tumbled the old man through his house, inspecting closets and shelves.
“We need a cab, Freddy,” she said when satisfied her had everything. “To take us back to Le Grand. Can you manage this?”
“I can, Lady.”
“Then hurry yourself. I don’t like to be kept waiting.”
“Am I to come with you, then? Is it true? We’ll conduct this heresy? Enact the ultimate blaspheme of blasphemes? Outrage the Heavens? Bring the fires from Hell into the world?”
“Yes, Freddy. Why? Do you have a problem with that?”
“No!” He dropped to the ground and grovelled at her hem. “I would do anything, Lady. Anything at all. And I have wanted so long to try it. But the risk! The risk was too great. The others, they talk about it. They whisper about it. Huysman has even hinted he has witnessed it. But I don’t believe him. His stories are the stuff of poets. Overly fancy and vague on details. I dreamed of this moment, Lady. I would do anything…”
Vasilja looked from the man crawling on his belly to Senka. “And you wanted to bite him,” she said. “Look at him. He’s obviously going to be very helpful.”
Senka squatted down next to him.
Reached out and lifted his head. Peered into shining eyes and looked unimpressed.
“You remind me of Franz,” she said. “I wanted to bite him. I want to bite you, too.”
He let out a nervous titter. “If you like,” he said. “I won’t mind.”
“Are you sure?”
“We are, all of us, damned. I’m tired of fighting against it. Set me free, Miss.”
She let him go. Growled; “I want a cab.”
“I’ll go get it.” And scampered like a dog out of the house. Lugging his heavy bag. Head swinging left and right as he searched the streets.
“Don’t tease him, Senka,” she said. “He’s very easy to control at the moment. I’d rather you didn’t unsettle him until after.”
“I’m nervous, Vasilja.”
“Nervous? Whatever for? Certainly, he has a head full of very unusual perversions, but what man doesn’t? There’s nothing to worry about, Senka. He’s mostly a very reasonable sort of priest. He just likes to get involved with a bit of pageantry now and then. That’s all.” She hesitated. “Of course, it won’t be pageantry next time, but I’m sure he’ll cope.”
“I don’t mean of him. I mean of the whole thing. What if you’re right? What if I’m just being silly? What if the Fel is just in my dream?”
“You told me it was green. The Felstone thing. And the fires of Hell. You said they were green.”
“Yes. That’s what was in my dream.”
“Well, I suppose I should tell you. I once argued with Dracula for several weeks after he introduced me to his journals. I argued because I found his descriptions of Hell. He said the fire was green, too. And I said it couldn’t be right, because all the books I’ve ever read were very clear that it was supposed to resemble the inside of a volcano. And they’re just normal fire, aren’t they?”
“Really? He said it was green, too?”
“I didn’t believe him, of course. It sounded like a joke. I hounded him about it until he got very cross. Then he threw me against a wall and lifted his hand. Green fire burned inside his palm, Senka. It was very hot.”
“He could summon Felfire?”
“Yes. There are lots of things Dracula can do. He just doesn’t do them very much anymore.”
“Why not?”
“I think Hailwic knew. But she never shared his secrets.”
“You must have an idea.”
“I have many ideas. Lots of them, Senka. Some of them even more silly than your dreams. I even have one which frightened me for such a long time. And it’s why I was almost glad when he left the castle.”
“What do you mean?”
“He hasn’t fed with us for such a long time. He didn’t ever seem to leave the castle at all. Do you remember when you arrived? He’d fly to the city with us and we’d gorge ourselves? Dancing through the streets like it was a circus set up just for our amusement?”
“I liked that,” she said. “I just thought he grew bored of it.”
“Bored? He’s a vampire, Senka. Not just any vampire. He’s the vampire. He’s the only one of us who can make more. How could he get bored? Have you ever been bored of blood?”
“No, but I’m not as old as he is.”
“Hailwic is not much younger than him, apparently. At least, it’s what he told us. She was his first wife. And she never got bored.”
“But she doesn’t seem to have much fun.”
“Oh, she doesn’t play with her victims, of course. Hailwic was a soldier, Senka. Discipline and training were her life. She never felt the need to enjoy herself and becoming one of us didn’t change her all that much. But that doesn’t mean she doesn’t fancy the thrill of a good hunt. You’ve seen her at the end. She’s like a wolf, she is. Always hungry, but more efficient than we are.” She shook her head. “Dracula changed, Senka. I can’t explain how, but he did. He stopped drinking human blood.”
“Then how did he survive?”
“He drank hers instead.”
“Hailwic’s?” Senka looked shocked. “Are you sure?”
“I saw the marks on her neck. And even though he stopped talking to us, he never turned her away. She went to him more often lately. She never admitted it, but I know that’s what they were doing together.”
“Maybe he was busy. Maybe he was researching new ways to fulfil the Bargain.”
“And maybe he wasn’t.” Vasilja shuddered. “I don’t want to presume, Senka. All I know is something has changed, and when he left the castle I thought he was finally putting all that aside. I thought he was looking for another Bride. I thought she might be just what he needed to bring him back to us. I fear, however, that I was wrong. I fear he has betrayed us.”
“Betrayed?”
“Let’s not talk about it. The very idea makes my stomach churn. Look. Here comes Freddy. Doesn’t he run so delightfully? He’s like a child with broken legs.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
“Is everything ready, Dimiti?”
“Aye, Lady.”
“And has there been any trouble?”
“Someone broke into Senka’s room. Late this morning.”
“I hope they were disappointed.”
“They broke a chair.”
“And is Mister Foucheux handling it?”
“He is.”
“Excellent.” She stood in front of the church with hands on hips. Let a small shiver ripple down her spine. “I can’t abide churches, Dimiti. Ghastly places. Even when they’
ve been defiled, the stink of righteousness clings to everything like garlic. You can’t quite get rid of the smell. It makes my head spin.”
“You could wait outside,” he offered. “Can’t Frederic complete the ritual? I can stand next to him if you don’t trust him.”
“Oh, I trust him enough. But, if Senka is right and there’s a chance we can bring Hailwic back, then I ought to be there. Hailwic would be disappointed in me if I wasn’t. And I just couldn’t spend the next hundred years with her laughing at me for it.”
“Miss seems a bit upset today, Lady.”
“She thinks I’m going to be angry with her if this doesn’t work.”
“Will you be?”
“Absolutely not. She doesn’t know our master like I do. He’s irritatingly fickle. You can perform as many rituals as you like and there’s a good chance he won’t show to any of them. Then you can burn a candle trying to read a good book one evening and he’ll leap right out at you from the fireplace.” Sighed. “No, I won’t blame her if she’s wrong. In a way, though, I don’t think she is. Can you feel it in the air, Dimiti? It’s like the whole world is teetering on this moment. And it’s only fair that Senka has a power of her own. If Felfire is to be hers, then that would be thoroughly delightful.”
“Would it?”
“Yes. Imagine the cities she could burn with it. You can’t put it out with ordinary water, you know. It takes holy water. And lots of it.” The vampire chuckled. “Oh, Dimiti. With her spirit, she must have frightened Dracula himself at times. She certainly frightens me.”
“I didn’t think anything frightened you, Lady.”
“Neither did I until she walked into the castle grounds. I had a stake ready to stab her in the heart. I looked into her eyes and saw a scared little waif of a thing. Pathetic, I thought. And I resolved then and there to put her right out of my misery. Then, she smiled. And something in her eyes changed. It seemed to me to be very powerful. So, I gave her my favourite ribbon and threw my stake off the ramparts.”
“She told me she still wears it.”
“Yes.” Sour. “Tied to that ridiculous hat of hers. You know, Dimiti, I do think she wears it just because she knows how much I hate it.”
“Surely not, Lady.”
“Is everything else ready? You’ve booked passage for our ship?”
“Yes, Lady. Your belongings are being loaded as we speak.”
“You’ve done very well, Dimiti.”
“Thank you, Lady.”
Frederic, dressed in the long flowing robes of his priestly occupation, waved nervously from the door.
“It’s time,” Vasilja said. “At last. Where’s Senka?”
“I think she’s already inside.”
“I don’t know how she endures it.” She took a few steps toward the church. Wrinkled her nose. “Oh, the horrid taste of it. I can taste it, Dimiti. Right in the back of my throat.”
“Are you alright, Lady?” He held his arm out to steady her, but she waved him away.
“Don’t fuss over me. I’m just being melodramatic, I’m sure.” Lifted her head. “Freddy! Is everything ready?”
His voice was hushed; “Quickly, Lady. We must close the doors before we’re noticed. The midnight hour approaches.”
“Of course.”
At the threshold, she took a deep breath.
And stepped across.
Flinched as an echo of the church’s holy power seemed to scream past her face and out the door.
Fleeing her presence.
“Well,” she said. “At least I didn’t burst into flame. That’s something, I suppose.”
The pews had been put aside to open up the interior.
Black candles dripped inky wax from jewelled seats. They decorated the back wall and draped the makeshift altar in the middle of the room. A table pulled from somewhere. Heavy and flat.
Around the altar, a pentagram carefully painted in goat blood. A circle formed a perfect ring. Demonic runes whirled around the circle, each placed with meticulous care.
A young woman lay across the table.
Naked, chest rising and falling slowly. Arms dangling off the side.
Beneath one hand, a little boy sat against one of the table’s heavy legs. Dirty blonde hair stuffed into a filthy little cap. Rumpled clothes. Toying with a wooden figure.
He didn’t look up.
“Laudanum,” Freddy said. “To keep her quiet. The boy didn’t need anything. He seems a bit dim-witted. I had to put his sister in a cupboard, though.”
“His sister? You brought her with you?”
“I had no choice. She followed me. And made quite a fuss when she saw the altar. I had no choice.”
“You should have given the girl to Senka.”
“I didn’t want to panic the boy.”
“I suppose you did what was necessary.”
“He’s little.” Senka prowled the edge of the table, eyes feasting on the small boy. Looked up as Vasilja approached. “I want to bite him.”
“Yes, Senka. I know. He looks very delicious. Have you got the books for Freddy? He needs to know what he’s going to say.”
“He has them.”
“Well, then. Freddy? Why don’t we get started? We have a ship to catch, you know. Before the morning tide.”
“Of course. I think I’m ready.” Grinned a brutal smile. “I can’t believe I’m going to actually do it.”
“Are you sure you can? I don’t mean to be rude, Freddy, but the boy does look quite young and that distresses some people.”
“Not me,” he said firmly. “Not now. You’ll protect me, Lady. From the authorities. I know you will.”
“Of course.” She looked to Dimiti. “Would you mind keeping an eye on the street, Dimiti? I don’t want everything to be interrupted. This was difficult enough to arrange.”
He pulled the revolver from his belt and gave a nod. “Nothing will get through that door without more than one hole in it, Lady.”
The little boy looked up suddenly. “Where’s Marie?”
“Is Marie the sister?” Vasilja squatted down in front of him. Tried not to look at the repulsively big wart over his left eye.
Freddy nodded. “I think that was her name.”
“Marie will be back soon,” Vasilja said. Pushing at the boy with her power. “And she’ll be very happy to see you, I’m sure. What’s your name?”
He looked up at her, eyes dazzled and a smile widening on his cherubic face. “My name is Hector, Lady.”
“Hector?” She pulled him close. Took the hat from his head and winced at the smell of his hair. “Well, Hector. You want to be a very good boy, don’t you?”
“I try to be, Lady.”
“Then, I want you to do everything Freddy here says. Do you understand? Absolutely everything. You can’t be afraid, and you’re not allowed to cry at all.”
“I want to hear him cry,” Senka murmured.
“No. Not a peep. You must be very quiet, Hector. Can you do that, do you think? For me? For Marie?”
He nodded enthusiastically. “Yes, Lady. I can keep quiet.” He held up the little painted figure. Left eye forced into a squint. “Can I keep the toy?”
“Of course you can.”
She put him back down by the makeshift altar and wiped her hands on her dress. “Well. That’s about as much as I can do. I think the rest is up to you, Senka.”
“Me? But I don’t know what to do!”
“I’m sure everything will work out,” Vasilja said. She moved away and sat down in one of the pews lined up against the wall. Crossed her legs and rested her hands in her lap. “If it doesn’t, we can still catch the ship to England and find Dracula. And the hunters who killed Hailwic. All we’ve lost here is time. And that means very little to us anymore, doesn’t it? We have plenty of time. We always have.”
“I don’t want to disappoint you, Vasilja!” Senka ran around the altar and flung herself at the other vampire’s feet. “I don’t want-”
“What? What will happen after?”
“Well, possibly nothing, of course. Possibly we’re wasting our time and the only thing we’ll get out of this is the chance to drink that little boy’s blood.”
“Or?”
“Or, the alternative is that the ritual works. And our true Master will arrive. If it makes you feel any better, Senka, I’m hoping he doesn’t. While I would dearly love to have Hailwic returned, I couldn’t bear the consequences of the Devil talking to us instead of Dracula.” She tapped a cold finger against Senka’s forehead. “Now. To your feet. You’re not a servant, you’re a Countess. And not just any Countess. You are a Dracula. Please try to behave like one in public.”
The young vampire stood.
Smoothed her coat. Settled hat more firmly on her head.
And nodded. Determination reflected in her eyes and there was, Vasilja thought, something of that look she’d once seen in Dracula’s courtyard.
A look of power.
Tremendous and untapped power.
Which excited and terrified.
“I won’t let you down,” Senka said. Fierce.
“You never have.”
Imperious, Senka whirled on Freddy. Made him squeak and nearly drop his dagger. She pointed a long hand at him and held her head high. Said, ominous and deep; “Begin.”
“Yes, Miss.”
And he began.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Vasilja suppressed a smile as the old man began weaving together strings of obscenities. A long litany of heinous statements which cast doubts on the motives and methods of Christ’s birth.
On the sexual performance and preferences of God.
And the validity of Mary as a virgin.
His monologue crafted some of the most exquisite perversions that once or twice Vasilja even raised an eyebrow in surprise at the unholy priest’s imagination.
Soon, content that he’d blasphemed enough, the old man began to circle the woman on the table. Moved with lust in his hips and joyous disbelief on his face. Fingers twitching as he brushed her long hair.
