A Clockwork Victim

by Quinn Langston

  Suddenly the severed body parts began to ooze and quiver, moving toward each other as quickly and surely as magnets. With small sucking sounds, the pieces rejoined. For a moment Josephine’s completed body lay still, then began to quiver, in a rippling spasm of reanimation.

  Chapter Thirteen

  The trio stood dumbfounded at the sight as Josephine jumped to her feet. She shook back her stained clothes and gave Marcus and Sebastian a triumphant glare. She whirled and dashed out the side door, before any of them could react.

  The first to recover at the astonishing sight, Theo affixed her lavender glassicals quickly to her face. In a race of vampire speeds, Theo couldn’t keep up but she could at least trace the vampire’s afterimage. “Quick! I can see her. Out that door. There is the train station on that side.” She pointed. “Go!”

  “After her!” Marcus led the way. They sprinted out of the church. Josephine would surely attempt to screen herself in a crowded area. Even with her now-filthy men’s garb, she could blend in and hide, a particular talent of hers. There was a train station across from the church, a perfect place to hop a train and be gone. They raced across the street and into the train station.

  “We’re losing her,” Marcus shouted behind him. Pushing into the crowd, they stood and stared from side to side.

  The space was crowded with women carrying babies and parcels, men strolling with newspapers to read, soldiers ogling pretty girls, flower sellers, pickpockets, children. People came for the entertainment of seeing the beautiful engines, brightly painted and frighteningly powerful. It was as if humanity was bumbling about purposely to keep a barrier in front of Marcus and his friends. One passenger express had just finished loading and the platform near it was clearing.

  “All aboard!” The blue-coated conductor waved and stepped back on the coach steps. “All aboard.” A final tardy passenger hopped on. A gush of black smoke raised from the funnel smoke stack.

  “Wait! There she is.” Theo spotted her with her vampire detection glassicals. She pointed to the empty platform just as Josephine leapt down on the tracks and hurried around the locomotive engine, hidden from the boarding side of the train.

  Cushhh.

  Marcus could hear the steam engine locomotive was building up pressure for departure. He scrambled down onto the tracks after her. It would be only moments before it gathered the steam, steel drivers pushed into motion and the giant began to make its way down the tracks.

  Cushhh.

  Dark coal smoke, steam and rubbish swirled around the engine with every puff of gathering energy. Anything could happen. The wheels were huge, twice as tall as a man, glistening steel smelling of hot black grease. It was a place of many dangers. People might see them all for what they were. But it was also a place of many distractions. He must kill her before they were no longer hidden by the train.

  “Josephine! Wait!” To Marcus’s surprise, she stopped. Inches from the wheels, she was carelessly too close to the drivers. “Please!”

  Marcus knew danger meant nothing to her. She turned to face him. She had wrapped her long scarf around her neck to disguise the gaping wound Theo had carved. She put her hand to her throat.

  “Escape with me, Marcus. I love you more in this vampire life than I ever did before. You have given me power. Freedom. Come with me.”

  She had tears in her eyes. She looked almost sane. Her once lovely hair raised in the gusts of heat. Marcus stepped closer, hands outstretched.

  Cushh.

  With each puff, the wheels slipped a few inches like horses on a tight rein, proof that the energy was straining to be let loose. The steam puffed hot blasts and the wind swirled beneath the platform where they stood. A gust caught her long scarf. The wool whipped and entangled the ends through a spoke of the wheel. The train lurched and started to roll slowly forward. Josephine’s body and head were yanked back against the wheel.

  “Marcus! Save me!” Josephine pleaded and screamed. “I love you!” She clawed at the tightening wool and fell closer to the wheel. The wheels were turning slowly now, but gaining speed. “Help me!”

  “I’ve loved you, Josephine.” Marcus lunged forward and grabbed her about the waist. He held her close and reached into his jacket. He looked deeply into her eyes. “But, I’ve made a mistake. I’m sorry.”

  He pulled out his regimental dagger and severed her head just as the train wheels pitched forward, gaining speed. Three swift strokes, as sure as his trained surgeon’s hand could make them, took the head off cleanly, even through the spinal cord.

  It was so quick the light in her eyes had not faded as he dropped the head. It fell directly on the track. The hair and scarf caught and was the first part to be pulled under the moving steel. The skull popped like an over-ripe pumpkin.

  Marcus shoved the rest of her body under the wheels as rapidly as possible, running a little to keep up with the slowly building speed. He hurriedly secured his knife under his jacket and ran back to join Sebastian and Theo on the empty platform.

  Sebastian held a hand out to help him back up onto the platform. Marcus scrambled up next to his friends, turned and looked back just as they all saw more of her skull and body crush under the wheels again. Sebastian pulled Theo’s face into his chest. “Don’t look.” He held her head tight against him. “Don’t look. It will be over soon.”

  With every turn of the wheels, the rest of Josephine’s body was pounded into a mire of bloody pulp and black dirty grease from the tracks. There was nothing left to identify or point a finger at Marcus. If investigated, this would be an anonymous case of suicide, perhaps, not uncommon in the times and this place. The express speeded up, car after car passing over the remains.

  “We’ve got to get out of here before anyone sees us.” Stepping away from Sebastian’s protection, Theo tugged at both men’s elbows. “Let’s go!” The trio fled up the steps and back out into the streets. Horrified screams of women and men alike echoed from behind them as they disappeared into the darkness.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Theo sat at the top of the tor near the folly on the manor grounds. Arms clasped around her knees, she watched the early morning sunrise. As hard as she tried, no sleep came through the night. After several long hours of attempting to force rest, she struck out to walk over the manor grounds. She needed to see the light wash away the darkness of the night before, order her thoughts and make some life-changing decisions.

  The manor seemed like such a world away from the things she had come to experience in the city. Pinks and purples and faint orange smudged together to greet her and wash over her the cleansing of a new day’s light. Another new beginning. She closed her eyes and threw her head back, willing the warmth of the sun to kiss her face. How her life had changed so in such a short period of time. There was no going back to her old life. No choice even if she wanted to.

  Sebastian had given her so much. She was grateful. She was comfortable with him. Safe. She opened her eyes and watched the lovely sunrise melt, shifting and changing like a painting she had seen once in Switzerland as an apprentice clockmaker. She would accept his offer and stay here at the manor on a permanent basis. It felt right. It actually felt like home at this point.

  Theo leaned back on her palms and regarded the city. Such a tiny dirty speck on the distant horizon that had changed her life so drastically. Sebastian offered and supported the one thing that was paramount in her life, freedom. With freedom came independence and unbridled restriction for her creativity. For her inventions. She would rebuild her steam-powered velocipede and many more wonderful things in his notebook, and in hers. No doubt. They were a good team. She was not sure how Marcus fit in just yet, but he had proved himself by killing Josephine and in not harming her. Theo was warming to him.

  She stood and brushed at the morning dew and stray grass on her trousers, shaded her eyes and looked up at the folly. Such a costly ornamental stone structure
with no practical purpose. A façade to prove that the land was a stronghold, a fortress that shan’t be challenged. Sebastian had given her a great deal of purpose. The building made her think of how no matter the challenge, with Sebastian the outcome had always been of the greatest magnitude in purpose.

  Theo turned her back on the city and started down the hillside. She made her way down the steep slope in quick time. Less than two miles to the manor house proper she arrived just in time to smell the scent of lovely bacon drifting from the open kitchen door at the back of the house. Not wanting to disturb the servants at their morning task she did not enter but lingered to enjoy the morning fragrances of breakfast while she cleaned the grass and mud from her boots. As she leaned against the stones and scraped at each boot she could overhear and see the servants through an open door chatting about last night.

  As habit, Mr. Sneed would read the paper to the staff after Sebastian had finished with it. Today it seemed the headlines were just too juicy to resist reading while ironing the paper in preparation for Sebastian’s breakfast table. Theo overheard Helen and Mrs. Browne nattering away about all that had happened last night. There really was no need for her to keep a diary, her adventures were constantly in the paper.

  “Right there in the church. St. Mary’s would you believe? Me son was baptized there.” Theo could see out of the corner of her eye Mrs. Browne cross herself.

  “Serves him right,” Cook chimed in. “No better than the rest of us he was. Now that him and his cronies’ secrets are out about the disgusting goings-on at that secret club the Brimstone and that whore house—House of Pleasure, my aunt Fanny, you’d think people would start to act like God-fearing people. It were God that struck him down. I’m telling ye.” She beat the bowl of batter with renewed spirit.

  “I’m just glad that the police have caught the killer…or at least discovered what was left of him.” Mrs. Browne leaned forward and lowered her voice to a proper scandalized tone. “They say he was found crushed to death under the train tracks…and all that was found was some bits and bobs of clothes that the coppers matched to the clothing the killer used to string up that sinnin’ evil-doer.” Mrs. Browne crossed herself again. “Swingin’ right there on Jesus’ chest. Holy Mary Mother of God.”

  “They say they scraped what was left off the train tracks and burned it all,” Susan Sneed, the scullery maid, commented. “All in the train wheels, it were. Drippin’ like red icicles.”

  “Susan! We’ll have no more of this. Mr. Sneed can read us more later. We must get the rest of the breakfast up to his lordship and guests.” Cook tore herself away from the entertainment to place the items for Theo’s breakfast on the tray. “Miss Theo will be back from her walk soon. Dear little thing.”

  So the police thought Josephine was the killer and realized that she was now dead. This was good. Very good indeed. She needed to get to the table to see how Sebastian regarded this outcome.

  Theo turned and hurried to the side door into the manor and up the steps to the morning/breakfast room. She checked herself at the entrance and composed her demeanor as best she could while still in the hallway. She smoothed her hair and clothes as she looked into the mirror by the door. She was glad she had taken a bath the night before. In fact she couldn’t wait to dive into the hot water and allow it to sear the evil of the night from her skin.

  Hot baths were a real bonus of the manor. She could still smell the faint scent of lilac and lavender in her hair from the soap. Foregoing even food last night for the bath, now she was famished.

  “Good morning, Sebastian. Marcus. Sleep well?” She entered and made her way directly to the heavily laden buffet side board. “It seems again I am the last to arrive to breakfast. Please forgive my tardiness.” Both men rose to greet her. Manners never forgotten.

  “No forgiveness necessary, my dear Theo. In fact, I did not even expect you to come down this morning. I fully intended on sending a tray to you whenever you awoke,” Sebastian responded.

  “Good morning, Theo. Did you sleep well knowing our city’s finally safe again?” Marcus jumped right into the subject Sebastian seemed to be easing into.

  “Actually, I did not sleep at all. I did arise early and walked the property and to the top of the great tor. I watched the sunrise.”

  “Ah. A lovely sight from that spot on the manor. You must try it sometime, Marcus.” Sebastian nodded at Marcus, still trying to keep things civilized. “Did you enjoy the view? It can be most spectacular.” He addressed his attentions back to Theo.

  “It was. Truly.” Theo settled herself at the table with her plate full of bacon, scones, eggs, sausages and rows of toast. Cook and Mrs. Browne seemed to produce more each day, as if for a family instead of one small woman.

  The men reseated themselves. A large crystal serving jar of marmalade sat in front of Theo’s chair, paired with a matching service of clotted cream. Theo took a long sip of her tea and settled the cup. “I have come to a decision, Sebastian. I want to accept your offer to stay at Blackmoor Manor. Permanently, if your offer still stands.”

  For a moment, all sound seemed to leave the room and her words seemed to hang in the air as they sank into the men’s consciousness. Sebastian jumped to his feet so quickly he knocked his chair. It toppled backward to the ground with a loud crash. The clatter brought Matthews, the footman, to the door in alarm.

  “Theo, this is marvelous news!” He leaned over Theo and scooped her up in his arms, in an exuberant show of affection. He twirled her around the breakfast room and landed her back on her feet. Even through his jacket, Theo could feel his body’s warmth. Maybe, just maybe, did she hear his heartbeat? How this could make him so truly happy pleased her very much. Sebastian held her hands tight.

  “So many things we can create and design! We’ll expand the smithy and your workshop. We’ll…” Sebastian was still holding her hands as he was babbling plans he had obviously been considering for some time. She knew his mind never stopped. She should have realized he already had a plan.

  “Sebastian.” Theo smiled and joined him in laughter at their mutual joy. “Slow down. There is plenty of time to do all this.”

  “Theo, this is brilliant news, as only this morning, Marcus has agreed to stay with us at the manor permanently. We shall embark on many new adventures together. We shall be the league most extraordinaire!”

  Epilogue

  The Indian Jungle 1852

  “Dark Mother, Kali Ma, who is beyond time. Giver and destructor of life. You who are the primordial mass from which all life arose.” The Indian Vampire Priest spoke. “Om Klim Kalika-Yei Namaha. Kali Ma, oh mistress of life and death come to me. You who are the Mother of all assist your vampire children.”

  “Om Krim Kali. Om Krim Kali. Om Krim Kali.” In hypnotic harmony, the rest of the choir of dark angels softly chanted the mantra in the background.

  “Life waters from the Ganges.” The priest held up a vessel to the black velvet sky that cloaked them deep in the jungle. The collection of diamond stars winked back in cosmic approval. He poured the water into a cauldron resting on leaping flames.

  “Accept our offerings of blood, water and the dust of your earth to bring this vampire back to life,” the priest continued.

  One by one each vampire circled the kettle. Firelight glinted and flashed off ancient daggers. With a quick slash of the wrist, each allowed their blood to drop into the mixture. As they moved away, each smeared his bloody wrist over his face and continued to chant. “Om Krim Kali. Om Krim Kali. Om Krim Kali.”

  Another vampire stepped forward and handed the priest a pouch. “We beg your favor to restore our loved brother to our world.” He poured the contents of the pouch into the boiling waters. “We beg your favor to transform the dust that is left of our brother.” The contents began to bubble and seethe within the vessel. Luminescent purple liquid shot off sparks of energy. It crackled and seemed to speak. T
hick bubbles popped and splattered.

  A violent gust of wind surrounded the men in a swirl of energy and extinguished the fire. The men dropped to their knees and bowed their heads, then prostrated themselves on the earth, arms outstretched in supplication. Kali appeared before them, as the swirl of wind tightened and took female form. The dark goddess with blazing red eyes stood, arms raised.

  Kali was more beautiful than any mortal woman could ever hope to be, beauty beyond describing, beyond the imagination of humanity. Her skin was a velvety blue; a garland of skulls circled her neck: she inspired awe, reverence and wonder. One hand held a mighty sword, the other, a severed skull. Two more arms came from her shoulders, hands empty for action, to make the gestures to give or to take away. She was magnetic with power, radiating the compulsions of love, and sex, and death. She was The Mother, to be loved and respected. Jewels glittered in the sullen light, outlining her head in a glowing crown. Long earrings dangled to her shoulders; it was as if she was clothed in the blaze of jewels. She turned and gazed at the supplicants.

  Slowly, Kali lifted the scalding pot. She drank the contents, tossing the enormous cup to the ground. Bending, she blew into the dusty ground, her breath transforming into the form of a man. A blond man lay naked, curled like a baby at the great Kali’s feet.

  About the Author

  Quinn Langston writes novels and short stories of horror and supernatural suspense. A Clockwork Army is the first in the Steampunk series: Vampire Extraordinaire

  Quinn has loved vampires, Steampunk and Victorian England since before it was cool. Previously living in Chesterfield in the isolation of the North of England and traveling the UK contributed to unbridled imagination of the most gothic of horrors and monsters. Quinn currently lives in Austin, Texas with the bats and five cats.