I closed my eyes and clapped my hands over my ears. ‘Too much! How can you stand this?’
‘Laura.’ Luc gripped my upper arms. ‘Open your eyes. Look at me, ma petite.’
His voice was calm, comforting. Slowly, I did as he asked.
‘Lower your hands and tune out all other sounds except the ones you want to hear; concentrate on those. Ignore everything else. Try.’
‘Is this how it was for Alec at first?’
He nodded. ‘All juveniles have to be trained to deal with sensory overload.’
Now it was my turn. I followed Luc’s instructions and tried to ignore all sounds except those in my immediate vicinity. It seemed to work.
‘Well done,’ he said.
Of course, he could hear my heartbeat as clearly as I could hear Jenny’s, and even Judy’s in the other room. And mine had calmed.
‘Now hum a favourite tune in your mind; carry it with you when you want to relax – it’ll help drown out everything else.’
I brought to mind a movie theme I’d always loved and hummed often to myself; a beautiful haunting melody – Adventures in Paradise. With the romantic theme running through my head, other sounds faded into a distant buzz until I forgot they were there. Yet I still retained an awareness of what was around me. This was what Alec must have meant when he’d spoken of vampire etiquette; the ability to tune out, especially when living in close proximity to others.
‘It’s working.’ I turned to Luc.
A beaming smile lit his face. ‘You’re a fast learner. Let’s try some more exercises.’
Jenny coughed. ‘Look, I’m going to get changed.’
I’d forgotten I was still in my swimmers with a towel wrapped around me. A small puddle of water had formed at my feet. ‘Oops, sorry Papa. I—’
He raised his hand, palm outwards and shook his head. ‘Don’t worry, ma petite, it was important you see me. Go get changed. I’ll wait.’
Jenny and I dashed down the stairs to the lower deck, and as we entered the corridor leading to our cabins, I grabbed her arm. ‘Don’t let Matt hear you, Jen. I don’t want him to know you’re here.’
She nodded, and we tiptoed past the room Luc had locked him in. Jenny continued to her cabin, but I paused outside his door—it was quiet. I used my newly developed skill to listen for his heartbeat. It was strong and steady. Perhaps he was lying on the bed plotting how to get out of there. I debating whether to knock. But then what? Ask if he wants a cup of coffee? Don’t be an idiot, Laura. What Matt wants, you can’t give him.
The bed creaked and footsteps padded toward the door. ‘Laura, is that you?’ he yelled.
Crap. He must have better hearing than me.
‘If you don’t let me out of here you’ll face serious charges.’
‘Sorry, Matt, I can’t.’
‘He’s planning to kill me. Are you complicit with that?’
‘No one’s going to hurt you, I promise.’
‘Then why am I locked in here?’
‘You threatened to arrest Alec.’ I ran to my cabin as he yelled and banged on the door. I tried to block him out, the way Luc taught me, yet his words hammered in my ears.
‘Laura, listen to me.’ Another bang on the door. ‘You can’t keep me here.’
As I dressed, I thought through the implications if I let him out. Would Luc keep his promise and not hurt him? And what could Matt do anyway? No one would believe him, and if Luc went through with his threat to use his influence, Matt could be demoted and shunted off somewhere remote. It would crush him. How could I let that happen?
I stepped into the corridor. Jenny stood there, grimacing. ‘We can’t hold him like this,’ she whispered. ‘What if he breaks the door down?’
‘Let’s hope he won’t,’ I whispered back.
‘Can’t Luc mesmerize him and send him home? Cause this isn’t good, hon.’
‘I know, Jen, I know. Only Alec can safely do that, and I’ve got no idea what time he’ll be back from the lab.’
‘I’m uncomfortable about this,’ she began slowly. ‘When you invited me here, I didn’t expect it would involve the police.’
I was suddenly afraid she’d want to leave, and I couldn’t blame her. But the danger wasn’t over yet; not until Rasputin and the other Rebels were caught.
We couldn’t stand out here and whisper. I clutched her arm, led her to my room and closed the door. ‘Neither did I. But it’s not the police, really – it’s only Matt.’
Incredulous, she folded her arms and looked at me. ‘Who are you kidding? He’s a cop.’
I bit my lip to stop the hysterical laugh that threatened.
‘Laura, this isn’t funny.’
‘I know, but I can’t help it. This whole situation, everything’s that happened to me since my birthday and now this.’ I waved my arm at the door.
Jenny’s eyes softened and she sighed. ‘I guess that’s as good a reason as any to lose it. I was so enjoying this holiday.’
We gazed at one another before Jenny laughed. I wished Alec would arrive and fix this mess. I toyed with the idea of contacting him, either telepathically or using my new-found hearing, but I didn’t want to disturb him. I knew he was perfecting the anti-white-oak serum. I glanced at the serpent ring. Its eyes pulsed a comforting scarlet. I wouldn’t disturb him.
‘C’mon, Jen, let’s get back. Luc’s waiting.’
In the corridor, I glanced at the other closed doors. Which room was Kari sleeping in? I tiptoed past Matt’s room. Once again I listened – no heartbeat. I turned and looked at Jenny. I could hear hers, why not Matt’s? Oh crap.
‘What’s up?’ she whispered.
‘Can’t hear his heartbeat.’
She paled, and her eyes widened. ‘Open it.’
‘How? Luc locked it. I don’t have vampire strength.’ I tried anyway, and the door opened. It shouldn’t have done that. ‘Matt?’ The room was empty. My stomach sank. Had Luc taken him? My head spun at the possibility. How could he do such a thing? He promised. My foot kicked something as I took a step into the room – a metal coat hanger, its hook unbent. I picked it up. Matt once mentioned he’d been shown how to pick a lock using a coat hanger.
A strange mix of relief and fear flooded through me. Relief that Luc hadn’t secretly taken him – and fear for Matt’s safety.
‘Jen, he’s picked the lock.’ I showed her the evidence.
‘Holy hell. If Luc finds out—’
‘I know.’ He’d go after him and.... I didn’t want to imagine the rest. I had to find him. Apart from Jenny’s heartbeat, the only other one I heard was Judy’s. Matt was no longer on board.
I dropped the coat hanger, dashed up the stairs to the next level and leaned over the railing facing the jetty. No sign of Matt. I listened for his car, but there were too many other sounds, and one car sounded much the same as another to me.
Jenny joined me, her heart beating fast from the exertion. ‘Don’t even think of going after him, Laura.’
‘Then what do you suggest?’
She shrugged. ‘Ring him. Talk to him.’
‘Luc’s got his phone. Took it from him when he locked him up.’
‘Shit!’ She paused. ‘You’ve got to tell Luc.’
‘No need; I heard.’ Luc leaned his arms on the railing beside me. Jenny squeaked in surprise. ‘I hoped to mesmerize him rather than use my contacts to keep him contained. Foolish young man.’ He sighed.
Young man? Matt was thirty-eight, but, to Luc, anyone under a thousand would be young. And foolish? Perhaps, as only an angry and hurt man who can’t let go could be.
The afternoon shadows had lengthened, casting dark silhouettes of the trees onto the house. Most of the scaffolding had already been removed, but what remained clung to the walls like the skeletal remains of a giant creature. It gave the place a forbidding air – ‘Here there be vampires’. Yet I knew the ones that lived within its walls posed less threat to humanity than the ones that lurked outside it. They we
re the real monsters; who chose to indulge their baser urges and who regarded humans as nothing more than fodder.
I shivered and automatically glanced at the serpent ring, Alec never far from my thoughts. It’s scarlet eyes blinked up at me. Stay safe, my love.
Jenny linked her arm through mine. ‘Forget about Matt for now, and let’s grab something to eat then maybe watch a movie. It’ll keep your mind off things for a while.’
Doubt it.
We sauntered back into the stateroom. Jenny picked through the extensive range of DVDs, while I couldn’t help wondering what Matt was up to. If he hated Luc and Alec before, what must he be feeling now? A sense of dread clutched at my heart, and despite Luc’s assurances I couldn’t dislodge the feeling.
Chapter 33 - Round Three To The Rebels
ALEC
People were about – strolling to cars, or loading shopping bags into the back of them. I couldn’t unsheathe my sword here. As if he sensed me following, Stockton stopped, turned and looked back. I ducked behind one of the concrete pillars. I heard him sniff. Had he caught my scent?
In a sudden burst of speed, he took off. I gave chase, but he kept to the populated streets, heading for the centre of the city – Hyde Park. Although lit by tree lights, there were many dark spots where Brethren could feed uninterrupted. If that was his intention, I was about to spoil it for him.
As I unsheathed my sword, I became aware of another, darker, presence – Rasputin.
In the shadows of the giant Morton Bay fig trees I stood, until I spied him on the stone seating that ringed the Archibald Fountain. A laughing group of humans passed, and his eyes narrowed into slits.
My hand tingled as I ran my thumb along the hilt of my sword.
He was choosing his prey. His hands, mere stumps covered by the black gloves he wore, rested on his lap. He would have difficulty grabbing his prey, unless Stockton helped. I smiled when I thought of the way he’d lost his hands and my chest swelled with pride – my Laura.
Stockton strode up to him.
They would be unaware of me; unaware of being observed until I strode into their midst. The Serpent Ring blocked their senses.
Now, I thought. I can take them both out.
My scalp prickled as Stockton said, ‘Is he here?’
Rasputin grinned and his gaze seemed to pinpoint exactly where I stood. ‘Yes. I can feel him. The others?’
‘Sacrificing themselves for you.’
‘As they should.’ He laughed.
Leading Marcus and Terens on a chase, I’ll be damned. I gripped the sword tightly, took stock of my surroundings – no humans around, and the moon behind clouds.
‘Come out, princeps. Let’s face one another,’ Rasputin said.
How the hell did he know? The serpent ring on my hand flared for an instant, and I didn’t need to look to know its eyes had turned black. My senses tingled as I picked up the presence of at least a dozen Brethren – not Principate supporters.
A trap, and I had walked right into it.
How many could I take out before they overpowered me? Even the strength of the Ingenii blood had its limitations. My hand tightened around my sword hilt, and I stepped out from the cover of the trees.
‘Princeps!’ Rasputin’s grin widened. ‘What a pleasure to see you again.’
‘Is it? Last time we met, you didn’t appear that thrilled.’ He’d been marched into a cage at sword point by Terens.
‘That was then.’ He spread his arms out then dropped them back onto his lap. A snide grin curled his lips. ‘Here we are now.’
Two Brethren joined him and Stockton. Behind me, I sensed four more, while six jumped down from the branches and stood, three by three, on either side of me. I smelled white-oak and caught the glint of the wolf’s-head ring on Stockton’s hand.
Time for backup, and there was only one way to do that without alerting present company. Laura, tell Luc to send backup. Now! Archibald Fountain, Hyde Park.
I sensed her fear; heard her calling Luc.
The circle around me closed.
Chapter 34 - Duck, Swipe And Slice
LAURA
‘Where is everyone?’ Kari flopped onto the sofa next to me. She smelled of jasmine and rose geranium, and her short, blonde spikey hair was wet – probably just stepped out of a shower.
‘Apart from Alec, everyone else is out chasing the bad guys,’ I said. Yes, I sounded petulant. I missed him.
As the sun had set, Luc had manoeuvred the yacht out into the harbour. Surrounded by water, we were virtually invisible to Brethren senses. Safe. Jenny and I were onto our second DVD. Earlier, we’d ordered Mexican for dinner. The empty containers were scattered on the coffee table. Neither of us felt like cleaning up. Kari’s nose wrinkled.
Jenny was leafing through a fashion magazine and only half watching the movie.
For the umpteenth time, I glanced at the serpent ring and wondered how Alec was, and if his experiments were working. Earlier this afternoon, its eyes had gone black, but then returned to red. I had no idea whether the danger sign had been for me – and Luc had averted it by knocking out Matt – or for Alec. Not for a minute did I believe Matt would hurt me, but then I’d thought the same of Jean-Philippe.
As I watched, the serpent’s eyes darkened until a pair of black orbs stared back at me. I sat bolt upright. My breath caught in my throat.
‘What’s up?’ Kari asked.
‘Danger! Look.’ I practically shoved the ring beneath her nose.
Kari shot to her feet, her pixie face tight with concentration, and looked around. ‘Can’t sense anyone on the boat apart from us, but with the water....’
Alec’s voice boomed in my head, Laura, tell Luc to send backup. Now! Archibald Fountain, Hyde Park.
‘It’s Alec!’ I raced for Luc’s room, calling out as I went.
Luc met me halfway. ‘What did he say, ma petite?’
‘Hyde Park, the Archibald Fountain. He needs backup. Now!’ I couldn’t get the words out fast enough. ‘What’s he doing there? I thought he was in his lab, at the hospital?’
‘An incident.’ He held his palm up, stared straight ahead and said, ‘Marcus, Alec’s in trouble. Hyde Park, Archibald Fountain. Meet you there.’
An incident. So the warning had been for Alec, not me.
‘Deus. I knew it. On my way.’ I heard Antonius’s voice as clearly as if he stood beside me.
‘What’s happening?’
‘No time to explain, ma petite. Stay here.’ He glanced behind me. ‘Kari, you’re on guard.’
‘I’m coming with you,’ I said.
‘No, stay here.’ He turned on his heel, sped down the stairs. By the time I followed, he was returning in a long, black coat strapping a sword to his side.
‘I’m coming.’ I blocked his way.
‘Laura, the danger.’
‘Please, Papa. I’ll go insane here waiting. If you refuse, I’ll grab Kari, and we’ll go regardless.’ I held my ground.
‘To put you both in harm’s way? Think Laura!’
‘But—’
He took me by the shoulders. ‘I said, no. Consider your mother. Would you leave her and your friend unguarded without Kari?’ Luc’s lips tightened.
‘No.’
‘That’s right, you haven’t thought of that. What if they were to come here and take your mother to use as leverage to hand you over? Do you think I could make such a choice?’ His voice had risen, and I couldn’t miss the flash of fear in his eyes.
I swallowed.
‘Don’t put me in that position, ma petite,’ he whispered. ‘I’ve only just gotten you back.’
I nodded. He was right. ‘Bring him safely home to me.’
‘I’ll bring him home.’ He kissed my cheek and sped past me up the stairs.
‘You okay, hon?’ Jenny asked as I trudged back up. There was concern in her warm, chocolate-brown eyes.
She and Kari stood there looking at me.
I shook my head, fighti
ng back tears of fear and frustration. Had Luc allowed me to go with him, I would’ve been a liability – a magnet to the Rebels and a hindrance to him and the men.
‘I can’t stand this!’ I closed my eyes and tried contacting him. A series of images flashed through my mind, but nothing coherent – trees, a statue spurting water, Rasputin. My heart rate doubled. ‘Alec, talk to me. What’s happening?’ I waited. Nothing. ‘Alec!’ I strained my hearing as far as it could take me and only received a jumble of sounds in return, but not the voice I longed to hear.
The sound of bare feet padding on the carpet and the scent of Chanel No.9 – Judy. ‘Luc told me.’ She grasped my ringed hand and stared intently at the serpent’s eyes before her gaze lifted to me. ‘As long as they stay glossy black, he’s alive.’
‘What colour do they turn when...?’ No way could I say the word “die.” My mind, let alone my tongue, wouldn’t let me.
‘Milky opaque.’ She clasped my hand between hers. ‘He’s alive. Hold onto that.’
‘Why can’t I get through to him, even telepathically?’
‘Remember the last time he didn’t answer? He didn’t want you worrying and everything turned out fine.’
I let out a pent-up breath. ‘I hate when this happens. And if he thinks this’ll stop me worrying, then he’s wrong.’ Please, let it turn out fine this time, too.
Judy nodded. For the first time, I noticed fine lines around her eyes and deepening ones ringing her mouth. Tendrils of grey snaked through her thick copper locks. The past couple of weeks had taken its toll. How much more in the weeks, or even months, that lay ahead?
A steely resolve took hold of me, and easing my hands from Judy’s, I faced Kari. ‘Teach me to fight.’
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