Godfrey stomped up to the front of the room, standing beside Darius. “No, thanks anyway, Lord Mayor. We’ll have no more of it. We’re sick and tired of the Cavaliers running our business. We want a commoner to lead us, and we want to act like a vampire is supposed to act. Am I making myself clear to you fine gentlemen?”
The lanky, dark-haired vampire jumped up. “We’ll have Godfrey as our new Lord Mayor. We can’t get much more common than that.”
A burst of laughter broke out around the tables, and then all the vampires were on their feet, chanting, “Godfrey is our Lord Mayor. Godfrey is our Lord Mayor.”
Godfrey snatched the gavel that Darius held in his left hand. “I’ll thank you to give me that, Your Lordship.” He pounded the gavel on the table. “I say vampires no longer have to drink only the blood of animals. If you see a human you fancy, enjoy him is what I say.”
Darius snatched the gavel back. As he hammered on the table for order, Elizabeth watched him. His anger was apparent from the stiffness of his back and the clenching of his square jaw, but he remained reasonable. “Will you listen,” he ordered. “Without rules, we’ll have nothing but chaos and be at the mercy of psychic vampire demons. As a demon slayer, I have the power to control them, but I need the cooperation of the immortal vampires.”
“Maybe we’ll make friends with them demons, and then we won’t need the likes of you to help us anymore,” Godfrey said. “All you’ve tried to do is make us out to be humans when none of us have been human for hundreds of years. You’ve gone too soft on them.” A deadly silence filled the room, and the silence suggested the others agreed with the words just spoken.
At that inopportune moment, the little dog Elizabeth had tucked underneath her cape gave a howl of protest and sprang from her arms. The entire group turned in her direction. She pushed back her hood, dropping her mask onto her lap, while she snatched up the dog and patted him to silence.
“Look here. It’s the fine lady what’s going to charm the king into protecting us immortals. Darius is no longer a vampire, and this one is ashamed to claim her vampire heritage. This fine countess is the one Darius expects us to count on. That’s not bloody likely to happen, is it?”
The noise from the crowd rose to a menacing buzz. Darius said, “Let’s not be so hasty. I’ve heard enough out of you, Godfrey. We’ll meet here at the George and Dragon in a fortnight and see how you all feel then. I’m asking you not to act rashly and leave the humans alone for the time being. Give me time to develop a plan on how to handle the demons. Remember, these are creatures of hell we’re dealing with, and no one should make deals with the devil’s own.”
The crowd broke up, and Darius rushed over to Elizabeth, grasping her by the hand, and then staring down at the mongrelized dog in her lap.
“What?” she asked.
“Where on earth did you get this strange little dog?”
“I don’t think he’s so peculiar.” The dog licked her wrist.
Darius changed the subject. “What did you think about the meeting?”
She clutched her dog as they walked out of the tavern, and Darius whistled for his carriage. It rattled up the street and stopped. The footman jumped down, helping them inside. Elizabeth tucked her skirts around her, and set the dog on the velvet-padded cushion. “The vampires are angry. I don’t think they intend to follow you anymore.”
“I know they aren’t going to listen. They’ve made that apparent. I have an impossible job to do and they’re making it harder. The psychic demon vampires must be defeated before they’ve completely infiltrated the royal court. I can’t fail this time.” He smacked one fist into the palm of his hand.
“I thought you wanted my help.” She watched the lines around his mouth tighten. She touched his arm. “You’re not alone in this.”
He gazed down at her with a vacant expression. “I do . . . I know. But the responsibility is on my shoulders, not yours.”
“I see.” She looked down at the dog and stroked him behind the ears.
“What are you going to do with him?”
“I’m going to keep him. I think I may have accidentally made him a vampire.”
“How can you have done such a thing? There’s never been an animal that’s become a vampire. It is true vampires can sometimes shape-shift into animals, but never the reverse. I don’t know what this means.”
She pulled the dog up close to her face. “You’re not responsible for everything that happens in the vampire world. Why don’t you let me worry about him? I can take care of it.”
Upstairs, Darius looked at her questioningly when they reached the antechamber to her apartments. “I think I should sleep alone,” she said. “We shouldn’t be together in that way again.”
He reached out a hand to her. “Elizabeth you can’t mean—”
“So long as I’m one of the unholy ones, we can’t be together. It’s wrong. It’s against nature. We never should have made love before. We must pretend it never happened.”
Darius put his hands around her waist and pulled her close. The kiss he gave her was long and hard, full of passionate memory of their previous lovemaking. She knew he was giving her notice he wasn’t going to forget, and he had no intention of letting her forget either. Abruptly, he dropped his hands to his side. He nodded and walked toward his own rooms.
She pressed her fingertips to her bruised lips, watching him walk down the hallway. What had she done? Darius was the only one in the world she could trust and she’d turned him away like an unruly servant.
At least she thought she could trust him. Why had she allowed that devil Buckingham to instill suspicion in her mind? Darius wanted her to protect Charles from becoming a vampire. He was a demon slayer now and his duty was to destroy the psychic vampire demons. He had no other quest for power.
She got ready for bed, placing the little dog on a feather pillow next to her bed. But this didn’t suit him, and he managed to leap onto her high bed. He snuggled up to her chin, licking the tears rolling down her cheeks. She hadn’t cried in so long, she’d thought she’d forgotten how. She pulled the dog close and whispered, “I’ll call you Charlie.” He gave a whimper, seeming pleased with his new royal name.
“Of course I trust Darius,” she said, planting a solid kiss on top of the little dog’s head. “I have no one else to trust.” The dog whined his agreement.
Chapter 11
Darius arrived at Elizabeth’s apartments unannounced the next evening. When he scowled at her, she faced him with her hands on her hips, tossing him a challenging look. “Well, I thought this is what you wanted. I don’t know why you look so grim.” He’d interrupted her in the middle of packing her things and preparing for the move to Whitehall. “Aren’t I supposed to protect the king from Buckingham?”
Confused by his own feelings, he hardly knew what to say. Of course the plan had been to have Elizabeth keep watch over Charles, but that had been before he had fallen so much in love with her. It was before he’d felt the satiny smoothness of her skin in the palms of his hands, before her heated passion had made him forget all other women he’d ever known when he was human. He couldn’t insult her by suggesting he didn’t trust her with the king. Besides, it wasn’t her he didn’t trust. It was well known throughout England there had never been a woman Charles couldn’t seduce.
He scowled. “Forgive me for worrying. It’s just the human Lord Mayor of London has declared he’ll find the person who murdered the apprentice-mason who was helping clear out the rest of the rubble in St. Paul’s Cathedral.”
“A human has been murdered? I didn’t know.”
“I heard about it this morning. He was bitten on the neck so hard his neck was nearly snapped in two and all the blood sucked out of his body. The mayor has vowed to find the culprit, no matter what the cost.”
“Do you think Godfrey did it?”
“It must have been him, or one of the other vampires. None feels compelled to forego human flesh any longer, even though it le
aves them wide open for total destruction. This means you’re in danger, too, Elizabeth. If they suspect you of being a vampire, they’ll show no mercy.”
“Remember, I don’t feed on humans, and I know how to be discreet.” She raised one hand and tried to smooth away the worried lines across his forehead. “I’m so sorry about the murder.”
He pressed his lips to her hand. “I’m afraid you’ll be in great danger at the palace.”
Elizabeth dropped her hand away from his face. He stiffened at the searching look she gave him.
“I’m not so certain that’s all you’re worried about.”
He stood a little straighter and straightened his already immaculate cravat. “What are you suggesting?”
“Perhaps you’re more concerned I might fall in love with the king. I think you’re jealous.”
He opened his mouth, ready to deny any such accusation, but then closed it abruptly. He couldn’t bring himself to deny her words. He saw her give a little smile and he suspected she might be pleased by his jealousy.
“He is the king and most women find him incredibly charming, and he’s not used to women refusing him anything he wants. It’s him I don’t trust-not you.”
She folded her last dress and put it in her trunk before facing him. “You must have faith in me. My duty is to protect the king from the psychic vampire demons. Besides, it’s already turned December. Have you forgotten what must happen before Christmas Day?”
“Do you really think I can forget you need to find a way to save your soul before then? So far, you haven’t managed to discuss your problem with any of the clergy, except for the one priest who dismissed you when you tried to talk about it.”
“There’s got to be some way to become human. Michael is the one who gave me that time frame for becoming human again once he saw how upset I was he made me a vampire. If I see him at the palace, perhaps he’ll tell me what to do.”
His mouth quirked up at the corner in a cynical expression, “Do you really think your former husband is going to help you? Isn’t he the one who made you a vampire in the first place? Isn’t he the one who wants to take you back to Prague as his wife?”
She gazed off in the distance and her mouth twisted into an expression of hurt he wished he could kiss away. “I married Michael because my parents let me know I wasn’t attractive enough to wait for marriage until I found someone I truly loved. They insisted he might be my last chance to marry. They never believed in me. They didn’t think I was pretty enough or smart enough to look to my own interests. It’s difficult when people have no faith in you.”
He put a hand on her arm. “Your parents were fools if they didn’t think you beautiful or smart. I understand why you married Michael, but why did he make you a vampire?”
“I know it’s no excuse, but I was turning thirty and had become vain about my appearance. Our beautiful little daughter had recently died with the rest of my family in a horrible fire. I feared growing older, but I feared dying even more. I saw the lives of my entire family lost in the blink of an eye. I didn’t want to live without them, but I was too terrified to die. I thought if I agreed to become a vampire, I’d never grow older and I wouldn’t have to face the finality of death.”
“I know what it’s like to be rejected. My parents left me at the Benedictine monastery when I was eight. I’ve never forgotten the guilt and shame I felt. I know what it’s like not to feel good enough, or strong enough. I feared the finality of death, too.” He squeezed her hand. “It will be all right. You never told Michael you wanted to be a vampire, did you?”
“No. I swear I never agreed to become one of them. I thought about it, but that’s all. That’s the only reason I still have hope of regaining my soul.”
He wrapped her in his arms. “Don’t worry. I’ll help you in any way I can.”
“Time moves so quickly. I can’t give up now. You’ve recaptured your soul, so you can’t understand what it means to me to know that, as I am, I can never see my loved ones who have passed on from this world before me. As an immortal vampire, I’m in limbo forever, living a life doomed to repeat itself eternally.”
“I was an immortal vampire, too, remember? But now I’m a demon slayer, and if my position can change, then so can your situation. I do want you to go to Whitehall. It’s important to protect the king, but you must be careful.”
She nodded. Her funny-looking, longhaired dog whined and leaped up into her lap, sinking down into her massive petticoats. Elizabeth laughed and rubbed her own nose against his black button nose. “Don’t worry. Charlie will watch out for me.”
“Are you sure it’s wise to take him with you?”
“Of course, I’m taking him. What harm can he do?”
“You’ve made him into a vampire dog. What if he gives you away? He doesn’t know how to be careful if he needs to feed.”
She gently petted the little dog’s ears. “He won’t tell. I’ll keep a close watch on him.”
When she’d completed her packing, he rang for a servant to fetch her trunks down to the coach. He heard the steady beating of her heart when he pulled her to his broad chest once more, holding on tightly.
While they waited for the carriage to arrive, he spoke in her ear, “Be careful, darling, the court was a dangerous place even before it became infested with psychic vampire demons. This age has become twisted and decadent. You’ll find many who wish you evil, even though they are just humans.”
“I know my way around humans, too. I was one once, remember?” She gave him a searching look.
He smiled, but he knew he didn’t fool her. He knew his fear and worry were etched onto his face even when she said, “I’ll be fine.”
“Things could go so wrong, Elizabeth. Although I can get to you quickly if you’re in danger, it might not be fast enough. Watch out for Castlemaine and her cousin, Buckingham, as well as Sir Michael Horbury. You will have more enemies than you can count at the palace.” He knew he had to let her go, but it was hard; it was very hard.
She pressed her cheek against his and wrapped her arms around his neck. “Don’t you think there will be anybody I can trust?” She smiled, and he knew she was trying to tease him out of his intense fear.
“I’m afraid there will be too few to count. The only two I know for certain you can depend on are the Duke and Duchess of Denham. Promise me you’ll be careful.”
“I promise.” She picked up her fan, muff, and gloves from the Chinese lacquered table in the corner. “I may not be a demon slayer, but one thing I know is how to take care of myself.” She stood on tiptoe and kissed his cheek.
Chapter 12
Darius took Elizabeth’s arm and walked her down to the courtyard. He waved and she leaned out the window, waving her gloved hand, while the little vampire dog peered out, wagging his plumed tail.
She’d no sooner disappeared from view than Godfrey sidled up to him. “I’ve got to speak with you, Your Lordship.”
“I thought you wanted nothing further to do with me,” Darius said in a dismissive tone, turning away.
“Well, that’s all changed now, hasn’t it?” He gave Darius an ingratiating smile. “Can we go inside and sit down?”
Something in Godfrey’s voice made Darius pause. With a slight bow and a wave of his hand, Darius gestured him inside. “Bring us two bottles of sack,” he said to Beth when she came over.
The two men sat in chairs by the fireplace. The fire wasn’t lit because the evening was unseasonably warm, even though the weather would soon be changing with winter coming fast upon them. Beth returned carrying the dusty green bottles. She stood by with unabashed curiosity on her lightly freckled face, handing each a bottle. Darius uncorked one bottle and tilted his head back, letting the liquid pour down his throat. He had to give her a gesture of dismissal before she turned bright red, spun around, and left.
Godfrey watched Darius finish off his own bottle, in, what appeared to be envy. Unconcerned, Darius picked up the one that was supposed to
belong to Godfrey and drank that one, too.
“Sometimes I tire of warm, liquid meals,” Godfrey confessed. “Does that taste as good as it looks? What I wouldn’t give for a drink of ale or wine, along with a huge slab of roast beef.”
“It’s actually better than it looks.” He took one last deep swallow. “To what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?”
Godfrey’s forehead furrowed, and his eyes narrowed even closer together than usual. “It’s the Lord Mayor of London.”
“What’s he done?”
“He’s gone and called for a witch hunter to come to London.”
“Pray what for?”
“Another three humans have been attacked, and the deaths appear suspicious to these bloody Londoners.”
Darius slammed his fist down onto the table. “So four people have been murdered? Didn’t I warn you the people wouldn’t stand for it? The London population has already been decimated by plague, fire, and war. They’ll not tolerate vampire attacks.”
“I guess you knew better than all of us commoners. But you’ve got to help us now.”
“Must I? What can I do? It sounds like you’ve already done enough. I imagine the witch hunter knows enough about vampires to round them all up in London.”
“It’ll likely be the end of us,” Godfrey said in a nasal whine. “You’ve got to tell the other immortal vampires to stop killing the humans.”
“Where were the last three victims found?” Darius tried to mask his fear. Godfrey was probably right, and this would be the end of the London vampires. He’d been an immortal vampire for too long not to care if they were all destroyed just because of one weasel-like vampire’s bad advice.
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