The loss of their leader’s direction created confusion amid the demons. Darius sensed their panic, and he feared them more, because without Julian, they were mindless, evil creatures who could harm him worse than ever. Two of the demons fanned their wings over Julian to put out the flames of energy rolling off their fallen leader. The remaining six psychic vampire demons scrabbled over one another, heading in Darius’s direction.
He shot flames at them, hitting two more demons, still, the others continued to close in. One formed the hideous skull-like creature he’d come to dread, but before it could engulf him, Lance woke up, snapping and snarling, he leapt from the ground, diving into the throat of the demon aimed at Darius. In the confusion, Darius hit two more demons, leaving one attacking demon remaining.
During the commotion, Julian came to consciousness, giving a hideous, gurgling howl, which caused the last fighting demon to spin around and head back to his master. In a distorted cloud formation, the demons disappeared into the putrid-colored sky.
Lance and Darius stared at one another, transfixed, as though hardly believing what they’d witnessed. It was beyond otherworldly, it was the essence of nightmares. Rain pelted down, quenching the flames Darius and Julian had created.
Darius recovered his senses. “I thank you once again for coming to my rescue.”
Lance changed back into human form. “You owe me nothing. We shape-shifters believe in doing what’s right.” He gave Darius a questioning look, whose wounds were bleeding, while his skin blistered bright red. “Are you certain you’re all right?”
Darius put his right hand to his throat, staunching the bleeding. He then ran his hands over his arms and shoulders, and the wounds showed signs of knitting together. “My self-healing is already beginning. I want you to know if I can assist your shape-shifters in any way, don’t hesitate to call on me.”
“We take care of our own, but time is passing quickly for Elizabeth. Christmas morning will soon be here.”
Darius grimaced. “Yes, I know. I’m going to the inn to find her.”
“I’ll see you again, my friend. If you have need of me, call like this.” Lance tipped back his head and yowled in such an unearthly way the hairs on Darius’s arms stood on end.
“I will, although perhaps I won’t sound so authentic.” Darius watched Lance change back into a wolf. His thoughts immediately flew back to Elizabeth, and he glided through the darkness so fast his feet scarcely touched the muddy ground. He prayed he wouldn’t be too late. The chill wind blew away the eerie cloud formations, and now a black mist hung over the narrow streets and alleys.
Chapter 34
Darius entered Elizabeth’s bedchamber. She paused in the middle of her pacing to look up at him. Her dark red hair feathered wildly around her face, and her skin glowed ghostly white in the flickering candlelight.
“Are you all right?” she gasped, running to him and touching his bandaged neck before running her fingers gently along his wounded back.
He felt the power of her healing touch shoot through his body and his wounds stopped stinging. “I’ll be fine now. I checked on King Charles and he’s tucked away sleeping in another room. He’s wearing a disguise that won’t fool Julian, but it might trick others.
“Darling, I’ve been so worried about you. I couldn’t live without you.” Tears slipped down her cheeks. “Julian’s still alive?”
He hated to hear the disappointment in her voice. “Our powers are too evenly matched, but I wounded him. I promise you I’ll find a way to destroy him.”
Darius looked out the window, and even though late afternoon, it was already dark outside with heavy, gray clouds scudding across the sky. Thank God the eerie storm Julian had seemed to conjure had past. The sounds of Christmas Eve celebrants at the inn drifted from downstairs in the great hall, and he heard a fiddle playing along with the clicking of dice thrown across the tabletop.
“I know you’ll find a way.” She spoke quickly. “How is Lance? He wasn’t hurt was he?”
“Lance is safe. He proved a loyal friend once again.”
Elizabeth put her head against his shoulder, allowing him to hold her close. “Tomorrow is Christmas Day and my last chance to regain my soul.”
He cupped her face in his hands. “You mean more to me than anyone in the world and I’ll let nothing stand in the way of helping you recover your soul.” He kissed her and hugged her like he never wanted to let her go.
“I believe in you.”
She spoke with such simple faith it stabbed at Darius’s heart. He hated to remind her of Amelia’s leaving, but he knew he must. “The vampires already have two wagons ready to leave for Southampton. Are you up to seeing them off?”
“Of course I am. The question is will you be all right?” She lightly ran her healing fingertips along his wounds again.
He sat down and pulled her next to him. He pressed his face against her hair, breathing in the sweet scent, kissing the silken strands. She smelled of honey and lavender, and something more, something musky and passionate. “Don’t worry about me. As long as I’m with you, I’ll always be fine.”
He covered her mouth with his own, and the kiss drew them together in a bond of love he never wanted to break. Abruptly, she twisted away from him. He saw her trying to hide her fangs that had appeared.
“Do you need to feed?” he asked.
She stood and fisted her hands on her hips. “No, I’m never feeding again, no matter what happens this night.”
“You must feed.”
“I have no intention of succumbing to the bloodlust on this holy eve, or any other day, for that matter.”
“If you remain a vampire, you have to feed or die.”
“Then let me die.” She dropped to the floor, burying her face in her hands, choking back a sob. “Please let me die.”
He dropped down beside her, enfolding her in his arms. “I’ll never let you leave me. Our life together is just beginning, and that is one thing I know for certain. We have until midnight tomorrow to save your soul.”
She looked up at him with tears in her eyes. “But what if it’s too late, my love?”
“It’s never too late.” He pulled her to her feet. “Get dressed, Elizabeth. Here are some clothes from the footman. He has small feet so I think the boots will fit. We’ve much to do tonight. You’ll be more comfortable in men’s clothes for what needs to be done.”
She wiped her eyes with the backs of her hands and took the clothes from him. “You’re right. It can’t be too late.”
Stepping behind the Chinese lacquered screen while she dressed allowed him only glimpses of her head and neck. She bent over and he imagined her putting on the cotton breeches, and he squirmed at the image. When she came out, Darius helped her tie her cravat.
“The knee-high boots are slightly big, but I think I can still walk in them.”
“There now, you make quite a presentable young lad.”
She gave a tremulous smile.
He helped her tuck her thick hair beneath the tri-cornered hat. He stepped back. A few wisps of red hair escaped her hat and fell across her cheeks and the back of her neck. She was still stunning, even in the clothes of a footman. He kissed the curve of her neck, and felt her tremble at his touch, her lavender eyes darkening to a royal purple in the candlelight.
The silence grew more maddening. He heard the throbbing pulse of her blood and his passion rose. He took pity on her and released her, while she desperately tried to cover her elongating teeth with her lips.
To break the mounting tension, he said, “I must check on the king.” Turning on his heel, he walked down the hallway to the king’s bedchamber. He found Charles in bed snoring quite loudly.
Elizabeth met Darius in the hallway. “How is he?”
“He’s sleeping like a royal baby.”
“That’s good then. May we go see Amelia now?”
“I asked her to keep the caravan at Fishmonger’s Hall until we got there. If we hurry, we won’
t miss them.”
Outside the inn, he whistled for his carriage, which arrived immediately. The sky remained that unusual shade of green and jagged bolts of lightning shot across the sky in rapid succession, while thunder grumbled. Darius suspected this meant the demons’ power was increasing.
They arrived on Thames Street just when the two large gypsy wagons were preparing to cross London Bridge. Elizabeth dashed over to Amelia, who sat on the driver’s seat in the first wagon, dressed in an outfit almost identical to Elizabeth’s own attire.
“Well done, lad.” Elizabeth climbed up into the wagon and kissed Amelia on both cheeks.
Tears in her eyes, Amelia clutched Elizabeth’s hands. “I feared you weren’t going to make it in time to say good-bye. Will you be all right?”
“Yes. I’ll be fine, except I’ll miss you so much. I pray you, too, will be safe.”
“Dearest friend, you can’t imagine how I’ll miss you, too.” Amelia rose up in her seat and appeared to scan the area in both directions, as though searching for someone.
Darius stepped up and kissed Amelia. “You’ll be much safer once you get into the Carpathian Mountains.”
“But will you both be safe here?” Amelia looked up at the threatening sky. She drew in a breath of the sulfurous air. “The sky smells of Julian’s damnation.”
“We’ll take care of Julian and his minions.” Darius put his hand on the hilt of his sword.
“Don’t worry about us,” Elizabeth said. “Just be safe. Send us a message when you get to safety.”
Another spear of lightning sizzled through the sky, and the thunder boomed louder. Godfrey, who drove the second wagon, shouted out, “If we’re going to make it to Southampton and our ship, then we’d better get going now, before witch finders or demons start after us.”
“I don’t say this often, but Godfrey’s right. You had best leave now,” Darius said.
Elizabeth clutched her friend once more. “I’ll not forget you.”
“You’d better not,” Amelia said with a smile, “because we are surely destined to meet again, my little sister.”
Before she stepped down, Sir Michael Horbury clambered out from the back of the wagon. “I’m staying.”
Elizabeth jumped. “Michael, why would you stay when it’s so dangerous?”
“You might need my help.”
Darius put an arm around her waist. “She’s got me to protect her.”
Removing his arm from her waist, she said, “I’m quite capable of taking care of myself. I’m not the helpless creature you both imagine.”
Amelia clapped her hands together and laughed. “You tell them, darling. I’d pit you against Julian anytime.”
“Thank you. Good-bye, my friend.” She hugged Amelia.
Elizabeth and Darius watched the wagons move away. They waved until the wagons lumbered across the bridge. Darius noticed Elizabeth smile when she saw the ratty little dog, Charlie, and the king’s spaniel, Custard, now vampire dogs, poking their heads out from the wagon’s tarp and yapping until the wagons disappeared. She blew a kiss in their direction.
Suddenly, a strong gust of wind blasted them in the face. Lightning flashed and the thunder cracked even louder. Rain pelted down. Darius grabbed her by the arm and they raced to the carriage, while the windblown rain slapped them in the face. Annoyed, he discovered Sir Michael climbing into the carriage right behind them.
They rode back to the Boar’s Head Inn in an uncomfortable silence, with only the roar of the storm to keep them company.
Chapter 35
After returning to Darius’s apartments, Elizabeth felt a chill bone-deep even for a vampire. She moved close enough to the fireplace to make her wet clothes steam. Michael stood with an appearance of studied casualness at her right side. She wondered what had possessed him to come back with them. They remained awkwardly silent, even after Darius left them alone when he went to check on the king.
Finally, Michael spoke. “I did a lot of thinking in the Tower. There’s something I need to tell you.”
“Then tell me.”
“It’s about the fire that killed our daughter and your family.”
She turned on him. “You knew how the fire started and you never troubled to tell me?”
He backed away. “I wanted to tell you, but I was afraid I’d put you in more danger. I didn’t know what you might do if you knew what really happened.”
She struggled to hold back tears that seemed sealed within her heart. “Our daughter, my sister, and my parents, died a horrible death, and you kept from me how it happened?”
“Listen. The vampire who made me was angry because I refused to join with him in killing others. He knew I was married to you, and so he killed your family and our daughter as revenge. He actually thought you were inside the house at the time, too.”
Elizabeth stood and stared. Her knees buckled on her, and she would have collapsed if Michael hadn’t cupped her elbow to keep her from falling. “You let a vampire kill my entire family, and yet, you still made me one, too. What kind of monster are you?”
“Will you listen? I made you a vampire because I thought I could protect you that way. I knew you’d be defenseless against the vampire if you remained human. I didn’t know you’d run away. I thought you were honestly interested in becoming a vampire. It wasn’t until after I’d made you I realized how awful it was for you.”
Her mind rushed back to that time so long ago when her entire life had been shattered in one blow. That horrific time when she’d lost her entire family and her husband had betrayed her. Pain ravaged her as though it had only happened a moment before. “Why tell me now? You’ve only made everything worse.”
Michael looked devastated. “I didn’t mean to. I thought knowing what happened would comfort you. I hoped you’d find it in your heart to forgive me.”
At a loss for words, she felt grateful for the distraction when Darius returned. But her relief was short-lived when she saw him standing in the entryway with the cords on his neck bulging, and looking pale as a vampire.
“Whatever has happened?” she asked.
“The king’s not in his room. He’s gone.”
“Gone? Could he have gone back to the palace?”
“No, the room showed signs of a struggle.”
“Julian?” Michael asked.
“It must be him,” Darius said.
A bolt of lightning lit up the room, and thunder caused the windows to rattle. The stench of sulfur was suffocating. Elizabeth coughed. “What do we do now?” The look in Darius’s eyes made her heart pound so hard the sound of her own blood thundered in her ears.
He took her by the arm. “Stay here.”
“You’re not leaving me behind.”
When he looked like he was ready to argue, she stuck out her chin belligerently. “Fine,” he said, “let’s go then.”
“What if we’re too late?” she gasped out, struggling to keep up with Darius’s long strides.
“We won’t be too late. Right now, it’s me Julian wants. He’s using Charles as bait. He’ll deal with the king once he’s destroyed the only demon slayer who can challenge him.”
Elizabeth caught him by the wrist. “He’ll not destroy you while I have breath left in my body.”
“Thank you, my darling. I will move heaven and earth to protect you, too.” He turned to Michael. “You don’t have to come with us. It will be dangerous.”
Elizabeth prayed Michael would stay behind.
“Try and stop me.” He followed them outside.
Darius led them to the carriage, which sped away quickly. She didn’t trouble asking him where they were going, because she knew by the direction they were heading. The green sky was enough to send shivers rushing down her spine, but the relentless storm, with clouds shifting into shapes that looked like nothing less than demons, left her almost paralyzed with fear.
The carriage stopped in front of the ruins of St. Paul’s church. They would face the demon abyss
once more. Wren had finally had the cavernous blackened walls and the remaining roof destroyed with a battering ram. Except for the west wall, the other walls were merely rubble but the ruins still appeared threatening. She knew what they held inside.
She felt grateful when Michael disappeared from her line of vision. She didn’t want to think about him, or what he’d told her. She needed to concentrate on helping Darius save the king. She followed him through the rubble. The smell of rotting flesh engulfed them. Darius slipped an arm around her waist.
They headed toward the trapdoor leading to the crypt. Darius held a torch high, while she struggled to ignore the darkening shadows cast against the stone walls when they climbed down the rope rungs of the ladder, dropping down to the hard-packed dirt floor. She spotted Charles shackled next to one of the stone tombs.
She saw something she’d never expected to see on a king’s face—a look of stark terror. It stopped her in her tracks. Even though she’d spoken several times to Charles as if he were just a man, and he’d even cried on her shoulder, still, deep down, she’d always considered him God’s holy anointed ruler of all of England, impervious to fear, and to see him this way shocked her.
Darius strode forward and lifted up the lid of the tomb that stood next to Charles. He pulled out a large, jewel-encrusted sword. When Elizabeth looked at him questioningly, he said, “Charlemagne gave me this sword when he first made me a demon slayer. I’ll have need of the sword this night.”
He swung the blade through the iron shackles as easily as though they’d been a spider’s web. Charles’s arms dropped to his sides, and he drew back his shoulders and tried to smooth his tousled hair.
“Ods-fish, but I’m mighty glad to see the two of you.” Charles gave a self-mocking smile, and still managed a look of cynical good humor, even though his lips trembled and his voice quavered.
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