by E. C. Hibbs
Shock and horror darted through my body. Standing in front of me, eyes blazing red, was Henry.
I whimpered, feeling my nerves shake. Henry saw my hesitation and seized his chance, wrestling the gun from me in one sleek movement. Before I could even draw a gasp of fright, he had it pointing straight at my head.
“I knew there was a vampire wandering the streets,” he snapped. “Does it come as a surprise to learn I’ve been aware it was you for a while now?”
I stumbled away until my shoulders hit the wall. Knowing there was no way out, I raised my hands, eyes flitting between the shining barrel and Henry’s face, lit up crimson by his shining irises. He barely looked like the same man anymore; the sophistication had fallen away to expose the soldier he’d once been.
I glanced at his other hand, noticing it clutched over the top of the cane.
“Please don’t hurt me!” I cried. “Sir... please! How did you suspect me?”
Henry’s jaw tightened, but I was relieved when he lowered the gun. However, I was quick to notice he’d kept his finger on the trigger.
“I’m no fool, Éva,” he snapped. “Do you think you’re the only juvenile to experience the urges? Your inner struggles may come across as simple illness or faintness to most, but I have felt them myself; I am aware of what they really are. You don’t know this, but I’ve followed you every single time you have crept out of my house to take your fill. So I could make sure you weren’t killing people. Thus far, you succeeded, so I left you be. Until tonight, and you nearly killed that lad. Enough was enough.”
I gasped. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because I know you haven’t been alone,” he said. “There is a demon in this city somewhere. I could smell him on you even a year ago. Is he your turner?”
I frowned. “What?”
“Only a full demon could deal such wanton death. Yes, I know they were just documented as disappearances, but it doesn’t take much to know what really happened. You can’t be solely responsible; you are only a juvenile. It’s been far too cleanly done for it to be just you. But I know you have been with him when those people were killed.”
Henry took a step closer. “Answer my question, Éva. Is he your turner?”
I shook my head. “No... My turner is dead.”
“Then who is this demon to you?”
“I dare not say! Sir, please!” I cried. “I cannot betray him!”
Henry narrowed his eyes warningly. A fresh bout of panic flooded my mind. I thought I’d been keeping myself safe and inconspicuous, but he had been onto me since the beginning. I recalled with vivid horror the sight of him decapitating that victim over a year ago. What would he do to me?
Fear instantly got the better of me. I turned my face away, tears beginning to spill uncontrollably down my cheeks.
“Alright! I admit it; I have been with a demon! A Revenant. He took me under his wing shortly after I arrived in England. But he is not all bad, please believe me! He taught me how to control myself. And his ethical code is twisted, but at least it protects as many as possible! He saved my life, Sir!”
Henry’s hand appeared on my shoulder. I flinched, darting him a look of dread out of the corner of my eye.
“How many have you killed?” he asked.
“It was all the work of the Revenant I speak of,” I insisted. Too quickly.
“Don’t lie,” said Henry. “Answer truthfully. How many people have you killed?”
My mouth went dry. I quickly swallowed, and received a rebound of blood that had settled around my teeth.
“One,” I said eventually, focusing with all my intent on the memory of the young woman I had taken the night I found out about Zíta’s death.
I was petrified that Henry would press me, force me to admit there had been another: his old best friend and comrade. I felt if I had to speak of that, I would get the gun back and turn it on myself in an instant. How could I live with the truth if it passed my lips? It had been difficult enough just living with myself, having Grandfather’s dear face haunt my mind ever since that fateful evening.
But, to my utmost surprise, Henry stepped away. He kept his eyes firmly on me however, and his fingers curled even tighter around my thin bicep. I watched as the red colour receded until only his usual chocolate brown remained. Then he leant towards me and sniffed like a hound. My lips pursed in alarm.
“Do you still meet with the Revenant?” he asked. “I cannot smell him on you.”
“I haven’t seen him in a year,” I replied, my words shaking. “I am alone.”
“I thought as much,” he muttered. “Where is he?”
“I don’t know,” I whispered. “Please believe me! I’m telling the truth!”
Henry gave me a penetrating look. I recoiled beneath it, feeling once more like a terrified child as I pressed myself even harder against the wall. I half-hoped it would somehow open like some giant maw and swallow me.
He held up the revolver again, but didn’t point it at me, instead waving it in indication.
“This was Norman’s, from when we were in the Crimea,” he said. “How did you come by it?”
“He gave it to me,” I said, deciding in a split-second that was more or less the truth. It was one of his belongings, and they had all been left to me after all. The fact that I took it before the will had been read out made little difference anymore.
Henry cocked an eyebrow. My attention snapped back to the cane, and a whine of fear escaped before I could hold it in. “Are you going to kill me?”
“Of course not, child!”
“But you killed that woman!”
“It was the least I could do for her. You and your demon wouldn’t have finished her off quickly either way.”
My hands trembled. In an instant, I recalled the conversation I had overheard from the study, and realised with absolute conviction that I’d been the subject of it after all. There was no scheming Lady. Only me, and the unknown face of James.
“Why do you want to know so much about the Revenant?” I demanded. “Would you kill him too?”
Henry surveyed me with an unreadable expression. A long moment passed between us. Then he abruptly shoved the gun inside his jacket and swept me off my feet with incredible power. I yelped in surprise when he rolled his shoulders and a pair of huge bat wings erupted out, filling the alley. I was somewhat shocked to see the appendages attached to my father-in-law, but had barely a moment to ponder it before we took to the sky.
“Where are you taking me?” I cried, holding his lapels tightly. He brought down a shadow over the both of us to conceal the sight from anyone below.
“Home,” he replied.
Neither of us said another word after that, and I was oddly relieved when Weaver House became visible behind the dark patch of Sefton Park. Henry landed on one of the balconies at the rear of the building, and set me on my feet before pulling in his wings. I instantly backed away from him, still uneasy.
“Don’t look so frightened!” Henry held a hand towards me. “I will not hurt you, Éva. Don’t you think that if I meant you any harm, I would have done it by now, having been aware of what you are for so long?”
“I don’t know,” I replied. “You had me at gunpoint, Sir.”
“Old habits, you understand. I was in a war. I don’t take kindly to staring down a barrel myself,” Norman muttered, looking me directly in the eye. “And your demon has obviously been feeding you nonsense tales about me. But I am called a harmless vampire for a reason, you know. I do not harm people.”
“Then what of that girl?”
“I told you why I did that. And don’t deny it was merciful compared to what the Revenant would have done.”
I shook my head slowly. “I don’t understand. What are you? How can you be harmless? Just because you don’t kill, am I right?”
“Precisely,” said Henry. “I admit I took lives in battle, but I have never done so for blood. Doesn’t that say enough?”
He too
k my elbow and led me inside the house. He then released me to draw curtains across the panes, leaving only a tiny gap in the centre for the moonlight to stream in. He headed for the exit, but paused, one hand on the doorknob, and looked back over his shoulder.
“We’ll talk more tomorrow. Now get to bed. And don’t forget to lock that storeroom window before you do.”
With that, he disappeared into the corridor, leaving me standing alone in the semi-darkness.
For a few moments, I didn’t move, eyes roving aimlessly as I came down from my scare. I couldn’t believe he’d caught me; been watching me ever since the wedding. It was what I had feared for almost as long. And now our secrets were truly out with each other, I wasn’t sure quite what I felt about it all.
I started walking towards the door, fingers writhing in agitation. Then I stopped short, realising there was no silvery light on the carpet.
I whirled around, and gasped. A figure was pressed up against the glass, peering from between the drapes with a piercing black eye. I blinked in shock, but when I looked again, the silhouette had disappeared, leaving only the moon gazing upon me.
CHAPTER XXVI
When I woke the next morning to blazing sunshine, I sat bolt upright, amazed that I’d managed to fall asleep at all after the shock of last night. Anxiety instantly shot back into my blood, and I glanced around, finding the room deserted. It was clear the servants had already been in, because there was a bowl of porridge on the dresser, obviously meant for me. Benjamin was nowhere to be seen; his side of the bed neatly made.
I fetched the porridge and lightly tapped the surface with my finger. It was lukewarm, so I knew there hadn’t been too much time since it was brought. I quickly ate it before it could solidify against the china; then picked out a simple cream-coloured dress from the armoire. After putting my hair into its bun, I exited the room and went downstairs, resting one hand on the winding banister.
First of all, I went to the parlour, where I found Christine sitting in the bay window. She was bouncing baby Norman on her knee, laughing with him as she tickled behind his knees.
“Good morning,” I greeted, forcing myself to look composed.
“Oh! Morning, Miss,” smiled Christine. “You slept deeply.”
I nodded, glancing at the mantel clock. It was almost half past nine: a full hour later than Benjamin and I usually stayed in bed. But I shrugged it off and walked closer, giving Norman’s face a tender stroke.
“And how are you today, my little man?” I whispered. “Have you been behaving yourself?”
“He’s been as sweet as anything,” Christine replied. “Well, apart from when he tried to pull me hair, like!”
“Oh, dear, that’s no good, is it? Where are your manners?” I tapped his little nose in mock scolding. Norman giggled and snatched my hand, sucking on my thumb. He turned his large blue eyes on me, and I drew closer to kiss him on the cheek.
Then I noticed movement in the doorway and looked up to see George standing there, hands clasped behind his back.
“Miss Éva?” he said. “Sorry to disturb you, but Mr Jones is requesting you in his study.”
Swallowing nervously, I got to my feet and bid a quiet goodbye to Norman and Christine before following George. He led me to the heavy door and held it open for me to step through. I gave him a nod of thanks and entered the study: a good-sized room lined with shining wooden panels and several baroque paintings. Henry was sitting directly opposite me, in an upholstered chair to the side of his desk.
My heart skipped a beat when he saw me, but then I drew in an audible gasp. Benjamin was also there.
“Come in, Éva,” said Henry calmly, motioning towards a third, unoccupied chair.
I complied, taking tentative steps closer until I could lower myself into the seat. My entire body felt leaden with horror.
“Did you sleep well?” asked Henry.
I gave a shaky nod. “Yes. Thank you.”
“Good.” My father-in-law reached over to his desk and plucked his pipe from an ashtray, before proceeding to fill the bowl with leaves. “Now, there’s no point beating about the bush. It’s time for the truth to be told.”
My face drained of colour.
“What?” I cried, looking at Benjamin, my mouth completely slack. What was I supposed to say? How could I possibly explain myself? His face was expectant; fingers laced together nonchalantly in his lap.
But then a new thought crossed my mind. What was he doing in here to begin with, and yet remaining so calm?
Did he know something already?
“I... Well, I...” My breaths shook and I threw up my arms in anguish. “How can I do this, Sir?”
“Alright, do not get yourself into a state,” Benjamin suddenly cut in. “I will make this easier for you. I am aware that you are a juvenile.”
I instantly stared at him. “What? How? But you –”
“Firstly, my own father is a vampire.” He leant forward in his chair. “Second, I’ve been married to you for a year, Éva. Despite you managing to keep that scar on your neck well hidden from all others, I am your husband; I have seen it on more than a few occasions. And I know what causes marks like it.”
My hand flew to the collar of my dress; eyes roved between him and Henry in confusion. “Wait, I don’t understand... you are human!”
“That doesn’t mean I’m ignorant,” said Benjamin.
“I think an explanation is due, son,” Henry muttered, blowing out a cloud of smoke. “Alright, Éva, first of all, let me apologise for frightening you last night. But now that’s all over, I think we can start on a clean slate today.
“I have been a full harmless for most of my life. I was changed when I was a young man. I contracted typhus, and I bedridden at home, waiting for death. Then, one day, my godfather came to visit me with his good wishes. Unbeknownst to me at the time, he was also a harmless vampire, and we had such a strong bond that he was unwilling to let me go. So when we were alone, he gained my consent, and then turned me. I trusted him wholeheartedly. He helped me understand what I had become: saw me through coming of age one year later.”
“Saw you through?” I frowned. “What does that mean?”
“Don’t you know anything about what makes the harmless and demons separate?” asked Benjamin, with a hint of surprise. “Darling, I thought you would?”
I shook my head, stunned at how my husband hadn’t exploded with fury. Despite the fact I knew it wasn’t in his nature to be like that, now I felt a wrench of uncertainty about him. It suddenly felt as though two completely different people were sitting here with me. To hear Benjamin speak about this so casually, with such obvious familiarity, held the same effect as being struck with a hammer.
He closed his eyes in dismay. “So Father was right. You are a demonic juvenile.”
“Yes, I am,” I said carefully.
“You didn’t give permission to be turned?”
“Of course not! Who would?”
“That is the distinction between us,” said Henry. “I did give permission. The venom – that black liquid which is the cause of everything – acts differently when consent is voiced. I don’t know exactly why. But the end results could not be more separate.”
“I know that much,” I muttered.
“Did your Revenant tell you the rest?” he asked.
I glanced at him and gave a curt nod. “Sir... I don’t understand! What is going on? Please tell me the truth.”
“Alright, calm down,” he said. He withdrew the pipe from his mouth; got to his feet and came closer. I instinctively shied away, but Henry gave a sincere look and knelt before me, taking hold of my hand in comfort.
“Oh, dear girl, don’t fear me. I promise you, on all my honour, I will not harm a single hair on your head. You are completely safe here. You always have been.”
I whimpered. “I am afraid, Sir.”
“There is no need for that,” Henry insisted.
“Oh, but there is!” I cried, eyes
filling with tears. “I will die! I cannot survive if I stay here!” I raised my free hand and cowered into it. “God help me!”
Benjamin appeared behind me and put his arms around my chest in a tight embrace. I jumped at his touch, but he only rested his cheek on the top of my head in the way he usually did. I grasped his arm, sobbing into his sleeve.
“I’m so sorry!” I managed to choke out. “I did what I needed to do to survive! Please understand that!”
“You didn’t need to do that though, don’t you see?” Henry said softly. “You didn’t need to kill.”
“But I’m not like you! You are a harmless! You can get away with that!”
“Juveniles walk the same road, Éva, whether they are harmless or demonic in ultimate nature. It is the Revenant who has instilled this wrong idea in you, that you are powerless unless you kill. But it is not so. You are not bound to death, or to him.”
“I had no choice,” I whispered. “I had to go with him.”
“Why?” Benjamin asked gently. “Did he hurt you? Threaten you?”
“No,” I said, even though I knew it wasn’t true. But I could not bring myself to think badly of James, even with this new revelation.
“Then what did he do?”
“I shan’t say,” I breathed. “But he did help me.”
“I have no doubt he helped you keep your urges under control, so you didn’t go on a spree,” said Henry, “but the fact remains that he did so by forcing you to submit to them in another way. I know you killed with him, Éva; you admitted that to me yourself. And I could smell him on you.”
“You must hate me,” I turned my eyes to Benjamin. “You must think me a beast, like Margaret said, and I do not blame you for it. She was right. There are no words in any language to say how ashamed I am for all this!”
“Hush,” Benjamin whispered, hugging me again. “You didn’t ask for any of it. Beneath this thin skin of corruption, you are as pure as an angel. The good in you shines brighter than any taint, my darling.”
“How can you bear to say that?” I asked. “I am a demon. Or, I shall be, and there is no escaping it.”
