Their destination was not far from Town Hall. Accompanied by a large group of noblemen, who had attended the meeting, too, it was obvious they were headed to White’s as he and Aldric were. The young men shouted boisterously at how they would hunt the wolf responsible for carrying away the precious youth and bring its carcass back to city square and display it for all to view. A loud howl broke over the city, piercing in its loneliness. He and Aldric halted in their tracks, as did the humans. The tense silence was broken by another sorrowful howl. In its wake, a pack of wolves answered with such fierceness that it could only be deemed a challenge to the solitary wolf.
The humans exchanged nervous glances. Taking advantage of their hesitation, he nudged Aldric to hurry to White’s Game and Sport House. White’s provided entertainment in the form of ladies of the evening, cards, dice, all the pleasures men of nobility could afford. He had only one requirement tonight: blood.
Entering the establishment, they were greeted by a tall beauty with her long, midnight-black hair pulled back and fastened with yellow rhinestone flowers. A red silk gown of Grecian design enhanced her delightful curves and olive complexion. Dark eyes, shrewd and intense, improved with her recognition of them. Her tension eased, and Madame Bree welcomed them with a smile warming rather than polite accord. As they doffed their hats and coats, handing them to a servant dressed in white attire, Madame Bree hailed them.
“Lord Alex, Lord Aldric, welcome back to White’s. Will it be cards or women to start off your evening?” Her heavily-accented voice smoldered with raw sexuality.
Alex accepted her outstretched hand and pressed a lingering kiss upon her dainty knuckles. “Ah, Madame Bree, we are in serious need of companionship. Living so far outside Magdeburg, it leaves my brother and I with a tormenting loneliness. Can you be of assistance to us?”
“My lord,” Madame Bree chuckled as she caressed his chest, smoothing the fine material of his black waistcoat, “you and your brother are well sought after by the fair maidens of Magdeburg. Why purchase female companionship when the pretty virgins would give you ease for free?”
Grinning wickedly, Alex leaned down to say in her ear, “Virgins require effort to coax them to perform enchanting tricks only an experienced touch of a well-schooled mistress can provide me.”
A full, throaty laugh escaped the woman as she playfully shoved him toward the gaming hall. “Go forth, my lords, and find your comfort in the arms of my skilled ladies of the night. Enjoy yourselves.”
Tipping his head in a respectful salute, Alex smiled, loving the playful banter he and the regal Madame Bree shared. Dark blue runners graced the dark wood floors, enhancing the pale gold and cream walls. Cigar smoke hung in lazy clouds above the round, beige-colored felt tables. Nervous laughter broke the somber atmosphere. Women dressed in negligees of the sheerest material, silk stockings, their high-heeled slippers muted by the woven thread of carpeting beneath the gaming tables and lounges. Seizing the first lady to approach him, he escorted the pleased prostitute upstairs, leaving Aldric to find his own meal.
“Where’s your room, my sweet?”
“Room Four, my lord,” she replied breathlessly.
Entering her room, he gazed into her eyes, fixing his ‘will’ onto her. He instructed quietly, “Lock the door, please.”
The girl eagerly obeyed him. “May I pour you a drink, my lord?”
“No, I require nothing except you.” Alex motioned to her. “Come here. I need you.”
She eagerly went into his arms. Kissing her, he drew back her dark hair and viewed her neck, the vein pulsing in tempting rhythm. His fangs lengthened in anticipation of feeding on her. Sinking his teeth deep into her soft skin, she jerked in response to the pain of his invasion, soon calming as he held her tenderly in his arms as he drank. An ear focused on her beating heart, Alex withdrew his teeth when the fragile organ fluttered in protest. Licking his tongue over the wound, he blurred the bite mark from others witnessing his feeding on her. It would remain hidden until she healed. The girl put her hand on her forehead, dizzy. She nearly collapsed, saved as he lifted her into his arms and laid her on the pale pink lace and silk-covered bed.
“My dear, I will see you are well paid for servicing me,” Alex whispered to her. Gazing into her half-shut eyes, he ordered, “You will only remember us having a lovely time. You became exhausted by our play. Sleep, lovely girl. Sleep.” Assured she would obey him, he tossed several bills on her dresser and left the chamber.
He sought out the woman who supervised the prostitutes for Madame Bree and handed her several notes. “Here, it’s for the girl in Room Four. She pleased me well, and I wish her to have the night off.” Alex bore his ‘will’ into the plump, scantily dressed woman with flaming-red hair.
“As you wish, my lord. We are here to please,” she said with a knowing smile.
“We, poor, wayward men, appreciate your talents in pleasing us, madam.” Alex gave her rounded bottom an affectionate slap and won a giggle out of her. “Here’s extra for you, love.” Tossing another bill to her, he sauntered off, seeking his brother.
After ten minutes searching the establishment for Aldric proved pointless. “Aldric, where are you?”
Silence.
Concerned, he sipped his brandy a servant handed him. Aldric must have left White’s. Downing the fiery drink in a single swallow, he set the sniffer on the bar and went to fetch his coat. Outside, the snow fell in thick sheets, further blanketing the already buried city.
Casting out, he was unable to lock onto his brother. The only time Aldric had blocked him was during the one and only time their father had beat him, not wanting him to get in trouble as well. To this day, he’d never figured out how Aldric had blocked him from feeling the pain his brother endured.
“Aldric, what are you hiding from me?” he murmured, worried for his brother. With mortals running around with guns, afraid at what lurked in the darkness, not to forget the wolves hunting irregularly, a vampyre out alone was asking for trouble.
Turning up the collar of his gray, wool coat, Alex tugged on his fur-lined, leather gloves and headed back to where Herrick waited with the carriage. The long coat he wore slapped the back of his legs as he hurried down the street. Turning the corner, he slid to a stop. Holding torches ablaze, a mob was shouting angrily at Herrick, who struggled to keep the frightened horses from bolting.
Alex yelled at the people, “What the devil are you doing harassing my man?”
Men and women jumped at his voice, parting for him to reach his carriage. Taking hold the bridle of the nearest horse, Alex stroked the tall gelding’s fine head, whispering to calm the snorting beast. He glared in the faces of those closest him, directing his question to his driver.
“Herrick, what goes here?”
“My lord,” Herrick’s usually strong, calm demeanor was clearly shaken. “These good people think me and my clansmen are responsible for kidnapping the children.”
“What?” Alex couldn’t believe the accusation, not after the meeting. “A goodly number of you heard Breber share his investigates that a wolf is responsible. Do you doubt your magistrate?”
“A wolf can’t open locked doors!” a woman shouted from the back of the mob.
“My man and his people are loyal to my family and have never acted criminally. As you are aware of the Iron Wolf’s reputation, my father would personally execute any man or woman acting unworthy of his employment! Go and patrol the streets as Magistrate Breber ordered and set your minds at ease concerning the gypsies.”
Mollified, the townspeople were about to retreat until the same woman demanded, “I want the gypsies arrested! Breber must investigate their whereabouts during the abductions. No wolf is cunning enough to enter homes without guidance. Gypsies are notorious charmers! They could have trained the wolf to steal the children.”
Searching for the antagonizing wench, Alex found her and shook his head at her. “Mrs. Breber, you cast wild accusations while your husband risks his life ni
ght and day to find the culprit responsible? Do you not have anything better to do than stir up trouble where clear heads are needed?”
“I at least do no hide behind my title and frequent whorehouses while honorable, courageous men risk their lives to protect us,” she shot back, her ire made her magnificent to behold, if not for the sadistic light in her shining eyes.
Recognizing she would not relent until blood was shed, he grabbed the closest man by the coat labels and yanked him off his feet. “Go and find Magistrate Breber. Bring him here and inform him of his wife’s involvement in stirring you, good people, unnecessarily.” Opening his hand, Alex released the frightened man to scurry away.
Watching the crowd nervously back away, either because of his showing his strength or not wanting to face the wrath of the Magistrate, he did not care just as long as Herrick was not harmed.
Not long passed and Breber came running, his hand on the hilt of his sword to keep it from swinging carelessly at his side. He skidded to a halt when he saw those who had held fast their conviction. His searching gaze centered on his wife, who glared defiantly back at him.
“What goes here?” Breber demanded, shouldering his way past through the crowd until they were face to face. “My lord?” Breber left his question hanging, and Alex realized the man was unsure which brother he addressed.
“Alexander, Lord Magistrate. My driver and his people are being accused of taking the children.”
Glaring at the crowd, Breber asked, “Did you not understand what I said at the meeting?”
Lisle stepped forward, “No wolf can accomplish what you say. The gypsies were sighted in town every night a child was taken. Coincidence? No, I say! They know something and are not sharing their knowledge. I demand they be arrested and questioned,” she shouted, her pale face flushed in her anger.
“Wife, you dare doubt me? Get home, Lisle. I will deal with you when I return at dawn. NOW,” Breber barked, sending his wife scurrying away. He stared at the sullen, confused people before he faced him again. “My lord, I regret the action I must take. Your man will follow me to the jail where I shall question him further.”
Alex stared hard at Breber, unable to influence him with so many onlookers. Cursing under his breath, he said to Herrick, “Herrick, do as Breber commands. He is a good man and won’t allow any harm to befall you in his custody. Am I correct, Magistrate Breber?” he growled, the warning clear.
“Yes, my lord, I give you my word. Please inform your father what is transpiring. Lord Ulrich will wish to be part of the interrogation.”
“I will go to my father immediately.”
Herrick climbed down off the driver’s seat. “Master Alex, please tell my wife where I am.”
“You are coming home before the night is done, Herrick. I promise.”
“I trust you, my lord, with my life and of my people’s.”
“As I trust you, Herrick, with mine and my brother’s life.” Every fiber of his being demanded he argue with the people of Magdeburg to understand that Herrick and the gypsies were innocent. Forced to watch Breber escort Herrick away made him sick to his stomach. Climbing onto the vacated, padded seat, he took up the black leather reins and whistled to the team. The horses’ elegant ears flicked back as one, eager to leave.
“Walk on,” he ordered to the geldings.
People scattered as the matched blacks surged forward, prancing in a timed trot. As he drove the team across the only bridge connecting the crossroads, he mentally searched for Aldric. Unable to contact or locate his brother, he abandoned his search and urged the horses onward to home.
Snow started to fall in earnest, making the road treacherous and difficult to travel any faster than a trot. Grinding his teeth, he forced himself to calm when the horses broke pace, snorting anxiously. His emotions were upsetting the sensitive animals. Talking to the team, he soothed their fears. Turning them onto Wulf Manor Lane, he sensed they were not alone.
Watching the trees lining the road, he spotted a white wolf loping twenty yards to his right. A dozen furry bodies took shape to the left and right side of the road he travelled. The wolves glanced at him often, ensuring he kept pace with them. The white wolf closed the distance between her and him. She nodded once to him and yipped at her companions. The wolves spread out, easing the horses’ anxiety. Alex received the impression the wolf pack was escorting them home.
Why were they protecting him and his horses? Was it from the rogue wolf terrorizing Magdeburg? What madness had taken hold where wolves protected him and his brother abandoned him?
As he neared Wulf Manor, an orange smudge marred the pitch-black sky at the end of the road he traveled. An orange smudge broke the black sky. Bonfires had been lit within the perimeter of the high wall encircling the manor and courtyard. The white wolf yipped again and nodded once to him before melting into the forest, her pack vanishing with her.
“My gratitude for your protection. May I someday repay your kindness,” he spoke to the darkness, knowing the she-wolf had heard him.
Facing forward, he scowled, seeing the gates were closed, barring his entrance to Wulf Manor. Pulling back the reins, he called out, “Whoa, my beauties. Whoa.”
A man he had never seen before peered at him through the thick bars of the gate. Dressed in a red military uniform, the soldier hastened to aim his rifle at him. “Who goes there?”
Sensing he should use his brother’s identity, he declared, “I am Aldric, son of Ulrich Wulf. Why is the gate locked?”
“My apologies, my lord, General Wulf ordered me and my men to allow no one to pass the manor’s gates until after dawn.” Aldric hadn’t returned. Where the hell was his brother?
It dawned on him what the soldier had said. “Am I not allowed in my own home?” Alex asked, incredulous at his father’s strangest order to date.
“We are currently checking with the General for permission to allow you within the gates.” Peering closer, the soldier inquired, “Where is your driver, my lord?”
“Magistrate Breber is interviewing him.”
“Good. The other gypsies here have been delivered upon the Lord Mayor’s request.”
“Blumenthal sent the order to my father? When?”
“Right after the meeting, my lord. The Lord Mayor decided to proceed with investigating the rumors concerning the gypsies and ordered them delivered for integration the matter of the missing children.”
“Who are you and why are you here?” Alex demanded, wary of the reason Ulrich had employed mercenaries.
Another soldier approached. “I am Captain Von Patterson. My company arrived shortly after you and your brother departed for Magdeburg. Your father employed us to protect him and his interests while the threat continues upon those of Magdeburg.”
From behind the captain, another soldier hurried to him and whispered in Von Patterson’s ear. The captain ordered, “Open the gates. My lord, your father orders you to be confined to your bedchambers until your brother, Alexander, returns.”
Wonderful. Now how was he to search for Aldric? “First, I will personally take care of my horses.”
“My lord, I must insist upon you handing them to my men.” Von Patterson signaled to the nearest soldier to take hold the bridle of one of the horses.
A grave mistake. The black gelding laid his ears back and tried to take a bite out of him. The soldier jumped back, eyeing the team fearfully.
Grinning maliciously, Alex shrugged, “Like I said, they’re my horses and I’ll take care of them.” He clucked to the team and drove on to the barn. None of the soldiers made attempt to stop him.
Halting the horses before the barn doors, Alex set the brake and leapt off the carriage. Inside the barn, he swept his hand and ‘willed’ the oil lamps to ignite the wicks, bringing light to the dark building. A deep, brassy whinny drew him to the white stallion, who stuck his head out of his stall.
Rubbing the stately horse’s head, Alex whispered, “Ah, my friend, you know me anywhere, wouldn’t you?
Back to sleep, Saber. I must attend to your stablemates.” Giving his horse a final pat, he went to work.
Doffing his coats and rolled up the sleeves of his dress shirt, he grabbed the leather halters from the brass hooks set by each stall door and went back to the tired and cold horses. They waited patiently as he replaced bridles with their halters. Unhooking their harnesses attached to the sway bar, he led one and the others followed them inside. Opening the stall doors with the wave of his hand, the horses went into their assigned stalls. Alex unharnessed each horse and set the leathers on the hooks outside their stalls. Then, he took up a soft brush and went about brushing them down, checking hooves for stones or foreign objects. Ensuring they had plenty of water and hay to feast on, he swung his coat over his shoulder and blew out the lamps on his way out.
At the barn’s double doors, he stopped and listened to the crunching footsteps of the patrolling soldiers. The manor’s windows were dark before customarily they were lit to ward off the night. Except for one. The silhouette of his father, tall and broad, unyielding, watched the courtyard below.
Was Ulrich anxiously waiting for ‘Alex’ to return or was he waiting for ‘Aldric’ to obey his orders to confinement?
He made another attempt to make contact with his brother. “Aldric, where are you? Please answer me!”
The piercing howl of a wolf answered him instead.
Chapter Five
Sensing she was no longer covered by dirt, Kai drew in a deep lungful of air, inhaling the scent of spicy pine needles and dusty, dry grass, sun-warmed dirt. Opening her eyes, she cast around her, confused by the lack of snow, the hot, humid air.
Why was it so damn hot? Where was the snow?
Wulf's Redemption (Borne Vampires Book 3) Page 5
