The Greyfriar (Vampire Empire, Book 1) by Clay & Susan Griffith;Clay Griffith;Susan Griffith

by Clay; Susan Griffith;Clay Griffith;Susan Griffith

  The hall was quiet, with a few cats moving in the shadows. No one seemed to be watching her; even the cats gave her only the occasional glance. Adele couldn't help but wonder who else lived in this sprawling castle besides the three people she had already met. Well, one person and two vampires.

  The hallway wound through the castle, and she passed many doorways, open and closed, on either side. The majority of the rooms were unoccupied, but all of the doors were unlocked. Nothing was forbidden to her.

  She heard sounds and cautiously approached, finding Gareth and Baudoin as the source. The former sat alone at the head of a great table. Cats mewled around the two vampires as if looking for handouts, while Baudoin prepared a place at Gareth's left.

  Gareth turned to her, although she had yet to step through the threshold. "Good morning, Princess Adele. I told Baudoin to expect you up early."

  It annoyed her that Gareth knew even that much about her. "I'm surprised you allow me to wander around alone. I could have walked right out the door."

  Gareth leaned back into his chair. "Yes, you could have."

  Baudoin gestured for Adele to join them. She remained rooted to the stone floor. The servant brought plates of sizzling eggs and warm bread with fresh jam and thick rich coffee. The smell of it was overwhelming to her.

  A cat jumped into Gareth's lap and immediately curled up. It was the grey-and-white cat that had spent the night with her. It presented its chin for him to scratch. He obediently obliged the feline, which began to purr.

  "I hope you slept well," Gareth said to her.

  Adele turned on him angrily. "No! I didn't! Did you? Did you laugh yourself to sleep? If your kind even sleeps."

  Gareth drummed his long fingers on the table. "There is no danger here to you. You may rest easy."

  "Why should I believe anything you say?"

  "I can't ask you to. But I tell you again, I will see you home in time. Just as Greyfriar promised."

  Adele resented the pain that struck at the name of her onetime hero. "Why? Why the charade?" she exclaimed abruptly. "The mask and the glasses and the voice."

  "I want to help."

  "Help me feel a fool? Congratulations. Well done!" Adele strode over and grabbed a long loaf of bread. "Am I free to go back to my room?"

  "Yes." Gareth drew in a deep breath. "You are free to walk anywhere here in the castle. I beg you please not to leave the grounds, however."

  "What? No chains?"

  The vampire flicked a glance at her from beneath clenched brows. "You are not my prisoner. I can only tell you so many times. You will go home. When the time is right. Go where you will. But please be mindful that there are dangers about. I depend on your native intelligence to stay safe. I do not intend to follow you around like a jailer."

  Adele glared at him and stalked out the door with bread in hand and a sword in her belt.

  The cat jumped down from Gareth's lap and followed her out, tail in the air.

  Baudoin appeared from the shadows. "Should I follow her?"

  "No."

  "What would happen if she left the castle and Flay found her?"

  "I don't believe even Flay could've tracked her here by now. Even if she did, everything would remain status quo. I would merely say that I recaptured her from Greyfriar."

  "Would your brother really believe that?"

  "Of course. What's the alternative? That I am Greyfriar?" Gareth laughed harshly.

  "I did not mean any disrespect, my lord."

  Gareth waved a hand at his servant, dismissing the issue. "I know. This is just not how I imagined it would be."

  "My lord?"

  "I don't like that she feels betrayed. She is very angry and hurt."

  "You are not in danger, are you? Surely she's not powerful enough to strike you down. You mentioned she had skills."

  "No," Gareth emphatically assured his servant. "I'm not afraid of her attacking me. It's just that she's ... far more pleasant when she is not angry."

  "You like this human female's company?" Dismay rather than surprise filled Baudoin.

  Gareth was lost in his own musings, unaware of his servant's horrified expression. "I find her most interesting. Full of life and vigor."

  "I gather you're not referring to her as a delicious meal."

  Gareth gave him a scathing look. Then he stood.

  "Are you going to follow her," Baudoin asked, "like a jailer?"

  "Yes I am." Gareth slipped from the room.

  CHAPTER

  D STORMED OUT of the castle. She had no plan; anger propelled propelled her. She had no idea what awaited her outside the castle walls, but she had every intention of leaving and making her way somewhere safe. There had been so many lies lately that she couldn't trust anything anymore.

  She followed the same path that had brought her here, heading north toward the water and the boat. The city had been empty when she arrived, but she now saw people. Lots of people. And what amazed her was that they were performing everyday duties: cooking, cleaning, and bartering. Adele had seen none of that in London. The humans there were repressed, as if having no will. People here seemed content; some even smiled. The only other time she had seen a northern human show a happy emotion was the couple in Canterbury, Alphonse and Nina. They hadn't known Greyfriar was a vampire. She wondered if the people here knew the truth about him.

  Adele finally reached the lonely sea and scanned the shoreline. The boat was gone. Of course, he would hide it from her. She was a prisoner, after all. Her anger seethed at Gareth.

  As she slowly trudged back into town, people eyed her curiously, and a few lifted a hand in greeting. Adele hesitantly returned their waves. Then hurrying down a street was Morgana, carrying a bundle in her arms. The princess called out to her.

  Morgana stopped and smiled. "Ah, there you are, miss. I went to your room, but you weren't there."

  "What's wrong?"

  "Nothing. I collected your cloak to be mended."

  "You shouldn't do that. I can sew. I just need a needle and thread."

  "No bother, miss. I'm just bringing it to 01' Mary. She'll fix it up right."

  Adele hesitated, then asked, "May I come along with you?"

  "Of course, miss."

  The two walked quietly for a bit until Adele's curiosity got the better of her.

  "How did you get here?" Adele asked. "To Edinburgh, I mean. Were you born here?"

  "Have you ever heard of Greyfriar? Human wonderworker. He rescued a number of us from the slave pens in London and brought us here. He must work with Prince Gareth or something."

  "Or something."

  Morgana laughed loudly. "I'd most likely be dead by now in London, a meal for the royal court or worse, if not for Greyfriar. And Prince Gareth. They are gluttons there, and not one of them would stop before they drained a soul dry."

  Adele couldn't help sneering. "So everyone is safe and happy here? Then what does Gareth eat? Dirt? Angels?"

  "No. We offer ourselves to him."

  Adele's expression of horror was raw and open. "You let him feed off you?"

  "Prince Gareth asks for only sips and none from the same person within the year." Morgana bared her wrist. There were long-healed puncture marks. "It's a small price to pay not to be murdered in your sleep."

  "My God! I would die before I let him feed off me!"

  "I doubt he will ask it of you. There are too many who would give it willingly."

  "You're all insane. This place is insane." Adele pointed north toward the water. "And the boat is gone! He took it away! He knew I could use it to get home."

  "Where are you from, miss?"

  "Alexandria." A sigh escaped the princess.

  Morgana nodded knowingly. "That's near Berwick-on-Tweed, isn't it?"

  Adele laughed. "No. That must be another Alexandria. I'm from Alexandria in Egypt. In the Equatorian Empire."

  Morgana whistled low. "That sounds far away, wherever it is. No wonder you're out of sorts. But I'm sure there
is good reason for you to be here."

  "Greyfriar brought me here from London." Adele's voice was laced with sarcasm.

  "Well, isn't that something, we both having that in common?" Morgana smiled warmly again. "Things will feel less strange if you know your way around."

  Adele eyed the servant critically. "Tell me the safest route out of the city."

  "Out? There is nowhere much to go that is safe."

  "So in essence we're trapped here."

  "Well, I'm not trapped. I live here. I'm content. But I wouldn't suggest you try to make your way through any realm not under Prince Gareth's protection."

  "That isn't much use to me. I refuse to remain a prisoner."

  "You don't seem much like a prisoner, if you pardon my saying." Morgana jutted her chin at Adele's arsenal.

  The princess scowled. "A prison can be more than four walls."

  Morgana waved to a man with a flirtatious smile. "That's Thomas. He's a butcher."

  "A butcher?" Adele was noticing shops of sorts in the buildings that weren't demolished. And her stomach rumbled. "I'd buy you a meal, but I don't have any money."

  "Money? There's little money here. Most of us here have a talent or we lend services, like gathering wood for fires or repairs. Any such thing, really. You'll see when we get to Mary's."

  "But I don't know what I could offer."

  "Can you cook or clean?"

  "Cook, no, but I suppose I could clean."

  "Well, 01' Mary will let you make use of the tubs and soaps. Just wash the clothes yourself and then perhaps you could just assist Mary with some of her duties. That should compensate her."

  Ahead of them rose stately spires with little crowns on them. The architecture was markedly different than those surrounding it. It was a massive structure.

  "That is the High Kirk of St. Giles," Morgana pointed out.

  "Kirk?"

  "Church."

  "Is it safe to go in?"

  "Aye. There are meetings there every Sunday."

  "Meetings?"

  "Services."

  "Worship services? Gareth allows such a thing?"

  Morgana regarded her oddly. "Of course. Why would it matter to him?"

  Adele was surprised Gareth did not suppress religious rituals. A sudden coldness drew Adele's eyes up to the lofty spires of St. Giles, where she saw a dark shape.

  The servant looked up, protecting her eyes against the glare in the slate grey sky with the flat of her hand. "It's Prince Gareth."

  Immediately Adele's anger flared. "I told you I was a prisoner."

  Morgana let her hand drop. "I'd wager he's keeping an eye on you so you don't place yourself in danger. I'm surprised he didn't warn you about wandering about outside the city."

  "He did."

  Morgana raised an eyebrow. "You are a headstrong one, then. Probably giving him fits about now."

  "Good."

  "Miss, I don't know why you've come to hate him so."

  "He made me a promise," Adele voiced softly, unable to hide the pain of it. "I found out it was all a lie."

  "I don't know about that, but I'm sorry if he did."

  The princess took the young woman's arm and squeezed with affection. Maybe that was why fate had chosen her to be captured, Adele suddenly thought. Perhaps she was to witness these people and bring back word of what was really going on in Europe. This was not a continent of cattle. Adele swore when she became empress she would try to help these people and free them from the tyranny that repressed them. That one good thought cheered her as the two women wandered on through the city.

  Cesare's eyes were closed. His breathing was shallow. His bony fingers clutched the arms of his thronelike chair. His voice was slow and icy. "It's been nearly a week."

  Flay didn't respond. She waited in the center of the Commons.

  Cesare continued, "She could be back in her father's embrace by now."

  Flay said, "She has not left Britain, my lord."

  The prince opened his eyes. "Do you wager your life on that?"

  "Yes." If Flay did not find Princess Adele, she would certainly die. It was simple. "My hunters are widening their circles. We know she left Canterbury with the Greyfriar and went to the shore."

  "To a boat," Cesare growled. "To cross the Channel."

  "No, Sire. My networks on the Continent are excellent. She has not landed there. And I had scouts over the Channel within the hour of her departure. While it is very difficult to track over water, my hunters are the best in all the clans."

  Cesare stood suddenly. "You have ruined me, Flay! Why should you live another minute?"

  "I shouldn't if you will it. But I can find Princess Adele. She sailed north with the Greyfriar."

  Cesare pursed his lips in annoyance. "Greyfriar. How often will that human shame you? Perhaps he should be my war chief."

  Flay stared hard at her prince.

  Cesare stepped down from his dais and said with a mocking humor, "Why would they go north? Is there a free human settlement somewhere you don't know about? Is this Greyfriar operating out of Whitby under your very nose?"

  "There is no free human settlement, my lord. It is possible they merely went north to lose the pursuit-"

  "And it worked!"

  11 -to lose the pursuit. And now they are ashore and in hiding. I will find them."

  Cesare inclined his head with doubt.

  Flay said suddenly, without fanfare, "I believe they went to Scotland."

  The prince narrowed his eyes. "Are you suggesting, in your pathetic desperation, that Gareth is in league with this Greyfriar?"

  Flay pressed on with her conclusion. "No, of course not, but attend, my lord. There are fewer of us there. Gareth is protective of his territory. Adele could hide there for years without encountering a vampire. Scotland. The daring choice. It's what Greyfriar would do."

  "Flay, you are quite dangerous. You rightly say that Gareth is jealous of his barren little territory. Do you honestly believe I could just barge into Scotland checking behind draperies for Princess Adele? I dare not give Gareth any excuse to raise some stink over protocol. The clan is still on edge after the attack on the Tower."

  Which I beat back, Flay thought, snarling that Cesare neglected to mention her successes.

  The prince resumed his seat. The human attack, small though it had been, on the clan capital had put concerns in some of the lords' heads over leadership. Some of Cesare's enemies had suggested moving the king into hiding and turning the management of the clan over to the "heir." By which they meant Gareth. Cesare had managed to calm the storm and was prepared to calm it further by assassinating troublemakers.

  Flay asked, "Do I have permission to send hunters into Scotland?"

  Cesare took a deep breath. Flay's theory that the princess might have fled to Scotland had some merit. It was possible that a human refugee could slip into that barren territory unnoticed and make her way with Gareth's neglected herds.

  "Seek the princess where you will." Cesare paused, making it clear he was not giving explicit permission to enter Gareth's territory.

  Flay bowed in acceptance. Scotland. It had to be Scotland. She was sure that the princess had not made it to the Continent. As sure as she could be with Greyfriar in the mix.

  Greyfriar.

  Flay growled deep in her throat. Cesare had placed his thumb on her rawest wound. The man had taken her prize twice. It was inconceivable. How did he do it? She was the most feared war chief in Europe. She turned to leave.

  Cesare murmured, "Flay, I will prepare a ship to retrieve the prisoner. And I will come north with it. Remember, your life is being counted in days."

  "As you will, dread lord."

  "Just so."

  Adele spent the day with Morgana and 01' Mary, who was delighted by the company. The older woman helped Adele clean her clothes and mend them as well. She loaned Adele a change of clothes, another set of homespun. The princess had long since forgotten about style and silk. In return, A
dele refilled the washtubs. Her hands were red from the hot water and the cold air. Thankfully her palms were calloused enough from hours of swordplay not to blister from lugging pails.

  When they took a break for lunch, 01' Mary brought out a hunk of cheese and Adele eagerly shared the bread from Gareth's table. Morgana had brought some apples and sliced them up. It was a fine meal. This method of barter was more fulfilling than Adele would have thought.

  Mary tottered off to check on the tubs, leaving the two younger women alone. Morgana was good company. And Adele couldn't help her curiosity over a life in Gareth's Edinburgh.

  "Does it hurt when the prince feeds off you?" Adele asked.

  Morgana raised her head slowly, unsure what answer this woman was looking for. "At first, like a sharp prick of a sewing needle. The rest is rather odd-warm almost. He always permits us to look away if we wish. He's actually quite embarrassed sometimes."

  "That's disgusting," Adele muttered without thinking.

  Morgana rose abruptly and gathered the dishes.

  Adele grabbed her hand. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean-"

  "You wanted to know what it was like here. Now you do. What you think of it is your business, of course. But don't judge us too harshly. Life is hard anywhere, and we make do the best we can."

  "I didn't mean to look down on you. It's just ... I'm not ..."

  "Different folk have different customs."

  "I had no idea what life was like up here. I've learned so much already. Humans do thrive here, in a way, at least better than we all believe. I just wish so much more for you."

  "Someday, perhaps that will be so." Morgana smiled genuinely. "I may even be alive to see it if Gareth gains the throne in place of his brother."

  "You have that much faith in Gareth?"

  "More than most." She looked Adele in the eye before departing for Mary's kitchen.

  Near dusk, with all the chores finished, Adele and Morgana walked up Castle Hill again. Adele was tired. She was looking forward to a hot meal and a warm bed.