Now I knew why she was telling me this. I was still suffering from my encounter with Skala. Though I’d come back to life with the news of my connection to Bathory, Skala’s face still haunted my thoughts and nightmares. It was the very reason I dreaded sleep.
“How did you get past it?”
“I didn’t. Not truly,” she replied, and my heart sank at her words. “Sometimes…I still have nightmares. See one of their faces. When that happens, I force myself to stay in the present, to remind myself that what happened is in the past. It was a battle at first—sometimes it still is—but I no longer let those abhorrent memories dominate my thoughts. You will be able to as well. Do not let Skala hold your mind prisoner long after he is dead.”
16
THE PROMISE
Anara’s words in the salon comforted me; that night I slept peacefully for the first time in days.
When Abe and I made our way down to the dining room the next morning, Emma and Anara had already left for the city; Emma to secure our invitations to Francois’ masquerade ball, Anara to meet with the Parisian members of the Order.
As I took my seat at the table, Seward studied me intently. I raised my eyebrows, giving him an inquisitive look.
“Do you feel any different?” he asked. “Not human? Bloody hell, I didn’t mean it that way—not necessarily. I just wondered if—“
“Jack,” Abe interrupted, frowning with irritation. “Mina is human. Will you cease your endless –“
“It’s all right,” I said, amused. “Yes, I feel human. I am human. It is strange knowing that there’s vampire blood in my line…but I feel mostly relieved. It’s as if a fog has been lifted.”
“If Abe were to perform an experiment on you, I wonder if—“ Seward began.
“I will not perform any experiments on the woman I love,” Abe interrupted. “Mina is not some sort of specimen.”
“It is fine. Truly,” I said, reaching out to touch Abe’s arm, a rush of warmth filling me at his words. “You’re a scientist…you understand curiosity. Seward is just curious.”
Abe relaxed, but kept his sharp gaze trained on Seward.
“What is the nature of your relationship with Anara?” he asked.
“Wh—what?” Seward stammered, his face going pale as he set down his tea.
“If you are going to ask questions about Mina, surely you can answer my question.”
“That’s different,” Seward protested. “I’ve never asked about your romantic relationship. I’ve already told Mina that I care for Anara. Anything further is none of you concern.”
“Abe, he’s right,” I said gently.
Seward gave me a grateful smile. I continued to study him as he returned his focus to his food, wondering how they had become involved. While Anara’s attitude had softened towards humans since she’d joined us, and our discussion last night confirmed her changed views, I still found it surprising she would enter into any sort of romantic relationship with a human.
Seward soon rose to his feet and excused himself, a flush spreading over his face at my unintentionally probing gaze. I had not been as subtle in my assessment as I'd assumed.
“I am going to take some air,” Gabriel said politely. He’d been so quiet during our exchange with Seward that I’d nearly forgotten he was there.
“Anara and Jack,” Abe mused aloud, once we were alone. “How odd.”
“Well. They do bicker as much as any couple. And Anara is beautiful," I added. I’d noticed a multitude of men giving her appreciative looks during our travels. "Has Seward courted anyone before?"
"Yes, but nothing serious. His focus was always on his work at Scotland Yard," Abe replied. "I am happy for him, I suppose. Hopefully she does not eat him alive."
"We shall see," I said with amusement, leaning in to kiss him before getting to my feet. “I’m going to talk to Gabriel…he’s been quieter than usual. I’m worried about him.”
I found Gabriel walking amongst the overgrown hedges that dominated the grounds behind the house.
“May I walk with you?” I asked, falling in to step beside him.
“Of course.”
“Are you all right?” I pressed, as we walked. “I know the news about Bathory is quite shocking, but it—“
“Bathory?” he asked, blinking. “No—that does not bother me. I am surprised, yes. I am not happy that we are related to those monsters. It is not that. It…it is about my father.”
“Your father?” I breathed. Ever since I’d learned of Gabriel’s existence, the mystery of his father’s identity had bothered me. What vampire had my mother fallen in love with? I could only imagine how much the mystery of Gabriel’s paternity affected him.
“I couldn’t rest last night, so I came out here to walk. Emma was awake as well; she joined me. I asked her if Mother ever told her about my father…and she had. His name was Aydin. His family hated humans and wanted no association with them. When their relationship was discovered, his family imprisoned him…Mother never saw him again. She discovered she was pregnant with me shortly thereafter. She wanted to keep me with her after giving birth, but the war was already brewing, and hybrid vampire children were not safe. She gave me to the human family that raised me, changed her name, and moved to London. That’s where she met your father years later.”
“Is your father still alive?” I asked, reeling from his words.
“Emma doesn’t think so. Mother only told her his first name, and that he had family in Constantinople. His family was so enraged by his relationship with Mother that Emma believes they had him killed.”
“My God,” I whispered.
“Emma doesn’t think my father would have let Mother’s death go unavenged if he was still alive. I…I had hoped to meet him…”
Gabriel’s voice broke. I stopped walking, reaching out to entwine my fingers with his.
“I am sorry,” I whispered. “But you are not alone in this world…you have me. We are family.”
Gabriel gave me a tremulous smile. A sudden rush of empathy filled my heart. The isolation and grief he'd experienced in his early years could have turned him dark. Instead, he had become the kind and compassionate man I’d come to love.
“Mother should have never made you promise to protect me,” I continued, linking my arm with his as we continued through the maze of shrubbery. “You deserve to live your own life.”
“I wanted to,” Gabriel protested. “I am glad that I have come to know you.”
“You need to make me a promise,” I said, looking up at him.
“What?”
“When this is all over…you will make a life for yourself. I have no intention of sending you away,” I added hastily, when his face fell. “But I don’t want you to spend the rest of my years shadowing me. You will have a life of your own, Gabriel. Promise me.”
“I promise,” he said, after a long pause.
When we returned to the front entrance of the house, a carriage was dropping off Anara and several people I didn’t recognize.
Gabriel and I trailed them inside to the salon. Abe and Seward were already there, and Anara introduced the strangers as the Parisian members of the Order of the Dragon. They were three men and one woman—Noelle, Hugo, Marceau, and Sebastien—all vampires except for Sebastien.
“There used to be more of us—many more,” Hugo said bitterly. He was a brawny vampire with sand-colored hair and striking blue eyes; he had the look of a Viking from a foregone age. “There was a purge of Order members after Vlad’s supposed death—many were killed or fled. For years now, we have lived outside the city in a small village. Francois keeps a sharp eye out for vampires in his city. You are either loyal to Bathory and those who want to end the human world or you are dead.”
“Why rejoin the fight now?” Seward asked.
“We were encouraged by Skala and Vlad’s deaths,” Noelle admitted. She was petite for a vampire, with dark hair and eyes the color of burnished gold. Though she was small, as Szabina had be
en, she exuded great strength. “You must understand…you were not the first to attempt to kill them. There may be only three leaders of the Old Families, but they have many loyal followers. We no longer want to hide…we want to help end this.”
I studied each of them carefully, wondering if we could trust them, or if this was yet another betrayal.
“I looked into their minds,” Anara said, as if reading my mind. “They are telling us the truth. I would not have brought them here if I suspected deception.”
Noelle told us they would join us in subduing Francois at his ball, but they would arrive separately to not arouse suspicion. Hugo would be the one to approach Francois; he was the physically strongest of our group, and unknown to Francois.
We were still discussing details of our plan when I heard another carriage pull up to the house. I excused myself, trailed protectively by Gabriel as I went to the front door. Emma entered, carrying a large garment bag, which Gabriel took off of her. I noticed that she looked slightly pale.
“I have procured your invitations to the ball,” she said, avoiding our eyes as she closed the door behind her. “Your invitations are several unique phrases; you will have to tell them to the guards when you arrive at his chateau, I will write them down for you. I have clothing and masks for the men from the dressmaker’s shop I frequent, they should suffice for the ball. Mina, your and Anara’s dresses will be sent here tomorrow… they will be used since it is such short notice.”
“Thank you,” I said, following her down the entrance hall. She seemed shaken. “Emma…are you all right?”
“I had to go to Clement for your invitations…the vampire who is infatuated with me. He wanted to seal my request for invitations with—with my body. I had to fight him off. I barely escaped.”
At the thought of this creature attempting to force himself on Emma, a surge of rage rippled through me. Gabriel looked just as furious.
“Tell us what he looks like,” I said.
“Mina, it’s not—“
“Please,” Gabriel interrupted. “Tell us. We don’t want to risk him coming after you.”
“You are already putting yourself into so much danger. There is no need for you to—“
“Don’t worry about us,” I said, but I was already visualizing how I would kill Clement.
Emma reluctantly described Clement; shorter than most vampires but muscular, with red hair that he wore long, and severe grey eyes.
Gabriel and I remained with Emma, leaving Abe and Seward with the members of the Order in the salon. I already knew every detail of our plan of attack for tomorrow night; I wanted to spend as much time as I could with Emma before the ball—we would have to leave France after determining Bathory’s location. Though Emma was still rattled from her encounter with Clement, our presence seemed to calm her.
We ate lunch together, and Emma plied us with questions about our lives; she was insatiably curious and wanted to know every detail. I told her about my previous life in London, my father, Clara, and even Jonathan.
“You were engaged before?” she asked. “It seems as if you and Abraham have always been together. I am sorry—I hope that does not offend you.”
“It doesn’t,” I replied, with a reassuring smile.
The Order members did not leave until the early evening, continuing to discuss both the plan for tomorrow and sharing their stories about the war in general. They bid us solemn farewells before they left; the next time we saw them would be at the ball.
The dresses that Anara and I were to wear arrived by messenger early the next morning. I gasped as I pulled mine out of the garment bag. It was made of fine black silk, with a daringly low-cut bodice stitched with fine silver threads, and sleeves made entirely of sheer black lace. It was paired with a fashionable silver moretta mask. Anara’s dress was made of gold satin with an even lower-cut bodice, paired with a black and golden mask that was shaped like a crescent moon. They were the perfect dresses for a masquerade ball with a night theme.
“These are used?” I asked Emma in disbelief. I had expected far simpler dresses.
“Yes. The dressmakers’ clients often attend fine balls in the country,” Emma replied.
As the time for our departure rapidly approached, the sinister excitement I’d felt after learning of my connection to Bathory was replaced by apprehension. This was the first time I’d be on the offensive against a vampire after my encounter with Skala. The thought of my capture and torture by yet another vampire made my body go cold with fear. I had barely survived the first time; I was unsure if I could survive another such ordeal.
When it was time to change into my gown, I realized that my hands were trembling. I took several deep breaths to calm myself. I just needed to focus on our ultimate goal—locating Bathory through Francois, and ending this war for good.
“You look beautiful, but that is the case no matter what you wear. I, however, look quite ridiculous,” Abe muttered from the doorway, pulling me back to the present.
I turned as he entered the room. He was dressed from head to toe in a fine black suit, an ornate gold mask covering most of his face. He looked darkly handsome, and my breath caught at the sight of him, though I smiled at the perturbed look on his face. Abe hated dressing formally; he rarely attended society events, finding them overbearing and pompous.
“I think you look handsome,” I said, beaming at him.
“I brought you something,” he said, approaching me. He reached into his pocket and took out my kukri knife.
I stared at it, frozen. I’d not seen my kukri since the night I’d approached Skala. The memory of Skala carving into my flesh with its blade flickered through my mind, and I instinctively took a step back. Abe looked guilty, lowering the kukri.
“I am sorry. I thought—“ he began.
“No. I will take it,” I said, holding out my hand as I recalled Anara’s words from last night. I would not allow Skala to continue influencing my mind.
Abe handed the kukri to me. I wrapped my hand firmly around the handle, expelling a breath before tucking it into my bodice. The coolness of the sheathed blade against my skin was comfortingly familiar, and I relaxed. This weapon had been my protection before Skala used it against me, and it would continue to be.
Abe met my eyes, concerned, but I gave him a nod of assurance. He took my hand, and we went downstairs to join the others. Anara looked more beautiful than usual in her gown, its golden color complimenting her skin. Gabriel and Seward also wore fashionable black suits and masks of gold and silver. With our fine clothing, we didn’t look as if we were about to head into battle, to kill one of the most powerful vampires in France.
The others streamed out the front door to our waiting carriage. I turned to Emma, who hovered by the doorway, and gave her a long embrace. For her safety, she would stay with a human family in the village with whom she was acquainted while we were away; we didn’t want to risk leaving her alone.
“Please…be careful,” she urged me.
I took my seat in the carriage next to Abe, turning to watch Emma’s silhouette fade as we rode away from the house and towards Francois’ masquerade of night.
17
THE NIGHT MASQUERADE
Just after nightfall, our carriage arrived at iron gates that guarded a sprawling chateau in the northern suburbs of Paris. A throng of carriages were already clustered at the gates, dropping off scores of guests.
I remained close to Abe’s side as we descended from our carriage, trailed closely behind by our friends. I took in the other guests who approached the gates. From their great height, otherworldly beauty, and frosty gazes, I could tell that most were vampire. They were all dressed as living impersonations of night or death. I saw silk gowns of black and midnight blue, studded with diamonds to resemble a starry night sky; gowns of silver and gold that hinted of the celestial; I even saw some vampires dressed as literal angels of death, their fashionable gowns of black brocade paired with finely crafted black angel wings. Their mas
ks ranged from the decorous to the macabre—there were masks like Anara’s that resembled the crescent moon or stars, decorative silver or gold masks that glittered with gemstones, blood red plague masks, or black Venetian masks.
I stifled a gasp when I noticed that the human guests who accompanied vampires were completely nude. They wore nothing but masks, trailing obediently after their vampire companions. I wondered if they were here of their own accord or in a thrall; none of them seemed ashamed or bothered by their nudity, and gazed upon their vampire chaperones with unbridled adoration.
I tore my eyes away from them as we drew closer to the gates. Our small group began to pair off, human to vampire. Gabriel moved to my and Abe’s side, Anara to Seward’s. Once we reached one of the foreboding vampire guards who stood by the gate’s entrance, Gabriel smiled, and spoke the phrase that served as our invitation.
“Monde de la nuit.”
Abe and I stood completely still as Gabriel spoke, and the vampire’s gaze settled on us. I was afraid that all humans were required to be nude to gain entry, which would most certainly give away the kukri tucked in my bodice, but the vampire ushered us inside the gate.
I glanced behind us to make certain that Anara and Seward had also gained access. They were waved inside after Anara spoke the required words.
I nervously linked my arm with Abe’s as we made our way down the long winding cobblestone path towards the chateau up ahead. The exterior brick facade of the chateau was accentuated by yellow gold stone arches that surrounded each of the windows. Two imposing statues of the Greek gods of night and death—Nyx and Thanatos— stood on opposite sides of the two open front doors.
The crowd around us hummed with excitement as we drew near, but a sense of foreboding had seized control of my senses. We were approaching a lion’s den.
We entered a cavernous entry hall that led directly to a grand ballroom. I took in our surroundings with astonishment as we entered. This ball was nothing like the stiff society balls I used to attend in London.
Realm of Night (Mina Murray Book 3) Page 11
