Dark as the Grave

by Peter Dawes

  A visible shiver went up her spine. Once we reached the top of the stairs, I walked ahead of her, leading way into Sabrina’s penthouse.

  Paul opened the door for us, but I paid him no further mind. As I rounded the corner from the entryway, Sabrina appeared in view, seated on her couch with Timothy beside her. She smiled when she saw me, rising to her feet. “Darling Flynn,” she said. “Thank you for fetching your brother, Rose. I was informing Timothy of our plans.”

  Timothy glanced upward at the mention of his name. As he looked at me, he tensed, and in that moment, I knew the truth of what it meant to be drunk on power. Nodding at him, I trained my attention next to Sabrina. “I trust I did not miss anything important,” I said.

  “Not at all. Come, have a seat.” She pointed at the couch directly across from hers. As she shifted to a chair, offering her former seat to Rose, I settled in across from my older siblings, grinning at them mockingly before looking at Sabrina. If our Mistress was aware of the tension circling us, she chose to ignore it. “Events have been set into motion,” she said. “Are you ready for your grand performance?”

  “As ready as ever,” I said. “What has happened?”

  “I received word from the Council of Elders that our area covens are planning a meeting. And, in rare form, my presence has been requested.” Sabrina turned her head, her focus on me for the time being. “Robin himself delivered the courier’s message. They will convene on Thursday.”

  “Straight from the hand of the betrayer.”

  “Who addressed some concern over you. He asked if I had you busy.”

  I laughed. “How touching. Should I do anything to settle his fears?”

  “Not for now. We need him ignorant of our plans and seeing you might raise his suspicions. It’s better for me to keep you busy than for you to need to hide your hand from him.” She paused. “I assume ending a few troublemakers won’t cause you too much burden, will it?”

  “It will be done as you say.”

  “Excellent.” Sabrina winked at me, but then directed her attention to all three of us when she spoke once more. “My enemies want me dead. Timothy and Rose, you have heard whispers of a conspiracy and Flynn unveiled the treason of the bastard I have called a son. There are those who would, no doubt, embrace the reign of Robin over my house. Charles and Louis converse with him often enough for me to believe Robin has them in mind for leadership, and the rest are just lazy, stupid sheep.” She nodded her head toward us. “You three have demonstrated your loyalty in being a part of this. I won’t forget it.”

  Sabrina stood. She began to pace with a lithe and contemplative gait. “In four days, the masters and seconds of every major coven in this area are set to meet at Matthew’s home in Society Hill.” Her gaze met mine in a deliberate manner. “I want Matthew to be the first to die.”

  “As you wish, mistress.”

  “Their actions against me are meant to make a point. Anyone who vies for power will be exterminated by the collective will of the covens. I intend to make a counterpoint. That to transgress me will mean the lives of whoever tries to stop me. As the council convenes, I want you all to be waiting in the wings, away from the watchful eye of Matthew’s security. Timothy will help me escape and Rose...” Her eyes shifted to the vampiress. “You are to help slip Flynn past the front guards.”

  Rose nodded, though her focus never shifted in my direction. On the other hand, Sabrina looked toward me and as she paced around the couch, she leaned her weight into the back, placing her close enough to speak softly. “And you, my darling Flynn,” she said. “After they begin listing their charges, you will infiltrate the meeting room and start the bloodbath. I want every single elder and master disposed of, trapped like rats and ended like the vermin they are. Arm yourself as heavily as you must. Show no mercy to any, including Robin. He signed his death warrant when he turned his back on me. I want him to join his co-conspirators as nothing more than ash.”

  “It will be my pleasure,” I said. As her presence loomed over me, it awakened my desire for her. I turned my head to look at her. “What duties do you have for me in the interim?”

  Sabrina leaned in closer. “Dispose of Vincent, from William’s house. He lives away from the coven house and keeps servants you’ll have to be rid of, but the pretentious twit should make for an easy kill.” A devilish smirk traced across her lips. “Draw it out over a couple of nights. Make him suffer.”

  “You speak such delicious taunts.” I raised an eyebrow. As I felt her breath against my face, I struggled not to claim her lips. “Shall I take my leave, then, and see to your orders?”

  I lived a hundred lives and perished in them all waiting for her to respond. “Say it to me again, my seer,” she whispered. “I enjoy listening to your voice say the words.”

  “It will be done as you say.”

  She shut her eyes as I shut mine. A deep, lingering kiss commenced between us, fueled with energy so palpable, the impulse to throw her on the couch and have at her overcame me, Rose and Timothy be damned. I heard whispers of their thoughts, which provoked me to grin like a devil as Sabrina pulled away.

  Her fingers toyed at the buttons of my shirt. “When we meet next, on the other side of this debacle, we will have our enemies cowering at our feet.”

  “Yes, we will.”

  Offering Rose and Timothy a parting glance, I turned and made my way out of Sabrina’s penthouse, passing Paul once again and feeling the weight of his gaze settle on my back. Descending the stairs, I stopped in my room to acquire some more weaponry and after that, set out to make my departure.

  Along the way, however, I paused by the door of the one person yet to fear me as pointedly as he should. Chancing an encounter with my older brother to eavesdrop on him, I placed a hand on his door and felt first for his thoughts. When I failed to find any reason to be concerned, I allowed the words he spoke in hushed tones to drift toward my ears instead.

  “Yes, I pledge my life to you that Flynn will not interfere,” he said. “My brother has committed himself to our cause, just not as a participant.”

  “Then how do we know he won’t turn on us at the last moment, Michael?” I assumed the voice belonged to Matthew.

  “He’s been made aware of how grossly Sabrina has manipulated him. As I told you before, he still plays the ruse of an assassin so Sabrina doesn’t become suspicious. It will all end once we execute her. He has given me his word.”

  There was a pause on the other line, followed by a sigh. “We are investing a lot in your word because you are an elder, and a trusted one, at that. Please realize, if you are wrong, I fear it will mean all our deaths. Yours included.”

  “We won’t die. I promise you. I know what thoughts trouble my brother. By next week, there will be order amongst the covens again. You’ll see it with your own eyes.”

  A slow, wicked grin curled the corners of my mouth. Turning away from the door, I strolled for the stairs with an unaffected air. My brother was ignorant of walking into his own grave and while his co-conspirators remained skeptical, they were mice following the Pied Piper’s tune. I settled into work later, allowing a lingering thought to sing like a macabre lullaby.

  No, Robin did not know he was to fear me yet, but he would the moment his house of cards came tumbling down around him.

  Chapter 21

  It was as I returned from killing Vincent that she confronted me again.

  “The vampire Flynn,” she said, announcing herself with a mocking tone. I halted what had been a casual stroll, my eyes tracing across the back alley I had been taking for a shortcut, looking for her position. Seeing nothing, I furrowed my brow and spun around to look behind me.

  “You let her get to you again. What is it that Lydia used to say? Sight, but no vision? That’s what I see in front of me right now. Some petulant vampire wasting his gifts when he should be a guardian of the people. Or a guardian, at least, of his brother.” The voice paused. It shifted location. I turned to follow it, but did
not yet see its owner. “You think it’s about power, and I’m sure Sabrina fed you that line of bull, but it’s about purpose. Be careful you don’t learn that lesson the hard way.”

  “Come out!” I said, baring fangs. “Stop playing games and face me.”

  “Not yet. Consider this your last warning from me.” Her presence drifted away just as quickly as it had surfaced, leaving the quiet to surround me in an eerie manner with her words resonating in the stillness of the night.

  The encounter bore the earmarks of a sorceress and as I only had one alive in my life at that moment, I sneered while looking toward the last place she had been speaking. “Come out and face me, witch,” I said, “so I can slit your throat.” My hand rested on the hilt of my sword, but it became apparent before long that Monica had delivered her message and departed.

  “Coward,” I muttered, and resumed my walk back to the coven.

  Little did I know that Monica had remained hidden, holding her breath and waiting for me to leave. She had been following me throughout those tumultuous weeks, and even though her words gave every indication that she knew things she should not know, I did not care. I did not think to continue looking for her, because she had become a petty nuisance again and I had abandoned my need for a conscience.

  But if I had turned back, I would have seen her peering over the ledge behind which she hid, frowning at me. “Everything is the hard way with you,” she said. “It’s time for you to get a heavy dose of the truth.” Bringing herself to her feet, I could only imagine the solemn look which must have been in her eyes, or the heaviness in her heart. “Don’t worry, Peter,” she added. “This isn’t over yet.

  “One way or another, we’re going to get you back to where you belong.”

  The following evening arrived much the same as every other setting of the sun, only this time I opened my eyes knowing I faced the single most daunting assassination I had ever orchestrated. Rising, I stretched and surveyed my room, knowing I would need to be heavily armed. Walls and shelves arrayed with weapons ensured this would not be a problem.

  As such, I began my ritual.

  I showered and fetched a fresh suit out from my closet. The act of dressing took on methodical undertones, from the meditation I granted each button to the way I studied every article of clothing with calm focus. The shirt, pants, and shoes became the simplest elements of my ensemble to equip. From there, I moved on to my weapons.

  Threading my arms through my shoulder holster, I secured it into place. An array of knives found their way into each available slot, positioned with the utmost care after being cradled in the palm of my hand for a moment. I slipped a sheathed knife into the waistband of my pants and strapped my katana to my hip. Fastening a shorter sword onto my back, I procured a long, black coat to cover most of my collection after settling everything into place. Once finished, I nodded with approval.

  My fingers caressed the hilt of my katana before I wrapped them around the red and black braiding. I drew it seamlessly and swung it around once before snapping it back into its sheath. A cold, sinister grin crept across my face. Armed to the teeth, the assassin was ready for battle.

  A knock ripped me from my thoughts.

  I turned and strode for the entryway. Twisting the knob, I opened the door and raised an eyebrow once I spied Rose standing on the other side. Her eyes ran over me, fear distilled in her gaze. “The council is about to convene,” she said. “Sabrina and Robin have departed and Timothy left just behind them.”

  “Very well.” I stepped out of my room and secured the door closed. Gesturing a command that she should proceed first, we began to stroll down the corridor. I reached into my coat pocket for my black, leather gloves and slid them over my fingers in the same methodical manner as I had my other accouterments. “Have any concerns or changes cropped up?”

  “Everything is as planned.” Walking ahead of me, Rose’s posture stiffened as she summoned some form of backbone to continue the conversation with less fear in her voice. “We will wait until the meeting begins and enter afterward. Sabrina asks that you kill Matthew’s guards quickly before we sneak into the meeting room.”

  I scoffed as we started down the stairs. “This is not my first kill.”

  “You seem to have problems keeping your focus. Especially when strange sorceresses come calling.”

  Her comment provoked a sneer. “Keep careful watch over your words, Rose. I might collect tenfold for your disrespect.”

  She motioned to speak again, but quickly shut her mouth. Rethinking her response, however, opened her mind to me without any effort on my part. I read the curses issued in thought as though they had been painted on the walls. She could be a fiery vixen when she wanted to be and her temper was evident in every ill word she conjured. We reached the bottom of the stairs in silence, but she stopped and turned to face me. I held an even gaze. “Walk ahead of me,” I said. “Unless you are waiting for some fanfare to precede you.”

  “I don’t trust having you behind me.” Rose pointed toward the main entrance. “You first, please.”

  “That would hardly be wise, Pet. To see me coming ahead of you would arouse suspicion.”

  “Until we arrive, then.”

  In a flash of anger, I took her by the chin and shoved her body against mine. “Rose, do I need to be crass and insulting to make a point? After tonight, looking at me means gazing upon Sabrina’s right hand. More than a mere assassin, I will be lord of this manor and the second most powerful vampire in this coven. Now…” I bent to lean closer, my face hovering above hers. “If I were you, I would learn more about respect. Or else, I will shackle you for the rest of your days with only the blood of rats to sustain you. And my new ritual, before I retire every morning, will be to make you forget there ever was a being named Rose inside the shell of your body.” My expression conveyed the seriousness of my threat. “Are we crystal clear or must I offer a demonstration?”

  Rose regained a modicum of defiance. “I don’t care what you say. Sabrina wouldn’t let you. I mean too much to her.”

  “Sweet Rose, have you not figured out by now you are just as expendable as every other immortal in this coven?” I smirked. “Remember, I own your thoughts now, woman. The moment you think anything ill toward either me, or Sabrina, I will eliminate you.”

  Rose pushed herself away and I laughed as she stormed ahead of me. “Good girl.” The guards at the entryway held the doors open for us to pass as we made our way out to the streets.

  Paul waited outside with the car, having already delivered Sabrina, Robin, and Timothy to their destination. My excursion to Matthew’s coven took only a matter of minutes and once we had been deposited a short walk away, I stole a moment on the pavement to gather myself. Soon, my training would be put to the test, and while I relished the challenge, I reminded myself success hinged on more than my arrogance. With cold focus, I became the Black Rose Assassin again, realizing this time, only ashes would be left in my wake.

  An ill wind blew past, but I ignored it, approaching the wrought iron gate which led into the main grounds of Matthew’s estate. Rose slowed to a stop, taking her place beside me. “How do we go about this?” she asked.

  I stole a moment to glance around the empty, landscaped yard, listening for any sign of movement. “The guards must be protecting the meeting room,” I said, speaking in a hushed tone. “I expected to see more outside.”

  Rose nodded and together we entered, walking further up the path side-by-side. The disquieting sensation that had greeted me became more pronounced, but I pushed it aside again in favor of further assessing our surroundings. The entire walkway had been lined by dimly-lit sconces interspersed between trimmed hedges, and opened to a columned entryway. I crouched upon reaching the bend in the road that would put us in full view of the front door. That was when I heard them.

  Cautiously peering around the small amount of cover afforded by the shrubs, I spied two male vampires standing watch outside a set of sturdy wooden door
s. Neither caught sight of me before I ducked back behind the bush.

  My eyes shifted to Rose and a chilling, sinister grin surfaced on my face. ‘Sweet Rose,’ I thought at her, not wanting to risk any volume of speech, ‘I believe I have found the part you are to play.’

  She swallowed hard, her eyes widening with fear.

  With that, the first phase of my mission commenced.

  I recognized the guards as being James and Martin, two of Matthew’s immortal children, and savored their reaction when the sight of a blonde-haired vampiress running toward them shattered the peace. Rose clutched herself as though she had been violated, crying and acting every bit the part of a damsel in distress. I slipped into the shadow afforded by one of the columns while they both turned their backs to me, their focus directed toward Rose.

  “Please help me!” she said, her voice shaky as she threw herself at them. James clutched onto her and she, in turn, grabbed fistfuls of his shirt. “He’s gone insane! He’ll kill me alongside of you if you don’t stop him.”

  James blinked at Rose as I slithered behind his partner, drawing my sword in anticipation. She tilted her head so her eyes met his and James spoke just as I ran Martin through the chest with my sword. “What is it, Miss? Who did this to you?” he asked as, unbeknownst to him, ash flaked to the ground. I stalked forward, just out of his periphery, and readied my weapon again.

  Rose motioned to answer, but I interrupted by thrusting my sword through James’s back, far enough for the tip to protrude from his stomach. Rose yelped and jumped backward; the sharp steel stuck out far enough that it cut across her abdomen, almost impaling her as well. Smiling, I snaked an arm around James’s neck while holding the sword steady with my other hand. “I believe that would be me,” I said pressing my face against his head while speaking harshly into his ear. “You know who this is, right, James?”