Fortress of Blood (Mina Murray Book 2)

by L. D. Goffigan

  “I love you, Jonathan,” I whispered when I pulled back, taking in his handsome features, filing them away for my memories.

  “And I you. I release you from this marriage, Mina. Now that you are free, I want to tell you what the others have been hiding.”

  Astonishment rendered me still, and my heart did a catapult in my chest.

  “Van Helsing wanted me to keep it from you, but you have a right to know, and I know that you’ve already sensed it.”

  “What?” I whispered, my throat dry.

  16

  The Next Journey

  The next morning, I awoke with a resolve that I had not felt since Jonathan’s abduction. It was barely past dawn when I opened my eyes, but I could already hear the familiar sounds of London waking up. The distant murmur of voices as merchants opened their shops and vendors set up their stalls; the knocker-uppers tapping on windows, rousing my neighbors from their slumber; the carriages clattering noisily through the streets.

  I slipped out of bed, remaining in my nightdress as I padded out into the hallway and entered the various rooms of my home. I began with the library, whose oak shelves were overflowing with books, many of which I still had not read. The spacious yet intimate drawing room where I had spent much of my time reading or preparing lesson plans. The dining room where I had once hosted an awkward dinner for Mary and Jonathan. The tiny back kitchen where I often ate dinner with Clara. The two barely used guest rooms that had unfortunately come to serve as storage spaces. And finally, Father’s study.

  Only weeks ago I had avoided the room, but now I welcomed the memories that swept over me as I entered, moving towards the desk where Father had spent much of his time. I recalled the scientific debates Father, Abe and I had engaged in here, the hours I had spent studying under Father’s tutelage or creating drawings for his publications, the quiet times when I would come in to read while he prepared his lessons or graded papers.

  Clara found me as I was seated at Father’s desk, looking down at an old photograph of my parents and me that he’d kept in one of the drawers.

  “Mina?” she asked, frowning as she entered the study. “Heard you movin’ about the house. Are you all right?”

  I placed the photograph back in the drawer, turning around to meet her eyes. I gave her a sad smile.

  “Yes,” I replied. “I was just saying goodbye.”

  Clara stilled, her face draining of color, but she did not look wholly surprised. She moved towards me, and I stood as she reached out to pull me into an embrace.

  “My bairn,” she sighed. “This is another day I knew would come.”

  Pulling away from her, I told her what I had learned from Jonathan the day before.

  I had sat motionless as he confirmed my suspicions about what the others were hiding from me.

  “There have been more abductions in other cities and villages since you killed Vlad. Van Helsing believes that there are more leaders Vlad allied himself with, and they have followers of their own. It appears we have eliminated the threat in London—for now. Vlad’s surviving followers have fled. Anara and some of our allies went to their temporary home in Mayfair, but they had all long gone. Van Helsing and the others are presently at Gabriel’s home in Thatcham trying to determine who and where the other leaders are. The threat will not be truly over until they’re all dead.”

  I was silent, reeling from his words. My dark fears had turned out to be true. Vlad was only a part of the vampire threat against the human world. I recalled Lucy’s words from weeks ago. One of the Old Families. There was the Draculesti family that was now no more. But who else was there?

  “They expect us to remain in London while they continue the fight. I do belong here . . . but not you, Mina.”

  He reached out to tilt my stricken face towards his, placing a gentle kiss on my forehead, and I realized that it was a goodbye kiss. My eyes again filled with tears as I was struck by my shock at his words and my heartache.

  “Thank you for telling me,” I whispered. He nodded, placing a folded piece of paper into my shaking hands.

  “Directions to Gabriel’s home. I don’t know how much longer they will be there—you should make haste.”

  We walked back to my home in silence. Once we arrived at my front door, he raised my left hand to his lips, lovingly kissing my knuckles, and I noticed that I still wore my engagement ring, which now seemed obscenely out of place. When he released my hand, I started to slide it off, but he shook his head.

  “Promise me that we’ll still be in each other’s lives. Write to me. Call on me. Please,” I whispered.

  “Of course,” Jonathan replied, reaching out to touch the side of my face with tenderness. “And I shall never forget that I have a life because of you.”

  I closed my eyes and leaned in to his touch, and we stood quietly for a moment before he withdrew. And then he was gone, descending the stairs and heading down the street with his hands shoved into his pockets, his head lowered, trailed by two large men who I recognized from our group––his vampire guards. I remained on my doorstep, my heart filled with a maelstrom of conflicting emotions—love, sadness, resolve, excitement. I watched him until he disappeared into a cab at the end of the street.

  Now, Clara listened intently as I finished recounting what had occurred. She gave me a sympathetic smile, her eyes dropping to my now ringless hand.

  “I noticed when you came in yesterday . . . wanted you ta tell me when you were ready. He was not t’man for you, my bairn.”

  “I thought you liked Jonathan,” I said, surprised. “You never raised any objection to our courtship.”

  “I do. He’s a good man. I could tell he loved you ‘n you seemed happy. I t’ought by marryin’ him you’d stay away from Transylvania ‘n out of danger,” she said, her eyes twinkling at the irony. “Anyone wit’ eyes can see who you should be wit’,” she added mischievously.

  “Clara—”

  “T’at’s all I’m going ta say,” Clara said, raising up her hands. “Let’s get you packed.”

  “You’re not going to try to stop me?” I asked in disbelief. I had braced myself for her protest to my departure.

  “You wouldn’t listen if I did . . . ‘n you have your brother. I like him, even if he is . . . you know,” she added hastily.

  “I know,” I said, giving her an amused smile.

  I washed and dressed in a comfortable lavender walking suit, and she helped me pack my trunk before we ate breakfast together. To my surprise, she asked me for details about my journey to Transylvania. I began with Lucy directing us to Transylvania under hypnosis, the attack on the Demeter, Arthur’s death, the villagers in Holland who helped us, Greta’s experiments in Amsterdam, the train derailment, the discovery of Gabriel, meeting Radu and Anara, and the revelations from Szabina about my mother. When I was finished, it took me a moment to realize that my eyes glistened with tears, and Clara reached out to cover my hand with hers.

  “My brave bairn,” she murmured, her eyes also shimmering with tears.

  We sat in silence for a long moment before I told her I needed to make two stops before I left, and she urged me to go, insisting that she would finish the last of my packing.

  My first stop was the school. I surprised the teacher who had taken my place, a woman my age with frizzy blonde hair, gentle brown eyes and an amiable nature. She graciously paused her lesson to allow me to bid my students farewell.

  Their faces fell at the news of my departure, but one student boldly asked for a final adventure story. I hesitated before glancing at the teacher, who gave me an encouraging nod.

  The students listened with wide-eyed attention as I told them an amended version of the tale I told Clara—replacing vampires with wolves, omitting the more violent moments, and changing the names of all involved. When I finished, the silence was deafening.

  “Did that really ‘appen, Missus?” asked young Isaac Morris, his eyes round.

  “Of course it did,” I said, giving him a c
onspiratorial wink. I turned to look at the teacher, who was looking at me with mild disconcertion.

  “Take care of them,” I said. She blinked and nodded, giving me an assuring smile.

  As I left the classroom and headed down the corridor towards the exit, I heard a familiar voice behind me.

  “Miss Murray.”

  I stilled, turning to find Horace waddling towards me with his trademark scowl.

  “I overheard you telling the children another one of—”

  “There is no need to scold me, Mister Welling. I’m leaving my post.”

  I initially had no intention of telling him of my resignation in person, and I’d written a letter that was to be sent to him after I departed London. I felt no desire to see the look of pleasure on his face when I resigned, and I was irritated that I would now to be forced to do so.

  But Horace stiffened, actually looking disappointed by my news. He must have had the hope of sacking me himself.

  “Good,” he said. “I would have gladly released you from your post myself. You still violated our agreement by plying the children with another of those nonsensical stories. Therefore, I will have to begin discussions about funding for the class.”

  “What?” I breathed, horrified.

  “You heard me,” he said, looking quite pleased by my reaction. “I—”

  But he faltered, his eyes straying to something behind me, and I turned.

  Nikolaus and Kudret had entered the corridor behind me. Though they were dressed like London gentlemen, there was no denying their otherworldly nature, and they looked like dark avenging angels as they loomed at the end of the corridor. Abe was right; I had almost forgotten that they were shadowing me.

  I turned back to face Horace, whose focus remained on the two vampires, looking absolutely terrified.

  “Mina,” Kudret said from behind me. “Are you all right?”

  “What were you saying, Horace?” I asked coolly, struggling to suppress a smile of relief.

  “I . . . ah—” he faltered, his eyes still on the vampires behind me. “I wish you the best. Thank . . . thank you for your work here.”

  “And I thank you,” I returned. “I hope not to hear of anything happening to this class or the students. Otherwise, my friends will be quite upset.”

  “Of . . . of course not,” Horace said, taking a faltering step backwards as Nikolaus and Kudret stepped forward to flank me, never taking their eyes from his pale face.

  I thanked them once we left the school, smiling as I recalled the look on Horace’s face.

  We took the Underground back to Highgate, and I made my way to Highgate Cemetery. Nikolaus and Kudret lingered behind as I walked ahead of them, taking the familiar path to my parents’ graves.

  I kneeled down in front of their headstones. It was odd visiting here, now that I knew their many secrets. But I no longer felt any bitterness towards them, only a calm acceptance. I understood why they wouldn’t want me to know of the hidden world of vampires; it was a world filled with evil and constant danger. But now that I was well aware of it, there would be no going back, and I had been foolish to think otherwise.

  I have avenged your deaths, I said silently, reaching out to touch their engraved names. I understand that you wanted to protect me, but I must prevent more deaths.

  When I returned home, my trunk was completely packed. Clara’s eyes brimmed with a fresh wave of tears as we embraced farewell.

  “What did you say to Abe when we left the first time?” I asked when I pulled away from her, struck by the memory from weeks ago.

  “I told him I know how much he loves you, and ta keep you safe,” Clara replied, with a knowing smile.

  During the brief train journey to Thatcham, my thoughts drifted to Abe. Abe, who had never been far from my thoughts, even during the years of our separation. Abe, whose voice had brought me back from the brink of death. Abe, whom I loved—whom I had always loved.

  When I arrived at Gabriel’s home, a sprawling brick farmhouse on the outskirts of Thatcham, Nikolaus and Kudret trailed me inside the unlocked front door. As soon as we entered, I heard the rise of familiar voices from the drawing room at the end of the entrance hall.

  “He only wants to go to Amsterdam because his bloody lab is there,” Seward was protesting. “We’re surrounded by vampires. We don’t need any more experiments, Abe. What we need is to find these—”

  “That is not why I want to go back,” Abe interjected. “Greta has done extensive research in the library, and she has more—”

  “She can wire us any information she has,” Seward said. “Going back to Amsterdam isn’t needed when—”

  He fell silent, blinking at me in astonishment as I entered the large drawing room that was filled with familiar faces. Abe, Seward, Gabriel, Anara, and Szabina. They were all seated in chairs or standing around the unlit fireplace.

  At the sight of them, I was filled with warmth. I hadn’t realized how much I missed this group of humans and vampires.

  The silence stretched as they all took me in, agape. Szabina and Seward slowly broke into broad smiles. Anara remained stoic, though I glimpsed a flicker of pleasure in her eyes. Gabriel frowned with concern, while Abe looked bewildered.

  “I suggest we go to Matford,” I said calmly. “My father’s family has a country home there that was left to him. Do you remember it, Abe? He only used it when he needed time away from London to work on his publications.”

  My words seemed to tear Abe from his shock, and he lurched to his feet, his eyes straying accusingly towards my guards.

  “Yes, I remember, but we are not using it because you are not coming with us. What are you doing here? Where is your husband?”

  “He is in London, and I am coming with you,” I said. “We can’t stay here. It’s not safe. Matyas knows of Gabriel, and I have no doubt that he can find out where he lives. The home in Matford can accommodate us before we move on to our next destination. Father kept much of his research there. We know he was researching vampires. There may be something of use to us there.”

  “No,” Abe said. “It is far too dangerous for you to come with us, I have explained why. Vlad’s remaining followers will be hunting for you. Surely, your husband does not want you to put—”

  “Jonathan and I have ended our marriage,” I evenly replied. “He’s the one who told me of your plans.”

  Another silence fell over the group, and they all exchanged uncomfortable looks at my news. A flicker of some emotion I could not identify passed over Abe’s face before it was gone again, and he looked away.

  “You barely survived your encounter with Vlad and Ilona,” Gabriel spoke up, stepping forward. “It’s not safe for you to—”

  “It’s not safe for anyone until we find and kill Vlad’s allies,” I interrupted.

  “Haven’t either of you learned?” Seward asked, rising to his feet. “It’s best not to argue with Mina when she’s made up her mind.”

  “Thank you, Seward,” I said.

  “Mina Harker, the infamous killer of the Dracula,” Seward continued, giving me a wry smile. “Of course, she can join us.”

  “Mina Murray,” Abe corrected him, looking cross. “She just informed us she is no longer married.”

  “Murray, Harker—doesn’t matter. My sentiment still stands. Wouldn’t be a proper journey without you, Mina,” Seward said, looking at me with unwavering sincerity.

  “I wanted to tell you all along,” Szabina said, meeting my eyes. “Mina is a part of this,” she said, addressing the others. “She has always been a part of this.”

  “I agree,” Anara added, giving me an affirming nod.

  Abe and Gabriel were the only ones who still looked turbulent, but I turned my focus to Abe.

  “May I speak with you privately?” I asked.

  We left the room as everyone’s voices again rose in debate, as if I had not interrupted at all. We entered the kitchen directly across the hall, and once we were alone, I closed the gap be
tween us, standing on tiptoe to press my lips against his.

  For a moment, he stiffened with surprise, then fervently returned my kiss, his arms encircling my body to hold me close. For the first time since he approached me on the street in the East End, I didn’t suppress the rush of love I felt for him, and allowed it to flow through every part of me, like a caged bird finally set free.

  When we broke apart, we were breathless, and I remained in the circle of his arms.

  “I’ve been hiding for so long,” I whispered. “I heard every word you said when I was coming out of my coma. I love you, Abraham Van Helsing. I’ve never stopped. Jonathan knew. I think he’s always known, even when I didn’t allow myself to.”

  “I thought I had lost you,” Abe tremulously replied. “I–I was prepared to live without you. To love you from afar.”

  “You don’t have to. Not anymore. We’ve lost so much time,” I said, with a sharp sting of regret. “I felt so guilty after Father died that I pushed you away.”

  “It is in the past. There is no need to dwell on regret,” he said. He straightened, intently searching my eyes. “Are you prepared to leave your life in London behind? Your students? Clara?” He hesitated, before adding, “Jonathan?”

  “Yes,” I replied. “My life has never truly been in London . . . I was just hiding there. You forced me out of hiding.”

  “Me—and vampires,” Abe added ruefully, his lips twitching with a smile.

  “And vampires,” I amended, with a small grin.

  His arms tightened around me, and I rested my head against his chest, grateful to share a brief moment of happiness before we returned to the perilous undertaking of saving the human world.

  The next morning, as the sun began its leisurely ascent above the horizon, we all mounted the horses in the back stables. The night before, we had finally agreed that my father’s home in Matford would indeed be our first destination. Matford was not far from Thatcham, and as there was no direct train connection, we had decided to travel there on horseback.