by R. L. Weeks
Tarragon – Snake bites
Catmint: - Ferocity and strength
Yarrow – For divination
Sage – Protection and cleansing of the house
Belladonna Oil – Poison
Datura Oil – Banish evil spirits
Thyme – To use with yarrow and sage to contact the dead
Each one comes with instructions on a little note. What on earth was Emmett trying to do with all these? He certainly didn’t have them when I was following him as a ghost. Why are they in his house? They are written in Emmett’s handwriting. Some of these herbs are exotic. How did he get them?
Regardless, I pick out some bottles and put them in my bag. I choose the betony, definitely. I need protection against seers. I also take the mugwort, belladonna oil, datura oil and thyme, yarrow, and sage.
They clink against each other as I move the bag. I look down at the logs. It will take me hours to fashion a stake, and Uncle Jack is on victim number four now. He must be stopped. I know where he is, but first I need to make one stop — Miss Kaye’s Boutique.
Twelve
I reach the shop and look inside at the pretty dresses on the mannequins. They are covered with a neat layer of dust, which means she hasn’t been here since she left with Amelia and Emmett.
I look around and smile as a man passes. How am I going to get in without being noticed? The door, of course, is locked. A woman looks at me as I try to push open the locked door.
“Oh no, they’re closed,” I say loudly enough for her to hear. I throw my hands up and walk back down the road.
The woman continues to walk. I wait until she’s out of sight before I go back to the shop. I see a narrow alleyway two shops down from the boutique. It’s barely big enough to fit one person. Why did they build it so narrow?
I edge my way down the confined space and crane my neck at the end as it exits out onto a alleyway. I push myself through and let out a deep breath. I dust down the front of my dress.
Now, which one is the boutique? I count the shops backward with my finger. I land on a red brick building with a black back door. The door is covered with empty cobwebs, and the step leading up to it is littered with moss and some discarded litter from the streets.
I pick up a fallen branch by shop number one and walk over to the back door of the boutique. I grip the branch in my hand, which is about seven inches thick, and force it against the frame.
I look around, hoping I haven’t caught any attention, before slamming the branch against the frame a second time.
“Need some help?”
I jolt. Alarm rips through my body. I turn slowly. “Oh my god, Tom, you scared me.”
Silence hangs between us. “Amelia said you wanted to see me.”
“I—”
Before I get a chance to tell him the truth, Amelia jumps down from one of the rooftops above. I jump backward at her sudden entry and lean against the wall to steady myself.
Amelia flicks back her hair. I look like a mess after squeezing down one alleyway, but she jumps from rooftops and still looks like royalty. I can’t wait to drive a stake through her cold heart.
Amelia places her hand on Tom’s back. “Yes, Raven and I came to an agreement after she realised her feelings for you.”
She looks at me with a pointed stare. I want to scream the truth to Tom — perhaps he could kill her like the others — but something about Amelia tells me she would be very difficult to bring down. Besides, what would Miss Kaye do to the man who killed her only daughter? I shudder at the thought.
I look up at Tom. His gaze locks with mine. “Is that true?”
I close my eyes. What choice do I have? “Yes. It’s true.”
A wrinkle sets in at the top of his nose. “You don’t seem too sure.”
Amelia gives me a hard stare, her eyes glistening from red back to gold. Her hand hovers around his neck, a seemingly innocent gesture, but I see her intent. Love him, or he dies, and so will I.
I swallow hard. I rush over to him and wrap my arms around him. The gesture isn’t lost. He hugs me back fiercely and kisses the top of my head.
My breathing eases. The show of affection isn’t a complete lie. I am glad to see him, I have missed him, and do care for him. If my feelings for Emmett hadn’t grown strong and nestled themselves into my soul, I think I could love Tom.
His hand moves down to my lower back. He rubs his thumb against the fabric of my dress. “What about Emmett?” he asks, his lips setting in a hard line.
I glance at Amelia for a split second before looking up at him. “He’s gone. I don’t want him. I love you.”
Amelia gives me an approving nod. I could cry. I hate this. I hate lying to the man who is like my best friend, and I hate being blackmailed by some red-haired bitch. Yeah, I said it. I hate the word, but a woman like her needs such venom.
“I shall leave you two to it then,” Amelia says. She gives me one last look. “There’s more than a door protecting my mother’s shop, you know. I wouldn’t bother.”
Her hair flicks back as she jumps up onto the rooftop.
My gaze follows her as she flickers out of sight. “How the hell?”
“I can show you,” he says.
Before I get the chance to reply, he grabs me tightly, and we soar through the air. The air whooshes from my lungs. My heart races as I see the beautiful colors of the city as we reach the highest rooftop.
We land, lightly to my surprise. I almost topple backward, but Tom holds me up. Since becoming a vampire, he has become much stronger. His arms are muscular, and his chest and stomach are rock hard.
I look around us. Leaves of red and green have gathered on the roof. The city below is bustling with people. I turn around to get a better look and feel Tom’s arm around my stomach. I feel safe in his embrace.
I look down at the marching guards and the coaches arriving with men dressed in scarlet and blue. Behind them, their luggage is unpacked and taken into houses grander than any I have ever seen.
Boys shine shoes on the sides of the streets, men holding signs walk the pavements, and smoke from the factories swirls up into the sky.
There are people playing music too. I can hear their sweet melodies from all the way up here.
There are market people with baskets full of fruits and other things to sell.
The stone buildings almost glitter from the sunlight. Trees filled with leaves add a beauty to the city that can only be seen from up here.
“It’s beautiful,” I say.
He spins me around. “Yes, it is.”
His lips crash against mine. He runs his hand up through my hair. I am grateful I managed to tame and brush it this morning so it’s silky smooth. He groans as his kiss becomes more urgent. I kiss him back at first because of my promise, but as he slows his lips, I almost don’t want him to pull away.
I remember every touch, every kiss, and every word shared between us two years ago. I push back against him, which only excites him further.
The wind whooshes around us, the leaves crackle under my feet, and the sunrays glimmer off the rooftiles.
I smile behind the kiss, and I feel his lips curve upward too. “I really do love you, Raven. I’m sorry for leaving. I’m sorry for not being a better man for you.”
I break the kiss and look up at him. His eyes are still gentle, kind, but also foreign. “You’re a vampire.”
He looks down at me with impatience. “I did it for you, Raven.” His mouth sets in a hard line. “You can’t keep toying with my emotions like this.”
I rub my eyes and forehead. I can feel a headache coming on. “I’m not.”
He relaxes and holds my hand, thumbing my palm. “Why were you trying to get into that shop?”
I gulp. “I want to tell you, but I fear you would try to save me.”
“I would die for you,” he says with all seriousness.
“I know.” I bite my lip “That’s what scares me the most.”
Thirteen
> I sit in Emmett’s armchair and gaze up at the flaky white ceiling. Tom is upstairs getting dressed. He wants to take me out for dinner. I don’t want to go anywhere.
There are many things I need to do. I need to find a way to get into Miss Kaye’s shop to get more information on her and Amelia. Perhaps I can even find their weaknesses.
I need to find Emmett and save him from them, after I drive a stake through Amelia’s heart.
I need to stop my uncle from his killing spree. He has killed his fourth victim according to the papers, but I reckon he’s killed more than that. I need to kill him, and now that I know where his hideout is, I can do it. But Tom refuses to let me go and promises he will find and kill Jack for me.
I want to find a way to see my friend, Elizabeth, again and perhaps help bring her back from the dead. She deserves to be alive more than I do.
Then there’s the vampire situation. Tom became one, so he could save me from that brothel vamp den. I need to find a way to reverse it, if there is a way.
If that’s not enough, I have no idea what Amelia did to get Tom’s ex-lover, Jane, to leave. She loved Tom; she showed that when she attacked me with her magic. I can’t shake the feeling that I will be seeing her again.
Whilst in London, I had hoped to find the grave of Nora, my friend and maid. I know she’s dead, I can feel it, but I would like to say goodbye — if I even can find her. I searched high and low when I was a ghost no to avail.
I look at the apothecary kit on the fireplace. That’s another thing I need to solve. Why does Emmett have all those weird herbs and protection potions?
I hear Tom walk down the stairs and into the living room. He’s wearing his dinner suit with a long frock coat and bow tie. His suit is immaculate, and he has shaved for the occasion. He looks quite dapper.
He places one hand in the pocket of his pinstripe black trousers and smiles. “Are you ready?”
I let out a deep breath. “Sorry, I was thinking.” I look back at the fireplace. “A lot has happened.”
He takes my hands, looks into my eyes for a moment, and then sighs. He wraps his arms around me, bringing my head to his chest. “Oh, my sweet Raven. We will make sure that everything is sorted out.”
I wish I could tell him the truth, but I fear that hearing how I truly feel about Emmett may destroy him. He’s already done so much for me, and while Amelia is alive, there’s nothing I can do about it. “Thank you, Tom.” I hold him tight. I want him to know that, no matter how this works out, I really do appreciate all he’s done. “Really. Thank you. I mean that.”
He kisses my forehead. “I know, my love.”
***
We walk down the darkening streets. I feel the pull toward Fleet Street, but I’m led in the opposite direction. Tom knows how badly I want to stop my uncle, and I’m a little annoyed that he thinks dinner is more important than stopping a serial killer.
He looks around us. “I love London at night.”
I laugh. “Except for the murders and poverty, yeah, it’s beautiful.”
He reaches down and taps my nose playfully. “So cynical.”
I shrug. “I’m a realist.”
He scoffs. “You’re a pessimist.”
I place a hand on my hip. “Then why do you care for me?”
He stops mid-step and turns to face me. “Care for you? I love you, Raven. Do you not love me?”
I freeze. I part my lips to speak, but my stomach knots. “I do,” I say. It’s easier than saying those three words.
He half-smiles. “Our first disagreement as a couple.”
The word ‘couple’ makes my breath hitch. Oh God. We’re a couple now. I mean, I knew we were, I guess, but I didn’t really attach a word to what it was.
My fingers tremble.
“Are you cold?” He pulls off his jacket and places it on my shoulders. “Here you are, my love.”
Wow. Could I feel any worse? Perhaps this is for the best. Emmett is preoccupied with Amelia. He did still try to help me behind her back, but why use Tom? He knew what we had before, and he hated it. Unless he wanted me to love Tom again?
Perhaps I’m not reading something right here.
Tom squeezes my hand softly. “You seem distracted.”
I shake my head. “Sorry.”
He chuckles. It sends a warmth through me. I have missed that light hearted chuckle of his. “Can’t you just be in the present with me for one night? Stop worrying about things,” he pleads. “Please. Just for one night.”
I exhale slowly. The breath from my mouth comes out like a fog in the cold air. “Sorry. I will try.”
He tickles the corner of my mouth “Can you try smiling? Or do I need to make a fool of myself to get you to smile?”
I roll my eyes. “No.” I force a smile.
He steps in front of me. “I know your real smile, Raven. I’ve seen it.” He stares at me with intensity. “Fine. I’ll be ridiculous.”
I look at him wide-eyed. “Stop it.”
She shakes his head while grinning. A couple walks past us, and Tom smiles. He extends his hand to me. I take it, thinking we can walk and this ridiculousness over a smile is over, but I am twirled forward and almost fall over.
He steps back and takes a bow. Oh my God, what is he doing? He reaches forward, takes my arm, and twirls me around again.
I blush red, and people stop and stare at us. Raindrops fall from the sky and land on us.
I try to get away from this, but he holds me firmly and starts dancing with me on the street. “Tom, people are looking.”
He doesn’t look away from me. “They’re just jealous. They wish they could be dancing with you.”
I snort. “Stop it, please. It’s embarrassing.”
He twirls me around again and then starts doing some silly dance. I flush red again, but the people around us look at him with horrified expressions.
He shrugs. “Just because they’ve got sticks up their arses doesn’t mean we have to.”
I can’t help but laugh. The people hear us and stop watching. They look quite offended. “I can’t believe you just said that.” I cock my head. “You’re so…” I push his arm. “Annoying!”
He laughs. “Hey, I thought that was what you loved about me?”
I shake my head and cover my eyes briefly. “You are insane. I have decided. Utterly insane.”
His thin lips stretch into a grin. “I got you to smile though.”
I fake a frown, but I can’t stop smiling. “I hate you.” I laugh.
“Love you too. Now come on, we’re going to be late for dinner.” He looks up at the sky and back down at me. “You’re getting wet too. Not that I don’t like the look. In fact, you look quite dazzling in the rain. Do you know that?”
My heart pounds as I look back at him. So does he.
Fourteen
I lie in bed and stare at the ceiling. The flames from the candle on my bedside table flicker, making shadows and light dance above me.
I can’t sleep. I have too much on my mind. It was nice to spend the evening with Tom at dinner. He made me laugh, and I even had a drop of brandy, which made me relax, although I really shouldn’t drink it.
Now that the day is coming to a close, all those worries and fears come racing back into my mind. You’d think that my brain would settle at night and ease into a restful slumber, but no, my mind during the day decides to be vacant and exhausted and at night suddenly says, ‘Hey, we should worry about everything right now’. Sigh. My grandmother used to tell me that I had an overactive mind. I used to think it was a gift. Not anymore.
I hear Tom’s snores coming from Emmett’s room. I know Tom doesn’t like us being in Emmett’s house, but I told him that Emmett won’t mind. The truth is, he won’t know. He’s off with the bloodsucker and the witch, so he won’t be returning home anytime soon.
Tom wants me to go back to Cogsworth with him. His parents passed away last year, leaving him their house. He says I can live there with him, but I ca
n’t leave. Not yet.
Tom has promised that tomorrow he is going to stake out the abandoned house to see if my uncle is, in fact, there. If he is, then he will swoop in and kill him.
I don’t doubt him — after all, he is a vampire — but my uncle is as sly as a fox. He will have anticipated every threat known, and I don’t trust that he won’t be ready for Tom. It wouldn’t surprise me if he knows about vampires. He knew about everything, managed many things, and knew many people before he was framed for all my crimes — well, the demon living inside of me — but that’s beside the point.
I hear the clock ticking. My mind will not rest easy tonight, so I decide to get out of bed. It’s pointless lying here and worrying. When I lie too down for too long, I end up worrying about everything, it makes my body feel weird too. It almost feels like I’m disconnected from my body. My heart pounds fast, and I feel this surge of adrenaline spike through me. Those attacks frighten me, so I decide distraction is always the best method.
I grab the lamp from the side table and carry it with me out of the room, being careful to open and close the door as quietly as I can.
I walk down the stairs, careful not to hit any of the spots that squeak. In my grandmother’s mansion, I knew the all floorboards that squeaked and became a master of avoiding them so I could sneak out to the garden without detection.
I step on one stair that squeaks and hold my breath. I listen to see if Tom heard me. I breathe a sigh of relief when his snoring starts up again.
I reach the bottom of the stairs and run my hand over the end of the bannister.
I look to my left at the gold-and-cream wallpaper. Spiders have made their homes in the corners of the ceiling, casting glistening webs across them.
I walk into the kitchen and pour myself a glass of milk before going into the living room.
I walk over the fireplace and look at the apothecary kit. I pull out the small drawer at the bottom.
There are some notes scrawled in Emmett’s handwriting.
Blend catmint, mugwort, and angelica together. Add to boiling water and add milk of a yak.
Leave it brewing for three hours on a night of the full moon. Add to the blood of a…
