by Claire Marta
Ambling into the bedroom I tug the dangling neckcloth from my neck. “Lucy will keep Van Helsing and his minions busy. It is crucial he does not interfere with my plans for Miss Murray.”
It’s not the only reason I took Lucy into my embrace. I’m greedy for Mina’s love and affection. I’ll do everything in my power to keep them.
Chapter 11
Loping across the Whitby countryside, the form I have taken melds with the darkness of the night. Black fur, my paws race over the damp grass noiselessly. Anyone who might glimpse the wolf I have become may mistake me for the black dog. A demonic creature. An omen of death. With the powers gifted to me by the Devil, I can take on numerous forms. The storms are mine to command as well as the creatures of the night.
The candle burning in the window of Mina’s cottage is a beacon. Drawn to it, excitement carries me swiftly toward her. I cannot stay away. Willpower and wisdom haven’t held out for more than a few hours.
Transforming beside a tree, I walk the rest of the way in human form. I’ve never questioned how the transformation happens and how I remain clothed.
“Mina,” I call rapping my knuckles against the door. “It is your Vladimir.”
I only have to wait a moment before I hear the bolts being drawn back. Thrusting the door open, she stands in the doorway wrapped in a white cotton dressing gown, her glorious hair loose around her shoulders.
“I’ve sent a letter to Jonathan in London breaking off our engagement,” she tells me hurriedly hugging the book she’s carrying to her chest. “I’ll marry you.”
I step over the threshold when she moves to let me enter. The peace and coziness of her cottage wraps itself around me. If she’s surprised to see me, Mina doesn’t show it.
“Oh Vladimir, I feel awful doing this to him.” Pushing the door shut, she slides the bolts into place with her free hand.
My head swims with her scent, my body aching to enfold her in my arms. Feeding well before coming to her I have no worry that my thirst might rise. “Look into your heart and tell me that you love him.”
“I don’t. My heart is yours, and I don’t want to wait.” Discarding her book on a small table, she steps closer winding her arms around me in a tight hug.
Releasing a sign, I rest my cheek on the top of her head. “You’re sure?”
“Yes. You walked into my life as if you knew you already had a place in it. As if you were always meant to be here.”
Tightening my hug, happiness bursts through me so strongly I sway. “First thing in the morning, we will return to London. I need to get a special licence so we can marry.”
Mina will be my wife. I will have her at my side as I had my beloved once before. A union of two hearts as it once was. Everything legal in the eyes of the law here.
Mina stirs, putting a little distance between us to tilt her chin up and meet my loving gaze. “I can’t let the children at the school down.”
“Very well I will go for it, put my affairs in order, and return to you in a few days.”
Reaching up on tiptoe, she gives me a quick passionate kiss detangling herself from my arms. “I gave you a talisman once…before when I was someone else. I want you to have this.”
Fishing something from the pocket of her dressing gown she holds it out in the flat of her palm. The bronze locket is smooth and expensive. Scooping it up gently I examine it more closely. Within lies a lock of Mina’s hair. The tip of my finger gently caresses the dark strands. Emotions thicken my throat. I recall the last amulet my beloved gifted me. The last time I’d seen her alive before she’d been murdered by assassins.
“A token of my affection,” she continues hastily, unaware of my thoughts.
“You have a generous spirit.” Snapping it closed, I press a kiss to its cool surface before looping it over my neck. “I will treasure it always as I will treasure you. I also have a gift for you.”
Moving back to the door, I unbolt in throwing it wide. A silhouette stands just beyond. A fluid-outline moving with the grace of a cat. Her bare feet make no noise, the skirts of her crimson dress swirling around her ankles. Her breasts bountiful and almost bursting free from her bodice. Golden hair loose of constraints, it ripples freely around her slender shoulders as she moves. Blue eyes bright with an unearthly light, her pale skin is almost luminous in the candlelight.
“Mina,” the woman calls, a smile of delight curving her mouth.
“Lucy?” Mina’s voice is small and fearful. Hand flying up to splay around her throat, she scurries to the other side of the room. “I saw them carry your coffin into the Westenra crypt in the cemetery. You’re dead.”
“Have no fear; she will not hurt you.” Closing the door, I slid the bolts back into place.
She whispers, her mind grasping to understand what she sees, “How is this possible?”
Lucy obeys my silent command to give the other woman some space. Mina’s terror is a potent scent. It easily attracts my kind like a magnet. My fledgling knows though that my beloved is not to be fed from.
“I am not like other men, Mina.” I explain softly, my smile sad. “I am cursed, dragostea mea and have lived far longer than you could imagine. I saved Lucy from the clutches of death. She will never age or die, but with it comes a heavy price.”
“What price?” Mina chokes back tears, her stare never wavering from mine.
“Damnation.” I trace the shape of her face with my eyes, allowing my influence to seep into her mind, sweet, calming. “We are the creatures of the night. Demons in the eyes of some. Vampires. But you have nothing to fear from us. We will not harm you. You are precious to the both of us.”
Wiping away the stray tears that have crept down her cheeks, she lets out a ragged breath. “Is it truly you, Lucy?”
“Yes, silly of course it is.” Her friend laughs happily. “I’m still me.”
“I thought I’d lost you.”
Lucy slinks closer her skirts swishing around her bare feet. “Oh Mina, that’s never going to happen. We never have to worry about being parted again.”
“God forgive me, I love you both. I want to be with you always.”
For a heartbeat, I’m not sure I’ve heard Mina right until I see the fierce resolve shining from her young face. “You do not know what you ask.”
“If it means never being parted, then I do.” Closing the distance between us, her expression is imploring. “We can all be together forever, Vladimir.”
My chest tightens. “Mina…”
Does she truly realize what she’s asking? The consequences of it? That the gates of Heaven would forever be closed to her. From the way she looks at me, I think she does.
“Please,” Mina whispers reaching up to stroke my bearded jaw in a tender show of affection. “Save me from death too.”
Gathering her into my arms, I close my eyes for a moment knowing I cannot deny her plea. Death will never part us again. Together we will ride the waves of eternity.
“Very well but not yet,” I tell her raining kisses down on her pert nose, her lips. “First, we marry. Then, my beloved, I will make you as we are, if that is still what you wish. You must be certain though. Once I take you in my embrace, there is no going back, and I vow to never set you on the dark path unless it is truly what you want.”
“I do. Take me away from the pain of living.” Mina’s eyes shine with happiness. There’s no fear or trepidation. No revulsion. Only love and devotion as she offers her soul up to damnation.
Taking our hands in hers, Lucy tugs us gently toward the stairs leading up to Mina’s bed chamber.
Together the three of us ascend to the next floor. The evening is ripe with promise and yearning. I’ve seen the longing in Mina’s eyes. Know the secrets of her heart. There’s nothing stopping her from experiencing them now.
Without a word, Lucy peels the sides of her dress down her shoulders baring her generous breasts. Shimmying it over the curves of her hips, she leaves it to puddle at her feet on the floor.
&
nbsp; Mina watches in silence, a tremor quaking through her, lips parting, eyes heavy with lust for her friend.
Crawling onto the bed, Lucy’s hands wander down between her legs.
“Love me, Mina. Love me the way you’ve always secretly wanted to.” Lucy’s voice is husky with need. Playing with herself, her pussy lips glisten with arousal.
“Go to her. It’s all right,” I encourage Mina when she hesitates. “Tonight is ours as will be every other night. There is no shame in seeking pleasure together. To love.”
Helping her strip, the candlelight plays over her flawless, youthful, naked body. Giving her a languid kiss, I guide her toward the mattress. Mina goes willingly, trustingly into Lucy’s outstretched arms.
Settling in a chair in the corner, I watch the women on the bed. Their soft moans fill the air, hips twitching, fingers fucking each other. It’s a magnificent show. There’s nothing I won’t deny her now. Whatever Mina’s heart desires it’s hers.
I’m a monster in love.
Chapter 12
London lacks its usual excitement as I stare out at the passing scenery. The sky is rapidly darkening with night and an approaching storm, the clouds heavy with rain yet to fall.
My heart is still in Whitby with the woman I love. Instead of leaving in the morning as I’d planned, I’d been distracted upon waking by a feminine backside pressed to my groin. Exploring Mina’s luscious curves and making love to her had been the only thing to concern me.
Fingers curling around the locket in my palm, it fills me with the urgency to finish my business and return to Mina just as quickly as I left. Lucy has been left to guard her during the hours of the night. The women have been instructed to be careful and wary of strangers. I haven’t forgotten the presence I’ve sensed more than once. I’m troubled by it. Threads still loose and not yet solved to ease my mind.
I turn my attention to my affairs in the city. Mina and I are lovers. For appearance sake, I must let others know of my honorable intentions where she is concerned. Another reason why I want to hurry her into marriage. Although I don’t give a damn about London society, I will not allow her reputation to be damaged.
Rejection can swiftly change to venom. Rumors have an easy way of starting. If Jonathan, her ex-fiancé, decides to cause trouble, I will have no problem discrediting his name and character.
As the coach rolls to a halt, I thrust open the door, thunder booming overhead. Renfield is ready with an umbrella, sheltering me from the pelting rain as it begins to fall. We hurry to the front doors of the house.
My brides, Madeleine and Crina will still be sleeping. Soon they will rise.
“Renfield. Pack everything you can,” I instruct him shrugging out of my coat as we enter.
Taking it, he removes his own. “What about the furnishings?”
“Leave them. Just my things for travel. The house will be closed, and we will acquire others when we return to the coast.”
I will indulge Mina. Let her buy whatever takes her fancy to decorate our new home. If she wants a thousand new dresses, I will have them made. Recalling her love of books, I make my way into the library. A fire is burning merrily in the hearth. Left no doubt by the servants who have left for the day. The only one who is permitted to live on the premises is Renfield. My attention rests on the leather-bound spines running the length of the bookshelves. The room contains many fine first editions. Mina will find joy in all of them.
“Master, you have returned to us.” The French accented voice holds surprise. “How was the coast?”
Already aware of their presence, I turn to the stunning women behind me with a smile. I kiss their lips gently but feel nothing in the show of affection. No stirring of feelings or love. There’s nothing but a fondness.
“It was very entertaining. Madeleine, Crina, I’m setting you both free.”
“Free?” Madeline questions, the cobalt grey in her irises swirling in confusion and suspicion.
“You may leave and never return. My one request is that you do not reside where I choose to live. Take Crina, I know you adore her and find a place for yourselves in this world.”
The other dark-haired beauty stares at me in silence for a moment before she speaks. “There’s something different about you.”
“It is merely time to move on,” I tell them, feigning ignorance at her observation. “I will of course ensure you are comfortably wealthy and may continue to live in the manner you are accustomed to here.”
I’ve vowed to keep Mina safe. Made a sacred oath to myself. I will not risk either of my brides seeking her out. The further away they are the better.
Madeline’s expression brightens. “We can return to Paris. Oh, Crina we will walk the Parisienne streets once more.”
Skirts whirling around her feet, she takes the other woman in her arms spinning her around in glee. Crina’s soft laughter fills the air.
I’d been prepared to destroy them if I had to, but their happiness brings me comfort that I’ve made the right decision.
“I will make arrangements to have your things sent to the house there. Be ready to leave in two days.” Leaving them to their celebrations, I stroll into the hall toward the staircase.
Every loose end is wrapped up neatly. Now there is nothing stopping me from being with Mina. No obstacle left in my path. Tomorrow I will obtain the marriage licence and bid farewell to the few I call friend. I’ll miss the Hellfire Club. Perhaps when things are settled, I’ll venture back to London to dally with them and take in a card game.
Coming to a quick decision, I head for the door. “I’m going out, let Renfield know I will be back later.”
The women don’t respond to my call.
Taking an umbrella, I leave the house and hurry onto the street, flagging down a passing carriage. Giving the driver my destination, I settle back inside out of the rain.
Resting my hand over the locket where it hangs around my neck, a sense of hope blankets me. Soon my love. Soon we will be together, and nothing on Earth will ever part us again. I silently pledge.
The Hellfire Club is quieter than usual when I enter. I waste no time finding the stairs to the cellar where we indulge in our twisted pursuits. In the cigar hazed air and over the boisterous laughter, I spy Victor Frankenstein past the card games tucked in a corner. The notebooks he usually scribbles in are absent. Skin flushed, he sits unusually still.
“Good evening, Victor.”
Blue haunted, fever, bright eyes rise to mine. “Vladimir.”
“Have you seen Dorian around?” I question scanning the room but seeing no signs of the rest of our acquaintances.
My companion doesn’t reply, his gaze far away. Whatever he’s thinking twists his youthful features in a mixture of dread and horror. I can feel the heat radiating off him, his temperature higher than normal for a human. The sheen of sweat glistening over his forehead.
“Victor?” I call softly taking the seat beside him with growing concern.
“I’m a seeker of truth, but what I’ve found…God help me for what I’ve done.”
“You’re sick my friend. You’ve been working too hard.” Reaching out tentatively, I touch his shoulder briefly, the heat of his flesh through the material of his shirt scolding. A fever has him in its grip. Unlike the other humans in the building, I have no fear of it being contagious.
Victor’s breath quivers, a short, quick gasp as he inhales. “I think I’ve damned myself for such a transgression.”
“Is this over your fascination of dead things?”
He nods sharply, lifting a shaking hand from beneath the table to clasp the half-drunk bottle of wine in front of him. Lifting it, he absently takes a long gulp from the end.
“I’m aware of your nocturnal adventures,” I tell him, lowering my voice so not to be overheard. “Grave robbing will get you hanged if you’re caught, but damning your soul? No, my friend, that will not happen. You have not stared into the abyss; this I know.”
Victor lacks the cruel
touch of the Devil that marks Dorian and me. I would sense if he had sold his soul.
He gives a hollow laugh his agitated gaze fixing on mine. “You don’t understand. I did it, Vladimir. I created life from death, but it wasn’t the beautiful being I’ve always imagined it to be. It’s nothing but a monster, and now I’m facing the consequences of my actions.”
A delusion of his sick mind? His obsession finally consuming him.
“Monsters do monstrous things, Victor. They are horrific and evil because mankind measures everything by their standards,” I murmur. “A wolf kills to eat. As a predator it’s in the creature’s nature. One must learn what drives monsters to understand them.” Catching the attention of one of the Club’s attendants, I motion for him to join us. “Have Victor’s carriage brought round at once.”
The smartly dressed man bows low before hurrying off without a word.
Returning my attention to my companion I find him shaking violently. “Come along, let’s get you home.”
With ease, I lift him from his seat. We don’t draw much attention. It’s not the first time a member has been carried from the club, intoxicated or unconscious.
Victor coughs, wheezing loudly as I take the stairs to the main floor. One of the staff is waiting on hand for us. Holding an umbrella aloft, he sees us into the safety of the waiting carriage outside. Laying my cargo gently across the seat, I let his head rest on my thigh.
“It’s coming for me,” he whimpers quietly. “I have only myself to blame.”
“Hush my friend.” Stroking my fingers through his damp hair, I attempt to soothe him in his delirium. “You’ll feel better in a few days, and these deluded notions will be no more.”
I deliver Victor into the hands of his housekeeper with the promise she’ll summon the doctor. Tomorrow I’ll check on him. I have always harbored a fondness for the good Doctor. Witnessing his fragility reminds me why I should not get involved with those who are not immortal. They are nothing but a brief flickering flame. A candle. That at any moment can be snuffed out.
