Varick's Adam's apple bobbed and his grip eased on Jonah's throat. He seemed conflicted, looking between me and him.
“Drink,” I pleaded.
“Eve,” Jonah begged. “Don't.”
“Here,” I encouraged, waving my arm as I stepped closer. “Take it.”
Varick lunged at me. Still on his knees, he grabbed my arm, his fangs sinking into my skin. I clapped a hand to my mouth to stop my scream as pain ripped up my arm.
Jonah gained his feet, reaching for the gun. I withdrew. “No,” I gasped. “He'll let us go. He will.”
Varick grew desperate, his hand suddenly gripping mine, dragging me forward so I stumbled.
“Are you insane?” Jonah hissed, snatching the gun from me. He aimed it at Varick and the Vampire moved in a flash, wrenching his teeth free from my skin as he stood. In a rapid movement, he grabbed the gun from Jonah, turning it towards us. I raised my hands, backing up, blood dripping from the two thin slits on my arm.
Varick wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, his eyes filling with a strange sort of clarity. He swung the gun from me to Jonah and my heart doubled its pace.
“Please,” I begged.
Jonah took my hand.
“Go,” Varick snarled, pointing at the hatch with the barrel of the gun.
“But...what will you say?” I whispered. “Will you tell them?”
Varick swallowed slowly, his eyes narrowing on me. “Yes.” He cleared his throat. “It will probably take me ten minutes to alert Abraham.” He gestured to the hatch again. “Probably.”
Jonah wrenched the hatch open, not wasting another second, but I grabbed Varick's arm before he strode away. “Thank you for helping us.”
He considered my words a moment. “Is that what I'm doing? I thought I was alerting Abraham.” He shook me off harshly, striding away, his robe flapping behind him.
Jonah grabbed my ankle, encouraging me after him into the hatch. I dropped down into the hole and snapped the hatch shut behind me.
“He helped us,” I said in disbelief. I couldn't believe my plan had worked.
“No. You traded blood for ten minutes,” Jonah growled. “And I don't bank on him keeping that promise.” It was pitch black in the dark space but Jonah had had the forethought to pinch a candle from Belmont's room. He lit it up with the strike of a match then nudged me forward. We started jogging, but had to move slow enough to keep the candle alight. Even if Varick kept to his word, ten minutes was nothing. We still had to reach the dock and get Belmont's boat running before anyone caught up with us. And we could still be followed even then.
I kept pace with Jonah as he ran with his hand cupping the flame of the candle. When we reached a narrow staircase we travelled down it for what felt like an age. Round and round in a spiral until I was so dizzy, I was sure I'd trip at any moment. When we reached the bottom floor, my shoes hit soft soil. A damp scent filled the icy air. Wind howled through a tunnel to our left.
“This way,” Jonah said in a strained tone, heading into the dark tunnel. I knew this was going to be hard for him. Jonah hated the dark.
The candlelight barely penetrated the darkness and we had to slow our pace as we made our way over uneven ground. It soon sloped down so steeply that I had to brace myself on the stone wall as I went. My fingertips ran over something slimy and I winced, keeping my eyes on the way ahead.
A new sound joined the screaming wind. Water. Waves lapping on a stony shore. We were close. So close.
“We're nearly there,” I whispered, squeezing Jonah's wrist to reassure him.
Though he'd never say it, I knew he was troubled. His eyes were creased at the corners and his mouth was pressed into a hard line.
“I can do anything with you at my side, it seems.” He cast me a small smile.
Under the candlelight, our breaths came out in a fog. I was growing more numb by the second, my toes feeling frozen to the insides of my boots.
A grunt came from up ahead, followed by an eerie moan. I halted and Jonah followed suit, holding up the candle to try and light the thick darkness before us.
Another groan sounded, low and guttural.
My mouth went dry. On instinct, I stepped back. But a voice in my head reminded me we only had ten minutes. Varick had taken the best weapon we had. All that remained was the stake in my hand. I lifted it, but didn't fancy fighting whatever was making that noise.
I pictured the ghost Mercy had described and a shudder ran through me.
“Jonah, what is it?” I asked, barely a whisper.
“I don't know.” He shifted closer to me.
A sharp wind rolled over us and the candle flickered out.
The smoke from the burnt wick ran over me, followed by something rancid, like rotting flesh. I wrinkled my nose, feeling Jonah press me back.
“Jonah, the light,” I begged and heard him fumbling for the matches.
One strike. Two.
On the third, the space was illuminated in a bright flash. A bony face was lit up before me, as white as chalk, as thin as a waif.
The match went out.
I screamed, slashing outwards with my stake.
Vampire.
Nails raked across my arm and I hit the wall as a weight collided with me. It was hardly more than a skeleton, its sharp angles digging into me, its teeth gnashing near my ear. I reached up to its head, trying to find hair to tug back on, to pull it off of me. Something wet and fleshy met my hand.
I cried out in horror, pushing it away as hard as I could.
“Eve!” Jonah roared, then the weight released me.
I flailed blindly before me.
A scuffle sounded ahead.
I stumbled on something soft, flying forward and hitting the ground. I slid down the steep slope, the mud beneath me wet and loose.
I dug the stake into the earth, using it to help me gain purchase and crawl back up the hill.
“Jonah! Where are you?” I yelled, panic gripping my heart.
“Here,” he said in a strained voice.
I crawled toward his voice, reaching blindly forward. A wet, sucking sound filled the air and Jonah groaned in pain.
My knees pressed against something warm and I reached down, finding Jonah's arm. My hands trembled as I followed the line of his arm until my fingers brushed something cool and fleshy. The Vampire was feeding from him, grunting as it did so. I lifted the stake above it, praying I wouldn't miss, and jammed it into the soft, wet flesh.
The Vampire shrieked, then jerked violently, before falling limp. I kicked it off of Jonah, reaching out to him. Hot blood rushed over my hands.
“No, no,” I whispered, trying to find his lips. He wasn't moving. He was so quiet, my heart couldn't take it. “Jonah, drink this.” I guided the tip of the stake to his mouth, giving him the healing gift of the Vampire's blood.
I knotted my hand into his shirt, resting my head against his chest, listening for a heartbeat. One faint one, then two.
Jonah sat upright with a gasp. “Eve?”
I threw my arms around him, holding him tight. “Oh thank God.”
He fumbled for the matches and struck one sharply. The narrow tunnel was illuminated brightly and what I saw made my stomach churn. Red and black blood was splashed everywhere. Jonah and the Vampire's. But what was worse was the sight of the dead Vampire on the ground. The back of its skull was missing. So what I'd touched had been its...
I heaved, turning away and Jonah rubbed my back.
“Come on,” he whispered. “We have to hurry.”
I nodded, my eyes burning as another heave took hold of my gut. But thankfully, no vomit came up. I couldn't remember the last time I'd eaten.
Jonah helped me up, steadying me. Wordlessly, he lit the candle and we carried on, having to move steadily down the steep hill. The sea breached up ahead, the crash of waves tantalisingly close.
The hill evened out and we were finally able to run, darting toward a small opening ahead of us, lit by moonlight.
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Jonah stepped through first, checking it was safe before gesturing for me to follow. Sharp black stones lined the small beach we emerged on. Before us, the tide was coming in, splashing up the rocks.
“There.” Jonah pointed. Beyond a steep line of rock that jutted out into the sea, was the dock. Masts were just visible above it. So we had to climb.
We moved across the beach, slipping and sliding on the wet rocks. The moon was one gift at least. It shone down on us with a watchful eye, and I wondered if it was rooting for us or the Helsings.
Jonah moved to my side, shielding me from the sea spray as we started to climb the protrusion of rock. It was ten foot at the highest point and I fixed my eye on it, moving toward it one step at a time.
The waves were getting stronger. Each crash sent a splash across us that froze me to the bone. My teeth began to chatter.
Just keep moving. Almost there.
As we reached the top of the rocks, Jonah and I peeked over the edge. My heart sunk like a stone. The dock was surrounded. Guards were lined up, facing the castle, evidently expecting us to arrive down the stone steps at any moment. Lord Belmont was amongst them, looking furious.
We dropped back down behind the rock and Jonah gazed at me, his face pale, his brows drawn together.
“What now?” I breathed.
He sighed softly, cupping my cheek. “I'll distract them.” He held out the crank to Belmont's boat. “It's called The English Rose.”
“No,” I hissed, pushing the metal bar back at him. “We go together or not at all.”
“We are both going.” He smiled, but I wasn't convinced. “You're just going to get the boat started. It will take a few minutes and it can be quite noisy, so I have to buy you the time.”
“No. I don't know how– I can't-” I stuttered, growing desperate. The idea of parting with him was too much. We'd come so far. We had to survive this together.
“You can,” he insisted, lifting my hand to his mouth and pressing his cool lips to my knuckles. “You're incredible, Evangeline. I never realised how much.” He slid the crank into my hand, closing my fist around it.
“The engine is on the lower deck at the back of the boat.” He took hold of the crank in my hand, pointing to one end of it. “On the side of the engine, there's a slot for this bit. It's in the middle of a big metal disc. Put the crank in there and start winding it like this.” He wound my hand through the air in a circle and I nodded.
A tear slid from my eye and he wiped it away, leaning in close. “From the sea to the stars.” He leapt over the top of the rocks.
JONAH
I was probably the only man present who was a street fighter. But I didn't think that was going to do much good against the guns the guards were carrying. So I had to take a more stealthy approach.
I crept along the nearest pier, the lap of waves and creak of the nearby boats covering my footsteps. There were six men before me, Belmont included. I supposed I had to be grateful Varick wasn't present. I was sure he wouldn't offer us a second chance. And he'd crush my neck before I got close to any of these men. Then drain me of blood for good measure.
To my left, two of the guards were standing side by side on the adjacent pier. The others were lined up on the beach.
I crept toward the nearest sail boat, climbing onto it and moving into the cabin. If the owner was anything like Belmont, he'd keep a gun near the wheel. I did a quick search before giving up and moving to the next boat. I was luckier this time, finding a small pistol wedged under the captain's seat. It had two bullets in it. That would have to do.
Sneaking back off of the boat, I lifted the gun, aiming it at one of the men on the pier opposite. I took a steadying breath, gazing down the sight. I had to make this shot. The second it was fired, everyone would be alerted to my presence.
I pulled the trigger.
The shot ripped through the air.
The first man cried out, falling forward and by sheer luck, dragged his comrade over the pier. They splashed into the water and the men on the beach turned.
A cry went up. “There he is! Get him!”
I dove onto the nearest sailing boat, taking cover in the prow. Shots were fired. One ripped a hole in the wood an inch from my head.
I couldn't stay there long. I needed to draw the men away from Eve. I shut my eyes a moment, my breathing frantic. I had to run. For her.
I jumped upright, firing a shot, buying myself a few seconds of cover.
That was my last bullet.
The men ducked and I charged down the pier, missing another bullet by a hair's breadth.
My boots met with the beach and I threw a hard punch at one of the guards. He stumbled back into Belmont who shouldered him aside.
I was already atop the other one, gripping his hand where it was clamped around a gun. I tried to prise it free and he pulled the trigger. The bullet whistled past my ear and I swore loudly, adrenaline surging. I kicked his shin, taking him to the ground and bashing his gun hand against a rock. For good measure, I slammed his head back against the pebbles.
When I had his gun, I flung around, spying the other guard aiming at me. My heart pounded in my ears.
Think, Jonah. Think.
I swung my new gun to point at Belmont. “If you shoot me, I'll shoot him.” I rose slowly to my feet, leaving the battered guard on the ground, unconscious.
Belmont raised his hands, his eyes flaring with fear.
The guard spat a laugh. “He is nobody.”
“Lord Belmont is one of the Helsings' most loyal spectators. How will they explain his death to the other men? It will damage their reputation. And that will be on you.” I pinned the guard with my hardest stare, hoping the bluff worked. Who knew? Perhaps Belmont really was that valuable.
The guard licked his lips, looking jittery.
Belmont's brows lowered. “You won't get out of here alive. Abraham has quite the plan for you and that girl.”
I remained quiet, my heart throbbing loudly in my ears.
Belmont took a small step closer, his cane clicking on the stones beneath it. “And the girl will be offered to the men as the whore she is. Before she is thrown back onto that island for the Vampires.”
My throat went dry. I gazed from Belmont to the guard.
“We'll wait for Varick,” the guard decided, glancing toward the steps.
“No deal.” I slapped his gun hand to the side and swung my pistol toward him, pulling the trigger. A bullet hole ripped through his cheek and he slumped to the ground. I could barely register what I'd done as Belmont came at me, his hands locked around my gun. I tried to battle him off, but he had a fierce grip.
He bit my hand and I gasped, barely holding onto the gun. Kicking out his cane, I grabbed the hilt and twisted. I let Belmont take the gun to buy myself a few precious seconds. The knife came free from the cane and I lunged forward, throwing my weight at him. He grunted, his bad leg giving out. The gun went off, but the bullet went wide. Belmont stumbled back, about to fall. I grabbed his collar to catch him and slammed the knife up between his ribs.
His eyes widened as I released him and he fell back onto the beach, still clinging to my arm.
My gut rolled. My heart pumped madly out of tune.
I reached down, spying a glinting key at his throat. I snatched it, breaking the chain. “No,” he groaned, reaching skyward, blood on his fingertips.
But I'd already stepped away, turning, the sound of a boat motor like a Godsend to my ears. I fled toward The English Rose, diving onto it.
Eve was in the cabin and she flung her arms around me as I entered.
“I did it,” she gasped.
I squeezed her arm. “I never doubted you.”
I pushed the lever, driving us out into the water. I glanced back, spying a shadowy figure on the shore. From the size of him, it could only have been Varick. My gut twisted uncomfortably. I held Eve tighter against me, kissing her temple.
“Will he come after us?” Eve breathed.<
br />
I watched, waiting for Varick to act, to swim toward us. Something. But he didn't move beyond kicking Belmont's side, evidently checking if he was dead. He didn't get up.
Varick glanced in our direction once more, then headed back toward the stone steps.
“He's leaving,” I said in disbelief.
“He's letting us go,” Eve confirmed, gazing up at me with hopeful eyes.
I shook my head in dismay. Of all the monsters on this island, we'd been shown mercy by the most fearsome of them all.
My gaze fell to the back of the cabin where Belmont's giant safe sat.
I laughed, releasing Eve as I walked toward it. Crouching down, I slid the key I'd taken from him into the lock. A satisfying click followed and I wrenched open the door.
Eve gasped. My own breath squeezed from my lungs.
It was more than I ever could have predicated. A huge wad of bank notes sat between boxes and boxes of jewels.
I plucked a lace of pearls from the safe, standing and draping it over Eve's neck. We were covered in blood, muck and were wet to the bone. But she still looked regal. “Well, my Lady. Where to?”
“I believe Italy was on the cards?” She beamed, winding her fingers into mine. She was cold.
There was a gas burner in one corner and I hurried over to it, striking it up on the third attempt. The cabin slowly filled with hot air and we had to shed our clothes to dry them out.
No one was following us. And even if they were, the motorised vessel could probably outpace them.
Impossibly, we were safe. And now, we were very, very rich as well.
EPILOGUE:
EVANGELINE
Jonah pressed me down between the sheets. We had been married for three days, and we'd rarely left our bed since.
His mouth ran from my neck to my ear and I writhed beneath him, holding him close. I never wanted to part. I had no idea sex could be so good. Jonah's body was a sea of hard muscle I longed to explore. And he seemed equally passionate about voyaging over my skin.
A Game of Vampires Page 6