Three Nights of the Vampire- The Complete Trilogy
Page 46
I dug my fingernails deeper into the wood, even though that meant splinters slicing into what remained of my charred skin.
“You are real, aren't you?” I whispered. “Judith?”
I waited.
Silence.
I swallowed hard, but already I could feel the pull of death becoming stronger. I knew that if I let go of my senses, my death – which had begun so long ago – would finally be complete.
I needed to hear Judith's voice.
I needed to know that she was still with me, that I was not alone.
“Please,” I whispered, with tears running down my face, “I'm so close, tell me that you're -”
“I'm here, my darling,” she purred.
Gasping with relief, I leaned forward, and in an instant my fear was replaced by a raging fury. How had I allowed myself to doubt her?
“But hurry,” she continued. “I don't know that you can hold on much longer. You failed last time, Hugo. You failed at Murhenge. Please, you can't fail again.”
“I won't,” I replied firmly, through gritted teeth. “You're coming back to me, Judith. This time, I won't let anything stand in our way.”
And then, as if to prove that point, I felt a flicker of recognition in my chest. I looked toward the far end of the room, and I realized that the moment truly had arrived. I could sense him approaching the building.
“Matthias,” I whispered, as a smile spread across my lips. “Brother, you're right on time.”
Chapter Thirty-One
Chloe
Belinda.
In all the madness and chaos, I'd somehow managed to forget that I might see her again. Morning light was spreading across the city, and Belinda was perched high up on a stone plinth. I knew I couldn't make myself known to her, so I headed around the long way until I reached some bushes that I hoped would allow me some cover. There was a side door to the mansion nearby, but I was still worried about being seen.
So far, however, Belinda seemed not to have noticed me at all.
She was completely still up there. Was she contemplating everything that had happened to her? Was she thinking back to her old, pre-vampire life? Or was she simply sitting and waiting, and carryout out the orders she'd been given by Hugo? I had to admit, there was a part of me that wanted to go over and ask her, but I knew I couldn't risk making my presence known. Every instinct had to be weighed against a greater consideration. What was I allowed to do? What would fate, and the timeline, permit and not permit? How much damage might I inadvertently cause if I put a foot wrong? Or was destiny firmly in place anyway? Would I automatically do the right thing, since – in my own life – I'd already lived through these hours once before?
I knew, too, that she was destined to die soon. I remembered the moment when Hugo had killed her, and I desperately wanted to cry out and warn her to run. I knew that, by doing that, I'd be breaking every rule that Matthias had warned me about, I'd effectively be making the same mistake as Hugo. I couldn't help myself, however, I finally I opened my mouth to shout her name.
And then, suddenly, I spotted Matthias approaching. I could immediately tell that he was in pain.
“Where is he?” he called up to Belinda, and I realized that this was probably my only chance to move. “Where's my brother? What do -”
He stopped as I darted to the door. I didn't dare look back to see whether he'd actually seen me, but I was fairly certain that the cloak had covered my face. To my immense relief, I found that the door was open, so I slipped through and into the mansion. I still needed to find a way to save Belinda, but that could wait. I told myself that I'd eventually be able to come up with something, but I knew that my first task was to try to help Matthias.
***
“Have you heard the sound of the prophecy asserting itself?” Matthias called out a short while later, as he made his way through the mansion. “You can't fight it, Hugo. Neither of us can. Any time we try to change the course of events, the fabric of fate itself pushes back. The cycle can't be broken. That's what the whistling sound means. It's a way for the prophecy to gently steer us back on course. Or not so gently, in some cases.”
I'd been following him ever since he'd entered the mansion. I'd been watching his every move, but I'd also taken care to avoid being spotted. He'd told me what to do, and the most important part of my instructions was that I couldn't let Hugo know that I was around.
“Why don't you make your move, then?” Matthias continued as he stopped in a doorway.
He waited.
I waited.
And somewhere, unseen, Hugo waited.
I could sense Hugo's presence, but I was certain he hadn't entered my mind. If I was right about his anger and fury, he probably wouldn't even notice my arrival unless he actually set eyes on me. He'd be too busy waiting for the younger version of me, just as Matthias was clearly focused purely on his brother.
“Why don't we talk?” Matthias continued. “I know you came up with some grand plan, Hugo, but even in the depths of madness you must realize it's doomed to failure. The only person to blame for what happened is Zieghoff, and he's dead now. Although perhaps I should take some responsibility as well. I made mistakes, and I didn't step up when I should have.”
Again, he waited.
Again, the only response was silence.
“Hugo?” he added. “I'm sorry! Is that what you want to hear? Don't blame Chloe for what happened! If you can't blame Zieghoff, then blame me! I'm here, and I'm dying, and I want to make sure you don't do something foolish! You can't change what happened, and you can't change what's about to happen, but there's still time to chase the darkness from your heart!”
Suddenly I saw a figure stepping out from behind one of the other columns, and I immediately recognized Hugo's snarling, burned face.
I opened my mouth to cry out, to warn Matthias, but at the last moment I stopped myself. Matthias had warned that, no matter what else I did, I mustn't let Hugo see me.
“It doesn't have to end like this,” he continued, evidently unaware of Hugo's presence. “You can still -”
Before he could finish, Hugo bit down hard on his neck. Matthias turned and tried to fight back, but Hugo quickly forced him to the ground and, in his weakened state, Matthias was unable to offer much resistance. The struggle was over in seconds and, although I desperately wanted to help Matthias, I knew deep down that there was no point in rushing over to him now. I'd have to be more subtle. I'd have to be smarter.
“Oh, dear brother,” Hugo growled as he stood over Matthias's prone form, “it's so good to see you again after all this time. I know I should have visited you at that church, but in all honesty I was rather busy elsewhere. After Chloe was sent through time at Murhenge, I'm afraid I lost my mind. I couldn't handle what had happened to Judith, and I knew I needed help, so I traveled to a place where I thought I could be healed.”
He gave Matthias's shoulder a gentle kick, as if to check whether or not he was still conscious.
“Do you know what those butchers at Tor Cliff did for me?” he continued. “Nothing. I left not long before the place was destroyed, and frankly I wish I could go back and tear the place down myself. The good news is that Judith is here with me. You might not be able to see her, but she's talking to me all the time. She sends her regards, and soon she'll be saved forever. Your dear friend Chloe is on her way. I can sense her. Once she arrives, I can get on with the task of making sure she never travels back and interferes with our lives. Until then, I think a little brotherly reunion is called for, don't you?”
Grabbing Matthias's arms, he began to drag him through to one of the other rooms.
“That's right, my darling,” he continued, clearly talking now to an imagined version of Judith, “we're so close to breaking the prophecy now. The idiots who constructed Murhenge knew nothing, they were just weaklings with no ambition. I'm going to change time itself, and in so doing I'm going to bring you back forever.”
He was still talking as hi
s voice faded into the distance, and it was clear to me now that his madness was complete.
For a moment, I wasn't sure what to do next. I could remember finding Matthias when I was younger, when I was in the mansion before, and I could remember the awful condition he was in at that moment. I wanted to find some way to help him, but I was very much aware that I hadn't helped him. If I had, then my younger self might not have found him trapped in that cage with such a wearied old face.
And then, suddenly, I heard Matthias cry out just as the metal door of the cage slammed shut. I flinched, but I kept telling myself that I couldn't just run and try to get him out. I had to wait. I had to let things play out as they'd played out before. I had to trust that Matthias was right.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Hugo
“There's still time to end this madness!” Matthias gasped, grabbing the bars of the cage and trying desperately to get free. “Hugo, you're my brother, I know you better than anyone else could ever know you, and you're not a bad person. You just have to accept the truth!”
“You're in no position to speak of the truth,” I spat back at him, enjoying the sight of his struggles. “Not after the lies you spread about my beloved.”
“I have never lied about Judith, Hugo,” he replied. “Please, you have to look past this illusion, Judith was -”
“Don't say her name!” I snarled. “You have no right!”
“Is Chloe getting closer?” Judith's voice asked. “Hugo, you need to stay focused on the plan.”
“Everything is in hand,” I replied. “Look at Matthias. Look at how he cowers in his cage, even as he awaits his final moments. He thinks he knows everything.”
“I know the truth,” Matthias said. “I know Judith was an agent of Zieghoff's and -”
“Liar!” I screamed, grabbing the bars.
“Why does he say such awful things about me?” Judith's voice sobbed. “None of it's true, Hugo. You know that, don't you?”
“Of course I do,” I told her. “You have nothing to fear. My love for you has never wavered, nor has my faith.”
“You know that's not her, don't you?” Matthias asked. “You've been a lot of things over the years, Hugo, but you've never been a fool. That was always one of the things I admired the most about you. You never allowed yourself to believe something just because it was easy and convenient. You always pushed to get to the truth.”
“He's trying to trick you,” Judith said. “Please, Hugo, tell me you're not going to listen.”
“I would never listen to his lies,” I replied, before taking the dagger from my belt and holding it up. “And while I wait for Chloe, I can assure you that I shall make my brother pay for everything he's said about you.”
Chapter Thirty-Three
Chloe
Finally, after the screams had rung out for some time, she arrived.
And by 'she', I mean me.
“Hello?” she called out, as she made her way across the dirt and garbage that littered the floor. She looked so scared, but a the same time she kept walking.
“Matthias?” she continued. “Where -”
Before she could finish, he screamed again. I saw the look of horror on her face, and I watched as she headed to the stairs. She began to make her way up to the landing, completely unaware that I was watching from behind a column on the landing, and I forced myself to hold back from warning her.
She had to do this on her own.
Still, it was hard not to rush over to her as she made her way along the corridor. I wanted to tell her that she was about to go back in time. I didn't necessarily have to stop her going, but I wanted to at least give her some advice about Zieghoff and about Michelle and about all the other things she'd encounter. Then again, no-one had warned me, and I'd somehow survived.
“Wait!” she called out suddenly, in the distance.
I tried to remember precisely what she'd seen, but some of the details were a little blurry. Was this the moment when she'd spotted Hugo up on the balcony?
A moment later I heard her call out Matthias's name, and I realized she'd finally found the cage.
I began to make my way along the corridor, while taking care to be ready to run. By the time I reached the far end, however, I realized I could hear Hugo's voice.
“I have survived things that would kill most vampires,” he was explaining, his voice sounding so harsh and frail, “even if I have lost a great deal in the process. My looks, for one thing, but also...” He paused. “I must confess, and this might not come as a surprise to you, but I have struggled somewhat to retain my sanity. As bad as things might seem right now, I can assure you that anyone else would not have managed nearly so well.”
“Are you Hugo?” the younger version of me asked. “Are you Matthias's brother?”
I slipped behind another pillar, and then I leaned out and saw them.
“I have no brother!” Hugo shouted angrily, before calming himself a little. “It's true that we were slopped out from between the legs of the same mother, but these days that is as far as our connection goes.”
As they continued to talk, I carefully slipped over to the next pillar. As I did so, however, I glanced toward Matthias as he remained trapped in the cage, and at the last second we made eye contact. I nodded silently, but of course he quickly looked away. He couldn't afford to let Hugo realize that I was here.
“They say I lost my mind,” I heard Hugo explaining, as I tried to work out how I was going to free Matthias. “They're right. After everything my brother did to me, after everything you did to me Chloe, I'm afraid my mind fractured into a thousand pieces.”
It was at that moment that I remembered another crucial detail about this moment. Hadn't Matthias mysteriously made it out of the cage? I desperately tried to remember the sequence of events, but I was starting to realize that I was going to have to be the one to release him.
“You tore me apart!” Hugo hissed. “You and Matthias led me into that macabre trap, and then you left me to die! You didn't care about my sanity, or my future! You saw fit to end my life and -”
“No!” the younger version of me shouted. “You're wrong! I don't know what you're talking about, but I never saw you until now!”
“Liar!” Hugo snapped.
You're the liar, I thought to myself. There was no trap. You did everything yourself, and now your mind is too broken for you to think straight.
“My brother is dying,” Hugo continued, down there in the main room. “He has only a few minutes left. He waited for this day, and now he's powerless to do anything. He'd be weeping now, if he could stay conscious. As things stand, I will simply have to content myself with imagining his screams.”
I tried desperately to think of a way to save Matthias, my mind was racing and I wasn't coming up with anything. Precious time was slipping away and I wasn't managing to think straight.
Suddenly, hearing footsteps, I looked down and saw my younger self racing out of the room.
Hugo began to laugh, and now I remembered what was going to happen next. This was the moment when I ran straight into Belinda, when she basically kicked my ass. I remembered fighting back, but I also remembered that she was totally overwhelming, until...
Until she died.
I took a deep breath.
Hugo had left the room now, walking calmly as if he felt he had everything under control. I thought back to that final confrontation with Belinda, to the moment when she'd finally turned on him. He'd burned her right in front of me, but now there was no way I could go and save her. Hugo was briefly out of the picture, and this was perhaps my only chance to help Matthias. I could help one of them, but not both.
“I'm sorry, Belinda,” I mouthed silently.
I hesitated, before stepping out from behind the column and hurrying down to the main room. As I approached the cage, I saw to my horror that Matthias had slumped down, as if he'd once again lost consciousness.
“Hey!” I whispered, while glancing over my
shoulder to make sure that Hugo wasn't on his way back any time soon. “It's me! Please don't be mad that I came to help!”
I waited, but he didn't respond.
I fumbled with the latch on the front of the cage, but finally I was able to get it open. I reached inside and grabbed Matthias, and then I dragged him out. He murmured slightly, stirring from his unconsciousness. I dragged him over to a chair and began to lift him up, and at the same time I saw his eyes starting to open.
“Here,” I said. “It might help.”
With no better idea, I reached out and showed him my wrist. He'd drunk from me once before, when we were in the church, when he whispered to me that he had a request to make. He hadn't only drunk, of course. Once he'd started, our passions had run high and we'd made love.
“You should leave,” he said now. “You've done all you can.”
“You need to drink,” I told him.
“Not from you.”
“Matthias -”
“Not from you!” he said firmly. “Not again.”
“You have no choice,” I pointed out, turning my wrist in an attempt to entice him.
“Please,” he whispered. “Take it away.”
“Just a little.”
“It'll do no good.”
“She almost saw me,” I told him, as I tapped my wrist in an effort to tease the veins. “I got distracted. I blundered right out in front of her.”
“Did she see your face?” he asked.
“No, but only thanks to sheer luck. I can't believe I was so foolish. I'd been so good up to that point, so careful, and then that moment of stupidity almost ruined everything.”
“Don't blame yourself,” he replied, and I could tell that his hunger was getting stronger. “Everything's going according to plan so far. Well, maybe that's a slight exaggeration. The cage was an unexpected twist.”