I threw up my hands. “I’m going to my room.” I was going to start carving a line in the wooden beam in the attic for every day I was still living here. I wished the carpenter had never bought that lottery ticket. Maybe the barn would be done by now.
“Run a brush through your hair while you’re up there,” my mother called. “You look like Ben Franklin had you tied to one of his kites during a storm.”
I reached the top of the attic steps and slammed the door closed. I was so glad to be going out tonight. An evening with a misogynistic vampire had to be better than an evening with my family—didn’t it?
Chapter Seven
Evergreen was a Georgian manor house dating back to the early 1800’s. The house was set on fifty acres and included stables, an icehouse, and an orangery. The estate had been owned by the Robinsons, one of the few non-Puritan families that settled in Chipping Cheddar. The original owner, Walter Robinson, had been a mercantile ship’s captain. The mansion had remained vacant throughout my childhood. Anton and I sometimes came here to practice our powers where there was little chance of being observed.
“Thanks for coming with me,” I said to Clara. I parked the car on the long, tree-lined driveway.
“Rupert sounds like a loose canon,” Clara said. “No way would I let you come here alone and confront someone dangerous.”
“I’m dangerous,” I reminded her.
“But I know you,” she said. “You’ll avoid using your powers at all costs.”
“True.” I sighed. “Maybe you can touch his arm. Give me a reading on his emotions. If he’s nervous, that might mean he knows something.”
“Vampires are tricky because of the whole undead thing,” she replied. “But I’ll try.”
“Thanks.”
There were five other cars parked along the driveway, including a yellow Hummer. Whatever kind of club he was operating, it seemed to attract money.
As I reached for the doorbell, the door creaked open. Loud music pumping emanated from inside. Clara and I exchanged hesitant looks before entering the grand foyer. A scantily clad woman in heels immediately approached us with a tray of drinks.
“Welcome to Evergreen,” the woman said. “Prosecco?”
“It might be poisoned,” Clara whispered.
I plucked a flute from the tray and sniffed. “I don’t sense anything magical. Just bubbles.”
“Fine.” Clara took a flute and drank. “You’re right. Tastes normal.”
“How much prosecco have you had in life to know what’s normal?”
“It’s one of Sassy’s favorite drinks,” Clara said.
I rolled my eyes. “Of course it is.”
Clara’s gaze sharpened. “You’re making an effort with her, remember? I want you two to be friends.”
“You’re right. I’m sorry.”
We took our drinks and followed the pulsating music to a ballroom at the back of the mansion. Five cars had somehow yielded more than twenty people. Unsurprisingly, all of the guests were female and under thirty. I didn’t recognize anyone. The women eyed us closely as we entered and I suddenly felt like a new contestant on The Bachelor.
“Where’s Rupert?” Clara asked.
“Maybe he likes to make an entrance.”
Clara pointed to the pole in the middle of the room. “Maybe he’ll slide down that like in a firehouse.”
Inwardly, I groaned. “I don’t think that pole is designed for transport.”
I was about to mingle with one of the smaller groups when the music tempo changed and a handsome man entered the ballroom dressed in a traditional tuxedo. When he smiled, his fangs caught the light from the chandelier. Clara jerked beside me.
“It’s not like you’ve never seen fangs before,” I whispered.
“I know,” Clara said. “I just wasn’t expecting to see them on that guy. He looks like a prince.”
I didn’t disagree. With his wavy dark hair and penetrating dark eyes, Rupert could’ve easily passed for a European royal. His gaze alighted on us and he strutted over to greet us.
“I don’t recall having the pleasure of meeting you two beauties before,” he said. If eyes could devour, we would’ve been swallowed whole. The predator was strong in this one.
“I’m Eden,” I said.
Clara offered her hand. “I’m Clara Riley.”
“Enchanted.” Rupert brought her hand to his lips and kissed it. I watched her eyelids flutter and she quickly pulled her hand away.
“I love that movie,” Clara said. “I always sing when I clean, just like Giselle.”
I pinched her side to snap her out of whatever stupor she was in. Clara winced and jerked away.
“If you’ll pardon me,” Rupert said, “the entertainment is about to begin.”
The music changed again and the pulsating beat returned. One of the women screamed excitedly, as though anticipating something.
A moment later, I knew exactly what that something was.
Rupert.
He began to dance around the pole, ripping off his bow tie as he moved.
“Are you seeing what I’m seeing?” Clara asked, fixated on the vampire.
“Unfortunately, I am. What did you feel when you touched him?”
“Lust,” Clara replied. “It clouded every other emotion.”
“Are you sure you weren’t confusing your emotions with his?”
She glared at me. “The guy likes sex.”
I observed his gyrating hips. “That’s apparent.”
“Wow. And here I thought he was a dignified vampire,” Clara whispered.
“There’s nothing dignified about what he’s doing,” I said, watching as Rupert wrapped his sinewy body around the pole. “I bet that’s the attraction. He’s probably spent an eternity as an uptight vampire with an immortality complex. He came to our town and boom!”
“Boom doesn’t even begin to describe it.”
We continued to watch in awe as Rupert stripped down to a G-string. “Looks like he’s learned to embrace his manly parts.”
“I think some of the women would like to embrace his manly parts,” Clara said.
The women were whistling and cheering. I’d bet the elegant ballroom had never held any events like this prior to Rupert’s tenure. If these walls could talk…
It occurred to me that these walls probably could talk. I tried to recall from my time spent here as a kid whether I’d ever encountered any ghosts. If one resided here, I might be able to learn more about Rupert, whether he’d turned anyone here.
“I’ll be right back,” I said to Clara. I turned around and walked smack into a familiar broad chest.
“We really have to stop running into each other like this,” Chief Fox said. He rubbed his chest. “It hurts.”
I swallowed hard. “What are you doing here?”
“I received an anonymous tip that the owner is operating an illegal strip club out of his house.” He peered around me to see Rupert riding up and down the pole. “Seems my information was good.”
“That’s why I’m here,” I said quickly. “Same intel.”
“You sure about that?” he asked, suppressing a grin. “If memory serves, you’ve got a thing for strippers.”
I wanted to dig a hole and bury myself under the floorboards. He was referring to our first meeting at The Cheese Wheel, where I’d drunkenly mistaken him for a stripper in his cop uniform.
“I don’t have a thing for strippers,” I insisted. “I like clothes. Lots of layers of them. I’m strictly here for the crime.”
“You’re cyber crime,” the chief said. “Why would you be investigating this?”
“Online porn,” I said quickly. “Someone’s been posting his performances on the internet.”
Chief Fox studied me for a moment. “We’re not going to argue over jurisdiction, are we?”
“I’ll make a deal with you,” I said. “I’ll leave you to it if you let me have two minutes with him first.”
The chief’
s gaze flickered from the gyrating vampire and back to me. “If you think two minutes is all you’ll need…”
I pressed my lips together. “I need to ask him a few questions. Then he’s all yours.”
“Fine.”
No one noticed the chief of police in uniform—until he spoke. “I need everybody out. Show’s over!” He clapped his hands, getting everyone’s attention.
Rupert slid to the bottom of the pole and the music screeched to a halt. “What’s going on?” He approached us in his bright red G-string and I averted my gaze. Clara, on the other hand, couldn’t look away if her life depended on it.
“I’m Chief Fox,” he said. “Are you aware that this property isn’t zoned for…whatever it is you’re doing?”
“A zoning issue, Chief?” Rupert asked. “I need to apply for a variance to entertain women in my own home?”
The chief waved his hand. “You won’t get a variance. You can’t run a strip club out of your house.”
“Well, that’s disappointing,” Rupert said. “I do so enjoy it.”
“Apparently, one of your previous guests didn’t enjoy it,” Chief Fox said. “It seems someone stole her wallet while she was here. She thinks it was you.”
“Me?” Rupert laughed. “I have more money than one could ever need and I’m imm…”
“Immature,” I interjected. “He’s very immature.”
Chief Fox motioned to the cluster of guests. “Go home, people. Show’s over. Make sure you all have your wallets.”
“Are you going to arrest him?” I asked.
“I’m getting to that part,” the chief said. “Don’t rush me.”
“I say the same thing,” Rupert said. “I prefer to take my time and savor the moment.” The vampire offered his wrists. “Go on. Handcuffs will complete the outfit.”
“Two minutes, Chief,” I reminded him.
Chief Fox hesitated before taking a few steps back. “I’m counting.”
I pulled Rupert out of earshot of the chief. I couldn’t risk being overheard. “Rupert, I need to make this fast. My name is Agent Eden Fury. I work for the FBM.”
Rupert blinked. “You’re law enforcement? I never would’ve guessed that.”
“And I never would’ve pegged you for an amateur stripper, yet here we are.” I angled him away from the chief. “I need to ask you a very serious question.”
Rupert’s lips curved into a sensual smile. “No, I don’t have a girlfriend and yes, I’m very interested.”
I ignored his comment. “Have you turned anyone since moving here?”
“Turned?” he repeated. “As in…” He snapped his fangs together.
“Yes, that.”
“Why would I do that?” he asked.
“Because you can,” I said. “Because you’re the kind of vampire that runs a strip club out of his Georgian manor house.”
“I have no interest in creating more vampires,” he said. “I’m quite content with my own company.” He smiled again. “Well, I do like attractive company, but only for the night.” He nudged me. “Perhaps you’d like to come back once I’ve resolved this matter?”
“You swear you haven’t stolen any money?” I asked.
“An outrageous accusation. I have plenty of my own.”
“Why run a private strip club out of your home?”
“Why not if it makes others happy?” He eyed me closely. “I bet I can make you happy—several times, in fact.”
I stiffened. “No, thank you.”
Rupert leaned forward and inhaled my scent. “You reek of darkness. It’s intoxicating.”
“I think you’ve had a few too many proseccos,” I said. “That’s what’s intoxicating.” I steered him back to Chief Fox.
The chief’s brow furrowed. “Did he just smell you?”
“He has an olfactory fetish,” I lied.
Chief Fox handcuffed Rupert and guided him out of the mansion. Rupert twisted to look back at me, holding his hand to his ear like a phone. “Call me.”
I waited until the mansion was empty before searching for any resident ghosts.
“Do I need to stay with you?” Clara asked. Her gaze flitted from room to room.
“What are you worried about? You’re not going to see anything,” I said.
“No, but I might feel their emotions if they’re particularly strong.” She shuddered. “Ghost feelings. Yuck.”
“Fine, wait here.”
Clara seemed to realize that she’d be left alone in the large foyer. “No, that’s okay. I’ll come.”
I walked through the house, calling out to the spirits. Clara remained glued to my side, unwilling to separate from me. It wasn’t until I reached the upstairs that I felt a presence.
“Hello?” I said. “Anyone here?” We stood in what appeared to be the master bedroom. The furniture was made from a rich mahogany and the decor was elegant yet modern.
An apparition appeared in the middle of the king-sized bed. “Boo.”
“Boo?” I stared at the ghost of the older man with bushy white hair and matching facial hair. “That’s your entrance?”
Clara gripped my arm. “There’s a ghost?”
“No, I’m talking to the pillow,” I said. “Of course there’s a ghost.” I inched toward the bed, dragging Clara with me. “I’m Eden.”
The ghost observed me. “Greetings and salutations, Eden. My name is Samuel Robinson.”
“This was your family’s estate, I take it?”
“Once upon a time,” the ghost said. “Now it belongs to that monster.”
“Rupert?” I queried.
He floated above the bed. “My family would roll over in their graves if they knew what had become of our home. It’s disgraceful.”
“Why do you think he’s a monster?” I asked. I wondered whether Samuel had seen anything—maybe he’d seen Rupert turn Will into a vampire.
“Because he’s a vampire,” the ghost replied. “They’re all monsters.”
Ah. “Is he the first vampire you’ve encountered?”
“Of course not. What do you take me for?” He sailed over our heads and somersaulted around the room. His movements were making me queasy.
“You’ve known other vampires?” I asked.
“Chipping Cheddar has a portal that draws demons here,” he snapped. “Don’t you know anything?”
I gaped at him. His clothes suggested he’d been a ghost for over a century. “I’m just surprised that you were aware of such things…back then.”
“I had the Sight,” he said. “I could see them all. Vampires, werewolves, druids, demons.” He sighed dreamily. “Mermaids. How I loved to watch them from the water’s edge. There was a cove they liked to frequent. They thought it was private.” He chuckled to himself.
“Mr. Robinson, have you ever seen Rupert do anything unusual?”
“What’s unusual for a vampire?” he asked. “He likes to talk to himself in the mirror. Daily affirmations he calls them.” The ghost made a dismissive sound. “Ridiculous I call them.”
“He can see himself in a mirror?” I asked. Clara finally released my arm, and I rubbed the spot where she’d been digging in her fingers.
“He had someone charm the mirror,” Samuel said. “I was here when he had it delivered. Came all the way from France.”
“Did you ever see him hurt anyone?” I asked.
Samuel drifted over to the window. “Not in a painful way. He likes to fornicate, that’s for sure. And the women seem to like to fornicate with him.”
I held up a hand. “Okay, TMI.”
“What’s TMI?” he asked.
“Too Much Information,” I said. “I don’t need those kinds of details.”
“You asked me if he ever hurt anyone,” he said, clearly annoyed. “Sometimes, the women seemed to be in pain, but then they…”
“Thank you, Mr. Robinson,” I said, cutting him off. Clara was lucky she didn’t have to hear any of this. “You never saw him bite anyone? Dra
w blood?”
“Not in a nonconsensual sense,” he said.
“Have you heard the name William Hickes spoken in this house?” I asked.
The ghost floated over to the mirror and pretended to admire himself, despite the absence of a reflection. “No, I can’t say that name is familiar.”
“You’re certain?” I asked. “It’s really important.”
He looked thoughtful for a moment. “No. The only Hickes I knew were here more than a hundred years ago. They made cheese.”
Who didn’t, I wanted to say. “Thank you for your help, Mr. Robinson.” Based on my conversation with Rupert and Samuel Robinson, I didn’t think the vampire was connected to Will’s situation.
“Do you think you might come back here again?” he asked.
“I don’t think so,” I said. I couldn’t speak for Clara, though. She seemed to find Rupert far more appealing than I did.
“That’s too bad,” he said. “It gets lonely here in this big house.”
“Can’t you leave?” I asked.
“Leave?” Samuel appeared thoughtful. “I don’t know. I’ve never tried.”
“You’ve never tried to venture into town?” I asked. Talk about a limited imagination.
“It never occurred to me that I could,” he said.
“Do you know why you’re bound to this plane?” I asked.
His expression clouded over. “It’s nothing I like to think about.”
“I understand,” I said. “Listen, there’s a ghost at my house on Munster Close. Her name is Alice Wentworth.”
The ghost lit up, as much as a wispy apparition could. “I remember the Wentworth farm. Alice, you say?”
“Yes, a very sweet woman. She lives in my house. Well, it was her house first, but you get the idea. Anyway, she ventures out every so often. Maybe the two of you could spend time together?”
“I would enjoy that very much,” he said.
“Great, I’ll speak to her about it. Thanks again for your help.” I left the room and Clara hurried after me, not wanting to put any distance between us.
“Are you seriously playing matchmaker to ghosts?” she asked, once we were safely in the car.
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