by Lucas Thorn
“I thought her to be an asset,” Van Helsing said coldly. “She was one of Dracula’s. Any Bride of his is bound to inherit some of his more potent abilities. I assumed it would take time for her to manifest them. It was worth the risk.”
“You were wrong.”
“I underestimated her,” he said. “And there is nothing to be gained by hindsight. Looking ahead, we know her power appears to manipulate the sanity of her victims. From what we’re seeing in Whitechapel, I’d surmise she is capable of further twisting those with broken minds. She can inflame their insanity. Turn them into wretched followers whose single purpose is to create more chaos. In confining her to Doctor Seward’s Sanitorium, she was surrounded by those most open to her suggestion. This may have triggered her abilities prematurely.”
“Very clumsy of you.”
“It was not clumsiness!” Van Helsing rapped his knuckles against the arm of his chair. “And I do not understand this change in you. You have always trusted me before.”
“You’ve never made such a mess before.”
“With any vampire encounter, there is risk. And with Dracula, there was even greater risk than usual. Perhaps there were things we might have done differently. But we did not have the information we have now. In fact, we only have it now because of those mistakes. We have been able to observe one of Dracula’s Brides as she grows. We can see the speed at which they may come into their power. We now know we cannot trust the books which have all advised it can take a hundred years or more for a vampire’s power to emerge.” He leaned back and tapped his empty pipe on his thigh. “It was not an oversight. It was simply too much reliance on previous experience and information we had at hand. I stress again, we could not be expected to guess the radical nature of Lucy’s power. We certainly could not predict the speed with which it would manifest.”
“If you say so,” Lord Salisbury said. “But it remains that the damage is done. I see no way for you to repair the stain upon your reputation and you will no longer be welcome at the palace. I’m sure you can see what that means. Her Majesty has been deeply disturbed by this, and is concerned it may reflect upon her if it becomes common knowledge you were once welcomed into her presence.”
“Foolish,” Van Helsing spat. “She knows what I am doing. She knows! How can she believe this drivel?”
“This drivel has many witnesses. And Miss Westenra herself has proven to be more than a little sympathetic. The Inspector’s reports make for compelling reading, I am told.”
“She wouldn’t be so sympathetic if you saw her drinking the blood of an infant!”
“And you can prove this, of course? Short of inserting a wooden stake through her heart, I mean.”
“Prove?” Van Helsing sneered. “What have I to prove it for?”
“Now Professor, you are stretching our acquaintance somewhat thin, I must say.” The marquess’ voice turned mercurial. “Very thin indeed. Do you have any idea of the repercussions for me personally should it be known I have rendered even the slightest aid to you? I would lose the Prime Minister’s post to begin with. And most likely my head. You are a wanted man. You have two choices, as I see it. You can leave the country and never return, or you can clear your name. The latter being a difficult path at this stage, I imagine.”
“My name is hardly important. What’s vital is we destroy this vampire before she gains any more power over the wretched masses who infest this city. Can you begin to imagine, Lord Salisbury, what would happen should she gain control over even a small portion of Whitechapel’s population? And if she turned them against you?”
“That is the reason I am here, Professor. On the chance you might be right about this young lady.”
“I am.”
“Then, if you are, we would want to pay particular attention to her of course.”
“Well, you’d better do it pretty damn quickly,” the old man snapped. “Because my instinct tells me she’s on the cusp of becoming an abomination.”
“If she’s a vampire, then she already is.”
“I fear she will be more than just a vampire. Vampires haunt graveyards for the most part. They hunt villagers and lost travellers who won’t be missed. They skulk in the shadows and disguise their presence. But she’s living in the open. Most vampires have the good sense to fear discovery. But Lucy is different. She’s quite consumed by her madness, Lord Salisbury. That makes her more dangerous even than Dracula or any of his other Brides.”
“Aren’t you being a bit melodramatic, Professor?”
“No. Not at all.”
“I knew Lucy, Sir,” Harker put in. “She’s the kind of girl who never quite knew her place. And she was completely uncontrollable.”
“You see?” Van Helsing leaned forward, speaking urgently. “We must put an end to her. And soon.”
“If that’s so, then what has delayed you? I’ve been informed that, until recently. You occupied a house directly behind hers?”
“Lucy is a mind-controller, Lord Salisbury. We had to observe her, first. We wanted to avoid any unnecessary loss of life. Also, we wanted to be sure that when we enter her lair that we can complete what needs to be done. If we instead find ourselves caught in her mental web, we would become the horrified victims of her power. I, for one, would not like to spend the rest of my remaining years as a gibbering lunatic. Or, worse, a slave to her every foul whim.”
“Very well, Professor. Now, I’ve already given this a lot of thought, and I’ve decided that I will let you have a few of my men. I cannot provide further assistance at this stage, of course. Until she proves herself to be what you say.”
“You won’t directly help us, then?”
“No.” His beard seemed to move like a living thing independent of his face. “But nor will I hinder you.”
“Nothing, then.”
“More than nothing. I have not turned you over to the constabulary.”
Harker cleared his throat. “I’m sorry to ask, Lord Salisbury, but would you also assist in getting us out of the country afterward?”
“A ship is at your disposal. It leaves on the morning tide. I’ve instructed Everett to give you the details. And a letter which you are to present to the Captain.”
“Everett?”
“He’ll be accompanying you. He’s one of my best. So, you see, Professor? I give you more than nothing. I give you everything I can.”
Van Helsing nodded, not bothering to hide his irritation. “If we fail, then you will be complicit in the fall of your country. You accept this?”
“Careful what you say, Professor. I think you’re reaching more than a bit too far. In any case, I shouldn’t worry if I were you. If you fail, I’m sure I’ll be able to rummage up more than enough men to do what you could not.”
“You think so?”
“She’s one woman, Professor. Even possessed by the demonic essence of vampirism as you say, she’s still just one woman. I’m surprised you haven’t been able to deal with her on your own by now. I had thought better of you.”
Van Helsing looked away, face mottled with anger.
“Thank you, Lord Salisbury,” Harker sighed. “We don’t mean to sound ungrateful. But it has been a trying past few days.”
“I can imagine.” The amusement made his smile broad, but his eyes remained bland and uncaring. “Sleeping on a whore’s kitchen floor, wasn’t it? That must have been a singular experience.”
“Not one I wish to repeat,” Harker said drily.
“I’d have you tell me all about it, boy, but I’m afraid this is as much time as I’m able to give. If you don’t mind, I need this room for some other guests who should not see you here. You can use the door over there. It takes you out the back way. I’ve arranged for your companions to meet you outside.”
Flushing, Harker stood. “Yes. Well. Right, then. Thank you again, Lord Salisbury.” He gave a stiff little bow and then stalked to the gestured door. “Coming, Abraham?”
Van Helsing returned his gaze
to the marquess. “I thought us friends, Robert. I want you to know that I will do my best, of course, to rid your city of this evil. Only because I know what she is capable of and it terrifies me to think about it. But I implore you to remember my words should we fail. Remember them and consider a prompt course of action before it’s too late. I have shared as much knowledge as I can with you so that you would be prepared for a time such as this.”
“Oh, I will, Professor. Have no fear on that point. I won’t allow anyone to upset the natural order of my country. I shall work to my dying breath to ensure it.”
“Then I wish you luck, Lord Salisbury.”
As they reached the door, Lord Salisbury’s voice called smoothly; “What of the others?”
Van Helsing turned rigidly. “Others?”
“Count Dracula of Transylvania and his newest Bride, Mina Murray.”
“She’s not his Bride,” Harker growled.
“Oh? I had been informed otherwise.”
“It’s a mistake.”
“Of course it is.” The Marquess stared back with his reptile eyes. “Count Dracula, then? What of him? Did you destroy him?”
“Yes,” Van Helsing said. “He has been destroyed.”
“And his remains?”
“Interred in holy ground.”
“Very sensible. The church grounds in Whitby?”
“No.” Van Helsing’s clipped voice was like shards of glass. “I will not divulge the location of that monster’s remains for fear someone might be stupid enough to dig them up and, in their ignorance, unleash him again.”
“Then, he could not be utterly destroyed?”
“Evil is never destroyed,” Van Helsing said. “It is merely contained.”
“Much like common criminals.”
“Worse. There is no hope for redemption.”
“And his Brides? We had word they were following him to London. They’re very late, of course. But we hear they were coming overland by horse and cart.”
“One was destroyed. The remaining two have been intercepted in Paris.”
“So, they are no more?”
“I’m waiting to hear so, but I believe they should cause no further trouble.”
“Aren’t they his Brides? Like Lucy? Surely, they have powers of their own, Doctor. Oughtn’t we be afraid of them, too?”
“Yes. We should. But Lucy is the priority due to her madness. It is infectious and unstable. I did not mean to imply that Senka and Vasilja are less dangerous, but they are at least predictable.”
“I see.” Another lofty smile. “Then England has nothing to worry about. It is in your hands, Professor Van Helsing, and I’m certain you are capable of saving her.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
Renfield sobbed in Lucy’s arms.
“But now all is silent around the good old home. They all have left me in sorrow here to roam,” he crooned through long sniffles. “She sang, Mistress. Sang, she did. Over and over. Beautiful voice. Beautiful. It’s in my head now, it is. Like a beetle, roaming through my brain.”
“Hush now, my Renfield,” she said, brushing back his hair. Pale face made gentle with reflected sorrow. “Please don’t cry.”
“I’m sorry, Mistress. Renfield weeps for his loss, but he is loyal. Always loyal. You see, Mistress? See how loyal he is to you? Oh, I don’t want to upset you. Or let you see my heart break. But there are so many lives on my conscience. So much blood on my hands. I didn’t think about it before. Yet, her voice is in my head now. She talks and talks. She tells me all about it. And never stops. I can’t think for myself right now. I just can’t. It’s too much to bear. Mistress, can’t you make it all go away?”
“I will. I promised, didn’t I? As soon as the Queen arrives, you shall have everything you need.”
“But I don’t know what I need.” His miserable voice crackled and bubbled across his lips. “I just don’t know anymore. I miss the crickets. The cockroaches. I miss the spiders and flies. A simple life, you see, for a simple man. Mistress, what will I do?”
“Tell me, then, Renfield. Tell me what you would like.”
He looked up at her like a child inside her arms. Bloodshot eyes wide and manic. Lines creasing his forehead and brows high. “That’s Renfield’s dilemma. I just don’t know. What do I want? I could say I want to drink from the humble fly, or the red-eyed rat. But are those my desires? Are they truly mine?”
She cradled him, pulling his head against her shoulder. “I don’t want to lose you, Renfield. I want you to stay with me. Of all the lights I’ve seen in London, yours shines the brightest. Without you near me, I believe the world would plunge into darkness.”
“I’m afraid.”
“What are you afraid of?”
“I’m afraid of tomorrow. I’m afraid the policemen will come. With their sticks and their guns. Or Doctor Seward with his syringe and his pills. I’m afraid they’ll lock me up for what I’ve done, Mistress. And I’m afraid of you.”
“Me?” Lucy’s mouth opened in shock. “Why would you be afraid of me?”
“You’re a vampire, Mistress. I am a man. My blood is yours to sup whenever you wish. I could not stop you. What if I get it all wrong? What if I hadn’t killed Mary? What would you do to me, Mistress? In your wrath, what would you do?"
“Dearest Renfield.” She leaned over him and pressed her cheek against his. “Have I ever said an unkind word to you?”
“The Master…”
“Dracula? Oh, forget about him. Put him out of your mind entirely. And look at me. Truly look at me. Am I Dracula? Am I really very much like him?”
He shook his head, clinging desperately to her. “No, Mistress. Nothing at all. But you are like me! You see our minds like a field of shining lights. You walk among us and you give us what we need to bloom.” He tightened his grip. “What you don’t see is your own. I am not the brightest. You are! This insanity which eats us all is you!”
She trembled, feeling horror rising up her back. Shivering steps of insects crawling across her skin. Goosepimples rising, she stared deep into his eyes and asked what she didn’t want to ask; “Do you despise me, Renfield? Am I such a hateful creature to you? Did I hurt you terribly?”
Renfield blinked.
“Why, no, Mistress. Not at all. You’ve been very good to me. And I see why. It’s because you are like me. Our minds have been broken. You see into my soul and you understand what that feels like. And when we give in to you, it feels natural. It feels like we are dancing in the air like you do. We feel alive. All our burdens are lifted. I don’t need to worry about earning a living. I don’t need to worry about presentable clothes or saying the right thing. I am free! This is a great gift, Mistress.”
“Yet, you are afraid. I don’t understand.”
“I killed a woman, Mistress. A woman who sang to me.”
“You killed others before her.”
“They didn’t sing. They didn’t smile. They didn’t lift their hearts. Eggs and shells, Mistress. I should not have hurt her. I should have run away and chosen another for you. But I feared you would rage. She had to die, you said. To implicate Harker utterly, you said.”
“If you didn’t want to kill her, I would understand,” Lucy said. “I would know you weren’t doing it to betray me. I would know, Renfield. I don’t want you to feel you are my slave. My poor man, I feel dreadful for you.”
“I should not have killed her. And when it was done, I hated myself. I wanted to die with her. My anger made me do terrible things.”
“Poor Renfield.” She kissed his forehead. “There must be something we can do.”
“I’m not sure.” He looked away, his head drooping to stare at the ground.
“Tell me.”
“It’s nothing. Perhaps I am just letting my madness lead me.”
“Please. What is it?”
“It’s Miss Doris. Do you recall?”
“From the Sanitorium?”
“That’s the one!” His eyes bulg
ed as delight made them glint. “When Mary was singing, I thought of her. Of Doris. And I wondered if she might sing for me. Do you think she would?”
Lucy threw back her head and laughed.
Her entire body shook with mirth.
And Renfield flushed bright scarlet. Still clinging to her, he lifted himself up and said; “Do you think she would, Mistress?”
Lucy took his head in her hands and kissed him. A long lingering kiss which had their tongues exploring with a mix of lust and curiosity. When she lifted her mouth from his, her eyes glittered bright with joy. “My beautiful Renfield, she will sing for you.”
“You promise?”
“I do.” She dusted her dress off as she stood, letting him slide back onto the ground where he lay. Arms spread wide and grinning face staring at the ceiling. Tear-stained cheeks twitching.
The little man let out a long sigh filled with the exhale of a mountain of guilt. “She was a pretty girl,” he said.
“Doris?”
“Mary.” He closed his eyes and licked his lips, tasting the echo of Lucy’s kiss. “But none of them are as beautiful as you, Mistress. Renfield is loyal.”
“Sir Renfield.”
“Renfield of Whitechapel. Lord of England.”
Lucy reached and took his hands, lifting him to his feet.
Clasped them between hers.
“Do not fear me, Renfield. Never fear me. There is nothing you can do which would disappoint me. You promised you would serve. Do you remember? You promised. But it was your loyalty I wanted, not your blind obedience.” She kissed his fingers. “Do you know why Dracula left me for Mina? It was because he didn’t understand me. He thought I would be a quiet little damsel. A pretty little doll at his side. You see, I had lived my entire life hiding what I truly was. I am mad. You are right. I know this now and will not deny it. My mood changes so quickly. My head spins with yearning for the most strangest of desires. Yet, I had held everything inside. Like a beast gnawing its shackles, I was constantly fighting to be free. I could not win that fight. I had to be the perfect daughter. Then I had to prepare to be the perfect wife. Oh, Renfield. You have no idea how terrible that time was for me. How my insides constantly felt shattered and alone. And then I met Dracula. And he offered me the one thing no other man could give. The freedom to be released from the chains the world had wrapped me in. I was delirious with joy when the change was made. I wanted to dance. And I did dance. Through the streets! At first, he was amused. Then he was afraid. I could feel his fear. His fear that I would bring the attention of humans and reveal ourselves to them. He was terrified of discovery.”