Adrian grinned back. “You’re right, Father.” He turned. “May I call you Nick?”
Nick nodded. “By all means.”
“And I shall call you Verity. ‘Tis only right. We are, after all, family, aren’t we?” Katherine’s warm smile encompassed them all. “Something I never expected to have, other than my husband’s.” She stood, full of energy and life, something that surprised Verity.
Exactly why she should have wondered at Katherine’s demeanor, she wasn’t quite sure. But then again, it was the first time she’d met another female vampire, who was married to a vampire, who was the son of somebody who wasn’t a vampire but knew all about them—she put a hand to her head. “I’m so bloody confused right now I don’t know which end is up.”
Nick laughed. “Me too, love. Me too. If these kind people will allow us to stay with them for a bit, then perhaps we can straighten ourselves out.” He turned to Adrian. “I will add that my senses tell me you mean us no harm. That you and I have shared—events—things for which there are often no words.”
Adrian nodded somberly. “Indeed.”
“Then that is our bond, Adrian. Perhaps it’s what drew me here. To this place. To find you and your lady wife.”
“Soon.” Katherine tugged them to the door. “Soon you can sit down and tell us all about it. Let’s get you sorted out first, shall we? And Verity—if you need anything at all in the way of clothing, just tell me. Your bundle is small and you seem to be traveling light. I know what it is to be without a decent garment, believe me.”
Still chattering away, Katherine led the two bemused people from the room.
Sidney stared into the fire. “Have you met Nick Blaine before?”
Adrian’s gaze followed his father’s, both men watching the flames. “No. No, his name is unfamiliar to me.”
“He’s here for a reason. He must be. How else would he have found us? We’re not exactly on the main turnpike from London.”
“I know.”
“Are you worried, my son?”
“Worried?” Adrian lifted an eyebrow. “About Nick and Verity? No. But about what has led them here…well, possibly.”
“‘Twill be useful to have others,” mused Sidney. “My experiments will benefit from a fresh infusion of new blood.”
Adrian chuckled. “I’ll be sure to let them know they’ll be required to donate a cup or two for the cause.”
Sidney snorted. “Don’t mock. It’s helping you, isn’t it?”
Adrian nodded. “Yes. I’m not mocking, Father. Believe me, that’s the last thing I’d make fun of.” He sighed and stretched, letting his head roll around on his shoulders. “I’d hoped to live quietly, to ignore what we are, perhaps. Manage some sort of life that qualifies as almost normal. Whatever that is.”
Sidney shook his head. “There are limitations, Adrian. You and Katherine—well, you must accept certain things.”
“I think we have, for the most part. But there is the question of children. I know Katherine feels the lack of them. I know she has a small empty part of her that I can never fill with my sons.”
Sidney ached for his not-quite-son. “I understand. But that is something quite beyond my ability to rectify, I’m afraid.”
Adrian immediately went to his father and knelt before him. “Father—you have done so much already. We’d both give you grandchildren if we could, you know that. You have taken on a great burden by adopting me and accepting Kat into St. Chesswell’s. Do not take on this one too.”
Sidney’s heart warmed once more as he gazed into Adrian’s black eyes. “I have never regretted any of those decisions. Best day of my life was the one I found you lying on my beach.”
“Mine too.” Adrian covered his father’s hand with his own.
“Well then, let’s see what these two have to say for themselves. They may be able to shed some light on this whole situation. I’ll look forward to hearing their experiences with—herself.” He hated to even put a name to the red-haired demon that lurked in the darkness beyond. “Any and all information can be useful if we use it correctly.”
“Always the investigator, yes?” Adrian grinned.
“Can’t help it. It’s a nice way of hiding the fact I’m a nosy old man.”
Adrian laughed with his father, a sound that welcomed the party back into the room.
Now, thought Sidney. Perhaps now the shadows that surround us all might lift a little and give us a glance at something new.
He dared not even think along the lines of a resolution. That was too much—a dream he admitted to himself might be impossible. Thérèse was strong, very, very strong. Her hold over her victims, sexual and violent, waxed and waned but never broke completely.
They’d forced her back to her lair a while ago, but they all knew it was not the end. That she would return—had probably already returned—at least to the dreams and what was left of the souls of her prey.
The words of Sidney’s dream came back to him. His conversation with the legendary St. Chesswell himself and the quote in the grimoire he’d been told to read.
“To free the Made, the Maker must be Unmade.”
He whispered the words aloud, trying for the thousandth time to put a shape to the thought. How did one “unmake” a maker? Kill her? That had proved well-nigh impossible, even with holy water and St. Chesswell’s broadsword.
And if they did succeed, would her victims be “unmade”? What exactly did that mean? He did not relish the thought of seeing his beloved son and his wife vanish into a pile of dust.
What would happen to a vampire if he were freed of his vampiric curse, Sidney couldn’t begin to guess.
His mind wandered around various scenarios, exploring, examining, discarding—ending up pretty much where it had begun. It was an exercise in futility that plagued him frequently these days.
There had to be something…some approach…they’d overlooked.
The nagging irritation of matters unfinished was put aside for a while, however, with the return of their guests. Once more Sidney placed his faith in the fate that had delivered Adrian to him and changed both their lives. With any luck, it had now delivered more assistance in the shape of these two young people.
Perhaps there is strength in numbers.
*~*~*~*
Verity found herself relaxed and at ease with Katherine and Adrian—more so than she could remember for a very long time.
“So you changed without any ill effects at all?” She asked the question of her hostess.
“It was almost instantaneous.” Katherine nodded.
“You were lucky.” Verity grimaced. “The extended process is not pleasant at all, I can assure you.”
Adrian agreed. “We share that, Verity. I agree—most miserable. But after arriving here, my father worked on my behalf. He developed a variety of potions—some of which were appalling, I should add—and it’s my belief that the changes he did manage to effect within my blood helped Kat turn without the associated…er…nastiness.”
Kat grinned. “Can’t say I’m sorry.”
Verity, who had little memory of the days spent vomiting and in agony, could only agree. That period was a blur, but the sense of extreme pain lingered even now.
“I was needed, Verity.” Kat continued her story. “These two were off to meet Thérèse by themselves. And of course, like men everywhere, they got themselves into a bit of bother.”
Verity laughed as the two men thus addressed sputtered their protests.
“And, like women everywhere, I came to the rescue.” Kat’s smile was innocence and satisfaction combined into one big smirk.
“She hasn’t let us live it down yet.” Sidney gave a hugely dramatic sigh. “Came over the rise with St. Chesswell’s sword like an ancient Druid priestess bent on sacrifice. I can still see her now.”
Nick shared the chuckles. “I’m impressed. That sort of knocks your leading highwaymen further down the scale of Amazon women, my sweet.” He reached for Verity’
s hand and squeezed it.
Verity sniffed. “It’s not a contest, you know.”
“I know.” He linked their fingers together as they sat comfortably on a sofa in the small parlor.
“We really did pick some pretty amazing women, didn’t we?” Adrian grinned at Nick.
“Or they picked us. Hard to tell at this point.” Nick grinned back. “Whatever the case, we’re damn lucky.” He sobered. “But you people—you faced Thérèse in the flesh? She was here?”
Sidney took over the narrative, which had already lasted over two hours. “It seems, according to our best guess, that she has some sort of link with St. Chesswell. Rumors and legends about red-haired women have abounded here for generations and it’s our belief that many of them may be based on fact.”
“Really?” Verity’s thoughts whirled. “Here? In England?”
“She’s not here now—please don’t concern yourself about that. Our attack did not destroy her, but it did send her back to Rogaška, to her lair.” He pursed his lips. “There has been what I perceive as a pattern emerging.”
Adrian huffed. “I’m not sure I quite accept this, but go on, Father.”
Sidney brushed his son’s objections aside with a wave of his hand. “We’ve discussed it at length as you may guess. My theory is that somehow, at some point in the distant past, Thérèse may well have lived here. Perhaps before she herself was converted into the evil she is now.”
“So…” Verity struggled with this idea. “So all this—Adrian arriving on your beach after the storm, Nick and I showing up at your door—you think this might all be…” She sought for the right word… “Preordained?”
Nick leaned forward, elbows resting on his knees. “Sort of like a grand pattern with St. Chesswell at the hub of some kind of vampiric web? With Thérèse as the spider?”
Sidney beamed at him. “Excellent analogy, young man. Excellent.”
Nick blinked. “Now I recall. I attended a lecture you gave many years ago on the possibility of dreams interacting with some alternate level of consciousness.” He nodded. “You’re a scientist of some repute, Sir Sidney. I’m sorry I didn’t make the connection earlier.”
Sidney chuckled. “I’m afraid I now have the reputation of being a scientist involved with doubtful theories and possibly insane conclusions. Plus a distinct tendency to delve into matters best left alone, according to many.”
“Nevertheless, it’s arguable that your interests are a vital part of that web we spoke of.” Verity chimed in. “I think you’re right. I do see some sort of…of…something taking shape.” She turned to Nick excitedly. “Can you see it too? St. Chesswell’s, the place where Thérèse may have lived. Sir Sidney’s scientific expertise in the dark arts and mysteries of the soul. Then Adrian and Kat, pushing the demon away from here. Now we’re here, drawn by your strong instincts to journey to this place—bringing me with you, turning me as well so I can add to our numbers and our strengths.”
“Oooh. I like this.” Katherine’s eyes were shining. “I see it, Verity. I do, really. Alone, these are instances that can be attributed to circumstance. But put together?”
“Hmm.” Adrian stroked his chin thoughtfully. “When you put it like that…”
Silence fell for a few moments as everybody turned this new approach, this new concept, over in their minds. Verity could almost feel the churning of their thoughts which matched her own.
A new excitement skittered across her nerve endings, one she knew instinctively matched Nick’s emotions. He was sitting quietly, but she had no difficulty sensing his air of acute involvement. His scientific thought processes had been re-awoken by this company—something she was delighted to observe.
Sir Sidney eased himself from his chair. “If you all will indulge me further, there’s something Nick and Verity should see.”
Willingly they followed. Verity was absolutely convinced now that they were assembled at St. Chesswell’s for a reason. Whatever that reason was she had no idea, but she was ready to entertain any possibility. Even a few impossibilities should they be necessary.
Sidney led them to his study and gestured to the massive fireplace over which hung a rather large, plain, broadsword. “This is what I wanted to show you. This is the sword of St. Chesswell.”
Nick turned his gaze to Katherine. “You wielded that?”
Verity shared his surprise. It was indeed a huge weapon. Unadorned by any markings or engraved folderols, this was clearly a sword designed for battle. She walked closer. “May I touch it?”
“Of course.” Sidney nodded approvingly.
She reached a hand to the shaft, amazed at the soft patina left by the passage of time. The handle was wrapped in some sort of covering, and the two guard pieces simply carved. On the pommel she noticed a deeply etched cross, Celtic in design, with triangular shaped ends that wrapped around the metal.
Gingerly, she rested her fingertips on it. And closed her eyes.
Heat flooded her hand, shimmering up her arm and into her body. She gasped.
“Verity…” Nick’s voice buzzed somewhere behind her.
“Sssh. It will not harm her.” Sidney spoke quietly.
“There is strength here.” Verity’s thoughts poured from her almost without her knowledge. “Strength and purity.”
The room was silent as Verity’s fingers moved gently up the sword only to return again to the sharp tip. “This sword has a purpose—an unfinished purpose. I can feel it…”
She paused, seeking words to explain something she could not understand. “I sense…light…a spirit of something long gone yet never absent…”
She wrenched her hand away, stunned by what she’d experienced. “Good heavens. That was very strange.”
“Not really.” Sidney was watching her closely. “Katherine used it. Now it has spoken to you. Clearly there’s a connection between the power of this sword and a woman’s hand.”
He turned to the others. “Now we just have to find out what that connection is.”
*~*~*~*
Nick found the days slipping into an easy routine as he and Verity made themselves at home. St. Chesswell’s was an interesting place, rich in history and legend, all of which Nick happily immersed himself in, knowing that the more information he had, the better.
Sir Sidney was delighted to share his experiments with Nick, finding a like-minded and knowledgeable companion a pleasure. Adrian was his son, but apparently Nick was a fellow scientist, which placed him in a unique position within the St. Chesswell household.
Verity had found herself her own friend in Kat and the two women were now bonded in a special relationship that gladdened Nick’s heart.
They slept, rose with the night, talked, argued, discussed options and laughed together, truly a family of beings united by virtue of their existence. Although Nick had a feeling he could have been friends with them all even had they not shared the shadows of darkness.
Finally, Sidney called a “conference” for one evening and they gathered once more around the fireplace in his library, a location they’d all come to enjoy as the site of spirited conversation and consideration.
“It’s an unarguable fact that Thérèse has a hold over you all, even now. We may have checked her progress, sent her back through whatever mysterious paths she travels, but…” Sidney shrugged. “She’s still there. Still lurking around us. You all know it and thus I know it too.”
Nick nodded. He could not argue with this conclusion, much as he’d have liked to.
“And…” Sidney cleared his throat. “We are well aware that her link, if I may call it that, is strongly sexual.”
Adrian shifted, Verity blushed and once more Nick nodded. Kat remained immobile.
This was a conversation that would not be easy for any of them.
“Therefore, I propose an experiment.”
Nick glanced up. “An experiment?”
“Yes.” Sidney looked at him. “An experiment to see if she has regained her po
wer. If she still possesses some of her strength. To see how much damage we did to her when she tried to destroy us in the chyne.”
Adrian took a breath. “‘Tis risky, Father. Very risky.”
“What you are asking, Father…” Katherine paused.
“I know, my dear. It’s one that only you four can decide to accept or refuse. Either is fine with me. But I can see no other way, not at the moment.” He leaned on his desk. “You see, up until now, she’s had the upper hand. She’s your Master, if you will. She has controlled you, your dreams, your existence.”
Nick noticed Verity nodding in agreement. He agreed as well. Sidney was accurate in this assumption.
“You have all assured me that since you’ve been together none of you has seen or heard her. Correct?”
They agreed. Nick hadn’t missed the flame-haired devil one bit, but Sidney was right. She had not appeared—at least not to him or to Verity. Verity would have told him immediately had that been the case.
“So here’s what I’m suggesting. The four of you should—er—indulge your desires.”
“Really?” Adrian grinned. “We are. At least Kat and I…” He paused as Nick noticed Katherine’s raised eyebrow.
“Yes, yes. No need to go into details, son.” Sidney looked away in embarrassment and fiddled with the papers on his desk. “What I mean is…”
Verity interrupted. “You mean we should spend a night arousing our sexual emotions. You want to see if such a massive influx of those passions will summon her, don’t you?”
“Exactly.” Sidney nodded approvingly. “Well done, Verity. Now I don’t know if you’ve been feeding from each other. I don’t want to know. What’s private should stay that way. But I do believe that when you perform that particular act, the link with Thérèse may grow stronger.”
Nick thought about that. It was true—he and Verity had not fed from each other during their time here at St. Chesswell’s. They’d mutually agreed to love, to cherish each other in all the ways that gave them pleasure. But something had held them back from feeding. A desire for privacy, perhaps. Or just a natural caution—he wasn’t sure.
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