They treated me differently because I was a girl. And I despised it. I felt powerless. And now that Ignus was all grown up, I had no one to hang out with.
That morning, I dressed in thick leggings and a jumper. The castle was always so cold now that Arctic winter was almost upon us again. I couldn't even ride the horses out on the island any more. Mother said it was too dangerous in the dark. I could fall and hit my head. But that had been my one form of entertainment back in the summer.
I combed my hair for a while before winding it up into a ponytail and heading out into the corridor. I was startled by the sight across the hall. Varick. Masked. Chained to the wall behind him, but completely alone.
His eyes honed in on me, a hungry glint in them.
I glanced up and down the corridor, searching for my parents, or Ignus. No one was there. Why would Daddy leave the Vampire outside my room?
I tiptoed toward him, pushing my hands into the snug pockets of my woolen jumper. A big green knit, my favourite colour.
I cleared my throat, stopping just out of arm's reach from the Vampire. “Hello.” My voice sounded a little high-pitched so I cleared my throat, not wanting to seem afraid. “I'm Mercy,” I went on, eyeing the white shirt he wore. It seemed silly that he was so finely dressed. I'd never seen such a thing.
He said nothing, but his Adam's apple bobbed hungrily. Did he want to eat me? Mother had told me that our Hunter blood was more desirable to Vampires. The thought gave me chills. But something about the idea was kind of alluring. This huge scary Vampire was hungry for me.
“What's your name?” I asked, though I already knew it.
“Varick,” he answered at last.
“And what are you doing out here, all alone?” I glanced up and down the corridor again, expecting to see Ignus spying on us, but he wasn't.
“Abraham tied me up and left me here,” he answered simply, his voice echoing around the chamber of his mask.
“That seems odd. Daddy's very protective of me.” I pressed my toes into the soft rug beneath my feet, leaning ever-so-slightly closer.
“I won't hurt you,” he said, though the tension in his body said otherwise. He certainly wanted to hurt me. Did Daddy really trust that he wouldn't? Enough so to leave him here, just the two of us? Despite the fact Varick was chained to the wall, if he got hold of me, I didn't think I'd stand much of a chance against those muscles.
“Why not?” I folded my arms. “Don't I look appetising?” I teased.
His eyes lit up and a low chuckle rumbled from his chest. Something about the noise sent a shiver right down to my toes. I fought back a laugh. “So I do look appetising?”
“You smell good, that's all,” Varick replied, clearly trying to recompose himself. Had I caught him off-guard? I wondered when was the last time he'd laughed.
Footsteps pounded down the hall and I straightened, finding my mother striding toward us. She gazed between Varick and I, a curious look in her gaze. Her eyes travelled from my baggy jumper to my bare feet. In comparison, she was dressed like a duchess. A beautiful mauve dress clung to her slim figure.
I backed up from Varick, giving her an innocent look. “Daddy left him here-” I started to defend myself, but she cut me off.
“Yes, I know. His faith in the Vampire extends far beyond my own.” She glanced at Varick with a sneer wrinkling her nose. Taking my arm, she led me away from him. As we walked, she tangled a finger through my ponytail. “Mercy, you've aged well this year.”
“I know! How old would you say I look now? I think sixteen.”
“At least,” she announced brightly, her gaze dropping to my jumper again. “Perhaps it's time I taught you a thing or two about womanhood.”
A fire lit up inside me. Mother and I never spent time together. Not outside of supper time. She was always busy. Busy planning the next Games. Busy on trips to visit other Hunters, or to butter up potential spectators.
“I'd love to,” I said brightly. She guided me upstairs, opening the door to her and Daddy's bedroom. I hesitated. I hadn't been in the room since I was a little girl. Mother had told me it was an adult space, not to be disturbed.
“You're an adult now,” she answered my questioning look. I stepped through the doorway, my bare toes meeting fine, dark wood floorboards. I had vague memories of this room, but it was grander than I recalled. A large painting of our family hung on the wall. I remembered it being done. Mother had berated me for squirming and I'd ended up crying after two hours of posing in the same place. The artist had omitted that detail. My eyes weren't puffy and red like they had been on that day. They sparkled like two sapphires. On the wall opposite was a large crossbow of white oak. I moved toward it, trailing my fingers over the silver-tipped arrow loaded in it.
“Come here,” Mother called and I followed her to a grand vanity unit. Hand carved and ancient. The mirror atop it was gilded with gold. Little wooden boxes held treasures that I itched to explore.
Mother pressed down on my shoulder and I dropped onto the little embroidered stool, taking in my appearance. I didn't have anyone to compare myself to in terms of my looks, apart from my mother. And she was beauty embodied. In comparison, I was plain. But my hair was just as golden, if not more so, and my eyes were wider, framed with the same thick lashes. Perhaps I would be as beautiful as her some day...
She eased the grip from my hair and it fell about my shoulders. “Jumper off,” she commanded, and I tugged it free, a shiver chasing the hairs across my bare arms. The little vest I wore beneath it was too thin to keep out the cold. Mother plucked a fine necklace from a stand, an opal hanging from it in the shape of a teardrop. She laced it around my throat and the fine jewel sparkled on my breast bone.
I smiled, glancing up at her for approval and I saw it shining in her eyes.
Next, she took make-up from a drawer, showing me how to powder my skin to give it a dewy look, how to highlight my eyes and paint my lips in a deep coral tone that complimented my colouring.
When she was finished brushing my hair, I glanced at her, comparing myself.
She dipped her head, planting a rare kiss on my cheek. It burned on forever, warming me right through to my heart. A smile pulled at my lips. “Do I look beautiful?”
“You look radiant, darling.” She ran her fingertips through my hair and I sighed at the gentle touch. It soothed a soft ache inside me I hadn't noticed existed before.
Stepping back, she pulled me up by the hand, walking me to a fine oak wardrobe. She opened it wide and dresses of satin and silk shined out at me, asking to be touched. I ran my fingers over the lace hem of a blue gown she'd worn a few weeks back. A gift from my father.
“Would you like your own dresses made, Mercy?” she asked and I nodded, glee spilling through me.“You would have to wear fine shoes too. Do you think you could manage?” her gaze dropped to my bare feet and I scrunched my toes up as if I could hide them from her scrutiny.
“Yes,” I said quickly. “I could manage that.”
Another kiss. My heart heated like a furnace.
“What's your favourite colour?” she asked.
“Green,” I answered easily. “Green like the forest on the island.”
“Then green it shall be.”
*★*
Two weeks before the V Games commenced, I was walking around in high heels, practising. I was still getting used to the strange feel of them. The way some of them pinched my toes, making them angry and red. I had more gowns now than I could count, and Mother insisted I wear them daily, growing used to the tight bodices and the heavy skirts. I felt like a princess. Like I was important. And that feeling grew even larger when Daddy ordered Varick to guard me one day.
Varick's metal muzzle was always in place when he watched over me. I guessed Daddy didn't trust him entirely with his baby girl. I spoke to Varick daily, finally feeling less afraid of him. But I knew the feeling might never die completely. Mother trusted him at last. Varick had never overstepped the mark during his newly ac
quired position as our slave. I didn't quite understand his purpose yet, but Daddy said he was useful during the games.
For now, Daddy was buried in work. He and Ignus spent hours out on the island, preparing it for the new season. I had asked to join them more than once, but apparently it was 'men's work'. Whatever that meant.
At least I had a new hobby to occupy me now. Mimicking my mother's straight posture, perfecting my hair and make-up. She spent more time with me now than she ever had before. She taught me to dance, how to walk tall, how to speak with men. It was all in preparation for me participating in the events this year, she told me. When the spectators came to the castle, she wanted me to be ready. To present a lady to them. And I was determined to get it right.
Varick floated lazily behind me as I danced down the stone corridor, practising my turns and arches, my arms raised around an imaginary man.
“I'm getting better, aren't I?” I called to Varick.
“Yes, ma'am,” he said quietly, clearly bored.
“Mercy, please. How many times do I have to tell you? Ma'am makes me sound like an old woman.”
“It's not appropriate.”
I halted dancing, turning to him and placing my hands on the clustered blue satin at my hips. “Oh Varick, don't be a bore.”
He gazed coolly back at me over the muzzle on his mouth. I sighed. That thing was ugly as hell. I had no idea why Daddy still made him wear it. If Varick wanted to kill me, he could do so with his bare hands.
He surveyed me a moment before saying, “You dance like a man.”
My mouth fell open. If he had struck me, it would probably have hurt less.
“Men lead, women are led,” he continued calmly, evidently not bothered about upsetting me.
I tsked at that. “Well perhaps I want to lead.”
“Your mother would not be amused if you tried to lead her spectators in a dance. They will expect to lead you.”
I ground my teeth, considering his words. “I don't like it,” I muttered.
“It is the way of dancing.”
I raised a brow. “Not just dancing,” I huffed. “I can't even go out on the island with Daddy and Ignus. Even though I'm the best horse rider in our family and they know it.”
“No doubt they are doing more than riding horses around the island.” Varick's eyes darkened. Daddy had sent him out into the games once to chase the contestants. When he'd returned, I'd watched from my cubby hole as he'd begged never to go back. Daddy thought that would be the turning point in his training. It had taken another few years before he'd broken him though.
I sighed, gazing up at the ceiling as I accepted what Varick was saying. “Show me,” I demanded, moving toward him. “Show me how to be led.”
He stiffened as I opened my arms, gesturing for him to come closer. A little voice in my head screamed, What are you doing? But I didn't back down, moving closer still. “You dance, do you not? Or you wouldn't have had such a suggestion.”
Varick's shoulders tensed. “It's not appropriate.”
“You are here to look after me, aren't you? Why not do something useful for once?”
His eyes flickered with shadows then he stepped forward, looming over me, his hands outstretched. “If your father sees us-”
“He's out on the island.” I waved him down. “And Mother is still away. She won't be back until this evening.”
It struck me that I had been left entirely alone with Varick today. Usually, Daddy would check in on me from time to time. But not today...
Something about the situation sent a wave of heat into my veins. Adrenaline surged. I liked the danger. Varick hesitantly laid his hands on me, one on my waist, the other taking my hand. He was ice cold to the touch and a little gasp left my lips.
I'm touching a Vampire!
A little laugh escaped me and Varick's brows raised. He seemed about to reconsider this idea, so I stepped forward, encouraging him to dance.
“You're trying to lead again,” he said, though not unkindly.
I planted my feet, waiting. “Well go on then. Lead.”
He stepped forward and I shuffled back, missing the step. He didn't rebuke me as my mother would have, only moving slower until I grew used to his rhythm. I watched his feet, clad in shiny shoes. How silly it was, dressing up a Vampire like a wealthy man. But for some reason I didn't find it funny, I found it kind of sad. He moved with a grace that spoke of his past life. A man able to dance, able to court women. Had there been someone in his life whom he'd loved?
I glanced up into his deep green eyes, falling back on my instincts. I knew how to dance and it was actually easier being led. The moves were prompted by him, allowing me to move naturally in time with him.
My gaze travelled to the ugly muzzle over his mouth and a frown took hold of my features. “Is it uncomfortable?”
His brows drew together curiously. “At times. Mostly I forget it's there.”
“I would not much like to wear it,” I remarked thoughtfully.
“I am not like you,” he said, his voice low.
“No...” I glanced over his shoulder, taking in the fine portraits on the wall, watching us. My great, great grandparents. Aunties. Uncles. What they would think if they saw me dancing with a Vampire? It evoked another little laugh from me.
I stepped free of Varick's hold, remembering myself. I was a Helsing. Mother always said I had a duty to hold up the family name. Vampires were our enemies. And yet Varick seemed like quite the opposite at times.
“Thank you,” I said, bowing my head slightly. When I looked up, confusion rippled in his eyes. I cleared my throat, thinking of my mother's instructions to keep my distance from him. To treat him like a guard dog. I shouldn't have bowed to him. He wasn't a gentleman, he was a beast. A rather light-footed one, but a beast all the same.
Helsings don't make friends out of Vampires.
*★*
That evening, Mother returned home. We sat around the grand, oval table in the dining room. A fine feast was laid out with the best silverware and warbling music played from a large gramophone.
Daddy sat at the head of the table in his finest suit with Ignus on his left. Mother entered the room in a gown of silver silk, a lilting laugh leaving her throat. Beside her were two men. One of grey hair and a handle-bar moustache, the other young with raven hair that was as dark as his eyes. He was striking. Perhaps a few years my senior, but not more. His waistcoat was a deep, blood red, the buttons cut from ebony.
I stood, following suit from my father and brother. My gown was new, brought home as a gift from my mother and laid in my room by one of the servants. But I hadn't yet seen her since her return. It was peony with a golden hem.
Mother's eyes turned to me, as did the eyes of the two men, all appraising. A swell of pride filled my chest.
“This is my daughter, Mercy.” My mother gestured toward me before introducing the men to Daddy and Ignus. The eldest man was named Todd, and the younger man was his nephew, Frank. Their accents were strange, American apparently. Something captivated me in the musical way they spoke.
Frank sat opposite me and my mother took the seat at my side.
“You have a beautiful home, Miss Katherine,” Frank addressed my mother. “I haven't had the pleasure of visiting a castle before.”
“Thank you. Our ancestors built it many hundreds of years ago. I am sure Mercy will enjoy giving you a tour of its many rooms.”
Frank's eyes slid to me and a blush crawled into my cheeks. “That would be a delight, if it's no bother Miss Mercy?”
I giggled softly and Mother nudged me sharply under the table. “Of course. It would be my pleasure,” I answered, unable to hold Frank's eye.
Todd spoke of the cotton plantation he ran back home and Frank chimed in with amusing anecdotes. Varick stood sentinel by the door and occasionally Todd's eyes roamed his way. “Is that really a Vampire, Abraham?” he asked my father.
Daddy sat up straighter. “Indeed. My son and I have trai
ned him. He even assists with the games.”
“I can't imagine how the spectators react to that.” Todd laughed, sipping on a goblet of wine.
Frank glanced at Varick, seeming less comfortable with his presence than his uncle. “Does it always stand so still?”
I suppressed another giggle. “No, he often follows me about the place, don't you Varick?”
Mother pinched my arm under the table. “Mercy, we do not address Vampires in such a way. You know better.”
Shame flowed through me at being belittled in front of Frank and Todd. I reached for the wine decanter on the table, filling my glass. I expected Mother to stop me, but she had let me drink wine on occasion recently. I took a sip of it, hiding my reddening cheeks.
“Well I don't know,” Frank chimed in. “I'd rather think him less frightening if I spoke to him as if he were human.”
“A foolish idea,” Daddy boomed. “Vampires can get strange ideas about their place in the world. They can be easily encouraged.”
Todd and Frank laughed.
“Not with you around, old boy,” Todd said, gesturing at my father with his goblet. “You keep them under your heel, clearly. But a muzzle, Abraham? It rather suggests he is not trained.” He jerked a thumb in Varick's direction.
Ignus sat up straighter.”We don't muzzle him during the games.”
“Then why muzzle him at all?” Frank addressed my father.
Daddy took a moment to carve meat off of the pheasant leg on his plate. “I do not want any accidents. Varick spends a lot of time guarding my daughter these days.”
“Varick's no threat,” I insisted and Daddy shook his head at me.
“Do not be so naive, Mercy,” he said softly, but it still stung.
“Will you be attending the game?” I asked Frank to change the subject.
He shook his head, looking to his uncle. “Unfortunately, we are only here for a couple of weeks. We'll soon be visiting family in London. Your mother offered us the kindness of lodging here until then.”
“But you have been to a game before?” I asked, delicately slicing a potato apart on my plate.
Wolf Games: Island of Shade (The Vampire Games Book 5) Page 11