by Sophia North
"You think? Let's examine the evidence, shall we? Looks like we've got a bit of time to kill before I bust out of here. Where to begin, where to begin?" Vlad pondered, pacing the cell with his hands behind his back.
Godfrey remained on the floor, following Vlad with his eyes.
"How about we start with the bit about yours and Mariam's task? Now, what did the duplicitous cunt say again?"
Godfrey growled and charged at Vlad over his disparaging remark. Easily side-stepping the attack, Vlad helped Godfrey's bound body into one of the thick, slimy walls of the cell. The vamp hit it, head first, with a resounding thud.
Slightly dazed from the impact, Godfrey shook it off and tried to stand up, but his bound hands made it nigh on impossible to do so. The silver chains were draining him of his strength, rendering him useless.
Vlad took no pity. As far as he was concerned, Godfrey could rot down here. Continuing with his assessment, he leaned against the iron bars of the cell and crossed his arms. "I'm afraid I can only give you seven out of ten, your landing was a bit sloppy. Now, where was I? Oh yes, yours and Mariam's duplicity. Have to say, fake-you from next door didn't much care for my observation either. Did you, fake-Godfrey?" Vlad called over. No reply. "See, not a knock."
Godfrey suddenly looked very alarmed. Vlad was not comforted. Maybe he was approaching the situation from the wrong angle. Crouching down, so he could look Godfrey in the eye, he asked, "Why did you question me about Charrington Investments?"
Because you told me to, Godfrey signed back indignantly.
"Like fuck I did. You and I have never spoken about my business interests."
Godfrey's pale brows drew together in confusion. Note must have been a trap, he replied.
"No shit Sherlock," Vlad scoffed standing up. "Why do you think I'm your enemy?"
The monk vamp looked away.
"Godfrey?" Vlad growled. "Spill."
You sent letters to Mariam. Inappropriate letters.
"I did what now?"
Godfrey shrugged refusing to reveal more. And to be frank, at that point the last thing Vlad cared about were some fucking letters Mariam received from someone pretending to be him.
"Whoever this traitor in our midst is, he's fucking good. He's managed to get us both imprisoned without showing his hand."
Godfrey’s lips fluttered his agreement. A sudden truce had been struck between the pair.
Vlad nodded at his wrists. "What did you do to warrant silver chains?"
I punched Edward Walpole and knocked him on his fat ass.
"Fuck, why didn't you tell me sooner? That arrogant prick had been asking for it all day. Wish it'd been me." Vlad grabbed a large stone and smashed through the silver chains.
Godfrey rose slowly to his feet. Then, without provocation, he hauled back and landed a solid fist in Vlad's gut.
The monk threw a decent fucking punch.
The power of it, sent Vlad flying across the cell and into a wall. Godfrey grunted in satisfaction. No one disrespected Mariam and got away with it. And Vlad's claim of innocence had not been believed.
Fucking letters, they brought Vlad nothing but trouble.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
HER MOBILE'S LOUD RING startled Penny awake. Fumbling around on the sofa, she eventually found it under Leo, who was sleeping at her feet. The black and white cat purred in time with the ring.
It must be Vlad, she thought. The cat had taken a shine to him, she could tell. He'd sat in the window waiting for him to return all night, not even the offer of trout had lured him from his perch.
Fishing the phone out from under the slightly offended cat, Penny's eyes widened in surprise. It wasn't Vlad. It was Simone.
"Simone, what's wrong?" she asked frantically. Every instinct screamed whatever her friend had to say, it was bad.
The brief pause at the other end, set her heart to pounding.
"Simone! Are you there?"
"Yes, I'm here," Simone replied, her soft voice full of worry. "Pen, I don't how to tell you this, other than to just say it...It's Vlad. He's in trouble. Serious trouble."
Penny sat up straight. "What kind of trouble?"
"The kind that has him awaiting sentence on whether or not he is to be executed. Immediately."
The mobile fell from her hand. Leo went to sniff it, inadvertently turning the speaker on. "Penny...Penny? Say something!" Simone's voice demanded loudly.
"You better get off your ass and save him!" Penny screeched. "I don't care what it takes, who you have to kill. But by the goddess, if he is not freed and..." She refused to say the words. That was not going to happen.
Simone sighed on the other end of line. "Of course I am going to save him. He is my brother and your true love. I'll move heaven and earth to release him, this I promise you."
Penny sniffled and wiped the tears from her face. "That's better. You really should have led with that."
"Point taken." Simone laughed softly. The stakes may be high, but without humour what hope was there to make it through the hard times?
Gathering a tartan wool blanket around her shoulders, Penny put her phone on the arm of the sofa and curled into the corner. "Tell me what's happened. I can take it," she said.
"Vlad's been found guilty of committing High Treason," Simone explained.
Penny wanted to shout 'what the fuck?' but kept her promise and remained calm. "I see, and how exactly has he done that?"
"By supposedly fixing a Starr Chamber vote in his favour."
"What utter rubbish! Vlad would sooner end himself than betray Lowerton, we both know that."
"We do. And so does Darius...and to a lesser extent my father-in-law. Although in the interest of full disclosure, I am no longer speaking to Grand Elder Polidori."
Penny got up and padded over to put the kettle on. The first shafts of dawn's light peeked over the hills, bathing the kitchen in warmth.
"What has Alessio done to earn your wrath?"
"He cast the deciding vote against Vlad."
Penny drew a sharp breath. "He did what now?"
"Don't go there, I have already been and it's not a good place. He claimed to have no choice, the evidence was too damning to refute and to do so would undermine his authority. I told him where he could stick his authority."
The betrayal was mind-boggling. "What did Dante say? Is he coming home?"
"My husband is still MIA and I'm starting to believe...he's been taken." There was a slight tremor to her voice.
"Don't start crying on me, Radcliffe." Penny ordered in her best drill sergeant voice. "If you start, then I'll start and neither one of us will be able to stop."
Simone took a deep breath. "You're right, I may be jumping to conclusions. But with everything that's happening, it's hard to distinguish fact from fiction. Thank god for Darius," she gushed. "I don't know what I'd do without him. He's already sent a team to America to find Dante and is, at this moment, planning Vlad's escape."
"Darius is on Vlad's side?" Penny worried she'd come between the two friends.
"Why wouldn't he be? Did something happen that I am unaware of?"
"No..it's just...I'm worried I created a rift between him and Vlad."
"It was Darius who saved Vlad from immediate execution," Simone explained gently. "And according to my spies, never wavered in his belief of Vlad's innocence. He voted not guilty against each charge."
Penny's relief was immense. She'd have hated to be the cause of their bond being broken.
Another call waiting suddenly interrupted their conversation. It was the hospital.
"Simone, I have to go. It's my Gran..."
"Of course, I promise to keep you posted. And you do the same."
"I will. And please, don't let anything happen to Vlad..."
"Penny, hang up and take the call. Everything's going to be fine. I promise."
THE STEADY BEEP OF the heart monitor was a wonderful sound. Her grandmother's condition had finally stabilised after a rocky start
to the day. Penny had rushed to hospital after receiving the call saying they feared her Gran's time was near. But Esmeralda MacGregor had other plans.
After being at her Gran's side for the past twelve hours, Penny badly needed a shower and something to eat. Gathering her things, she was about to leave when her grandmother's soft voice called out her name.
Rushing to her side, Penny grasped her frail hand. "Yes Gran, it's me, Penelope. Try not to speak," she urged. "You were on a ventilator for a short time and your throat may be a wee bit raw."
Her grandmother's scowl ended any softly, softly approach she'd been attempting. "Don't look at me like that. I didn't do it! You've made your opinions perfectly clear on the matter. But they said there was no record of your DNR on file and had no choice..."
Her Gran waved a hand dismissively. "Ye dew 'ave a tendency to blather on, childe," the old woman rasped. "Is me Leo still in one piece?"
"Really? You wake up from being unconscious for two days and the first thing on your mind is whether or not I've killed your cat. I mean, honestly, it was only the one time I accidently backed the car over one of your feline projects. And Horus, who hated me by the way," she added in her defence, "did it on purpose. I'm convinced of it. That cat would have done anything to put me in your bad books. So for the record, Leo is still in possession of all his nine lives as far as I am aware."
"Seven..." her Gran corrected in a faint whisper. "Me precious boy, gave up two of 'em jest fer me. Ye look awful childe. What day be it?"
"Happy birthday, Gran. You made it!" Penny exclaimed happily.
Her grandmother leaned over the side of the bed and spat on the floor. "Demn me, if I didn't jest, childe. The Lord Saviour still has need of me here. But not fer lang. Not fer lang."
"Don't say that," Penny pleaded. "I've only just gotten you back."
"Oh aye. Nae stop yer frettin' and go home fer a wee bit. I'll be here when ye return. And perhaps ye'll bring yer old Gran a few things when ye do."
"Name them."
"There be some lamb broth in the ice box. It be a nice treat. I dinna think I'll be able to eat hospital food."
"Of course, anything else?"
"Some proper things to wear, me arse be hanging out t'back of this here gown."
"Gran!" Penny tried to look shocked, but failed miserably after giggling over her Gran’s outlandishness.
"What? Ye want yer Gran's arse hanging out as bare as the day she be born fer all t'see?"
Penny hid her face in her hands. "I hesitate to ask, but is there anything else?" she said through splayed fingers.
"Aye, perhaps a dram or two. For medicinal purposes, mind. Sleep like a babe everee night. Dinna ye wrinkle yer nose at me. I'm almost a century old. If I want me a dram, I'll have me one."
It was pointless to argue. "Very well."
"And pet, fish out me silver casket. I'll be needin' it too."
Penny went cold. "Gran..."
"Penelope, hold yer tongue and do as I ask ye," her grandmother said forcefully, the strain of it draining her. "Tired I be. Tired of the fight," she whispered softly. "So verra tired."
Penny stroked her brow, ashamed for upsetting her. "Rest, Gran. Rest. I shall do as you ask, every last bit of it. I promise."
"Remember ye said it, wee Thistle. Now, go."
Chapter Twenty-Nine
"GODFREY?" MARIAM WHISPERED from the other side of the cell's iron bars. The giant looked up from his slumped position and groaned in greeting.
Coming to stand in front of the cell, Mariam pushed back the hood of her cloak. "What on earth has happened? I leave Lowerton for the first time in years and you go and get yourself imprisoned. This is a complication we can ill afford. I must get word to Vlad. I've tracked down some information about the Dragon."
"Hello, Mariam." Vlad sat forward, his face catching the flickering light from the oil lamp. "It would appear your complication just got a bit more complicated."
"Oh, for heaven's sake," Mariam replied, throwing her hands up in exasperation. "Are the two of you really so incompetent that you've both ended up being thrown in a dungeon together? Godfrey! I warned you about letting Vlad lead you down the proverbial path. He may be a most likeable vamp, but has an unfathomable ability to always attract trouble."
"Really, love, such flattering words might make me blush," Vlad replied sarcastically. "However...if you had 'sorted out' the traitor, which I believe was your task, Godfrey and I wouldn't be in this mess."
Mariam gripped the bars. "You believe the traitor is responsible for this? Damn, he moved faster than I anticipated."
"Quite. Do us a favour. See who's in the next cell," Vlad asked.
After taking a quick look, Mariam returned. "No one."
Godfrey groaned despairingly.
"Shite. We were worried you'd say that."
Her eyes widened in surprise. "Why?"
"I may have inadvertently conversed with the enemy thinking it was Godfrey. That is, until the real one arrived by an armed guard."
Mariam looked sceptical about his claim. "Bit hard to mistake a mute through a wall."
"You'd think, but the bastard communicated by Morse code."
"Ah, I can see why you would make the mistake. But how have you concluded this mysterious visitor is our enemy?" she asked.
Vlad rose to his feet. "Because he wanted me to believe he was Godfrey. In fact, he went to great lengths to pretend to be. Why do that unless you want something?"
Drawing her brows together in consternation, Mariam paced along the iron bars. "What information could he have possibly hoped to gain without arousing too much suspicion?"
Vlad watched her pace. "He wasn't all that concerned about avoiding suspicion. That should have been my first clue things were not as they seemed. The second was the language he used. Him wanting to fuck the Dragon should have been a dead give-away that it wasn't Godfrey. He’s more a faeries kind of vamp."
Godfrey’s lip fluttered in disapproval over Vlad's jibe.
Mariam froze in her pacing. "He knew about the Dragon?"
"More. He knew I was meant to be searching for her," Vlad replied. "I have to say, he is a very well informed traitor."
"I don't think it was the traitor. Haan would never entrust such information to one of his minions. It must have been him..." Mariam whispered in horror.
It was Vlad's turn to look sceptical. "Since when can a disembodied spirit knock on stone? They can throw shit sometimes, maybe even create the odd gust of wind, but consistent knocking is a bit of a stretch. There must be a hidden passageway somewhere down here that the traitor used to enter and leave."
Mariam shook her head. "No such passageway exists, and I should know, the Lowerton dungeons are my creation."
Vlad gave a low whistle. "Have to say, love what you've done to the place. The rats are a really nice touch."
"Elder Barath, this is serious," she said with a reprimanding tone.
Was she fucking kidding? Of course it was serious. He was stuck in a cell awaiting execution. It couldn't get more serious than that.
"Did you say there were rats?" she asked sharply.
"For fuck's sake Mariam, it's a dungeon. Why wouldn't there be rats?"
"That's how he did it," she surmised.
She'd lost him. "How who, did what?" Fuck was that even a sentence? Vlad mused. Mariam really needed to stay on topic, the female, jump all over the fucking place thought process was not helping matters.
"How Haan was able to materialise in the cell and communicate with you. He must have used the life force energy from a rat in order to do so," she replied.
Life force energy. Now there's a term.
"He used a rat to materialise? Last I heard, he needed his Underlings to return to form, and with Anton dead and Dante on the other side of the ocean, I have my doubts a mere rodent packs the same punch."
"Wilhalf and I have come to the conclusion Anton has been replaced and Dante's been taken by the Serpent Brotherhood," Mar
iam replied solemnly.
Vlad gripped the bars tightly. "How long have you known this?"
"Months," she replied.
"What the fuck is wrong with you and your brother? Last time round we almost lost the war against Haan because of Wilhalf's fucked up secretive ways. And here we are again with the same old shit. Tell me, did Wilhalf use my feelings for Penny to manipulate me into helping him? I asked at the time, but the old fucker convinced me it wasn't."
"No, the threat to Penny was real. Even more so now."
Vlad pounded the bars. "That's it! Get me the fuck out of here, Mariam. If Penny is in danger I need to go to her...now."
"There's more to it," Mariam said, removing an old worn notebook from the pocket of her coat to hand to him.
Vlad took it and skimmed his way through. When he reached the last page of entries, he softly cursed. "Un-fucking-believable. I'm going to wring her bloody neck for not telling me."
The notebook was compiled with the names of an ancient Dragon bloodline and the last name listed was one Penny MacGregor.
Snapping the book closed, his stormy gaze met Mariam's. "Can you get me out of here?"
"I can do better than that," Mariam said with a smile. "Stand back, it's been awhile." Holding her hand over the cell lock, a soft glow of blue light emanated from her palm. Dismayed by her pathetically low power, she took a deep breath and shook her hand, as if to warm up. With her eyes closed, she tried again.
An almighty flash of blue light filled the cell and the door swung open.
Lowering the hand he'd used to shield his eyes, Vlad exclaimed, "Fuck me, you're half-Fae!"
"Indubitably, Elder Barath," she smirked, extremely satisfied with her work. "Now, come along, you need to be on your way." Passing her hand over the corridor wall, it disintegrated to reveal a hidden passageway.
"I thought you said there were no hidden ways out," Vlad commented wryly.