Dance Until Dawn

by Berni Stevens

  ‘Tastes fine for a pervert,’ he commented without looking back at me. ‘Just blood. Quod erat demonstrandum.’

  I averted my eyes from the blood as absolute horror overcame all other sensations. ‘Will, stop. Please, please stop this … before it’s too late. Please.’

  He stepped away from Oldman, who had fainted again, and his eyes softened when he saw my stricken expression. Closing the gap between us, he tenderly stroked my cheek with the tip of his thumb. ‘Do you want me to save his life?’

  I nodded. ‘Yes. I … I don’t want to see you as a murderer.’

  He brushed tears from my cheeks. ‘Very well, Elinor. For you, but against my better judgement, I will allow this perverted maggot to live.’

  He stopped the bleeding with his saliva, and began to pull the shredded clothes back over Oldman’s unconscious body. Unlocking the cuffs at his wrists, he allowed him to fall in a crumpled heap onto the stone floor. He stood looking down at him for a moment, a strange expression flitting across his otherwise stern face. ‘Go upstairs Elinor.’

  I glanced down at Oldman. ‘You told him you were a vampire.’

  ‘So I did. No doubt everyone will believe him too.’

  I gave him a puzzled look.

  Will’s lips curved slightly. ‘How many times did you want people to believe you as a child?’

  ‘Too many to count.’

  ‘Then this should be the perfect revenge for you. He will regain consciousness in a hospital somewhere, babbling about vampires and seeing his former foster daughter, whom everyone knows is dead, and I guarantee he will be put in some kind of institution. At least for a while.’

  I gave him a weak smile. ‘That is pretty clever.’

  He inclined his head. ‘It is. Now go upstairs and Luke can help me deliver this creature to a hospital out of London somewhere.’

  I walked to the door, but stopped and looked back at the last moment.

  ‘Will?’

  ‘Whatever you are going to say, you worry too much.’

  I went upstairs and wandered into the drawing room. Switching on the television, I flicked through the channels, trying in vain to find something that would hold my attention and stop me from thinking.

  I heard Will’s key in the lock some forty minutes later, and looked at him anxiously as he came into the room.

  ‘Oldman will live, Elinor, thanks to you. He has been left at Watford Hospital. Luke informed them that he had found the man unconscious in the street, and assumed he had been mugged, as he carried no wallet or identification about his person. Luke then witnessed him being wheeled away for a blood transfusion. He had a very informative chat with a pretty little nurse, who assured him that he will make a full recovery.’

  Part of me felt relief at his words, but the abused child within was still afraid.

  I stared blankly at the television screen, ‘It’s just as well you didn’t kill him, the police might have traced him back to you, they have all sorts of DNA equipment these days.’

  Will laughed.

  ‘It would not have helped. I have not officially existed for centuries.’

  He flicked the remote control at the television and the screen went black.

  ‘Talk to me,’ he invited, sitting down next to me.

  I looked at him, searching his face, but found nothing other than his usual calm expression.

  ‘They’ll discover that he really was my foster father.’ My eyes widened with panic.

  ‘Then they will also discover that you are dead. That should effectively close that line of investigation I think.’

  ‘He’ll say he saw me.’

  ‘And they will remind him that you are dead.’

  ‘He knows where we live—’ I began, and Will gave me a long-suffering look.

  ‘You give me no credit for any intelligence,’ he sighed. ‘Oldman was unconscious when he arrived here, and unconscious when he left. He is now in a Watford hospital with their report stating he was found on a Watford street, and brought into the hospital by a Good Samaritan.’

  ‘Why didn’t the Good Samaritan just phone for an ambulance?’

  ‘He had no mobile phone with him and it was quicker to drive him. I have no doubt that the Hertfordshire police will try to find their most helpful witness at the address in Watford Luke gave them, but of course they will not be successful. They will probably then assume that Luke was one of a gang who lost his nerve when he thought Oldman might die.’

  It all sounded plausible enough, but I still shuddered. Somehow I couldn’t erase the sight of Will drinking Oldman’s blood with so much relish. I had never seen him feed, but even I could tell the difference between feeding simply to survive and the way he had fed from Oldman. ‘You really wanted to kill him, didn’t you?’

  He nodded. ‘Of course I did. From the moment I knew what he had done to you as a child, I wanted to tear him apart with my bare hands. I will not apologise for torturing him.’

  I stared at the dark TV screen, willing it to spring to life so I could concentrate on something else.

  ‘Do you fancy going to see a film?’ He had probably picked up on that random thought.

  ‘As long as it isn’t a horror movie.’

  ‘How do you feel about pirates?’

  17 March

  It has been a very long time since I have tortured a mortal, and even longer since I felt such an overwhelming necessity to do so. I have lived quietly and unobtrusively for many decades, but the anger I felt at hearing about Elinor’s terrifying childhood awakened my primal need for revenge.

  I am sorry to say that I felt no compassion for the bastard whatsoever. I may be a creature of the night and a predator, but I abhor rape, and the abuse and rape of a child is even more abhorrent to me. I loathe the scum who perpetrate such acts, and if I had had my way this night, there would have been one less paedophile in the world.

  Elinor has lived with the horror of his actions for years, and she blamed herself, as is so often the case. He was the reason for her previous failed relationships with men and I have no intention of letting him come between us.

  I am not too concerned about allowing him to live. He may well insist he has seen Elinor alive, but I think most people will dismiss the claims, and think them merely the babblings of an old man. Should he become a problem, however, I shall have no qualms about killing him, and Elinor need never find out.

  I know where to find him now.

  Later that night, I took her to see a light-hearted film, and she held my hand tightly throughout the performance. She was very quiet and I didn’t intrude on her thoughts. It is my belief it would be for the best if she came to terms with the night’s events on her own. Time is the best healer after all, and we have that in abundance.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Trials

  In some books, there’s often a chapter that begins, ‘The dreaded day dawned,’ as being the dawn which opened on a dreaded moment. Obviously we, as vampires, try very hard not to see the dawn of any day. So, I’ll just say that the evening of Trials ‘dawned’ far sooner than I wanted it to. Like a dentist appointment you’ve been dreading, and the days just fly by, until you suddenly find yourself sitting in the waiting room. You listen to the whine of the dentist’s drill and know you’re next. Although I will never need to visit a dentist again. I’m grateful for that at least.

  Will’s mood appeared as calm as ever. He seemed to be almost looking forward to the night’s forthcoming events, which I found strange beyond belief.

  Once again, I had tried on several different dresses in an attempt to forget the actual reason why I needed to get dressed up. Apparently Trials were a huge deal, and trying to imagine just how huge made me want to run for the hills. Dressing up. I hated dressing up.

  I knew I’d have
to wait for the winter months and darker evenings again before I could personally go late-night shopping in South Molton Street or Selfridges. But Will had very generously got another load of clothes sent round for me to try. His credit rating must have been really good, as most shops were more than happy to supply samples from their various collections.

  I held up a gorgeously slinky Armani dress, in black of course. I had drawn the line at colours or patterns, and actually would have far preferred to wear trousers. But Will uncompromisingly remained adamant, and insisted I must wear a dress. As he rarely, if ever, made any comment as to what I should wear, I decided going along with him wouldn’t kill me. Again.

  It had to be the fourth dress I’d tried on. I couldn’t even see what any of them looked like. What a pointless waste of time and energy. I sighed and slipped it over my head. It felt perfect, but I couldn’t quite reach to zip it up at the back. I sighed again.

  Will came in at that moment, immaculate and devastatingly sexy in an expensive-looking black suit and dark red shirt. He looked at me with raised eyebrows. ‘Is there a problem? I can feel you sighing upstairs.’

  I held my arms away from my body in a frustrated gesture. ‘I can’t see how any of these dresses look. But I can remember I always look like rubbish in anything formal, and I can’t do the stupid zip up.’

  Will’s lips curved. ‘Huge tragedy,’ he agreed. ‘Come here.’

  I walked over to him and turned around, presenting him with the offending zip. His cool fingertips brushed my bare back, and I shivered. He bent and brushed his lips where he’d touched. I leaned back into his chest as he wrapped his arms around me to hold me close.

  ‘Are you so sure you want to put this dress on?’ He began pressing soft kisses to the back of my neck.

  ‘I’m not even sure of my name when you’re this close.’

  He turned me to face him, and I looked up with a wry smile. ‘However, we don’t have very much time do we?’

  Will didn’t answer at first, just stared down at me, his expression unfathomable. He brushed his fingers down my cheek. ‘I am banking on having eternity. So let us get this night over with.’

  He turned me around again and zipped up the dress, rather expertly, I thought.

  ‘How many times have you done that over the years?’

  He laughed, completely aware of my thoughts as always. ‘Too many times to count, and mostly before your ancestors were even born.’

  ‘That makes me feel so much better.’

  He held me at arms’ length, and his glowing green gaze travelled up and down my body appreciatively.

  The dress certainly felt good. It clung where it should cling and swirled elegantly to the floor. The tiny straps at the shoulders crossed over at the back, leaving most of my own back bare. It was deceptively simple – a beautiful, elegant dress – and I wished again that I could see how it looked. I really missed my reflection.

  ‘What do you think?’

  ‘Exquisite.’

  ‘Shall I put my hair up?’ I asked, sweeping my hair back with my hands. Luckily, we dancers are adept at twisting our hair up into various styles, without looking in mirrors. Years of practice.

  ‘No.’

  Will wasn’t a fan of long hair worn up. He maintained that if hair was long, it should be left loose, otherwise get it cut. He entwined his fingers in my hair and pulled me to him. No wonder he preferred long hair. It made perfect handles.

  ‘I wish it was tomorrow.’

  ‘Be careful what you wish for.’ Will spoke against the top of my head.

  I pulled back and looked up at him. ‘Let’s leave London.’ I suddenly felt desperate.

  ‘Some things have to be faced, my love,’ he said gently. ‘We can get through this. I will always look after you. Trust me.’

  ‘I do, but who’s going to look after you?’

  He smiled then, and cradled my face in his hands. ‘I am more powerful than Khiara realises, she may well regret her decision to instigate Trials.’

  Will looked up at the ceiling with a start. ‘The others are here.’ He reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out an ancient-looking velvet box. I glanced at it, and then back at him. He opened the box to reveal a beautiful ring. It looked very old and intricate in design. The delicate, gold filigree shoulders supported a large emerald, which sparkled with a green fire to rival Will’s eyes.

  ‘It looks like your eyes,’ I said softly, touching the stone almost reverently.

  ‘Would you wear this for me Elinor?’

  I nodded, lost for words, and Will took the ring from its box, slipping it onto the third finger of my left hand. It fitted perfectly, just like all the dresses had.

  ‘You will be safer now,’ he said. ‘Apologies for the lack of a church wedding.’

  I laughed. ‘Any excuse for a honeymoon.’

  He raised a dark eyebrow. ‘I need an excuse now?’

  ‘Well, a permission slip maybe …’

  He pulled me back into his arms. ‘I shall have to think of something for later then.’

  ‘Seriously Will, the ring is incredible. Thank you.’

  He bent to kiss me. ‘The pleasure is mine.’

  That man could have charmed bats out of a belfry.

  He kissed me again, letting his lips linger against mine, and I melted against him. All thoughts of Trials and what the hell they actually were fled from my thoughts, which was almost certainly his intention. He tightened his hold as our bodies melded together, and one hand lightly slipped down my bare back, coming to rest on the curve of my bottom.

  There was a light tap at the door and Luke’s voice came through. ‘Everyone is here.’

  ‘I would be grateful if you and Jake could drive people to the club, and then you returned for us a little later,’ Will replied. His other hand was already pulling down the zip of my dress. I looked up, and to my surprise, he winked.

  ‘Twenty minutes?’ came Luke’s voice again.

  ‘Make it forty.’

  ‘You’ve got it.’ Luke sounded amused. I heard him run upstairs, and then came the sounds of people leaving. The front door slammed, then silence. My dress slipped off my shoulders, with a little help from my friend, and pooled at my ankles.

  ‘It’ll crease …’

  Will lifted me bodily out of the dress, and set me down away from it. He picked it up and draped it across the chair. Never taking his eyes from my face, he slipped his jacket off and began to deftly unbutton his shirt. Seconds later, the shirt joined his jacket on the bed. Clad only in his elegant black suit trousers, he was the epitome of everything I’d always been warned about. Drop-dead gorgeous, sexy and oh-so dangerous. I swallowed nervously.

  He held a hand out towards me. ‘Come here to me Elinor.’

  I closed the gap between us, taking hold of his hand. He pulled me closer still, his other hand tangling in my hair.

  ‘I think we need a little together time,’ he murmured.

  He began to kiss me, his lips urgent and demanding.

  ‘We’ll be late—’

  ‘Ssssh.’

  ‘Khiara—’

  With an exclamation of frustration, Will grasped my upper arms and held me away.

  ‘I am the Elder of London,’ he said patiently. ‘I shall arrive when I choose to arrive, and I will also make love to my lady when I choose.’

  ‘Do I get a say?’

  ‘Do you wish to stop?’

  ‘No.’

  ‘Then please stop talking.’

  Another shower later and we were dressed and waiting for Luke, but with only seconds to spare. The moment we were upstairs, there was a rap at the front door as Luke let himself in.

  Will draped a black cashmere wrap around my shoulders as he ushered me toward the
door. I had no idea where he’d got that from, I’d never seen it before. Its luxurious warmth enveloped me, and I smiled at his thoughtfulness. OK, so vampires don’t feel the cold, but wandering around London in a flimsy backless dress at this time of year might have attracted some unwanted attention.

  We followed Luke out of the front door and through the open gateway to the quiet road outside, where a gleaming BMW was ready and waiting. Will pulled the gates closed and they clanged together with a sound of finality. I shivered, wondering when we’d be back or if we’d even get back at all. Will opened the rear door of the car and gestured to me to get in. I expected him to sit in front with Luke, but he went around to the other rear door and slid in next to me.

  ‘I could never pass up the chance of sitting in the dark with you.’ He gave me a roguish grin.

  ‘Insatiable,’ I muttered.

  All too soon, Luke pulled up outside Dusk. The tall figure of Stevie came out to meet us.

  ‘You do not need to stay tonight, Stevie,’ said Will. ‘In fact, it would be safer if you do not. Some of the other vampires are rather keen on werewolf blood.’

  Stevie nodded. ‘You know where I am if you want me,’ he said and, with a nod to me, he left.

  The club felt strange without the bustle and chatter of humans, their warmth and their beating hearts. It felt eerily quiet too, without the usual pounding music and the cheerful chink of glasses. There must have been about forty vampires inside. Some stood by the long downstairs bar, others were in the comfortable seating area, and no doubt there were a few upstairs as well. I picked out the big doorman, Zach, who nodded to Will, and I spotted Roxy with the tall, dark-haired man I’d noticed the night Khiara came to the house. He had short straight hair, carefully spiked on top, and his left ear had been pierced several times with gold and diamond studs. He was dressed in a dark blue suit with a white t-shirt instead of a more formal shirt, and looked like a member of a successful rock band. He leaned up against a wall, but managed to look as comfortable as if he had been seated. He looked across at us, nodded to Will, and stared at me. His dark eyes appraised me openly. He stood up away from the wall, and turned to speak to Roxy. She nodded and they both came over to us.