by Brooklyn Ann
Gavin’s sorrowful, but stern face as he ordered him locked away to await his trial. Right before he told Cecil and Benson to minimize the damage.
“Bethany,” Justus croaked past dry lips. For all he knew, Gavin could have had her killed by now.
He roared and struggled against his shackles. Chunks of stone chipped off the wall from where the chains struck. But the shackles held as they’d been crafted to do. If only he’d fed last night before going to Bethany’s home. If only he could feed now! After missing only three meals, he’d already begun to weaken. At full strength, he may have been able to at least pry the shackles from the wall. Even then, such would take time.
Time he did not have. He needed to get to Bethany!
Scanning the cell, Justus wracked his brain to come up with a means of escape. He’d imprisoned so many rogue vampires over the years, he should know these cells inside and out. Alas, that was the problem. He was the one who selected the special steel for the shackles. He was the one who’d urged Gavin to wall the cells up with granite instead of basalt. He was the one who made escape impossible.
The creak of the hidden door upstairs, followed by footsteps, announced the approach of other vampires. Justus smelled Gavin and Benson.
He swallowed. Gavin coming down here did not bode well. Then again, Justus hadn’t really expected to survive this debacle.
The dark forms of his lord and the third in command appeared before the barred doorway of the cell, their shadows engulfing Justus like a shroud of an ominous omen.
Benson unlocked the cell and Gavin strode in, standing over Justus with that same despondent frown. “It breaks my heart to see you here.”
“Then let me go.” Justus growled.
Gavin sighed. “You of all vampires are aware of what happens when one violates our laws. Especially the law you flagrantly broke.”
“Why can you not show me mercy, just this once?”
“Because most of the Elders detest me.” Gavin threw up his hands in impotent frustration as he blurted out the confession. “I had a disagreement with the Lord of Edinburgh and he tried to block my appointment as Lord of Rochester. The only reason they do not strip me of my rank during my reinstatement hearings is because I hold to the letter of the law. The second I am caught bending a rule, they’ll oust me to allow the self-titled Lord of Kent to take more territory.”
“Why did you never tell me?” Justus demanded. Then he slumped in his chains, knowing that even if he’d known, it probably wouldn’t have made a difference.
Gavin sighed. “Because I didn’t think it mattered. I am the ruler here, not the Elders, but you see why I cannot pardon you for your crime. Yet you’ve placed me in a quandary. I should try you before all the vampires of Rochester. Make an example of you so they all know that no one will be spared from my wrath. Not even my best friend.” His voice broke at the last. “Yet at the same time, not only was your crime embarrassing, but your reasons for it are humiliating beyond the pale. If you related that before our people, I’d be a laughingstock, and someone would send word to Edinburgh before my next evaluation.”
Justus did not like where this was going. The Rochester vampires generally viewed him in a much more amicable light than their lord, who was called “Ruthless Rochester” behind his back. He’d been hoping that enough of that goodwill could be retained through a trial by his peers, something Gavin did only with vampires he respected. Justus had assumed himself to be on that list. Yet it seemed he no longer held sway with his lord’s regard.
“So you will try me privately?” Justus said softly, trying to conceal his fear. Every vampire that Gavin judged on his own was sentenced to a quick death. Although he’d expected as much, the confirmation still filled his blood with ice.
Gavin nodded curtly. “I must. For this situation must be handled as discreetly as possible, for me to save face and protect my position. Also, it is the safest course, as the last thing I want to do is incite a panic from what you’ve done.”
The severity in his eyes filled Justus with guilt. “I am sorry, my lord. You must believe that I never intended for this to happen.” He realized he wasn’t only worried about Bethany, but for his people as well. “Have I unleashed mobs and hunters upon us all?”
Gavin shook his head. “The humans think the chit is hysterical. The Meads have defected from the country amongst the laughter of their peers, and you had better thank whatever deity you believe in for that.”
Hope tinged his soul like golden light. “So you didn’t do anything to her?”
“There was no need. I heard that just this day, she was packed off to Derbyshire to stay with a relative.” Gavin’s thin lips curved in a humorless smile. “Her talk of vampires will not be repeated as Lord Wickshire will already have to work hard to restore his reputation and political career.”
“Then no harm was done!” Justus couldn’t conceal his relief. “Please, my lord, I beg you for a pardon. I’ll resign as second in command and perhaps you may petition the Lord of Derbyshire for me to join his ranks, because—”
Gavin struck him so fast that Justus didn’t see the blow coming. His head rocked back and slammed against the granite wall and pain exploded in his mouth where his lip split open.
“What in God’s name is the matter with you?” Gavin roared. “You fool! Have you forgotten that you committed the most serious crime among our kind? Just because we were fortunate that no one believed does not negate the severity of the situation. Bloody hell, I hope I never fall in love.” He paced in front of Justus with a furious scowl. “I cannot believe you are seriously considering the idea that I’d forget all this and ask the Lord of Derbyshire to take you.”
“She is my intended,” Justus argued. “Once I Change her, all the damage will be undone.”
Gavin sneered as he went on in a mocking voice. “Oh yes, Lord Derbyshire, please allow my former second to join you. Never mind that he told a mortal that he’s a vampire and wishes to continue pursuing that very loose-lipped girl and bring her into our ranks so she can know more of our secrets.”
When presented like that, it did sound rather impossible. Justus’s spirits plummeted. “What’s to be done with me then, my lord?”
Gavin turned to Benson and nodded. Justus’s heart thudded against his ribs as Benson handed their lord his sword. The sword that had cleaved the hearts and severed the heads of countless other vampires.
“The sentence for revealing oneself to a mortal is death,” Gavin said, slapping the flat of the blade against his palm as he continued to pace. Suddenly he stopped and lunged the blade forward.
Justus gasped as he felt the cold, sharp point against his throat. He stared into his lord’s eyes, silently pleading for mercy.
Gavin held the sword immobile. “Justus de Wynter, you are stripped of your rank. Benson will now serve as my second in command. And now, I hereby sentence you to…”
Justus closed his eyes, ready to feel the thrust of polished steel into his neck.
“Exile,” Gavin finished.
“My lord?” Surely he didn’t hear him correctly. Gavin never exiled vampires. He despised rogue vampires so much he wouldn’t dream of creating another.
“From this moment on, you are no longer a vampire of Rochester. Benson and I will escort you from my territory. If you ever return, I’ll have no choice but to kill you.” The blade was withdrawn from Justus’s skin as Gavin handed it back to Benson. Then the Lord Vampire of Rochester set to personally unlocking Justus’s shackles. “I’m well aware of what the others call me. ‘Ruthless Rochester.’ Aye, such a moniker is more useful than not. Still, I suppose I must show my people that I am capable of mercy.”
When he was free, Justus rubbed his raw wrists and blinked at Gavin in disbelief. Life as a rogue would not be easy, but at least he could find Bethany.
Gavin and Benson then seized Justus’s arms and led him out of the cell, up the stairs, and out of Darkwood Manor. Justus turned his head to give one last loo
k to the place where he’d spent so many hours of his nights. Memories of countless chess games, hours of conversations about the goings on of the territory and the meanings of their long lives, and yes, moments of laughter flashed through his mind.
All of that was now gone from his reach. All because he’d fallen in love, he’d lost his home, his position, and his best friend.
Yet it would all be worth it once Bethany was back in his arms. It was the only glint of hope that he could cling to.
They walked in silence, Justus sensing other vampires hidden in the shadows, keeping their distance, but still following to witness his fall from grace. He didn’t care what they thought.
But once Gavin and Benson led him to the edge of Rochester’s territory, a lump formed in Justus’s throat. He’d never see Gavin again.
Gavin grasped his shoulders, giving them a slight squeeze that may have been affectionate. “Goodbye, my friend. Please, don’t make me have to kill you.”
Justus nodded. “Thank you for sparing me.”
“Do not thank me,” Gavin said through clenched teeth. “Most likely I handed you an extended death sentence. You’ll have to utilize every speck of your cleverness to survive.”
“I know,” Justus said. But survive he would. For Bethany. He’d heard that the Americas had countless cities and villages without vampires. They could build a new life there. Maybe Justus could even become Lord of his own city. He sighed and bowed before his lord one last time. “Goodbye, Gavin.”
Then he was off as fast as his depleted body could carry him.
His journey to Derbyshire was worse than expected. Had every Lord Vampire of every village and borough on the way doubled their patrols? It seemed he could not find a meal or a place to rest without being chased by snarling vampires.
The places he slept were shoddy and dangerous. On the first day, the sunlight had crept into the abandoned cellar he’d hidden in and burned his arm. Starving from not having fed last night, and nerves rattled from constantly looking over his shoulder for pursuit, Justus hardly slept. Instead, the reality of his new existence beat on him like a hammer. He’d thought rogues were amoral parasites, invading territories and hunting grounds out of pure malice and greed. Instead, it seemed like they were chased from land to land because they had no choice if they wanted to live. God, he prayed he could get himself and Bethany safe passage to the Americas within the next two nights, for he did not know if he could fend off the vampires who would try to arrest him with a human in tow.
As the sun sank from the sky, Justus nearly wept with relief to smell a human passing his hiding place. With predatory stealth, he emerged from the cellar and seized the farmer. Drinking deep, strength once more returned to Justus’s body. Releasing the farmer from his trance, a pang of guilt pierced him as the mortal swayed from losing too much blood. Though he longed to flee from the area, his conscience forced him to escort the man to his home. At least no vampire would dare attack him in front of a human.
Once he saw the farmer home safe, Justus utilized the strength from his feeding to run to Derbyshire in a burst of speed.
Although he longed to seek out Bethany at once, he knew if he strolled openly into the territory that he’d be set upon at once by the local vampires. Keeping to the shadows, he carefully made his way through the area, opening his senses to detect the Derbyshire vampires and remain downwind from them.
After making his way into the township, he came across a pub where there were no vampires around. In his experience, these sorts of establishments to be the best places to gather information. The barkeep and patrons ceased their chatter and stared as he approached the carved mahogany bar. Justus was used to such stares because of his dark red hair. However, due to his disheveled appearance and his being a stranger, people looked longer than was polite.
Yet once the barkeep saw his coin and a small glass of port was placed before him, people returned to their conversations. Justus cursed under his breath as he realized that his money would soon run out. All of his investments and money were banked with Gavin, who had likely seized everything as was his right as Lord Vampire.
He’d worry about that later. His first priority was locating Bethany. God, he was a fool not to have Marked her when he’d had the chance. He’d intended on doing so as soon as their betrothal contract was signed.
As he sipped his port and listened to the conversations around him, Justus’s heart sank as he heard no talk of Lord Wickshire, or even of a family receiving a lengthy visit from a relation. One would think that the appearance of a member of the Quality who was prominent in politics would set tongues to wagging. And visitors to noble families always merited speculations and gossip.
Even after he eased himself into a few conversations, he found that no one had heard anything of Lord Wickshire coming to Derbyshire. And the one person who was acquainted with him swore that he had no relatives in the area.
With a sinking heart, Justus finished his port and left the pub. He spent the next week dodging vampires and searching out information, but found nothing. Bethany was not in Derbyshire. She had no relatives here.
Justus bit back a roar as his fingers dug into the marble crypt in which he sought refuge for the day. Gavin had lied to him, most likely to get Justus to complacently leave Rochester while he either used his power to persuade the Meads to leave the country, or worse, that he arranged an “accident” to befall them, the one loophole in the law forbidding vampires to kill mortals. You could not drain them to death, but you could push one off a cliff if you were so inclined.
Pulling the locket from beneath his shirt, Justus opened it and gazed at the picture of his love. “Bethany,” he whispered. “I’ll find you, I swear. And if you are indeed lost to me, I vow I will avenge you.”
Chapter Fifteen
Bethany’s eyes drifted open just as the carriage came to a halt. Where were they stopping this time? Her head swam as she struggled to sit up. Her parents had kept her in a drugged haze for this journey which was so long that she had no idea how many days had passed. She wished she knew where they were taking her, but every time she presumed to ask, her father would order a footman to hold her down while he would force more of that vile medicine down her throat.
Peering out the carriage window, Bethany gasped as she saw that they’d stopped in front of a massive red brick structure, redolent with gothic arches topped with gargoyles, and surrounded by wrought iron fencing.
The sun was so bright it hurt her eyes, which had grown sensitive from her long hours of sleeping in the carriage. Usually they’d stopped at night to rest the horses and sleep at an inn. This was no inn.
Her mother tapped her shoulder. “Come along,” she said in a faraway voice.
A footman handed Bethany out and she noticed that her knee no longer pained her. Not that it mattered anymore. This place did not look like there would be much dancing.
Her father had already marched up to the entrance where three men met him. One man spoke with her father in hushed, yet animated tones, darting Bethany lingering glances which made her increasingly uncomfortable. The other two stood in stony silence with their arms folded like dour sentries.
As her mother led her up the walk, one man adjusted his spectacles, smoothed his brown tweed overcoat and gave her a look that was nothing short of patronizing.
“Miss Mead,” he said with a sharp-toothed smile. “I’m Doctor Keene. Your father tells me that you believe in vampires.”
She shook her head. “I do not. There was a mistake.”
“Now, now.” His smile grew more sickly sweet. “I can always tell when someone lies. It’s a gift of mine. But no matter, we’ll have plenty of time to get to the bottom of this delusion. Come, let me show you your room.”
Doctor… room… delusion. Bethany gasped as she realized where they were. She whirled to face her parents in stunned outrage. “You’ve had me committed to an asylum?”
Her father nodded curtly. “I cannot have a madwoman
about while I salvage my reputation and political career.”
Her mother squeezed her hand. “You’re ill, my dear. Here you can get well.”
“No!” Bethany wrenched away from her grip. “I am not mad!”
Cecily shook her head. “Darling, you imagined a courtship and marriage proposal that never happened.”
“It did happen!” Bethany would hold her tongue about Justus being a vampire, but she refused to deny their love. Her breath came in sharp pants as she fought to hold back tears of despair. “Something must have happened to Lord de Wynter. Maybe Lord Tench did something to keep him away!”
Her father heaved a theatrical sigh and turned to Doctor Keene. “You see what I have been subjected to.”
“Oh yes.” The doctor nodded solemnly. “A classic case of hysteria combined with a desire so consuming that it has become a fantasy. And you say your mother suffered from a similar condition?”
“Yes,” Lord Wiltshire said. “Ever since her infant daughter died only two weeks after she was born. Mother then claimed she could speak to angels, and Father had to send her here. I assume it is a hereditary condition.”
“As a matter of fact, it is indeed. Usually passed through the female line.” Doctor Keene smoothed his overcoat once more. “I wish we had time to discuss it in further detail. Do you truly have to leave so soon?”
“We must. I have a meeting with my solicitor in London.” Father turned and walked back to the carriage. “Goodbye, daughter,” he said over his shoulder.
Bethany flinched at such a cold parting, wondering what had happened to the man who used to dandle her on his knee and read to her.
Her mother was slightly warmer, studying Bethany’s face as if committing her visage to memory. “This is best for you now. Goodbye for now, my dearest. I promise I will write to you.”
Bethany hardly felt her mother’s stiff embrace as her body went numb with shock. “No!” she cried again as Lady Wiltshire made her way to the carriage. “You cannot leave me here!”