“What?” I asked.
“That I be the one to kill him,” she said, her face tight with hatred. “That I be the one to end that monster.”
“Of course,” Szabina replied. She stood and approached Rosalind, placing her hand on her shoulder in a gesture of comfort.
“It is essential that you all stay out of sight when he arrives—we may have to disguise your scents,” Rosalind said, giving Szabina a grateful nod.
“How will you know when he’s coming?” Seward asked.
“I can…feel him. In my mind,” she replied. “It is the bond the maker shares with those he has created. That is how I will know he is near.”
We finished our breakfast and Rosalind took us for a tour around the estate. As she led us in and out of the gilded rooms filled with marble floors, lush carpeting, decorous paintings, and sparkling chandeliers, she told us that the estate once belonged to her deceased human husband, a baron. He’d known that Rosalind was vampire and wanted her to change him. But she’d steadfastly refused. He’d died of old age a decade ago.
“I mourned him when he died—I still do,” Rosalind murmured. “But I never would have turned him. Not after what was done to me.”
“That was different,” Anara protested. “He wanted you to change him. If someone I cared for wanted me to turn him… it would be difficult to refuse.”
“I know,” Rosalind replied, a trace of regret flaring in her eyes. “You must understand… I am still traumatized by what Skala has done to me.”
“We understand,” Szabina interjected, giving Anara a sharp look to silence her.
Rosalind lead us down the main hall. The servants we passed immediately lowered their gazes; many of them even seemed fearful of Rosalind. I found this odd, considering how kind she was to us. She’d been nothing but polite to the servants I’d seen her interact with. When I tried to smile at a young female servant, her skin blanched and she looked away.
I thought of the humans Rosalind had brought before us the previous night with a shudder. Did she feed on them regularly—and did they have a choice in the matter? Was that the reason for the servants’ fear?
“This is the room where we will trap my father,” Rosalind said, pulling me back to the present. She had led us into an antechamber next to one of the salons. Like the other rooms of the estate, it was generously decorated, with gold framed paintings of night cityscapes that left no portion of the walls bare, plush rugs covered the floors, and a crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling. But it was miniscule and windowless; the only way out was through the narrow door. I took in the room, hoping that our trap would work, and this would be the room where Skala met his end.
Rosalind led us out to the wide expanse of grounds in the back, where Abe, Seward and I could practice fighting with our weapons. Szabina and Rosalind left, while the others remained to help us train. Though we had been trained by Szabina to kill vampires in Transylvania, it still seemed odd to receive tutelage on how to kill vampires from vampires themselves.
“Aurel Skala is two centuries old and strong. Perhaps stronger than Vlad Draculesti,” Anara informed us, when we were alone. “Let me and Gabriel take him on first. If we are somehow incapacitated—or killed—only then should you three attack him. You should attack him at the same time—aim for the heart, throat and neck. All at once.”
I watched Anara and Seward closely as we practiced fighting, noting the lingering glances they exchanged. I wasn’t as subtle as I thought; at one point Anara turned to glare at me.
“Focus on your training, Mina,” she said.
I tore my eyes away from her and turned to Gabriel, who urged me to attack him, though I was reluctant to do so. Gabriel smiled at my obvious concern for him.
“How far you’ve come, sister,” he said. “You tried to kill me when I first revealed myself to you.”
“There is no need to remind me,” I said crossly, shame running through me at the memory. When I first met Gabriel, I was under the assumption that all vampires were evil monsters, and in my fear and fury I'd attacked him. Now I knew that was far from the truth. I regretted how I’d treated him.
“It is all right,” Gabriel said gently. “You did not know a thing about me. You were right to be cautious.”
“Lunch is being served,” a female servant said from behind us, before I could reply. I turned to find the same servant I’d tried to smile at earlier standing a few yards away. Her eyes met mine, but she quickly lowered them again.
“Thank you for informing us,” I said, approaching her. “I’m Mina Murray.”
Her eyes went wide, she looked shocked at my friendly overture. It was a mistake I’d made many times during the days of my courtship and engagement to Jonathan, when I tried so desperately to abide by the rules of London society. You are not to be sociable with servants, it is most unbecoming, Jonathan’s mother Mary had said to me, when I’d attempted to engage one of her maids in conversation. I thought such rules silly and arbitrary; the housekeeper who worked for my father, Clara, was like a mother to me and my closest confidant.
“You frightened her off,” Abe said with amusement, as the servant scurried way.
“Don’t you find it odd that Rosalind's servants seem a bit frightened of her?” I asked, as we made our way to our rooms to wash and change for lunch.
“You have seen how upper class humans treat their servants,” Abe said, giving me a knowing look. “It is no different with vampires.”
I nodded, though I still felt doubtful. I washed and changed into one of my better traveling dresses—an afternoon dress of deep crimson, though nothing I had was smart enough to match the grandeur of Rosalind's estate.
A meal of roasted mutton and potatoes paired with several fruit dishes had been set out for me, Abe, and Seward in the dining room. When we entered, I noticed that Rosalind and our vampire companions stood in the corner, speaking quietly, their expressions grim.
“What is it?” I asked, worried.
“We have not heard any response from Skala…or any hint that he is near,” Rosalind replied.
My appetite vanished. I looked at Abe, whose shoulders sank with chagrin at the news. This was what I’d feared…that Skala wasn’t anywhere near Berlin. He could be anywhere in Europe—or the world—wreaking havoc and recruiting new followers, killing scores of innocent humans.
“There is no need to despair,” Szabina said, taking in our worried faces. “If there is no news by the end of the day—Rosalind has agreed to help us search for him. She knows other followers of his.”
I nodded, but I didn’t feel reassured. We were still where we had started, with no information as to Skala’s—or Bathory’s—whereabouts. I made myself eat as much as I could and excused myself while Abe and Seward were still eating. Perhaps I could peruse our journals and find some useful kernel of information, though I had already pored over them multiple times.
“Will you take a walk with me, Mina?” Szabina asked, when I stood up to leave.
I nodded, wondering what she wanted to discuss. Together, we stepped out of the dining room. She linked my arm with hers as we headed down the hallway to the back doors of the estate.
I gave her an inquiring look, but she remained silent as we made our way outside, walking towards the central gardens that were situated in the grounds behind the estate, fragrant with the sweet smell of flowers. We paused opposite a blooming row of white lily of the valley flowers. Szabina closed her eyes as she inhaled their scent.
“I wanted to tell you that I am proud of you,” Szabina said, giving me a tremulous smile when she opened them again. “You are so like your mother, Mina. To have taken on something like this…to have killed Vlad when others have tried—and failed.”
“I had help,” I reminded her. “I wouldn’t have succeeded without you and the others. It’s still not over. As long as Skala and Bathory are out there—“
“You should be proud of what you have already accomplished,” Szabina interrupted. “
Your mother was my dear friend…I feel protective of you. I want you to be safe. I know you are weary of hearing this—but Vlad had fiercely loyal followers. What your mother went through at the end of her life—“ she stopped, her skin paling. “It was horrific, and I have seen many terrible things in my long life. Torture was her punishment for attempting to kill Vlad. I can only imagine what they would do to the one who actually succeeded… and you are her daughter.”
“I will be careful, I assure you,” I said, though fear darted through my entire body at her words. I’d not allowed myself to dwell on the torture my mother had suffered before her death; the grief and rage that swelled in my heart at the thought of what she’d been through was too much to bear.
We continued our walk, meandering through colorful rows of begonias, marigolds, and violets.
“I enjoyed gardening when I was human,” Szabina said with a nostalgic sigh, taking in the array of flowers around us. “I would gather wildflowers in the forest whenever I could. One thing I have always liked about being vampire is my greater sense of smell. Flowers are sweeter than the most potent perfume.”
“Perhaps you can garden when this is over,” I said. “You can settle into a house in the countryside and plant the largest garden in Europe.”
Szabina’s countenance brightened at my words.
“This war has gone on for so long that I haven’t considered what I will do after it is over,” she mused.
“Now you have something to look forward to,” I said, smiling.
We left the garden to approach the estate. One of Rosalind's children, a severe-looking vampire named Endres, appeared at the back doors.
“Rosalind has news,” he said, his face stoic. “She has received confirmation. Skala has gotten the message that you are here. He is on his way to the estate.”
Szabina and I exchanged a startled look before hurrying inside. As we trailed Endres down the hall, nervousness and excitement dueled for dominance in my mind. The plan had worked after all.
The female servant who I’d tried to introduce myself to earlier was heading down the hall with a tray of tea, and as I started to pass her, she tripped, splashing scalding hot tea all over my dress. The pot and mugs fell to the carpeted floor.
“I’m—I’m sorry, my lady,” she said, in heavily accented English, bending down to pick up the scattered dishes.
“It is no bother,” I assured her.
“Madeline, this is not acceptable,” Endres practically snarled, the look in his eyes so dangerous that Szabina moved to stand in front of the servant.
“She apologized. Mina has accepted,” Szabina said.
“I help the lady change,” Madeline said, her eyes still on the floor as she straightened. She was shaking so badly that I feared she would again drop her tray.
“That won’t be necessary— “ I began.
“Bitte, my lady. Please,” Madeline said. She held my gaze for a long moment, and something in her eyes urged me to comply.
“Very well,” I said.
“Be quick about it,” Endres snapped at Madeline, before continuing down the hall with Szabina.
Madeline led me to my guest room, closing the door behind us.
“It is truly not a bother— “ I began, but fell silent when I saw the look on her face. Her skin was ashen, her breathing rapid.
“I spilled tea on purpose,” Madeline said, speaking in a whisper as she moved towards me. “Rosalind—she betray you. She loves her father and believes his cause. She means to kill you all. You must leave.”
6
WARNING
I stared at Madeline in disbelief, my heart thundering in my chest. From her desperate expression, I knew that she spoke the truth. It explained the fear Rosalind's servants displayed, fear that went beyond the mere obeisance to class rules. Rosalind's kindness was an act; her servants knew her true nature.
“Thank you for telling me,” I whispered, when I was finally able to speak. I needed to somehow warn the others—but how? Vampires were deeply perceptive; Rosalind would know something was amiss if I acted with even the slightest trace of anxiety. “I need to change my gown, or they’ll know something’s wrong,” I continued, forcing myself to think. “You should leave. They’ll know it was you who told me.”
Madeline was trembling as she shook her head.
“I—I can’t,” she whispered, as I quickly changed out of my dress and into another. “My family—imprisoned. If I escape, she will kill. Most of us—we not here willing. Those who are here—she done something to their minds. Their minds…no longer their own.”
Horror gripped me at her words. Rosalind had fooled us all with her mask of kindness. How was I going to get my friends out of here without her suspecting that something was amiss?
I moved to the door, turning back to look at Madeline. She stood rooted to the spot, her body frozen with fear.
“Why are you helping us?” I whispered.
“You and your friends good people, I can see. Not like the other guests she brings…they cruel. Kill us for pleasure. You do not deserve this.”
“My God,” I whispered. “I will get you all out of here,” I promised.
“Too late for us,” Madeline replied, blinking back tears. “Gehen. Leave this place.”
I hurried from the room, taking deep breaths as I made my way down the hall. I needed to feign calm.
I descended the stairs, trying to keep my expression serene, even as frantic thoughts raced through my mind. I had no time to formulate a plan as I made my way to the antechamber; I couldn’t delay my entry for fear of arousing suspicion.
I stopped a young male servant right before I reached the antechamber, placing my hand on his arm. He jerked back, his eyes wide as he met my face.
“Leave here. Now,” I whispered in German. “Madeline told me what is happening here. Take as many as you can and leave.”
I didn’t wait for his reply as I continued down the hall, my hands shaking with dread.
When I entered the antechamber, I prayed that my face was neutral as Rosalind, Endres, and my companions all looked up. Rosalind smiled, only now I saw her smile for what it truly was—a veil to conceal the monster that lay beneath her beauty.
“I apologize for my maid,” she said, taking in my changed gown. “Madeline can be clumsy. I will have a talk with her later.”
“There is no need,” I said swiftly, too swiftly, and Rosalind's eyes lingered on mine before she turned her focus to the others. I glanced over at Abe, who was studying me. He’d already discerned something was wrong.
“I was telling your friends that Skala will be here presently,” Rosalind said, as I made myself look away from Abe. “We were discussing ways to disguise your scents while we wait.”
“Rosalind, do you mind if I talk to my friends alone?” I asked. I forced a polite smile, keeping my voice even. “There is a private matter I wish to discuss with them.”
“Of course,” Rosalind said, with such patience and kindness that for a brief moment I wondered if Madeline had been wrong about her nature.
Rosalind stood and moved to the door, nodding at Endres. I waited anxiously for them to leave.
But they did not leave. Instead, she waited by the door as two large male vampires whom I didn’t recognize entered the room. They closed the door behind them and stood in front of it, their dark eyes cold as they swept over us.
She knows, I thought. I wanted to reach into my bodice and hurl my kukri right into her treacherous heart, but I knew I’d be dead before the kukri even landed, and Abe or Gabriel would die trying to save my life.
Fear rendered my body still as the others looked at Rosalind and the two vampires with confusion. Szabina rose from the armchair she’d been sitting in with a frown.
“Rosalind?” Szabina asked, but Rosalind's focus was entirely on me. This time when she smiled, it was with pure malevolence. She ignored Szabina, keeping her focus trained on me, and I was instantly airborne, slammed hard against the
back wall by an invisible force, unable to move. She was holding me in thrall.
The others immediately moved into fighting stances, and Gabriel let out a ferocious snarl. Endres and Rosalind's two vampire henchmen moved into fighting stances of their own.
“Rosalind, what is this?” Szabina cried.
“You wear your emotions quite plainly,” Rosalind continued to ignore Szabina as she addressed me. “What did my foolish Madeline tell you?”
“Release her at once!” Abe cried. Rosalind turned to look at him, and both he and Seward were paralyzed as well, their weapons clattering to the floor. Gabriel and Anara charged towards her, but her two henchmen were far stronger and faster. They were on them at once, throwing Gabriel and Anara bodily away from Rosalind; they landed with such force against the wall that it partially cracked upon impact. When they shot to their feet, lunging forward with hisses and snarls, the henchmen physically subdued them, pinning both Gabriel and Anara to the wall with firm hands.
“My beloved father taught me the art of deception. You have always been exceptionally naive, Szabina,” Rosalind said, finally turning her attention away from me to Szabina, who was shaking her head in disbelief, blood tears spilling from her eyes. “All I have to do is give you gentle smiles and speak in warm tones. You always wanted to believe the best of all creatures—human and vampire. Your downfall began the moment you allied with humans against your own kind.”
“You hate your father!” Szabina cried. “You hate everything he stands for! This is not who you are!”
“That was over a century ago, when I was a foolish newborn,” Rosalind spat. “Father taught me the error of my ways. Humans do not deserve to reign. They do not deserve to exist!”
“No,” Szabina whispered; heartbreak lacing her voice. “Rosalind, no.”
“My father is right. Vlad Draculesti was right. Elizabeth Bathory is right. The world should be ours. We should not have to live in the shadows,” Rosalind continued, unmoved by Szabina’s anguish as she moved towards her. “The war continues, and we shall win. Vampires who turn against their own deserve death. But I will be kind and give you a quick one.”
Realm of Night (Mina Murray Book 3) Page 4