by Megan Derr
"Yes, Alucard," Ty said and bowed himself out of the room to see the orders carried out.
"Now, then," Seth said briskly. "I suppose the next best thing we can do is attempt to find this Winsted fellow."
"If you do not mind the impertinence," Midnight said slowly, "my impression of vampire nobility was always a bit more… reserved."
Seth grinned. "Well, if you were speaking to my father right now, there would be a great deal of reservation. However, I am not he. I can be, but only when the situation calls for it. I am a trifle too modern for my parents' tastes, but as I am a hundred and seventy-five; there is little they can say about it. I think they are still hoping it is a phase I will outgrow."
Midnight laughed.
"Now, I know very little of sorcerers, but we do keep note of all magic users in our territory. There are three alchemists, one rather mediocre witch, and the rest are mere dabblers, so far as humans go. We do, of course, have various other nightwalkers with true magic, but toying with draugr would not be their style. That would seem, if you will pardon me, distinctly human in nature."
"You'll find no argument from me," Barra said with a grin, pointedly looking away from Neirin's amused glare. "I am grateful I'm mostly other things, believe me."
Seth looked at him thoughtfully. "Wolf, obviously, and… elf, I would wager. A unique mix, to be sure, but I guess the human element would harmonize such two extremes."
Barra shrugged and looked discomfited, far from used to people discussing him in such idle, harmless fashion.
"I would also wager you have something to do with the fact the du Lac still smells strongly of fresh blood," Seth continued, smirking. "But I am not quite that nosy. I—" He paused as a bell rang and stood. "Dinner is ready, it would seem. Come, this way."
He led them out of the library and through the halls to an ornate dining room. It was decorated in deep blue and maroon with silver accents scattered about and a table of rich mahogany. Several places were set out, though two featured only blood and one a plate of raw meat.
Troyes growled and promptly moved to the meat, sitting down and beginning to eat quite happily. Neirin sat next to him, shaking his head in amusement and lightly touching the back of Barra's hand as he sat down on Neirin's other side. Midnight sat at the corner and Seth at the head of the table. Keaton, Midnight suddenly realized, had not come with them.
"He has wandered back to his own affairs," Seth explained, noting his confusion. "He comes and goes very nearly as he pleases. Now then, my dear, you must tell me who you know in the city. Quite a few nobles and tenants like to wander about there, and Lord Tamor is, of course, kind enough to tolerate it. Not that he would have much choice, I daresay. The city does truly attract all sorts."
The group chatted amiably for several minutes, a conversation quickly launched when most of them found themselves fond of the same books. A polite cough interrupted them, however, and Seth looked up with a frown at the servant standing in the doorway.
"If you will excuse me a moment," Seth murmured and followed the servant from the room.
Barra abruptly started laughing.
Midnight looked at him askance. "Whatever is so amusing?"
"The way Devlin will react when he finds out that rescuing him involved getting help from a vampire who spent the whole of the affair flirting shamelessly with you," Barra replied, face flushed with laughter.
"What in the world are you talking about?" Midnight demanded. "No one is flirting with me!"
Neirin chuckled, shaking his head at Barra, who was still laughing. "I must agree with Barra, I'm afraid. Perhaps you are unused to being the object of flirtation? I cannot think anyone would be brazen enough to try it with Devlin scowling nearby.
"But—" Midnight dropped his head, embarrassed. "That's silly. Why would a vampire flirt with me? Anyway, I belong to Devlin, so there's no point."
Barra's laughter finally eased off, though his eyes were still bright with mirth. "Come now, Midnight. You are quite the tease when Devlin is around; everyone knows you drive him positively mad. You obviously know your charms."
Midnight stared very hard at his crystal wine glass and the blood that still filled it halfway. "I don't have charms," he said, glad that his face could not turn red, for otherwise he feared he would be redder than the blood he was enjoying. "I just love Devlin."
When Barra only laughed again, he rallied and looked up, curving his mouth into a smirk. "Anyway, I don't want to hear all this nonsense from a pretty wolf-elf who used his charms to snare a knight and a dragon. We're going to have to buy you a larger bed, wolf-elf."
Barra turned bright red and made a choked, squeaking sound, suddenly finding his dinner plate extremely fascinating. Neirin and Troyes both snickered, and Midnight didn't doubt that Barra's next squeak came from someone's wandering hand.
The door opened and they abruptly ceased the friendly byplay, especially when they saw Seth was accompanied by a new vampire. Midnight smelled magic on him, far stronger and sharper than it had been on any of the other vampires. Stronger than it was on anyone he knew except Devlin.
He was tall and slender, with messy, pale blond hair that fell to his shoulders. His eyes, Midnight saw with surprise, were the same brilliant emerald of Seth's. Were they related? They must be, with eyes like that. He was dressed in simple, worn but respectable clothes, all of it stark black.
The new vampire's eyes landed upon Midnight and widened. Striding into the room, eschewing proper introductions, he sat down in Seth's seat and reached out to lightly touch Midnight's face. "My word, it is the corpse child. The spell worked better than I ever could have hoped, though we knew our magic was sound. Stunning, truly."
Midnight had never felt more embarrassed in his life, between the courtesy, the teasing over the supposed flirting, and now this, whatever it was. "Um. I didn't know you helped make me."
Ceadda blinked, then laughed briefly and withdrew his hand. "I had very little part in it, child. His Grace did the real work; I only filled in the gaps. He put forth the heart and soul, and magic does not work if it is coldly cast." His levity abruptly faded. "The Alucard informs me that His Grace has been kidnapped because of what we did with you."
"Yes," Midnight said. "That is our belief, anyway."
"It is probably correct," Ceadda mused, sitting back, apparently oblivious to the fact he had stolen Seth's chair.
Seth, mouth quirked in amusement, slid into the one opposite Midnight.
"We always feared that, should you become well known, someone would desire the knowledge that made you," Ceadda continued. "I think I need not list all the reasons an existence such as yours would be favorably regarded by people, especially amongst the weaker and more short-lived species."
Neirin snorted in amusement but said nothing.
Midnight scowled. "I cannot believe that arse never told me he had help, and how typical of him to do it for the best."
Ceadda shrugged. "It was actually my request that I go unmentioned—because it was safest, but also because I wanted to be left alone. If others knew I had successfully assisted in such an endeavor, they would pester me for other things. I just want to be left in peace to focus on my studdies."
Seth chuckled. "A fierce recluse, our Ceadda," he said, looking at Ceadda with an indecipherable expression on his face. "Nothing and no one can draw him from his magic."
"Magic makes more sense than the rest of the world," Ceadda replied automatically, still not taking his eyes off Midnight. "I am glad you turned out so well. No spell before or since was better than you."
"Thank you," Midnight said, not certain what else he could say. "Does that mean you will help us?"
Ceadda frowned. "Seth mentioned my assisting you, but truly I am not certain how I might. I am, as he said, reclusive."
"Reclusive, but not oblivious," Seth said. "Come now, cousin, I know you better than that. If anyone knows of a sorcerer tampering with such dangerous things, it would be you."
"If you had asked me thirty or so years ago, certainly," Ceadda said with a shrug. "However, I only ever knew one magic-using human with the potential for such magic, and he died before he could achieve it. A weak heart, or so the rumors said. He is long dead. Most humans tend to stay that way."
"Dead?" Barra echoed. "Who was he?"
"Silas Walmsley," Ceadda replied. "I met him once, actually. Forty years ago or so, that was. He wanted a book of mine. Rather, a particular spell from it. I agreed to meet him, though I promised nothing. I did not like the look of him and told him that I only had a partial of that spell. I showed it to him, and he was never the wiser that I had both a poor and good copy of the grimoire in question." He pursed his lips in thoughts. "Oddly enough, I recently sold the book in question to a demon." He shrugged. "Anyway, he was powerful, clever, and ambitious—a bad combination in any species. Worse, he had the potential to grow more powerful, beyond the natural increase of witches and sorcerers over time. If he were alive, I would not put this past him—but Walmsley is long dead. I know of no other who could do such a thing, not even a fellow necromancer."
Midnight nodded and fought against the despair threatening to overwhelm him. How were they going to get Devlin back when no one knew how to find him? Damn it, if there was a sorcerer alive with the skill and power to do this, then someone had to of heard of them. Power never stayed that well-hidden.
"Now, now, my dear," Seth said, the soothing gentleness in his voice drawing Midnight's head up. He smiled. "You came to me for help, and your witch was lost doing a favor for my family. We will help you find him. I'm certain my darling cousin is not out of tricks quite yet."
Ceadda shot Seth a look that was as strange as the look Seth had given him earlier. Midnight wondered just what sort of history existed between them. Sitting next to each other, he could suddenly see they had more in common than their eyes. Their noses, the cut of their cheekbones, and their well-shaped lips, though Ceadda obviously gave little attention to his own appearance.
After a moment of mutual… It was not glaring, precisely, so much as just intense staring, Ceadda broke away and looked back at Midnight. "I could return to the village with you," he said. "I may not know the sorcerer behind all this nonsense, but it's possible I will see something you have not. You are closer to death than I, obviously, but I study it in ways you do not."
"Would that I could come along as well," Seth said, and Midnight could tell the regret in his voice was genuine. "Alas, I must remain here. Certain duties cannot be neglected for even a moment." He started to say more, but the same cough from before came again.
Something much like pain flickered across Seth's face, and Midnight wondered that he could see it now when Seth obviously had kept it back the whole of the evening.
"Speaking of duties," Seth said smoothly, rising from his seat. "Cousin, do as you see fit and do not hesitate to call upon me or my name, hmm? It was good to see you again, though I do wish we might speak under happy circumstances for once. Midnight, it was an honor and pleasure to make your acquaintance. Gentlemen, your servant." Sketching them an elegant bow, he turned and followed the servant from the room.
Troyes spoke up for the first time. "Blood drinkers all smell wrong."
"I do not doubt it," Ceadda said tersely. "However, it is not my place to speak of it and so we shall not. I will come with you to the village and see if I can help you. I do not want Midnight's secret known to the world, and if there is someone attempting to take it, he must be stopped."
"You and the Alucard are most generous," Midnight murmured. "I hope someday I can repay all that you are doing for us."
Ceadda shrugged. "The Dukes of Winterbourne have always been good to my people. His father once saved my life. Though helping you evened things between us, his family is one I will always offer my assistance to. That aside, I do not want to see the wrath that would descend should Lord Tamor lose one of his closest friends."
Midnight nodded. "Shall we return now?"
"I think not," Barra said with amusement. "The sun will be rising soon; even as a bird, you would not make it in time. I told the woman of the house we would not be back until tomorrow night, and she'd best make certain our belongings were left well enough alone. The Alucard obviously planned on us remaining here the night."
A cloud passed over Ceadda's face. "If you will excuse me, I am going to go see my cousin. I assume we will leave the very moment the sun has set?"
"Yes," Midnight said. "Every moment we waste…" Was one more minute closer to death for Devlin, he didn't finish. Midnight had to find him before the sorcerer mistakenly believed that Devlin was better off dead—or Devlin decided he—they—were better off dead.
"Very well," Ceadda said. "I bid you all good night." With that, he rose and left, not pausing to bow or even looking back.
"Smell wrong," Troyes said again.
Neirin nodded. "They are certainly acting strange, and I wonder why the Dracula never appeared. Poor form for anyone, but vampires especially. Still, at least the Alucard and his rather eccentric cousin are so willing to help us."
Barra started to say something, but the words were cut off by a wide yawn. "Oh, bother it. I say we find our beds and get some rest. Everything will make more sense tomorrow, or at least we will be more inclined to manage it."
"True enough, wolf-elf," Midnight replied and drained the contents of his glass before standing.
A footman stood patiently waiting out in the hallway, and he promptly guided them upstairs to their rooms. One for Midnight and one for the other three, which made Barra turn red and allowed Midnight to go to bed laughing.
Monster
He rose just as the sun set, still able to see the barest hints of light on the horizon even as the rest of the sky sparkled with cold starlight. Barra was ready and waiting and quickly helped him bathe and dress.
Midnight lingered over the runes marked into his skin. Two bodies, one heart and soul. Why was Devlin so stubborn?
Dressed in deep indigo and charcoal gray with onyx and amethysts gleaming, Midnight tied his hair back and met Neirin and Troyes in the hallway.
Neirin was already looking far better than he had only a day or so ago. If his awful wounds still pained him, he did not show it except perhaps in the stiff way he held himself. "Good morning, Midnight."
Midnight nodded and murmured various greetings, more interested in returning to the village, eager to see what help Ceadda could offer.
The four of them headed downstairs together.
When they reached the main entryway, Ceadda and Seth stood speaking quietly to each other. Midnight frowned when he saw a livid bruise discoloring Seth's left cheek—it looked as though he had been struck hard across the face. By whom? It would take a great deal of strength to inflict such harm upon a vampire.
Ceadda reached up to touch the bruised cheek, a scowl on his face, and it was obvious what he was saying was far from pleasant. Seth jerked away, saying something just as angry but stopped short as he saw Ceadda's gaze shift—to them.
"Good morning," Midnight greeted. "Are we… interrupting?"
"Not at all," Seth said smoothly, summoning up a smile that did not really pass muster.
Midnight frowned. "Are you all right?" he asked, eyes on the terrible bruise, and now he could see the eye was swollen as well. What had happened? He glanced at the other three, but they seemed just as baffled.
"I am perfectly fine," Seth replied. "Save that your final impression of me will be this terrible visage. Be kind and think of me only at my prettiest, hmm?"
Midnight laughed, if only to cheer him as best he could. "Of course. How could I think of you any other way?"
"There's a good lad," Seth said and rested a hand on his shoulder, squeezing briefly. "If ever you should like to share a glass of blood with a friend, do stop by. In the meantime, take care of my cousin while you borrow him. He is given to crankiness and massive eccentricity, but I am fond of him."
"Sir," Midnigh
t said, dipping slightly in an elegant half bow. "Of course I shall return him to you in the same condition you present him, if I cannot endeavor to improve him for you. I give my vow."
"Then I shall depend upon it," Seth said, smiling a bit more genuinely this time, though his eyes still held far too many shadows. "It was an honor to make the acquaintance of you all. I hope to see you again, and under far happier circumstances." He escorted them to the front door and bowed one last time before vanishing back into the depths of his home.
Silence fell, save for the noises caused by Neirin as he mounted Devlin's horse.
Midnight looked at Ceadda, who presently was the very definition of the word brooding. "Is his lordship going to be all right?"
Ceadda looked up, blank for a moment, before his expression cleared. "Oh. My apologies, I was lost to my own thoughts." He shrugged. "Seth is honorable to a fault. Even the possibility of his own death will not get him to see reason—we disagree quite strongly on what reason is, precisely. I am certain the pitfalls of honor are something with which you are well acquainted, being so close to Winterbourne."
Midnight thought of Devlin, so wrapped up in honor that he fought against being in love, and grimaced. "Yes, I am."
Ceadda grunted. "If you figure out the secret to overcoming it, do be kind enough to let a fellow sufferer know."
Midnight smiled, amused and frustrated and miserable. "I told him I'd been intimate with others. He was so mad about that, so torn in two different directions, that his armor cracked. Whether it has broken entirely, I cannot yet say."