by Holly Lujah
Just to be on the safe side, she covered her hands with the edge of her cowl and turned her face away. Skin always looked the brightest when a light was shining on it.
If Mary Beth noticed anything different about the statue, it didn’t register with her soon enough to make her stop and check. Before long the nun was gone and Biffy was alone in the under-croft with Spoke.
For a moment Biffy considered following Mary Beth and leaving the strange creature alone. After all, what could it really offer her and what could she do for it?
But her feet dictated what her mind should have decided and took her further down. She didn’t attempt to sneak up on the vampire. That sort of thing had never been her strong point.
Instead, she strode in as if full of purpose. It had struck her earlier on in her life that for some reason the vampires responded better to confidence. So she acted more brave than she felt.
“Hello, pet. Been lingering long?” Spoke said as soon as he saw her, not even trying to sneak up on her. It struck her how familiar he was being, but a part of her didn’t mind. Other than Breanna, he had now spoken to her more than anyone else in the academy.
“Long enough,” she replied. “Mary Beth doesn’t seem to like you.”
“Of course not. I’m the enemy scum, remember? Here to murder all the little children and make off with your women to turn into my smitten vampire minions.” Spoke rolled his eyes as he said the last part.
“Not your thing?” Biffy asked, not entirely sure she wanted to know the answer but unable to stop herself asking. He laughed.
“No, not my style. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve loved a fine woman or two in my time, but I’m not into stealing little children. Too noisy and no way near filling enough, and also, not particularly wise. Killing off the young of one’s food source is just stupid.”
“Doesn’t seem to have stopped your brethren.”
“True. But they’re not all that bright. The vampire race has got a bit too big for its boots. The human population is in decline, and my kind don’t seem to realise it’s not sustainable. I think we’re at the point that we need to start forming a few relationships. We don’t need to kill humans. We don’t need every drop. One person can sustain a vampire regularly and still live. Bunch of greedy nitwits, my lot.”
Biffy found herself raising her eyebrows, not sure how to respond. She hadn’t expected him to go on a mini-rant about other vampires, but his words had rung true. At least, he seemed to believe in them, his body language in keeping with what he was saying.
“But that doesn’t explain what brings you here this time, pet. Not feeling the celebration of passing another task?”
“Not really. It felt rushed. And there’s something the nuns aren’t telling me.”
“You’ll have to get used to that. There’s a lot the nuns won’t tell you. Or anyone else. They like to keep their stuff to themselves. Not very pious if you ask me, but I’m not the one wearing a habit and claiming to rid the world of evil, so what do I know of being pious?”
Although a big part of her agreed with him, Biffy tried not to react at all. She couldn’t let him see what she was thinking or how he might be able to trick her into doing something stupid.
“Have they even told the rest of the academy about me? Do all the nuns know they’ve got a vampire in close proximity? Think of the danger I could cause if I got out. I know the nuns have gone to great lengths to keep this building safe from outside attack, but what about from within?” Spoke stopped to lift and rattle the chains he was attached to. “Given enough time, pet, I could probably work these loose.”
Biffy’s frown deepened, not least because this irritatingly correct vampire kept calling her pet. She wasn’t anyone’s pet. If she were an animal, she knew she’d be a familiar. Like Hairwig or Boo. An important animal. Not a regular, unintelligent one.
“Is that what you’re planning?” she asked eventually. “To get into the academy and attack?”
“Didn’t you just hear me? I don’t want to kill any humans. I just want to get out of here. I’ve been here for years, half-starved, prodded, studied, and for what? So the three Marys can stroke their own egos and act like they beat vampires because they’re better than everyone else at everything. They got lucky, finding me drunk and pining for a woman.”
Once again, Spoke strode about the small part of the under-croft, exaggerating his hand gestures to make a point, until he strode too far and the chains caught part-way through doing something. The metal clanged and rattled as it went taut. Hissing in pain, Spoke backed off. The bright red of blood blossomed around the metal cuffs a moment before the smell of coppery metal hit Biffy’s nostrils.
The vampire sighed and lowered his arms.
“Who am I kidding? I’m going to be here for the rest of my miserable life. And all because I argued with the woman I loved. She wanted to eat this teenage boy she’d become infatuated with...” He exhaled, his eyes looking haunted.
“You really don’t agree with eating people?” Biffy asked, finding her body moving a little closer.
“No. Pretty stupid of me, isn’t it? I suck at being a good vampire.”
Their eyes met and Biffy took another step nearer. Her fingers slid over the end of her cross but she didn’t pull it out. The sadness in his eyes called to her. Made her want to express at least a little comfort. She couldn’t imagine getting her heart broken, not completely, but she knew how it felt to lose someone.
“I don’t think you suck,” she said, his deep blue eyes like oceans she could lose herself in. Under a mind of their own, her feet brought her another small step forward.
“You don’t?” His eyes went wider, as if hope sparked in them for the first time.
“I think you’ve retained some humanity. That underneath all the vampire appearance, and the desires and needs that come with being an undead, you have a heart. One that knows how to love.”
“I don’t think anyone else agrees,” Spoke said. His eyes went to his wrists, the blood now more than obvious around both. “And I’m not sure I want to try and persuade anyone. I just want to get out of here. To see the stars again, to feel the wind on my face...”
Feeling tears prick her eyes at Spoke’s situation, Biffy came even closer. She was more than a little within the range of his chain now, but he didn’t make any threatening moves.
“At least the three Marys are so preoccupied with keeping the academy and city safe they’re not paying me too much attention. I could do with a break from the horrible tests they keep trying.”
A thought suddenly landed in Biffy’s mind. There were several ways out of the academy for someone of his strength. Could she help free him? If he was truly stuck here and he didn’t want to harm another human, what was the worst that could happen?
No sooner had Biffy thought it than she came closer.
“What...” she trailed off, not sure how to introduce what she was thinking. She didn’t want to get his hope up if she couldn’t deliver, although it was looking like she could.
He raised his eyebrows, picking up on the same thing in the air even if nothing else.
As she went to take another step closer and reach out for him to help him not just to his feet, but out of the building, she caught something on the floor, the sound of tinkling china following.
She blinked, as if dazed, and her head almost instantly cleared of the fog that had snuck gradually over it.
“Pet?” Spoke said, his voice gentle. For a moment she stared at him, not entirely sure what had gone on.
Had he just used some kind of vampiric ability on her? Realising he must have done made her eyes go wide. This triggered his response. Snarling, he leapt at her, the chain going tight as he pinned her against a pillar, one hand on her throat. The hoop around his neck stopped him from being able to bite her, but his fangs had descended, ready to try and drain her.
But she’d taken all the precautions she needed that morning and both of them heard the sizzle as the ga
rlic on her skin irritated him. He let go but kept close, towering over her petite frame. That close she could smell him, a deep, almost human sort of smell. For a moment she considered all sorts of things. Thoughts she’d never had about the opposite sex before.
“Almost, pet,” he said. “Almost had you taking pity on me, didn’t I? I won’t forget you saying I had a heart though,” he whispered. “You’re one of the good ones, Biffy. Don’t let them turn you into something else.”
Biffy tried to pull back, not sure she could believe what she was hearing, but he had given her nowhere to go. Despite being coated in garlic oil, she knew it would only keep him at bay so well. She remained frozen, almost entirely underneath him.
As a noise behind him drew her attention, he backed off. A habit appeared, hands yanking his chain back and him away with it.
“You’ve served your purpose,” Mary Sue said, anger evident in her words. She yanked on the chain once more, forcing Spoke back if he didn’t want the collar to cut into his neck.
He growled as he fought briefly against the insistent tugging, but clapping from behind Biffy drew both their attention.
Sister Gelina and Mother Superior stepped into the light, the source of the sudden cheerful noise.
“Well done, Biffy,” Sister Gelina said as she came even closer. A moment later Breanna also appeared, giving her a smaller smile than usual, Boo nowhere to be seen.
It was very apparent that all three nuns had been there the entire time. They must have heard every word, but rather than being angry at her for being somewhere she shouldn’t, they were pleased.
“You’ve passed the sixth task,” Sister Gelina added when Biffy remained blank and silent. “You didn’t let the vampire charm you into being idiotic or dangerous.”
“Right,” Biffy replied, her mind beginning to catch up. She’d been set up. And as her gaze flicked between the other people in the room, it was clear she wasn’t the only one bothered by this.
Spoke stood back, half in the shadows, his eyes narrowed, fixed on Mother Superior. And even Breanna wrung her hands together, an apologetic smile fixed on the normally happy face.
“Rather a dangerous test,” she said when the silence began to elongate.
“Nonsense,” Sister Gelina said. “You were monitored at all times. The vampire wouldn’t have escaped and you wouldn’t have got yourself into too much danger.”
Not sure she agreed, Biffy nodded. Spoke had come pretty close to killing her right at the end there. She wasn’t sure he’d have spared her life if she’d actually let him go. Would they have stepped in if she’d gone to undo his chains? Would they have been able to stop him feeding off her if he’d been close enough to sink his fangs in?
There was no way to know now, and she couldn’t argue, but it made her feel a deep knot in the pit of her stomach. Worry, for the academy and herself.
“It is time for the final task,” Mother Superior said, taking a further step out of the shadows. “Two nights’ time. You’ll take the third watch with Sister Breanna. Especially since she insisted on taking such good care of you for this task.”
“I was just worried something might happen to another initiate,” Breanna replied, looking sheepish, still rubbing her hands as if she had something dirty on them. Biffy wanted to reach over and gently stop her. There was nothing to worry about anymore.
“I’d be honoured to go out on patrol with Sister Breanna,” Biffy said to bring the focus away.
“Good. You may rest from normal duties until then.”
Mother Superior and Sister Gelina hurried away.
“Well done,” Mary Sue said as she followed them away, leaving her and Breanna alone with Spoke.
“Boo will be missing me,” Breanna said, but she threw a glance at the vampire as he shuffled around and clanked his chains. It was clear she wasn’t comfortable with him. “We should go.”
Glancing one last time at Spoke as he scowled in the dark, Biffy left the under-croft and climbed back to her own familiar. Something about the whole situation didn’t seem right. Keeping a vampire locked up just to test initiates seemed barbaric. And dangerous. Very dangerous.
Chapter 15
The two days before her final task had passed slowly, Biffy counting down every hour as she paced her tower room, gently tried to convince her body to eat, or practised in the shooting range. Now, however, Breanna stood before her, beaming outside her bedroom door.
“It’s time,” she said.
“But it’s still only dusk,” Biffy replied. “We’re on third watch.”
“Correct. But we must begin our preparations. There are many, and it wouldn’t be wise to miss any on your first patrol. You must meet the evil of the night in the right way if you are to emerge victorious. Come. I will show you what I do to get ready.”
For a moment Biffy considered protesting, but Hairwig flew off after Breanna and Boo, giving her little choice. Unless she wanted to run around yelling at her familiar the way Breanna did. No doubt it would amuse others, but it wouldn’t her.
Hairwig didn’t slow until they were at the bottom of the tower and Breanna was heading off towards the armoury. It was at least a sensible place to start in Biffy’s mind, if a little early for such actions.
“I like to fetch my weapon and don my armour before doing anything else. It gives me time to get used to the feel of the latter and reminds my hand what it feels like to grip my sword. I’d carry it all the time, but Sister Gelina says we should at least try and appear to be the nuns we once were during the day.”
Biffy nodded, having no idea how else to respond. Sister Gelina sounded wise.
As they approached the armoury, the three Marys came out, ready to take the first watch, as they often did.
They headed in the other direction, but not before Mary Beth gave her a brief nod and touched the forehead of her helmet. Biffy watched them walk away, wondering if she’d ever be such a renowned fighter. She could only try.
Breanna bustled through the door next, Boo jumping down from her shoulders. Hairwig flew inside after, perching on the top of a particularly large helmet.
“Hoot,” she said.
“Yes, I think smaller might be better too,” Biffy replied. “Less of a target then.”
“It is unlikely to be a busy patrol. And we won’t be the only pair out there,” Breanna replied. “Do not fret.”
But Biffy hadn’t been fretting. In fact she felt strangely calm. Almost like she’d been born to do this. Like it was natural, right, and a normal task.
Of course, she’d faced the undead before, more than once, often working alongside her father, and then acting as the protector for her family once he had died. But so had every citizen alive at some point.
This was different. This was almost like going looking for trouble.
But you already know exactly how to do that, Biffy thought, remembering the previous encounters with Spoke. She’d kept going back knowing he was dangerous.
“Here,” Breanna said, picking up a particularly ornate and feathered helm. “Try this.”
Biffy raised her eyebrows but shook her head.
“I think, since I am so new to wearing armour, it would be wise for me to choose something lighter. I do not have the strength and I would hate to grow fatigued,” Biffy replied, hoping the refusal wouldn’t upset the sister. Biffy had a feeling passing this task involved an element of keeping Breanna happy with her behaviour.
“You show much wisdom for one so young.” Breanna looked thoughtfully over the remaining options.
Before she could choose something else equally unhelpful, Biffy stepped forward and selected a simple cowl. It was a dark leather and would afford her some protection without entirely looking out of place.
“Perhaps something like this. I can wear it with my habit as normal and keep my neck protected. It will keep me from getting cold, as well.”
“Yes, and the air does have a chill to it at this time of year.”
Biffy
nodded solemnly, desperate to grin but somehow resisting.
“Hoot,” Hairwig said as she put it on. Biffy ignored the comment. No way she was giving her familiar the satisfaction. Once she was a fully fledged nun she’d worry about her appearance. Until then, she’d do what she needed to do in order to pass the task.
Breanna donned a set of full plate mail, strapping it over her habit and somehow looking even more formidable than before. It bulked her out sufficiently that Biffy found herself wondering if she would fit back through the door once she was fully kitted out, but Breanna didn’t seem to even react to the extra weight or size.
With Breanna taking less interest, Biffy moved over to the rack of leather jerkins and searched for one that might be a decent fit. There weren’t many small enough, but near the back she found a promising one. It smelled of fresh leather, as if it had barely been worn yet, but had been inadvertently shoved to the back and lost.
More than a little pleased, she pulled it over her head and shrugged it into place. It was a tight fit, another reminder to lose a few pounds, but otherwise perfect. As Breanna had said, she’d have plenty of time to get used to it before they went into battle.
It held over the shoulders with two relatively thin but sturdy straps and gave her plenty of arm movement. She’d be able to fire a crossbow with ease.
With this thought, she moved over to the familiar rack of weapons and selected the crossbow she’d been using most. A small mark on the handle, just above the grip, let her know this was hers at a glance. She had used it lots over the last few weeks, practising whenever her mind was troubled or she grew too bored. It fit her hand. She suspected if she’d closed her eyes and picked a crossbow at random she’d know this was hers, even without being able to see it.
“Ready?” Breanna asked as Biffy clipped a couple of sets of bolts to her belt, alongside the usual vampire and werewolf kit that hung there.