Revenge is Sweet

by Berni Stevens

  ‘So is that’s Daniel’s maker?’ I said.

  Will shook his head. ‘No, I think the elusive Clyde is responsible for Daniel. Although I suspect she acted as bait.’

  ‘I can see why,’ I muttered.

  ‘I cannot believe you are jealous of an old blonde tart,’ he whispered in my ear, and I laughed.

  ‘She is clearly after your body,’ I said. ‘So I think I’m entitled to be possessive too.’

  ‘I think we need to have an in-depth discussion at home,’ he said, ‘and you can prove you are the best woman for the job.’

  ‘Job?’ Sometimes Will’s humour went over my head. His eyes flashed wickedly.

  ‘The “keeping me satisfied all night” job.’

  ‘I hadn’t realised there was a vacancy.’

  He laughed aloud at that, startling the other three vampires who’d been talking quietly amongst themselves.

  ‘Let us call it a night,’ said Will. ‘See you three tomorrow.’

  ‘Goodnight, Will,’ said Jez at once, and the three of them walked towards the Heath, whilst we went back to the road where Luke had parked. Will draped an arm around my shoulders as we followed Jake and Luke to the car.

  ‘Isn’t this the road where Cassie said they lived?’ I looked around at the peaceful, tree-lined road with its elegant terrace of small Victorian houses.

  Will nodded. ‘Although I doubt we can believe everything she said. You have to remember her brain was mostly malfunctioning.’

  ‘Yet the woman did appear, and then disappear very quickly,’ I said. ‘So they must be staying quite close.’

  ‘Good point.’

  We got into Luke’s car and were soon driving towards Highgate. I couldn’t get the blonde woman out of my mind, and I wondered what she and the revolting Clyde’s ultimate purpose could be. They were going to an awful lot of trouble merely to challenge Will. The child murders and turnings would eventually get our vampire community as a whole noticed by humans, which wouldn’t be good for any of us. There had to be more to this.

  Will’s Journal, 21st May

  The last child has to be the worst case so far. I have not seen the like in many decades, and feel regret that Elinor had to witness it. I realise I cannot keep things from her, so I have bowed to her request, and allowed her to accompany me on the nightly missions. To be fair to her, the last time I tried to protect her, she ended up bringing the ‘cavalry’ to my own rescue.

  But this is different … it involves children, and I have never forgotten how Elinor berated me for destroying her humanity, especially her ability to bear children. Some things linger, even to an Elder, especially when it concerns the woman I love.

  The arrival of the blonde woman came as a surprise to us all. I had not even sensed another vampire in the vicinity, which is unusual to say the least. I, of all people should have sensed her. Clearly she knows about me, and even more disturbing is the fact that she knows of Elinor. I now wonder whether she came here as part of Khiara’s entourage last year, and then stayed without my knowledge. It would not be conceivable for this to happen under normal circumstances, but if the man with her is as powerful as I believe him to be, then nothing is impossible.

  After the events of the last few nights, I feel more positive about saving Daniel, he is clearly not as deranged as the creatures we have had to destroy. Merely annoying and sullen – like most teenagers I believe. But I hope for Elinor’s sake we are able to save him, for she will be devastated if we cannot.

  Chapter Seven

  The previous evening’s events were still all too fresh in my memory as I sat on the edge of the kitchen table, swinging my legs and lost in morose thoughts. I waited for the ping of the microwave that would tell me my evening ‘meal’ was ready.

  The blonde woman had rattled me more than I cared to admit. Stupid, bitchy woman, with her designer clothes and sparkly diamonds! Why did I always meet women like that when I was dressed down in tatty jeans and a T-shirt? She couldn’t have turned up at Will’s club, Dusk, could she? I’d looked pretty much OK when we’d gone there the other night – at least I think I did. What the hell did she want anyway? She seemed to be going to a lot of trouble to get Will’s attention. There were far easier ways to do that. Although I felt sure she had his undivided attention now, together with the ever-elusive Thomas – or ‘Clyde’, or whatever the hell he was called.

  Will came in just when my thoughts seemed set to get even more morose. I smiled at him with relief. He looked almost edible, casually dressed in blue jeans and a white, tight-fitting T-shirt. He caught hold of my feet as my legs swung outwards and stood between my knees, running his hands up to rest on my thighs.

  ‘Ready?’

  ‘Just getting something to eat.’ I nodded at the microwave. Obligingly it pinged.

  ‘Allow me.’

  He moved away from me, and opening the door of the microwave, took out the blood bag. With deft movements, he poured its contents into a china mug. Handing it across to me, he came back to stand between my legs again, his face thoughtful.

  ‘Are you sure you want to come along again tonight?’

  ‘I have to.’ I started to sip at the contents of the mug. ‘I want to be with you.’

  He pushed a strand of hair behind my ear, and touched my cheek. ‘Are you sure?’

  I nodded, and he sighed.

  ‘If I stay here, I’ll worry about you all the time, so I’ll go and play a game with Daniel to take my mind off worrying about you. Then you’ll come in and be pissed off that I’m playing a game with Daniel.’

  His lips twitched. ‘How very astute.’

  I finished the contents of the mug, and jumped off the table to wash it up. Couldn’t have Will’s housekeeper finding mugs with dregs of blood in them. I’d never met her, but the house always looked amazing and our clothes always got washed and ironed, so I thought she must be some kind of Mary Poppins, and I certainly had no desire to scare her away.

  ‘Does your housekeeper never ask you why there are no dishes in the dishwasher? Or why there are only packs of blood in the fridge?’

  ‘She has no reason to go the refrigerator, plus I told her you were a dreadful cook and we always eat out.’

  ‘I used to be pretty good actually.’ I felt indignant.

  ‘Then I am sorry I can never sample your cooking.’ He didn’t look sorry, but he did make me smile.

  I put the clean mug on the draining board and turned to face him, leaning against the sink. ‘This feels like we’re a real couple.’

  He looked puzzled. ‘We are a real couple as far as I am concerned.’

  ‘I mean an alive couple … you know … ordinary.’

  He leaned against the table and folded his arms. ‘Elinor, you were never ordinary when you were alive, and for your information, I have never had to do mundane household chores.’

  ‘I forgot you were aristocracy.’ I made a mock curtsey in his direction. ‘Mr Posh Duke of Wherever.’

  ‘I should probably have you flogged for insolence.’ A wicked gleam came into his eyes.

  ‘Would that include handcuffs?’

  He laughed, shaking his head. ‘You are incorrigible, young lady.’

  ‘I wonder whose fault that is.’

  The mobile rang at that moment. Saved by the bell. I was still grinning as I answered. ‘Hello?’

  A man’s voice I didn’t recognise said, ‘Get me the Elder.’

  I covered the phone, and mouthed to Will, ‘It’s him I think.’

  He held his hand out for the phone, and I handed it over, moving closer so I could listen.

  ‘This is Will Austen.’

  ‘I’m sure you know who I am?’

  ‘I assume you are the elusive Thomas, occasionally referred to as Clyde.’

  ‘Correct.’

  ‘What is it that you want?’

  ‘Your undivided attention to start with.’

  ‘You had that when you sired the first boy.’

  �
��What can I say? Children … interest me, but their deaths interest me more.’

  ‘Spare me the details.’

  ‘I have the upper hand Elder, so I think you should be nicer to me.’

  ‘I ask again – what is it that you want?’

  ‘To be the recognised Elder of London. An honour I think you’ll soon be only too pleased to relinquish.’

  The line went dead. I glanced at Will, who merely shrugged when he handed the phone back to me. ‘That was bracing.’

  ‘Could he manage it?’

  ‘Manage what?’

  ‘To dethrone you – or whatever it’s called.’

  ‘Absolutely not. There is more to becoming an Elder than merely causing trouble. But … this … Thomas is already drawing too much attention with his misdemeanours, and I fear things are going to get worse before they improve.’

  A knock at the front door told us Luke had arrived. Will took hold of my hand as we left the kitchen together and headed into the large reception area.

  ‘Where is the boy?’ He asked, lifting a hand in greeting to Luke, as he let himself in.

  ‘Watching DVDs with Jake and Roxy.’ I gestured at the drawing room door.

  Will rolled his eyes, and went in. Master vampires are incredibly territorial, and I had a strong feeling he’d far rather Daniel was down in the cellar watching DVDs. Out of sight, out of mind and all that. I’d decided it was fairly obvious Will had never been a father, but I still didn’t want to ask. He’d speak about his human life one day, I felt sure. He needed to be ready, and I didn’t think he was yet.

  Daniel was sprawled along the sofa, dressed in new clothes, which included a pair of Doc Martens, and I saw Will’s eyes narrow. I decided to step in before things got ugly.

  ‘Hey Danny – feet off the sofa when you’ve got boots on. You know better than that.’

  Daniel immediately sat up, his eyes widening when he saw Will’s expression. ‘Sorry Elles,’ he muttered.

  Will turned to me with raised eyebrows. ‘Elles?’

  I shrugged. ‘Teenagers give everyone nicknames.’

  ‘I dread to think what name he has in store for me.’

  ‘What are you watching?’ I glanced at the screen. ‘Ah – From Dusk Till Dawn.’

  I remembered seeing it years ago, an old Tarantino classic from the late nineties. Jake laughed as a voluptuous vampire dancer ate one of the clientele in the seedy bar, and Roxy, who sat on the floor leaning against his legs, gave me a long-suffering look. ‘I’m bored with the gore.’

  Jake flicked her ear. ‘What would you rather? High School Musical?’

  She laughed and slapped his leg. ‘Something a bit more current and thought-provoking would be good.’

  ‘Stay inside children,’ said Will. ‘There are bad people out there.’

  Daniel looked up from the screen briefly. ‘Yes, Boss.’

  I had a sudden flashback to Cassie, writhing on the grass, screaming foul obscenities. I shivered, and Will’s arm immediately came around me. ‘I know,’ he said softly.

  Jake stood up and stretched. ‘Where to?’

  Luke shook his head. ‘Not sure yet.’

  ‘I think we should head over to the Heath. Jez and the others will be by the Freemasons.’ Will kept an arm around my waist as we moved towards the door.

  ‘Laters,’ said Daniel, without taking his eyes off the screen.

  ‘Be careful,’ said Roxy as she sat cross-legged in the chair Jake had just vacated.

  Jake leaned down to plant a kiss on her lips. ‘See if you can get Danny-boy to watch Love Actually.’

  She swatted him with the TV remote and he followed us from the room grinning.

  ‘I am surrounded by film addicts,’ muttered Will.

  ‘Oh, like we don’t watch zillions of films.’ I prodded him in the ribs.

  The mobile rang. I sighed and fished it out of my jeans pocket.

  I’d barely said a greeting before Jez’s voice started talking.

  ‘Ellie … put Will on please … quickly.’

  ‘Jez,’ I said to Will, as I handed him the phone.

  ‘Yes?’

  ‘There have been three bodies discovered up by Parliament Hill – all drained. The human police are here.’

  Will cursed. ‘Reporters?’

  ‘Plenty … photographers too.’

  I remembered the barmaid who’d been drained and left in Waterlow Park last year. That had been down to one of Khiara’s cohorts. But three? In one night, and in the same place? This was definitely not good.

  ‘Parliament Hill,’ Will said to Luke as we went out of the front door.

  Twenty minutes later we were walking across the Heath towards the popular steep hill where people liked to fly kites and walk their dogs. I had always loved it up here – it was the first place outside of the house that Will had taken me as a new fledgling. The views from the top were spectacular, especially at night. The lights of London twinkled below, and in some places, tiny headlights could be spotted as late-night vehicles zoomed around the city. It had always felt peaceful here at night, but sadly I didn’t think it would ever feel the same now.

  People were everywhere, crawling over Parliament Hill like ants. The police had roped off a large area with blue and white police tape. Uniformed police stood in front of the cordoned off areas, people in plain clothes whom I assumed were CID, strode around looking grim, and reporters tried in vain to get someone to make a statement. Two ambulances were parked nearby, and there were even a couple of television vans.

  Will’s face was stern. ‘Luke, Jake, split up and see what you can find out – but be unobtrusive – and for heaven’s sake do not get near any cameras.’

  The two men melted away into the crowd.

  ‘Do you think he’s still here?’ I whispered.

  ‘Most definitely.’ He nodded. ‘Even a human serial killer enjoys the aftermath of his crimes.’

  He scanned the crowd with narrowed eyes and I looked around too. Although I had no idea what I was looking for. The blonde tart maybe. Then a blonde head got my attention. Was it her? Surely not. I watched the woman as she came nearer to us.

  ‘It’s her …’

  I needn’t have bothered telling Will – he’d already spotted her. She sauntered over to us as though she hadn’t a care in the world. She’d dressed down tonight, although I still reckoned her clothes had cost a small fortune. Expensive jeans and top, with a Dolce and Gabbana belt, not forgetting the obligatory diamonds that sparkled on her ears and fingers. Her blonde hair was scooped back into the chic kind of braid I’ve always tried to do, but never managed – even when I had a reflection. She gave Will a provocative smile as she got closer. Without a doubt, she fitted right in here, looking every inch the Hampstead trophy wife.

  ‘Will, how positively marvellous to bump into you again,’ she purred in her husky voice.

  ‘How unfortunate I cannot say the same,’ Will replied.

  ‘Is your pet glued to your side?’ She looked at me with barely concealed contempt.

  ‘The last person who insinuated something similar is now dust. Dispatched, in fact, by Elinor herself.’

  A flash of annoyance crossed her beautiful features. ‘Are you threatening me?’

  Will gave a low laugh. ‘Merely imparting information.’

  She moved suddenly and plucked at a strand of my hair, Will grabbed her wrist and squeezed until the bones cracked.

  ‘Never touch her again,’ he said.

  She winced in pain, but Will didn’t relinquish his hold. ‘Tell me where the most elusive Thomas is.’

  ‘I don’t know.’

  ‘I think you do.’

  He increased the pressure on her wrist until she gasped. ‘He’s not here.’

  Will let her go, regarding her with contempt. ‘Then you must give him a message. Tell him his days are numbered, especially the days when his head remains attached to his body.’

  She cradled her broken wrist against he
r body, her face livid with anger and pain. ‘You’ll regret hurting me.’

  ‘Somehow I doubt it.’

  She turned and ran down the hill.

  ‘Do you think he’s here?’ My voice trembled a little.

  ‘Yes. Shall we?’ He offered me his arm with the usual courtly gesture, as though he hadn’t just broken a woman’s wrist. Feeling somewhat shaken, I threaded my arm through his, and we began to walk around the cordoned off area. Vampires heal quickly, I knew that, but we can still feel pain. A broken bone is still broken after all.

  The melee near the ambulances consisted of reporters with microphones shouting at a very flustered-looking detective. We joined the throng in order to hear what was being said.

  ‘Detective Johnson – is it true that the bodies were drained of blood?’

  ‘What’s the cause of death? Is it the same for all three?’

  ‘Do you have any suspects?’

  ‘Can we get a picture of the bodies?’

  Ugh – disgusting.

  The middle-aged detective ran a hand through his thinning hair, and gestured for silence. It took a while before the questions stopped.

  The detective cleared his throat and straightened his greasy-looking tie. He looked around to see whether there were any cameras. Will moved us back out of camera shot.

  ‘We would not want any of your old friends spotting you on television would we?’

  Hell no. I could almost hear the comments … ‘Hey Fliss, did you see Ellie on TV last night?’ ‘Ellie’s dead.’ ‘Not last night she wasn’t.’

  I attempted to lose that, very disturbing, scenario in order to follow what was going on right now.

  The detective cleared his throat again and everyone looked at him expectantly.

  ‘Gentlemen —’ he began, ‘— and ladies. I can give you a few minutes now, but there will be a proper press conference in the morning, once the post mortems have been done.’

  ‘What was the cause of death?’ someone shouted from behind us.

  ‘Our police surgeon, Dr Reynolds, puts the time of the deaths at approximately 9.30p.m. All three victims were found within a few feet of each other, so we think they were together. Cause of death has yet to be properly ascertained, but Dr Reynolds has confirmed wounds to the throats and a considerable loss of blood, which suggests a large dog. That’s all for the moment. Thank you.’ Johnson stepped away as a deluge of questions were shouted from all sides. I put my hands over my ears at the noise.