Revenge is Sweet

by Berni Stevens

So the ideas kept coming. After half an hour of some of the grisliest ideas I had heard in more than three hundred years, I stood up, and everyone fell silent.

  ‘My friends, I appreciate your support more than you can imagine, and value your ideas about this creature’s sentence. I have an idea, or two, myself, if you would bear with me?’

  There were agreeable nods and murmurs.

  ‘As you are all aware, the usual punishment is death by fire. However, I feel a swift demise is unacceptable and not fitting for his crimes. I do like George’s suggestion very much, but would like to change it a little, and add a further punishment. I think we should indeed hang him, emasculate and disembowel him, which naturally, as a vampire, will not kill him, as long as we leave his head attached, and his heart intact. However, I have another idea to take the place of quartering. I suggest he be taken from here to Highgate Cemetery, where I have knowledge of a particularly useful mausoleum. The edifice has many cracks in its stonework now, cracks which will allow the strong rays of the summer sun entry to its depths. Walsh will be chained inside with silver, and he will die, inch by inch, during the day, as the sun’s rays infiltrate the mausoleum and attack his bound body. His destruction will therefore, be slow and agonising.’

  As I finished speaking, there was tumultuous applause, which both surprised and pleased me. I had expected some dissension. The more blood-thirsty among us would have relished the quartering, of that I am sure.

  I looked down at Thomas Walsh, his ravaged face and body, and felt nothing but contempt.

  ‘Walsh, do you have anything to say?’

  Hatred for me blazed in his eyes. ‘You are nothing. You and your whore …’

  Isaac kicked him, and luckily for him, Walsh stopped talking.

  ‘Clearly not,’ I said. ‘Very well, string him up Isaac, and someone get me a nice sharp knife.’

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  The applause from downstairs sounded really loud, it even penetrated my drink-fuddled brain. I leapt up from the sofa assuming it signified the end of the trial. Roxy grabbed me before I toppled over and pushed me back to sitting.

  ‘No more wine for you I think,’ she said with a smile. ‘Or Will might just decapitate me.’

  I frowned at her. ‘He wouldn’t do that. He’s a pussycat really.’

  Rox gave a burst of laughter. ‘Now I definitely know you’ve had too much to drink.’

  ‘Puss, puss, pussycat.’

  ‘Oh shit.’

  ‘Ssssh, no swearing.’

  ‘Ellie, please be quiet, it’s getting serious downstairs.’

  I waggled my forefinger in front of my lips without speaking, then felt Will’s presence close by, and turned towards the stairs. Sure enough, he strode toward us, all tall dark and scrumptious, and all mine. I waved to him, then looked round and swatted playfully at Rox. ‘Pussycat.’ She rolled her eyes back.

  ‘How much has she had?’ I heard him ask Roxy, and I grabbed his hand to pull him closer. He squatted down next to the sofa and taking hold of my chin, turned me to face him.

  ‘Hello.’ I said, and giggled. ‘You are sooo pretty.’

  He sighed. ‘Look at me Elinor.’

  ‘I am, and you’re soooo …’

  ‘Pretty. Yes. Keep looking at me.’

  ‘Pretty puss.’

  He raised a dark brow at that. ‘Elinor. Sleep now.’

  ‘Don’t want …’

  The darkness hit me like a black velvet glove.

  Will

  Isaac had swiftly secured a rope to one of the rafters, and was about to carry out the first part of Walsh’s punishment, when I decided to check on Elinor. We have a strong connection and I could feel excess alcohol taking its toll on her, in the way it always does with fledglings.

  My fears were realised when I went upstairs and she waved to me in a way totally unlike her normal self. At least she was not shouting or dancing on the bar as the boy had done. In a way I felt relieved that I could now push her to sleep. No doubt she will be angry with me tomorrow, but I would rather face her anger than have her witness the bastard’s punishment.

  She went to sleep the instant I commanded it of her, which further proved how much the alcohol had affected her. I told Roxanne to watch over her, and went back downstairs. Elinor will not wake now until tomorrow night, and I can carry out the punishment as Elder, without having to feel a total monster whilst she watched.

  At a signal from me, Isaac secured the noose around Walsh’s neck and pulled it tight. Luke and Jake moved forward to prevent any of the others rushing forward. With some executions, there is always the danger of mass hysteria or mob rule, especially if the perpetrator has killed or hurt our own people. The fact that he hurt my beloved Elinor makes me want to tear him limb from limb, but hopefully, instigating his punishment will satisfy my own blood lust for revenge.

  Luke came over to me. ‘Is Elinor all right? Is she likely to come downstairs?’

  ‘I think it very unlikely,’ I said. ‘She has drunk nearly a whole bottle of exceedingly good Pinot Noir, and is sleeping.’

  Luke smiled. ‘That is good news at least. It’s best she does not witness this.’

  ‘I hear you.’

  Luke walked back over to Jake, and after a muttered conversation, they went through the door behind the bar and re-emerged carrying heavy plastic sheeting. A good thought, as bloodstains are not easy to remove at the best of times.

  ‘I intend to change my clothes,’ I said to them. ‘This is a new suit.’

  A few people laughed, and I went to the staff toilets where I had left my old jeans and T-shirt. I recalled how many good suits of clothes I had lost whilst in the company of Khiara. I had no intention of allowing Walsh’s punishment to cost me my new Armani.

  I folded the suit and shirt into the large carrier bag I had brought the jeans in, and went back out to the main area. Walsh had started to struggle now, even though the rope burned his neck almost as much as the silver chains. I watched him for a moment, still wishing I could just tear him apart with my bare hands.

  Luke came to take the carrier bag from me, and handed me a large bowie knife. I nodded to him and turned to face the audience of waiting vampires.

  ‘I, William James Austen, the Elder of London, will now carry out the agreed punishment to the prisoner, Thomas Walsh, who stands convicted by this court for heinous crimes against our community. Does anyone wish to say anything before sentence is carried out?’

  I knew my words were merely a formality, and as expected, they were met with silence. Time to carry out the torture then. An Elder’s work is never done.

  The deed was done. Walsh lay unconscious, even old vampires cannot stand this kind of torture for long. I felt relief again that Elinor was safely comatose upstairs, and had not witnessed anything.

  Isaac wrapped Walsh in the plastic sheeting. Luke and Jake wound heavy rope around his lifeless body, and we were ready to leave.

  ‘Tirarlo fuori dalla mia vista,’ I said, forgetting for a split second that I was in London and not Italy. ‘Get him out of my sight.’ I translated when Isaac gave me a blank look. The three men lifted the wrapped and mutilated body of Thomas Walsh and carried him out.

  ‘Take him straight to the cemetery Isaac, I shall follow with Luke.’

  But first I needed to wash off the blood and change my clothes–again – even Hoxton inhabitants might alert the police at the sight of my blood-stained appearance. Then all I needed to do was make sure Roxanne would drive Elinor home.

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  Will

  Elinor lay curled up on the sofa like a sleeping child. She looked adorable. Tendrils of her fiery hair had worked free from the constraints holding it, and feathered around her beautiful face. Her slight figure, even in rest, looked lithe and graceful like the dancer she used to be. Roxanne sat in an armchair next to her, looking like a tiny guardian angel – strange to think vampires can ever look angelic.

  I leaned down to brush
my fingers over Elinor’s flawless cheek, but of course she did not move. I smiled at Roxanne who looked worried.

  ‘You appear concerned Roxanne,’ I said.

  ‘I thought you might be angry because Elinor drank too much.’

  ‘On the contrary, I am relieved she did not have to witness Walsh’s torture.’

  ‘I’m pretty pleased I didn’t have to see it myself,’ she said.

  ‘I do not doubt it.’ I reached down again, and gently pushed Elinor’s hair back from her face. I found it impossible not to touch her, such is my love for her. I straightened and looked at Roxanne again, who had been watching me with a thoughtful expression.

  ‘I wonder Roxy, whether you would drive Elinor home? I shall only be a few minutes behind you, so you will not have to wait in the car for too long.’

  ‘Of course, no problem.’

  ‘I am grateful, we have just one more task before this night is over.’ I scooped Elinor up in my arms, ‘I shall escort you both to the car.’

  Roxanne stood, and I led the way downstairs. Luke waited by the main door and his lips twitched to a smile when he saw Elinor.

  ‘The way a lot of humans leave clubs,’ he said.

  I flicked a glance over my shoulder and noted it looked normal again. The furniture had been removed and the place had reverted to my club once more. Zach and Luke had no doubt supervised everything. The furniture would now be stashed away in one of the storerooms, and all appeared ready for the human cleaners when they arrived later.

  ‘Thank you for sorting the club out,’ I said with a nod towards the dance floor.

  ‘Pleasure,’ said Luke holding the door open for us.

  I carried Elinor to Jake’s car and settled her across the back seat. I hoped no police would be around to stop Roxy for lack of seat belts.

  ‘Drive carefully and keep to the speed limits,’ I told her. She looked a little annoyed.

  ‘I’m a far better driver than Jake,’ she retorted.

  ‘I believe you.’ I said closing the door on Elinor. ‘Nevertheless take care.’

  Roxy slid behind the wheel, and started the engine. She buckled up her own seat belt and drove smoothly from the small car park.

  ‘Stop worrying,’ said Luke. ‘Elinor will be fine.’

  I sighed. ‘I am being a control freak again. I know it. Come my friend, let us finish this.’

  I followed Luke to his car, and slid into the passenger seat. Seconds later, we too, drove off in order to finish Thomas Walsh once and for all.

  In the heart of Highgate’s West Cemetery is the mausoleum I intended to utilise for our purpose tonight. It has almost completely sunk below the surface of the moss-strewn ground. The names of the occupants have long since faded from the lichen-covered stone, and a profusion of glossy ivy leaves weave their dense pattern over the ancient surface. It is here I intend to incarcerate the tortured body of Thomas Walsh.

  Isaac and Luke manhandled his still comatose body into the depths of his final resting place – if rest it can be called. Silver chains will keep him immobile until the daylight forces entry where it can. Inch by agonising inch, the sun’s rays will infiltrate the mausoleum through the crack in the stonework, which still remains above ground. Slowly but surely, the light of day will work its insidious way up Thomas’s naked, unprotected body. It should take many days for Thomas to be reduced finally, and for him blessedly, to dust and discover the true death.

  I put the Scold’s Bridle back on him before we left, so when he regains consciousness, he will not be able to call out without excruciating pain rendering him unconscious once more. His death will be agonising and interminable. I find it difficult to care.

  Chapter Thirty-Five

  Someone had removed all of my clothes and put me to bed. Almost certainly, that same someone had taken the tie from my hair too. I sat up and looked around the bedroom. No sign of Will, but that was nothing unusual, he often woke before me.

  As if I’d actually summoned him, the man himself came into the room at that moment, immaculate and sexy as ever in black jeans and dark blue sweater. He came and sat on the bed, amusement dancing in his vivid eyes.

  ‘How is your head tonight?’

  ‘Fine,’ I lied. Actually it felt like a dance troupe were practising their latest street dance routine inside my skull – wearing wooden clogs – but there was no way I would give Will the satisfaction of admitting he had been right about the effects of a couple of glasses of wine. Damn. Vampires actually have hangovers, who’d have thought?

  Will’s deep laugh only went to prove he knew anyway. I narrowed my eyes at him, and he stroked a hand through my tousled hair. His touch soothed the manic dancers in my head, for which I felt extremely grateful.

  ‘Who undressed me and put me to bed?’

  ‘I did of course. Surely you would not expect me to allow anyone else to undress you?’

  I drew my knees up and folded my arms on them. Resting my head on my arms I glanced up at him. ‘It’s not exactly sexy is it?’

  ‘You are always sexy to me.’

  ‘What – even when I’m unconscious? That’s a bit pervy even for you.’

  He raised an eyebrow. ‘I am always able to appreciate your delectable body, whether you are awake or asleep … or in a drunken stupor.’

  ‘Oh you had to get that one in.’

  ‘Apologies.’

  He didn’t look remotely apologetic.

  ‘What happened to Thomas?’

  ‘He has been removed to a safe mausoleum where the sunlight will dispose of him … gradually.’

  ‘There was more to it than that, or you wouldn’t have sanctioned me getting off my face on red wine.’

  ‘You are too perceptive for your own good sometimes, Elinor.’

  ‘So I’m told.’

  ‘Do you really wish to know?’

  ‘Yes, in a way.’

  ‘Very well. He was hung, and drawn in the time-honoured fashion, but not quartered. We left his head and limbs attached and his heart remains in his body.’

  ‘Why?’

  ‘So he could experience the delights of the summer sun’s rays on his whole body before he eventually expires.’

  I shivered and pulled the duvet closer around my naked body. ‘Remind me never to piss you off.’

  ‘So you have said many times before.’ His eyes took on a wicked glow. ‘Are you cold?’

  ‘Vampires don’t feel the cold.’

  He ran his fingers over my shoulder, the only part of exposed flesh he could touch, without going under the duvet. His touch, as always, made me shiver and I looked into his eyes. I knew that look.

  ‘Yet you are naked under there.’

  ‘Well you should know, you undressed me – apparently.’

  ‘I did.’ Soft lips took over from where his fingers had touched, and began to work their way down my shoulder. The next thing I knew, I was flat on my back and he was under the duvet with me.

  I tugged at his sweater. ‘Too many clothes Mr Spooky.’

  His lips quirked upwards in a smile. ‘Allow me to remedy that.’

  He sat up, pulled the sweater over his head in one fluid movement, and threw it to the floor. In seconds his jeans had joined it, and his lips found mine as his hands began to caress my breasts.

  I wound my arms around his neck, and sighed against his lips. We both needed to find solace within each other. I knew that. The horrors of the past few months had even taken its toll on Will. I could feel the tension in his body… sense it in his soul.

  He traced kisses down my neck and breasts, stopping only to pull a nipple into the moist warmth of his mouth. One hand stroked my belly and found its way down my thighs.

  ‘I need you Elinor,’ he whispered.

  Strong fingers began to arouse me, and a moan escaped my lips. I arched against him as he moved up my body, finally easing inside me to begin a powerful rhythm of thrusts. I cried out his name at the first orgasm, and he rolled us both over to bring
me on top. Green eyes darkened by passion stared up at me now, and he gripped my hips to keep my movements in time with his.

  ‘Ti adoro.’ He said when another orgasm caused me to gasp again.

  He flipped us over with breathtaking speed and quickened his momentum until we cried out in unison, and he lowered his body on top of me.

  ‘You are my eternity, Elinor. I love you.’

  I ran my fingers through his thick silky hair. ‘I love you too,’ I said softly.

  He kissed me again, a soft loving whisper of a kiss, which brought tears to my eyes. ‘Please do not ever change, my beautiful Elinor.’

  ‘Or you.’

  He eased out of my body and sat up, drawing me with him. ‘I have been the same for over three hundred years, it would be difficult for me to change.’

  I smiled and traced one of his chiselled cheekbones with my forefinger. ‘Some people think you have changed since I arrived.’

  ‘Then I shall have to do more torture more often.’

  I found it impossible to imagine the elegant hands that had just caressed me so skilfully could inflict the hideous torture he’d told me about, and I felt so relieved I had not witnessed it. How clever of Will to make sure I had too much to drink– apart from the headache of course.

  ‘You look serious. What is it?’ He took hold of my hand and brushed soft lips across my knuckles.

  ‘Trying not to think of the torture.’

  ‘Always the worrier.’ He flashed a wicked smile. ‘Come and share a deep, luxurious bath with me, and I promise to make you forget about torture.’

  ‘Insatiable.’

  ‘Where you are concerned – always.’

  Chapter Thirty-Six

  There isn’t a night goes by when I don’t miss Danny. It has been two weeks since the night of the execution, and two weeks since we lost him. Will has told me where Danny’s things are stored and that I can keep anything I want. But I can’t bring myself to look through them. Not yet. I had so wanted to save him from Thomas, from Sarah, even from Will. A part of me believed I’d failed him miserably. Yet he died saving my life, and to not see it as the heroic act it was, belittles his bravery. I long to hear his laugh again, and even to be deafened by his interminable computer games. The fact that the TV remote is now always in the place where we left it, breaks my heart. Little things, but it is the little things that hurt for longer when you lose someone.