Will has been wonderful; he is never less than amazing anyway. He understands my every mood without me even having to speak. He is romantic, loving and protective, and I know he wishes he could bring Danny back for me. Sadly, even vampires can die, and a stake rammed through the heart ensures no return, neither for humans nor for immortals.
Will is now keen to set a date for our wedding; he thinks the distraction of the preparations will help me. But I feel it is too early yet to think about any kind of celebration, much as I long to marry the man I adore. He has gone from never mentioning the wedding, to mentioning it quite a lot, and that alone is helping me to recover and move on. Just knowing he meant every word of his proposal bathes me in a comforting glow and allows me to feel cherished.
One night, almost three months after the execution, I sat in the garden attempting to read a book. The words danced in front of my eyes, and it had nothing to do with the dark, because we see very well in the dark.
Will was in the house with Luke, discussing Elder stuff. I really wished they’d hurry up and finish, because I needed to do something. Go for a walk, maybe to a pub, perhaps see a film – anything to distract me. Will’s ideas of distraction nearly always begin and end with sex, and that gets my vote too, but it would still be good to do something else … first.
A sudden breeze started up and rustled the leaves in the trees. Autumn was definitely in the air now, and the leaves were already turning. I’d be pleased to welcome the darker nights; it means I get more time with Will. Longer nights are always such bliss.
The leaves rustled again, more violently this time, and I looked behind me at the trees. To my horror, I saw a dark shape half crouched on top of the wall, and I leapt to my feet, just as it launched itself from the wall – at me.
We crashed to the ground, and before I could scream, a blackened hand clamped across my mouth and a voice croaked barely intelligible words at me. ‘Be silent, trollop,’ it said. ‘You think to dispatch me so easily?’
A face with skeletal bones showing through in places where flesh had once been, stared at me with abject hatred burning fiercely in its dark, red-rimmed eyes. The ravaged, charred face of Thomas Walsh!
I struggled violently against the thing that had been Walsh. His strength was still formidable, even after all he had been through, he hissed and spat in my face, his fetid breath causing me to retch against the black, sun-scorched hand pressing against my mouth. Bits of charred flesh dropped off his hand, and on to my cheek. Hysteria filled me and I renewed my frantic struggles.
Suddenly Walsh flew backwards off me. I scrambled to my feet, still retching and rubbing at my face with my hands.
Will stood there, dangling Walsh by the neck, fangs bared, eyes glowing with murderous intent.
‘So you do have another fledgling.’ He tightened his hold around Walsh’s neck. ‘I suspected as much.’
Luke came running out of the house with a sword. I didn’t need to ask what they intended this time.
Will flung the ravaged and burnt creature to the ground and Luke pinioned his arms behind his back. Without any hesitation, Will picked up the sword and decapitated Walsh with one swift movement.
‘Try coming back from that – you bastard.’
Everything had happened so fast, I had no words, just stared in horror at the rapidly decomposing body.
‘Should have chopped the fucker’s head off in the first place,’ said Will, his eyes still alight with battle. ‘Are you all right Elinor?’
‘I … need to shower.’
I ran for the house, leaving the two men and Walsh’s remains behind me. Suddenly I needed to feel clean, the desperate urge to be standing under hot water all I could think of. I could still smell Walsh’s fetid breath with his burned, decomposing body on top of mine. Gagging, I headed for the bathroom, stripping off my clothes en route. They could be burned later, I would never wear them again.
The bathroom had never looked more inviting and I turned the shower on full, with the water temperature on high, and stood under the powerful jets with a grateful sigh.
Will came into the bathroom, his face indistinct through the steam of my shower, and the steamed up glass of the cubicle, but I could still see him stripping off his own clothes. Within seconds he joined me in the shower, his arms around me, strong, protective, and oh so comforting.
‘Can you tell me what happened?’ Concerned green eyes stared down into mine.
‘He was on top of the wall … watching me. I heard a noise … then he … he … was just on me.’
‘Well he will not be doing that again.’
‘How did …?’
‘I always know when you are in trouble, Elinor, surely you know that by now?’
‘I always seem to be in bloody trouble.’
‘Perhaps we can have a break from it now.’
He reached behind me, grabbed a bottle of shower gel, and squeezed a liberal amount onto a sponge. A fragrant smell of citrus immediately filled the air, and he began to soap my body. I turned in his arms and leaned back against his chest, to allow him access to my front. He murmured soft endearments against my wet hair as he washed the last vestiges of Thomas Walsh away. Forever.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Will
Luke and Jake believe Walsh’s last fledgling is hiding in the cemetery. So the night after his final destruction, saw the three of us scouring likely hiding places. Roxy stayed behind to keep Elinor company and before we left they were looking at bridal dresses on the internet. I hope Elinor decides on a date soon, I think we all need an excuse for celebration. Also I need to find, and book, a friendly registrar who will be happy to conduct a ceremony after dark. Luckily, money speaks, so it should not be a problem.
We had searched the area around the mausoleum where Walsh had been incarcerated, but found nothing. Then a strange kind of premonition prompted me to look inside.
I motioned to the others to be silent and we crept down the cracked and broken stairs.
Something that closely resembled a dirty bundle of rags crouched in the corner by the discarded chains. The creature looked up and its shining, feral eyes met mine.
I walked slowly towards it, and it bared blood-stained fangs at me. Clearly it was beyond reason. When I was almost within grabbing distance, the creature emitted a piercing shriek and pounced. I grabbed its arms to prevent the long talons from raking down my face, and Luke came forward to secure it with handcuffs. Within seconds we had the creature secured within a large sack.
‘Should we destroy it here?’ Luke asked, watching the sack wriggle.
‘I would quite like to try and question it at home, just in case there are any more fledglings.’
‘It doesn’t appear to have much of a brain left,’ said Jake with a frown.
‘Nevertheless, we need to try.’
We managed to get our latest prisoner into the boot of Luke’s car without being observed, and drove back to the house.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Will, Luke and Jake traced the fledgling who’d released Thomas Walsh, and brought it to the house. It was a small girl, or at least it had been a small girl in its previous life. Now she looked like a wild creature, with feral, red-rimmed bloodshot eyes, grubby skin and filthy clothes. I had no idea at first why they’d brought her here, until Will said he needed to try to find out whether there were others, so questioning her in the cemetery wasn’t really an option.
Luke fed her some blood in the hope it would help her be more coherent. But all it did was make her more belligerent.
She looked about ten years old, but a warning look from Will told me there was no way I could take her under my wing. Actually I think my maternal instincts, such as they were, had died along with Danny anyway.
The girl reminded me of Nikki a bit. Same attitude, same disregard for authority and seemingly completely unafraid of Will. But there the similarity ended. She stood in front of us, putrid remnants of clothes hanging from her gaunt frame, an
d long mousey hair hanging tangled and unkempt to her waist. Nikki had at least been cleaned up, but I suspect this one had been sleeping somewhere in the cemetery waiting in vain for Walsh.
Her wild eyes accused Will, whilst a stream of obscenities flowed from her mouth.
Will attempted to question her about other surviving fledglings, but to no avail.
‘Be silent,’ he snapped, obviously tiring of the many suggestions of what to do to himself and how.
She fell silent, looking mutinous.
‘Your maker is no more.’ Will lit a cigarette and leaned against the cellar wall. ‘Without him, you have no hope of survival.’
The girl started up her manic rant again, and Will rolled his eyes.
‘Would you like me to finish this?’ Luke stepped forward, and Will nodded.
‘Please. I would be most grateful.’ Will took hold of my arm and guided me towards the stairs.
‘Isn’t there …?’ I stopped at Will’s furious look.
‘Elinor, spare me. After all you have seen and experienced?’
Fair enough. I shut up, and allowed him to escort me to the drawing room without another word.
Will sat on the sofa and pulled me down beside him. He leaned his head back and sighed, draping an arm around my shoulders.
‘Is it really over?’ I asked, and he turned to face me.
‘I bloody well hope so,’ he said. ‘But I would very much like a favour from you.’
‘Really? What?’
‘Please, for pity’s sake, pick a date for the wedding. Give us all something to look forward to.’
‘You must be the only man ever to say those words.’
‘I doubt it.’
‘I’d like a Christmas wedding.’
He looked completely flummoxed by that. So I continued.
‘Dark red roses everywhere, fur-trimmed velvet capes for the bridesmaids …’
‘Bridesmaids?’
I nodded, eager to share my ideas with him. Taking hold of his hands, I started to outline my ideal wedding. He looked amused now.
‘Do I know how much all this is going to cost me?’
‘Thousands and thousands, of course. Surely you didn’t think I’d come cheap?’
‘Perish the thought.’
‘Roxy will be chief bridesmaid, although I haven’t asked her, do you think she’ll say yes?’
‘Perhaps with the proviso you keep your alcohol intake to a minimum.’
‘Shall I ask her now?’
‘Is she still going through your many options for dresses?’
‘I’ll go and see.’
I leaned forward and kissed him on the lips, but his hand cupped my head and held me close for a longer kiss.
‘Now you may go and find Roxy.’
‘My Lord.’ I grinned at his raised eyebrows. ‘Just practicing.’
I jumped up and left the room to find Roxy. She was still on the internet, but had moved on to look at Christian Louboutin shoes.
‘Rox?’
She turned to look at me. ‘Have you seen these shoes?’
I looked at the beautiful shoes. ‘They’re amazing.’
‘Depends what colour you want to get married in of course.’
‘Ivory taffeta.’
‘You’ve chosen?’
‘I think it has to be the Vivienne Westwood mermaid style dress. I keep going back to it.’
Roxy nodded approval. ‘You’ll look fabulous in that.’
‘Rox will you be my bridesmaid?’
She looked pleased. ‘Of course. Can I choose my own dress?’
‘Absolutely.’
‘We don’t have too many women in our community, but do you have any other bridesmaids in mind?’
‘No.’
We smiled at each other. Even lady vampires have girly moments and this was one of them.
Jake peered round the door. ‘Coming home Rox?’
‘I’m going to be bridesmaid,’ she told him as she stood up and whirled around him. ‘And I get to choose my own dress.’
‘Does Will know about your expensive taste?’
‘Wait until he gets the bill for Ellie’s dress.’
‘Hey,’ I joined in. ‘Don’t give away my secrets.’
I turned the computer off and went to see them out.
Will had been talking to Luke by the front door but his amused glance when he looked at me, said he’d still heard every word Jake and Rox said. No secrets can be kept from vampires that’s for sure – especially elders – their hearing is far too acute, plus there’s the whole telepathy thing between us. So, secrets – no chance.
I hooked my arm through his, and we watched everyone leave. I loved having the house to ourselves, and tonight it felt peaceful once more, ours.
‘Peaceful,’ I said aloud after the gates clanged shut, and the two cars had driven off.
‘It is.’ Will shut the door, and secured it with the many bolts and chains. Security first. He’d said that to me many times last year, I remembered. Without security, we would not survive.
‘Would you like to watch some television, or would you rather show me the dress you’ve chosen?’
‘You can’t see it before the wedding, it’s unlucky.’
‘Well we do not want any more bad luck do we? Television it is then.’
Chapter Thirty-Nine
November
Since we’d decided on a Christmas Eve wedding, the weeks seemed to fly by. My dress had been ordered and paid for, along with Rox’s, without so much as a raised eyebrow at the price tags. A Vivienne Westwood bridal gown doesn’t come cheaply anyway, and evening fittings pushed the price up even more. Rox had chosen Vivienne Westwood too, but in a deep blood red.
We had both gone for Christian Louboutin shoes. Predictable perhaps, but neither of us are exactly tall, and if we have to wear skyscraper heels they may as well be stunning ones. Rox had gone for black accessories, so her shoes were black satin peep-toe slingbacks, with soft bows over the front, and Louboutin’s trademark red soles and insides of heels. We’d found her a black velvet hooded cape to go over the dress and if Jake didn’t propose when he saw her, then he’s a fool, because I felt sure someone would.
My own shoes mirrored my wonderful dress. They were ivory satin with delicate beading around the heels; their scarlet soles a vivid splash of colour. I loved them, and I hoped I might even reach Will’s shoulder when I wore them.
The dress itself was being made to measure, hence the exorbitant price tag. I had fallen in love with the design from the minute I found it on the Westwood website, but most dresses in stock had been made for tall model types.
Rox and I were going for a last fitting tonight, driven to the showroom by Luke, seeing as our own men are forbidden from seeing the dresses before the big day. Will had rolled his eyes in his customary fashion when I told him he couldn’t come, but I suspected he would relish a bit of time to himself, doing whatever it is elder vampires do when they have spare time.
Weddings are easy for men, even the groom, they just buy a gorgeous suit and they’re done. To be honest Will would look good in anything; he could make a bin liner look sexy. Something else I’ll never tell him of course.
Luke sat in the plush lounge of the showroom, looking very much out of place. His tall frame almost dwarfed the delicate sofa, and he looked around with a slightly bemused air. One of the minions had given him a flute of champagne, which he twirled in one of his big hands. Two other attractive assistants eyed him with predatory interest from behind the huge reception desk. I feared for his safety.
‘How long you will you be?’ he asked a little desperately when we headed off to the fitting rooms.
‘Only half an hour or so,’ said Rox, removing a glass of champagne from my hand. ‘Quicker, if Ellie doesn’t drink anything.’
I sighed. ‘Surely a couple of sips wouldn’t hurt?’
‘Not tonight,’ Rox said firmly.
My irritation disappeared, howeve
r, when I saw the finished dress. Exquisite didn’t do it justice.
I quickly got out of my own clothes and the two seamstresses slipped the dress over my head. Shimmering ivory taffeta hugged my body, and when the zip at the back was done up, it fitted perfectly. I’d chosen strapless and almost backless because I knew it suited me, but the only way I could ever see how it actually looked, would be in the digital photographs.
The seamstresses stepped back to admire their handiwork.
‘You look so beautiful,’ said the younger of the two. ‘Like a fairy princess.’
If only she knew.
‘Come out and see yourself in the full-length mirrors when you’re ready Ms Wakefield,’ said the older one. Yeah, that will work.
They both left the room and I twirled to see the tiers of tulle at the bottom of the dress float out like a mermaid’s tail.
I really hoped Rox and Luke had done their ‘mind stuff’ on the staff here, otherwise we’d all be in trouble. Why Ms Wakefield, you don’t appear to have a reflection, how very strange. In folklore that means you’re a vampire. You are? Oh… er … crap!
I ran my fingers over the delicate beading on the tight-fitting bodice, every bead had been carefully hand-stitched on. The dress was an absolute dream.
‘Ellie? Are you dressed?’ Rox’s voice called from outside.
‘Yes, come on in.’
Roxy came in wearing her own dress. Like mine, it hugged her slight figure and fluted out at the bottom in tiers of tulle. Her dress was a similar design to mine but minus the beading, and of course it was red, which complimented her shining dark hair and complexion. Her brown eyes shone with excitement.
‘Wow, Ellie you look absolutely fantastic. Will is going to just melt when he sees you in that dress.’
Revenge is Sweet Page 24