Chapter 46
Chapter Forty-Six
“ V espera!” My name was called through the manor. Grandmother’s shrill voice crying out as I entered the front door.
“I’m here!” I called back.
Dorian’s screech filled the night. Maaier darted beside me. Rushing upstairs. I hurried to follow only to make it up three steps. A hooded figure materialised at the end of the hall. Maaier’s name but a caught scream in my throat. As the figure moved closer, not a soul was to be seen. The manor was still. As if anticipating his return. Fear ran through me. Maaier had entered my room but not sensed the man lingering down here with me.
“He can’t kill you.'' I assured myself. Willing the words to ring true. Dorian screamed once more and the figure took his chance. He pounced down the hall, sprinting toward me. I screamed. The sound shredded through me. My throat hoarse as I leapt back, my back crashing against the marble stairs. The glint of a knife caught my attention. I scrambled backward up the stairs. The figure taking them slowly. I turned. Bolting toward the room at the end of the hall. Surely Magdelena could help. Voices shouted at each other on the opposite side of the hall. My blood ran as the man drew near. My feet faltered beneath me, caught in my long skirt. Why hadn’t I changed for bed when I got home! The man loomed over me, his face hidden in the night. The knife held high above his head. His ragged breath filled the night in a melody with my own.
“Not this time you fucker.'' I grunted. A wave of volatile confidence overtook me. My leg kicked out. My boot connected with his groin. He toppled over. a grunted curse snarling between his hissed teeth. Dorian howled from the end room. I scrambled toward it only to practically fly down the stairs. I couldn't lure him in there. The man regained himself, stalking toward me.
He raced after me down the staircase, stepping on my skirt as we hurried down the hallway. I fell against the portrait of my aunt Magdelena. The man’s smile poked out through the dark fabric concealing him. His hand darted out to grip my throat. He thrust me back against the painting. I clawed at his arm. Knowing you couldn’t die was one thing but the human instinct to survive still held me close. He threw me back, the air raced from my lungs. I struggled to draw another gulp of air. The knife raised once more. I reached up despite my fear just as he plunged it down. The sharp edge stabbing into the palm of my hand. I howled with the intrusion. The wound burned as he pushed it through. The blade and my hand making contact with the portrait. He wrenched it out. My blood poured from my torn hand. My eyes flowed with water. Angry and pained tears raining down. I kicked out again. Meeting his knee this time, he doubled over. It was all I needed. I wove my good hand quickly under his hood before clawing into his hair. I smashed my hand into his skull, raising my knee beneath his face. His nose connected with a wet crunch. The impact ricocheted through me. Maaier appeared at the top of the staircase.
“Help Dorian,” I demanded.
The man hissed a curse before standing, the sound of his voice familiar. Maaier hesitated before heading toward the room at the end of the hall. Magdelena’s hysterical laughter bellowing through the manor.
Letting go of the man I dashed into the library. Leading him right into my little trap.
Feigning the innocent little woman, I scurried into the room. Allowing the man to come in and lock the door behind him. He breathed heavily under his hood. Panting through his mouth as blood no doubt rained from his shattered face.
“You should be dead,” He hissed. The voice was so familiar it was as if I knew it my whole life. The once comforting sound now brought bile to my throat. I nursed my wounded left hand. Blood was still dripping down but I didn't feel dizzy. No. In fact I felt fine. Alive despite the pain. I backed up, my feet clumsily slipping beneath me in my own life fluid.
“Should I?” I managed to croak through gritted teeth. My god, this wound hurt more than being stabbed the first time.
“Insolent brat.” The man snapped.
I froze as he lifted his hands. His fingers gripping his hood as he threw it back.
My eyes widened at his face, a small shocked protest falling from my lips. I stepped back in horror, my body collidinging with something hard. Not someone something.
“That’s enough, Arthur.” They said behind me. Their chest vibrated with the demand. My father’s arm drew me closer to him. Holding me. Protecting me.
Arthur’s menacing stare fell on my father. He tilted his head forward. Pure hatred tainting him.
“Let her go, Theodore,” He growled.
My father pulled me back behind him. I clutched at his shirt with my blood soaked hands. The white of his shirt forever tainted.
“I knew it was you.”
“I was doing the world a favour.”
“You destroyed lives. Your own sister’s! Your own Mother’s life you filled with loss and grief!”
“My mother is a stain just like the rest of them. She deserves the pain she gets.” Arthur threw his arms wide. The door knob rattled behind him.
“Vespera.” Victor’s name echoed through the wood.
“You and that apprentice you stole think you’ve done the lord's work. Out saving those girls from me,” My uncle jeered. His lethal stare on my father. Spittle raining with every word he said.
“We saved them from you.” Father stepped toward him, poised for a fight.
“You left the one I was really after.” Arthur nodded to me, pointing the knife in our direction.
I stayed behind my father. Frozen as I watched the truth unfold.
“Why kill the others then?”
“I needed to lure you home didn’t I?” His grin was wicked as he stepped forward. Father stepped us back. My mouth opened to protest only to close as Father raised his hand back at me. I gritted my teeth but obeyed his silent command.
“Why me?”
“You were the only one to ever suspect me in the first place. You see, killing off the older ones wasn’t hard. My aunt’s did love their tea. But you, oh you clever boy, you noticed the little plant I used to kill them, didn’t you? You knew it was a nightshade but no one would listen to you. Blaming only age as their downfall.” Arthur almost laughed. Glee poured from him as he recounted his kills. Father stood as hard as steel. Listening to the confession. Victor continued to pound on the door.
“You also knew when I took Magdelena that she wouldn’t return. Didn’t you? You knew that she was next but you let her go. Instead wanting to protect her sister. Your lover.” He spat on the floor before continuing. “She wouldn’t die though. She was a fiery thing. Absolutely mental. The best friend of the dark haired ones always are. Always are.” He spared a brief look at me, stepping forward. Father stepped us back once more.
“She wouldn’t drown. No, she was too stubborn so I called in drunken men to do what they pleased. She was scum that needed to be punished. After they had their way with her. I… Well I…” He burst out laughing. Mania bursting from his face. A truly fearless expression. Terror ran through me.
“I burned her alive! Whilst the whole manor searched for her, she was burning far away from here. I couldn’t leave her there of course. They would find her charred remains eventually. Instead, I brought her home and buried her in the rose garden.”
“You vile piece of shit!” I hissed. Stepping forward with my fists clenched. Father’s arm held me back.
“What about my wife?” He said, his voice deadly soft.
“Well her, she was easy. She was always fearful of me. She was obsessed with her happy little family and her colour and her paints. She didn’t care for the curse, or the darkness and stain it brought. She wanted to teach her offspring of love and kindness and finding colour.” He sneered at his own words as if disgusted by the thought of them. Father lowered his shoulders as Arthur stepped near.
“She drowned easily enough. But she did fight when the blade marked her. If it was any consolation.” He shrugged, feigning indifference.
“Why me?” I asked. His hysterical gaze turned back to me.
“Why you? Because the Reaper loves you. I knew he would come for you. The dark one couldn’t resist a Florian. My great aunt told me that. She knew all along.” He raised his hands to the ceiling as if thanking her.
“She told me to kill you all. ‘All the women must die so the Florian name can perish too.’ She wanted that. Craved it even. I was but her tool. But you just couldn’t give up hope and die, could you? You just had to keep on living. Holding onto your bleak existence. I had no choice but to attack you over and over again but you wouldn’t die! I had hoped daddy here would return to you dead to find his legacy lost but that was too much to ask. You’re too much like your mother caught up in love and pleasure. A sick little whore!” His words boomed through the space. Victor thrust himself against the door. It shook with the impact.
“It all ends tonight. I lured you both here. Killing each girl I could who resembled you. Even the girl now hanged for murder looked like you.”
“You knew her?” Father pressed.
“Knew her? Ha!” He laughed. “I framed her! She saw me kill the girl. I needed her and husband dead. She would have told him otherwise.”
“You vile cunt!” I roared.
“Careful now. Watch that tongue of yours.” He lowered the knife to point at father.
“Don’t.” I pleaded, “You can take me.”
Father held me back. No this was wrong. He can’t take us both. I won't die. I can't live with him taking Father in a useless attempt at him saving me. But it was too late. Arthur ploughed forward. Knocking father off his balance. The blade entered his chest.
“No!” I roared as they fell in front of me. The library doors blasted open.