Chapter 23 Penelope
PENELOPE
Six Months Later
There are men whose only purpose is to kill.
Not the body—at least not always. Instead, they seek the softer frailties of life, the things unseen by others. They kill the soul. They strangle dreams. They grind down that fragile sense of worth a mother sculpts as though it were her finest piece of art.
But as long as those men existed, there would always be women who would fight back.
Penelope Adams, was such a woman.
Orange leaves scattered the streets, dressing the cobblestone path in all the colors of fall. Though Penelope’s heart no longer truly beat, Elias had a way of making her feel as if it were racing.
After Elias had scared off Henry, it wasn’t long before they realized that Autumntun would no longer be safe for them. After only just reuniting with Eleanor, it was a bittersweet goodbye. Still, Penelope always found time to write to Eleanor, chronicling their travels.
“Lost in thought?” Elias asked, tipping the black umbrella back so he could see her eyes clearly.
The fox trotted between them, occasionally running off into the alleys to chase a rat.
“I was thinking about Autumntun. About Eleanor and Osiris. Surely by now Henry has returned with his cavalry.”
Elias hummed. “Well, knowing them, they are taking care of the beings.”
“Do you think we can ever return?” Penelope asked.
“One day, I am sure. It will take time for both of our people to change. Until then,” he mused, “I quite enjoy what we are doing now.”
Penelope smiled as an echo of warmth filled her chest.
It had been months, yet they had done so much. Their lives were not perfect. And there were times, of course, that it was hard. But for the first time, there was no sorrow in her music. Only the love and care that Elias had filled her life with these past few months.
As they walked down the street, a man clanged about a rusted bell, waving his hand painted sign.
Elias and Penelope shared a look before approaching him. He was short in stature, and his graying hair was scruffy and unkempt. His clothes were tattered and torn, likely from the days of standing on the thoroughfare, shouting his gospel-soaked warnings.
“Vampires!” the man yelled, eyes searching the crowd for any that would pay him mind, until his eyes landed on them. “Vampires walk among us!”
Elias shuffled his hand in his pocket, producing a silver coin which he tossed into the man’s hat.
“You!” the protester shouted. “You are a believer in vampires! Be warned! They walk among us!”
Elias smirked, linking arms with Penelope. Offering the madman a polite nod, he began to lead her away. “Oh, you have no idea.”
Penelope laughed as they continued along the street. The town reminded her of Autumntun, though in a distant, almost uncanny way—the branches of the trees seemed to reach down into the street, and the clouded skies hung low above. She almost found comfort in it.
It only took a few moments for them to arrive at their destination. The tavern had been well dressed as opposed to the others that lined the streets.
“Would you like to introduce us this time?” she asked, stepping inside the bar as she glanced up at Elias.
Elias’ smirk peeked through the curve of the umbrella as he shook his head. “I did it last time. I insist on the pleasure being yours,” he cooed, remaining behind. He closed the tavern door behind her, locking it with a deafening clank.
The bar grew silent as one by one the patrons lifted their heads, each man offering her their glowers and reproach.
“Lovely day, gentlemen,” she began, her voice soft and sweet, “I heard that you lot will be organizing a witch hunt soon?”
Her question lingered for a moment before the bar keep spoke up, his voice rough and ragged. “And who might you be?”
Penelope turned to the man, offering a small, curt bow, the tips of the umbrella still in front of her face.
“Where are my manners?” she laughed, lacing her words with every ounce of honey she could.
“It’s said to be bad luck to open an umbrella indoors, after all.
” Slowly, deliberately, she lowered it, letting the movement punctuate her words.
“Now, I know your pursuits are more focused on frail women and witches, but perhaps, a vampire can offer you all that you deserve… and more.”