Chapter 9
Chapter Nine
ORPHEUS
The weaving of a friendship born from shadows takes time, each thread laced with vengeance, each knot tied in silence. What begins as trust is merely the slow cultivation of something far more sinister.
This delicious ache of vengeance ever present.
Alex and I enjoyed many an evening together.
Alex believed that by day I attended to my business dealings, having no idea that in truth this was when I slept.
It was a divine pleasure to manipulate him, as only a demon can, and soon Alex had grown distant from his family.
Alex’s feelings of affection toward me were inevitable.
He was swept away with emotion, infatuated with the most exceptional man he had ever encountered, and the very fact I chose to spend my evenings with him truly flattered him. His company was refreshing.
Alex was well educated, and therefore, a superb conversationalist. He was bestowed with a delightful humor and a kind nature.
I also took great delight in teasing him.
I gradually became aware that I had begun to feel passionately for Alex, but knew my plans would not and could not be hindered in any way.
Despite this, I found myself obsessed with him.
In many ways, Alex filled the void Sunaria’s death had left.
Alex soothed my grief, so much so that he consumed my thoughts.
Alex’s visits to the Brandenburgs’ home became a frequent occurrence.
Although suspicions would predictably rise due to their strange disappearance, it was difficult to extract myself from such a luxurious residence.
Alex never mentioned the Brandenburgs. He was all too happy with the circumstances of us having a place where we could enjoy our undisturbed privacy.
As on so many evenings, he arrived at the manor.
As I had instructed him, he rode his own mare and arrived as pre-arranged—later than usual.
He led his horse into the stable. When he knocked at the door of the manor house, he was surprised there was no answer and for a moment he wondered if he had been mistaken to the time or place of our meeting.
Then, with an eerie feeling of being watched, he turned and jumped with fright.
I was standing right behind him.
“Where the hell did you come from?” Alex gasped.
“What kind of greeting is that for your old friend? Really, I must teach you some manners. Now where should I begin?”
Alex’s cheeks blushed brightly.
“You are forgiven, for now.” I walked toward him.
Alex noticed I held something in my hand.
“What is that?” he asked.
“It’s a blindfold.”
“For what purpose?”
“For you.”
“No, no, really I—”
“I have a surprise for you.” I turned Alex around firmly, ignoring his attempts at resistance. I pushed up against him and placed the thick strip of black silk material around his eyes. “Do you not trust me?”
“Of course I do. I trust you with my life.”
“Good answer.” I escorted Alex by his arm, our bodies locked together. I guided him to the large gardens situated behind the manor house.
“Really, is this quite necessary?”
“I like it when you resist me. It’s quite charming. Alex, I have a gift for you.”
After walking along the grassy bank for several minutes, we stopped. I pulled Alex’s hands up and placed them upon the large dappled mare, pulling the blindfold off him. Alex gawped at the beautiful beast, its mane long and flowing, its fine leather saddle carved out by Spanish artisans.
“Now you have a horse as fine as your brother’s,” I said.
He was speechless. He patted the horse, then looked back at me. “Why? How can I accept such a gift? Daumia—”
“Then you insult me. Accept as a gentleman accepts such a gift from a friend. And besides, this animal will not bolt at the firing of a gun. She is brave and well-trained, unlike that donkey of your brother’s.”
Alex admired the exquisite animal, running his hands over the fine horse. He laughed excitedly. He turned and gazed up at me, confounded with my generosity. Our eyes locked. Alex drew closer to me. I tilted my head and smiled.
“I . . . I owe you so much,” he said.
I stared at his full lips.
Alex’s mouth loomed close to mine. A spark of alchemy, a fervent heat, all bonded within a space of a breath, yet neither of us moved. Even if he was my enemy’s son, he was delightful in every conceivable way.
This dark game was utterly intoxicating.
I placed my hand upon his chest, stopping him from moving any further.
“I am so sorry.” Alex drew back.
“No,” I reassured. “Someone comes.” I stroked his cheek.
Alex looked around the garden. He blushed. “I don’t see anyone.”
“Someone approaches.”
Again Alex glanced around the garden. As he did so, his eye caught sight of a woman. She had just turned the corner of the manor house and headed toward us. Alex was completely astonished that I had detected her.
“I have good hearing.” I backed away and strolled toward the woman. With a quick turn, I said, “No, do not be concerned. We will have plenty of time to explore your desires.” I threw him a captivating smile, then turned on my heels and walked toward the now quickly approaching female.
Alex watched the stranger and I talk. The woman, easily in her fifties, was dressed in long full skirts, her expression one of concern. Alex assumed she was a servant of the house.
I bowed respectfully, then guided the woman away from Alex in order that he not hear our conversation.
“Come, madam, what is it that I can do for you?” I asked.
“Sir,” she began, attempting to pull away from my grasp.
“I have come to see the Brandenburgs. My daughter is Mrs. Brandenburg’s housemaid.
She comes home every few weeks, on the third Sunday of the month, her day off.
I came by the house two days ago and several days before that.
No one was home. But for her to go away for so long, she has never done that before. Do you happen to know where she is?”
“Yes, of course. First, please allow me to introduce myself. I am Lord Velde, a guest of the Brandenburgs. They have traveled to Europe for important business. Now, your daughter—”
“Mrs. Lafity,” she followed breathlessly. We turned the corner of the manor and walked to the front of the estate. We soon arrived at the entranceway and headed on in.
“Is there a Mr. Lafity at home?” I asked.
“No, I am a widow. I just do not think she would leave on such a big trip without sending—”
“Really, I am so sorry to hear that, but at least the other children keep you company?”
“No, Emily is my only child. I live alone.”
“Well, let me give you something for your troubles. Won’t you come this way, as I am sure Emily has left a note in the drawing room for you. Not to tell you that she was traveling abroad with the Brandenburgs is so unlike her.”
“Indeed, sir. I should not want to trouble you in any way.”
“Really? Well then, come quickly,” I said. “And perhaps a little drink is in order to calm your nerves.”
“Are you sure it’s not a bother for you?”
“Not at all. In fact, it’s rather a lovely surprise.”
She followed eagerly, taking in the luxurious décor, enjoying her first real look at her daughter’s place of employment.
“Now, I think this is the note.” I picked up a piece of paper from the oak writing bureau and handed it over to her.
She read, slowly and with difficulty. I glanced through the window, confirming Alex remained outside, and moved quietly behind her, wrapping my left arm around her waist and my right hand over her mouth suppressing any screams. After a tilt of her head, my fangs bit into her neck.
Delighting in the moment my eyes closed as the sweet taste flowed.
Alex, curious who the woman was and why she had come uninvited, decided to follow me after several minutes. On entering the hallway, Alex heard us in the drawing room. He proceeded in that direction.
She struggled frantically, as they sometimes did. As the blood loss affected her, she weakened, drifting off into a faint, and I placed her down upon the floor, into death.
With a leap from the room, I headed Alex off, greeting him before he entered and caught a glimpse of my delicious tussle.
“Oh, there you are,” I said.
“What did the woman want?”
“She came to apologize for not providing us with a meal the other night. She’s more than made up for it.”
“Really. How?”
“Alex, I am sorry. I have urgent business which has just arisen that I must attend to. It will not take me long. Go to Mousehole where there is an inn called Le Vive. Await me there. I should not be long. Perhaps an hour or so.”
“Can I not come with you?”
“You know better than to question me.”
Alex was taken aback.
“Le Vive, go . . . now,” I said.
Alex turned and headed for the door. Before exiting, he gave me a final glance.
I smiled to soften the moment. “I expect you to run her hard.”
“Excuse me?”
“Your new horse.”
“Oh, right. Of course.”
Alex withdrew. He headed to the rear gardens again, this time with a bounce in his step.
I returned to the drawing room and stared down at the muted-grey corpse. “Come on.” I hauled her over my shoulder. “I’ll show you where your daughter is.”
On arriving at the small town of Mousehole, Alex enjoyed the view and was invigorated by the salty fresh air.
He surveyed St. Michael’s Mount, admiring the grand castle in the distance.
Entering the inn he ordered some wine, and taking a corner table positioned himself with his back against the wall.
He looked about him, noticing only two other men sitting at another table not far from his, engrossed in conversation.
Alex fretted over how his father would respond when he presented his new horse.
He hoped he would not be angry, but he knew that his father would be suspicious of what his son had done to deserve such a fine gift.
Alex was even concerned that his father might not allow him to keep her.
The innkeeper’s wife approached him, shaking him from his thoughts.
“Your room is ready for you, sir,” she said.