Chapter 10
10
I t was the middle of the night when I said goodbye to Waylon and left the inn. He’d offered to escort me back to the estate, but I’d refused, not wanting to risk being found with him if Henry was out looking for me.
Under the silvery moonlight, I navigated the empty streets of New Haven, steadily making my way back to the mansion. I’d expected the city to be quiet at this time of night. Still, tiny bumps prickled my skin as I strode down the stone sidewalk, staying in the yellow glow of the streetlamps. Cool air caressed my cheeks as I walked fast, scanning the dark buildings, my footsteps the only sound in the eerie silence.
When I entered one of the many shadowy pathways that connected one city block to another, I saw a man standing there, garbed in a hooded, black cloak. Jerking back a step, I froze. I couldn’t see his face, but I could feel his stare, and it raised the tiny hairs on the back of my neck. Every muscle in my body tensed as something told me not to run or make any sudden movements because I was in the presence of a predator.
The man stood motionless for a few moments before he cocked his head and let out a hiss. My heart dropped—it was a Ravager. I saw a flash of fangs as the creature lurched toward me, quickly closing the distance between us. Slipping my hand under the skirt of my dress, I curled my fingers around the handle of my dagger.
The Ravager was on me in the blink of an eye, and I didn’t hesitate as I shoved the dagger deep into his chest. I must have missed the heart because the vampire didn’t die. Instead, he let out a screeching wail that made my blood run cold. With a curse, I jerked the dagger out of his chest to go for the heart, but before I could, the vampire sank his fangs into my forearm. A sharp cry tore from my throat as searing pain rippled across my skin. My fingers spasmed, and the dagger slipped out of my grip and onto the ground.
The Ravager latched on to my arm as his other hand came up and clamped down on my throat, squeezing and cutting off air. I slammed my fist into the arm holding me and kicked out, my booted foot connecting with his leg. My efforts were futile as I fought for my life, kicking and screaming. The Ravager stood unmoving as I thrashed in his hold, feeling his fangs tearing the flesh of my forearm. Despair took over—I was going to die.
Suddenly, Henry appeared behind the Ravager as if out of thin air. Wrapping one arm around the Ravager’s torso like a vise, he brought his hand to the vampire’s face, pressing his fingers into the skin under his jaw.
“Let go of her,” the Lord snarled, pulling the Ravager’s head back.
The vampire’s jaw unclenched, and Henry jerked him away from me. The moment he did, my legs went out from under me, and I went to crumple to the ground. Before I could, Henry caught me, and I grabbed on to his arms, feeling lightheaded. A hiss from my right snapped my attention back to the Ravager, who bared his fangs before turning to flee.
In a matter of seconds, he was several feet away from us, on the other end of the street. Moving surprisingly fast, thanks to the adrenaline flooding my system, I scrambled out of Henry’s hold and picked up the dagger, flipping it so I held it by its wooden blade. A heartbeat later, the weapon flew from my fingers, spinning through the air. I doubled over with a strangled cry of pain, clutching my injured forearm.
The blade struck true, embedding itself deep in the vampire’s back, and piercing the heart. The creature froze in place and did not make a sound as his flesh instantly dried out, turning him into a husk before he caved into himself.
“Nice throw,” I heard Henry’s deep voice. When I turned, he was right in front of me, holding the dagger I hadn’t even seen him retrieve. “However, I wanted him alive so I could question him,” he pointed out, sounding agitated.
“I couldn’t let him get away,” I explained.
“I wouldn’t have let him get away,” he stated, matter of fact.
“I didn’t see you trying to stop him,” I snapped.
A muscle flexed along Henry’s jaw, but he didn’t snap back at me. Instead, he asked, “Are you okay?” Concern settled into his features as he looked down at my forearm.
I covered it with my hand, applying pressure to slow the bleeding. And I was bleeding a lot. My entire body shook as I stood on unsteady legs.
“Yes. I had it under control,” I managed to say through my teeth, trying to conceal how much pain I was in.
“It didn’t look like it to me. You’re lucky I found you when I did,” Henry said low.
“I can hold my own against a Ravager,” I assured him, squaring my shoulder even as sweat beaded on my forehead.
“A what?” Henry asked, his brows knitting.
“The feral vampire who attacked me,” I explained.
“You call them Ravagers?”
I nodded as something occurred to me. Henry didn’t seem shocked that we’d just run into a rampant vampire in the streets of New Haven.
“You know about them?”
Shadows crept across his face as he cast his gaze at the ground.
“I do,” he admitted, lifting his eyes back to mine. “One of them killed Rory and Ezra’s parents.”
So, that was why Henry had taken them in.
Briefly closing my eyes, I breathed out through my mouth. It helped to control the pain and my volatile emotions.
“They don’t know, do they?” I asked, opening my eyes and staring at the Lord.
“No.” He shook his head. “They think their parents died in a carriage accident. I would prefer it if they didn’t find out.” He gave me a pointed look.
“Was that why you took them in?” I narrowed my eyes at him. “To cover it up?”
“No.” His jaw hardened as he denied my accusation. “I took them in because they had no one left. The attack on their parents was the first one I had learned about. I was just trying to make things right.”
My eyes widened at his admission, and I found myself at a loss for words. He sounded convincing, but I still couldn’t bring myself to believe him.
“You don’t believe me,” Henry stated with a hint of disappointment in his tone. “It matters not. Come. We need to get you back to the mansion.”
We started down the now empty street as I cradled my arm to my chest, the warm blood soaking my gown. The bite was not clean and precise like the one Henry had given me when he’d bitten my wrist at the Ball. There was a tear in my arm rather than two puncture wounds. It looked as if I’d been attacked by a rabid dog.
“What do you know about…Ravagers?” Henry asked, breaking the tense silence.
“Not much,” I admitted. “I don’t know where they come from. Only that they terrorize the streets at night, and the attacks are becoming more frequent.”
Henry cursed under his breath.
“Do you have any idea who might be turning them?” I glanced at the Lord. For some reason, there was this feeling in my chest that he wasn’t the one responsible for Ravagers.
“No,” he replied, scowling. “But when I find out…there will be repercussions. It is forbidden to turn humans.”
Another rule the clans had established when they’d founded the Empire of Seven. If a vampire wanted to turn someone, they had to get approval from the other clans. Not counting Ravagers, no new vampires had been made since the Red War. I wasn’t sure if the vampires were just very selective about who could join the clans or if they simply didn’t want to share their wealth among more members.
“How did you know where to find me?” I asked, changing the subject.
“Rory told me you were missing from your room. I have been looking for you for hours. I’m glad I found you when I did.”
I scoffed. “Don’t act like you care.”
“As my vassal, you are my responsibility for a year,” he pointed out.
“And if I’d died, you would have to explain what happened,” I countered.
“You truly think the worst of me, don’t you?” He didn’t try to hide the disappointment in his voice this time as he shook his head.
“You’re a vampire, so yes, I do.” I didn’t see any reason to lie. I was too drained to choose my words carefully.
“Even though I haven’t done you any harm?”
“Your kind has just almost killed me!” I halted and whirled on him, my eyebrows and my voice raised.
“And I saved you!” Henry raised his voice as well.
“It doesn’t matter. You’re one of them. You’ve said so yourself before.” I threw the words in his face before turning and stalking away, staying a few feet in front of him all the way to the estate.
The bleeding had slowed by the time we returned to the mansion, but the front of my gown was now covered in crimson.
“Follow me,” Henry said the moment we stepped into the foyer.
“I need to change and clean the wound,” I said to his back as he started to walk away, expecting me to follow.
He stopped mid-stride and blew out a breath of frustration.
I saw the muscles of his neck and back tense before he threw over his shoulder, “Can you just listen for a change, and do as you are told?”
Frowning, I pursed my lips but still followed him as he climbed the grand staircase to the second story. To my surprise, he led me to his bedroom. My eyes widened when he took the thin chain off his neck and used the key to unlock the door before walking inside. He stopped on the other side and gave me an expectant look that said he wanted me to follow. I hesitated only for a second before stepping inside. I’d wanted to get into his room, and now my wish was being granted.
Henry didn’t go past the small anteroom that opened into a bedroom. The dimly lit space was not as stately as I’d expected from a vampire lord. Two chairs sat by the lit fireplace, and a dresser and a chest lined the opposite wall. I could see a wide bed from where I was standing, but only one nightstand. A heavy fur rug covered the floor in front of the bed. All the walls were bare and no trinkets or knick knacks decorated the space. Nothing to give a glimpse into who Henry was or into his past.
“How badly are you hurt?” the Lord asked, scanning me from head to toe.
There was genuine concern on his face.
“Just my arm,” I replied, moving it away from my chest.
I winced when I looked at the jagged wound.
“Here.” Henry bared his fangs, bringing his wrist to his mouth.
“No.” I backed away, almost running into the chair.
The Lord looked confused before his gaze dropped to my forearm.
“Are you sure? It might scar,” he said, his brows knitting.
“I’ll take my chances,” I bit out with resolve.
If the wound was properly cleaned and cared for, scarring was the only thing I had to worry about. I’d never been bitten by a Ravager before, but I knew there was no danger of turning into a vampire from one bite. I’d previously read that the process of turning was more like a ritual, though I didn’t know the specifics.
A flicker of amusement crossed Henry’s chiseled features illuminated by the glow of the fireplace.
“Are you concerned about what my blood makes you feel?” he asked, his blue eyes searching mine. “Or are you curious, and that is what concerns you?”
I swallowed the lump in my throat and said, “I need to clean the wound,” instead of answering his question.
His expression turned serious.
“Stay here,” he said before walking out the door.
The moment he was gone, I looked around the room again. I didn’t know how much time I had before the Lord returned. My gaze darted to the dresser, and I stepped toward it, but before I could reach it, Henry was back.
“What are you doing?” he asked, his gaze flicking to the dresser.
“Just looking around,” I said nonchalantly. “You don’t have much in your room,” I observed.
“I don’t need much. Sit.” He nodded to one of the chairs before the fireplace.
“You don’t need much?” I scoffed in disbelief. “I find that hard to believe when you just spent a lot of money to buy me clothes at one of the most expensive shops in New Haven.”
“It is customary for the clans to buy clothes for their vassals.” Henry shrugged. “Now, sit.”
“That money could have been better spent elsewhere,” I said in a clipped tone.
“I couldn’t agree more. Sit.”
“You couldn’t agree more?” I seethed, my brows climbing my forehead. “Then why don’t you share some of your wealth with those in need?”
“How do you know I don’t already do that?” Henry snapped, and I clamped my mouth shut. “Sit.” The last word came out as a low growl, so I decided to stop pushing the Lord and my luck and perched on the chair before the fireplace.
I noticed Henry was holding a small bowl of water in one hand and bandages and what looked like an ointment in the other. A hand towel was draped over the crook of his arm.
“I didn’t know the clan donated money to charity,” I admitted quietly.
“The clan doesn’t. I do,” Henry said, pulling the other chair closer to me and taking a seat.
“Let me guess, Isabelle doesn’t approve?” I narrowed my eyes.
“Isabelle has lost her way a little after Vincent’s death,” Henry said with a heavy sigh.
I didn’t know what he meant. I thought vampires lost their way the moment they were turned because they lost their humanity.
“And you haven’t…lost your way?”
“I hope not,” Henry replied, setting the bowl and the other items on the floor by my feet.
He took the towel and dipped a small section of it into the water.
“Give me your arm,” he said low, reaching for me.
Taken aback, I didn’t protest as I slowly extended my arm, wincing when he began to clean the wound. His brows were drawn in concentration as he worked, gently dabbing the towel around the bite. I watched him closely. The sight and smell of blood didn’t seem to bother him.
“You’re good at this,” I said, and Henry looked up from my arm and met my gaze.
“I was a doctor a long time ago,” he said, looking down again as he finished cleaning the wound and reached for the ointment.
“Before you were turned?” I surmised.
He gave a small nod as he opened the jar and dipped his fingers in, scooping up some of the salve. A strong, minty smell climbed up my nostrils, making me scrunch up my nose.
“This might sting,” Henry warned before bringing his fingers to the wound and gently applying the ointment.
I jerked at the coolness of the salve and his fingers, clenching my jaw when a burning sensation started.
“Vincent and I worked at the same infirmary,” Henry said. “He worked the night shift. I didn’t know he was a vampire until I contracted a deadly disease from one of the patients. I was dying, and Vincent was there, and he…” he swallowed thickly, “he thought he was saving me.”
“You didn’t want to be saved?” I asked low.
“I would not have chosen this life for myself. This life is not something I would ever choose for anyone.”
Words failed me at his admission. Deep sorrow was etched into his expression, and I wondered if he’d go back and change the past if he could. If he’d choose death over eternal life. Something told me that he would. A strange feeling crept into my chest as I sat there while Henry bandaged my forearm. He’d been turned against his will. I’d never really thought about the fact that not all vampires had wanted to be turned. It was easy to forget they had been human before becoming monsters. The new revelation made me uneasy, and I shifted in my seat, thinking about Ravagers. They were as much victims as those they preyed upon.
“Why did you sneak out?” Henry asked low, pulling me from my thoughts. “You know the rules. Vassals don’t leave the estate.”
My cheeks heated when I thought about the real reason behind my escape. I couldn’t admit it to Henry, though, so I decided to lie.
“I needed a breath of fresh air. The Vassal Ball last night was intense.”
“And was that the only reason?” Henry probed, securing the bandage and lifting his eyes from my forearm.
My face was on fire, but I forced myself to hold his gaze.
“Yes.”
Henry smirked like he didn’t believe me.
“Look, Sophie, about what happened earlier?—”
“I don’t want to talk about it.” I cut him off.
Another smirk and a pause as if he were trying to decide if he should pursue the subject or let it go. Thankfully, he decided on the latter.
“Alright. We will change the bandages tomorrow night,” he finally said.
I nodded and then forced the words out I’d never thought I would say to a vampire.
“Thank you.”
Shock flickered across his face before he nodded.
“Sophie,” he said when I went to rise from the chair.
I stayed put and looked at him. He stared back, looking as if he were pondering something.
“You know about Ravagers, know how to sword fight, and use a wooden dagger. Care to explain how all those things tie together?”
His question caught me off guard as I stared at him with wide eyes. He sounded more curious than angry. I couldn’t tell him about the Tear, of course, but I wanted to provide some kind of an explanation. I didn’t want him to begin suspecting that I’d had an ulterior motive for participating in the Selection a second time.
“I’ve been patrolling the streets at night to try and prevent Ravager attacks or help stop them when they occur. That’s why I know how to fight and have a wooden dagger,” I said, making sure my voice didn’t waver.
Shock flashed across Henry’s features.
“Tell me you haven’t been doing that alone?” he asked, looking at me in dismay.
“I won’t say anything else on the subject,” I said, my tone final, as I rose to my feet.
Henry stood up as well.
“Do you need anything else?” he asked, and I scowled.
His caring nature was beginning to make me uncomfortable, mainly because it defied everything I believed about vampires. A Ravager had almost killed me, but Henry had saved me and bandaged my wound.
Confused, I shook my head “no” and headed for the door. The adrenaline that had my blood pumping earlier had worn off, and I was suddenly exhausted.
“Goodnight, Henry,” I said and slipped out of his room.
After I’d showered and settled in bed, it didn’t take long for sleep to claim me. I was dreaming about the night of my mother’s death again, but this time, the vampire killing her was the Ravager who’d attacked me. When I walked into the study, his head snapped in my direction, my mother’s blood dripping from his fangs. In the blink of an eye, he was on me, and this time, his fangs sank into my neck instead of my forearm. I screamed, or at least I thought I did, as excruciating pain seized my body. I tried to fight, but it was pointless, and soon I went limp in the vampire’s arms.
My eyes lifted to the ceiling as I waited for my death to come. I could feel my life slowly draining out of me with every gulp of my blood the Ravager drew from me. Suddenly, the vampire lifted his head from my savaged neck, and my eyes widened because I was looking at Henry, his lips smeared with my blood. A wave of shock rolled through me as I stared into his dark eyes. A warning? A premonition? I shivered. Had I really thought he was different? I should have known better.