Even if Klaus had rushed back, he wouldn’t have been able to stop them.
Nikolas did in fact have eyes everywhere, and now that he was aware his brother was in the city, it was just a matter of placing them in the right spot. Since discovering Elizabeth’s connection, he ensured to keep her always within reach. Klaus’ natural repellent would bar his sight of her, making her location flicker and disappear. But the moment he stepped away, it took Nikolas moments to send men down to their secret little shack. Magic may shield Nikolas’ entry, but he had other methods of kidnapping someone.
Under his order the two hired men dragged Elizabeth out from the hut. They temporarily drugged her, knocking her unconscious and returning her to the Beaumont estate. Nikolas waited inside, watching from out of sight as they dragged Elizabeth in and left her to sleep on the guest’s bed. Minutes after her, Lady Claudia stepped up to the doorway. Despite giving her what she’d asked for, she wasn’t pleased. She was already planning ahead, calculating what must be done. She spoke to Nikolas without facing him. “To go ahead, how much will it cost?”
“A lot.”
“Will it last?”
“Only moments.”
“But will it last?”
Nikolas glanced at Elizabeth’s drugged out state. Her eyes began to flutter. “Yes, long enough.”
Lady Claudia quickly turned and disappeared down the hallway. As Elizabeth slept, Nikolas peered out through the bedroom window to the courtyard out front. Nothing stirred among the morning shadows. His gremlins bubbled and popped, confirming the silence. No Klaus. He lifted his chin higher, boasting his pride. He hasn’t chased her.
Nikolas promptly took his leave out into the hallway. As he stepped out, Timothy made his appearance from around the corner. As it has been for the past twenty-six years, Timothy trembled in Nikolas’ presence. It being one too many times Nikolas has had to track him down after the bidding of Lady Claudia’s requests. Each visit deepened the scars on his flesh, blackened his gums and thickened the rash. He was the only Beaumont who understood what Nikolas was, and who understandably shrank into the shadows under Nikolas’ presence. But in this instance, Timothy stepped closer.
“She plans on doing it to her, doesn’t she?” He asked. “To Miss Wicker?”
As with all the other Beaumont’s, Nikolas barely acknowledged him. His interaction dwindled down to brief visits and though he only ever stood at Lady Claudia’s elbow, he never saw himself as an equal to her husband. He was more than that, more than contracts and vows. The connection between them was spiritual, something no manmade ceremony could mimic. It went into their souls, becoming a part of their bodies and thoughts. Nikolas turned to leave, speaking briefly over his shoulder, “I don’t need to know her intentions.”
“Then you truly are a fool,” Timothy shouted. “You must be, if you love her as much as you say you do.” Nikolas slowed and Timothy took the chance to confront him. “I saw her body, that young maid’s. A corpse only a Collector could leave behind. But, that wasn’t your work. I know it wasn’t, because otherwise you would’ve paid me a little visit.”
Nikolas turned sharply. “What are you implying?”
“I know you couldn’t be the only one of your kind out there. Is that why she is so interested in Miss Wicker? Why she is so desperate to marry her into the family?”
“I don’t know.”
“Yes you do. You can see the symptoms clearer than I can. She won’t have much time left, not at this rate. Neither of us do.”
A ping of alarm unsettled him. Quickly, Nikolas brushed the worry aside. “You can’t save her. Miss Wicker won’t be able to leave this premise. I will ensure all the exits are bolted.”
“I’m not talking about Miss Wicker.” Again, another spur of worry. “Will you not listen to reason?” Timothy pushed.
“When I hear it, yes. But for you, Timothy Beaumont, any remarks made about your mother has been tainted by your unfortunate history—”
“Unfortunate history?” Timothy scoffed. “She has destroyed my life. She has taken everything from me. That woman is no mother but a selfish mon—”
Nikolas spun and grabbed Timothy by the throat. Effortlessly he picked him up. “Speak ill of her again and I will ensure your tongue rots off.”
He dropped him. Timothy stepped back, feeling the truth in Nikolas’ threat. “Will they come for her? The other Collector? Will they come?”
The question poked at the unsettled parts of Nikolas’ mind, trying to revive the flames. He didn’t know. He hoped, no prayed, that Klaus’ fear for him would deter him away from the manor. But, as long as Elizabeth sat in Lady Claudia’s grip, so would Klaus. He had to get rid of her before that could happen. He didn’t respond. He merely turned and walked away.
#
Klaus stepped up to the gate of the Beaumont mansion. Immediately, he felt the tension of Nikolas’ gremlins scurry back inside. His presence was the tripping wire, ready to set the bomb off. Yet still, he couldn’t bring himself to cross the threshold. His mind burned with thought. If he ran, Elizabeth could be killed. If he stayed, Nikolas would get him. The smell of magic curled under his nose. He could smell it on the windows, on the door handles, even on the walls. It masked Elizabeth’s faded scent, making it impossible to trace her. But Nikolas was panicked, his work sloppy. In his rush, he hadn’t properly concealed Lady Claudia’s scent. But how could he, when everything she touched reeked of the taint?
Klaus stepped inside. The shadows cut long bars across the room, cramping the foyer. He moved quickly, following the scent toward her chambers. Inside, Lady Claudia sat opposite a young maid who carefully applied lipstick along her lower lip. The girl’s hand shook despite her best efforts to steady herself. The clicking of the closing bedroom door caused them both to jolt. The young maid immediately jumped up. Lady Claudia swivelled in her seat at Klaus’s entrance. He stopped at the threshold, both hands held behind his military straight back. Immediately he read the missing clues on Lady Claudia’s face. A soul full of rotten taint, but without a blemish on her. Not even wishes could conceal such dark magic, which left only one possible answer. A sacrifice.
Klaus stepped forward. “Looking for me?”
The shocked look on Lady Claudia’s face shifted with realization. “Leave us.” She ordered the girl, who bolted out of the room. Lady Claudia turned so she could face the mirror, speaking to Klaus’ reflection. “I can only assume a man capable of breaking into my chambers under Nikolas’ detection is that of a Collector. Let’s introduce ourselves properly, I don’t want there to be any bad blood between us. I’m Lady Claudia, wife to Governor Harold Beaumont. What shall I call you?”
“My name does not matter.”
“German? How exotic. Can’t say I’ve ever touched German soil before.” Klaus didn’t respond to her flirtations. Unfazed, Lady Claudia swiftly stood and turned to face him. “How are you enjoying London? We always do get such beautiful white snow.”
“I don’t care for snow.”
“Don’t you?” She teased the question and glanced quickly at the clock in her room. She smiled. “Ten minutes isn’t a very long time for someone who doesn’t care.” His back stiffened as Lady Claudia ran her eyes up and down his body. She sighed and glanced away, mocking him. “I guess Germany is a cold enough place.”
“What do you want?”
“Your company.”
“Why?”
“Don’t worry.” She laughed, “I don’t intend to harm you.”
“But you intend to harm someone?”
“If you came running all the way over here to play the hero I’m afraid you’re out of luck. I suggest wearing a suit next time, it is a more appropriate attire.”
“For what?”
“A wedding, of course.”
Klaus cocked his head to the right. “On a strict deadline, are we?”
“With the bride-to-be throwing herself down stairs, no one is surprised.”
Klaus cleared his throat. “Perhaps that’s a big enough hint that the bride-to-be does not wish to marry.”
“Wishes are to be left between you and me.”
Her comment made him pause. “You were the one searching me out?” And not Nikolas?
Lady Claudia looked away, knowing the next question Klaus was about to ask, and knowing she could not say her reason aloud. She quickly said instead, “Elizabeth must wear white today so I do not have to wear black. That is reason enough to do what has to be done.” His understanding clicked. A deadline, but not for who he first thought. Lady Claudia continued, “Collector, I wish you will not leave this room for the next hour. I am going to need you very soon.”
Impulses fired up Klaus’ spine and into the back of his eyes. Promptly he unsheathed the blade and drove it into Claudia’s lower rib. She didn’t flinch as the snap of gold escaped into the churning barren. With it, Klaus sensed the walls, windows and door shimmer with an invisible blockage. He withdrew the blade, his eyes locked on Lady Claudia as she turned and left, leaving Klaus trapped behind.
The possibility of Nikolas’ demise struck a chord with him. The enemy of my enemy is my friend. Is that not how the saying goes? All thoughts of Elizabeth dispersed into smoke. He understood what intentions Lady Claudia had. He should be relieved, pleased even. Half an hour passed with no signs of Nikolas or Lady Claudia. Nikolas would know he was there without a doubt, but why hasn’t he come to kick him out?
Klaus continued to pace. As fate had it, it indeed would be Klaus’ hand that destroyed Nikolas and at the request of his love no less. A truly tragic way to go. The more he thought about it, the lighter his steps became. Nikolas was going to die and in the most awful way. Time weaving was a cruel act, the biggest betrayal in all sense of the word. Not that Klaus could do much about Lady Claudia’s plans. He was, after all, a creature put on earth to obey. This was one request he didn’t mind helping. That was, of course, until another Beaumont knocked on the door.
Klaus turned at the entrance of Timothy, who stepped around the door as though he was walking into the den of a monster.
“The maid told me you were here. My mother has been expecting you.” Timothy gently closed the door behind him. Klaus turned to face him, quickly returning to his cold, expressionless demeanour. “I know what you are. You don’t need to hide from me.”
“Obviously.” The taint from Nikolas’ influence covered Timothy down to the needles of his veins, discoloring his body in a reddish rash. This is her sacrifice.
“The ceremony will be over soon. We won’t have much time.”
“What do you want?”
“I want you to release me.”
Klaus’ eyebrow perked. “Why?”
“Look at me.”
Klaus exhaled loudly. Perhaps fate had not delivered him his one desire, but teased him long enough to wrench the opportunity away. He paced again, letting his thoughts turn into speech. “I’m beginning to understand. One son to carry the taint, and I’m aware you have a brother, Arthur, who no doubt will be killed in a bid to time weave Nikolas. Lady Claudia walks free and is allowed to live a full life untainted. You and your brother won’t be so lucky. Looks like Elizabeth will be a widow faster than she could have hoped.”
“This is not a joke.”
“I am not laughing.” Klaus stopped suddenly. “I still want to know why. It has to be more than just bitterness. Brotherly love perhaps?”
Timothy stepped forward. “Justice, for what she did to Rose.”
“Rose?”
“Rose Bell was the sweetest person I had ever known. Intelligent. Kind. Beautiful. But because she belonged to a common household my mother did not approve of us. I had to be with someone within the city walls, someone of the same status as myself. I told my mother of my intentions to marry Rose, and so she sent her pet Nikolas to disfigure her. He ended up controlling her family dog to attack her that same evening. When I finally reached her in the hospital it looked like she had been mauled by wolves.” Klaus could hear the strain in Timothy’s voice, the catch in his speech revealing this was a traumatic memory, but one he had replayed enough times not to break at its mention. “She thought herself too hideous for me. Called herself a beast and threw herself off the rooftop. If only she had lived long enough to see me, to see the real beast, she may have decided to stay. Every night I wish I had jumped after her. But, of course, I couldn’t.”
“Because Nikolas wouldn’t let you die, not if your death would take Lady Claudia down with you.” Klaus slowed in his understanding, but it was still not enough to change his mind. Lady Claudia’s plan meant killing Nikolas, a common desire he had with the cruel woman. “If her freedom means Nikolas’ end, then that is a deal I am willing to make.”
“But that is not the deal I am asking of you.”
Klaus turned away, feigning disappointment. “Even so you cannot afford the time to kill her. I suggest you try good old fashion poisoning. With Nikolas gone, she should be easy to take down.”
“Alas you misunderstand, Collector.” Timothy said. “It is not her death I wish for.”