Chapter Thirty-Eight

Will, Luke and Jake traced the fledgling who’d released Thomas Walsh, and brought it to the house. It was a small girl, or at least it had been a small girl in its previous life. Now she looked like a wild creature, with feral, red-rimmed bloodshot eyes, grubby skin and filthy clothes. I had no idea at first why they’d brought her here, until Will said he needed to try to find out whether there were others, so questioning her in the cemetery wasn’t really an option.

Luke fed her some blood in the hope it would help her be more coherent. But all it did was make her more belligerent.

She looked about ten years old, but a warning look from Will told me there was no way I could take her under my wing. Actually I think my maternal instincts, such as they were, had died along with Danny anyway.

The girl reminded me of Nikki a bit. Same attitude, same disregard for authority and seemingly completely unafraid of Will. But there the similarity ended. She stood in front of us, putrid remnants of clothes hanging from her gaunt frame, and long mousey hair hanging tangled and unkempt to her waist. Nikki had at least been cleaned up, but I suspect this one had been sleeping somewhere in the cemetery waiting in vain for Walsh.

Her wild eyes accused Will, whilst a stream of obscenities flowed from her mouth.

Will attempted to question her about other surviving fledglings, but to no avail.

‘Be silent,’ he snapped, obviously tiring of the many suggestions of what to do to himself and how.

She fell silent, looking mutinous.

‘Your maker is no more.’ Will lit a cigarette and leaned against the cellar wall. ‘Without him, you have no hope of survival.’

The girl started up her manic rant again, and Will rolled his eyes.

‘Would you like me to finish this?’ Luke stepped forward, and Will nodded.

‘Please. I would be most grateful.’ Will took hold of my arm and guided me towards the stairs.

‘Isn’t there …?’ I stopped at Will’s furious look.

‘Elinor, spare me. After all you have seen and experienced?’

Fair enough. I shut up, and allowed him to escort me to the drawing room without another word.

Will sat on the sofa and pulled me down beside him. He leaned his head back and sighed, draping an arm around my shoulders.

‘Is it really over?’ I asked, and he turned to face me.

‘I bloody well hope so,’ he said. ‘But I would very much like a favour from you.’

‘Really? What?’

‘Please, for pity’s sake, pick a date for the wedding. Give us all something to look forward to.’

‘You must be the only man ever to say those words.’

‘I doubt it.’

‘I’d like a Christmas wedding.’

He looked completely flummoxed by that. So I continued.

‘Dark red roses everywhere, fur-trimmed velvet capes for the bridesmaids …’

‘Bridesmaids?’

I nodded, eager to share my ideas with him. Taking hold of his hands, I started to outline my ideal wedding. He looked amused now.

‘Do I know how much all this is going to cost me?’

‘Thousands and thousands, of course. Surely you didn’t think I’d come cheap?’

‘Perish the thought.’

‘Roxy will be chief bridesmaid, although I haven’t asked her, do you think she’ll say yes?’

‘Perhaps with the proviso you keep your alcohol intake to a minimum.’

‘Shall I ask her now?’

‘Is she still going through your many options for dresses?’

‘I’ll go and see.’

I leaned forward and kissed him on the lips, but his hand cupped my head and held me close for a longer kiss.

‘Now you may go and find Roxy.’

‘My Lord.’ I grinned at his raised eyebrows. ‘Just practicing.’

I jumped up and left the room to find Roxy. She was still on the internet, but had moved on to look at Christian Louboutin shoes.

‘Rox?’

She turned to look at me. ‘Have you seen these shoes?’

I looked at the beautiful shoes. ‘They’re amazing.’

‘Depends what colour you want to get married in of course.’

‘Ivory taffeta.’

‘You’ve chosen?’

‘I think it has to be the Vivienne Westwood mermaid style dress. I keep going back to it.’

Roxy nodded approval. ‘You’ll look fabulous in that.’

‘Rox will you be my bridesmaid?’

She looked pleased. ‘Of course. Can I choose my own dress?’

‘Absolutely.’

‘We don’t have too many women in our community, but do you have any other bridesmaids in mind?’

‘No.’

We smiled at each other. Even lady vampires have girly moments and this was one of them.

Jake peered round the door. ‘Coming home Rox?’

‘I’m going to be bridesmaid,’ she told him as she stood up and whirled around him. ‘And I get to choose my own dress.’

‘Does Will know about your expensive taste?’

‘Wait until he gets the bill for Ellie’s dress.’

‘Hey,’ I joined in. ‘Don’t give away my secrets.’

I turned the computer off and went to see them out.

Will had been talking to Luke by the front door but his amused glance when he looked at me, said he’d still heard every word Jake and Rox said. No secrets can be kept from vampires that’s for sure – especially elders – their hearing is far too acute, plus there’s the whole telepathy thing between us. So, secrets – no chance.

I hooked my arm through his, and we watched everyone leave. I loved having the house to ourselves, and tonight it felt peaceful once more, ours.

‘Peaceful,’ I said aloud after the gates clanged shut, and the two cars had driven off.

‘It is.’ Will shut the door, and secured it with the many bolts and chains. Security first. He’d said that to me many times last year, I remembered. Without security, we would not survive.

‘Would you like to watch some television, or would you rather show me the dress you’ve chosen?’

‘You can’t see it before the wedding, it’s unlucky.’

‘Well we do not want any more bad luck do we? Television it is then.’