Blood Curse

Ravenhunt remained standing as she sat. “One moment,” he said stiffly. Then he followed Guidon out.

What was he up to? Telling Guidon to agree with his ridiculous story? Well, she was not going to accept anything just on this strange man’s assurance. She wanted proof.

Her face went hot. Heavens, how could she even discuss this with this odd, little bookseller?

What madness had she tumbled into?

Raven followed the vampire Guidon into the small kitchen. He spoke in Guidon’s thoughts while the vampire poured water into his kettle. Somehow she hasn’t figured out that I am a vampire. She cannot find out. I have to seduce her, and she is not going to let that happen if she thinks I’m an undead demon who wants to suck her blood.

Guidon scuttled to a crockery jar and put biscuits on a gilt-rimmed plate. He made a sound of disapproval. My lord, she will find out. You think she is naive and unknowledgeable, but she is not. I think, under other circumstances, she would have put clues together quickly and have determined you are not mortal.

Raven leaned against the door frame, stepping back to allow the troll-like vampire to move swiftly around his tiny space, assembling the accoutrements for tea on a silver tray. How do you know that, Guidon?

I know of her from my studies of the history and genealogy of the metaphysical beings of England. I know Mrs. Darkwell. Lady Ophelia has had many shocks in her young life, and I am sure that being taken prisoner was most troubling for her. She has endured a great deal. She is by nature a very clever young has endured a great deal. She is by nature a very clever young woman, yet given the grave weight weighing upon her, I suspect her mind is not working as well as it should. She is distressed, and that has slowed her wits where you are concerned. What reason did you give her for appearing naked to rescue her?

He had told Guidon about that by thought. My reasoning was meager and transparent. She should have been more suspicious. I think, because she was frightened and I had saved her life, she was accepting.

He could see the vampire’s point. Ophelia had endured a lot, and she was probably too overwhelmed to take in any more—to really try to guess what he was.

Guidon spun around. His large, protruding eyes were wild with anger. I will not allow you to do this to this innocent young woman. To take her power will kill her.

That’s why I came to you, damn it. I don’t want to hurt her. But the vampire queen Jade will destroy my sister if I refuse. Is there any way I can take her power without hurting her?

You truly do not want to kill her. You? You are an assassin—

Damn it, I know what I am. Even through thought, the words came out as an angry shout. I shouldn’t care, but I do. She doesn’t deserve to die. But I can’t sacrifice Frederica to protect her. There has to be a way to save them both.

There is. Steam poured out of the kettle’s spout, and its lid rattled under the pressure. Guidon plucked it off the heat and poured it into his teapot. She must fall in love with you.

Hades, how would her falling in love with me save her? He sounded like Ophelia. She hadn’t believed his story; he didn’t believe Guidon’s. How am I going to make her do that anyway? I’m the vampire who kidnapped her.

I do not know exactly why it works, but I know her antecedents, and I know from where she came. I know that love, both given and received, will protect her.

So where does she come from?

That you do not need to know. But mark my words, she also needs your true love to protect her.

Raven shrugged. I think I can do that. She’s quite sweet and lovely. She possesses an ingenious mind and a strong character.

Guidon set the teapot on the tray. He wagged his finger. You must understand this. If she does not die when you take her power, you probably will.

It didn’t surprise him. He kept his face expressionless and remarked carelessly, “There’s always a catch.”

Guidon considered him. “Is it a price you are willing to pay?”

“To save two innocent women? Hell, as a soldier I was willing to give my life for our mad king, our fat regent, and my wretched country. Yes, I am willing to die.”

“Let me give you something, my lord—”

“I am not ‘my lord’ any longer,” Raven growled quietly. “To that world, I am dead, and there is another marquis.”

Guidon nodded, then he disappeared, leaving the tea tray on a small table. Raven followed. The small gnome-like man had gone to the very back of the shop. He unlocked a door with a large, iron key. Inside was a closet, with shelves of books. “The rarest volumes. The only old ones to survive. This one will explain to you what you must do.”

As he drew it out and blew dust from it, Guidon was blushing.

The librarian pressed it into his hands. “There are steps you must take in this seduction, or it will not work. It explains how you can protect her, and how the power will destroy you.”

What had they been discussing in secret? Ophelia watched both Ravenhunt and Mr. Guidon with suspicion. Carrying a tea tray, the small bookseller was actually blushing. Ravenhunt stroked his jaw, obviously worried about something, and he carried a leather-bound book beneath his arm. The book was closed with a tarnished hasp.

Guidon set down the tray and Ravenhunt said quickly, “So you see, Lady Ophelia has been kept a prisoner for years, Guidon. She has never had the chance to visit a bookshop and buy books. I’ve offered to buy her whatever her heart desires. But I don’t think she wants to accept a gift from me.”

She jerked her head up, startled. “No, I don’t want—”

“Would you accept a gift from me, my lady?” Guidon asked. “I am so troubled by what you have had to endure. I would like to give you several books.”

“Oh, I shouldn’t. This is your livelihood.”

“Not my sole one. I am also a historian of the metaphysical world of England. And I wish to give you this gift. It would break my heart if you do not accept.”

“Then I shall.” She smiled at him, but frowned at Ravenhunt. He was up to something. She did not think he had been discussing gifts in the back of the shop.

Mr. Guidon poured her a cup of tea and handed it to her. “Now, I shall explain to you how you can be free of your power.” He had been blushing—now he turned flaming red.

“It—it is true that in-intimacy does it,” he stuttered. “I mean, it takes your power away. You must—he must—it is about making—”

The poor man ran his finger around his collar. Finally, a flood of words exploded from him. “Making love allows the power to be taken from you. It takes time, though. It cannot be done quickly. There must be a seduction. And love will protect you.”

He poured tea and literally threw it down his throat.

“But why do I have this power? Where did it come from?” How could he know about it? Was any of this really the truth?

“It is a power you inherited, my dear, from your mother. She did not have the same power, you see, but in you, this is how it was manifested.”

“I don’t understand. My mother was quite normal.”

“It is hard to explain, my dear. But I believe your mother would want you to be free of your power now, Lady Ophelia.”

“How could you know that? What do you know of my mother?”

Ravenhunt got to his feet, grasped her arm, and forced her to stand. “We should go now,” Ravenhunt said.