Chapter Ten

CHAPTER TEN

"Y ou've come a long way already, Lucian," a blond boy complimented as he packed away the sheet music from the stand I'd been using.

I continued to play the violin, letting the bow run along the strings in a cooldown to my fervent playing. After a moment, I lifted my head from the chin rest and smiled at the boy. "I've had a good teacher."

He shrugged. "I don't think you'll be needing me much longer. You're a natural. Your aptitude on the piano likely helped, but there's soul in what you play."

Soul. That was a thought, given how most of his kind thought of me as a soulless monster. I tilted my head as I watched him place his own violin in his case. Franklin was an amiable man. I even admired him, as much as I could admire a human. But once the music stopped, he was as tedious and dull as the others. It was a shame. A little more fire in him, and perhaps he would have made for a good companion. Even if he was rather plain to look at.

It was rare for me to seek out humans to interact with, but I'd found so much joy in the piano that I wanted to continue my musical learning. The violin was an elegant instrument, and the next logical choice.

"See you again next week?" Franklin asked, glancing back as he made for the door of the studio.

"Next week," I agreed.

He paused at the door, pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose. "Oh, is there any chance we could begin a little earlier next time? I have another appointment after yours, and I'd hate to keep him waiting."

I pursed my lips. "I'm sorry, but I'm otherwise engaged until dusk."

"That's alright," Franklin said brightly. "I told them that might be the case. See you then, Lucian."

I nodded in reply and stepped out into the brisk night air as he locked up behind me. I whistled a tune from something I'd played tonight as I made my way out of town and up the path that would eventually lead to the castle, violin case swinging at my side.

My mood had not diminished by the time I returned to the castle, where I took a path for my kind that circumvented the drawbridge. I felt a chill, however, as I neared the main gate. Something was floating in the moat. Were those wood planks? I frowned, leaning over to get a better look. Bones were scattered over the rocks, along with long strings that looked like wire. My eyes widened as I realized it was wire. And those bones were piano keys.

I rushed to the door, heart sinking, as I knew exactly what I would find in the parlor. And sure enough, the piano I'd been playing for the past decade was gone.

"Why?" I asked the empty room.

"You've become too distracted," a voice said behind me, and I closed my eyes at the hardness in Konstantin's voice. "Music belongs to the human world. It's high time you remember what you are. You will never aspire to greatness if you allow this to continue."

I turned slowly. "Konstantin, music makes me happy. What's the point of living forever if I cannot find joy in it?"

"You will find joy in being a vampire, not holding on to the vestiges of your former, inferior existence." Konstantin threw something at my feet, and I took a step back as it splattered something wet across my shoes. "You forgot that in town."

I swallowed hard as I stared at Franklin's severed head. He looked strange without his glasses on. "He was only teaching me to play."

"That's a crime in itself," Konstantin growled, stalking to me, jaw set. "Humans are to eat. That is what they are good for. I've indulged you long enough. It's time to rid you of these crutches. They only hinder your progress." He grabbed the violin case out of my hand and opened it, snatching the violin out with little ceremony. "And this. The piano was bad enough. You bring too much wood into this house, Lucian. That is shortsighted." He snapped the violin in half over a knee, then smashed what remained against the wall.

I couldn't watch the instrument fall to the floor. I'd spent months with that violin. I knew I could be great at it too. I could perhaps even surpass my skill at the piano.

Konstantin circled me as I tried to remain calm, the tightness in my chest making me want to scream and hit him. But I knew that would only result in a painful evening for me. Or worse yet, I would be locked in that dark pit he loved to torture me in when he was especially angry with me.

I suppressed a shudder as his lips tickled my ear. "I will teach you all you need to know, Lucian. Those hands are meant for tearing things apart. Once you learn that, you will understand there are sounds even greater than that odious human noise."

I nodded numbly, resigned. "Yes, master."

It was only a few hours' ride to Foxglove Abbey, although I had to endure them in the company of Isabel. At least Violetta was present as a buffer. Not that she did much buffering. Her eyes were glued to a book, The Monk, her mouth slightly agape as she turned page after page with rapt attention.

The few times I'd attempted to draw Isabel into conversation, as a way to broach the subject of Emmett's disappearance, had been met with disinterest. Isabel seemed content to let a thick silence settle over us, which, if I couldn't coax information from her, I was quite pleased with. I listened to the sound of the wagon wheels grind over the dirt road, the occasional nickering from the horses breaking through the monotony. The taciturn peace was finally interrupted when Isabel turned from watching the landscape pass by to regard Violetta with a frown. "You're not going to be reading the entire time we're here, I hope."

Violetta didn't bother looking up from the page she was on. "Hardly. That's why I'm trying to finish this now."

"So long as you don't abandon me to dreary company for the next few days." Isabel looked me over with distaste. "This trip would be insufferable."

I offered her a brittle smile. "As intolerable as a coach ride with you?"

Isabel rolled her eyes. "You're decent enough, Count Ludicrous. At least you can hold your tongue when you have a mind to."

I bristled at the nickname, but didn't let my annoyance show. If she knew it bothered me, she would likely use it at every opportunity. Instead, I inclined my head. "How generous of you. I didn't realize you held me in such esteem."

Isabel leaned back in her seat with a dramatic sigh. "I can't believe Cecelia is the favorite now. It should be me."

"Maybe you're not meant to be with Ambrose," Violetta said, eyes lifted briefly to Isabel's.

"You'd like that, wouldn't you? To see me fail?"

Violetta set her book on her lap. "You know very well I want what's best for you, in every way." She hesitated, glancing at me.

"Go on," I encouraged her. "Tell her what you really think."

Violetta's eyes widened, but Isabel maintained control of her composure.

"What relations I've had in the past have no bearing on the current situation," Isabel said, earning a wince from Violetta. "Not when Ambrose can secure everything I've ever wanted and will ever need."

Violetta swallowed hard and picked up her book again, blinking rapidly as she sunk into her seat.

"You're right," I told her. "I apologize."

Isabel snorted. "And anyway, the path to Ambrose's hand was all but assured before Cecelia bartered for tokens. How does that even matter? Ambrose isn't looking for a barkeep. I mean honestly, did you see how the whole family doted on her? Now I actually have a rival to contend with."

"Sitting right here."

Isabel ignored me. "I'm going to have to come up with something to make Ambrose lose interest in her." She arched an eyebrow. "Violetta? Any ideas?"

Violetta refused to look up from her page as she spoke. "You should concentrate on standing out yourself. If you do anything underhanded, it might reflect badly on you."

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. That was terrible advice.

Isabel rolled her eyes. "That's terrible advice."

I blinked at her, then narrowed my eyes. "Perhaps, on this one occasion, the enemy of my enemy is my friend?"

Isabel stared back at me blankly for a moment before her lips stretched into a villainous grin. "Perhaps. But just to knock Cecelia down a peg or two in the family's esteem. After that, we go back to competing with one another."

I leaned in closer. "So, I am competition now?"

"I'll be generous with the parameters today."

I held out my hand to her. "Very well. Partner."

Isabel shook my hand, and we shared a conspiratorial warmth with one another before she broke away.

Violetta, I noticed, had looked up from her book to watch the exchange, a troubled look in her gaze.

"Don't worry," I reassured her with a wink. "This isn't even the worst bargain I've made lately."

Foxglove Abbey was a sprawling estate that bordered a dense forest. The sun was growing low as we arrived, forcing me to squint against the formidable rays at the tents erected across the lawn. Several large tables were assembled and crowded with chairs, servants fussing with lavish centerpieces boasting crystal swans and the same purple wildflowers I'd seen bordering the road on our way up the drive.

"I do love it here," Isabel said wistfully, a smile touching her lips.

"You come here often?" I asked.

She snorted. "Hardly. Just whenever Emmett fancies a change of scenery."

"You're close, you and Emmett?"

"I thought we were." Isabel hesitated. "I think something has happened and they're trying to hide it."

"The family? Why would they do that?" I ventured, watching the circular drive grow closer, the first carriage in our party already disembarking. It was a pity the conversation had made this turn when little time was left to explore it. "What do you suspect?"

Isabel waved a hand. "Oh, it's likely nothing. I wouldn't be surprised if he was involved in a scrape. I don't even know who that girl was."

"What girl?"

Eyes wide, Isabel covered her mouth, realizing she'd said more than she'd intended. She recovered quickly, however. I noticed Violetta had lowered her book, interest piqued.

Isabel sighed, resigned, before leaning in. "You didn't hear this from me. I saw him with a girl, in the gardens behind Hemlock Manor. It was strange. He had his head in her lap and she was stroking his hair."

I frowned. "I thought Emmett only likes boys."

"He does, so far as I know. But it … wasn't like that. It was an intimate moment, but … I'm not sure how to describe it. He wasn't ill, but more like being comforted?" She shrugged. "I don't know. I made a hasty retreat."

"And you never mentioned this to Emmett?"

"Of course not." Isabel looked offended. "He would have been mortified. And I'm no gossip. I've better things to do with my time."

"Who was the girl?"

She glanced away as the coach came to a stop, the door opening to a servant's outstretched hand. As she took it, she shrugged back at me. "I've never seen her before in my life."

So, Emmett had sought comfort from a stranger, I thought as she disembarked, causing the carriage to rock. Perhaps the events of the past few weeks were a consequence of a romantic attachment. Perhaps he did like girls too and was coming to terms with that. Or a mutual acquaintance of a boy was consoling him. Perhaps he'd even been considering something drastic, knowing his father would never approve, something he had to keep from even his close friend Isabel, should word reach his family. It could have been an elopement, perhaps to a boy with little means. Had that been what that note had been about? A clandestine meeting to secure an ally's aid? If that return letter hadn't been written by Isabel, could it have been by this mystery woman? But then what of the robed men? How were they involved in that scenario? There had to be something else to this.

Violetta sent me a quizzical look before she followed her friend, and I exited the coach to meet a party including Ambrose, Maxwell and Zachariah.

"I hope the journey wasn't too tedious," Maxwell said, clapping my shoulder as he watched Isabel accept a champagne flute from a servant.

"We made the most of it," I told him. I gestured to the tents across the lawn. "What's all this?"

"This," Ambrose said, coming to stand on my other side, "is the activity I've been looking forward to all week." His eyes glittered as he leaned into me. "I hope you're as good with a gun as you are with an umbrella."

"A gun?" I repeated.

"What about a gun?" Isabel asked, sauntering over, a crease appearing between her eyebrows.

"I don't very much like guns," Violetta professed, clasping her book before her like a shield.

"We're going on a hunt before the sun fully sets," Ambrose proclaimed. "I'm just glad the timing worked out. Barely arrived in time."

"A hunt?" Isabel wrinkled her nose. "Don't tell me it's a ghoul hunt again."

"Of course it's a ghoul hunt!" Ambrose laughed, looking giddy. "We'll run those little beasts out from these woods by the time we're done. These grounds have multiple cemeteries, you know. Attracts them like flies to dung."

I shuddered. I'd never been fond of ghouls. They fed on dead flesh, often desecrating graves for their meals. They were little more than animals, but find one hungry enough, and they weren't picky about their dinner. Vampire flesh was just as tasty as a corpse, apparently. I'd been attacked by three at once just outside of a small village, but luckily I'd been fresh from feeding, so I was at the height of my strength and was easily able to fend them off. They wouldn't have been able to kill me, but ripping gouges in my flesh with their rows of tiny sharp teeth wasn't exactly a pleasant experience.

A wistful look crossed Ambrose's face. "Father and I used to come here to hunt often when he was in better health. We'd join neighbors in hunting excursions, sometimes for weeks at a time. Those days were so thrilling." He shook his head as he walked back to Flora's side.

"So, this test is for the duke's benefit," Isabel scowled. I met her eyes, and I saw a distaste for the duke that matched my own. Emmett would have told her about his experiences with his father, of course. It was good to see I wasn't the only one who loathed the man.

As carriages carrying other guests disembarked, we headed up the stairs to our rooms to prepare for the evening's festivities. Isabel caught my arm to let others wander ahead. "This provides the perfect opportunity, of course."

I raised an eyebrow. "Opportunity?"

She sent me an exasperated look. "Cecelia. She'll be out there with us. It'll be dark, a lot going on …"

I frowned. "What do you expect to do? Feed her to the ghouls?"

Isabel looked thoughtful, as if considering it. "Hardly, but if we can make her look inadequate during the hunt, I think that would knock her down in the family's regard. The duke loves hunting, as does Ambrose. They would expect any partner joining the family to be capable in the pursuit."

I nodded slowly. "If we can humiliate her, that could knock her out of the competition completely."

"But only if we do it right. We must make her appear utterly inept."

Conflicting emotions surged through me. But as much as I liked Cecelia, in the end, I needed to come out on top in this competition. "Let's see what we can do."

The hunting dogs barked excitedly, tails wagging and pulling on their leashes as the riders mounted their horses. The sun was bruising the sky with the tender glow of evening, dark enough for the ghouls to begin seeking out food for the night, but not so black that we would be fumbling blindly after them. Lanterns were outfitted on our saddles for when the sun didn't provide enough light, our signal to return to Foxglove Abbey.

I watched the others mount their steeds and mimicked them. Luckily, I was a quick study, for I hadn't had the opportunity to ride a horse for centuries, given that the animals wouldn't allow it. The closest I'd been to a horse, aside from my recent visit to the stables, had been when they'd pulled my coach. Touching one would have been disastrous. As with most occasions, if one was confident enough, it was almost the same as being seasoned. People didn't question experience if one had enough boldness, and neither, it would appear, did horses.

I watched Maxwell stroke the side of his mount's neck and did the same to the brown beauty I rode, Bella. In response, Bella nickered. I smiled in triumph, then began to command the reins as I saw others in my company do.

"You were certainly getting cozy with Isabel," Zachariah said, sidling up to me. He searched me for a moment before shaking his head. "What are you two scheming at?"

"Scheming?" I scoffed. "It's called being in a carriage together for two hours with no escape. It forces even enemies to become civil with one another."

He looked doubtful. "I shudder imagining you two joining forces."

I chuckled as Melbourne's horse trotted over. "Go hunting often?" he asked me.

I shifted the rifle I'd been given to my other hand. "I lived for hunting. Just not on horseback. And not ghouls."

Melbourne grinned. "Shall we make a wager? First to kill one of the bloody things?"

"What would the victor win?"

He seemed to think, tapping his lips. "Whatever the other wishes?"

"I'd be careful striking that bargain," Zachariah snorted. "And anyway, the hunt will divide us early. I doubt you could confirm who makes the first kill."

"Then the most kills," Melbourne insisted. "Come. What do you say?"

I pretended to think. "Well … not on your life. You strike me as a cheater."

"Probably has several dead ones stashed away somewhere," Zachariah agreed, grinning. "Paid off the gamekeeper most likely, to ensure the win."

Melbourne rolled his eyes. "Bah, you two are no fun anyway."

I leaned over my horse. "Yet you're so desperate to find out for yourself."

Melbourne pursed his lips, but didn't contradict me.

A shot rang out, and suddenly the hounds were released at the edge of the woods. The riders in front charged after them, Ambrose in the lead, grinning ghoulishly. He really enjoyed this sport.

"Good luck," Zachariah said, tipping his hat before trailing after the others, Melbourne trotting after him.

"Okay, girl," I muttered under my breath, patting Bella's flank, "Make me look good, yeah?"

Thankfully, she was all too happy to follow the other horses into the woods. Once I was out of sight of the lawn, I breathed a sigh of relief that I hadn't been bucked or fallen off with witnesses to my embarrassment. As Bella gained speed, I grew accustomed to her movements and found that I was a natural rider. I joined the others as they overtook a graveyard, dogs louder than ever, and splitting the group up as shadows began to bleed from the crypts and surrounding vegetation. The graveyard was silent and in disrepair, several gravestones reduced to rubble, while weeds choked the landscape beside crumbled walls of mausoleums.

I spotted a ghoul dash out from the safety of a nearby tree, a naked green-skinned creature the size of a badger, with long, limber legs, its spine visible through a thin membrane of flesh. Its smooth humanoid head was perfectly round, with deep indentations of a nose flaring over sneering lips that covered sharp yellow teeth beyond. Its large bulbous eyes regarded me momentarily as it darted away on all fours, something like a goose butt rising into the air indignantly in its haste.

I'd used guns before, but wasn't particularly good with them. I preferred to use my own teeth and nails to rip apart my prey. Yet, I wielded it, albeit awkwardly, as I rode down the creature ahead of me, taking aim and firing the first bullet of the party.

I was sure I would miss, but the ghoul zagged into the path of my bullet at the last second. Half of the ghoul's head exploded as its body jerked aside from the blow, oozing black blood into the dry grass of a headstone.

"First kill goes to Lucian!" Zachariah cried out, whooping nearby, the only witness to my triumph.

"You should have taken that bet!" I heard Melbourne shout from somewhere ahead of me.

I felt a sense of pride as I dismounted to retrieve the ghoul's body, adding it to a sack. It smelled foul, like rotting flesh, certainly not fit for eating, but we would burn their bodies in a fire, as was tradition, rather than let their own cannibalize its remains.

As I settled back onto Bella's back, I heard various gunshots ring out, sending birds into flight. The shadows grew cooler and longer as we traipsed deeper into the forest, following the distant sounds of the dogs and muffled shouts. Since I wasn't to go back empty-handed, I felt myself relax, enjoying the camaraderie of the hunt. I didn't forget my mission, however, and set about trying to locate Cecelia. Hopefully Isabel would be doing the same. The last I'd seen of Cecelia, she'd been in the lead with Ambrose.

I came across Violetta bagging a ghoul, the entire area pockmarked with her attempts to take it down before she'd been successful, before heading down an obscure path. Maxwell had stopped to speak with the gamemaster, who had whistled for the dogs. Darkness was eating away at the remaining daylight so that all was shadow now, the sky violet in its last throes.

I was almost resigned to return in defeat, when I heard the crunch of a horse's hooves in the distance. Deciding on one last attempt to locate my prey, I ventured toward the sound.

Lanterns were beginning to glow in the distance as riders returned to Foxglove Abbey, but despite the shadows that were making the trails more treacherous, I refused to join them.

A horse huffed, drawing my eye across a wide ditch, to a dark figure. I could make out the outline of a woman on horseback, but no details. Patiently, I watched as the figure struck a match and lit the lantern on her saddle. The glow immediately chased the shadows from the woman's face as she drew back and waved the match to extinguish the flame, earning a thin coil of smoke for her effort.

It was Cecelia.

The horse shifted beneath her as Cecelia got her bearings and stowed her bow.

Silently, I lifted my gun. If I managed to spook her horse and she had to return by foot, that wouldn't be a good look for her.

I hesitated. Cecelia was my friend. She'd saved my skin in the previous competition. This felt like an utter betrayal. And hadn't I just felt the sting of betrayal at Helena's hands recently? Was I any better if I did this?

I shook my head. As a vampire, I'd eliminated obstacles. I'd killed without mercy. I would have aimed for the center of her chest and been done with her. What I was doing was nothing near as bad as that. I needed to win this bloody game, and I couldn't do that if I allowed Cecelia's record to continue unblemished. She stood between me and immortality, and I simply couldn't abide that. She was Ambrose's choice for marriage, the family's choice. The only way to ensure she didn't interfere with my plans was if she was no longer the favorite.

Of course, if it weren't for my meddling, she would have been Ambrose's happiness. Yet here I was, an imposter, ready to rob that chance of happiness from him. At the end of this competition, I would leave Ambrose behind, with no one to fill the void. But that couldn't be helped.

Resolved, I pulled the trigger of my rifle.

The gunshot echoed across the ground.

The shot went wide as I'd intended, hitting a branch overhead that fell onto Cecelia, knocking her from her horse's back.

The horse whinnied, backing away nervously as Cecelia rolled into the ditch, but it didn't run off as I'd hoped. "What's the idea?" Cecelia hollered once she'd come to a stop. "Who's there? You almost hit me!"

I quietly slipped away with a little encouragement to Bella, making up for lost time by traveling much faster than I probably should have, although I stayed on a wide path. I lit my lantern as I neared the graveyard we'd passed earlier, coming out of the woods on the tail of Ambrose.

"Have a good time?" Ambrose asked, slowing to ride alongside me. He eyed the sack on my saddle. "I heard you were the first to kill one. Did you manage any others?"

I shrugged. "I didn't want to hog all the fun. Thought I would give the rest of you a chance."

Ambrose snorted, patting his own bag. "I have three. Maxwell has two. Most of the others managed a single kill, with the exception of Isabel. She managed to match my brother, if you can believe it. Impressive for someone who didn't seem keen to hunt in the first place."

My eyes narrowed. "Yes. Impressive."

Ambrose cocked his head. "Unless Cecelia had some luck? Did you happen to see her as you were riding back?"

"Cecelia? No, I didn't," I said innocently. "I'm sure she'll be along shortly."

We were greeted with fanfare by the duke and Flora, who crowded around as we dismounted our horses with our bags in hand. We took turns dumping our prizes over a mountain of wood, ready to be ignited. Only one rider hadn't managed kills. I could tell by the duke's disapproving look that he would be out of the competition for his shortcomings.

"I don't see Cecelia," Isabel noted softly, slipping up to my side. "Did everything go as planned?"

"Not exactly." I glanced at her with a tight smile. "Two kills, was it? How lucky. Almost as if you were entirely focused on the hunt."

Isabel patted my shoulder. "Don't be cross, Lucian. I'll repay you if you managed to make Cecelia look poorly. And besides, I could tell that you were a natural and wouldn't walk away empty-handed."

"Lucky for you, that was the case."

"There she is!" Flora shouted. "Had to make an entrance, didn't she?"

I looked up to watch a lone horsewoman emerge from the woods slowly, giving the lights of the tents a wide berth.

Ambrose frowned, gesturing to a pair of servants to fetch her. A moment later, Cecelia reluctantly joined the group, mud caked to her shirt and trousers. Her face had brown smears across it from where she'd wiped it away.

"Oh, my," Isabel breathed, eyes wide. "You outdid yourself, Lucian."

She did not, I noticed, call me "Count Ludicrous."

There was a shocked silence before the tittering began among the guests, but Ambrose was all concern as he rushed forward with his mother, fussing over Cecelia, who looked put out.

"What on the earth happened to her?" Melbourne chortled. "Looks as if the ghoul got her and not the other way around. I've never seen her so out of sorts. Next time she tries to put me in my place, I dare say I'll have some leverage."

"Did you bag any to show for it?" someone else shouted with a laugh.

Cecelia jutted out her chin defiantly as she yanked a ghoul out from her sack, stuck through with a single arrow. "Of course. And then I nearly had my head taken off with a shot. Spooked my horse." She glared around at the guests. "Who was it then? Do you dare come forward?"

But the jeering and laughter continued until Ambrose escorted her to the house, speaking to her in close whispers, probably to reassure her.

"Well, I think it's time to celebrate," the duke said calmly from his seat. "Maxwell? Will you do the honors?"

"Gladly," Maxwell said, stepping forward. He struck a match and tossed it onto the pyre. A crackling began as the kindling caught and the fire began to eat at the smaller branches. Before I knew it, flames were licking over the bodies of the ghouls, sparks flying into the sky.

I took a seat between Zachariah and Violetta at one of the tables as meals were served, low conversation rising over the cooling air. I glanced across the table to meet Maxwell's eyes and smiled.

"I'm sorry that Emmett wasn't here for the hunt," Isabel said loudly. "Has there been any word?"

Flora cleared her throat. "Not as of yet. We expect to hear from him any day now."

"Of course."

Melbourne cocked his head. "You know, I don't remember Emmett ever hunting ghouls."

"He hated it," Zachariah said. "Refused to participate, to his father's disappointment."

I raised an eyebrow. "Really? How interesting."

Violetta leaned closer to me. "Emmett said ghouls were merely trying to survive, and never really hurt anyone. He referred to his father as ‘the true monster.'"

"Did he now?" That was hardly a surprise.

I gazed around at those assembled as Ambrose returned to take a seat beside the duke, who'd barely touched his food. The boy who hadn't killed a ghoul wouldn't be worth investigating, but the others … they'd proved their ability to hunt.

Among the sea of cheerful faces around me, I knew at least someone knew something about the hunters. I just had to be patient and exploit every opportunity to search their belongings. Someone was bound to have something incriminating on them. I returned my eyes to the fire, enjoying its warmth as it popped and settled, consuming the bodies of the ghouls hungrily.