Chapter Nine

CHAPTER NINE

I stared into the wide obsidian eyes of a horse, its tail twitching warily. It didn't rear up or shriek in protest at my presence, however, so that was a win. As a vampire, I had to keep my horses' eyes shielded so they never caught a glimpse of me, or they could have harmed themselves trying to escape me. I'd had one horse throw itself over a cliff rather than be near me.

"Good boy," I murmured, patting its side gently.

"Girl," the stablemaster corrected at my back. "That's Ginny. If you want to gain her trust, I have some sugar cubes in back. Has a sweet tooth, she does."

I smiled. "I like a lady with a refined palate." I threw a look back over my shoulder at the tall, lanky man prowling in the shadows, working oil into a leather saddle. "Is this one of the lords' horses?"

"Ginny is the duchess's horse. She doesn't ride much anymore though. I'm sure she wouldn't mind if you fancied a go."

"Oh, no. Just curious." I glanced around at the stalls on either side of the narrow corridor. "Whose are those horses?"

"Oh, well, the duke has Blackbolt there, but we don't let anyone ride him, save myself to give him the exercise. Ambrose has Daytripper, and Maxwell has Calliope."

"And what of Emmett?" I asked innocently, noting the stablemaster pause in his work before continuing.

"Ah, well, haven't seen Corpse Runner in a fortnight."

"Corpse Runner?" I echoed, amused. I noticed a figure stride into the far side of the stable. His orange jacket screamed against the subdued colors of the barn, skirt fading to yellow like a sunset against the long stride of his legs. Zachariah looked utterly out of place, but I couldn't deny that he looked chic.

The stablemaster grinned, stopping his work to face me. I avoided looking in Zachariah's direction. I didn't want to distract the man, not when I was trying to ferret out information. "To be fair, the lord named him when he was young."

"But the horse has gone missing?"

"Along with his master," the stablemaster sighed. "I assumed they were at Foxglove Abbey, but that doesn't appear to be the case. Emmett knows how to take care of him, so wherever the young master has gone, I'm not too worried. Only, some farmers have been missing their cows nearby, and this wouldn't be the first horse to go missing around here over the past few weeks."

"So, there's a thief about."

"Or wolves."

"But you haven't seen anyone suspicious?"

The man pursed his lips, squinting at me. "I don't know. You seem a tad suspicious to me."

"Oh, he's suspicious, alright," Zachariah agreed, making a face as he skirted a pile of horseshit, sending a swarm of flies buzzing angrily at his proximity. He daintily stepped over a heap of straw, lifting his hem to avoid dirtying the silk. "My, it's like an obstacle course in here, isn't it?"

I chuckled. "Most people coming this way aren't dressed in their finest, I imagine. I expect the dress code usually involves riding boots." I sent the stablemaster an apologetic smile. "I haven't ridden a horse in … years. I would likely break my neck trying to."

"Eh, that can be remedied. Ambrose is a natural. He can teach you in a few hours if he had a mind to."

"Or Maxwell," Zachariah threw in. "He loves to ride."

I raised an eyebrow. "What are you doing here, Zachariah?"

He shrugged. "I was waiting for them to put the finishing touches on the results from the token challenge and saw you sneak in here like a thief."

I snorted. I'd voted just this morning before they'd begun counting tokens. Cecelia had told me I could do with my token as I saw fit when she visited to see how I was faring, given that she had secured several already and wouldn't be needing mine. I'd decided to give it to Violetta. She'd likely expected to leave the competition today. Isabel would vote for her, of course. And I had decided that of all the people I'd come to know whom I would like to stay on, she would need the support most.

I ran a hand through Ginny's hair before regarding the stablemaster with a sideways glance. "So you haven't seen anyone else suspicious?"

"Not so much." The stablemaster crossed his arms. "Someone spooked Calliope while she was in the pasture, but it was dark and I didn't get a good look. Had to run him off. Didn't seem like he had the know-how to steal a horse though. More likely to steal my tools than anything."

"Have any tools gone missing?"

Zachariah pointed to a riding whip. "One of those maybe?" He waggled his eyes suggestively at me, and I ignored him. He was going to be the death of me. This time around, at least.

The stablemaster turned back to the saddle he'd been working on. "Can't say they have."

I hesitated. "Did Emmett take Corpse Runner out frequently?"

"Not usually, but more often in the past month."

I nodded, then gestured to Zachariah. "We'll stop wasting your time. Have a good day now."

When we cleared the stables, Zachariah raised an eyebrow in question.

"He likely took his horse wherever he went," I told him as he matched my stride toward Hemlock Manor. "That indicates it was at least a short distance away. He had a destination in mind." I hesitated. "Of course, if I were to kidnap someone who was prone to disappearing for days at a time, I would take the horse as well, to throw off suspicion. If we assume he left of his own volition, though, Isabel might know why Emmett was taking his horse out more frequently. The reason could lead somewhere."

"Ugh. Isabel. I can't believe you're forcing Ambrose to keep her in the competition. You're going to positively spoil the excursion to Foxglove Abbey."

I cocked my head. "You have to admire her spirit though. As much as I loathe her, she's sharp."

"She also has inscrutable taste. Nothing on me, mind you. But I can concede that point." He hesitated. "Look, Lucian, I know you're only here for the competition, but be careful with Maxwell. He's suffered many disappointments in his life, and with his father's health failing … he's feeling delicate right now, especially without Emmett."

I frowned. "I'm not sure what you mean."

Zachariah paused at the bottom of the steps leading to the front doors, turning to meet my eyes. "You're using Maxwell to get closer to Ambrose. That's the only reason you're helping him search for his brother. That's the only reason you're giving him the time of day. But he's taken a liking to you, and I just ask that you … be kind to him. If you don't win Ambrose's hand, don't turn your back on him. He needs people in his corner."

I blinked, wondering how Zachariah was able to see me so clearly. I would have to work harder to keep my guard up around him, even if he did have some of the details wrong. I did enjoy Maxwell's company, far more than even I desired.

"Duly noted, Zachariah," I said, reaching out to place a hand on his shoulder. "But if you trust anything about me, trust that I don't want to see Maxwell hurt any more than you do."

Some of the tension seemed to ease from Zachariah's shoulders. "That's good to hear."

When we stepped into the front hall, it was buzzing with activity. Guests lined the room, craning their necks, as a low murmur fell over the crowd. Anticipation hung in the air as Percival posted something on a column. He straightened and looked out over the sea of faces with resignation. "I expect you all to act in an orderly fashion." He then stepped out of the way as the crowd surged forward.

It dawned on me what this was. The names of who would move on to the next round of the competition.

"Did you have a chance to vote?" Zachariah asked as we moved closer to the column. I heard excited shrieks and dejected gasps. Isabel smiled proudly as she left the room, Violetta vibrating excitedly at her side.

"I did," I replied, a small grin in place as I watched Violetta wipe away a tear. I felt a swell of happiness for having aided her.

Upon reaching the column, I noted the rankings with interest. Cecelia had come in first. So, her connections truly had positioned her as the favorite. Melbourne hadn't done too poorly either, in the middle of the pack, while Isabel and Violetta hung close to the bottom. My heart began to sink as I didn't see my name. But then I found it, at the very bottom. I'd likely squeaked by on two votes. Outside of Melbourne's vote, hoping for anyone else had been a gamble. I would have thought a few people would reward me with tokens, given what had just occurred with Raven, but apparently that had been too much to hope for.

I let out a breath and grinned at Zachariah as we stepped out of the way of the guest behind us. "Well, that's good news."

"You're welcome," Zachariah said.

I lifted an eyebrow. "You voted for me?"

"Yes. I think you've proved your worth, given what happened on Old Mill Road." He hesitated. "And Maxwell wouldn't leave me alone until I voted for you." He lifted a finger. "But, mind you, I wouldn't have if I thought you were bad for Ambrose. Don't make me regret my decision."

I clapped him on the shoulder. "I am in your debt, kind sir."

Zachariah bowed his head in acknowledgement.

When we neared the dining room, we were greeted by the sound of laughter. I exchanged a look with Zachariah before stepping into the room.

Flora was in high spirits, talking animatedly with Cecelia, whose success was clearly being celebrated. "Imagine! Half a dozen tokens. It truly is a marvelous feat, is it not, dear?"

"Quite so," Duke Harclay said, his voice straining from his seat. "I would have expected no less from our Cecelia. I remember when you were this tall, running around with the boys, and holding your own at that." He held a hand out before him, even with the tabletop. The hand trembled slightly, and I felt a certain satisfaction, knowing what he'd put his family through.

Flora caught me staring at the duke and waved me over, smiling. "Jonathan couldn't resist congratulating this round's winners in person. We're glad to see you will be staying on with us as well, Lucian."

"And only thirteen moving on," Ambrose acknowledged, nodding up the room as more guests took seats at a noticeably less crowded table. He met my eyes. "But I never doubted your continuation for a moment."

I smiled politely as the duke leaned forward. "I recall when Ambrose insisted he would remain a bachelor for life. Do you remember that, dear? And now we see a group of ambitious young men and women here, one who will be our son's partner in life."

"That was when I was young." Ambrose lowered his eyes shyly. "Circumstances change."

"They do, with the necessary discipline." The duke agreed, before turning to Cecelia. "Oh, do you remember the time you and Maxwell released Ambrose's goldfish into the fountain in the garden?"

Ambrose's eyes widened as the memory passed over his face. "We were chasing it for hours! We were soaked by the time we were through." He turned to Maxwell with a shake of his head. "Why did you do that again?"

Maxwell groaned. "I thought you hid … something from me."

"A stuffed pig!" Cecelia declared. "I remember it clearly now. You had this stuffed purple pig that you carried with you everywhere." She leaned across the table, grin widening. "Do you still have it?"

With a scowl, Maxwell crossed his arms. "Oinker was given a new home years ago."

"Oinker!" Flora chuckled. "Oh, I remember Oinker so fondly! The maids had to sneak him out of your room when you were sleeping to give him a cleaning."

My smile was pasted on as I watched this exchange. The way Ambrose looked at Cecelia was worrisome. He was attached to her. They had history together. Had they been involved at some point? I could hardly see it, looking over her black lace gown. She certainly looked regal in it, but I hadn't imagined her to be his type previously. I could see it now though. When she laughed, she was radiant.

My eyes darted to Flora's open adoration and the duke's wide grin. The whole family was enamored with Cecelia. This was no passing interest, either. They were delighted she was the favorite.

They wanted her to be Ambrose's match.

And I realized Ambrose was thinking in such terms as well. But I couldn't allow that line of thinking to consume them for long, not if I wanted to regain my immortality. As it was, I was worried some of the people who would have information regarding the hunters had been dismissed from the competition—but surely a well-connected family with the means to fund such operations was still among us. Two boys whose rooms I'd searched were gone. If anything, this smaller pool would give me less rooms to rifle through. I eyed Cecelia with suspicion. Her family was a likely culprit. And she did have an interest in the occult and death. Did that carry over from her family's deeds? Was that why she had mastered archery? To hunt vampires?

"Take a seat with Maxwell and me," Zachariah suggested, guiding me up the table. Maxwell was just as engrossed in reminiscing with the rest of his family, hardly noticing when I sat down beside him. Meanwhile, other silent guests told me I wasn't alone in not being buoyed by Cecelia's success, Melbourne among them. Isabel was practically glaring daggers up the table at her rival.

I watched as Helena picked up her teacup across from me, a slight tremor in her hand as she lifted it to her lips. Her milky eyes stared straight ahead, as if meeting my own. I wondered what she thought of this new development. Even now, I yearned to ask her advice on the matter. How could I dispel the family's captivation with their favorite?

"Connections aren't the only things that matter," I muttered, stabbing a fork into an egg, imagining momentarily I was thrusting it into Cecelia's stupid eye socket instead. I instantly regretted the thought, guilt rushing over me. I liked Cecelia. I didn't want to see any harm come to her. She'd just saved me from leaving this competition prematurely, after all. I just couldn't allow her to win.

"What's that?" Zachariah asked at my side.

"Nothing."

He leaned into me. "Not jealous, are we? I didn't think a little competition would undo you."

"She's hardly competition," I lied, earning a chuckle in response.

"This vampire business," Flora said, placing a hand to her chest. "It makes me feel ill."

I perked up, realizing I'd missed something. Zachariah had as well, and spoke for me. "What about vampires?"

"A vampire who's been plaguing the area around Foxglove Abbey has been tracked down and killed," Maxwell supplied.

"Good riddance," Duke Harclay proclaimed.

"Yes, good riddance," Flora agreed.

I clenched my jaw, watching Helena as she calmly munched on a piece of bread. I needed to act that cool around conversations such as this. As if nothing were the matter. It seemed I could still learn a thing or two from Helena, though I hated to admit it.

"Of course, this old friend of Lucian is a vampire," Ambrose spoke up. "She could very well be in the neighborhood still."

I shrugged, not enjoying the attention in regards to this subject. "I hardly knew her really. I don't know how she ended up around these parts."

"That is quite a coincidence," Flora agreed, frowning.

"Hardly," Helena said, drawing all eyes. "There was an infestation in our neighborhood years back. Those who escaped had to go somewhere. It was only a matter of time before we stumbled across one we knew." She shrugged. "Frankly, I'm surprised it hasn't happened sooner. It was quite a devastating time. Nearly half the town had been turned."

Flora gasped. "That's awful."

"But not completely unheard of," the duke said, voice fervent, rising louder than I'd ever heard previously. His hand clenched so tightly around the fork he was holding that his knuckles stood out, white. "That's why we have to work so diligently to ensure each and every one of them is reduced to dust."

"Don't work yourself up, Father," Ambrose cautioned, patting his arm gently. "We're all in agreement with your sentiments."

Not all of us are in agreement, I thought, watching them. My eyes darted back to Helena, who'd returned to her bread. She'd deflected suspicion from me with her story. I could still count on her perhaps, for some things. Even if that trust only went so far, and could only be relied upon in the interest of her own self-preservation. Nevertheless, I was grateful at this moment for her intervention.

"If this vampire is still in the neighborhood, rest assured that we will take care of her," Ambrose continued, eyes meeting his father's. "Until then, we'll simply need to keep our guard up."

The duke nodded.

Maxwell brightened. "Oh, but you should have seen Lucian fight the vampire off. He was brilliant."

"Was he now?" the duke asked, glancing in my direction. "Have a bit of fight in you, do you?"

"He nearly killed the vampire. Years of fencing and I doubt I could have handled myself any better."

I was flattered by Maxwell's praise. "I was lucky."

"He's being modest," Ambrose said, sending me a pointed look.

"Enough of this dreadful vampire business," Flora said, straightening in her chair. "It's fortuitous the vampire around Foxglove Abbey has been dispatched, since we will be traveling there this very afternoon and remain there for the next ball."

"Will we?" Cecelia asked, brightening. "I haven't been for ages." Exclamations of delight ran up and down the table among the remaining guests.

"I hear they have good game there," a girl on my other side told a friend beside her. "I've always wanted to see it for myself."

"It will make for an interesting time," Zachariah told me conspiratorially.

I didn't particularly care for the mystery in his words, but I pasted on a smile as I lifted a glass to him, as if excited to meet the challenge.