Page 16 of Eternal Obsession

“Really? Well then, come quickly,” I said. “And perhaps a little drink is in order to calm your nerves.”

“Are you sure it’s not a bother for you?”

“Not at all. In fact, it’s rather a lovely surprise.”

She followed eagerly, taking in the luxurious décor, enjoying her first real look at her daughter’s place of employment.

“Now, I think this is the note.” I picked up a piece of paper from the oak writing bureau and handed it over to her. She read, slowly and with difficulty. I glanced through the window, confirming Alex remained outside, and moved quietly behind her, wrapping my left arm around her waist and my right hand over her mouth suppressing any screams. After a tilt of her head, my fangs bit into her neck. Delighting in the moment my eyes closed as the sweet taste flowed.

Alex, curious who the woman was and why she had come uninvited, decided to follow me after several minutes. On entering the hallway, Alex heard us in the drawing room. He proceeded in that direction.

She struggled frantically, as they sometimes did. As the blood loss affected her, she weakened, drifting off into a faint, and I placed her down upon the floor, into death.

With a leap from the room, I headed Alex off, greeting him before he entered and caught a glimpse of my delicious tussle.

“Oh, there you are,” I said.

“What did the woman want?”

“She came to apologize for not providing us with a meal the other night. She’s more than made up for it.”

“Really. How?”

“Alex, I am sorry. I have urgent business which has just arisen that I must attend to. It will not take me long. Go to Mousehole where there is an inn called Le Vive. Await me there. I should not be long. Perhaps an hour or so.”

“Can I not come with you?”

“You know better than to question me.”

Alex was taken aback.

“Le Vive, go . . . now,” I said.

Alex turned and headed for the door. Before exiting, he gave me a final glance.

I smiled to soften the moment. “I expect you to run her hard.”

“Excuse me?”

“Your new horse.”

“Oh, right. Of course.”

Alex withdrew. He headed to the rear gardens again, this time with a bounce in his step.

I returned to the drawing room and stared down at the muted-grey corpse. “Come on.” I hauled her over my shoulder. “I’ll show you where your daughter is.”

On arriving at the small town of Mousehole, Alex enjoyed the view and was invigorated by the salty fresh air. He surveyed St. Michael’s Mount, admiring the grand castle in the distance. Entering the inn he ordered some wine, and taking a corner table positioned himself with his back against the wall. He looked about him, noticing only two other men sitting at another table not far from his, engrossed in conversation. Alex fretted over how his father would respond when he presented his new horse. He hoped he would not be angry, but he knew that his father would be suspicious of what his son had done to deserve such a fine gift. Alex was even concerned that his father might not allow him to keep her.

The innkeeper’s wife approached him, shaking him from his thoughts.

“Your room is ready for you, sir,” she said.

“I am sorry. You are mistaken. I did not request a⁠—”

“It was booked by Lord Velde, room ten. Here is the key.”

“How do you know it is for me?”