“Alexi, wake up!”Mildred and Agnes floated over Alexi, who lay slumped on the street corner in Berkeley Square, where their carriage had been parked.
“He’s not waking,” Agnes said. “He must have received a severe blow.”
“He must wake. We need to find out who took Sophie.”
“I have an idea. Wait here.” Agnes disappeared, leaving Mildred trying to rouse the vampire.
Several minutes later, Agnes returned with a bottle of smelling salts, which she stuck under Alexi’s sharp nose. His large nostrils flared, and his fangs emerged as he opened his red eyes.
“What is that?” He swung at the smelling salts, and the bottle flew into the air. “Are you trying to kill me?”
“No, we are trying to save you. Unless you wish to be lying here until the sun wakes you.”
Alexi blinked and then touched the back of his head. “Monstrum!” he mumbled.
“Who?” Agnes said. “Tell us, now! Whoever knocked you out took our Sophie.”
“It’s bad news,” Alexi said. “A vampire named Dimitri took Miss Spencer. He’s the most feared—”
“Yes, we know who Dimitri is. But why would he want Sophie…” Agnes’s voice trailed off as she realized the answer to her own question.
“Oh dear!” Mildred said, as she too realized the terrifying reality. Dimitri was going to feed off Sophie’s youth and beauty.
Perhaps he’d turn her into a vampire and force her to live with him forever.
“We must go to her,” Agnes said. “Can you take us to his vault?”
“I can, but it won’t do you any good. His vault is protected with ancient spells. No one can enter or exit without his permission, even ghosts.”
“Take us anyway,” Agnes said. “We’ll enter or die again trying.”
Chapter Eight
Simon left hisaunt’s house, completely baffled by the night’s events. His aunt had seemed unclear as to who Miss Sophie Spencer was and what she was doing at her ball. She wasn’t too pleased that he had neglected Miss Waterford and had warned him to fix the situation promptly.
He hardly cared. He needed to find out why Miss Spencer had departed in such a hurry. Was she in trouble, or was it something he’d said or done?
As Grosvenor Square was only a ten-minute walk from his aunt’s dwelling, he’d not bothered to bring his carriage, and so he set out to walk home along the gas-lit streets of Mayfair. But no sooner had he rounded the corner, he heard someone shout, “Are you trying to kill me?” And he saw something that looked like a small bottle fly through the air.
Simon turned to see who had shouted and froze in terror. A man with blazing red eyes and teeth that looked like fangs sat on the street corner and shouted at no one. Simon rubbed his own eyes, realizing he must be exhausted, and what he was actually seeing was a drunkard causing a ruckus—not a common sight in Mayfair, but then again, this night had been no common night.
He was about to continue his walk home when the drunkard said, “A vampire named Dimitri took Miss Spencer.”
“What was that?” Simon said, turning and taking a cautious step toward the man. But he appeared not to notice Simon andcontinued to rant about spells and ghosts despite no one else being present.
Simon shook his head. He was hearing things. What could this drunkard know about Miss Spencer? He was about to leave when the man suddenly shot to his feet and sped past Simon like a whirlwind, almost knocking him to the ground. Within seconds, he was gone. Simon stood blinking in the drunkard’s wake, wondering if he was indeed going mad.
*
“My lord, areyou well? You look…” James asked as Simon stumbled into his townhome.
“I’ll be better after a brandy or two.” Simon shrugged off his coat despite still shivering. “I do hope you have some fires blazing.”
“Of course, my lord. Both the drawing room and your chamber are warm and ready to receive you.”
“Very good,” Simon said and headed for the drawing room.
As Simon poured his brandy, James reappeared, carrying a silver tray. “A letter arrived for you, my lord.”
