AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Thomas slowly backed into my bedroom, foot hooking around the threshold with utter control. I would have focused on his intent more if I hadn’t been trying to see the tantalizing package he was hiding. Glimpses of black ribbon tied in a ridiculously oversize bow had me fully intrigued.
“When you put it that way, of course I don’t want you to leave me alone,” he went on. “We could have so much more fun together.”
His gaze purposely flicked to the single bed, lingering there to clarify his intentions. I’d completely forgotten my next question, as Thomas shifted I could now see brown paper covering the entire box. It was large enough to store a body. I inched closer, curiosity spinning wildly through my mind. What on earth could it be? I kept my focus on it, hoping to glean a clue.
“Though,” he added slowly, “I would prefer to roll around on something a bit more… accommodating to my size.”
I stopped moving. Nearly ceased breathing as his words batted my curiosity about the package away. I could not imagine what it would be like: lying in bed together, kissing without restraint… and—
Thomas smirked, as if he knew precisely the direction my wanton thoughts had taken and was pleased I hadn’t tossed him from the window. Yet.
Face burning, I pointed to the chamber behind me. “Get out of my bedroom, Cresswell. You may leave the box on the settee.”
He tsked. “Apologies, my sweet. But you really should act immediately when you read my body language. I saw you take in my foot. A decent job of collecting details, I must admit. Too bad you let those scandalous thoughts distract you. Though I can hardly blame you.”
“Take in your… Thomas!” Before I could charge at him, he swept the door closed with his blasted foot. I tried the knob, but he’d already twisted the key, locking himself in. I was going to murder him.
“For such a modest young woman,” Thomas called from beyond the door, “you certainly have an intriguing number of lacy unmentionables. I’m going to be imagining all sorts of improper things while you’re sawing up the next body in Percy’s class. Do you believe that makes me some sort of deviant? Perhaps I should be worried. Actually, maybe it’s you who should be afraid.”
“Cresswell! You’ve made your point, now kindly leave. If the headmaster discovers this impropriety while I’m on academic probation, I’ll be expelled!”
I pounded the door, jumping back a step when it creaked open. All humor was wiped from his expression as he cocked his head, staring down at me. “Did you say academic probation? What manner of mischief have I missed out on and what, exactly, does probation entail?”
I slumped against the wall, suddenly exhausted from the previous night. I’d barely slept, tossing and turning as if that might help sort out what I thought I’d seen. Were there really two people chanting in the corridor? Did they truly steal a body, or was that bundle they were carrying simply excess food stores, as Moldoveanu suggested? I no longer trusted myself.
Thomas mimicked my position by leaning against the doorjamb and I relayed each detail I could recall, knowing he’d find meaning in anything I might have missed, as he often saw things in a unique manner. I spoke of my adventure with Anastasia in the village, and the discovery of the missing young woman’s possible involvement with the Order of the Dragon. I even told him about my suspicions regarding Nicolae’s illustrations and how that might possibly tie in with his cousin’s death. I didn’t inform him that I’d also been featured in the prince’s journal, though. That I didn’t want to share for several reasons. When I finished, Thomas gnawed his bottom lip until it seemed it might bruise.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if Nicolae was responsible for sending those threats,” he said. “But the why is a bit buried. I’ll have to watch him in class. Pick up on any tics or hints.”
“Regardless,” I said, “I have a theory someone is hunting Vlad’s bloodline. Making a statement. To what purpose, I’m not sure. In two of the murders it appears as if there’s a vampire hunter. The other murder definitely has the marks of a vampire attack. I think Prince Nicolae might be in danger. Unless he is the one who’s sending out the threats. What is the common bond amongst the victims? And how does the woman from the tunnels figure into it all?”
“Nicolae’s technically not one of Vlad’s descendants.” Thomas stared directly into my eyes, but I could see he was on another continent. “He’s part of the Danesti line. The Danesti and Draculesti families were rivals for many years. I’d say someone is targeting the House of Basarab—both branches of the family. Or perhaps one family line is being portrayed as vampires, and the other as the hunters.”
“So Danesti the guard is related to Prince Nicolae?” I asked. “I’m a bit afraid to ask how you’re so well versed on a medieval family.”
“There’s something I’ve been meaning to tell you.” He inhaled deeply. “I’m Dracula’s heir.”
I was grateful I was already leaning against the wall for support. I stared at him, trying to unravel the confusion surrounding such a simple statement. I couldn’t possibly have heard him correctly. He waited, not uttering another word, tensed for my response.
“But… you’re English.”
“And Romanian, remember? On my mother’s side.” He offered a tentative smile. “My mother was a cel Rau, a descendant of Vlad’s son Mihnea.”
I rolled that information around my mind, choosing my next words with care. “Why haven’t you mentioned Dracula’s lineage before? It’s quite an intriguing topic.”
“‘Cel Rau’ means the Evil One. I wasn’t keen on exposing that. In fact, your friend Anastasia cornered me the other week and accused me of bringing this blood curse to the academy. She said Dracula’s last remaining male heir should not have come to this castle, unless I harbored a grandiose scheme of taking it over, or some other such nonsense.”
He dropped his gaze to the carpet, shoulders curving inward. My heart sped up. I realized Thomas believed that foolish moniker. Worse, he believed I’d think that of him, too. All because of which family he’d been born into. I had no idea how Anastasia discovered the truth of his lineage and didn’t care at the moment. I touched his elbow, gently encouraging him to look at me.
“Are you sure it doesn’t translate to the Foolish One?” He didn’t so much as crack a smile. Something in my core twisted. “If you’re an evil one, I’m equally so. If not worse. We both carve the dead, Thomas. That doesn’t make us damned. Is that why you didn’t tell me sooner? Or were you afraid your princely title would change my… feelings?”
He slowly lifted his gaze; for once he didn’t hide his emotions. Before he responded I saw the depth of his fear sketched across his face. All posturing and arrogance gone. In their place stood a young man who appeared as if the world might be breaking around him and there wasn’t a thing he could do to save himself. He’d fallen over a cliff so high all hope of survival had perished before he’d hit the ground.
“Who would blame you for not speaking to me again? The unfeeling monster who’s descended from the Devil himself. Everyone in London would love it. An actual reason for my reprehensible social behavior.” Thomas ran a hand through his hair. “Most people find me hard to be near under the best of circumstances. I was, if I were being honest, terrified you’d see what everyone else does. It’s not that I don’t trust you. I am selfish and don’t want to lose you. I am heir to a dynasty drenched in blood. What could I possibly offer you?”
There were a thousand things we needed to focus on. The possibility of the impostor Impaler being close to the academy. The growing number of murders. Our suspicious classmate… And yet, when I stared into Thomas’s eyes and saw the agony behind them, I could think of only one thing. I moved closer, heart racing with each step I took toward him.
“I don’t see a monster, Thomas.” I paused with a few inches between us. “I see only my best friend. I see kindness. And compassion. I see a young man who’s determined to use his mind to help others, even when he fails miserably at emotional matters.”
