“Stefan,” she said sleepily before opening her eyes. “What happened?” She gasped as she took in my appearance.
“We’re being followed,” I said tersely, glancing past Violet toward my reflection in the window. I looked awful. I looked like I’d be
en caught in a war. Which, I suppose was more or less what I’d found myself in. “By Henry,” I clarified grimly.
“Henry!” Violet gasped again, her face turning pale. “What do you mean?
“He’s a vampire, too. Damon has a lot of very powerful friends. But I got rid of him,” I explained. I knew it sounded like I’d killed him, and I fervently wished that had been the case. But I had a feeling I’d simply wounded him, and if so, I knew he’d be quick to return. The train whistle blew as we rolled into the train station. “Come with me,” I said brusquely.
Violet struggled to her feet and followed me down the narrow aisle of the train car.
“Sir?” a conductor called from behind us. I whirled around, noticing the split second that it took him to see the blood on my hands, the grime and soot all over my clothes.
One more time, I said to myself, locking eyes with him. Just because compelling had become routine over the past few days did not mean it took any less effort. I forced myself to stand still. “You never saw us,” I said as the train came to a stop, its brakes squealing.
Violet held my hand tightly and stepped behind me, as though she were a frightened animal being protected by a larger, stronger member of the pack.
I continued to look in the conductor’s watery, sleepy eyes. “We’re leaving now. And when you pass through the carriage, you won’t remember us,” I said, walking down the three steps toward the platform. The conductor trailed behind us, leaning over the steps as if unsure whether or not to hop off the train and ask us more questions. I continued to stare.
“I never saw . . .” I heard the conductor agree, before the whistle blew and the train whirred away, heading deeper into the country.
“What happened?” Violet asked, hands on her hips as dust from the departing train whipped around us. She still seemed woozy and was staggering as though drunk.
“It’s a power vampires have. I can make people do my bidding. I don’t like to do it, but it can come in handy.” I hoped I wouldn’t have to do any compelling on our three-mile journey back to the manor. Who knew if Mrs. Todd at the post office or Mr. Evans at the general store were peeking out from behind their curtains, wondering what Stefan the groundskeeper was possibly doing with a crying, pale, sick girl. “But we’re here, in Ivinghoe. You’re safe.”
Violet shook her head. “I’m not safe,” she said, her voice low and faint. “I’m dying.” I saw her flinch and realized that the sun must be agonizing to her. Red splotches were dotting her arms and legs, and her face was slicked with sweat. I glanced helplessly at my lapis-lazuli ring, wishing there was something I could do. But I needed to be wearing the ring at all times.
“Let’s go,” I said, hooking my arm in hers and crossing to the shady side of the street. It wasn’t much relief, but it was something. Then, together, we trudged up the winding path to Abbott Manor.
Chapter 15
By the time we reached the path that led to the Abbott’s back garden, my mind had cleared. The woods were beautiful, dark, wild, and mysterious. One of the local legends was that long ago, fairies had settled the land and made it their home, hiding in the ample oak tree trunks and looking out for the forest life. Of course, I didn’t believe the tale. I’d been through the woods and captured and killed enough animals to know there were no benevolent creatures protecting the forest. Or if there were, then they had better things to do than save an errant squirrel or rabbit that was caught in the clenches of a vampire’s fangs. Still, the story comforted me, if only because it proved that humans could still believe in good, even when so much evil lived in their midst.
We walked toward the clearing, where the sprawling three-story brick manor house rose up on the crest of a hill.
“Here we are,” I said, gesturing to the vast expanse, as if I were a king showing off my land to my subject.
“It’s nice,” Violet said, a small smile creeping onto her pale lips. “Green. It reminds me of home.”
I heard the dog bark and I startled. I knew that most likely Luke or Oliver would be nearby, and I didn’t want them to see Violet. There would be too many questions I didn’t think I could answer. Hastily, I swept Violet into my arms and into my tiny cottage. Safely inside, I had her sit at my rickety kitchen table. I quickly changed my shirt, washed my face, and ran water through my hair. In the mirror, I saw Violet eyeing me inquisitively.
I turned around and she licked her lips.
“I’m so thirsty,” Violet whimpered.
“I know,” I said helplessly.
Just then, the cabin door creaked open. I glanced around in a panic. Perhaps my cabin wasn’t as secluded as I needed it to be.
“Stefan, you’re back!” Oliver came barreling inside, his tiny footsteps echoing on the floor. He threw his arms around my knees. “I thought I saw you. You came home early! Are we going hunting today?”
“Not yet,” I said, ruffling his fine blond hair and trying to choke back my guilt. “I have a visitor. Oliver, this is Violet.”
His eyes widened at the site of her, reminding me of the way Violet captivated the crowds at the theater. She did have something special about her.
“She’s my cousin,” I lied as Violet sank to her knees and held out her hand.
“Hello, little man,” she said, giving Oliver a big smile.