With a final nod of agreement, Damon turned and walked down the path.
Had that been too easy? I imagined what it would be like if Samuel were able to compel other vampires. The idea filled me with dread. Compulsion, controlling the desires of another soul, was worse than killing. And when creatures already stronger and more lethal than any normal human being were compelled…I didn’t want to imagine that. It wouldn’t happen. We’d make sure of it.
Across town, Hyde Park was lush, empty, and prime hunting ground, especially since the Lord Mayor had imposed a curfew on the parks in the wake of the Jack the Ripper murders. That was perfect for me—the fields were free for squirrels, sparrows, and groundhogs to roam.
I stood behind an oak tree, ignoring the rustle of squirrels darting from a leaf pile. I needed something more substantial than a squirrel to quench my thirst. I really needed human blood, but drinking from Lady Alice had made me more determined than ever to refuse it. Her blood had left me feeling more alive and more out of control than I had in years. And I couldn’t take that kind of risk right now, especially when Cora and Mary Jane were depending on me.
Drink human blood.
Ever since Cora had said it, I couldn’t stop thinking it. If Cora, a human girl, could imagine—no, encourage—me to feed on humans, what was holding me back? It was my true nature. I was a vampire.
A rustle in the bushes caused me to whirl around. It was a woman, laughingly leading a man through the trees. Her sleeve exposed a milky-white shoulder. Their clothing was faded, but clean, and I imagined they were both servants at one of the large houses surrounding the park.
Unbidden, blood rushed to my gums and my fangs elongated. It would be so easy. I wouldn’t even have to kill. I could compel. I could approach them saying that I was lost and looking for directions. Then, I’d quickly attack, drink, and leave.
“Freddy!” The girl grabbed the boy’s arm tightly. “Did you hear something?”
All I heard was the quickening of the girl’s blood.
“Just a squirrel, most likely. Besides, I’m here to keep you safe. Give me a kiss?” the man asked.
“Let’s go,” the girl said nervously. She guided him by the hand back through the gates, their feet crunching on the fall leaves.
I could have run after them. I would have enjoyed the hunt, in fact. But that extra step—needing to take that action—stopped me from making a huge mistake. I couldn’t bring myself to do it. Couldn’t give in to that desire. Not now.
I trained my eyes on the ground, but I was no longer in the mood to hunt. Finally, I grabbed a squirrel from a nearby branch, drained it, and threw the carcass to the ground. I kicked a few leaves over it and wished that I had someone to share my hopes and fears with. In a city of a million heartbeats, I was on my own.
10
“Ready for the big day, brother?” Damon asked as he tweaked a bow tie around his neck.
I pulled out my pocket watch. Three o’clock.
“Where are you going?” I asked. Damon wasn’t supposed to go to Samuel’s until six thirty, and I wasn’t due to meet the witches for the praesidium spell until five.
“An errand,” Damon said. “I’ll be back.”
“Don’t get arrested again,” I said sulkily. He was still a wanted man.
“Can I come?” Cora piped up from the corner. She’d been quiet ever since the coven meeting.
“Of course.” Damon gave her a crooked smile. “In fact, I think you should. I intend to spend the afternoon doing some house hunting. Cora, you can help. I think it’s important to get a woman’s opinion on real estate.”
“You’re looking for a house?” Was he insane? Did he realize what we were up against?
“Yes,” Damon said simply. “And once I find one, Cora can stay there for the night, and we’ll come back and meet her afterward. It’s the safest thing.”
“How are you going to get a house?” Cora asked.
Damon shrugged. “Foreclosures, houses up for sale. There are ways for a vampire to live in luxury without having to be invited in.”
“Is that…legal?”
Damon chuckled. “In case you haven’t realized, we’ve been operating outside the law for quite some time, Cora m’dear.”
“I know,” Cora said quickly. “I just meant with the vice…the vinc…th
e spell between you and Lady Alice. Doesn’t that mean no more lying?”