[excerpt] (8 page)

Not long after, Father Butler told him Raven may not respond to his exorcism or the transfusion, but if she survived, she may show signs of turning into a vampire.

Lucian listened to Father tell him things he’d never thought possible. It was as if someone wrote a horror novel and he was the main character, Raven the poor waif, destined to a gloomy ever-after. When Father Butler told Lucian he had to pour the blessed water on him too, Lucian decided his gloomy ever-after was looking a little too surreal for his liking. He never uttered a sound as the water burned through his flesh to rid the evil incubus from his body.

Serina couldn’t watch. She worried that Father Butler was right to give Raven her passage to heaven. She’d seen cadavers in the morgue come in looking better, even the bloke she beheaded.
Was that only yesterday?

Father Butler tapped Serina’s shoulder jarring her thoughts. “I’ve done all I can for your new friends. You be safe, little girl. You are my heart.”

“I won’t allow anything bad to happen to them, Father.”

“Little girl, the bad things have taken place. There are some things you truly have no control over.”

“Ye of little faith, Father. You don’t give me enough credit.” Serina stepped closer and kissed Father’s cheek. “Thank you for your help.”

“I’ve seen your work, dear. You’re years away from enlightenment. ’Tis a shame your mum left in such a tizzy. So much to learn, so little time.” Father attempted a small smirk and quickly lost it. “For you, Serina, I’d lie down and die if you needed me to.”

“There’s a gloomy note to end the day on. Love you, Father. Give my babies at the home one of these for me.” Serina hugged the man to her.

He broke away. “If you have need, call.” Father Butler handed each of them a silver cross, said a silent prayer and then left, his step much slower than his racing mind.

Hours passed and morning turned to early afternoon. Raven spent the majority of the morning teetering between lucidity and lunacy. Lucian had carried her upstairs to Serina’s spare room. Worn out, he too stretched out on the floor beneath his twin. The last thing he saw before he drifted off to sleep was Serina curled up in the seat by the bay window reading.

Upon awaking, Lucian asked Duncan to run to the manor for fresh clothes. The remnants of Serina’s stomach contents lingered on his shirt, and the scent did not resemble the fine cologne he usually dowsed himself in.

Serina met him at the base of the stairs.

“I’m going to check on Raven. Coming back up?” She held her hand to him.

Lucian grasped her fingers and trailed after her. A shrill squeak escaped the door’s hinges when Serina shoved it open. Both she and Lucian jumped. Raven never flinched. “She sleeps like the dead.” Lucian pushed past Serina and went to his sister’s side, then sat upon the bed. “I probably should rephrase that!” He sighed.

Serina walked to the opposite side of the bed and pressed her palm to Raven’s forehead. Raven was clammy and her clothing smelled of strong urine. “Excuse me a moment?” Serina turned and left the room. When she returned she held a stack of white linens, some clean undergarments and a night-dress. She set the pile down beside Raven. “Lucian, would you excuse us for a few minutes?” Serina didn’t want to tell Lucian that Raven had soiled herself.

Lucian stood in haste. “Why?”

“Your sister needs dry clothing, that’s all.”

“I’ll do it. I’ll change her.”

Puzzled, Serina asked, “Wouldn’t she rather a woman change her?”

Lucian shook his head adamantly no. “I said I’ll do it.”

Serina backed away, both angered and hurt by his shortness. After all, she was only trying to help.

“I hadn’t meant to sound so bitter, but my concern for Raven has gnawed away my last nerve. She’d die a thousand deaths if she knew anyone ever saw her.”

“But, Lucian, I am a doctor and a woman.”

Lucian fingered the stubble on his chin before he spoke. “You don’t understand. How could you?” He tossed his hands in the air, at a loss. “Raven wears scars across her body that she wants no one to witness.
Ever
. She was raped four years ago and came close to death. The bastard chewed chunks from her, Serina. She allowed only myself to care for her as she healed. She clings to her dignity. If she knew you saw her, she’d worry you would think less of her or worse—pity her. So if you’ll give us some privacy, I’ll attend to my sister.” Lucian gave Serina the full weight of his gaze.

Serina’s heart immediately went out to Lucian. To carry such a burden and such love for his sister, showed true unconditional love. Serina closed the distance and embraced him. “I’m sorry,” she offered as she glanced directly into his chest. She couldn’t help the small curl to her lips. Their height differences made standing together somewhat awkward. “I should have asked, not just presumed I would provide her care.”

Lucian grabbed Serina and held her. He even went as far as to plant a small peck on the top of her head. “It is I who should apologize, m’lady. I am just so used to doing everything for her. It is hard to let go. Harder to let others in.”

“Possibly you could start now, by letting me help you. Maybe in time Raven could grow to trust me as well.” Serina backed out from Lucian’s grasp and left to get water.

Lucian felt a small piece of his soul relax. This little woman he’d found was a rare, special creature. Her caring and generosity took him by storm, but then again, everything about her had.

When she came back into the room he asked, “Are you certain you want to see this? It is truly inhumane.”

Serina braced herself for whatever Lucian revealed as he lifted the covers. Serina stared in disbelief at Raven’s scars for some time. And then tears flooded in her eyes.

“You all right?” he asked.

Serina shook her head no.

Lucian tilted her chin to bring her face into view. “Maybe now you understand why Raven doesn’t want anyone to see this.”

“Lucian?” Raven called out.

Lucian dropped the coverlet in haste. “’Ello, Beauty. How you faring?”

Raven licked her lips. “Parched comes to mind. A cup of tea would hit the spot.” Her smile was weak, but there. “Mind filling me in why I’m in a strange bed?”

“I’ve got the tea. You two catch up.” Serina offered a little too fast. On her feet and headed out, Lucian grabbed her wrist as she passed him.

He whispered, “Nice. You’re leaving me with the real dirty work of explaining?”

“Beauty and brains, m’lord. A rarity to be sure.” And with that she scooted out the bedroom door.

Lucian eyed his sister with great apprehension. “You certain you want tea? Not blood?” he asked absent of any humor.

Raven backed up on the pillow. She eyed Lucian oddly. “What the ’ell is wrong with you? ’Ave you lost your mind?”

“What do you remember of last night, Beauty?”

“You tucking me and then I awoke here, only minutes past, so begin your explanation, dear brother. You’ve piqued me curiosity. And don’t even attempt to tell me any more vampire tales.”

“Oh my fair, Raven.” Lucian lay beside her, and plucked one of the pillows from behind her head for himself. “Lie back and allow me to attempt to explain the unexplainable.”

Serina returned with a tray filled with steaming Earl Grey tea, crumpets and garden-fresh, raspberry jam. She fast realized she’d be dining alone. Raven lay curled within Lucian’s strong arms, both of them sound asleep. She briefly wondered what it would be like to nestle within his arms, and wake every morning beside him. Heaven came to mind.

Early evening, Lucian ventured to the kitchen to find Serina with her nose buried in a book. Noticing a tray of food on the counter, he bee-lined for it.

“’Ello,” he said as he jammed a mouthful of a crumpet into his mouth.

Serina wiped a few crumbs from his cheek. “Hungry? Duncan and Molly are across the road cooking supper for us. They’ll be here shortly. How’s your sister?”

“Burning up.”

Serina slammed the book closed, crossed her kitchen and pulled out a canning jar filled with yellow powder.

“Curry?”

Serina shook her head no.

“Mustard powder?”

Another nod side to side. Deep in thought, she placed a finger to her lips and shushed him.

“I placed more cool cloths on her forehead and changed her again. She comes and goes.” Lucian told her as he followed on her heels.

Serina tapped her finger to the jar. “I’ve got something to reduce the febrile state.” Minutes later she had a cup of tea and the powdery substance beside it in a small apothecary bowl.

Lucian dipped his finger into the powder, tasted it and scrunched his face. “’Tis bitter. What is it already?”

Serina smirked at his facial expression. “Salicylic acid. It comes from a willow tree’s bark. Not to worry. It’s not black magic or anything so medieval. I’ve sweetened her tea so when I add this, she’ll never taste it.”

They took the tea to Raven. Lucian scooted behind Raven and held her steady while Serina helped her take small sips until the cup was empty. Within minutes, Raven’s eyelids fell closed.

At the sound of her back door opening, Serina picked up the empty dishes. “I think our supper is here. Will you join us or shall I bring yours to you?”

Lucian stretched out his legs and yawned. Without censor, he glanced at Serina and said, “You are truly lovely. Would up here be all right? I don’t want to leave her.”

Serina nodded. “You don’t have to make up compliments to get me to do things for you.”

“I made up no such thing, m’lady.”

Tray in hand, Serina curtsied, wobbled on one leg, which caused the china to topple over into a heap on the floor. Serina plunked down beside the broken dishes, too embarrassed to move. “Would you like to replace lovely with lubberly? I am a true klutz.”

Lucian crossed to her, and slid his arms underneath hers. With a little lift, he had her on her feet again. “No I would not. Maybe you should get some rest.”

Before she had time to protest, he cleaned up the broken china and carried it down stairs.

Serina traipsed behind this time.

“Supper’s in here, Luce,” Duncan offered from the dining room.

“Old man, what have you cooked up? It smells…”

Duncan covered Lucian’s mouth as he looked him dead in the eye. “Molly made us some steak and kidney pie, Luce. Been a long time since we’ve had that, hey?” The grin, if it was really one, warned Lucian to tread lightly.

“That it has,” Lucian answered.
Just not long enough!
“I’m going to take mine upstairs if you don’t mind. Ray’s in a state, and I need to be there when she wakes fully.”

The twinkle in Duncan’s eye faded. “Your clothes are in the washroom. I’ll be up shortly to relieve you.”

“We’re good, Duncan, but thank you.” Lucian turned and hugged Molly for her thoughtfulness and carried his bowl of steaming organs up the stairs, holding it an arm’s length from his nose.

Serina looked between the flaky pie and her half-eaten crumpet. “Molly, please save mine for later? I’m going to take Lucian up on his offer and rest. You two, make yourselves comfy. There’s some of Father Butler’s homemade wine in the pantry. It packs a wallop, so be careful.”

“Serina!” Lucian yelled from the top of the stairs. “Come quick!”

Serina hiked up her skirt and took the stairs two at a time with Duncan one-step behind her. They entered the room and found Raven hunched over the bed in distress. Serina rushed to her aide. Lucian knelt down in front of his sister, and swept her hair from her face.

“What is it, Raven?” Serina asked.

“The tea, it’s poisoned. It’s ripping me stomach in half.” Raven vomited, covering her brother in curdled tea. “I’m sorry, Luce.” She began to cry.

“It’s all right, Beauty. I’m getting used to it. I’m going to draw a bath for you.”

Raven nodded. “Serina, I’m sorry I’m making a muck of your home.”

“Raven, everything is washable, your brother included. I should’ve known better. Sometimes the medicine gives people an upset tummy without food.” Serina hugged Raven to her. “Come on. I hear Lucian and Duncan trying to draw your bath. Since when does it take two men to turn on a faucet?”

“They are joined at the hip. It takes one to think of something and the other one to act upon it.” Raven attempted a grin but it never left her lips. Instead, she finished emptying her stomach.

After Serina helped her into the bathroom, Duncan offered, “I’ll take her from here, Serina.”

Serina pointed. “I’ll be right in that room.” Her bedroom was adjacent to the bath.

Raven grabbed Lucian’s and Duncan’s hands. “I’ll be fine on me own. Really. I’m feeling a bit more human since I tossed that stuff up on you, Luce. You need this bath more than I do.”

Lucian swept his arm from Raven to the tub, gesturing, “Ladies first. Holler if you need me. I’ll be right outside.”

“Hey, Ray?” Duncan tapped her on the shoulder, “Want some pastries? I’ll run out and grab them. No problem.”

“You’re a love, Duncan.” Raven pushed everyone out of the room and locked the door behind her.