Oxford Blood (23 page)

Tom glared as George led him to the other Cavaliers (save
Edward who was still celebrating) at the door. Once the two of them arrived,
the group left en masse. Harriet decided to ignore them and congratulate Edward.
Even if he’d had all the power of the Cavaliers behind him it was still an
achievement and although he could be irritating, he was rather fun when the
odious Crispin wasn’t around.

She reached him as he reached out a hand to the defeated
Julia.

“I’m sorry you didn’t win, it was a pleasure to compete
against you,” he said to her in his loud drawling tones.

Harriet had only ever heard positive things about Julia, who
was by all accounts always charming, sweet and polite. Now though she looked
utterly manic.

“Oh, I won’t lose any sleep over it,” she said loudly. “At
least I didn’t kill my own sister.” As the entire room stared, she swept from
the room with her retinue of college friends.

Harriet didn’t know what to make of her comment. Sure,
Edward was a vampire, but could he really have killed his sister? If so, how
had it been covered up?

She felt freshly exhausted as the adrenaline fell away.
She’d been hoping that Tom would have come back but there was no sign of him.
She’d thought that Ben would be there, as most of the other Cavalier candidates
were in attendance, but with the third day of Torpids approaching (Lilith had
neither bumped nor been bumped that day, so were still in second place), he’d
insisted on an early night. Harriet shrugged, and enjoying the hugs and
congratulations that followed her as she left, decided to get herself to bed
before she passed out in the Union.

Chapter Twelve

T
he
Union garden was entirely dark, and oddly quiet apart from distant sounds
emanating from the bar. Harriet had only ever really been in the garden during
the day or early evening when it was full of people spilling out of a debate or
a party.

“So are you pleased with the results?” George asked,
appearing out of the shadows.

Harriet almost screamed. “I’m pleased for myself and I’m
glad Edward made it,” she said hurriedly, her heart pounding, from the shock
and from George’s proximity. “I feel sorry for Harry but I can’t help but feel
that the best person won.”

“That echoes my thoughts more or less exactly. Poor arrogant
Harry. He’s not going to be inducted into the Cavaliers after that sort of
failure.”

So Harry would never become a vampire. Harriet wasn’t sure
that was necessarily a bad thing, but knew that missing out would add insult to
injury for the crushed and defeated boy.

“So is that where you all went? To chase after Harry and
tell him ‘sorry you lost the election, oh by the way forget joining the
Cavaliers?’ That seems rather harsh.”

“We are rather harsh Harriet. Perhaps more than you realise.
In essence, that’s indeed where they’ve gone. It technically requires the full
committee to be there, hence why I summoned Tom. But Rupert and I are for once
agreed on this and I’ve given my vote to him.”

He walked towards the gate, beckoning Harriet to follow. She
knew that she shouldn’t, but walked towards him anyway.

“I may have all the time in the world but I still don’t want
to waste any of it in dealing with a failed hack. I have much better things to
do. Getting you back to college for a start.”

“That’s really not such a great idea,” Harriet said firmly,
starting to walk down the street. “You know where I stand and I think it’s best
we don’t confuse that by spending time alone.”

“Don’t think you’ll be able to resist me, is that it?”
George asked, mockingly.

“Not if you decide to mesmerise me then no, I don’t.”

George laughed, his blonde hair shining under the
streetlights. She noticed some female students across the road staring at him
with looks of hunger and awe. Sometimes she thought it would be wonderful to
not even try to fight him, but she focussed on Tom and felt ashamed.

“Oh is that what you’re worried about? I heard about Her
Majesty’s stunt with your necklace. Very generous of her, you must pass on my
thanks. I’m not going to stoop so low though –that’d be far too easy.”

Almost against her will, Harriet had fallen into step with
him. They were walking down Broad Street, going in the right direction for her
college but not his. She briefly considered making another attempt at getting
rid of him, but if she was honest, after her victory she was glad of the
company. Besides, there were things she wanted to know.

“Really? So I’m supposed to rely on your honour or
something. Forgive me if that doesn’t massively fill me with confidence.” Harriet
faltered as she remembered something that had been confusing her all term.
“Although I have to admit you’ve had plenty of chances to use your mind tricks
at all the Union events and seem to have resisted the temptation.”

“Exactly. I mean what I said. It would be far too easy. Mind
tricks are very useful to get a girl in a hurry and to ensure she’s compliant
when I want to drink from her. But even in those situations I think you’ll find
I’m attractive and charming enough not to need any magic until the very last
minute.”

Harriet rolled her eyes. “Yes, yes, you’re God’s gift to
women, blah blah blah. We’ve gone over this before. What’s your point?”

“The point is that I’ve never really needed magic and mind
control to get what I want, it’s just a useful extra. I don’t really enjoy
using it for one night stands, I wouldn’t dream of it when I’m trying to seduce
someone who could be my soul mate, someone who I could turn.”

Harriet couldn’t help but feel a little thrill at his words.
She decided that if she wasn’t going to have the willpower to send him away
then at the very least a change of subject was required.

“Anyway, did you hear Julia’s outburst? Is it true what she
said about Edward killing his sister? I couldn’t imagine it of him but he is
one of you and I still don’t entirely understand what you’re all capable of.”

“Don’t be ridiculous, of course Edward didn’t kill his
sister. He and Alice were twins, as close as anything. She was a lovely girl;
I’ve tasted her blood once or twice myself.”

Harriet tried to ignore the last point. “So where did Julia
get that idea from?”

“Oh, Charles killed her after he was turned. We told
everyone she’d been in a crash and everyone seemed to have bought the story.
Our people sorted out the post-mortem results and we spread a few false
memories. Julia and Alice were apparently at school together though and very
good friends. She must have looked into her death a little more deeply than
most and jumped to slightly the wrong conclusion.”

They walked on in silence, stepping past the Sheldonian with
its imposing stone busts and turning onto Holywell Street. At 5am on a Thursday
night, the road was almost deserted. It was a creepy place at the best of
times, with the cast iron street lamps spilling pools of light onto the old stone
buildings. The talk of killings made her acutely aware that she was alone with
a powerful vampire whom she’d recently gone out of her way to reject and
offend. She wanted desperately to be safely back in her room. She knew she
ought not to interfere with vampire politics (she found the student variety
stressful enough) but couldn’t resist speaking her thoughts out loud.

“Charles is the vamp that was found drained at Harry’s party
wasn’t he? Surely if he killed his beloved sister, Edward would be the obvious
suspect.”

George gave a sinister laugh. “Oh don’t think you’re the
first to have come up with that theory. It’s not being entirely ruled out,
nothing is, but it doesn’t seem very likely on closer examination. First of all
Crispin insists that Edward was with him all night, and although he’s a
scheming bastard, his story rings true. More than that though, it just wouldn’t
make any sense. Edward and Charles generally got on well. As you’ve seen,
Edward is completely integrated into the Cavaliers. During the election he’s
been surrounded by us constantly and never once has he seemed suspicious.”

“He strikes me as someone who’d be a good actor though,”
Harriet said thoughtfully. “Plus this was his sister we’re talking about. I
don’t have any real siblings, but if someone hurt one of my cousins, I think
I’d be capable of doing anything to them. My cousin Stephanie died last year
and I’m convinced it’s because someone spiked her drink. If I could find
whoever did it I’d happily drain their blood.”

George gave her a look that she didn’t quite understand.
“Well that’s useful to know. I hope her death didn’t hit you too hard. As for
Edward though, whilst he loved his twin sister, this was before the change.
Afterwards, especially for the first few years, human emotions tend to fade and
family ties break. I’m sure he’d rather Alice was still alive, but once he was
turned Charles was more a member of his family than she was, and he realised
this.”

They’d reached the college by this time. When Harriet opened
the late gate, George followed her through it.

“Damn it, I never should have invited you in,” she said,
half teasing him, half concerned.

“I’ve been invited into your staircase as well, remember,
but never into your room more’s the pity. I doubt that’s going to change
tonight, but let me at least escort you to your door.”

Harriet grudgingly agreed. She’d woken up during the walk
back, but safe within college walls, the tiredness was hitting her again. She
resolved to stay on her guard and be ready for any tricks that George might
try. He seemed perfectly civil as he opened the big wooden door to her
staircase and helped her up the steep stone stairs. She noticed with relief
that the lights were still off in Tom’s room. She didn’t want him to see her
walking in with George, however innocently.

Outside the door to her room, George gave her a gentle kiss
on her cheek. “I don’t suppose you would consider letting me in?” he asked
longingly.

“Absolutely not. Don’t you dare try to mesmerise me into
doing that.”

“Interestingly, that’s one thing we can’t ever do with mind
control. Our gifts are our weapons; humans’ ability to refuse us entry is their
shield. It wouldn’t do for the one to entirely cancel out the other.”

He kissed her other cheek, slightly harder this time, and
she hurried through her door before things got out of control.

“Well, if that’s how you want to play it, I’ll wish you good
night. God you’re wasted on Tom though.”

He walked away, but as he was descending the stairs, he
turned and shouted back to her. “One more thing. You saw tonight how much the
Cavaliers dislike failure. If you don’t want Ben to be treated in the same way
as Harry, I suggest you urge him to make sure his boat ends up Head of the
River.”

***

Harriet woke up that afternoon, still flushed with success.
In the daylight, the confusing and unpleasant aspects of the night before
seemed like a bad dream. Her victory was all she could really think about,
although between George’s warning and her own desire to support her friends and
college she’d hoped to make it to the rowing. However, looking at the time she
suspected she’d missed the first division races. Just then, Caroline bounded
in, as usual without knocking. A rather calmer Olamide followed her in.

“Well done on the election,” they said in unison, before
both hugging her.

Caroline had brought a bottle of champagne, which she
brandished at Harriet before depositing it in the fridge.

“Have you eaten yet?” Ola asked with some concern. “From the
way you’re still wearing pyjamas I’m guessing not. Shall I grab you a sandwich
whilst that chills?”

“You’re amazing, both of you. Thanks for the bubbly; I’ll
get that open in a second. Ola, if you do want a trip to the sandwich shop a
bacon and brie baguette would be great. Don’t rush though, sit and have a chat
first.”

Whilst they settled themselves down, Harriet went next door
to fetch Josh and tell him the good news. He hugged her too.

“See, I told you not to worry,” he said. “Now, the question
is, are you going to go for Standing Committee next term?”

Harriet hadn’t decided yet. The election had made for one of
the most stressful and one of the most exciting weeks of her life. She wasn’t
sure she wanted to put herself through those highs and lows again, but could
hardly resist doing so. Catherine was probably going to be running for
President, she ought to speak to her.

The girls explained that they’d come from the river, where
Ben’s boat had finally managed to bump Oriel. They’d be starting Saturday, the
final day, in first position. To win Torpids all they’d have to do tomorrow was
make it to the end of the course without getting bumped in turn. That was
easier said than done, but Caroline seemed confident of the chances of Ben and
the rest of the team.

“So where’s Ben now?” Harriet asked, as Olamide returned
with sandwiches.

“Oh he’ll be over asap. He needed to put the boat away, take
a shower, chat to the guys, all that kind of stuff, but he’s looking forward to
congratulating you.”

Harriet cracked open the champagne and they were well into
the food and drink by the time Ben arrived. He knocked quietly. Caroline rushed
to great him. Between his victory and Harriet’s success they were all expecting
to find him cheerful and over excitable, but instead he seemed wretched.

“What on earth’s wrong?” Caroline asked.

Ben sat down and poured himself a drink. He was meant to be
off alcohol for the duration of Torpids, but looked as though he needed it.
“It’s Harry Fitzrovia. His scout found him this morning. He’d hung himself.”

Everyone was horrified. Harriet felt sick thinking of how
he’d looked when the election results were announced. She hadn’t thought of him
as being suicidal, but the Cavaliers’ rejection must have been the last straw.
She wished she’d managed to get to him before the vampires had. Would it have
helped if she’d said something about how student politics and societies didn’t
really count for anything? How he was rich and intelligent and if not exactly
her type, then objectively quite attractive? How he had his whole life ahead of
him and everything to live for? If he was so far gone, probably not, but she
still wished she’d tried.