Primeval fic: Bathed By Blood (15/16)
Jun. 19th, 2012 08:33 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
knitekatTitle: Bathed By Blood (15/16)
Author: knitekat
Word Count: ~3130 (of a total ~47955)
Characters: James Lester, Tom Ryan and a cast of RPs, OCs and OHs.
Pairing: James Lester/Tom Ryan
Rating: 18
Disclaimer: Primeval belongs to Impossible Pictures. Certainly not me. Writing for fun and will replace.
A/N 1: Part of my AU Bloodverse series. Continues from Part 14 and continues in Part 16.
A/N 2: Contains details of historical fact, several individuals in the fic are based on real historical people.
A/N 3: Thanks go to Fred for the beta. Cheers, m'dear.
Warnings: Dark!fic, bloodplay, blood and gore in general (graphic descriptions), angst, hurt/comfort.
The next evening had me once again standing in the Council chambers, alone this time for I had not wanted Ryan in this place of death. I quirked a curious eyebrow as an old man, bent doubled with age, held the door open for the veiled Seer and a boy with the most brilliant blue eyes I had even seen who followed behind her with a box.
She seated herself and looked expectantly at me. “What do you wish to see?”
I felt a shiver of foreboding run up my spine as I met her now revealed eyes, but I needed to know. “Can you... see the identity of the Whitechapel murderer?”
She shook her head. “That is not how Seeing works.”
“Oh?” I had not realised that. “How does it work? If you do not mind my asking.”
The Seer smiled at me. “I see the future but it is unclear. It is up to you to discern the truth from the words I speak.”
I quirked an eyebrow. “Riddles and mysteries?”
“Quite.” She did not sound upset by my comment, for which I was glad. It would hardly do my search any good if I finally had a Seer to consult and insulted her. “Now, tell me the tale.”
“You have not read the newspapers?”
“But of course. Tell me of what the papers did not say.”
I nodded and told her all that I knew of the matter, especially what the papers had not know as the police did not.
When I had finished the Seer motioned for the boy to bring her the box. She opened it and released the flumes from a stoppered vessel. She inhaled deeply and I watched as her eyes fluttered and her pupils widened until her eyes seemed almost black. Her voice was low, guttural and sent a shiver down my back. “Ere Patrick's favoured sings no more; fair queen in her Flower Court, cruelly betrayed shall be.”
I blinked at her words as I wondered what they meant. I was hardly aware as she turned and walked away, her posture no longer straight but bent and crooked.
I had spent the day trying to make sense of the Seer's riddle but that night I found myself once more visiting Black Hall. No matter how much I hated coming here it was my duty to bid the Seer a safe journey. However I found the atmosphere suffocating and slipped out of the side door for air. It was a lovely evening, the sky cloudless and I could clearly see the moon and stars. It looked lovely and I just wished I could have been at home with Ryan, enjoying the night in his arms.
The nicker of a horse drew my attention as I rounded the corner of the Hall and I stopped to examine the matched pair that stood before me. A nicely formed bay pair although not, in my expert opinion, as good as my own. I would put them at 150 guineas each, while my own beautiful boys, Phobos and Deimos, had been 250 apiece.
The soft scuffle of boots and the drag of a case pulled my attention from the horses to the bent form of an old man hauling the Seer's luggage to her carriage. He appeared to be struggling with a particularly heavy trunk so I stepped forward to help him. As my hand reached for the case the old man turned his brilliant blue eyes to me. I took a step back, my mouth opened in shock as I stared at him in horror. Those eyes. I had seen them barely a day ago, staring at me out of that boy's face. My mind flashback to the end of my audience, the image of the Seer's hand on the boy's shoulder. It had been twisted and gnarled as that of an old woman's. My God. What was she?
I heard the door open and stared at the beautiful features of the Seer as she came down the steps, another young boy's hand in hers. Before I could utter a word I was grasped in a steely grip and dragged back into the shadows and held fast against my captor. A hand clamped over my mouth and Hrothgar growled in my ear. “Stand fast, James.”
Hrothgar held me still until the Seer's carriage had clattered out of the Hall and on its way to God only knew where. I knew better than to hope he would release me once she was out of sight and I was not surprised to find myself inside the Hall. Hrothgar finally let me go when I was deep inside the Hall, when I spun to face him I caught the pitying look on My Lord's face.
“You knew?” My voice was accusatory and I saw him sigh as he shook his head.
“Now you know, my young Jamesss. The price to sssee isss not paid by the Ssseer.”
I almost reeled as I realised my need to learn who the killer was, my need not to harm the innocent witnesses, had cruelly ripped the youth and vigour from that young boy grown old and bent before his time. My God. She had left with a new young boy, how had I forgotten that until this instant? I could save him from that fate. I whirled to run out of the Hall and to my carriage. My matched pair would soon overtake her and I could save that boy.
Before I could take two steps Hrothgar's arms wrapped around me and held me fast once more. “No, James. Hear My Lord out.”
His grip was unbreakable and I had no choice but I was not willing to give up on the boy. “But the boy.”
“No.” My Lord's voice snapped my head around to face him. I could not believe he would let the same fate befall to that boy. “Sssshe hasss already touched him, my dear Jamessss. No matter where you might hide him, ssshe would reach him and sssap hisss youth. The yearssss would weigh on hissss sssshouldersss as ssshe drained hissss life assss ssssandsss in an hourglasssss.”
I sagged in Hrothgar's grip. “How?”
Hrothgar growled so deeply I felt the rumble against my back. “Now you know why Seers are so rare, James.”
“We... how can we let them...” I could not form the words to express my horror.
“Becausssse they have ussseful abilitiessss, Jamesssss.” My Lord spoke softly to me. “I had not reasssliesssed you did not know.”
“My Lady's hatred of them?” I had to know whether it was due to the evil nature of the Seers or to her own secrets she wished to remain hidden.
“Go home, Jamessss. Go ssspend time with young Ryan. Forget what hassss happened.”
I was finally allowed to leave that dread Hall as dawn beckoned and for once I cared not that I almost ran down the drive. At the end I stared down the road she had travelled but I knew I would not be able to track her. Too many possibilities lay that way, she might not even still be in England, having left by ship.
I almost jumped at Charlie's sleepy voice. “Zur, bist 'ee brave? 'Ee zeemz betwattled.” I nodded that I was fine and climbed into my carriage. Silent as my thoughts were black at the evil I had witnessed.
I remained silent even once I was home, retiring to my study and shutting the door hard so all would know not to disturb me in my solitude. As I sat behind my desk and stared at the paperwork upon it unseeingly, I changed that to all except one, of course. I was not surprised when the door opened and Hattie entered.
“Sir James? What ails thee?” Hattie was before me before I had even noticed her cross the distance betwixt door and desk. Under her steady and determined eye I finally told her what had occurred at the Hall. She surprised me as she cursed, hard and fierce, before cuffing me around my ear. “If you do nothing with the riddle of that black-hearted hag then that boy gave his life for nothing.” I blinked at her, shocked to the core by her reaction. “Oh I know of her sort, sir. Sold her soul to the Devil for her powers. Evil through and through.”
I nodded for I understood what she was saying, I had to solve the riddle, for the boy's sake as much as the victims. “I will.” I sighed. “Or I will try. I had no luck before yesterday.”
I flinched as Hattie cuffed me once more. “You are a fool, Sir James, and I do not mind telling you so. Go and see My Lord, he is a great scholar and will solve it for you.”
I had already come to that conclusion myself but... to set foot in Black Hall once more, to visit one who had known the horror of the Seer's powers and had willingly paid that price, for it had not taken me long to realise that the boy must have been local and given to the Seer in payment for her services.
Hattie's voice was soft as she took my hand in hers. “It gladdens me how much you care for us mortals, but now you must put that aside to find this killer before he kills again.”
I sighed softly and gave her a small smile, although I doubted it reached my eyes. “I must do as you say, Hattie, even though I would rather never set foot in Black Hall again. Not after...”
“The Devil take her black soul, and mark my words, he will.” Hattie nodded firmly. “And I'll spread word of her looks to my kin. We takes care of our bad'uns like your Council does yours.”
“If you need aid in that, ask.” I told Hattie as I gripped her hand firmly.
“Tis for us to deal with, Sir James, but I thank you for your offer.” Hattie straightened and smoothed her clothing. “I'll have Charlie prepare your carriage for tonight, sir, but for now go to Ryan. He has been half-mad with worry this night.” She looked closely at me. “And I'll send up a bite to eat.” I heard her mutter as she left my study, “Up all night at the Hall and they didn't feed him.”
I hesitated as I entered our bedroom and found Ryan staring at the heavy drapes. In my upset state I had not considered how it would have been for him to wait for me all night long, not knowing where I was or what had happened to me. I swept into the room and embraced him, holding him tight against me as I kissed him senseless.
It seemed no more than an instant before we were naked together on the bed. I continued to kiss him as I caressed him, I could not seem to get enough of the touch of him. I finally pulled free of his lips and looked him deep in the eye. “I am sorry I worried you so, Ryan. It was not my intention and I could not send word I was detained.”
“Can you tell me what happened, my sire?”
I sighed as Ryan nibbed at my ear before his words caressed it. His voice was gentle as he continued to lick and nip at me ear. The sensations he sent running through my body had me moaning and tilting my head to allow him better access.
“Sire?”
Ryan asked as he nipped sharply at my ear, obviously attempting to get an answer from me but, unfortunately for him, it had the opposite effect. I moaned once more as my cock twitched in need. I finally gathered enough willpower to push Ryan away and smiled at his pout. “I cannot think when you do that to me.” At Ryan's smug and calculating look I will admit I wondered what I had let myself in for, although I was also convinced that Ryan would make it wonderful. I shook my head, enough of these thoughts of pleasure, for now at least, Ryan had asked a question and he deserved an answer, even if I did not really wish to give it.
“Sire? James? You do not have to tell me.”
Ryan sounded so gentle and caring I fell in love with him all over again. “No, my love. You deserve to know.” I took a deep breath. “You recall I told you the Seer was not a vampire?” At Ryan's nod I continued, “It turns out that that is not entirely correct.” I paused as I tried to think how to word what needed to be said and decided to go for the direct route. “She consumes the life of mortals, ageing them rapidly. A young boy I saw less than two days past had been aged to decrepitude by last night.”
Ryan looked at me in shock. “How?”
“I know not, my love. I was so shocked and angry at My Lord that I did not ask. I left as soon as I could and came straight back here.” I sighed softly as I pulled Ryan back against me and stroked a hand down his back to comfort both of us. “I must return to Black Hall tonight.”
“What?” I smiled as Ryan blushed slightly when he realised he had forgotten his manners.
“I must ask My Lord for help with the Seer's riddle.” I sighed deeply, “I wish I did not have to return to the Council, but if I do not try and solve that riddle and catch the killer, I have wasted that boy's life.”
Ryan nodded. “What will happen to the Seer now?”
“I know not. Hattie told me she will spread word of her description amongst her people. From Hattie's words, I believe the Seer will meet her deserved punishment if the Witches catch up with her.
“Good.”
I smiled as I pulled Ryan harder against me and caressed him. I felt him return the attention but neither of us took it any further. This was about comfort and being together, not sex. We only broke apart briefly for the meal Hattie had prepared for us.
I shifted uncomfortably from foot-to-foot as I waited for My Lord to arrive. I had no idea how to react to him. Guilt ate at my heart for I had asked for the aid of the Seer and realised that by his actions, My Lord had spared me the pain of paying the Seer. I had no idea what would have happened if I had refused her price.
“Sssshe would have taken two boysss in hissss place. Onessss from your essstate, my dear boy.” My Lord seemed to have the ability to know what I was thinking, although I doubted my thoughts were that hidden. “I am sssssorry, my young Jamesss, I thought you knew of the Sssseersss' price. It was only when I sssaw your expresssssion when you realisssed ssshe wasss no vampire that I realissed you did not. I have never been sssso glad I forced My Lady to call her inssstead of leaving the payment in your handsss.”
“I...” My voice faltered and I swallowed before I tried again. “I must apologise for my behaviour, My Lord.”
My Lord waved his hand dismissively. “No, young Jamessss. To ssssee one assss old asssss yourssself who sssstill possssesssesss the humanity you do, it warmssss my cold heart.” He nodded to himself as he took a seat. “The riddle, my boy.”
I informed him of the Seer's cursed riddle and poured him a glass of blood to nurse as he thought. I glanced at him and he indicated I should have a glass too. It was excellent as I would have expected of the Council's own supplies. With My Lord bent over the riddle in thought I found myself wondering his study and perusing his books.
I almost jumped as he spoke. “Pick one and ssssit down, Jamesss, your pacing is mossst dissstracting.”
“I apologise” I took the first book that seemed of interest and took the indicated seat. It was actually an excellent choice as I was soon lost in the words and emotions the author engendered in his work. I did not notice the passage of time and was jolted from my reading by My Lord clearing his throat. “My Lord?”
“Take the book with you to finish, Jamesss.”
“My thanks, My Lord.” I smiled as I was most interested in finishing the book. I shook my head as I remembered why I was here. “I am sorry, My Lord. You have solved the riddle?”
“I have ssssolved part of the riddle, Jamesss. The first line, 'Ere Patrick'ssss favoured sssingssss no more'. It refersss to Sssst Patrick and hisss favourite psssalm ssssinger, a Ssst Benignusss.”
“My Lord?” I am not too prideful to admit I did not understand My Lord's statement.
My Lord almost sighed at my lack of knowledge. “Ssst Benignusss' feasssst day isss the 9th of November. Your next murder will be committed on that day, before twelve midnight as it isss before he sssingsss no more.”
“And the second line, My Lord, have you any thoughts?”
My Lord shook his head. “I do not. I believe it isss a clue to either the victim or the place sssshe will be killed. It mentionssss a queen, flowerssss and a court, it might be a Royal Park.”
I frowned in thought. “No, I think not. All the other murders were on the streets and yards off of them. I do not believe he would change his methods, not after killing so many in the same way.”
“Then I am at a losssss asss to itssss meaning, Jamessss. Look to the sssstreet mapssss of London, my boy, maybe ssssomething will make ssssense. A flower market perhapsss?”
“My thanks, My Lord. For all your help and for your forgiveness. I will return the book when I have read it.”
“No, Jamessss. Keep it, in good faith and friendsssship.” My Lord rose and saw me to the entrance. “Good hunting, my boy.”
Author: knitekat
Word Count: ~3130 (of a total ~47955)
Characters: James Lester, Tom Ryan and a cast of RPs, OCs and OHs.
Pairing: James Lester/Tom Ryan
Rating: 18
Disclaimer: Primeval belongs to Impossible Pictures. Certainly not me. Writing for fun and will replace.
A/N 1: Part of my AU Bloodverse series. Continues from Part 14 and continues in Part 16.
A/N 2: Contains details of historical fact, several individuals in the fic are based on real historical people.
A/N 3: Thanks go to Fred for the beta. Cheers, m'dear.
Warnings: Dark!fic, bloodplay, blood and gore in general (graphic descriptions), angst, hurt/comfort.
The next evening had me once again standing in the Council chambers, alone this time for I had not wanted Ryan in this place of death. I quirked a curious eyebrow as an old man, bent doubled with age, held the door open for the veiled Seer and a boy with the most brilliant blue eyes I had even seen who followed behind her with a box.
She seated herself and looked expectantly at me. “What do you wish to see?”
I felt a shiver of foreboding run up my spine as I met her now revealed eyes, but I needed to know. “Can you... see the identity of the Whitechapel murderer?”
She shook her head. “That is not how Seeing works.”
“Oh?” I had not realised that. “How does it work? If you do not mind my asking.”
The Seer smiled at me. “I see the future but it is unclear. It is up to you to discern the truth from the words I speak.”
I quirked an eyebrow. “Riddles and mysteries?”
“Quite.” She did not sound upset by my comment, for which I was glad. It would hardly do my search any good if I finally had a Seer to consult and insulted her. “Now, tell me the tale.”
“You have not read the newspapers?”
“But of course. Tell me of what the papers did not say.”
I nodded and told her all that I knew of the matter, especially what the papers had not know as the police did not.
When I had finished the Seer motioned for the boy to bring her the box. She opened it and released the flumes from a stoppered vessel. She inhaled deeply and I watched as her eyes fluttered and her pupils widened until her eyes seemed almost black. Her voice was low, guttural and sent a shiver down my back. “Ere Patrick's favoured sings no more; fair queen in her Flower Court, cruelly betrayed shall be.”
I blinked at her words as I wondered what they meant. I was hardly aware as she turned and walked away, her posture no longer straight but bent and crooked.
****
I had spent the day trying to make sense of the Seer's riddle but that night I found myself once more visiting Black Hall. No matter how much I hated coming here it was my duty to bid the Seer a safe journey. However I found the atmosphere suffocating and slipped out of the side door for air. It was a lovely evening, the sky cloudless and I could clearly see the moon and stars. It looked lovely and I just wished I could have been at home with Ryan, enjoying the night in his arms.
The nicker of a horse drew my attention as I rounded the corner of the Hall and I stopped to examine the matched pair that stood before me. A nicely formed bay pair although not, in my expert opinion, as good as my own. I would put them at 150 guineas each, while my own beautiful boys, Phobos and Deimos, had been 250 apiece.
The soft scuffle of boots and the drag of a case pulled my attention from the horses to the bent form of an old man hauling the Seer's luggage to her carriage. He appeared to be struggling with a particularly heavy trunk so I stepped forward to help him. As my hand reached for the case the old man turned his brilliant blue eyes to me. I took a step back, my mouth opened in shock as I stared at him in horror. Those eyes. I had seen them barely a day ago, staring at me out of that boy's face. My mind flashback to the end of my audience, the image of the Seer's hand on the boy's shoulder. It had been twisted and gnarled as that of an old woman's. My God. What was she?
I heard the door open and stared at the beautiful features of the Seer as she came down the steps, another young boy's hand in hers. Before I could utter a word I was grasped in a steely grip and dragged back into the shadows and held fast against my captor. A hand clamped over my mouth and Hrothgar growled in my ear. “Stand fast, James.”
Hrothgar held me still until the Seer's carriage had clattered out of the Hall and on its way to God only knew where. I knew better than to hope he would release me once she was out of sight and I was not surprised to find myself inside the Hall. Hrothgar finally let me go when I was deep inside the Hall, when I spun to face him I caught the pitying look on My Lord's face.
“You knew?” My voice was accusatory and I saw him sigh as he shook his head.
“Now you know, my young Jamesss. The price to sssee isss not paid by the Ssseer.”
I almost reeled as I realised my need to learn who the killer was, my need not to harm the innocent witnesses, had cruelly ripped the youth and vigour from that young boy grown old and bent before his time. My God. She had left with a new young boy, how had I forgotten that until this instant? I could save him from that fate. I whirled to run out of the Hall and to my carriage. My matched pair would soon overtake her and I could save that boy.
Before I could take two steps Hrothgar's arms wrapped around me and held me fast once more. “No, James. Hear My Lord out.”
His grip was unbreakable and I had no choice but I was not willing to give up on the boy. “But the boy.”
“No.” My Lord's voice snapped my head around to face him. I could not believe he would let the same fate befall to that boy. “Sssshe hasss already touched him, my dear Jamessss. No matter where you might hide him, ssshe would reach him and sssap hisss youth. The yearssss would weigh on hissss sssshouldersss as ssshe drained hissss life assss ssssandsss in an hourglasssss.”
I sagged in Hrothgar's grip. “How?”
Hrothgar growled so deeply I felt the rumble against my back. “Now you know why Seers are so rare, James.”
“We... how can we let them...” I could not form the words to express my horror.
“Becausssse they have ussseful abilitiessss, Jamesssss.” My Lord spoke softly to me. “I had not reasssliesssed you did not know.”
“My Lady's hatred of them?” I had to know whether it was due to the evil nature of the Seers or to her own secrets she wished to remain hidden.
“Go home, Jamessss. Go ssspend time with young Ryan. Forget what hassss happened.”
I was finally allowed to leave that dread Hall as dawn beckoned and for once I cared not that I almost ran down the drive. At the end I stared down the road she had travelled but I knew I would not be able to track her. Too many possibilities lay that way, she might not even still be in England, having left by ship.
I almost jumped at Charlie's sleepy voice. “Zur, bist 'ee brave? 'Ee zeemz betwattled.” I nodded that I was fine and climbed into my carriage. Silent as my thoughts were black at the evil I had witnessed.
I remained silent even once I was home, retiring to my study and shutting the door hard so all would know not to disturb me in my solitude. As I sat behind my desk and stared at the paperwork upon it unseeingly, I changed that to all except one, of course. I was not surprised when the door opened and Hattie entered.
“Sir James? What ails thee?” Hattie was before me before I had even noticed her cross the distance betwixt door and desk. Under her steady and determined eye I finally told her what had occurred at the Hall. She surprised me as she cursed, hard and fierce, before cuffing me around my ear. “If you do nothing with the riddle of that black-hearted hag then that boy gave his life for nothing.” I blinked at her, shocked to the core by her reaction. “Oh I know of her sort, sir. Sold her soul to the Devil for her powers. Evil through and through.”
I nodded for I understood what she was saying, I had to solve the riddle, for the boy's sake as much as the victims. “I will.” I sighed. “Or I will try. I had no luck before yesterday.”
I flinched as Hattie cuffed me once more. “You are a fool, Sir James, and I do not mind telling you so. Go and see My Lord, he is a great scholar and will solve it for you.”
I had already come to that conclusion myself but... to set foot in Black Hall once more, to visit one who had known the horror of the Seer's powers and had willingly paid that price, for it had not taken me long to realise that the boy must have been local and given to the Seer in payment for her services.
Hattie's voice was soft as she took my hand in hers. “It gladdens me how much you care for us mortals, but now you must put that aside to find this killer before he kills again.”
I sighed softly and gave her a small smile, although I doubted it reached my eyes. “I must do as you say, Hattie, even though I would rather never set foot in Black Hall again. Not after...”
“The Devil take her black soul, and mark my words, he will.” Hattie nodded firmly. “And I'll spread word of her looks to my kin. We takes care of our bad'uns like your Council does yours.”
“If you need aid in that, ask.” I told Hattie as I gripped her hand firmly.
“Tis for us to deal with, Sir James, but I thank you for your offer.” Hattie straightened and smoothed her clothing. “I'll have Charlie prepare your carriage for tonight, sir, but for now go to Ryan. He has been half-mad with worry this night.” She looked closely at me. “And I'll send up a bite to eat.” I heard her mutter as she left my study, “Up all night at the Hall and they didn't feed him.”
****
I hesitated as I entered our bedroom and found Ryan staring at the heavy drapes. In my upset state I had not considered how it would have been for him to wait for me all night long, not knowing where I was or what had happened to me. I swept into the room and embraced him, holding him tight against me as I kissed him senseless.
It seemed no more than an instant before we were naked together on the bed. I continued to kiss him as I caressed him, I could not seem to get enough of the touch of him. I finally pulled free of his lips and looked him deep in the eye. “I am sorry I worried you so, Ryan. It was not my intention and I could not send word I was detained.”
“Can you tell me what happened, my sire?”
I sighed as Ryan nibbed at my ear before his words caressed it. His voice was gentle as he continued to lick and nip at me ear. The sensations he sent running through my body had me moaning and tilting my head to allow him better access.
“Sire?”
Ryan asked as he nipped sharply at my ear, obviously attempting to get an answer from me but, unfortunately for him, it had the opposite effect. I moaned once more as my cock twitched in need. I finally gathered enough willpower to push Ryan away and smiled at his pout. “I cannot think when you do that to me.” At Ryan's smug and calculating look I will admit I wondered what I had let myself in for, although I was also convinced that Ryan would make it wonderful. I shook my head, enough of these thoughts of pleasure, for now at least, Ryan had asked a question and he deserved an answer, even if I did not really wish to give it.
“Sire? James? You do not have to tell me.”
Ryan sounded so gentle and caring I fell in love with him all over again. “No, my love. You deserve to know.” I took a deep breath. “You recall I told you the Seer was not a vampire?” At Ryan's nod I continued, “It turns out that that is not entirely correct.” I paused as I tried to think how to word what needed to be said and decided to go for the direct route. “She consumes the life of mortals, ageing them rapidly. A young boy I saw less than two days past had been aged to decrepitude by last night.”
Ryan looked at me in shock. “How?”
“I know not, my love. I was so shocked and angry at My Lord that I did not ask. I left as soon as I could and came straight back here.” I sighed softly as I pulled Ryan back against me and stroked a hand down his back to comfort both of us. “I must return to Black Hall tonight.”
“What?” I smiled as Ryan blushed slightly when he realised he had forgotten his manners.
“I must ask My Lord for help with the Seer's riddle.” I sighed deeply, “I wish I did not have to return to the Council, but if I do not try and solve that riddle and catch the killer, I have wasted that boy's life.”
Ryan nodded. “What will happen to the Seer now?”
“I know not. Hattie told me she will spread word of her description amongst her people. From Hattie's words, I believe the Seer will meet her deserved punishment if the Witches catch up with her.
“Good.”
I smiled as I pulled Ryan harder against me and caressed him. I felt him return the attention but neither of us took it any further. This was about comfort and being together, not sex. We only broke apart briefly for the meal Hattie had prepared for us.
****
I shifted uncomfortably from foot-to-foot as I waited for My Lord to arrive. I had no idea how to react to him. Guilt ate at my heart for I had asked for the aid of the Seer and realised that by his actions, My Lord had spared me the pain of paying the Seer. I had no idea what would have happened if I had refused her price.
“Sssshe would have taken two boysss in hissss place. Onessss from your essstate, my dear boy.” My Lord seemed to have the ability to know what I was thinking, although I doubted my thoughts were that hidden. “I am sssssorry, my young Jamesss, I thought you knew of the Sssseersss' price. It was only when I sssaw your expresssssion when you realisssed ssshe wasss no vampire that I realissed you did not. I have never been sssso glad I forced My Lady to call her inssstead of leaving the payment in your handsss.”
“I...” My voice faltered and I swallowed before I tried again. “I must apologise for my behaviour, My Lord.”
My Lord waved his hand dismissively. “No, young Jamessss. To ssssee one assss old asssss yourssself who sssstill possssesssesss the humanity you do, it warmssss my cold heart.” He nodded to himself as he took a seat. “The riddle, my boy.”
I informed him of the Seer's cursed riddle and poured him a glass of blood to nurse as he thought. I glanced at him and he indicated I should have a glass too. It was excellent as I would have expected of the Council's own supplies. With My Lord bent over the riddle in thought I found myself wondering his study and perusing his books.
I almost jumped as he spoke. “Pick one and ssssit down, Jamesss, your pacing is mossst dissstracting.”
“I apologise” I took the first book that seemed of interest and took the indicated seat. It was actually an excellent choice as I was soon lost in the words and emotions the author engendered in his work. I did not notice the passage of time and was jolted from my reading by My Lord clearing his throat. “My Lord?”
“Take the book with you to finish, Jamesss.”
“My thanks, My Lord.” I smiled as I was most interested in finishing the book. I shook my head as I remembered why I was here. “I am sorry, My Lord. You have solved the riddle?”
“I have ssssolved part of the riddle, Jamesss. The first line, 'Ere Patrick'ssss favoured sssingssss no more'. It refersss to Sssst Patrick and hisss favourite psssalm ssssinger, a Ssst Benignusss.”
“My Lord?” I am not too prideful to admit I did not understand My Lord's statement.
My Lord almost sighed at my lack of knowledge. “Ssst Benignusss' feasssst day isss the 9th of November. Your next murder will be committed on that day, before twelve midnight as it isss before he sssingsss no more.”
“And the second line, My Lord, have you any thoughts?”
My Lord shook his head. “I do not. I believe it isss a clue to either the victim or the place sssshe will be killed. It mentionssss a queen, flowerssss and a court, it might be a Royal Park.”
I frowned in thought. “No, I think not. All the other murders were on the streets and yards off of them. I do not believe he would change his methods, not after killing so many in the same way.”
“Then I am at a losssss asss to itssss meaning, Jamessss. Look to the sssstreet mapssss of London, my boy, maybe ssssomething will make ssssense. A flower market perhapsss?”
“My thanks, My Lord. For all your help and for your forgiveness. I will return the book when I have read it.”
“No, Jamessss. Keep it, in good faith and friendsssship.” My Lord rose and saw me to the entrance. “Good hunting, my boy.”
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Date: 2012-06-19 07:44 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-06-19 08:36 pm (UTC)Glad you are enjoying it and thanks for reading.
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Date: 2012-06-19 08:00 pm (UTC)Can't wait for the last part!
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Date: 2012-06-19 08:53 pm (UTC)Friday's not that long to wait ;)
Thanks for reading.
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Date: 2012-06-19 08:14 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-06-19 09:00 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-06-19 08:30 pm (UTC)Great atmosphere. Can't wait to read the last chapter.
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Date: 2012-06-19 09:02 pm (UTC)Glad you liked it and um, Friday's not long to wait ;)
Thanks for reading.
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Date: 2012-06-19 09:07 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-06-20 07:19 pm (UTC)Thanks for reading.
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Date: 2012-06-19 10:30 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-06-20 07:21 pm (UTC)Thanks for reading.
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Date: 2012-06-19 11:56 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-06-20 07:23 pm (UTC)Um, Friday.
Hope you like itThanks for reading.
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Date: 2012-06-20 01:39 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-06-20 07:24 pm (UTC)Thanks for reading.
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Date: 2012-06-21 12:24 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-06-21 08:47 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-06-26 06:46 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-06-26 06:44 pm (UTC)Thanks again for the beta and thanks for reading.