Avalon Revisited (16 page)

All his teeth were pointed and, I assumed, razor sharp. Not particularly wanting to test that theory, I pointed the crossbow directly at his heart and shot. He stopped moving in mid-flail as if paralyzed, but he didn’t dust.

He should’ve dusted.

“His head,” Victor shouted. He helped Avalon to her feet and took a protective stance in front of her.

“Did anyone bring a hatchet?” I asked, still sitting on the paralyzed vampire-beast.

“I knew there was something I forgot,” Victor said, rubbing his neck.

I got off of Lord Haldenby, who remained paralyzed on the floor of the tomb and went over to the broken tomb lids.

“Why isn’t he dust?” Avalon asked. “You said they turn to dust when staked through the heart.”

“They normally do,” Victor said. “This must be no ordinary vampire. Perhaps even decapitation won’t kill him.”

“Let’s find out,” I said, coming back with a rather sharp piece of marble conveniently a little wider than the old man’s neck. Placing the marble directly onto his throat, I forced all my weight down upon it, thrusting it into the stone floor beneath him. With a rather large spurt of blood that covered my arms and face and the earthen wall behind him, I severed his head from his body. In an instant, his body exploded into dust.

“Guess decapitation works,” I said, brushing the remains of Lord Haldenby off my trousers.

“That was amazing!” Avalon said. All fear had gone from her, and she stood before me excited and amazed. She was a hunter after all.

“Indeed,” Victor said. “What was that?”

“It is unlike any vampire I’ve ever seen,” I said.

“Yes. Me neither,” Victor said.

“Do you think the wife and whore are like this thing now?” I asked.

“It’s highly likely,” Victor said. “Our work is not yet done tonight.”

Victor snuffed out the torch and began to ascend the staircase. The only light came from the moon, filtering down the stairs. Everything else was pitch black. I could see, but it was doubtful that Avalon could see much. She reached out to me and laid a hand on my chest and moved in very close.

“Thank you,” she whispered. “I owe you my life.”

With that, she turned and sprinted up the stairs like a young child full of life.

I followed her up into the moonlight; love filled my heart and I felt quite alive myself.

Truly alive.

We walked briskly through the graveyard. The overgrown grass and ferns between the headstones slapped against my shins with a whoosh as we hurried forth. Avalon kept looking back, as if to ensure nothing was following us, but she was energized. I could see it in her eyes and feel it wafting off her in waves.

No one spoke until we were on the other side of the arched cemetery gate and quite a ways down Finborough Road. Then Victor broke the silence just before we turned onto the well-lit Brompton Road. “If those things are so hard to kill, there could be some serious damage being done. I don’t doubt there will be another murder tonight,” Victor said, as he slowed down to a more relaxed amble so that he might speak softly and walk in line with me and Avalon. After all, there were people about who couldn’t overhear talk about vampires and the dead rising from their tombs. His abrupt change of speed caused Avalon and I to collide.

“He did seem quite hungry,” I offered and nodded an apology to Avalon.

She smiled.

Victor grimaced and snapped, “Put those things away,” referring to our weapons. She holstered her gun and covered it with her coat. I followed suit by tucking the crossbow under my arm, beneath my own overcoat.

“If there are two of them out there now, perhaps both will kill tonight. I just can’t get over it.

What was that thing?” Avalon whispered as we passed a group of finely dressed people. They regarded us as the ruffians we appeared to be. The men held their women closer and stared as us.

I remembered I was covered in blood. Not good. I took out my handkerchief and wiped my face down with it. At least my coat was black, so the blood didn’t show up there. Likely just a few drops left on my white collar. I turned up the coat collar to hide the crimson stains.

“I’ve never seen anything like it. My theory is that it’s a hybrid of some kind. An abomination of nature,” Victor answered.

Avalon rubbed her arms as if she was cold. The air did have an uncommon chill in it, but it was more like the chill of disbelief and horror that bit into Avalon’s bones. The body’s reaction in response to something too ghastly to comprehend. It made even me shudder.

I have seen many a strange thing in my existence, but something about what Victor said rang true. It was unnatural. Whereas vampires and werewolves were more of the supernatural variety of creature, a different species, as it were, this was definitely unnatural. Hybrid, like that of lycan and vampire and perhaps even something else. The way its snout and brow protruded.

Abomination was a good word. There was only one species that would create such a creature just because they could.

This was the work of man.

My guess–a very disturbed man.

“Arthur,” Victor said, interrupting my thoughts, “might we return to yours this evening to do a bit of homework?”

“Certainly,” I said. More time with Avalon? Who was I to object?

“We’ve got to know more about it, if that’s even possible. London is too big to be everywhere at once, and we must have at least an idea where to begin. Let’s return to the crypt just before dawn in the event that the wife, Charlotte, returns.”

“Wouldn’t it be better to return
after
dawn,” Avalon said, “when it will be asleep?”

“Not a bad plan, Avalon. After dawn it is.”

That posed a problem for me.

We arrived at my home within twenty minutes, as the Brompton cemetery wasn’t all that far away. We had mostly taken the smaller roads after the attention we drew to ourselves on Brompton Road, even if it took a little longer. I called out for Cecil as soon as we stepped inside the foyer, but there was no answer.

“Maybe he’s asleep,” Avalon offered.

“He sleeps when I tell him to sleep–CECIL,” I shouted again.

I hung up my own jacket and then took Avalon’s and hung it on the coat rack by the door as well. She turned the lock, wanting to feel some kind of safety.

“Nice place,” he said, hanging up his own jacket. He then stood in the center of the foyer with his hands on his hips and looked around the room with some amazement.

“Thanks––CECIL!”

He was embarrassing me in front of my guests. That will not do.

“I don’t think he’s here, Arthur,” Avalon said gently, concerned with my agitation. She laid a calming hand on my arm and looked up at me with those sweet eyes. I almost forgot myself right there in the foyer. “I can make the tea if you will just show me where the kitchen is.”

“This isn’t like him,” I said, waking myself up from Avalon’s spell. “I’ll check his room. The kitchen is through there,” I said, pointing through the drawing room. “Just down at the end of that hallway.

“Great,” she left to the kitchen. I watched her go. Bustle or no bustle, she was a fine looking woman. I turned to Victor who hadn’t moved from the center of the foyer. Hands still on hips, he was staring up at the dark crown molding and golden gilded ceiling.

“Really nice place,” he repeated.

I had grown accustomed to a certain level of finery, unlike that which Victor has probably ever seen. Money, after all, meant little to me. It was easy to obtain, especially for one like me, and even easier to spend.

“Victor, would you mind waiting in here while I look for my insolent man?” I gestured through an archway into the parlor.

“Sure,” he said with an uncertain tone. I watched as he walked into the room, and he looked around, stepping gingerly as if he might inadvertently break something if he moved too quickly.

“Have a seat,” I offered, “I’ll be back shortly.” He sat down on the very edge of the embroidered French sofa, looking completely out of place in his dirty dungarees, hat in hand.

I left him there and ascended the staircase to the second floor. I pounded on Cecil’s door, but there was no answer. Thomas poked his head out if his room, hair sticking straight up and groggy from sleep.

“Everything all right, m’lord?” Thomas asked. “Did you need a ride?”

“No, Thomas, go back to sleep. Wait,” I said as he started to close the door.

“Yes, m’lord?”

“Do you know where Cecil is?”

“No, m’lord. He was here when I returned earlier this evening, m’lord.”

“Did you tell him where I was?”

“I did, m’lord. I told him you wouldn’t be back until dawn, m’lord. As most nights.”

“Of course. Thank you, Thomas. I’ll be entertaining some guests for the rest of the night, but we shan’t disturb your sleep again. Sweet dreams.”

“Thank you, m’lord,” he said, bowing his head slightly, and then closed the door.

Cecil out on his own at night? This was really not like him. Of course, I suppose he could’ve done this often, knowing that I would be away. Perhaps there was a girl. Who was I kidding?

There was always a girl. I brushed it off, but resolved to have a strong discussion with him upon his return. He did work for me after all, and I required his assistance. It really was unacceptable behavior for a butler. Had he not been so loyal and hardworking all these years, I would consider replacing him for this slight. Certainly there had to be a good explanation for this, and I would most certainly find out what it was.

I stopped in my library to ensure nothing that shouldn’t be seen would be seen.

On my way back downstairs I heard Victor and Avalon talking amongst themselves, a human set of ears wouldn’t be able to hear them in hushed tones, but fortunately I wasn’t human. They spoke of the night’s events.

“Did you see how fast he moved?” Victor said. So he had noticed.

“You mean saving my life? No. I was rather occupied at that moment,” she sounded defensive. Good.

“Of course. He did save your life, but I fear he is not what he seems, Avalon.” Victor’s tone was gentle, as one telling a child his favorite pet had died.

“Victor! He saved us both from that thing, and you still don’t trust him?” She was incredulous, angry. All on my behalf! Perhaps I had gotten to her a little.

“It’s not that, my dear, but I--I just fear he is--not what he seems.”

“Yes. You said that already.” Her tone was so cold that it even sent a chill through my frigid veins.

“Avalon, dear--”

“I am not
your
dear, Victor.” If possible, her tone was even colder than before. “How can you question him? He’s been nothing but noble and helpful to us.”

“But we hardly know him. All I’m saying is to be careful, dea–Avalon. He obviously has feelings for you.”

“Is that what this is about? Jealously?” That previous coldness melted in the heat of renewed anger. This was obviously an old issue between them, and she’d had enough.

“No--you’re missing my meaning. I’m trying to protect you.”

“I don’t need protection. If you remember, it was I who got the monster off of you. I can hold my own as well as you or any man can,” she replied proudly.

“Of course you can.” He sounded defeated. “Let’s not argue, Avalon. It’s late. We’re both tired. We survived a horrible episode tonight, and it’s not over. We must work together, so, please, forget I said anything.”

Avalon didn’t say another word. I continued down the stairs, making my foot falls a little louder than normal. By the time I reached the parlor, they were on different chairs. Victor, still on the very corner of the sofa looking more incongruous than ever and Avalon on my reading chair near the fireplace. She must’ve moved, as they were speaking too softly to have been this far apart.

She didn’t want me to see her close to Victor! At least, that’s what I chose to believe. One can create quite the perfect world for oneself in one’s own mind.

The tea kettle whistled from the kitchen, and Avalon excused herself. For several moments neither Victor nor I said anything. The hefty tension hanging in the room made for an uncomfortable pause

“Well?” Victor finally asked, a little cross.

“Hmm?”

“Your man, did you find him?”

Avalon returned carrying a silver platter with the prepared tea. Victor’s whole demeanor changed from annoyed to humble in an instant.

“Oh, that. No, I didn’t. It seems he went out. This is terribly embarrassing, and I apologize most ardently. A lady should not have to make her own tea,” I said with a proper bow to Avalon.

“Please. I make tea for myself and others all the time. I don’t stand on such nonsense ceremonies.” She looked offended.

“You’re quite right, of course. Too many years in this life has made me sound like an elitist.

Let me assure you, I am anything but. Please, join me in my library upstairs.”

Avalon started toward the stairs.

“No,” I said. “Allow me.”

She smiled at me as I took the tea tray from her, doing so a little closer to her than was fitting in mixed company. She blushed.

That’s a good sign.

Victor certainly noticed, as his hackles rose once again.

“Follow me, dear guests. We have a long night of research ahead of us.”

I led them back up the stairs to my library. Avalon sat down on the very chaise on which her aunt so deliciously took me. The memory of it mixed with Avalon’s divine figure there caused me to harden a little. I moved behind the large table, masking my excitement, and set the tea tray down. I poured each a cup of tea and allowed Victor to take Avalon’s to her, keeping my lower body well hidden behind the table.

“So let’s see this extensive research you boasted about. We’ve got work to do,” Victor growled, then took a gulp of tea.

“Of course,” I said, opening the grand tome to its clippings, notes, and scribblings.

“Is this it? You showed me this earlier tonight. I thought there would be more,” Victor spat.

“There is, but this is the most focused on vampires.”

“We’ve already decided that this isn’t an ordinary vampire, so what good will this do us?” he said, dismissing me with a wave of his hand. He set his teacup down forcibly, sloshing the tea onto its saucer. He crossed his arms like a petulant child and scowled.