“Quickly, get him into the soundproof room while he’s still out of it and magically lock the door.”
Arms grabbed and hauled me over to a small room, the door slamming shut. Silence surrounded me, and when the spinning room stopped, I found I was in… a recording booth? It looked like one of the old abandoned ones found in Kennebunkport, a town south of Austen Heights. It was well known that some famous singers used to perform here.
The room felt aged, and a film of dust sat over all the unused installations that hadn’t been taken when the place was deserted. An icy chill slid over me that had nothing to do with the lack of heat in the building.
I stood and peered through the window into the room where I’d been moments before. Lydia climbed to her feet in a near-empty room that appeared almost as abandoned as mine.
Are you okay?I asked.
I think so. You?
Yeah.
“Are you there?” I whispered into the mic still on my shirt, but only silence reached me. I delved into my pocket and took out my phone, but no service existed.
They must have a signal-canceling spell on this place,I thought. There would be no calling for help.
I turned my gaze to the two men with her in the room. I blinked in surprise. What was this about? What was Oscar doing here? His was the familiar voice I’d heard while I attempted to orient myself. He stood there dressed in his formal butler attire, as if he’d come from serving Darcy. Which he probably had.
Another figure remained off to the side, tall and with a no-nonsense air about him. I recognized him as one of Darcy’s security guards.
Words passed between Lydia and Oscar, but I couldn’t hear them in the soundless room. The guard took a step toward her, pulling a device that appeared suspiciously like it could pass for vampire teeth out of his pocket. He attached the device to some plastic tubes that connected to what looked like a very large, empty blood bag. Fear flashed across Lydia’s face as she stumbled backward.
Lydia, what’s happening? What are they saying?I grabbed the doorhandle and tried to open the door. I slammed my shoulder against it and it rattled, but it didn’t budge. The door was heavy, and I was now remembering it was magically sealed. There would be no breaking it down even with my vampire strength.
Oscar says that vampires killed his family. That he refuses to let the prince convince people that the laws need to be changed concerning them. Wickham, they’re going to drain me of my blood with that thing and blame it on you. They say with their device that they can do it in minutes.
I gritted my teeth, trying to think straight.They can’t. I’m here. I can tell the police who did it.
Lydia said something, but even through the glass Oscar didn’t appear fazed by it. He shrugged and motioned his man forward.
He says that nobody will believe you once they hear that you’ve killed your wife. Besides, there are more altruistic causes. Like making sure that Darcy doesn’t become king. He says that there are only a couple more council members left to persuade.
The council?
Of course. They worked with the king regent and could influence who inherited the throne.
He’s working for a member of the council,I thought.This had never been about me. This had always been aboutDarcy.
Wickham, we need a plan,Lydia thought. That potion knocked out access to my protective charms. I’m powerless.
They came at her, and she backed away.Lydia, keep him talking if you can.Ask him how he knew I was a vampire?
I saw her lips move, and Oscar’s eyes narrowed, but his mouth moved in response. He cast a disdainful glance at me.
He says he overheard Georgiana telling Darcy.They continued to advance, and she stumbled back.I don’t think that talking is going to work.
Reaching out, I banged on the glass, trying to get through, but the space had been spelled to lock me in. I wouldn’t be breaking through the window.
My fists clenched, every part of me taut and ready to go into action. I had to think of something.SomethingI could do. Lydia was unable to use her witch powers.
The room was protected against fae powers, and so that was out of the question. That left…
My vampire powers.
What could I do? Being a vampire only meant death and danger.Ibrought only death and danger. Could I really use my vampire abilities to save someone?
My hand landed on a pair of headphones hanging by the door as I tried to force my way through it even though I knew it was pointless. I couldn’t let this happen to Lydia.
