My mood had not diminished by the time I returned to the castle, where I took a path for my kind that circumvented the drawbridge. I felt a chill, however, as I neared the main gate. Something was floating in the moat. Were those wood planks? I frowned, leaning over to get a better look. Bones were scattered over the rocks, along with long strings that looked like wire. My eyes widened as I realized itwaswire. And those bones were piano keys.
I rushed to the door, heart sinking, as I knew exactly what I would find in the parlor. And sure enough, the piano I’d been playing for the past decade was gone.
“Why?” I asked the empty room.
“You’ve become too distracted,” a voice said behind me, and I closed my eyes at the hardness in Konstantin’s voice. “Music belongs to the human world. It’s high time you remember what you are. You will never aspire to greatness if you allow this to continue.”
I turned slowly. “Konstantin, music makes me happy. What’s the point of living forever if I cannot find joy in it?”
“You will find joy in being a vampire, not holding on to the vestiges of your former, inferior existence.” Konstantin threw something at my feet, and I took a step back as it splattered something wet across my shoes. “You forgot that in town.”
I swallowed hard as I stared at Franklin’s severed head. He looked strange without his glasses on. “He was only teaching me to play.”
“That’s a crime in itself,” Konstantin growled, stalking to me, jaw set. “Humans are to eat. That is what they are good for. I’ve indulged you long enough. It’s time to rid you of these crutches. They only hinder your progress.” He grabbed the violin case out of my hand and opened it, snatching the violin out with little ceremony. “And this. The piano was bad enough. You bring too much wood into this house, Lucian. That is shortsighted.” He snapped the violin in half over a knee, then smashed what remained against the wall.
I couldn’t watch the instrument fall to the floor. I’d spent months with that violin. I knew I could be great at it too. I could perhaps even surpass my skill at the piano.
Konstantin circled me as I tried to remain calm, the tightness in my chest making me want to scream and hit him. But I knew that would only result in a painful evening for me. Or worse yet, I would be locked in that dark pit he loved to torture me in when he was especially angry with me.
I suppressed a shudder as his lips tickled my ear. “I will teach you all you need to know, Lucian. Those hands are meant for tearing things apart. Once you learn that, you will understand there are sounds even greater than that odious human noise.”
I nodded numbly, resigned. “Yes, master.”
It was only a few hours’ ride to Foxglove Abbey, although I had to endure them in the company of Isabel. At least Violetta was present as a buffer. Not that she did much buffering. Her eyes were glued to a book,The Monk,her mouth slightly agape as she turned page after page with rapt attention.
The few times I’d attempted to draw Isabel into conversation, as a way to broach the subject of Emmett’s disappearance, had been met with disinterest. Isabel seemed content to let a thick silence settle over us, which, if I couldn’t coax information from her, I was quite pleased with. I listened to the sound of the wagon wheels grind over the dirt road, the occasional nickering from the horses breaking through the monotony. The taciturn peace was finally interrupted when Isabel turned from watching the landscape pass by to regard Violetta with a frown. “You’re not going to be reading the entire time we’re here, I hope.”
Violetta didn’t bother looking up from the page she was on. “Hardly. That’s why I’m trying to finish this now.”
“So long as you don’t abandon me to dreary company for the next few days.” Isabel looked me over with distaste. “This trip would be insufferable.”
I offered her a brittle smile. “As intolerable as a coach ride with you?”
Isabel rolled her eyes. “You’re decent enough, Count Ludicrous. At least you can hold your tongue when you have a mind to.”
I bristled at the nickname, but didn’t let my annoyance show. If she knew it bothered me, she would likely use it at every opportunity. Instead, I inclined my head. “How generous of you. I didn’t realize you held me in such esteem.”
Isabel leaned back in her seat with a dramatic sigh. “I can’t believe Cecelia is the favorite now. It should be me.”
“Maybe you’re not meant to be with Ambrose,” Violetta said, eyes lifted briefly to Isabel’s.
“You’d like that, wouldn’t you? To see me fail?”
Violetta set her book on her lap. “You know very well I want what’s best for you, in every way.” She hesitated, glancing at me.
“Go on,” I encouraged her. “Tell her what you really think.”
Violetta’s eyes widened, but Isabel maintained control of her composure.
“What relations I’ve had in the past have no bearing on the current situation,” Isabel said, earning a wince from Violetta. “Not when Ambrose can secure everything I’ve ever wanted and will ever need.”
Violetta swallowed hard and picked up her book again, blinking rapidly as she sunk into her seat.
“You’re right,” I told her. “I apologize.”
Isabel snorted. “And anyway, the path to Ambrose’s hand was all but assured before Cecelia bartered for tokens. How does that even matter? Ambrose isn’t looking for a barkeep. I mean honestly, did you see how the whole family doted on her? Now I actually have a rival to contend with.”
“Sitting right here.”
