‘There’s no point storming the castle if Alexander’s not there,’ he points out. ‘And I refuse to drive to London from Scotland, especially with Damian behind the wheel. We may as well go home to Edinburgh and plan our next move. Obviously, we can’t let him follow through with hisheinousplan.’
I raise an eyebrow at that. I mean, I was a prostitute for over one hundred and fifty years, and I turned out OK. Butthe memory of that girl’s stark staring eyes is difficult to forget. ‘Vampire whore’ probably wasn’t at the top of her list of career choices.
Hester clears her throat, and we all look round. Oh, she’s back in her normal body now. ‘I know it’s not as pressing as a horde of vampire prostitutes, but I’ve kind of also got an important audition in two days’ time.’
Ah, yes. That. Back to reality. It looks like our Highland road trip is definitely over. And us not storming the castle is a good thing for the owners of the Airbnb. There would’ve been a lot of broken furniture, blood splattered on the carpet, and a vampire buried in their back garden.
Chapter 40
Elliott | Edinburgh, present day
After all the build-up of storming the castle with stakes, plus the excitement of finally being rid of Alexander from our lives, we all feel a bit flat. There’s no point hanging around at Tim’s since we don’t need to sleep, and I have to get back and restock our blood supplies. I’ve got student appointments lined up back-to-back; they’re dying to give up their blood for ready cash. And I’ve got more vampire mouths to feed now, including mine. This is the start of my new life. No longer bound to Sadie’s will. Reclaiming my life, however that looks. But to quote U2, another of my favourite bands, will it be with her or without her?
We drop off Lucy and Tim at the house and collect our stuff and then say our goodbyes. They say they’ll help us out if we need them to come to London. But there are five of us vampires against one, so as Sadie says, ‘Thanks, but we should be cool’. We’re all of the same mind. As long as we can get to Alexander quickly enough to stop him turning the thralls, kill him, and effectively free them. Personally, I’m quietly confident that it will be a walk in the park—despite him having superior powers, there is greater strength in numbers.
The atmosphere in the car is contemplative on the way back. No one seems inclined to talk, apart from Floss and Hester (who is in cat form again). They’re going over her lines forTwelfth Nighton Floss’s lap. I listen in for the entertainment value. It sounds like a fun play. I hope she gets the part.
I glance over at Sadie, but she’s staring out the window, lost in her own thoughts. She seemed fine about Lucy being with Tim. I thought she might have some residual feelings for him, but forty years is a long time to hold a flame. And I’m hoping by the way she hugged him and quickly hopped into the car, that hers has well and truly burnt out.
Me:You OK?
Sadie jerks and looks round at me.Jesus, I’m not used to that!
Me:Sorry, I thought I should practise. You know, so I don’t have to message you when I’m in the vicinity with a blood delivery.
Her lips twist ruefully.
Sadie:You’re still doing the donor service then?
Me:Of course,why wouldn’t I? I need it now too.
She shifts in the seat.I thought you might want to ... leave.
Me:Leave? Why would I do that?
Sadie:Duran Duran is still touring. I’m sure they’d be happy to see you.
Me (sarcastically):I can see how that would go. Hey, Simon. Yeah, I’ve finally recovered from my raging case of genital herpes if you need a roadie. By the way, don’t bare your neck in front of me as I’m liable to bite it.
Sadie grins and licks her lips.Doesn’t sound too bad. Maybe I could come too.
Me:No way, I’m not having you get your fangs into Simon Le Bon!
Sadie (pouting):Party pooper.
Me:Besides, we have to go to London and stake a vampire.
Sadie:Oh yeah, back in Covent Garden. Fun times.
Me (cautiously):Your old stomping grounds. You might run into Anya if Alexander is setting up a brothel.
Sadie:Her! I never want to see that bitch again. She turned me and wiped my mind. And left me to wake up andfind Darius under the bed. It’s fucked me up for two centuries, not knowing what really happened. I told myself he was sleeping, but I suspected he was dead. But did she drain him? Or did I do it?
Me:It was shitty of her to leave you wondering like that. But my money’s on Anya draining Darius, not you. From what you’ve told me previously, it sounds like she preferred women to men. And maybe she memory-wiped you for your own protection? She didn’t want your first memory to be traumatic.
Sadie (sarcastically):How kind of her.
Me:She must’ve taken a shine to you. Obviously, there’s a lot to like.
