Page 121 of Plug and Drain

Susie spotted Harry and Sarah waiting for her anxiously nearby.

“Go on,” Nathaniel urged sternly.

Susie’s gaze slid back to the front steps, lifting her gaze steadily higher until she saw Arken. He was back up on the landing, his back to her as he conversed with someone she could not see. A black-robed vampire was dragging away Oscar’s body. The staff had left. The lawns were empty.

The pike was deadly silent, the air around it calm.

“What did the pike do?” Susie asked.

The vampire arched an eyebrow. “Do? Why, nothing.”

“I saw the…spine disappear.”

Nathaniel sighed and moved to stand beside her. “If you’re not going to leave…”

“I will, once you answer my question,” Susie said. “What happened?”

He narrowed his eyes at her. “Dark magic.”

She snorted softly. “I figured as much. How does it work?”

Nathaniel’s lip curled. “Magic.”

He thought he was so funny—but he was the prince, so she offered him a small smile in return. “Thank you for clarifying that.”

Nathaniel’s gaze flickered briefly to Arken, his voice turning cold. “I think you’re in over your head, Susie—”

“Susanna.”

“You’ve attracted Arken’s attention. That will have consequences for you.” He gestured at the stone steps, where Oscar’s blood had soaked it a few moments ago. They were now pristine.

Susie’s stomach twisted with guilt. “This is my fault.”

“What?”

“It’s my fault.” She hugged herself tightly as the realisation consumed her. “I’m the reason Oscar’s dead.”

Nathaniel regarded her sceptically. “Hardly.”

“It is,” she insisted. “I…I…” I sanctioned it. “I told Arken to make Oscar’s death quick.” She shook her head as she stared up at Arken.

He was still deep in conversation with whoever it was he was talking to. “I should have talked him out of it, but instead…I…” She took a deep breath, blinking furiously as a torrent of guilt and regret washed through her. Sarah and Harry were staring at her with concern, too far away to hear their conversation but close enough that they could see her distress. She buried her face in her hands. “I-I didn’t mean for this to happen. I…”

“Do you often take responsibility for the misfortunes of others?” Nathaniel interrupted.

She blinked up at him in surprise. “Excuse me?”

“Do not flatter yourself that this was an occurrence you could have prevented. Do you think that Oscar deserved mercy?”

Susie threw an irritated look at the blond-haired vampire. “The situation is a lot more nuanced than that—”

“Save your words,” Nathaniel said in a bored tone. “My question was rhetorical.”

He stepped close and bent to whisper in her ear. “I should thank you, you know…”

“Thank me?” Her disbelief reached new heights. “What for?”

“For bringing my friend back.” Nathaniel’s voice was a low, sinister purr that raised the hairs on the back of her neck. “It’s been a long time since I’ve seen his violent side. I sincerely hope that today’s demonstration was not an isolated event.”