Crimson Night Part 24

Simon nodded to John Dee, standing in the center of the room, a heavy black trunk at his feet. "Where is the vampire?"

Simon went to the cabinet and asked Dr. Ahmed to stand with his back to the window so his body would block the sunlight from entering the room. Nicholas destroyed by the sun would be no b.l.o.o.d.y good to him.

Simon and John Dee peered down at the sleeping creature. "It does not look it doesn't seem alive, my lord."

"No," Simon said thoughtfully. "It doesn't." Nicholas no longer had pasty skin and black circles to mar his complexion. Now he looked like a dead man lying in state, skin waxen and tense but somehow slack at the same time. Nicholas did not appear to be breathing and when Simon put his hand on the creature's chest, several moments pa.s.sed before he felt a faint heartbeat beneath his hand.

Simon met Dr. Dee's eyes and the astrologist saw his uncertainty. "My lord, you worry it will pounce when you lay hands upon it?"

"Aye," Simon said. He gave the body a cautious poke, ready to leap away should the eyes in that deadly calm face open. But Nicholas went on in his unnatural slumber even when Simon jabbed him with the hilt of his sword.

"My lord, you must be careful and allow no ill wish to dwell in your thoughts concerning the vampire when you hold him. I cannot be sure but I believe the thing will only rise if it senses danger."

"My lord," Dr. Ahmed implored his patient, "the worst part of this day lies before you. Perhaps we should desist. We can put the vampire back in the cabinet and he'll arise none the wiser of your adventures today."

"And then what?" Simon demanded. "Did we not all agree Master Aermville could not be trusted that he no doubt means to make me his catamite and take all my blood before leaving me a corpse? Who can guess how many times he's offered immortality to susceptible fools planning all along to take everything and give nothing in return? This time, though, he shall be fooled. Do not concern yourself over me. I shall nap on the ride home to restore myself."

"You are right, my lord." John Dee sighed. "We cannot chance what he might do to you should he rise this evening so let us see if we cannot wrest from this creature that which he has no intention of giving freely."

The nap helped, though Simon was still shaky on his feet when he and his two capable pract.i.tioners began their preparations.

They'd decided to use a solar on the third floor for the ritual, all three regretting the loss of the laboratory and the cedar-wood altar where they'd done so many works. Unfortunately, the laboratory was in the cellar so it would not provide the light they'd desperately need to complete their experiment.

Simon began the work by nailing a thick curtain over the window to protect Nicholas's sleeping form from the sun. Then all three kneeled down on the floor, saying the prayer John Dee had designed for daily protection from all harm.

Next, Simon cast a circle that encompa.s.sed John Dee, Dr. Ahmed, and the p.r.o.ne body of Nicholas Aermville, and that had the covered window as its northern point. In the s.p.a.ce between the outer and inner circle, Simon placed lilies and mistletoe. Both provided powerful protection but in The Occult Philosophy, Dr. Agrippa hinted that mistletoe could be used to gain immortality. In between the flowers, he used a rowan wand dipped in balm of Gilead to write the names of Aub and Vevaphel. They were angels that protected from those that attack by night, so Simon thought they should provide protection against Master Aermville.

Simon consecrated the circle and then gave a plea for help in his extraordinary experiment. "O G.o.d Who hast created all things, through Thy Holy Name, grant that this experiment may become true and veritable in my hands through Thy Holy Seal. Amen."

Next, using the blood of a virgin woman that John Dee had acquired the night before, Simon drew the Sixth Pentacle of Mars on the floor it not only provided protection if the magician was wounded, but his enemies' own weapons would turn against them.

Nicholas was moved onto the pentacle and Simon removed a sword from beneath a crimson silk cloth never before used and saved for an extraordinary occasion. John Dee handed him a silver brazier filled with holy water, rosemary, marjory, and mint. The sword was pa.s.sed through the smoke and then Simon consecrated his instrument with a chant from the Grimorium Verum. "I conjure thee, sword, by G.o.d the Father Almighty, by the virtue of heaven, and by all the stars which rule, by the virtue of the four elements, to receive such virtue herein that we may obtain by thee the perfect issue of all our desires. Amen."

Now Simon put the virgin steel to his right wrist and slashed horizontally, bemused by the blood that poured from him. Then he turned to his left wrist and repeated the process before handing the blade to John Dee.

Dr. Dee accepted the sword while Dr. Ahmed moved to Simon's side, dragging his patient to the curtained window.

"Not yet," Simon whispered when he saw the physician pluck up the linen strips he'd use to bandage Simon's wrists. "Aermville said must be drained to point of death."

The slas.h.i.+ng of Simon's wrists had a dual purpose. One was to drain him of his blood that he might be able to accept the vampire's substance into his body; the other was for Simon's blood to serve as sacrifice. Simon had bled into a gold chalice Dr. Dee held beneath him, and now the astrologist raised the chalice high, beseeching the spirits' aid before they attempted to steal Nicholas's blood. "Come hither, ye who love all kinds of mockeries and deceits. Come hither and remain, and consecrate this enchantment, seeing that G.o.d the Almighty Lord hath destined ye for such."

Dr. Ahmed restrained himself until the chant was complete and then held his hand up. "Enough! My lord, can you see?"

"Spots," Simon managed to whisper and thought he felt something on his arm.

"My lord, I just gave you a fierce blow to your upper arm you did not react to.

You no longer have blood in your vital areas; I must staunch your wounds else you'll die."

"It's time, John," Simon rasped, forcing the words out. He managed to raise his hand and poked himself in the eyes so his vision might clear and he could see his friend bend over the p.r.o.ne body of Nicholas.

Sword in one hand, copper basin in the other, John Dee used the point of his boot to nudge Nicholas's head over, exposing his neck. He then put the sword to the vampire's flesh and cut him open.

In the next moment, he was kicked from the circle and the creature was on its feet, screaming in a terrible shriek that brought Simon back to semiconsciousness.

He felt Dr. Ahmed grab him close and heard the physician say firmly, "No closer, foul creature! I can throw aside this curtain and expose the room to full day before you take one step toward me."

"Simon!" Nicholas cried out. "What has happened? Who are these men? How did they invade our sanctuary?"

"Our sanctuary?" Simon questioned and threw back his head to laugh an awful sound that made even the vampire flinch. "These men are my dearest allies and we mean to have your blood or let the sun incinerate your worthless carca.s.s."

The creature sank to its knees. Simon would never be certain whether it suddenly appeared drained of strength because Simon betrayed it or because it simply couldn't defend itself long during the day.

Tears came out of its eyes and it bowed its head. "I trusted you "

"Fool," Simon said harshly. "What did you say to me? That you hoped to bring out my tender side with your blood? There is no softness in my heart for perverted creatures that dangle immortality as long as I endure their unnatural embrace. But even knowing you probably meant to destroy me once you had your fill of my fine form and blood, I am prepared to offer mercy. Allow Doctor Dee to gather your blood and we shall take you to a dark corner when you've served your purpose. Tonight, when you arise, you leave London and never attempt to contact me again. Are we agreed?"

"Simon, no," Nicholas cried. "Love me please! You are breaking my heart.

Though you'll transform once you drink my blood, you'll never survive the procedure without my guidance "

"I'd rather find myself in h.e.l.l than spend eternity beholden to a sodomite.

Whether I survive is not your concern. Are we agreed?" Simon nodded to John Dee, standing warily a few paces from Nicholas.

Nicholas glanced at John Dee, holding the sword out, at Dr. Ahmed and his hand clutching a fistful of curtain, at the pure malice s.h.i.+ning in Simon's gaze, and finally nodded. "Do with me as you will, Lord Baldevar."

John Dee picked up the hurled copper basin and cut Nicholas again, allowing a generous portion of blood to flow into the basin. Throughout the bleeding, quiet tears poured from the vampire's eyes and he shook from the force of his weeping. John seemed disturbed by the creature's sorrow but Simon felt no emotion save fierce triumph and utter disdain for Nicholas Aermville. To have such extraordinary power and allow yourself to be broken by love! Simon would guard his gift jealously he'd never part with this magick for something as foolish and sentimental as love.

Dr. Dee brought the copper basin to Simon and he glanced at Nicholas Aermville saw the creature had once again dropped into his strange daytime state.

"Raise the curtains, Doctor Ahmed," Simon ordered, wondering if Nicholas knew he had no intention of allowing him to live. Surely Master Aermville might seek him out and try to destroy him for his treachery.

Blinding sunlight filled the room and Simon felt something that had not entered him since the night he killed his father fear. Nicholas Aermville did not die quickly his body first smoked and then caught on fire and the creature screamed until the very end, when the flames finally reached his heart and ended his unnatural existence.

At last, there was only a small pile of ash where Nicholas had lain, and Dr.

Ahmed pressed the basin to Simon's lips. "My lord, you must drink quickly else the blood shall lose its potency."

Simon shuddered, remembering how Nicholas howled out his torment. Could he end that way? If he took this blood, always he'd worry that such a fate would be his.

No! He was stronger than Nicholas Aermville, more clever and cunning. No one would ever get him near the sun. Simon clutched the basin and swallowed down the blood, grimacing at the fetid taste. He hoped to find blood more tolerable as he drank more of it right now he had to force it down.

Simon heard a high-pitched screech of agony and realized he'd made the noise.

Dear G.o.d the pain, it consumed him. Never had he been in such torment.

Dimly, he heard Dr. Ahmed and Dr. Dee praying over him, beginning the prayers and conjurations that were his only hope to get through this h.e.l.lish experience alive.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

September 21, 1998

Las Vegas

Charles Tarleton entered a large banquet hall in The Seraglio with Lee at his side, feeling an eerie sense of dij' vu as he glanced around the elaborate gold-and- gilt patterned hall. He'd first met Meghann in a hotel in Cuba also owned by Lord Baldevar. That time he'd been there as Alcuin's spy, to observe Meghann and report back to his master about Lord Baldevar's consort.

Now, some forty years later, he attended another party, this time at the behest of the engraved invitation to a retirement party that had arrived at Lee's house two days ago. The invitation would have been thrown into the trash if not for the neat, Palmer-method script message at the bottom Please come to this party as guests of "Lord Charlton." You have every right to be angry but I can explain everything.

Oh, Meghann, Charles thought sadly, you think I can't guess what happened? I left you alone to pursue my own pleasure and you were left vulnerable to that b.a.s.t.a.r.d because of that d.a.m.ned blood link between you two.

But don't you worry, friend. I'll help you fight whatever insanity pushed you back into his arms.

Charles scanned the crowd anxiously, disappointed when he realized there were no vampires in the brightly chandeliered room or outside on the sweeping balcony. Lord Baldevar and Meghann hadn't arrived yet. Charles suppressed the anxious voice that whispered maybe they weren't planning to come at all, that Lord Baldevar might have had second thoughts about exposing Meghann to her best friend.

"I don't understand," Lee said in a low tone to Charles after they were seated at a table by the balcony that allowed Charles a view of the entire room. "That press release outside says Lord Charlton is on the board of directors here. How can a vampire hold a position like that?"

"It's not as hard as you'd imagine to be a vampire and pursue your mortal interests. I managed to work for the NIH. False doc.u.mentation is easy to obtain, and as for keeping normal hours I just confided to the director of the NIH that I had porphyria so I preferred working at night."

"Wouldn't Simon have to go to board meetings during the day?"

"He'd send his lawyers," Charles explained. "With specific instruction on how he wants to vote on certain issues. If during the day a board did make a decision he wasn't happy with, he'd just call them together at night."

"But why would they kowtow to him?"

Charles rolled his eyes. "Why do you think? Actually, he probably doesn't even need to use vampirism to persuade them Simon Baldevar gets away with conducting business at night because he's a financial wizard; no one's going to disdain his suggestions just because they come at night. Alcuin once told me that in four hundred years, Lord Baldevar never put a foot wrong when it came to investing and he has an uncanny sense for what will take off. He sidestepped the Crash of twenty-nine d.a.m.n near tripled his fortune through cotton speculation during the Civil War and you're just trying to keep me from thinking about Meghann with that monster!"

Lee smiled sheepishly. "Guilty."

"Some of this is your fault, you know! Why the h.e.l.l didn't you tell me Meghann's feelings toward that monster were changing?"

"Why?" Lee flared. "So you could badger her like you've done to me the past month? How many times do I have to tell you I'd never betray a patient's confidence or a friend's? And Meghann is both to me. And I didn't tell you because well I was scared you might cut her out of your life if she went back with him. Charles, I couldn't stay with you if you hurt Meghann!"

For the first time in weeks, Charles's jet eyes softened. "You really love her, don't you?"

"I owe her my life," Lee said simply. "But even if I didn't, I'd love her anyway.

Meghann is special. I'm not going to stop being her friend simply on the basis of who she sleeps with, and you'd better not either."

"Don't you know that's what Simon Baldevar wants me to do?" Charles questioned caustically, lighting up a cigarette and ignoring Lee's censuring glare.

"He's hoping I tear into her tonight and break her heart so he can convince her she doesn't have anyone in the world but him. Don't worry about me falling into that trap I'm here to tell Meghann I love her and forgive her for what she's done with Lord Baldevar."

"You sound like an outraged father," Lee observed and rolled his eyes.

"Somehow I can't see Meghann accepting you scolding her like a naughty child."

"What else can I do? Condone this lunacy? Has she completely lost her mind?"

"Ask her," Lee said and jerked his head to the front of the banquet hall where Meghann stood with Lord Baldevar, one arm linked through his, smiling at the crush of people that came up to them.

"My G.o.d, I had no idea she was that beautiful," Lee said softly.

Neither had Charles he'd never seen his friend look that radiant. His breath caught in his throat at the sight of her and for a moment he only felt brotherly pride that his Meghann, with her glowing skin and sparkling eyes, was easily the most beautiful woman in a room filled with showgirls and models.

Charles smiled, thinking pregnancy rather becoming to Meghann. She wore an Empire-style voile gown, cut low and tied with velvet ribbons under her full b.r.e.a.s.t.s to show them to their best advantage, while the flowing material of her wide skirt masked the bulge of pregnancy. The dark green color of the gown emphasized her fiery hair, worn down her back in a simple plait held in place with jade combs. Charles's eyes were drawn to the magnificent emerald necklace and earrings she wore. The first night he'd met her, Meghann had those jewels on Lord Baldevar must have saved her jewelry.

But that night her exquisite gems couldn't light up her pallid skin or lend any spark to her apathetic green eyes. It was that despairing air that gave Charles the courage to approach Lord Baldevar's consort, see if she might desire freedom from her master.

Tonight, though, the emeralds provided an exquisite backdrop to snowy-white skin that glowed with pearly luminescence and snapping green eyes that danced with merriment. Charles stared at Meghann, wondering if he'd ever have approached her had she looked the way she did tonight all but humming with happiness as she clung to her master's arm, a blinding smile lighting her face when he looked down and caressed her cheek newly flushed from feeding.

No, Charles thought. He'd never think to ask this woman to leave her lover it was plain that all he'd earn would be a firm rebuff at the least, possibly violence if he tried to point at any flaws in the man she was so enamored with.

d.a.m.n it, Meghann, Charles thought, lowering his s.h.i.+elds and directing the thought at her. After all he's done to you, how can you possibly be so happy with him?

Meghann's eyes met his and a sweet voice entered his mind. He's done things you don't know about.

What things?

I'll explain if you allow me to. Gently, Meghann pried her arm from Lord Baldevar's and started toward her friends.

"Meghann!" Lee leaped up and put his arms around her, kissing her cheek before he gave her a reprimanding glance. "You shouldn't have taken off like that."

"I had to, Lee," Meghann said, and Charles heard no uncertainty in the pleasant but firm voice. "It was to protect you both. Charles?"

Charles stood up shakily, knowing his future friends.h.i.+p with Meghann was going to be decided by how he behaved now. Despite her radiance, he saw a shadow of uncertainty in the bottle-green eyes that never moved from his face.

A laugh almost escaped him could Meghann actually think he'd reject her when all this month he'd worried she wanted nothing more to do with him?

Meghann came to his side at the tears in his eyes. "Charles, you don't have to cry over me."

Charles grabbed her in a bear hug, crus.h.i.+ng the air out of her. "I'm crying because Meghann, I thought you didn't want to be my friend anymore!"

"Oh, Charles." Meghann stood on tiptoe to kiss his cheek, clucking at the improperly knotted tuxedo tie. Expertly, she redid the bow. "I thought the same thing I thought you'd never speak to me if I "

"Meghann." Charles took her hands, forcing himself not to scowl at the signet ring that once again glittered on her index finger. "Please, honey. Explain all this to me. Why are you with him?"