"Miss Delauny, we heard you were back," Mr. Hathoway said the following morning. I resisted the urge to snap his neck like a twig.
Especially since his family was right there. "You haven't aged a bit," he stated with slight suspicion.
"It's been a while, how has the business been?" I inquired with curiosity.
"Wonderful, Father has learned his lesson after the strike," Ariel answered before her father could respond.
"Strike?" I questioned as Mrs. Hathoway hushed Ariel. Ariel glared at her mother Mr. Hathoway blushed with embarrassment.
"Father was treating the workers unjustly so they went on strike," Ariel replied.
"Ariel," Mrs. Hathoway said in a strict voice.
"What? It's true," Ariel commented, unfazed by her mother's irritation and not caring about her father's embarrassment. Her honesty was something I appreciated though.
"So long as you've learned your lesson Mr. Hathoway," I said as I gave him a blank look.
"Yes, I can assure you that I have learned my lesson," Mr. Hathoway told me.
"Good," I said with a small nod. I would look for another business partner either way. I didn't want to risk another strike after all.
"We are having a gathering tomorrow. You are more than welcome to join us at the Farrell manor," Mrs. Hathoway said with a smile as she changed the subject.
"What's the occasion?" I asked with curiosity.
"It's Joseph's birthday," Ariel responded with a smile.
"Joseph?" I repeated, not sure who Joseph was.
"Their youngest," Mrs. Hathoway replied, smiling.
"Tomorrow is Candlemass though, yes?" I questioned. Mr. Hathoway nodded with confirmation. I made a sound in the back of my throat. "I'll be at his birthday," I said when I came to a conclusion.
"Wonderful, we'll see you there," Mrs. Hathoway said with a smile. I returned the smile and dismissed myself. I went home and was greeted by Priest.
"Priest?" I inquired with surprise. I hadn't been expecting him after all. "It's been a while. Have you fed at all?" I asked him. He shook his head as a response. "Has Pearce given you some blood?" I inquired, curious despite herself. He nodded as an answer. "That's good," I thought out loud.
He was silent as the Thirst burned in his eyes. New Vampires always had the Thirst though. As they got older, the Thirst would turn into cravings for blood instead of a need. For now though, Priest needed blood.
"Come, let us talk," I said with a smile.
"I don't know if talking is a good idea. He already suspects me," Priest told me. I was silent.
"You need blood," I stated after a short pause. He fell silent. "I can give that to you," I told him. He remained silent.
"He is already on his way here," Priest informed me. "He intends to kill you," he said.
"I know that he wants me dead, but I don't intend to die without a fight," I commented as Priest looked behind me.
"That's good to hear. A willing death would be too boring," Pearce's voice said behind me. I whirled around and a low growl sounded in the back of my throat. He smirked slightly as Priest ran passed us.
"What do you want?" I asked as I felt the Hive blood in my veins sing. They would be on their way soon.
"To kill you, but you're proving to be interesting," Pearce replied. "So I want to with this game before I kill you," he said with a smile. I glared at him. He was, as usual, unfazed.
Allison appeared behind Pearce and swiftly broke his neck. Pearce fell to the floor, his head twisted around.
"Well, that was relatively simple," Allison commented. I smiled at her.
"He's not dead though," I told her as I heard Pearce's bones healing themselves. Allison heard it too and she studied the unconscious Pearce.
"Maybe we should go," I suggested as his bones finished healing themselves. Allison nodded with agreement as Pearce slowly got up on his hands and knees. We then left my house, running at full speed towards the undertaker's shop.
We reached it and went inside, walking slowly so as not to surprise Adrian and Bartholomew. They looked up at our approach.
"Hello Sapphira," Adrian greeted with a smile. I returned the smile, keeping my smile fangs hidden as I sat down on a nearby coffin.
"Bartholomew is teaching me how to make coffins," Adrian told me as Allison sat down beside me.
"Is it hard?" Allison asked, curious despite herself. Adrian didn't answer her. She sighed and studied me. I shrugged as an answer to her unspoken question.
"What do you want?" Bartholomew asked as he looked at Adrian.
"Do you need anything about a Pearce Cronan?" I asked him. He became pensive.
"No," he finally replied, breaking the silence. "I can find out about him though," he told me.
"Thank you," I said with a smile. He made a sound in the back of his throat and studied Adrian's progress with the coffin.
"It needs work," Bartholomew told Adrian.
"I'll be on my way," I said, dismissing myself as I stood up. Allison followed me.
"Be careful," Allison said as she headed to her home.
"I will be, I told her. She nodded once and then waved a quick good-bye over her shoulder. I hurried home, hoping that Pearce was no longer there. He wasn't there when I arrived. I breathed a sigh of relief when I saw that he had left my human servants alone. I went to my room and fell asleep.
I woke the next morning to Noah opening my curtains. I made a sound in the back of my throat and pulled the blankets over my head.
"My lady, you have an event to go to soon. A birthday party," Noah reminded me. I groaned as I remembered. Today was Joseph Farrell's birthday. I reluctantly got out of bed, yawned and stretched and then rubbed the sleep out of my eyes.
Noah left me so I could get ready for Joseph's birthday party. I picked out a dress and called Kristen, my maid to assist me with getting dressed.
I was handed a present by Noah when I left my house and entered the carriage. "For Joseph, " he explained as Ishmael closed the carriage door after I took the present.
After what felt like forever, we reached the Farrell manor. "Ishmael, how does one greet a human child?" I asked with curiosity. I had never actually greeted a young human before.
"Wish him a happy birthday and give him your gift. Remember to keep your fangs hidden," Ishmael replied as the carriage stopped.
"That's all?" I inquired, thinking out loud.
"That's all," Ishmael said as he opened the door. I handed him the present and climbed out. Ishmael handed me the present and I took it as he closed the door.
"Don't forget to wish him a happy birthday," Ishmael reminded me as he climbed up onto the carriage. I nodded to him that I had heard him and walked away as he urged the horses forward.
Albert, the footman opened the door and I entered the Farrell manor.
"Greetings Miss Delauny, how are you doing?" Alice inquired as I approached them.
"I'm doing well, and you? How are you doing?" I replied as Joseph came over, a smile on his face.
"Well, thank you," Alice answered. She looked at Joseph. "What do you say to our guest?" She reminded Joseph.
"Thank you for coming to my birthday party. Do you have a present for me?" Joseph asked with a smile .
"Joseph," Alice said in a slight reprimanding tone. Joseph looked at her.
"I do have a present for you," I told him. He turned his attention from his mother to me, a large smile spreading across his face. I handed him the birthday present. He took it, his eyes shining with delight.
"Have a happy birthday," I said with a small smile.
"Thamk you Miss Delauny," Joseph said and then ran off.
I hope it's something he likes, I thought as I politely dismissed myself.
I noticed Raphael and breathed a mental sigh of relief. I wouldn't be the only one leaving soon to satisfy the Thirst. In fact, I intended to leave soon and I was pretty sure Raphael would be making his exit soon; judging by the way the Thirst was burning in his eyes. Perhaps I would invite him over to my place for tea; since Jack the Ripper was still roaming the streets.
I walked over to him. "Come to my place, we can have tea. I'll even tell Noah to put some extra blood in it," I whispered in his ear.
"I appreciate the offer, but I can't. I'm training Romeo to take my place," he whispered with a small smile.
"Perhaps after the party," I said in a quiet voice. He nodded, accepting the invitation.
"You should invite the entire Hive. Hunting has been horrible with Jack the Ripper still at large," Raphael told me in a soft voice.
"I will," I said in a barely audible voice.
"Most of them are asleep now. Use the Blood Bonds to tell them," Raphael whispered.
"How?" I questioned. I had never had the Blood Bonds until recently.
"Focus on the Blood Bonds and send your intentions that way. It's how we're able to keep an eye on each other," Raphael explained, still speaking in a whisper.
"I will do that, thank you," I said with a small smile.
"You're quite welcome," he said, returning the smile with one of his his own. I politely dismissed myself and searched for Joseph. I wanted to wish him a happy birthday before I left.
I found him playing with the other children. He spotted me and waved to me. He politely dismissed himself and came over to me.
"Happy birthday. I have to be on my way now, but I hope you have a wonderful day," I said with a smile that hid my fangs.
"You're not staying?" He asked, sounding disappointed.
"I have errands to attend to," I replied, hoping he wouldn't figure out that I had no errands to run. All I wanted to do was sleep. He studied me with disbelief.
"I don't believe you. If you want to leave though, then you can go," Joseph said with a raised eyebrow.
"Thank you. Happy birthday once more," I said, dismissing myself. He smiled and then went to play with his friends.
I wished Joseph's parents a good day, apologized that I had to leave so abruptly and left the crowded home. I went to my carriage where Ishmael was waiting. He opened the door and I climbed into the carriage. Ishmael closed the door and then we headed back home.
I sighed and then decided that offering the invitation I had given Raphael to the rest of the Hive was in order. I focused on the Blood Bonds that I now had until I felt like they were one with my blood. I then sent my invitation, positive that they would get it.
I finally reached my home. Ishmael stopped the carriage and opened the door. I climbed out and he closed the door behind me as I walked up my stairs. I entered my home and sensed the presence of another Vampire. And it wasn't one of the members of the Hive. Nor was it the presence of Priest or Pearcd Cronan.
Confusion and anger swept through my body.
I quickly masked my presence and gave into the instinct to stalk and kill. I pinpointed where the other Vampire was and began to stalk them. Silently, I climbed the stairs and crept down the hallway to the drawing room. The smell of blood reached me and I felt my fangs sharpen.
I reached for the doorknob and slowly opened the door, glad that the hinges were well greased. No sound was made as I entered the drawing room.
I saw someone move in the corner of my eye and blocked the attack that was meant to pierce my heart.
"Die you blood sucking whore!" He exclaimed as he freed the knife from my grip. He struck again. I dodged his attack and then counter attacked, slashing his throat wide open.
His knife fell to the floor as he tried to stop the gushing fount. I grabbed the sides of his head and pulled up with all my strength. His head came off with a loud crack. His headless body fell to the floor. I took the knife and stabbed his heart, just to be sure he would be sure he would remain dead.
I heard his skin sizzle as I twisted the knife, destroying his heart.
"Silver," I hissed as a smile wisp of smoke emerged from the gaping hole in his chest. Silver was the only thing that could kill us Vampires completely. I turned my attention from my the headless body to Noah, who was tied up to a chair, his blood dripping down the sides of the arms of the chair.
"Noah," I said as I reeled in my instinct to kill him and quietly undid the restraints. "Are you alright?" I asked as I inspected his wrists.
"He said you've been targeted by Jack the Ripper," Noah said in a weak voice as I licked his wounds. My saliva would slow the bleeding down. Enough to let his body heal on its own. There would always be scars on his wrists.
"Jack the Ripper doesn't concern me. It's Pearce Cronan that does," I said when I was finished.
"Any Vampire that's your enemy concerns me and the others," Noah stated as he slowly stood up.
"I'll be sure to kill them then," I said as I stood up, offering my arm to Noah so he would have some support.
"You best be able keep that promise," Noah said as he looked at me.
"I will," I stated, much more confidently than I felt.
Somehow, I added mentally.