Kingdom of the Damned: Provocation (KIngdom Journals) Page 2

  “Are you hurt?” Elizabeth kneels beside him.

  “My head.” His hand moves to his oily hair. Rubbing the back of his head, he produces bloody fingers.

  My eyes fix on the red liquid. The hint of metal wafts to my nostrils, and I begin to salivate. I lick my lips and take a step towards the grotesque man, ignoring the smell of rotting hops from his clothes and lard from his skin and hair. I remember the time I bit Finn, Elizabeth’s mate, how his blood tasted better than anything else I’d ever eaten. I stare at the dirty man’s wound.

  Elizabeth grabs my arm with a vice-like grip. “Anne, get a clean wet rag from the kitchen. Go, now.”

  My trance broken, I run to the sink. Pushing a crate up to the tub, I climb up and reach for the wash cloth we’d used earlier. I use the bowl beside the water bucket to soak the fabric. Walking slowly back to Elizabeth, I hold the rag out to her.

  “Good child.” Her eyes are fixed on mine. “Sit by the wall while I tend his wounds.” Apologizing for my clumsiness, she wipes Walter’s head and face. “You have a pretty bad bump there, you should get some rest.”

  “I believe it may be for the best that I retire for the evening. Go.” With a booming voice, he shoos us out the door and locks it behind us.

  Elizabeth takes my hand as we enter the barn. She lowers herself to the makeshift bed of hay we created. “Good work there, child. I’m proud of you.”

  My head cocks to the roof as I hear the coo of a dove. Elizabeth runs her hands down my arms. “Let the birds alone. We’ll have meat tomorrow. The doves are your spirit animal. They will remind you of your family and happy times. When you see a dove, think of your parents and the love they had for you. It will bring you comfort.”

  After smelling Walter’s blood, all I want is to drain the animal. Still, I obey Elizabeth and lie down on the soft hay. Even with my eyes closed, I stay alert as I imagine Elizabeth does also. There are too many odd sounds, and I fear Walter will come for her in the night.

  With the breaking dawn, I squat behind the barn to relieve myself. The doves coo above my head, and I fight the instinct to climb the roof to them. If nothing else, their eggs would satiate my hunger for a bit.

  Elizabeth and I wash in the watering trough. After we’ve cleaned up, she bends down and puts her hands on both my shoulders. “We might see a lot of people today. Remember to call me mother and smile and curtsey as I taught you, okay?”

  I nod and follow her into the inn. Walter sweeps past, carrying plates of bread and eggs, and my stomach grumbles. I tug on Elizabeth’s skirt, and she nods and holds up a finger, signaling for me to be patient. Older vampires may go for days without blood or meat, but younglings need more food. Most days I even ate as much as Finn. The thought reminds me of his big smile and how he would chase Elle, Hank, and me about the house. I push out memories of my own father, his square chin, dark beard, how he would rub my head before he left for the castle each day.

  “Can I provide help for a meal?” Elizabeth asks Walter as he passes again.

  “You’re in luck. My bar maid’s missing. Grab an apron, woman.”

  Following Elizabeth to the kitchen, I help as she loads plates, stirs the pots, and washes the used dishes. We work until mid-afternoon when the place clears of patrons.

  “Sir?” Elizabeth and I approach Walter. “May I have a meal for my daughter now?”

  “Sure woman.” He waves us away.

  “And what of your brother? Will you take us to him?”

  A gruff laugh erupts from his mouth. “I don’t have a brother. But, as long as I don’t have my maid, you can work for me and sleep in my barn.”

  “Perhaps I’ll go out and look for work and be back for supper time.”

  “Suit yourself.” He turns his attention to the plate in front of him.

  We go to the kitchen, and Elizabeth scrapes the last of the meat on a plate for me. I insist she take half, and we sit on the floor eating our portions that equal half what my meal would have been. The cooked food tastes bland, but it starts to fill my belly. When I reach for a bread roll left on the counter, Elizabeth takes it and breaks a piece off for me.

  “Remember, just a bit till your belly adjusts.”

  “I know.” Tired of her correcting me, I puff out my bottom lip and fold my arms across my chest.

  “I’m sorry, dear.” She pats my head. “I know you’re not like—” She blinks as bloody tears form in her eyes. “Enough rest.” She stands. “I need to wash up and find a decent job.”

  “Elizabeth.” I tug at her skirt, regretting causing her sadness. “I’m sorry. I know you miss them.”

  “It’s okay.” She squats and kisses my forehead.

  Washing in the barn, she instructs me to stay close. We make our way to the busy street. Horse-drawn carts and carriages roll past, causing dust to mill through the air. People line the cobble walks in front of the buildings that rise two and three stories into the sky. At every place of business, pub, shop, office, Elizabeth asks about work. The shopkeeper’s eyes wander from her to me, and each answer is the same. They don’t need any help.

  We repeat this day for the next three in different sections of the city. At least our luck holds at Walter’s pub, as his bar maid doesn’t return.

  “You’re not bad in the kitchen,” Walter notes the fourth night. “I could clear a room for you upstairs.”

  “That’s a nice offer. I’ll think about it,” Elizabeth tells him as she stows her apron on the counter.

  With barely two meals, my stomach gnaws at its lining as I lie on the hay. The doves coo above my head, and all I can picture is the red liquid that would flow from their necks and the sweet taste of their eggs. I watch a chicken saunter by and think that tomorrow I’ll eat her if we cannot find better provisions.

  Tormented by hunger, the night is long and dark. I rise before the sun, my stomach still in knots. My eyes find the chicken resting on its nest. Moving slow and quiet, I inch towards the bird. Just as I’m about to reach out and grab its neck, Elizabeth snatches me up.

  “I’ll find you food today, child,” she whispers in my ear as she hugs me to her chest. “We haven’t made it to the north side of the city yet. We’ll go there today. But we can’t have a bad reputation following us.”

  She sets me on my hay bed and starts to braid my hair. “You remember all your manners and to call me mother?”

  “Yes, you know I do.”

  “Of course.” Wrapping her arms around me, she squeezes my shoulders. I wonder if I’ve saddened her once more and pledge that I will not remind her again. She presses her lips to my temple, leaving a cool, wet imprint. “I love you, child. All will be well.”

  We wash and approach the back door of the pub. It’s quiet inside, and Elizabeth starts the meat and the bread. Standing on a bucket, I copy her actions, kneading the bread as she fetches the eggs from the stable. Every other day she’s asked me to, and I’m disappointed to have lost the chance to steal one. In my next thought, I rebuke myself for lusting after the eggs. I remember the verses Finn used to read to us as we sat by the fire: you shall not kill, you shall not commit adultery. I don’t know what that one means, but the next was you shall not steal, and it continued, you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his male or female slave, nor his ox or ass, nor anything else that belongs to him.

  I hear heavy footsteps on the pub’s floor, and Walter appears in the doorway. “Where’s your mother?”

  “She went to fetch some eggs.”

  “So, you can speak. I thought you were dumb.”

  “No, sir.” I lower my eyes to the flour-covered table.

  “There are twice as many eggs today.” Elizabeth materializes behind the broad man.

  “Hmm.” Walter steps back to let Elizabeth into the kitchen, his eyes trained on her bottom. “Have you decided if you’re staying?”

  “I will look for work in the north side of the city today. Can I trade half a day’s work for a solid meal for the two of us?”
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  “Yes, only one egg each. You can have some meat if there is any left after breakfast. Fridays are usually crowded, so I wouldn’t count on it.” Walter puts his apron on and retreats to the main room.

  I ogle the eggs Elizabeth stacks in the basket. She offers me the largest two. Shaking my head, I place one egg in front of her. Her lips form a smile, the first I’ve seen from her all week. “I’ll find a better position today.”

  In one quick move, she tilts her head back, cracks the egg over her mouth, and lets the yolk fall onto her tongue. She licks the last remnants from the shell and tosses the broken pieces into the trash bucket. Laughing, I copy her form. The slick egg slides down my throat, calming my belly.

  We work in the kitchen, and Elizabeth helps deliver food to the patrons. The dining room buzzes with an energy not found the prior days, and we serve twice as much food. I lament the empty meat bowl as I pass the dish to Elizabeth to clean.

  “All out of meat, I see. I’ll have to go to the butcher’s. At least Adam will be back today.” Walter stuffs coins in his pants pocket and sheds his apron. If Adam comes with the fish, tell him to wait.”

  After cleaning, we sit on stools by the fire and dip bread in the last bit of meat drippings. It’s not even midday, but my body aches with fatigue, and I stare into the flames.

  “Here, child.” Elizabeth pulls her cloak from her shoulders and wraps it around me. “Rest by the fire while I finish cleaning.”

  I lay my head on the hearth, eyes trained on the pub door, wanting to be ready if Walter comes back. Instead, it’s Adam that enters when the door opens.

  “Still here, I see.” He greets me as Elizabeth rushes to my side.

  “I’ve been to most parts of the city. I can’t find other work.” Elizabeth leans over and picks me up.

  “Work is hard to find when you don’t know anyone. This is my first stop today. Would you like a ride to the other side of the city? I could introduce you to my patrons.”

  “That would be wonderful.” Elizabeth sets me on the floor and pats my back. “Anne, go to the stable and wash up.”

  Running out the back, I slip between the cows as they drink from the trough. Seconds later, Elizabeth is beside me. She twists me around, tightening my braids and smoothing my skirt. We walk through the alley and around the block to the main street where Adam is waiting. Elizabeth lifts me up, and I climb onto the seat beside Adam.

  “Look at you, all prim and proper.” He winks at me. “Let’s find your mother a decent job.”

  Adam introduces Elizabeth to each of his customers, and we scout the area for other places of business. It’s a long afternoon of smiling and curtseying, and the motion of the cart lulls me into a restful state as we make our way down a long tree-lined path. As we stop, I hear a door creak and pop my eyes open. A two-story red-stone, or brick as I will learn later, building, with windows along on the main floor and second floor, looms over us. I note the trees surrounding the lawn and think I will escape to them if something goes amiss.

  A white-haired gentleman standing in the doorway pulls a watch from his breast pocket. “I wondered if you’d make it today.”

  “Sorry I’m late. I have company.” Adam jumps to the ground and holds his arms out to me. He swirls me over his head and I giggle despite my worry. “This is Anne and Miss Elizabeth. Elizabeth is looking for work.”

  The white-haired man is introduced as Master Henry. With light smooth skin and graying hair, Henry smells like the Bible Finn read from. A woman appears behind him. Wiping her hands on an apron, she jogs down the stairs.

  When she smiles, her blue irises seem to sparkle at me. She offers her hand to Elizabeth. “I’m Faye.”

  With hair the color of strawberries, she reminds me of the faeries in Mother’s stories. I imagine her twirling her skirt in a flower-filled meadow. I’m caught up in the scene and reach out to touch her long amber braid.

  Elizabeth grabs my hand. “Anne, where are your manners?”

  “Sorry.” Embarrassed, I drop my eyes to the ground and curtsey.

  “It’s okay, child.” Faye stoops so we are eye level. “It’s not every day you see red hair. Come inside, I think I have a few toys for you to play with.”

  I look to Elizabeth, who nods, and slide my fingers between Faye’s. We follow Master Henry, Adam, and Elizabeth through the front door. A wide staircase spirals up to the second floor. My eyes dart between the rooms and down the long hall to a back exit.

  Faye leads me into the sitting room and squats on the floor beside me. “I should have a doll here somewhere.”

  She pats my back and shuffles through a door. I focus on Elizabeth and Master Henry, learning that he runs a boarding school for boys. Hearing ruffling fabric, I look up to see Faye holding a cloth doll out to me. I take the toy and smooth the yarn hair.

  “I’m not sure I can take you on without any references,” Master Henry tells Elizabeth. “As I don’t know French myself, I have no way of confirming your skills.”

  My eyes cut between them, and I hope we can stay. The large structure around me feels solid, and it smells of books and grass, much like Elizabeth’s home in France.

  “What of the baker down the lane? He’s German,” Adam offers as he enters with a box of fish. “The woman at the grocery store is Italian.”

  “Can you test me for a day or so?” Elizabeth wrings her hands. “I will not disappoint.”

  Master Henry looks to me and back to Elizabeth. “We shall visit the German and Italian tomorrow. You may stay until then.” He looks to the Faye. “Show Elizabeth and her daughter to the empty room upstairs. They can wash up, and then we’ll have dinner together in the small dining room.”

  Faye offers to show us the building and extends her hand to me. The tall walls block sight of the next room, and I tighten my grip on her fingers. She leads us through classrooms on the lower level, to the kitchen, her quarters, and back to the stairs. “My stars.” She wiggles her fingers in mine. “You have the warmest skin.” She releases my fingers and runs her hand across my forehead. “I think you may have a fever, child.”

  Elizabeth whisks my coat off and lifts me to her hip. “Children heat up so quickly.”

  My comfort level with the curious woman led me to forget about the touching humans rule, and I rebuke myself for letting my guard down. With a body temperature eight degrees warmer than humans, I’m supposed to limit contact to a quick shake of a hand.

  Faye smiles and points up the stairs. “Most of the boys go home on the weekends. There will be only two joining us for supper tonight.” At the top, we follow her down a door-lined hall to the last room. She points to a black pipe in the corner. “It’s small but warm as the heating pipes run along the outside walls.”

  “Thank you.” Elizabeth sheds her cloak.

  “You can use the wash room next to my room downstairs.” Faye bows and backs out the door, closing it behind us.

  Elizabeth kneels in front of me and runs her hand down my braid. “You did good.”

  “I forgot about touching humans, I’m sorry. Are we safe here?” My eyes trace around the room.

  “I believe so.”

  There’s a knock at the door. Elizabeth opens it to find Adam.

  “I just wanted to see that you were okay.”

  “Yes, thank you very much. We’re in deep gratitude to you.”

  Adam slides his hat off his head. “I hope to see you next week then.”

  “Until then.” Elizabeth curtseys.

  Adam backs up a few steps, turns, and proceeds down the hall. A door downstairs slams, and loud banging sounds vibrate through the structure. Heavy footsteps on the stairs have me on alert, and I train my eyes on the hall in front of us. The metal smell of blood reaches my nose before the beings appear. As my fangs eject, Elizabeth scoops me up, holding my head to her neck. I breathe in her scent like we practiced.

  Most of the time in the open air, it’s easy to divert my attention, but with the warm enclosed space, my
mouth waters with desire.

  Elizabeth bounces me on her hip. “You’ve scared the youngling.”

  Their footsteps cease. “Sorry, madam, you must be Elizabeth.”

  “Yes.” Elizabeth swallows again and takes a step backwards. My hand scrapes the wall behind her. “I believe you’re injured.” Elizabeth grips my chest as I take long breaths from the air around her neck, fighting the urge to wriggle from her arms. “You should let Miss Faye attend to your wound.”

  The smell of blood invades my nostrils, and I dig my fingers into Elizabeth’s back.

  “Oh, wow, I did cut myself,” one of the boys remarks. The sounds of their footsteps and the waning smell of blood signals their retreat. Their voices waft up the stairwell. “Is Master Henry running a nursery now? First the eight-year-olds, now this.”

  “Come on,” the other replies, “it’s not so bad. Maybe she’ll wash your clothes more often so I won’t have to smell your stench all the time.”

  I’m trembling from the adrenaline coursing through my veins as Elizabeth sets me on the wood floor. Further, I fear she will rebuke me for my reaction. I drew blood on her back, and the scratches won’t heal well with our current state of nutrition. I look up into her eyes. “I’m sorry.”

  “Oh, dear.” She squats and wraps her arms around me. “You did wonderful. I’m proud of you. You’re getting so mature.” She cups my cheeks in her hands. “Your mother and father would be proud.”

  Faye appears at the top of the stairs. “I found some clothes for you. You can change in my washroom now.”

  At dinner, with the wound covered and the boys cleaned up from their play, their scent although still appealing to me, doesn’t set off the same need to feed. I pile fish on my plate as the dishes are passed to me.

  “You eat more than a horse,” the blond boy says.

  I stare into his blue eyes. “Horses eat grass and hay. I’m a meat eater.”

  The other boy slaps his friend’s arm. “She’s even smarter than you.”

  The boys tease each other until Master Henry stops them to ask about our family. Elizabeth tells a story about how her husband and other children succumbed to the plague.