Clockwork Chronicles by Quinn Langston

Author:Quinn Langston
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Horror, Vampires
Publisher: Samhain Publishing, Ltd.
Published: 2016-02-02T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Three

Slasher Kills TENTH. London Clockmaker Violently Slain. Police Stumped. Royal College of Medicine Collaborate to Catch Killer

Sebastian’s vampire vision skimmed the Times article in seconds and began to reread from the top. He settled the bone china teacup back in the saucer, dabbed at the corners of his mouth and covered the gilt rim of the vessel with his folded napkin. Habit. The servants all knew of his “condition”, yet he took great pains to not alarm them with the indelicacies of the details. Theo was also aware of his preferences.

It was not easy to live amongst humans, but he knew how to disguise his needs. He had always been kind to the staff, so they did as he asked without question when he returned from the war. At first they whispered about battle fatigue and melancholia, moved softly and pitied him, thinking only that the odd quirks he had developed and his habit of dining alone or requiring absolute privacy were due to his experiences in the war. They served him as faithfully as they always had.

Eventually, as daughters replaced mothers in the household and sons replaced fathers on the estate, the whispers of Sebastian being one of the undead began to bear out into truth. On many occasions they had seen him disappear for years and upon return never appear to be a day older or scarred in any way. While hunting for game, one of the original Sneeds stumbled upon Lord Hawthorne feeding upon a stag in his forests. From that point on, the servants pledged their allegiances to Sebastian to keep his secret if he would protect them in return.

The generations of servants that followed continued to be loyal to Sebastian and keep the secret that he was indeed a vampire. While they knew he was not human, they knew that the lord of the manor was fair and kind. They knew no harm would come to them if they never questioned him, kept their mouths shut and did their jobs. Thus, constant samovars of warm pig’s blood stood on the buffet sideboard table strictly for his nourishment.

A thin coagulated blood ring in the bottom of the porcelain was all that was left of his breakfast ritual. He read on.

London police have solicited the help of the Royal College of Medicine in hopes the surgeons, physicians and even students may help contribute to solving their most baffling case. The police stress that the strength of this fiend is of such power that it could only be an extremely large male to inflict so much gruesome and vicious injury. They go on to say that no one is safe at this point. The previous victims have ranged from high standing patrons of society, men of commerce, of industry, lawyers, barristers, and the madam of a local known brothel. The most recent killing is an outstanding craftsman. The victim’s specific identities are being withheld due to the shockingly unnatural nature of the crimes.

Sebastian peered at the sketches that accompanied the article.

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