Traitors' Gate by Nicky Peacock

Author:Nicky Peacock [Peacock, Nicky]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Evernight Teen
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seven

I don’t go back to father’s house. I’m far too afraid that, if he gets another grip on me, he might never let me go. I feel bad not saying goodbye to Mistress Leighton and Gordons but I can’t take the risk. I don’t go back for belongings either. All I have are the clothes on my back and Nicholas, and it is all I need. We leave Ravenglass within the hour. We travel on foot, running through the dark countryside like I did on the first night we met. We move together, fingers entwined like merry schoolchildren. We reach the town and Nicholas books us a room at the local pub, then passage on a coach heading for London. I am to meet Christian and Tolliver and another of Nicholas’s blood drinking brethren, a Frenchman called Philippe.

I’m sure we are receiving a score of disapproving looks, but I don’t notice them. Wrapped in my vampire’s arms I am safe and oddly warm. There are many kisses, but nothing else. Nicholas proposes to me that night and we decide to wait until we are married before we truly share a bed. Once the Elders agree to my turning, I am to be a vampire bride; living out the plot of a bard’s best song is fast turning out to be the best decision I’ve ever made.

I had always thought London was a big city, but with so many people squashed into its streets, it seems positively tiny. We arrive early in the morning and make our way to a tavern called the Dead Hare.

“It’s a vampire haven,” explains Nicholas, “we’re meeting them there.”

The Dead Hare is surprisingly luxurious, not your average rowdy tavern that smells of overcooked vegetables and cheap ale It is populated by men who all lay protecting arms about their female companions; there are even a few children playing in a corner. Nicholas catches me staring at them. “We don’t drink from children, it’s forbidden. But most still want a family. They’ll have been adopted by a vampire here.”

The children are laughing and dressed in expensive outfits. They look chubby and happy.

“Where do they adopt them from?” I ask.

“I’m afraid it’s from the less fortunate people who have too many babies to feed. They sell their youngest to anyone with a coin.”

“I can believe that. But they’re the lucky ones, aren’t they?” I nod toward the children.

“Strangely, yes they are. They’ll grow up and the boys will be given the opportunity to be turned. The girls will be married, if they choose to be. Their sons will be…”

“I get it. The Elders don’t like ladies.” I wave my arms around and realize that I kind of raised my voice.

“They will adore you.” Nicholas hugs me and I wonder if someday I’ll be allowed to sire my own child, and what that would feel like, to share this dark gift with another.

As we move further into the tavern, my eyes are drawn to a familiar face, “Christian!” I yell.

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