The London Vampire Panic (2001) by Michael Romkey

The London Vampire Panic (2001) by Michael Romkey

Author:Michael Romkey [Romkey, Michael]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Horror, Fiction
ISBN: 9780449005736
Google: dakduGHo_lAC
Amazon: 0449005739
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Published: 2001-01-13T22:00:00+00:00


PART V

The Vampire

19

The Meek

Kate Woolf deposition, dated January 14, 1880. The transcription was initialed A.T., for Algernon Turnor, Benjamin

Disraeli's secretary.

"Make yourselves as comfortable as you can. I regret I am unable to offer you better hospitality, but no doubt you

understand. You want to know—it is not necessary to ask—the story of how I came to be as you see me now. I will tell

you and truly. You do not believe me? Bring a Bible, and I will swear an oath. And if you would leave it with me, I

would read it and take comfort in its words. Does not the good book teach that the meek will inherit the earth?"

(Enigmatic smile.)

"If I am unable to tell you everything you want to know, it is only because there are parts I don't understand myself,

but I will explain as best I can. I haven't the education to understand the science of my condition, as Professor Cotswold

would like to know. And I do not know whether it is possible to divide the vampire's power from its terrible Hunger, Lord

Shaftbury's secret question."

(S. asks how the vampire knows their names. Is it a demonic trick?)

"I know your names and more than that, sir. I can read your innermost thoughts, if I try. That is how I came to see the

bridled ambition that burns within you, my lord.

"I can also see what you think of me. One glance, and you all think you know me, as if people were simple things and

easily categorized as hats or types of bird. You would despise me as a fallen woman. And for being a vampire, and the

things I have done because of it. And yet you respect my powers. At least I think you do. Fear and respect smell an

awfully lot alike. You admire my ability to withstand bullets and steel, my power to read your thoughts. Power is a

wonderful thing, gentlemen. It has a curious transforming effect on people. One moment you're a Jezebel, a member of an

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invisible, untouchable caste. But then quick as you can say Bob's your uncle, you learn to have a sobering respect for me.

You realize there are even things about the hated vampire you admire. Do not shake your heads, gentlemen. Like the eye

of the Almighty, I see all.

"Am I ashamed to have sold my body? Of course I am, but I came to my way of life for my own reasons. It made me

my own master. I am hardly the first poor woman to find herself in such circumstances. It could happen to anybody, even

Lady Olivia, who is so precious to you both, Captain Lucian and Professor Cotswold."

(Lucian reacts with justified anger.)

"You men are such hypocrites," the vampire cried. "How do you know what life is like for someone like me? Men

may do as they please. If your soul yearns for adventure, the entire world is your oyster. Lucian and Blackley, you went

to India. Professor Cotswold has been around the world, looking for knowledge.



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