Page 16 of The Rising Dark
Lavinia didn’t understand any of it, and didn’t care for any of it.All she cared about was that everything stayed as it should be: that the balance between vampires and humans and all other supernaturals was sustained.That order reigned, and those who broke their laws were brought to justice and punished.What that looked like wasn’t any of her business, really.She just found the murderer or saved the damsel.Perhaps punched some rogues or stabbed some demons along the way.It was a simple life, in a way.And that was exactly how she liked it.
She let Octavia take point at reporting their progress to Lucretia.Luce listened without interrupting and, when Octavia finished, said, “Sounds like this case is more complex than we thought.I am going to give you more resources to resolve this as quickly as possible.There is potential here for a scandal if the collaboration with the Witch Council goes awry, and an increased risk of revelation if the murders continue.We also don’t need any more bad press for the rumour mill at the moment.”She sighed.
There was a constant risk that humans would find out about vampires on a large scale.A handful of humans were not a problem—they were easily controlled and contained, and very few others would believe their stories.But any large-scale attention could easily slip out of their grasp, and should be avoided at all costs.Additionally, there were always those civilian vampires who thought the Sisterhood’s methods were barbaric or outdated.Lavinia would invite every single one of them to try to argue with a blood-fevered rogue or scold a demon.The Sisterhood bore arms for a reason.
“I will pull in Vesta to help with the reputational damage control, and Proserpina for general support,” Luce continued.“I want this handled quickly and quietly, if possible.”
Lavinia nodded her agreement and was ready to leave when Luce added, “Lavinia, can I speak to you for a moment?”Octavia gave Lavinia an inscrutable look and closed the door softly behind her.
“Sister?”Lavinia asked.What did Luce want to talk to her about that they couldn’t discuss in front of Octavia?There were no secrets in their house.They lived and worked too closely for anything to stay hidden for long.
“The human,” Luce started.“The witches want to assess her?”
“Yes.They think she might be marked by the Fates.”She didn’t say,might be a witch.
“And you refused?Why?”
Lavinia felt her face burn under Luce’s intent gaze.“She’s human.She was clearly completely unaware of the existence of demons.”
“If that is so, there is no harm in them assessing her.”
Lavinia opened her mouth to argue, then closed it again.She didn’t know how to explain that the thought of Michelle being poked and prodded by a bunch of witches horrified her.That she felt an intense urge to keep her safe, keep her away from anyone who could pose a threat.She didn’t trust the witches, didn’t trust them to not manipulate the truth in some way that suited them.But to Luce, of course, Michelle’s safety was merely a formality.A box to be ticked—Human was not eaten by demon, check—and Michelle could be released back into her life.But Lavinia felt a responsibility towards Michelle—perhaps misplaced, she admitted to herself.She felt a connection to Michelle that she could not explain.
“You will allow them access.You may set some terms, meet them in a place that you’ve secured, even bring some backup, but you will not stand in their way.Understood?”Luce said.Lavinia understood perfectly.This was an order, and she would not disobey.Could not disobey.
“Understood.”
“Thank you, Sister.”It was a dismissal, and Lavinia was glad to be released.The anxiety in her stomach that had only just loosened now returned.
While her mind was elsewhere, her feet propelled her forwards, honing in on the person at the forefront of her thoughts.She found Michelle in the library, leafing through an old tome.Lavinia drank in the sight of her.The light from the overhead lamps bathed her pale skin in a golden glow.Her mahogany hair cascaded past her shoulders, a couple of tendrils escaping from the lock tucked behind her ear.She wore a woollen green jumper that hugged her curves in comfort.The smallest of frowns creased the corners of her eyes as she squinted at the book in her hands.Michelle hadn’t heard her steps and only looked up when she spotted movement from the corner of her vision.Lavinia had the small pleasure of seeing her unguarded response.Michelle’s eyes, their irises a deep amber in the artificial light, lit up when she saw it was Lavinia, and smiled.Lavinia found herself enthralled by the splendour of that smile.
“Some of these books are ancient,” Michelle said in awe, holding up the book.Lavinia moved closer and read the title page over her shoulder.On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, printed 1860.Her hair smelled like the shampoo Mrs.Frost left in all the guest bathrooms.
“This one must be worth loads,” she continued.
“Probably,” Lavinia said.“The library is Octavia’s project.She bought most of them.I’m not much of a reader.”She couldn’t remember the last book she’d read.Proserpina had convinced her to readOrlandoby Virginia Woolf when it came out, proclaiming it a masterpiece.That was a while ago, wasn’t it?
“Of course,” Michelle said solemnly.“You’re too busy fighting off demons to read books.”
Lavinia smiled.“Exactly.Too busy saving damsels in distress.”
“My hero,” Michelle said, without a trace of sarcasm.Her face turned serious.“I talked to Quintia earlier.”
Oh stars.“I hope she behaved.”Quinn wasn’t known for her subtlety, and could sometimes act quite boorish.If she had somehow hurt Michelle’s feelings…
“She was great.”That was a relief, at least.She must have been on her best behaviour for some reason.“But she said that you’re all…vampires.”Michelle said the word softly, like a secret.
Just like that, the moment of unveiling had come.Lavinia was surprised that Quintia told Michelle.Usually she was keen on keeping their identity a secret.Lavinia’s first impulse, too, had been to hide what she was.To let Michelle think that she was just a stranger—a human stranger—at the right place at the right time.
She had to admit that there had been a small fear, too.Lavinia wasn’t sure she could handle Michelle’s outright rejection or horror.It had been naïve of her to think that she could somehow thread the needle of keeping Michelle here, with her Sisters, while also appearing human.Lavinia had known, deep down, that bringing her here would reveal her true nature to Michelle.So she simply said, “We are.Most of us, at least.Zachary isn’t.”
Michelle looked down at the book cradled in her hands, but her eyes weren’t focused on the text.Tension ran through Lavinia’s shoulders, waiting for Michelle’s response.Finally, she said, “I wishyou’dtold me.”
“Oh.”Was that actual hurt on Michelle’s face?A stab of guilt shot through her heart.“I’m sorry.You’d already had enough shocks for one night.I didn’t want to make it any worse.”
“It’s okay,” Michelle said softly.“I think I just wish I’d known.”
Lavinia shook her head.“You’re right, I should have told you.”At the very least, Lavinia should have been the one to tell her.This morning, perhaps, before she’d left for London.“It’s no real excuse, but I don’t have much experience with handling this type of situation.”
