Page 53 of The Rising Dark
Michelle traced the scar with tiny kisses, following its path to Lavinia’s hairline.“And this one?”she said, pointing out a pink line on the front of Lavinia’s bare shoulder.
Lavinia laughed, a delightful sound.“I can thank Quintia for that one.She stabbed me by accident when we were both fighting the same demon a couple of years ago.Didn’t realise I was behind it, she said.”Michelle made a little sympathetic noise and kissed this scar, too.Lavinia’s breath caught as her kisses trailed lower.
“And this one?”she muttered, but Lavinia was no longer capable of answering her questions.For another hour, they lost themselves in the delights of touch and taste, revelling in their closeness.
“What is your schedule like today?”Lavinia asked later, as they sat down for a very, very late breakfast.
“I’m going to pop in and see Mum and Bob.I promised her I’d come and help her pack for their cruise.What about you?”
Lavinia spread some butter on her toast.At first, Michelle had felt self-conscious about having Lavinia over.Lavinia was used to living with luxury: having a housekeeper, living in a fancy apartment or a friggingmansion.All Michelle had to offer was a cramped and somewhat damp London one-bedder and pretty average cooking skills.When she’d voiced her insecurity, Lavinia had told her that the only thing that mattered to her was that they spent time together.That she loved toast made by Michelle as much as a whole feast served at Thornblood.That any room or bed would do, if only they could share it.It was all horribly romantic, and Michelle, to her embarrassment, had teared up.Well, it had been an emotional time.
“I have to check in with Octavia in an hour or so.She’s keeping watch over a couple of runaway youngsters.Do you have time tonight?There’s something I want to show you.”
“Sure.What is it?”
The corner of Lavinia’s lips quirked upwards.“It’s a surprise.”
* * *
It had been an incredible relief to Michelle that Zachary, too, had survived that night.Both of them got pretty battered, and although the demon hadn’t been sent to killhim, it hadn’t shied away from mauling him.She had no idea how between them they had managed to keep the demon busy enough for Lavinia to be there in time to save them.It turned out that the heavy base of the lamp they’d used to inexpertly clobber the demon with had been made of pure iron.“It leaches their strength,” Lavinia had explained.If Michelle had grabbed anything else, they would have both been dead.It was a thought she preferred not to linger on.
The fate of the warlock-rogue was equally disturbing.Lavinia had been somewhat tight-lipped about it while Michelle was still in the hospital that first week.She finally caved and had told her that the witches had taken him.
“So he’s not dead?”Michelle had asked.
“Not exactly.”Lavinia said that there were rumours that the witches, led by Balor, had torn the rogue’s soul from his body.That they hadpreservedit somehow, keeping it imprisoned.For the vampires, it was enough that the rogue had been neutralised.Vampire law made no allowances for punishments of souls, only of bodies.And the rogue would not be coming back, Lavinia was sure of that.Still, it was a disturbing thought, and Michelle was infinitely glad she wasn’t a witch herself after all.Unfortunately, this also meant that the Sisterhood wasn’t able to find out how a vampire could turn into a witch, or vice versa.The Witch Council had not been willing to share any further information.That was a mystery that remained unsolved, for now.
That evening, when they arrived at Thornblood, the sprawling mansion nestled between the Pennine hills, it seemed like everyone was waiting for her.Five of the Sisters crowded into the entryway to greet them.
“Michelle!”Proserpina exclaimed, bending forwards to hug her.“I’m so glad you’re here.It has been sodullwithout you.”
“Always glad to hear we bore you, Pina,” Vesta said, but there was only laughter in her voice.“Still, we’re all happy to see you.”
“Thanks,” Michelle said, somewhat dazzled by the throng of vampires around her.Luce, with her dark eyes, had smiled, and Brigh had shaken her hand with vigour.Even Quintia, scowling as always, gave her an awkward slap on the shoulder.The vampire somewhat misjudged her strength, and Michelle was glad Lavinia was at her elbow to steady her.
“What’s going on?”she said, whispering in Lavinia’s ear.She’d never been the centre of attention like this.It was a bit perplexing, to be honest.
“You’ll see.”Lavinia shooed the other Sisters away and led Michelle up the familiar main staircase.When Michelle had come to Thornblood the first time, she had been overwhelmed by the splendour of the house.Now, familiarity had eased the discomfort, allowing her to enjoy being back here.Lavinia led her into the west wing, towards Lavinia’s room.Michelle wasn’t sure what she’d been expecting, but it wasn’t this.
“You’re taking me to your room?”
“Sort of.”
What did Lavinia want to show her that had the whole house in a tizzy?It must be something significant, or they wouldn’t be making such a big deal out of it.Anticipation mingled with an edge of anxiety as they stopped one door short of Lavinia’s bedroom.
“Here we are,” Lavinia said, and opened the door.
Michelle stepped inside.It was a spacious room, with windows lining the outer wall.Two doors led away from the room.She looked around, not sure how to respond.It was completely empty, nothing interrupting the expanse of its hardwood floor.“It’s…a room.”
“It’syourroom.If you want it.”Lavinia stepped beside her, wrapping her arm around Michelle’s waist.“You’re welcome to decorate it however you like.Mrs.Frost can put you in touch with our builders if you wish.There’s a bathroom over there.”She pointed to one door.“And my bedroom is through the other door.Or, it could beourbedroom.If you’d like.”
Michelle’s thoughts whirled in her mind.“Lavinia, are you asking me to move in with you?”
Lavinia looked at her earnestly.“With me.With all of us.”She smiled.“I do have eight housemates.Plus Mrs.Frost, of course.”
Vampire housemates.“And they’re okay with this?”
“Yes,” Lavinia said definitively.“We all voted.It was unanimous.We would love to have you here.Iwould love to have you here.”Her voice lowered.“I want you close to me.Always.”
