Page 42 of The Doctor and the Devil
“Honestly, I’m surprised they haven’t started already,” Josephine grumbled.
“Haven’t they?” Étienne hissed sourly.
“But why all of a sudden?” another woman asked.
“Yes,” the vampire from the brothel agreed. “What has changed so much that we’ve all been summoned to hear this plan tonight?”
Daphne held up her hand for quiet.
“Please,” she said. “I think now is a good time for me to introduce our special guest this evening. Ladies ofles Dames Dangereuses, I present to you Prince Rafael of Wallachia, also known as the Beast of Gévaudan—and allegedly the devil who unleashed the blood plague upon us.”
Every pair of eyes locked on Rafael, who inclined his head politely. His bland expression covered what I knew was a storm of emotions—notably anger, frustration, and barely restrained tension.
“Good evening, ladies,” he murmured with a decadent smile. “I’m honored to have found sanctuary in your ranks.”
15
RAFAEL
April 26, 1768
Château de Ruisseau Magdelaine
So Duchess Daphnehad not been quite as forgiving or welcoming as Charlotte. I would press her on the matter at another time—perhaps when my life and the lives of my remaining family were not in jeopardy.
I didn’t think any of these women would be taken in by charm, but I would offer it nonetheless—if only so that Mina wouldn’t look upon me and regret our time together. As irascible as I felt, I didn’t think alienating a group of dangerous, bloodthirsty women was a sensible first step toward a future with Mina.
“Thank you, Duchess. And thank you, Comtesse de Brionne, for allowing me to remain here given everything that has happened,” I said.
Charlotte smiled and nodded, encouraging me to continue.
“Assembled members ofles DD, I will not lower myself to address every salacious rumor you’ve undoubtedly heard of me or my family. I believe you’re all too intelligent to be taken in given how well you must understand the value of information and the power of misguided and ill-used gossip. I come here before you to plead my case, humbly asking for help, and offering what truths I can,” I said.
One of the young bourgeois women piped up. “Some mighty accusations lay at your feet, Your Highness. Why should we trust you? Who vouches for you?”
“I do!” Charlotte insisted angrily, standing quickly and almost knocking her chair over. “Françoise, you little minx, who are you to question my judgment when I’ve known you for years and you’ve only just spent your first six months withles DD?”
“We all love you, Charlotte, but youdidmarry a man who summoned a demon and murdered several people to try and win Daphne’s heart. Why shouldn’t we question your judgment?” the woman called Françoise replied.
Charlotte’s mouth hung open for a moment before it snapped shut, putting me in mind of an irate fish. Her eyes glowed with lupine power as her anger condensed.
“None of us knew what he was truly capable of,” Daphne interjected, casting a warning glance at Charlotte. She winced slightly as she said, “Though, she has a point,chérie.”
From the back of the room, Antoine growled low and quiet.
“Yes,” I said, trying again for peace. “Of course, none of you know me well enough to say that my intentions are…”
“I vouch for him,” Mina interrupted. Until now, she’d been silent. Always watching. Always waiting. Always calculating.
“Doctor?” the madam—Josephine, I thought she was called—looked at Mina questioningly.
“I am not a member ofles DD,” Mina said, removing her spectacles to clean them with her handkerchief. “And I am not a vampire. But most of you know me. And if you do not know me, you know of me. I do not stand with the Order. I only stand for myself—for what I believe is right. I have known Rafael for a long time, and I know he speaks the truth. Please, Rafael, continue.”
If I’d had one, my heart would have pounded through my ribs at Mina’s forthright declaration. I could not—I would not—let her down.Yet you do not deserve her, ferocious doubt whispered to me. I shoved the thought deep beneath my notice for the time being.
“I did not bring the blood plague to France,” I said. “And I cannot say for certain who did, but I have been hunting for the answers for a long time. I am close to the truth, but in my search, I’ve come up against a problem that I alone cannot solve. I believe the Order has taken my brother.”
“Taken? What do you mean, taken?” Signora Russo asked.
