Page 63 of The Doctor and the Devil
Noises drifted down from the stairwell, and I scented blood. When I realized whose blood, I collapsed to the floor, screaming.
To my horror, Laszlo filled the doorway, covered in blood. Marguerite leaned on his shoulder, and in his arms, he carriedher.
My reason for existing.
But it was wrong—she was wrong. Her beautiful throat—the one that I’d lavished kisses upon and drawn laughter from—was ravaged. There was a gaping wound in her chest, right above her heart.Her heart, which no longer beat.
Daphne and Charlotte screamed as they saw the lifeless body of their friend hanging limp in the arms of a naked, bloody Laszlo.
“I am going to kill you, Laszlo!” I screamed. “I am going to rip you apart! What have you done? What have you done to my Mina?”
Tears of hot blood streamed down my face as I shouted and sobbed.
Marguerite pulled something from her skirts and came to my cell door.
“I gave her time,” Laszlo said.
“What the fuck does that mean?” I choked out.
“She asked me for more time, brother, and so I turned her.”
The room went silent and began to spin.
“Derais shot her in the heart with a Judas silver bullet,” Marguerite said softly. She brandished the key and slipped it in the lock. “She was dying, Rafael. Laszlo offered to turn her, and she agreed.”
For one shocking moment, there was only the faint sound of water dripping somewhere above.
“She—she is turning?” I whispered, not believing it. “I don’t believe you! What have you done to her? Where is Derais? I’m going to end you all!”
My screams of rage had turned to sobs as I stared at the family who had betrayed me.
“Forgive us,” whispered Marguerite. “If you must have vengeance, visit it upon me. Laszlo wanted no part in this. He only wanted to protect me. He could not save Mina from Derais…from the bullet. He could only turn her. Forgive him.Forgive him.”
For once, I did not sense any treachery from her. I felt only grief. Lifting my eyes to Laszlo, I saw the same look of regret and haunted sadness.
Could it be?My Mina—turning.Her summers and her sunshine, my spring goddess. My Persephone, doomed to a life of darkness and death.
The cell door swung open, and I pushed Marguerite aside to go to Laszlo. He gingerly handed Mina’s limp body to me. I cradled her in my arms. In the distance, I heard Marguerite unlocking the doors of Charlotte and Daphne’s cells. They came to stand at my side.
“If she is turning, we will need a safe place for her to heal and be reborn,” Marguerite said.
“Where is Derais?” Charlotte asked sharply.
“In pieces too small to be found,” Laszlo replied.
Daphne and Charlotte exchanged a look.
“Well, I expect neither of our homes will be particularly safe after tonight. Once the Order returns and finds Laszlo and Marguerite gone and Derais…erm,indisposed…they will come for us, and they know where to find us,” Charlotte said.
“Where can we go?” Étienne asked. “I don’t want to risk my sisters’ safety by hiding out with them.”
“My home,” I said. “You may stay at my home. It is outside Rouen.”
Daphne nodded. “We are grateful, Rafael.”
“And us?” Laszlo asked.
“You are welcome, if you so choose. We have much to discuss,” I replied. My voice sounded hollow.
