Chapter 13
Emmanuel was checking Cassandra's pistols for the hundredth time. They were alone in the library at present, everyone else was gathering their gear and getting ready for their departure.
"Now remember, keep your head low, your eyes open, and at any sign of anything you feel you cannot handle, you get out of there."
Cassandra nodded dutifully and solemnly as Emmanuel proceeded to tell his fiancé how to handle herself and the situation.
"You are not in the firing line. You just observe. Collect data. No heroics, Cassandra. Stick to the plan and everything will be fine-"
Emmanuel looked at her and narrowed his eyes suspiciously. She was accepting his edicts without an argument or question. In fact, she was looking up at him with those gorgeous, deep pools of honeyed emotion, nodding innocently. And he was willing to bet his title that she was laughing at him. In fact, the twinkles in her eyes were a dead giveaway.
He stopped abruptly. "Are you laughing at me, Cassie?"
She shook her head, all innocence, but bit down on her lip to curb her mirth from bubbling over.
Emmanuel put the pistol down and pulled her against his chest, bringing their faces into close proximity. Really close proximity. The mirth died, and Cassandra's heartbeat started to race, as it usually did whenever he looked at her.
He brought his lips really close to hers, and waited. Almost instantly she strained to meet his. He pulled back, just a little, teasing her. "Are you laughing at me?"
Cassandra realised what he was up to. "Yes, I was." She pushed forward and placed a quick, hard kiss on his lips. "Really, you do not believe this is the first fight that I have been involved in? There have been many. And usually, it is only Emilia and I. No help from anyone else. I do not want you to be worried about me."
He pulled her close. "I know this intellectually. I have seen you handle yourself. But the thought of anything happening to you…"
Cassandra held him a little tighter. "Nothing will happen to me."
"I cannot… be without you."
"You will not need to be without me. After this is over, we get to plan our wedding." Cassandra jiggled a little, and then squealed.
He chucked. "On the eve of battle, and she thinks of silks and satins, table arrangements and flowers."
Cassandra ignored him. She cupped his face in her hands. "I adore your little chuckle, Sir. I am convinced you were blessed with it, because you were made for me, and the God's knew I would love it."
Emmanuel chuckled again, and Cassandra laughed. "I love it! Do it again?"
"You are incorrigible, Madam."
"Only with you."
He rested his forehead against hers. "I love you, Cassandra."
"I love you too."
Emilia backed out of the room she had just entered. She had not meant to overhear the couple, but it had been unavoidable. Her heart burst with happiness for her friend, but it ached in equal measure for her own.
She had not slept that night. All she could hear was Jasper's voice, see the hardened look in his eyes. Her stomach knotted as the vision floated before her eyes. Have I done the right thing?
Yes, yes, I have! He is a vampire. The undead! We have no future.
And as her conscious did battle with her heart, the object of her internal debate walked towards the library.
"I would not go in there right this minute, Jasper… My Lord."
He did not say a word, just lifted an eyebrow in question. "Emmanuel had some business to attend to and has asked not to be disturbed."
He nodded and turned away, heading in the opposite direction.
Is this not what I wanted? Yes! Then why do I feel like my heart is breaking as I watch him walk away from me?
"Lord Hale!" she cried out. He turned to look at her, hands resting coolly behind his back.
"Do you not have anything to say to me, Sir? Should we not talk about-"
Jasper cut her off. "I think I, at the very least, have said… quite enough, Lady Emilia. And you have chosen to exercise your right to speak a little late."
"Jasper, please-" she took a tentative step in his direction. She didn't know why she was pleading, or even what she wanted from him. She just knew that he meant something to her… and he was slipping away.
"It is over. I would suggest, once more, that we not speak of this again. My weakness is my own folly. I will not make the same mistake twice. Now, if you will excuse me, there are preparations to be made."
He bowed stiffly and walked away.
Emilia called out to him again, but this time, her lips moved with no sound emanating.
She felt tears burn the back of her eyelids, but she took deep, breaths. Now was not the time to lose focus. There was a job to be done. And when it was over… she wasn't sure what would happen. But right now, this was not a priority. Emilia closed her eyes, and then opened them. Not now, Em. But definitely later.
The group left the mansion just after dark. They were all on horseback, for greater speed and mobility, and all going in separate directions, their tasks solidified in their mind.
Emilia and Elizabeth rode off to secure the eastern perimeter of the city. Cassandra and George rode off to monitor and block access into the city. Emmanuel went to meet up with the vampire coven, who were preparing to attack the city en masse. And lastly, Jasper and Mick were entering the city from the harbour side, hoping to remain undetected in their pursuit of the ringleader.
As they approached the desolate eastern entrance to the city, Emilia looked over at Elizabeth. "Nothing much happening here."
"Let's hope it stays that way." She urged her horse on. "Come on. Let's set up over there."
On the other side of town, Cassandra and George arrived their post. In contrast to Emilia and Elizabeth's situation, the place was crawling with people. Even this late at night, this side of town was a breeding ground for the criminal element. For that reason, Cassandra was dressed as a man, and her face was smudged with dirt, effectively helping to conceal her identity.
"If there be any trouble, my Lady, it will come from this place." George moved close to her. "I don't like the look, or the feeling I get from these folk."
Cassandra nodded. "I know, George. But let's try to blend in and see what we can learn from the locals. If there is a revolt coming from this side of town, we best know something about it."
On a small, inconspicuous fishing boat, Jasper and Mick neared the downtrodden city from the water. "It is clear there are lookouts. On the west wall, two at the port, patrols on the outer perimeter."
"I see them," said Mick. His eyesight equally effective in the dark night.
Like Cassandra, they were dressed in ragged clothes. To anyone watching, they seemed like poor fishermen returning after an unsuccessful day at sea.
At the port, they docked their little vessel, then hauling a bag with fish each, made their way to the entrance of the city. As suspected, they were stopped.
"What business here lads?"
"Just wantin' to sell the l'ttle we made ta'day, Cap'n. We were hopin' the master would be mighty appreciative of somethin' fresh for dinner."
The guard stepped forward and patted them down, searching for any weapons. Soon enough, he nodded and let them through.
"Well done, Jasper. I almost believed you there."
Jasper chuckled mischievously. "I was made for the stage, brother."
Entering the city, they noted people milling everywhere. This late at night, there were women about, selling themselves, drunkards hoping to get lucky, and gambling men hoping to make some money off a game of cards.
There was a jaunty tune playing, and most of the people seemed drunk already, or very nearly there, the poor fools.
Making their way down the main street, they looked around. The narrow street was cobbled and so filthy, rats were seen gnawing on bits of nothing, hoping it was food. The festering smell of human faeces meshed with rotting food.
"This place is charming, isn't it?"
"Here we go," said Mick as they emerged on the other side of the lane, and into a small courtyard. More guards met them. Again, they mentioned wanting to sell fresh produce to the master.
They were lead around the back of the house, to the kitchens, escorted by a guard. "Wait here."
He knocked on the kitchen door three times, in rapid succession. An answering knock came and the door swung open.
"Fisherman, come to sell their wares. Yeh interested?"
A voice from within shouted, "Send em in!"
Mick and Jasper's gazed met briefly. Perfect.
.