Echoes in My Mind

Chapter 10: Caught

Suddenly the hood of my cloak was thrown back, exposing my face. I scarcely had time to register what was happening before I found myself being tackled to the floor by two guards. Of course by instinct I tried to retaliate, but as my fist made contact with one of the mouse's face, the affect was the same as if I had punched a brick wall. Caught in their steel grasp, they had fastened my hands behind my back and I was wrenched off the floor and dragged forward to face the host of this lavish party.

"There you are," Ratigan said with a devious smile, glancing down at his golden pocket watch. "Late as usual. I was beginning to wonder if you would show." I ground my teeth together irritably. He always pointed out my tardiness like a professor addressing a lazy student. The smile faded however and turned to an annoyed scowl as he snapped the watch shut. "But of course you always have a habit of dropping in uninvited. And your disguises are becoming much less creative. No mustache or beard or false nose this time?" he taunted, earning a few chuckles from the crowd.

"I had to make do…" I retorted, but trailed off as I saw Amber standing beside him, her brown eyes wide with terror. "Did you think I would just sit idly by with Amber in your clutches?" I said more seriously.

"Oh no, I knew you would come," Ratigan replied arrogantly. "In fact, I knew of your presence hours ago, along with the good Doctor and your new friend the so-called vampire hunter."

There were several exclamations of surprise from the crowd of vampires and they began to stir restlessly, murmuring nervously amongst themselves. Ratigan sighed in frustration as he realized what he had said. "Ladies and gentlemen, please," he said to the guests in an attempt to calm them. "One hunter is certainly no threat to such powerful creatures as we are."

That seemed to appease the guests for now. I noticed that he had failed to mention Damien, and I discreetly glanced about the room to find him. Unfortunately, the mischievous vampire seemed to have disappeared. Perhaps he had gone to help Dawson and Janssen. Surely he wouldn't abandon us…

"Let him go, Padraic," Amber said suddenly, speaking up for the first time and tugging on his arm. I was more than a little surprise to hear her address the rat by his first name.

"You know I can't do that, my dear," Ratigan replied with a sigh.

"You promised me that you would leave him alone if I agreed to be your queen."

That little bit of information actually caused me to feel physically sick with horror and loathing. That he would dare to force such a fate on her…

"That was before he decided to trespass on my domain," Ratigan replied to her. "And now, he must pay the consequence."

There were more murmurs among the crowd, some grinning evilly, their fangs flashing in the candlelight. Being vampires, they were eager to see some bloodshed. An idea began to form in my mind. This crowd seemed to hang on every word Ratigan said. Of course that was to be expected since he was their host; but it was as if they were observing how he handled this situation to see if he was worth allying themselves with him. If I could somehow make him angry enough to lose control and cause him to make a mistake… To turn them against him…

"No!" Amber shouted angrily at Ratigan, her hands balled up into fists by her side. "You can't do this; you gave me your word!"

"You can never trust him," I stated, feeling my own anger building and seizing the opportunity to try to sway the crowd. "That polished appearance and gentleman's manners is all a ruse. You can't trust him because he is deceitful. He won't even admit to what he truly is; a vile, demented, jealous-"

"SHUT UP!"

The rat's voice reverberated throughout the room, his face twisted into a feral snarl. As he crouched down on all fours, muscles bulging beneath his expensive suit to spring, I braced myself for the impact of his body crashing into mine. Yet to my surprise, he stopped and glanced about the room. Some of the guests physically took a step back from him, shocked by his outburst. Even more astonishing was how fast he managed to pull himself together, keeping the monster at bay. This only confirmed my theory. Ratigan was very conscious of the stares directed at him. He couldn't risk losing control, he couldn't let them see how easily I got under his skin, or else they would see him as nothing more than a low newborn unable to control himself. He had to prove that he belonged among them; the higher ranking, most powerful vampires. Panting heavily, with his teeth bared and eyes flashing, he slowly rose back up to his feet.

A chill ran up my spin as the most evil of grins suddenly spread across that rat's face; a grin that told me that I would still suffer in some way for that outburst. However, I grew absolutely mortified as he turned that malevolent smile towards Amber. The poor girl stood rooted to the spot, staring up at him with wide eyes which seemed to glaze over the longer he gazed at her. He held out his hand, and to my astonishment she took it obediently, slowly moving to stand in front of him, her back against his broad chest.

"You know, Basil…" Ratigan said in a remarkably calm voice which chilled me more than if he had reacted violently. "I haven't had a chance to show you my new powers. I'm sure you've heard about my… transformation. Perhaps I should give you a demonstration."

I found myself frozen, unable to speak as I watched Ratigan wrap his arms around Amber, pulling her closer to him. She stared at me unseeing, spellbound, as if he had hypnotized her. My skin crawled as Ratigan tilted Amber's head to the right, placed his lips to her neck as if to kiss her… and then sank his teeth into her flesh.

It was the first time I had witnessed a vampire in the act of feeding; and it was enough to haunt my nightmares for years to come. Not only was the sight of someone… something… sinking razor sharp fangs into another creature's throat and drinking their blood, draining the life from them; but the victim was someone I loved dearly. I needed to help her, I needed to move…! But as my brain screamed to act, my limbs would not obey.

"Now then. Of course I realize that Miss Amber is a grown woman with a mind of her own, and is therefore perfectly capable of making her own decisions. So by all means, let's ask her who she chooses. Amber...?"

I could not believe my eyes as Amber embraced Ratigan, placing one hand over his heart and laying her head on his chest. She closed her eyes and actually seemed to smile slightly. But the words that came out of her mouth shocked me most of all.

"I am yours."

The feeling was the same as if I had been punched in the stomach. Of course I knew that the words proceeding out of her mouth were not her own; it seemed Ratigan had a much tighter hold on her mind than I had expected, and the more he fed on her, the more control he had over her. Nevertheless, it was a difficult thing to hear. "No…" I stammered helplessly, as if still trying to convince myself. "Y-you're compelling her..."

"Well of course," Ratigan replied with a laugh. "She'll choose you if I don't."

"You just can't take 'no' for an answer, can you?" I shouted angrily, straining against my bonds. "You're spoiled and selfish; stealing and cheating to get what you want— unh!"

Suddenly, with reflexes quick as lightning, he was by my side and jerked my head back, fangs bared and poised above my throat. "You are trying what little patience I have left," he hissed, fangs poised just above my throat, "Now shut up or I will rip out your vocal cords—"

His outburst was interrupted as there was a soft gasp behind him, and we both stared in shock as Amber fainted, from the blood loss or the shock of seeing me in harm's way or a combination of both. Ratigan released me and moved swiftly to catch her before she could hit the floor.

"I'll deal with you later," Ratigan muttered with one last glare at me, gathering Amber's limp body up in his strong arms. "I sincerely apologize for the interruption, ladies and gentlemen, but right now I must attend to my queen and deal with the other intruders. But do not fret; they will be found and dealt with accordingly. Now the party has only just begun, so please continue to enjoy yourselves. And get him out of my sight." I felt a stinging blow to my head before my world went black.

….

Author's Notes: Ugh, this was the absolute hardest chapter to write! And it's still so short! Oh well. I was going to try to do more, but I figured this might be a good stopping point. And it's just been so long since I updated, I couldn't wait.

So I hope it's ok. I struggled with deciding what Ratigan would do with Basil now that he's been caught. I didn't think he'd kill Basil because of his promise to Amber, but he also wouldn't just let him go because what kind of message is that going to send to his vampire peers? He needs to look like he's in control. Of course he almost lost control this time... Fane will berate him for that later...

Thanks for being patient with me as I slowly update this ^_^

Oh and the "false nose" and "I had to make do" phrases are tiny references to Sherlock Holmes 2: A Game of Shadows