Colin wasn't sure it was possible to be so terrified and angry at the same time. But somehow he managed. After Lady Danbury's ball, Colin had discovered something horrifying.
He had stayed later than most but was by no means the last straggler of the party. Many functions had been wrapping up earlier recently following the attacks. Lord Fife had almost been the newest victim for goodness' sake. (Though to hear him tell it - he gallantly fought off a monster. Colin suspected that he was little more than a bystander.)
When Colin got into his carriage to go home to Bloomsbury, he had no inkling that he'd only make it halfway. But as he looked out the window, he spotted a flash of red hair. Not just any red hair, it had a slight curl to it. He knew that hair: Penelope. As this ran through his mind quickly, Colin bid his driver to stop.
Colin didn't think twice. He stepped down from the carriage and began hastily making his way toward the alleyway at the end of the block where he saw the hair.
Logically, Colin knew it could be anyone with curly, red hair. But his gut said it was Penelope.
Thus, Colin had never been so angry in his life. He realized that his anger was likely covering his fear.
"You're fine, Bridgerton. Big boy pants on and let's get Pen home." A little prep talk was always warranted.
There was something attacking people and Colin didn't want it to get Penelope. She was just wandering around. How could she be so thoughtless? Not anymore. Once Colin caught up to her, he would bring her home and talk some sense into her. If needed, he would get Anthony to back him up.
Forget reputations - Penelope was in danger. If it became a problem, he could just marry her. He'd do anything for her to get home safely at this moment. (Though, the thought of marrying her did have merit.)
As he felt goose pimples rise in his arms, he kept walking toward the alleyway. Drawing closer, he paused. Breathing out, he could see his warm breath in the chilly evening. Resisting the urge to shudder, Colin simply shook his head. Why did he feel so nervous?
It took a second, but Colin realized there was no noise. That was impossible. There was always some ambient noise in the city. It didn't matter how late it was. There was always something making noise. So the absence of any sound was concerning.
It was darker than expected as Colin ducked into the alley. But he refused to leave Penelope.
His first step shattered him. It was as though he'd stepped through a doorway, and he was suddenly overwhelmed by sound. Clamping his hands over his ears, it took a second for him to regain control of his senses.
He realized the sound was a man screaming in agony, interspersed with the same man's whimpers.
"You thought you could prey on a defenseless woman? Well, now you'll never force yourself on someone again, Smith!" Penelope's voice cut through the screams, like a hot knife through butter.
"Penelope!" Colin called out desperately.
"Colin?" Penelope responded. The sounds of the man were cut out again. "What are you doing here? How did you find me?"
Colin took a breath. He felt like he could breathe again with the lack of sound coming from the man. Yet, he still was concerned. What had the power to take and give sound?
"What am I doing here? What are you doing here? It isn't safe! You could be attacked!" Colin's heart race was pounding so hard, he could feel his pulse in his ears. His eyes darted quickly to the man cowering on the ground.
Thankfully, Penelope wasn't attacked, but Colin's breath came faster and faster. His heart rate was ticking up. What if he hadn't gotten here in time and Penelope was hurt?
"Colin! Calm down. I'm fine and I won't be attacked." Penelope said. She stepped toward him and put a hand on his arm.
He took a deep breath to help slow his breathing and his heart from pounding. Then like a switch, he went from scared back to angry.
"You don't know that! We need to get you home." Colin started yelling. Penelope let her hand drop from him. He missed its warmth.
"Colin, what do all the victims have in common?" Penelope's face was calm.
"I don't, what," he paused. "I'm not sure." He sounded lost. She wasn't reacting the way he expected. Why did Penelope always have to surprise him?
"All the victims," Penelope spat the word. "have been men. In fact, the amount of women attacked at night has significantly decreased."
"Wait, the common thread of victims is that they're all men?" Colin asked. He resisted the urge to pull her into his arms just to confirm that she wasn't harmed.
Penelope sighed. "I'd wished to take more time with this one." She muttered under her breath.
"What? Penelope, I'm trying to process a tremendous amount of information. Can we please have this conversation on the way back to my carriage? I'd like to return you home post haste. It's still late, and these attacks aren't the only dangers at night."
"Alright, Colin. Let's head back to your carriage." Penelope was resigned. But, at least the monster at her feet had already (mostly) been handled.
Penelope and Colin walk back to the carriage. He notes out of the corner of his eye that Penelope flicks a hand at the man left behind. His body slumps as though all the life has gone out of it.
Colin blinks. He gets her into his carriage.
"Take the long way back to the Featherington household." He tells the driver before he follows her into the carriage.
The first few moments of the ride are silent. Then Colin has an epiphany.
"It's you." He whispers.
Penelope sighs resigned. "Yes."
"You're attacking and killing people." He looks terribly confused.
"No, I'm attacking and killing men," Penelope said. "They aren't just any men. They use their power to overcome women and hurt them. Society would let them get off with a slap on the wrist. I won't stand for it. Not when I can do something to protect women and put the fear of the succubus into them." Penelope is flushed and her chest is rising up and down with her breath.
Colin shook his head. He can't be distracted by her during this serious conversation. "Were you ever going to tell me?"
"Why would I tell you? You didn't even notice the victims are all men." Penelope said dismissively.
Colin's fear is completely gone. But his anger is at the forefront. "We're a team you and I."
"No, we are nothing. I barely signify in the eyes of society, why should you be any different?"
"Penelope, I've literally danced with you at every ball."
"Out of pity."
"No, because I like you. How have you missed this?"
"You've never once indicated that you liked me. We aren't courting and you've never called on me at home." Penelope bit back.
"We're not having this argument right now." Colin sounded frustrated. "I will propose to you in front of your mother first thing in the morning if that's what it takes."
"Why so I can stop attacking and killing men?" Penelope asks angrily.
"So you can stop doing it alone!" Colin yells at her.
"What?" Penelope was stunned. She didn't expect that response.
"If you are helping to support women and keep them safe, there's no reason for you to stop. But I always want to spend time with you. If this is what you spend your time doing, then I want to be right there with you." He said.
"Colin, I am a succubus. I will always need to prey on men to survive. Are you saying that you're okay with that?" Penelope felt as though she was putting two and two together to get five. Colin was an anomaly.
"If that's what you need, then I am here to support you. I support you in all things, Penelope. But I want you to do them with me. Let me in." He pleaded.
The carriage pulled to a stop. They must be outside the Featherington household. Colin got out first to hold the door for her and helped her down from the carriage.
"For goodness' sake, Penelope. Succubus or not, are you going to marry me?"
Penelope tripped. Due to Colin's hold on her hand, he doesn't let her fall.
"Are you serious right now?" Penelope asked.
"Deadly," Colin stated.
Penelope paused. She looked at him intently. Then she let her eyes travel down his body. Tracing his figure from head to toe as though she was testing his mettle. Colin held perfectly still under her perusal.
"Yes." She said.
The End