Wrath and Retribution Read online

  “Will . . .” I couldn’t quite finish my most pressing question. All I could do was stare at the door that led back downstairs.

  “We’ll discuss that in more depth tomorrow. For now, change out of those clothes and get cleaned up. Someone will bring you something to eat shortly, and then I suggest you get some sleep.”

  “But—”

  She shook her head. “Tomorrow.”

  Mrs. Webster left me standing there alone in the center of the room. As I closed my eyes and took in a deep breath, there was only one thought that anchored me, kept me from floating away.

  Find me, Marcus. Find me and bring me home.

  Chapter 1

  Marcus

  1879 – Early Summer – Havenwood Falls

  I was restless.

  After almost a year of traveling over ocean and then land, we’d arrived in the mysterious town whose name Lady Hannah had scribbled across the paper she had delivered. During that time, I’d clung to the message like it was a lifeline that somehow connected me to my Catriona.

  That was something that had changed—the way I viewed the young woman I’d once considered a hindrance and nuisance. She was far from that now. She was the only creature I would ever scour the earth for, but as much as I’d kept my hope in finding her alive and strong, the past week had drastically attacked it.

  Even now, as I stared at the crumpled piece of parchment, looking down at the memorized words written there, I dreaded having to face reality.

  There was a good chance she would remain forever lost.

  There was an even more convincing possibility that she hadn’t survived the treacherous trip across the seas.

  “We’ll find her,” came the optimistic voice from across the room. “Whether we find her alive or find her grave, we’ll discover the truth, Marcus.”

  So much had changed between me and the young man who had left behind everything to follow me on my most important mission. Once he was simply a means to an end—someone to run my errands and provide me with things I couldn’t get for myself.

  Phineas Knox was now my brother—blood or not.

  Our relationship went beyond his oath to help me break the curse that reduced me to a blood-drinking vampire. He had proven in every way that mattered that he would stand by my side—through thick and thin—and his need for justice ran as deep as my thirst for retribution.

  We would find the woman who had secured a place in our hearts. Even if it meant dying in the process.

  “The thought of her alone out there with that bastard still makes my blood boil,” I answered, letting out a heavy sigh and raking my fingers through my hair. There was no disguising the frustration that had become a permanent part of my voice. Everything irritated me, and because of that, my hunger constantly tugged at me. Knox did his best to help assuage the more beastly parts of my nature, but frankly, it was the least of my worries. “Just give me one minute with the Romani scum and I’ll be satisfied.”

  The sentiment was also a steady topic during our daily conversations. While Knox wasn’t as bloodthirsty in his plans for revenge, I knew that once this journey came to an end, the thief wouldn’t be identifiable—even to the closest of his kin.

  I finally put down the note. Staring at it always left an angry, bitter taste in my mouth and a tight feeling in my chest. Helplessness wasn’t an emotion I tolerated, yet that’s exactly what I’d been reduced to, and it rankled.

  My fist slammed down hard on the desk. “She has to be here.” Knox approached, rolling up his sleeve. I shook my head in strong refusal. “No. It’s too soon.”

  Being new to Havenwood Falls, we still hadn’t located a fresh blood source, and Knox had decided that he would be my willing donor until something surfaced. We were both extremely cautious not to draw attention to ourselves, ensuring that nothing prevented our moving freely from town to town.

  Catriona was our priority.

  My bloodlust had to be managed, but even now I pushed down the hunger that gnawed away inside me.

  “Just enough to take the edge off, Marcus.” And with that, he shoved his bare wrist in my face. “Quit being a stubborn arse and take what you need.” When I continued to refuse, Knox finally grabbed me by the shirt and dragged me in front of the bronze-framed mirror hanging on the wall. Whisper Falls Inn had comfortable enough accommodations, and while it paled in comparison to Smithersby Field, it met our needs. “Unless you’d like to take up Madame Luiza’s offer and have her bring bottled blood to you. There’s also the den. You decide.”

  I hated being reliant on anyone. It was bad enough that I needed Knox in order to survive and not reveal my vampiric nature. Despite being told that arrangement could be made for me, I was hesitant to become indebted to this town and the citizens living here.

  I stared into the mirror and saw more evidence that I needed to drink.

  The reflection staring back at me looked like a man dancing precariously along the edge of mania. My long hair was tousled from my constant pulling at it in annoyance, and the sunken expression around my eyes spoke of the countless nights when sleep had evaded me.

  “You look like shit,” Knox commented. There was no humor in his tone. He knew exactly how dangerous I was when my thirst was left unchecked. We’d had to flee a few towns along the eastern coast of America because I’d foolishly overestimated my own strength. The last thing I wanted was to leave a trail of dead bodies behind us.

  I finally nodded, submitting to his common sense. “We need to find her, Phineas.” I repeated my desire again before pressing my lips to the pulse at his wrist. I closed my eyes and pictured her face. “I can’t lose her.”

  My fangs dropped instantly, and with gentle care, I slipped them into his flesh. That first drop of blood hit my tongue like a lightning bolt, zinging power and electricity through my veins. It was the same each and every time I tasted blood. Hunger exploded within my chest, and I fought to keep the temptation to gorge myself in check.

  Knox placed his hand at the back of my head when I tried to pull away, resisting the urge to take more. He was another one who often overestimated his limits, making us quite the pair. There was nothing more terrifying than realizing how closely I had brought him to death. I’d made that mistake twice and vowed never to let it happen again.

  What I didn’t confess out loud was I would’ve rather drained some stranger in an alley than kill the only man I considered my brother. He was the one who kept me human during this past year.

  I wouldn’t repay him by being greedy.

  My teeth slid back in, and I began my count to ten. Just ten seconds, and that would need to be enough.

  There was something intimate between us whenever blood was exchanged. It deepened the love that I had for Knox. It produced a level of gratitude I’d never experienced before.

  When I pulled back a second time, he didn’t stop me. Instead he simply sat there beside me with his eyes closed, a slight sheen of sweat across his forehead.

  “Did I take too much?” I asked, already knowing his response. It was always the same.

  He shook his head and raised a shaking hand to his mouth, wiping softly across his lips. A trickle of blood streamed from the two bites at his wrist, and I swiftly took hold of his arm and brushed my tongue across the wounds. Within seconds, any hint of what I’d just done was gone.

  “You took what I freely gave, Marcus.” I didn’t like the quiver in his voice. I hated how weak it made him sound—how weak I’d made him.

  “No more, you hear me?” I countered firmly. With each breath I took, I grew stronger as his life force swept through my entire body. I didn’t need to peer in the mirror again to know that vibrancy had returned to my features. The guilt that always followed feeding from Knox fueled my need to break this curse.

  I didn’t want to be the monster anymore.

  I didn’t want to hurt those I loved.

  Knox’s eyelids fluttered open, and he gave me a sidelong glance. “This is the safest way, and you know it.”

  There was a slight hint of red returning to his cheeks, but not enough to stem my worry.

  “No more,” I repeated. Leaving him to sit by himself, I gathered up a plate of leftovers from last night’s meal and brought it to him. “I won’t risk you again, Knox, and that’s the end of it. Look me in the eyes and tell me that it’s not taking a toll on you.”

  He took the plate from me and slowly broke off a piece of stale bread. Knox took a bite before tossing it back with the rest of his meal. “At least let me find an alternative, Marcus. Please. I need to find more ingredients for your daily elixir as well. Perhaps Havenwood Falls has something available for people like us.”

  That had definitely been a surprise. Not only had Lady Hannah’s message led us far from home, but it had brought us to a small, newly established town where supernatural creatures like me lived amongst humans. From what we’d been able to discover, they lived in relative peace, following the rules that the governing council enforced.

  “Don’t you think Saundra Beaumont would’ve told us that when we met with her?” I answered, going over that brief meeting in my mind.

  While a man called Roman Bishop had met us and led us into town a week ago, it was a young witch who had approached us the next day and provided an introduction and small tour. There weren’t many instructions other than the obvious—don’t stand out and don’t cause trouble. We in turn shared our intentions and what had brought us to Havenwood Falls. Miss Beaumont had patiently listened to our ordeal and offered some suggestions about searching for Catriona. She was especially intrigued—and seemed none too pleased—that a seer all the way in London had revealed the existence of her secret town.

  When we parted ways, it was with the promise that she would a
sk her own questions and perhaps shed more light on my wife’s whereabouts. As a witch, she had access to a coven, and no amount of begging and bribery from me could convince her to allow me to be there when she did.

  “Things are done differently here,” she’d added before excusing herself.

  It wasn’t until Knox had convinced me that we needed to play by the rules and not storm the keep, so to speak, that I calmed down and accepted that there were things beyond my control.

  I would be nice and polite.

  I would nod and smile, if needed.

  But my patience was wearing thin.

  I needed something—anything—some kind of news to hold on to.

  Jumping up, I paced back and forth before striding over to the window to peer out. It was still somewhat early in the morning, and the streets were only now starting to get busy. All I could think of was that someone out there held the information I desperately needed. “Eat more and then go run your errands. I need time to think.”

  “I’d prefer we go out together,” came his reply. Knox sounded stronger, and sure enough, his skin had returned to its usual color. A few more meals beneath his belt and he’d be back to normal.

  “I don’t need babysitting. Contrary to your false assumptions, I am quite capable of looking after myself.” My response came out harsher than I intended. The room fell silent as I felt him measure my words. “Knox,” I added curtly, “I won’t be coddled.”

  I saw the exact moment when he relented. With a brisk nod, his gaze returned to his plate as he polished off the remaining food.

  “Be careful,” Knox answered after swallowing the last mouthful of his meal.

  Peeking through the curtains again, I gazed up at the sky. It was another bright, sunny summer day, and my eyes trailed up to where the mountain peaks stood tall and proud. “Perhaps we should go exploring. The gypsy may have her camping out there in the wilderness somewhere. That may be why we haven’t found her here in town.”

  “I’ll gather provisions, then.”

  Suddenly I needed to be out in the fresh air, and not breathing in the staleness of the room. “Good.”

  With a quick farewell, I closed the door behind me and made my way toward the stairs leading down. In my haste to get out, I bumped into the small human woman responsible for cleaning the rooms.

  “Sorry, sir,” she exclaimed, ducking her head apologetically. “I didn’t see you there.”

  Steadying her, I offered a smile that said no harm was done. It triggered a thought. “Do you mind if I ask you a question?”

  Her stricken expression turned into one that was willing to help. “Of course.” Her blue eyes brimmed with eagerness. “How can I assist?”

  “If I wanted to find something here in town but I didn’t know who best to ask, where would you suggest I go?” When her brow furrowed in concentration, I added more to clarify what I needed. “Is there someone I could talk to that knows things about the town?”

  That appeared to make things much easier, as she nodded excitedly. Looking to see if anyone else was nearby, she leaned in and whispered like we were joint conspirators. “I’m not supposed to know what goes on in there, but everyone does, and it’s not really a secret. Just don’t tell anyone who told you, because I would get a thrashing from my father. Respectable folks don’t go there.”

  Her response intrigued me. “This will be between you and me. You have my word as a gentleman.”

  That elicited a giggle from her.

  “You need to talk to Mrs. Fanny Webster.” She said it as if the name should spark some kind of recognition. I’d never heard it before, and my face must’ve reflected that, because in an even softer whisper the young maid continued. “She runs the whorehouse here in town.”

  It was my turn to laugh.

  Of course. If there was one truth that was universal in this world, it was that loose morals led to looser lips, and many a secret was spilled in such establishments where liquor flowed freely and legs were spread for money.

  “Mrs. Fanny Webster,” I repeated, making sure I understood her perfectly. I had. “You have done me a great service this morning, Miss.” Kissing the back of her hand like she was one of England’s finest ladies in the peerage, I bowed deeply and continued on my way.

  I was about to visit my first whorehouse.

  Perhaps this journey hadn’t led to a dead end after all.

  Chapter 2

  Mrs. Fanny Webster was not what I expected.

  Standing there on the front porch of her establishment, she gently stroked a black raven, whispering something to the creature before it spread its inky wings and took to the sky.

  Dressed in a bold red dress that practically screamed her profession, she was far from the coarse imagery I’d held in my mind. I had assumed I would find someone old and weathered by years dedicated to debauchery and boozing, and instead she was a dark-haired enchantress.

  As she extended her hand gracefully to me, I honored the gesture with a soft kiss and smile.

  “They tell me if there are answers to be found in Havenwood Falls—secrets to uncover—that you are the lady to talk to.” I didn’t bother beating around the bush or playing along with the charade of false intentions. I wasn’t here to bury myself between the legs of one of her girls.

  Unfortunately, she felt she knew better.

  “Sooner or later they all come looking for me, Mr. St. James.” There was a sultry tone to her voice and in the way she peered at me through her eyelashes. “So, tell me, what kind of pleasure do you seek?” She took her hand back and placed it delicately over her stomach. “Or would you rather I guess? I’ve been doing this for a while, and I pride myself in knowing what’s best for my clients.”

  Before I could answer, Mrs. Webster placed her finger over my lips, briefly silencing me. With a swish of her skirts, she sashayed around me with a smirk slowly curling the edges of her mouth. “Oh, yes.”

  “Is this really necessary?” I muttered beneath my breath. That earned me a disappointed glance and head shake. “I’ve come on business.”

  “As am I,” she cooed in return. “May I call you Marcus?” As she threaded her arm through mine and led me to the stairs, she gazed up at the sky. “I believe it’s the perfect weather for a walk about town. You know, to discuss business.” There was a slight hint of teasing to the last part of her comment.

  I let out a sigh and reluctantly nodded. “Then lead the way, madam.” The formality drew out a giggle from her. The irony wasn’t lost on me either. “And you may call me whatever you’d like.”

  I already knew this conversation was going to be exhausting. There were so many pretenses to observe when being social, and it was why I preferred to hide away in my home and let Knox deal with people. He had much more patience than I ever did—even before I was cursed. He seemed to understand what was required, and a part of me wished I’d sent him to come talk with this woman.

  I didn’t have time for foolishness.

  We walked in relative silence. It was interesting to see how other town members treated her, especially those wives who knew where their husbands often spent their time. Dagger-like glares didn’t seem to faze her, however. With all the dignity of a queen, she simply tipped her head in greeting and continued on.

  “Mrs. Webster,” I started, when I couldn’t bear the quiet a second longer. In my mind, all I could hear was the ticking of a clock signaling time wasted and lost.

  She patted my arm affectionately. “Fanny, Marcus. Please. I want us to become good friends, so let’s abandon such politeness.”

  I’d call her whatever she wanted if it meant she had the information I needed.

  “Fine. Fanny.”

  Her lips slipped into an easy smile. Damn woman.

  “My friend and I are here in town searching for someone extremely important to us. Perhaps, with your . . . occupation and talents, you’ve seen her.”

  This piqued her interest. “Ahh, so you have come to me for a lady. Like I said before, they always do.”

  The smugness in being correct all but dripped from her words. My tolerance was about to reach its limits.