The Man Behind the Vampire (The Silver Series) Read online

  He knew Ben would ask questions but wasn’t sure how much he wanted to tell him, "you are fucking nosey Ben" maybe distraction would work "how are the kids today?"

  "Oh no you don’t, I am wise to people using the kids to stop me asking questions, it doesn’t work anymore. Do you know what also doesn’t work, me running out of the house with food just so my wife... that way I don’t have to tell my wife that her friend rocked up this morning wearing pyjamas and went into the vampires lair."

  "For someone who doesn’t talk much Theo's turned into a gossiping old woman, the shit" Ben laughed again but this time a little quieter.

  "So what are your intentions towards Mary cos if you upset her Lucky’s going to kick your ass." He could hear the hint of pride in Ben's voice, as much as he tried to stop Lucky getting involved in the meaner side of pack life, he loved that she could take down most men.

  As Darius sat on the bench the bushes hiding him from what was left of the sun he smiled "don’t worry I can take Lucky" as he listened to Ben's predictable growl he grinned "seriously I have no intentions towards Mary, I just like being around her."

  "Try again" was Ben’s response so he did, Darius told Ben everything he was feeling and his life story that Mary was currently reading, causing Ben to raise his eye brows in question.

  "So you are going to make her breakfast and hope that she doesn’t run when she wakes up."

  "Yep" that summed up his great plan, he hoped it worked because he really didn’t want to see Mary walk away from him, and this scared the life out of him.

  "I can see one small problem in this….You don’t know how to cook."

  Shit, Ben was right, he lived off blood, he knew humans ate omelettes for breakfast, he had seen Sylvia, Ben's mom, do it hundreds of times, he just didn’t know how to do it himself, "Don’t worry, I will show you and if she wakes up I will sneak out the back door, although I have one condition."

  "No you can't watch" Darius was laughing at Ben when he scrunched up his face.

  "I don’t go in for that anymore, not since Lucky. Eugh Mary is her friend."

  "I was joking. I would have to kill you if you tried. What's the condition?"

  "I get to read the book after Mary."

  "Maybe" as they tiptoed inside to the kitchen, he remembered why Ben was one of his best friends, not only was he a good man, he was also fucking clever.

  Everything was cooked, Ben had assured him that Mary liked meat (apparently you put other things in omelettes like ham) before he snuck out the back door. Darius had just finished his own breakfast of warm o positive when he heard some noise from in the lounge. Poking his head around the door he was surprised to see Mary immersed in the book again, "afternoon, you hungry?"

  She lifted her head "mmm actually I am what's the time?"

  This time it was Mary eyeing him hungrily, "just after 4, why don’t I bring you an omelette" she nodded and he left her to it. Within a minute he was back with the omelette and fresh OJ.

  "Wow it never occurred to me that you could cook, I didn’t think you could eat food?" Now she smelled food her stomach was growling in anticipation.

  "I can't; well not really, at best I can eat a piece of bloody rare steak, at worst anything else will make me physically sick. And although I want to take credit for the omelette I can't, Ben helped me, but now I know what to do I can do it myself."

  She looked horrified "Ben was here?" It was then that he realised she was embarrassed to be here, he couldn’t explain why he was disappointed, but he was.

  "Sorry, I didn’t know it was a secret and I thought you would be hungry, I don’t have food here."

  She laughed "me being here is not a secret, me being here in sheep pyjamas is definitely something I want to keep a secret. I had planned on discreetly calling Lucky to bring me some clothes. Mmm this is good, thank you, have you had something?" He nodded, relieved yet fascinated with watching her put the food in her mouth, watching her take small bites, the movement of her mouth as she chewed the motion of her throat as she swallowed.

  "I can take you home to change if that’s okay, then I would like to take you to dinner if you will let me" he could almost hear the pleading in his voice but he didn’t care, he liked seeing her here.

  "Well I don’t…. actually forget that, yes I would like that, on one condition, we make it quick."

  She must have seen the confusion in his eyes "when I start reading something I tend to get absorbed in it, sorry" he laughed, he watched her eyes stray to his memoirs, "whatever you say Mary, whatever you say. In that case I will go shower."

  As she watched him leave, her eyes followed, wearing only a pair of jeans she stared at the ripples in his back, the contours of his muscles, leading down into his buttocks, wow he was so defined, she so wanted to take a bite out of him. Knowing she was blushing she buried her head back in the book in case he turned around.

  Chapter 9

  After Edward left, life carried on as normal for a few weeks, then they got word that Philippe was on his way home, he had been injured and was being sent home to recuperate. Everyone toyed with being excited and worried about his injury. Maman rented another room so he could have his own space, Ms Lilly made sure the house was warm and dry. I and Charmaine waited impatiently in the yard for nearly three days, until we saw the cart come round the corner.

  Racing to meet him we were so excited, maman was behind us. When the cart pulled to a stop we jumped up, his leg was in a splint but he smiled and reached out to hug us. He looked the same but different, a little older, maybe wiser. Maman jumped up to welcome her first born home, tears running from her eyes. Worry creasing her forehead when she saw his leg, tsking she complained about the poor treatment of soldiers, calling to the other women, they gingerly lifted him from the cart.

  Things were a little harder now, the famine had hit but men still needed the comfort provided by the ladies, so we had survived but it hadn’t been easy. With one more mouth to feed it would be a bit tighter, but I would help out wherever I could. I had often gone into town and helped out some of the elderly people running errands and clearing up after the markets, I would just go a little earlier now.

  I had thought about following Philippe in the armies, but after the incident with Charmaine I had no intention of leaving her and maman. The older I got, the more protective I became, for although they were subject to abuse and ridicule in my eyes they were still ladies.

  The happiness at having Philippe home didn’t last long, he had changed, no longer was he the happy carefree boy that had left, in his place was an angry, bitter man who thought the world owed him everything, actually an angry man who thought maman had failed him.

  It didn’t take long for him to start making snide remarks about mamans work, he expected Charmaine to care for him, and expected me to run for ale to keep him amused. Even with a broken leg he was able to call for the women to join him in his room. I wasn’t stupid or naïve I knew what he was doing. It was okay for him to criticise maman but he used the women in the same way, like it was his right. On several occasions I saw maman handing over food and pennies to the women, Philippe had no intention of paying them.

  It wasn’t long before his drinking made his tongue looser. Walking past his open door one night he called me in, with his speech slurring I knew he had been drinking again, I just wasn’t sure who had fetched it, I certainly hadn’t.

  "Come sit with me Darrell, I missed you and Charmaine" I was reluctant to get too close, his leg was better now but still sore, he still spent most of his time in bed. I didn’t like being around him anymore, Charmaine felt the same, moving in I stood next to the bed.

  "Why don’t you come visit me anymore, when I first got home I couldn’t get rid of you, now I have to wait for you to come past."

  I shrugged "I have been helping old Claude on the farm."

  "Shit! He’s still alive." I nodded "well in that case run down to the tavern and fetch me some ale" he didn’t need more ale; he needed
a kick up the ass.

  Shaking my head I watched the disbelief in his eyes "what?"

  "No?"

  "You little shit, do as your told" this was the Philippe who returned from the wars, the nasty, abusive one.

  Standing tall like Edward had taught me, again I shook my head "I have given the money to maman, did you know that when you take a woman from here you have to pay for it. Of course you do, you have made it clear what you think of maman. Well even if you live here you have to pay for it. Maman is already paying for an extra room, your ale and your women. I will not fetch you any more ale and any money I give maman will go on food."

  "What do you know Darrell? You are nothing but a boy; do you know what they think about women like maman?" spittle was coming out of his mouth as he snarled at me.

  "It doesn’t matter what anyone thinks, what matters is what we think. Maman has put a roof over our heads, when the famine was killing people we survived, not only did we survive but she sent any left overs to others. So I for one don’t care what anyone thinks and neither should you." I was raising my voice, which I never did, but I was so mad.

  "Why you little, if I could I would run you through with a sword for your cheek."

  "Philippe you could try, but you are so full of ale you would fall before you left this room. Something else you should know, I am going to see Ms Lilly, I will tell her to treat you like they do the other men, and if you don’t pay you will be sent on your way."

  "Who the hell do you think they will get to do that you fool?" he was so arrogant, thought he was the strong one, he was, but I would give him a run for his money.

  "Me" with that I walked off, I heard Philippe fall out of the bed but I didn’t return. I had already told Charmaine to stay away when he was in his cups. I did indeed talk to Ms Lilly and it did help, sort of. He never told maman what had happened between us but 3 weeks later he left to join the army again. Maman and the other ladies breathed a sigh of relief.

  Life carried on as normal, I earned a living assisting the ladies of the houses in protecting themselves, as business increased so did the chancers who thought they could intimidate and hurt them. Living near a port meant lots of sailors, most were nice enough but there were a few nasty ones.

  By now there were four of us working together, all aged 18. We had all been brought up in this area and prostitution was a normal way of life, it was the only way of life for us. We saw the injustices metted out to the women and were determined to help out when they had trouble. There were a few men working in the houses but we stayed away from them, men as prostitutes seemed unnatural, but they were always busy. We didn’t charge money to help out but some of the house owners gave us money or food for our help.

  It was in one of the other house that I met a new girl, at 17 she was quite old to join the house. She was English, but spoke French, arriving in France after stowing away on one of the ships. Somehow she had made her way to here. I found her outside one of the house begging to be given food and board.

  She reminded me a little of maman but only in her stature, she was tiny, with long dark curls ending in the middle of back. She had picked the wrong house, Anna was harsh, not very sympathetic and full, I wasn’t surprised to see the woman turned away.

  Pointing toward me, Anna sent the woman my way. I later found out her name was Emily. I took her to Ms Lilly who didn’t want her entertaining but did agree to take her on as a maid; she wouldn’t get paid but would be given a room and food in return. Emily agreed but it was obvious from the beginning that working was new to her, but she tried hard and Ms Lilly was patient with her.

  Charmaine and Emily became good friends, Charmaine was slightly younger than Emily, but she had always been mature. Emily taught Charmaine how to read and write, Charmaine in turn taught me, in secret of course.

  Within a year I was madly in love with Emily, then my father returned…………..

  "Mary are you ready?" she didn’t hear Darius enter, so she jumped causing him to laugh "you really do get immersed in a book don’t you?" Oh god, he had on black trousers and a tight black t-shirt, with its v neck she couldn’t help but follow the ripples of his torso downwards.

  "Sorry, I don’t mean to" she stood and started putting her shoes on, straightening her glasses.

  "Don’t ever apologise for enjoying something. Now let's sneak you out of here before anyone else sees you in those pyjamers"

  "God how embarrassing" it was growing dark outside, but embarrassing wasn’t what Darius was thinking; no he was thinking he didn’t want anyone else to see her in the clothing she wore in bed. Just the thought conjured erotic images and also possessive feelings. No-one should see her in her bed attire.

  Chapter 10

  Dusk couldn’t come soon enough; he had been awake for hours, trying to decide where to go first, the woman in the big house or to the woman in the apartment above the shop.

  In the end he decided on the injured woman as he readied himself for a fight, adding some silver knives to the guns, stakes and Taser that he always carried. He had recognised at least one wolf and one vampire on guard at the house, his primary plan was to check on the injured woman and get her out, if he had start a body count to do so, so be it, he wouldn’t allow anyone to become another one of his victims.

  He wasn’t sure where he would take her, but figured she would have a friend she could go to. After that he would return to make sure the woman above the shop was safe.

  Arriving outside the large house he waited and watched, he could see cameras mounted in different places around the gates, it took him several hours to find any vulnerable spots, but eventually he found one spot that was covered by a rotating camera. It was out of the way and slightly over grown with vines but it was the only weak spot he had found. He watched from a nearby garden for nearly two hours before making his move, grabbing the railing, he started to hoist himself over it, until his hand touched something wet, it started to burn, causing him to drop back.

  Looking at the mark on his hand, he smiled, holy water, wasn’t that clever. They must reapply it daily for it to have burnt him. He was impressed, donning some leather gloves he waited another hour before making a second attempt. This time he made it over the gate, landing on soft grass. Immediately he smelled dogs and within seconds he saw 6 huge dogs racing towards him, growling and snarling. Again he smiled, for most this would be a problem but he had a natural affinity with animals, they wouldn’t hurt him. As they came closer they slowed and eventually sat in front of him. Stroking and whispering to them he quickly made his way towards the house. There were bushes in front of the windows; using these for cover he circled the house. It was round the back where he found her.

  She was sat on a swinging chair, in a white towelling dressing gown, singing, her voice was low and sweet, soothing even. He approached her slowly, her eyes shot up as she heard him come closer, he hadn’t tried to be too quiet, he didn’t want to frighten her.

  "Please I will not harm you" he tried to make himself appear harmless, knowing that was unlikely. He was tall and wide, he exercised daily and trying to find clothes large enough to fit his frame was hard. His hair was cropped short, less risk of leaving hair strands behind, his blue eyes bright and shining with only a tiny hint of red.

  He watched as she tried to move, saw the pain as she gritted her teeth, he moved forward instinctively and helped her stand, even though she flinched when he touched her.

  "Please I just want to make sure you are safe. I saw the vampire bring you here last night and needed to check if he had hurt you." She relaxed a little and sat back down, again the pain lancing through her, she motioned to the chair in front of her, he looked around to see if they were alone.

  "I take it you shouldn’t be here" her melodic voice was soothing to him, he sat but kept his senses ready for attack or retreat,

  "No, I shouldn’t but that doesn’t mean I am here to harm you" he kept his voice low, trying to keep it light.

  "Are you here
to harm the others inside?" he could hear the fear in her voice.

  "Are they causing you pain, hurting you in any way?"

  "No, of course they aren’t."

  "Then they are safe, although I would rather they didn’t see me."

  "Then I suggest you go into the bushes where you came from, I certainly didn’t see you there" as he slid back into the safety of the bushes, he watched her from behind, even with the bruises she was pretty but her eyes told of pain and sorrow.

  "Now tell me why you are here" the fear had left and was replaced with curiosity.

  "It is as I said; I saw the vampire bring you in and wanted to make sure he hadn’t harmed you."

  She actually laughed at him, no one laughed at him "if you mean Darius you were worried for no reason, he has never harmed me, only tried to help me. Why would you think different?" crouched as he was, he could still see the vast lawns in front of him, from the outside this place would look like a rich man's home.