Page 44 of The Vampire Curse

She would never choose to be here.

“So, you think she will come back… even without your mark?” Lawrence asks derisively.

I nearly flinch at the question. The truth is that… no, I know Clara will not return. Though to admit that aloud—even to Lawrence—would mean a fate worse than death for her.

I remain silent for several long minutes.

“Vampires cannot simply claim a human and then release them. That isn’t how this works. She might be the first you’ve bothered to claim, but even you know Elizabeth would never allow such a thing. If not by your hand, then by another’s… that human will die, and it will not be a good death.”

If Clara lives, then she will be hunted by vampires and punished. They won't care that I set her free, only that she was claimed.

She is better off if I put her out of her misery.

I meet his gaze, unflinching. “Then perhaps I will hunt her down before we leave and kill her. I will bring Clara’s lifeless body to Nightwich and lay her at Elizabeth’s feet. Do you think that will satisfy her?”

I gave Clara back her freedom, and now I mean to take her life.

It is silent for a minute. And then Lawrence laughs, throwing his head back.

“You do not mean that, my friend,” he says when he finally calms.

My blood pulses at the notion of hunting her down, finding her… feeding on her. Even if I must deceive her in the end.

If death must come for her, then I can at least give her peace in her final moments. I can give her a clean death—one without pain or fear.

I place my palms flat on the desk, push myself up to stand, and look him dead in the eye. “Oh, myfriend,but I do.”

Chapter Sixteen

Clara

Kathrine isa vision in her wedding dress. The cream-colored material covers her from her wrists to halfway up her neck, and the bell-shaped skirt flows down past her feet. Shimmering gold thread with small pearl beads in strategic places adds a soft touch. On her head, sits a crown of white rosebuds holding the veil in place.

The amount of material used in the dress, combined with the extravagance of this wedding, is a sign of the Morgan’s wealth. The money the Morgan’s spent on parties, food, and drink over the last month is beyond anything I've ever heard of in Littlemire. I wonder how much of it had been funded by Alaric.

But why go to such lengths? He could have easily married her off to someone of lesser status.

Kathrine stands before everyone with Abraham, their hands clasped as the officiant speaks.

The ceremony, once it begins, is short. Soon they race down the isle and through the halls. I hurry through the doors leading outside and run around to the front where their carriage waits for them.

Kathrine waves when she sees me and rushes over, leaving her new husband. She gathers me up into a hug. She will be gone for a week.

“I’m so glad you are back,” she says. She places a kiss on each of my cheeks then leans in close to whisper in my ear, “Perhaps uncle Steward will find you an equally suitable match.” She looks over her shoulder then laughs and adds, “I am sure he can find someone almost as good.”

I don’t want your life.The words are on the tip of my tongue, but I swallow them back down.

“I am happy for you,” I say. “Go, enjoy your trip.”

Kathrine hurries to the carriage and, with her husband’s help, climbs in. I stand there and wave alongside everyone else until the carriage disappears down the road.

Nothing about this life fits who I am, though I’m not entirely sure what does anymore. Even if Mr. Steward was our uncle, I wouldn’t want this.

With the newlyweds gone, the guests leave. Abraham’s mother, Mina, squeezes my shoulder and gives me a tight-lipped smile before following her husband and remaining sons into the house. I linger a minute longer before heading inside and going to my room.

Once the bedroom door is shut tight behind me, I strip off the uncomfortable lacy dress that Kathrine had picked out, changing into fitted trousers and a loose blouse. I grab my worn and tattered book and plop down on the bed to read.

The Morgan’s have opened their library to me, but tonight I want to find comfort in something familiar.