Her Vampire Master

Chapter Twenty

Mary bounced on her toes she was excited, her sire and grandsire would be here any moment. She was finding it harder and harder to contain her excitement, she was dressed in a heavy cloak the fur trim framing her face. Her hair was glossy and clean, she had spent the whole day primping in anticipation of seeing Ciaran tonight.

Elizabeth was wearing the dark green cloak that Charles had given her, she had grabbed her gloves before they had left and she was thankful to have remembered them this time, the night was very cold. Her hair was left to fall in gentle waves tucked beneath the hood of her cloak. Charles, however, hadn't put much thought into his clothing, his cravat a loose knot around the equally loose neck of his shirt, his great coat left unbuttoned despite the chill of the evening air.

Steam curled from the engine as they waited with two uniformed porters stood with them waiting with carts and two carriages waited to take them home. The steam covered the platform in a mist that seemed to glow in the darkness, only the gaslights from the lamps illuminated the darkness. Charles reached into her cloak snagging her hand effortlessly as Mary finally bounced forward with the grace of a prima ballerina.

They were coming, she could see them through the great billows of smoke, making their way slowly and unhurriedly towards them. A sleek well-dressed woman with her hand resting gently in the arm of her tall red-headed companion as equally well dressed as she. Her fur-trimmed hood resting against an elaborately curled hairstyle framing her face perfectly, the man was much taller than his short companion the cut of his greatcoat emphasizing his broad shoulders.

Despite their long journey, the pair looked perfect. They moved with the ease of experienced travels unrushed, they made a handsome couple. The auburn haired woman smiled indulgently at Mary as she happily skipped to the two, the smile did not reach her eyes. The man kissed Mary's cheek as she smiled dreamily at him, he turned annoyed eyes towards Charles.

"So sweet," Fiona said as she noticed Charles' hand inside of Elizabeth's cloak holding the girl's hand. Her tone would lead one to think something non-sweet. Charles refused to allow Fiona to dictate his life and didn't pull his hand away, he entwined her fingers with his own. Fiona looked at him sharply.

Mary chose that moment to link her arm with Elizabeth's after she had greeted her sire, she smiled happily at the pair like a child would showing off their favorite toy. "We've had every so much fun waiting for you. Lots of games played with moonlight, sweet wine, and sweet whispers in the darkness."

"Hello Mary, I'm so glad you've had a fun time." She said to her as you would a child. You could clearly see the annoyance in her eyes for the other woman.

"We shall have lots more fun," She smiled bashfully at the two in front of her, "Now that you two are here."

Ciaran smiled at Mary his eyes glimmering in the darkness reminding Elizabeth of cat's eyes, "It's good to be home."

"It seems Prague agrees with you Elizabeth," Fiona said, "You're looking lovely as ever. Doesn't she darling?"

Ciaran's eyes raked up and down her form, she felt as if he could see beneath her cloak and she hated the feeling. He reached for her hand and brought it to his lips, his fingers caressing her gloved palm. "Delicious as always."

Elizabeth wanted to snatch her hand away, but felt Charles gently squeeze her other hand, she didn't know if it was to comfort her or give her a warning. She would have to remember to school her features around the older vampire.

Fiona's laugh tinkled through the air, "At least she isn't dressed like a widow, like last time she got to pick her own clothing."

Charles chuckled, "I had to burn everything when we arrived, buttoned all the way up to her neck. Like we don't keep her better." He shook his head thinking of all the black dresses and shirts he had to burn. Elizabeth was used to the way they talked about her like she wasn't there and paid it no mind.

They chatted as the porters gathered the luggage taking it to carriages to load it quickly. They leisurely made their way to the carriages chatting about their travels, Fiona and Ciaran moved to the first carriage Mary jumping in quickly before they set off towards home. Charles helped Elizabeth into the second one, tapping on the roof once she was settled beside him. It was a much better ride for her than the last time she had been in a carriage with Charles, sitting in the well-sprung carriage enjoying this ride much more than the last, she wasn't excited about what was to come.

The servants would be introduced to the older vampires and Charles would take her away for that time, she was thankful for that little mercy. If they thought their death's at the hands of Mary and Charles were bad, they were about to learn that there were far worse things to be done than being turned.

Ciaran ruled his households with an iron fist and anyone who didn't fall in line was dealt with, one warning was all they got, if they got that at all, depending on his mood. She had seen him dust many minions just because he was in a bad mood, he didn't tolerate any disobedience besides what Charles chose to do. It seemed the youngest of the clan had a special place in the older vampires heart, as much as they pretended to fight.

"It'll be alright luv, we'll make it an early evening with them." He squeezed her hand, "Quick drink with the two, then leave them to their reunion with Mary. You'll be all tucked in with me, safe and snug."

She squeezed his hand, nodding at him. Tears threatening to spill from her eyes as she tried not to think of how Mary would look in the morning if things got too rough, it wouldn't be the first time Ciaran had gotten a bit too violent with his childe. It was one of the reasons why her mind was so very fractured, the visions of death she had seen as a human didn't help anything nor did her parent's trying to beat the devil out of her. You couldn't beat the gift of sight out of someone.