A Victorian Lady's Guide to Killing Gods and Monsters [ONC 2023]

Chapter VIII: It is never too late to start learning fencing with monsters

England, April 6th, 1852

Hattie regretted losing her night of sleep. She thought of Mr. Swift sleeping soundly upstairs. Would he notice there was something wrong?

"You are a menace, Miss Rayburn," Helen declared. "We can't let you fulfill your fate."

"Says the woman who started a ten-year war because a pretty boy was trying to satisfy his earthly desires."

Someone grabbed her by the shoulders, the nails tearing her skin. "She should not back answer like that to you, m'lady," said the person. By their voice, Hattie thought she was a woman, but her large black claws in her fingers made her hesitate.

"Yes, I know. But I'll let her. She is going to die anyway."

Hattie looked around the room. Strange-looking serpent men were staring at her with amusement in their golden eyes. Women with silver wings extending off their backs smiled, their fangs showing under their rosy lips.

Well, this is nice. What was she going to do? She had no knife or pistol to defend herself... and even in that case, she did not know how to use them. Why was she being attacked the only second her protector was away? Apparently, my father blessed me with the luck of a cadaver. She would be cold meat soon enough.

Get the auctioneer up the nose of the woman behind you, a female voice said in Hattie's head.

Who are you?

The voice did not sound like her mother's or any person she knew. Nevertheless, it was somehow familiar. Why in Heaven were people entering her head without her permission? It was very disrespectful.

Just obey, girl. Helen is an immortal, you can't beat her. Get away from her claws and punch her.

Well, that is too easy! I am not getting away from this inn just with my hands!

The voice did not answer. It was her decision.

Twisting her attacker's wrist on her left shoulder, she turned to face her. She was a harpy. Her eyes were as black as night, her lips curved in a terrifying smile of sharp teeth and a hungry tongue. Her hair was as blonde and nasty as a pile of hay, but all of that did not scare her as much as the wings that grew out of her back. Red feathers, as pointy as knives, extended all the way up to the ceiling, just like some kind of nightmare angel.

Her look of surprise was priceless. As the voice had ordered, Hattie got her fist on her mouth... and then the world stopped.

"Oh, dear, what is happening now?"

Everything but herself seemed hazy as if she were in a dream. The time had seemed to slow down, making the lady the only one actually conscious of what was happening.

"Hello, my niece."

Miss Rayburn turned her head to the voice. It was the same that had spoken in her head, but the vision of its owner was a bit odd.