For Love of a Vampire

Chapter 28

I have no idea how long I sat staring at the door of the shack before Helen entered. It could have been hours or it could have been only minutes. It really didn't matter. Nothing mattered anymore.

"Come, dear Jane. You must rest," she cooed as she eased me back down on the cot.

I obeyed her willingly. There was no sense in fighting it. Besides, falling back into a blissful abyss was what I longed for anyway.

"You told him, then?" she asked.

Unable to speak, I nodded my head vigorously.

"Splendid, that," she said with a smile.

"He hates me," I managed to moan as I rolled onto my side.

"He loves you, m' lady. Ne'r have I seen such love in man nor vampire. 'Tis a rarity," she mused.

"Why do you say such?" I whined. "He left upon the story's end."

I don't know why I slipped back into her speech pattern. Perhaps it was out of respect for such a good woman as she'd proved to be.

"Aye, that he did," she agreed.

When she offered no more comment, I leaned on my elbow and looked at her.

"Why do you say he loves me?" I pressed.

"He did not tell you?" she asked surprised.

"Tell me what?" I demanded.

"Lord Duncan goes to confront the vampire responsible for your suffering," she said proudly.

"No! No! No! Say 'tis not so!" I screamed as I leapt from the cot.

"Lady Jane, you must rest!" she wailed as she tried to subdue me.

"Please, Lady Helen, you must help me. You must help me!" I wailed as I paced the floor like a mad woman.

It took some time for her to calm me down enough for me to explain to her that I hadn't been exaggerating when I said Lord Duncan was no match for Lord Rufus. After a long, lengthy explanation about the abnormal power that I felt coming from Lord Rufus, I knew inherently that it was some type of magic from the powerful witch. Lord Duncan had no such witch behind him. If he tried to stand alone he would lose.

"Oh dear, I knew of the strength you claimed he had, but I knew not of these details. 'Tis a problem to be certain," she said as she wrung her hands absent mindedly.

"We must help him!" I commanded.

"I must think," she insisted. "'Twill not do to make haste."

"If only we knew the witch aiding Lord Rufus," I moaned.

Lady Helen played with her hands a bit longer before clapping them together. "I have it! The only coven other than ours is far too advanced in distance to attract Lord Rufus. I believe he works with one of our own. You shall walk amongst us in circle and pick out the culprit."

"How?" I blurted.

Was she kidding me?

"Each witch projects a subtle difference in energy. 'Tis a sort of signature. You shall look for the energy sensation you felt coming from Lord Rufus."

"And Lady Margaret? What shall we say to explain my presence to the high priestess?" I asked.

I had a valid point and Helen knew it. It wasn't like I was on the top of Margaret's popularity list and I doubted I'd be welcome to their new moon circle with open arms. She fretted a bit longer. It was clear the woman was sincere in her desire to help me. She decided to think over a cup of tea. That was one habit I'd yet to get accustomed to. I find nothing finer than a good cup of coffee from a French press, but I joined her.