The Vampire's Crimson Kiss (Editing)

Chapter 39/The darkness falls in the nerve garden

Victoria's POV.

As we arrived we leapt from the boat. It was quite, Mary grabbed two wolfmen from the docks and got them come with her. Her idea was to get to the Duke but then she spied the Duchesse's long coat familar.

"Grab him," said Mary to the guards. Used to dealing with unwilling victims the two wolf heads did as they were bid.

"Take him to the Duke's Nerve Garden," I said.

We were tired from the long ride. We had ridden as fast as any messenger, so the absence of a reception committee was to be expected. Mary felt very lucky to have spotted the very man who she knew had someone reason to stop the wedding. We grabbed a couple of Long coats and Wolfman all dressed in their most spotless ceremonial uniforms. Looked up and in the distance noticed the red flag flying in the distance.

"Shit" I said. I really didn't need this. 

Now we had entered the Dukes personal torture chamber. While all the equipment worked I knew it was all mostly for show. The more someone believed they would be hurt the more even like pain became unbearable. Demonstrating the instrument of torture was as much a part torture as a torture itself. I was tired I'm more over desperate for quick confession. I had five men who were willing to follow any order.

I guided them in and had the purchases familiar firmly bound to a chair.

"let's cut to the chase. What impediment know you of the wedding between the Duke and Duchess?" I demanded.

"Do what you wish, you'll never get it out of me" said the Duchesses familiar.

I pulled Mary to one side "That was easy, he certainly knows something, take a wolf head as witness for you. Mean while I will see if I can peel this out of him. Oh and why are you doing this I thought you said you would never help anyone but yourself?"

"I'm weak and I'm having an off day my moon cup is filling and I am going to regret this, any other requests?"

"A line of venom. I'm badly in need of a line." I desperately needed something to take the edge of this. I was as mad as hell and he was going to pay the price. 

While Mary left I was hosting the man up with his arms above his head and stripping his clothes off and fitting a hood over his head.

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Elizabeth's POV 

Outside the dusk had overcome the hated sun and the uncut moon was rising. In the dark, the ferryman felt the ground beneath the skiff with is pike, he didn't to see the brightly light tower to know exactly where he needed to go. Behind him, a cord let out to the boats behind him guided the First Earth Army. There was a ring of light around the docks and the ferryman left the tiny armada behind to lurk in the shadows. This was the most dangerous moment.

"Be quick" whispered John Renne .  To the immortals' eyes the darkness would not be the cover it was from the familiars. The ferryman came into site and he was greeted by the few coven girls and boys, long coats and familiars.

"Oh, what do you bring Chiron who ever it is their are late, the ceremony is about to start."

The John Renne pointed his thin hand at the pole where the light was hung to summon him. The heads turned to look and in that brief moment the skiff stuck the wharf and in a brief flash of blue, throats were cut. Suddenly Elizabeth was on the other side of the dock looking slightly out of breath all the wharf men now falling bleeding to the floor.

"Nothing is quicker than death," she said looking deeply into the John Renne's eyes.

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