Evaline | L. Lioncourt ✔

[25] Red Handed

Theresa had been quite worried for both Evaline and Lestat for she could clearly see that Rob and his men were up to no good. And since she did not want anything bad to happen to her friend, she decided to sneak up on the group and eavesdrop on their plan just so she could warn Lestat herself.

Silently and being extremely cautious not to make a sound, she crept towards the back of Rob's personal quarters at the tavern, keeping her ear close to the wooden boards as she herself stayed in the shadows, attempting to listen in on the connivery taking place inside.

The voices were dimmed due to the wall in between but she leaned closer and strained her ears so that she could somehow pick up on the conversation.

"If he really is what you suspect then it will be most viable for us to attack in the broad daylight," she heard the words as she concentrated further, "he would be vulnerable then."

"Broad daylight? Are you out of your senses? It will attract unnecessary attention and we will all be trialed for it."

"Then what difference would it make in the night time? He would be awake and stronger than any of us. He could retaliate. We can not afford to go against such a creature at his own preferred time."

Theresa could not understand what or who they were talking about but she remained still, listening closely for any hint that could help her in warning her friend.

"As for the trial, we have enough proof to suggest that she is a witch; cursed and dangerous. Two men disappeared and six found dead on the very night they had spent time with her. We can prove she is a witch and the law will take course. She will be burnt at the stake and we will have to do nothing."

She clamped her hand over her mouth for she had realized that they were indeed talking about Evaline and if what she had heard was true, then her friend was in immediate and life threatening danger.

"Do you think her so proclaimed lover would let us do that? Do think he would do nothing to intervene? That French imbecile will do all in his power to thwart us from proving her guilty. It is either we burn them ourselves or get burnt by him as a repercussion."

"I agree with Rob. But should we not burn both of them? What if he retaliates and come after us?"

"Yes, what if he pursues revenge? We would all be at a greater risk."

Rob's voice however was calm as if he had thought it all through, "he has only one weakness and that is Evaline. If we strip him of Eva then he will be damned without us having to kill him. Kill her first and he will suffer. He will only retaliate if he comes out of that distress which I am certain he will not."

"I see."

"When do you think we should put an end to this plague then?"

"We can not afford to be late. The sooner, the better."

Theresa knew she had to leave immediately for she could sense that their intentions were not right and they would probably strike that very night.

"Tonight?"

"Yes. Malcolm has told me he leaves the house as the night deepens, probably to hunt. And you shall wait for him to leave then burn the place down. Gather the townsfolk, spread word among them about the sorcery the two are up to and burn the place to ashes with her inside."

A short gasp escaped Theresa though she had clamped her mouth shut and deep down she prayed that the men inside had not heard her.

"Tonight it is then."

Theresa backed off but the twigs crunched underneath her feet, creating rather unnecessary noise.

"His hearing is just as sharp as his tongue therefore we shall have to be extremely cautious. Keep eyes all around for he could be lurking anywhere. Even outside this very tavern at the moment."

A hand shot out and grabbed her by the throat dragging her inside ruthlessly. She struggled but could not break free from the strong grip and was thrown forward at Rob's feet who was looking down at her with pure disgust.

"What are you doing here?" He thundered, his eyes blazing in rage, "what brings you to hide away outside my quarters and listen up on us? Do you intend to warn your friend and her lover that we are intending to get rid of them? Is that what you were going to do? Answer me!"

"I shall not let you hurt Eva," she replied but his hand closed around her throat tightly, suffocating her, "you are not doing the right thing. You will have to pay for this."

"You have caused me enough trouble, Theresa, and it is time I make you pay for it. Your dear little friend chose her own path and now it is no duty of yours to meddle with fate."

"This is not fate," she clawed at his hands but another man forcefully held her back, tying her up with sturdy ropes, "why can you not let them be? What wrong have they done to you?"

Rob's eyes flashed in anger, "that French imbecile threatened to take my life if I did not let Eva go that night. And darling little Eva is a threat to us all with her conniving sorcery and her malicious curses."

"But you are still alive, are you not?" She struggled against the ropes but the knots got tighter making her choke, "he has not killed you yet. He paid the price and you let Eva go. What is there for you take revenge now? And Eva is neither cursed nor a witch, both you and I are well aware of the fact."

He shook his head as if disappointed in her and bent down looking straight in her wide hazel eyes, "Theresa... Foolish, headstrong Theresa... Do you know what you are really defending at the moment? Do you have any idea the blasphemy you are committing by defending such a vile and filthy creature?"

"What creature?"

"Lestat de Lioncourt. Do you have any idea what he really is and why he has so shrewdly taken your lovely friend away from here?"

"He loves her," her reply was firm, "and no man of honor can see the woman he loves being tormented in the way you all have tormented Eva."

"Lies. He  craves her but not in the way you might think."

His words had silenced her yet the fear in her heart increased.

Rob's voice was reduced to a low taunting whisper, "he is not one of us. He is a vampire. The undead. A plague upon mankind. And the only reason he has taken Eva away from here is so that he can freely satisfy his thirst whenever he pleases."

An opposing remark was ready at the tip of her tongue but they did not let her speak further as her mouth was gagged as well, the piece of cloth tied roughly in between her teeth, refusing any comprehensible sound to come out as she writhed in pain.

"She is nothing but a blood donor to him. And you were a fool not to see past his facade. Tell me, have you ever seen him in the broad daylight? Has he ever eaten anything in front of you? Has he ever stood in the sun? No... No. Because he can not. Because he is a vampire. A threat. A danger to us all. And he has hunted sufficiently in New Orleans and must be put to a stop."

She drew back in disgust as his hand caressed her cheek mockingly but with the ropes tied around her and the gag in her mouth, she could not retaliate.

Rob turned to face the men, "go now. And in the meanwhile I shall deal with this traitor, no good wench myself."

They all stepped out leaving only Rob with the helpless Theresa in that room. He cracked his knuckles threateningly and her hazel eyes widened in alarm as he locked the door and took out a leather whip.

"Cry my helpless bird for no one will hear your distress," he had coiled the whip round his fingers and struck her hard, making her cry out in pain as it left burning red marks on her skin, "this is the punishment you receive for spying on me and being caught red handed. You deserve every single thing I am going to do to you tonight, Theresa. And I am certain it will teach you a lesson never to put your foot where it is not invited."

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