Mad Bride of the Ripper Read online

  “But you aren’t afraid, Mistress,” he said. The grin showing all his teeth. “Are you?”

  “No. I was no longer a part of humanity, you see. I can’t see myself as human. I am a vampire. Why should it matter what they think of me now? If they destroy me, then I am destroyed. But I will not keep the shackles they had on me when I was one of them. Not anymore.” She showed her wrists to him. “Fools like John and Van Helsing, they think madness was what chained me. They think the insanity I had hidden for so long was manifested only when Dracula drank my blood. They don’t understand I was in a prison long before they threw me into their cell.”

  “I know it,” he said. “They pushed Renfield down. Squeezed out the drops of precious Renfield. They called me sick. They tried to take me away! Away from myself! How can a man be separated from himself? They would cut my skull open and remove a piece of me, they said. A piece I should not need. A piece which would make me more like them. Why should I be like them? I am not Doctor Seward. I am not Martin. I am not Douglas the Bootmaker! I am Renfield. Sir Renfield, if I will it! And you? You are Lucy Westenra. My Mistress. We are not beasts of the field to be used and dictated to!”

  “Exactly! You see?” She pulled him close, slapping him hard on the back and raising a fist to the sky. “We shall free all of those like us. Together, Renfield. Free them all. Won’t you like to do that? Isn’t that a cause worth fighting for?”

  “Freedom?” He reeled out of her grip, eyes wide and mouth a shocked gaping hole. “Freedom. Why, Mistress, isn’t this what every man has a right to own? Don’t our lords and masters all tell us we are free? That we live in the greatest country in the world? Why, of course we should be free! What else should we be?”

  She jumped up and down, clenched fists and grinning. “We shall break their shackles.”

  “Smash their cages.”

  “Tear off their masks.”

  “Kill their guards.”

  “Slaughter their oppressors.”

  “Burn their empire to ashes!”

  Together they laughed, spinning around each other. Grasping hands and planting kisses until Renfield ran out of breath and dropped into his chair with hand across his heart.

  Sucking air. Giggling deep in the back of his throat.

  She watched him recover. Her eyes unblinking.

  “You are not afraid anymore, Renfield?”

  “No, Mistress. But I am still ashamed. I should not have killed her. I should have killed another.”

  “Do not blame yourself. I put you in a terrible position. I swear to you, it shall never happen again.”

  He shrugged. “I blame Van Helsing. Lead shot and tin. Arise, he with the sun. Hoo hoo.”

  “I’ll rip out his throat with my teeth.”

  “I blame Doctor John Seward.”

  “I’ll claw out his entrails with my bare hands.”

  “And I blame Jonathan Harker.”

  She stepped up behind him and slid her fingers through his hair. Kneading his scalp. Leaned down and kissed his crown. “I shall show Harker tortures unheard of. I’ll peel the skin from his flesh and he will know death only when his madness flares as bright as all the stars together.”

  “I love you, Mistress. I adore you.”

  “And I you, Renfield.” She patted his cheek and headed to the door. “Sleep now. Rest. We have one last day and then the Queen will set foot on English soil. Everything must be ready for her. It must be perfect. Absolutely perfect. It simply must.”

  “It will be, Mistress.” He closed his eyes and let his head tilt back as Lucy floated outside and into the fog. Began to sing in a rasping whisper; “With blood from the innocent my hands and feet were dyed. And if you’d seen her in her bloom, she might have been my bride...”

  CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

  The fog was green and touched with luminescence as it rolled through London’s cramped streets. It worried at the windows and whispered through cracks in the doors. It heaved its voluminous bulk against wall. It swallowed those whose lives took them out into the night.

  Left them coughing and choking.

  Cursing and muttering.

  Gas lights barely penetrated the gloom but managed to cast rippling shadows which flickered and danced as they were smuggled by thick curtains.

  Despite the moisture, the cold air had a crispness to it that left Jonathan Harker’s face feeling like his cheeks would crack if he tried to alter his expression.

  Through the veils of fog, he could just make out two figures ahead of Max and Wesley. Lord Salisbury’s men. Everett and Charlie. Two hardened thugs who’d been doing dark work for their Lord for many years.

  Good at it, too, Harker thought grudgingly.

  They walked with an exaggerated drunken swagger. Arms around each other’s shoulders. Singing some off-colour reel.

  But though they pretended awkwardness, their eyes were sharp. Had to be to pierce the layers of drifting fog.

  Doctor John Seward, two steps behind him, was chattering his teeth so much the sound formed a clicking rhythm Harker thought Everett and Charlie might be able to put a tune to. Looking back, he watched the man roll his shoulders and shiver. Their eyes met and Harker offered a sympathetic smile.

  Van Helsing brought up the rear, the old man oblivious to the cold. Head high, he strode confident and with purpose. Heavy leather bag in one hand. Under his coat, Harker knew the old man carried an efficient mallet and several wooden stakes in loops on his belt.

  A silver cross hung around his neck, the chain threaded with wolfsbane.

  Smell of garlic was in the air. Wesley was chewing the stuff, and Max had a couple of bulbs slung across his shoulders. The flowers dangled down his back.

  Everyone had a silver dagger and loaded pistol.

  Harker didn’t carry a bag. Still carried a hatchet he’d taken from Sloper. At the time, he’d been impressed by the thing. There was a surety to it. The weight of the weapon close to his hand made him feel ready for anything Lucy might offer. He could almost see himself striking her head from her shoulders with it.

  As his thoughts drifted toward the vampire, he couldn’t help but allow another smile to curl his lips.

  Lucy had been a beautiful woman. And an adventurous one.

  Before leaving for Transylvania, he’d had a somewhat breathy conversation which seemed to end with an assurance from her that her bedroom door would remain unlocked on his return.

  Yet, despite the scandalous offer, he had a hard time comparing her to the whores of Whitechapel. Lucy had offered herself directly to him with no thought of anything but enjoyment. Her voice had been shaky despite the calm exterior.

  She wasn’t used to offering herself, he’d thought. And the nervous tilt to her voice had proven a greater aphrodisiac than any alchemical potion offered at the Club.

  Her face filled his mind.

  Plush lips. Eyes which burned with hunger.

  Now, their hunger would be for more brutal desires.

  At thought of her monstrous change, he felt a sigh exhale from somewhere deep in his chest. The poor girl. Now he’d never know what it was like to press his body against hers.

  Not unless…

  No.

  With Van Helsing and Doctor Seward with him, there’d be no time for that.

  Such a shame.

  Still, he managed to keep a positive air and his own steps were eager as they slid down mostly empty streets. Each step taking them closer to Lucy’s lair. He’d expected her to find a place within the heart of Whitechapel. A place where she could feed on lost souls whose disappearance wouldn’t be missed. Instead, she’d simply walked into her father’s townhouse and taken up residence.

  Even her neighbours hadn’t suspected the evil living next door.

  Remarkably bold, he thought.

  A hand tapped him on the shoulder and he looked back to see Van Helsing had crept close. The old man’s eyes looked worried. “Be careful tonight, Jonathan.”

  “I will,�
� he said. Patted the hatchet hooked onto his belt. “Don’t worry about me, Abraham.”

  “A vampire’s mightiest weapon isn’t the magics they possess, but the echoes of the person they were. Lucy was very close to Mina. And you to Mina. If you feel you might hesitate, there’s no shame in letting Max or Wesley make the killing blow.”

  “It will be fine,” Harker said. “I was never that close to Lucy, you know.”

  “Yet, you liked her?”

  “She’s very beautiful, Abraham, if that’s what you mean. But there’s many pretty girls in the world.”

  “Some in Ireland,” Max growled softly then spat on the ground.

  Van Helsing spared the other man a withering glance before continuing; “She’ll be dangerous.”

  “They’re all dangerous when they’re cornered,” Wesley said amiably. “We’ve done this before, Professor. No need to tell us.”

  “He ain’t telling us,” Max said, not bothering to hide the sneer. “He’s telling it to Harker. Ain’t for our benefit.”

  Harker’s hand tightened around his revolver. He wanted to pull it out and put a bullet through the man’s head.

  Instead, he pretended not to hear. Van Helsing, he’d learned, disliked bickering. “I’ll do my best, Abraham. If I feel I can’t confront her, I’ll let you know. But I really don’t believe it will come to that.”

  “Good,” the old man said. Turned away. “John, I want you to stay back.”

  Doctor Seward flicked a petulant look. Appeared like he might argue. Then his shoulders slumped. “Yes, yes. You’re probably right. It didn’t go very well last time.” Put his hands deeper into his pockets and tried to pull his coat tighter. “I’m sorry, Abraham. I was never a field man, you see. I shouldn’t have been there. I know that now. I should have trusted you to do the right thing.”

  “Max?” Van Helsing’s cold glare found the other man. “You’ll need a clear head tonight. This darkness is the vampire’s domain. We cannot allow ourselves the luxury of being distracted.”

  “You ain’t ever had cause to doubt me before,” Max said. Shot Harker a look which said he blamed him for Van Helsing’s tone. “I never failed. Not planning on starting tonight, am I?”

  “Wesley?”

  Wesley shrugged. “I do what Max wants. He never steered me wrong.”

  “I cannot be more clear. This creature is unlike the others you’ve faced before. She’s a Bride of Dracula. And that makes her twice as deadly as the worst you have ever faced. You all remember Karnstein. Treat Lucy with the same respect.”

  “We weren’t there,” Max said. Looked to Wesley, who shrugged. Then back to Van Helsing. “That was Sloper and Jourgensen. Don’t you remember?”

  “Of course I do!” The old man snapped. “You know very well what I’m saying. I’m telling you it’s very easy to underestimate vampires who have such powers. They’re stronger in ways we cannot begin to predict. Do not go into this lightly. This is her lair, and she will be more prepared than she seems. God knows she’s had long enough.”

  “We heard you the first time,” Max said.

  A shrill whistle cut through the fog, and the five men darted for the nearest alley. Tucked themselves into the shadows and waited.

  Didn’t take long for a tall policeman to drift past the alley mouth. A truncheon in hand, he muttered to himself as he walked. A ceaseless train of thought on a staccato tongue.

  A couple of men and a woman with an oversized bustle wandered behind him. The woman’s makeup was garish. Bright red lips on the whitest face. Dark makeup on her eyelids leaking in inky streaks down her cheeks. Her breasts bounced with an attractive ease which made Harker’s eyes brighten.

  The men were either side of her, with two more behind laughing at her gait.

  They were in the policeman’s shadow, locked to him like a line of ducks.

  Not unusual given the fear the Ripper’s work had instilled.

  Finally, a little girl skipped past. Head high and waving a ribbon in one hand.

  “Flora,” she called. “Wait for me, Flora!”

  When they were gone, Wesley peered out. Saw Salisbury’s men leaning against a lamp post. They gave another whistle, and Wesley waved the others to follow. “Come on. All clear.”

  “We’re going to get caught,” Doctor Seward moaned. “That’s the third one in two streets.”

  Harker helped the man from the alley and patted his shoulder. “Buck up, John. Everything will work out. You’ll see.”

  Doctor Seward grabbed Harker’s wrist. “I can’t do it, Harker. Abraham’s right. I shouldn’t have come. I’m a liability, aren’t I? I can’t hurt her. It’s like you with Mina. You couldn’t do it if we were hunting Mina, could you? You couldn’t bear to hurt her, I know it. Well, that’s how I feel about Lucy. Every time I close my eyes, I see her beautiful smile. I hear her voice in my dreams. Her laughter. Such a gentle soul. I know he hated a good many things, but how could he do it? How could Dracula bear to corrupt such innocence?”

  Harker gave the older man a wan smile.

  Innocent?

  That wasn’t how he remembered Lucy.

  “I’ve no idea,” he said. Tried to work himself free and catch up with the others. “But we can’t stand around here, can we? All we’ll do is catch our death of cold and that won’t help save England now, would it?”

  “I told her I loved her. I would have given her anything, Harker. Anything she desired.”

  “I’m sure you would.”

  “But she chose him!”

  “Dracula? Hardly a choice. He’s a mind-bender, remember?”

  “No, not Dracula. I mean Arthur. She chose to marry him. Can you believe that?”

  “Well, he had a title, John. And estates. I’m sure that would turn any girl’s head. And her father’s, more to the point.”

  “Yes, I thought of that. But she wasn’t the type, was she? Lucy didn’t go in for all of that. She was a quiet girl. Very reserved. And she didn’t look for titles or that rot. She would have married me. I know it. Then everything changed so suddenly. No. Perhaps you’re right. It had to be him. Had to be Dracula. He knew he was coming here. He planned it, I’m certain of it.” Doctor Seward’s eyes dribbled tears and he wiped at them with his cuff. “Dammit, Harker, I know that’s what it was. His curse was on us all long before you left England.”

  “Yes, I’m sure it was.”

  “You don’t believe me?”

  “John, you’ve been a good friend to Mina. And to me. You know I care a great deal about your feelings. But there was more to Lucy than you know. Of that, I’m sure.”

  “You don’t know her.” Doctor Seward frowned. “You never knew her. I was the only one who did. I listened to her. I was there for her. And when Dracula poisoned her mind, I was there to care for her when everyone else left her alone.”

  “Look, John. I know you think you know Lucy. But even if you’re right, you realise she’s not the same girl? She’s changed. Probably forever.”

  “And that’s how you feel about Mina, too? That she’s changed forever? That you can’t save her?”

  “I don’t know what I feel. Honestly, I don’t.”

  “So, if we were to return to the castle tonight, you wouldn’t mind if I put a stake through her heart?”

  “For the sake of our friendship, John, I’m going to walk ahead of you now. I think you should think very carefully about what’s happening here tonight. This isn’t about you. It’s not about me. Mina is contained for now. She can do no harm to anyone. Lucy, however, is loose. She’s a rabid dog, John. And she’s dangerous. If we could take her in without destroying her, you know Van Helsing would do so. But if we can’t, we should do the right thing and save her eternal soul. Do you think Lucy would want different?”

  “No.”

  “That’s a start,” Harker said, stomping ahead. “Now do try and keep up.”

  CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE

  Max and Charlie pressed against the wall, studyi
ng two policeman lingering on a corner. The officers had the gas lamp to their backs and were quietly chatting. One rocked on his heels, arms crossed. Both had firearms at the ready. Unusual, but easily justified by the Ripper.

  “Shit,” Max said. “Who’d think they’d have shooters?”

  “Won’t be all of them with one,” Charlie said. “Just those with soldiering backgrounds.”

  “And how many is that?”

  Charlie showed a rueful grin. “Probably everyone in this street. If you want my opinion, they’re waiting for us. Know we’re coming. I say we duck out on this one. Come back when the heat’s died down. Give it a week.”

  “We don’t have a week,” Van Helsing said.

  Max nodded. “Word just arrived. Dracula’s Brides are planning something in Paris tonight. If they’re not stopped there, they could be in London as early as tomorrow morning.”

  Harker nodded. “And whatever Lucy’s up to, I’d say it has at least something to do with that.”

  “She must be stopped,” Van Helsing said. Sighed, giving Doctor Seward a sideling glance. “Destroyed if necessary.”

  Doctor Seward kept his head down. Shoulders slung low. Said nothing.

  “You can count on us, Professor,” Charlie said.

  “You know what you’re facing, don’t you?”

  “Yeah. His Lordship was quite clear on that. And we’ve seen a thing or two in our time, right? Saw a werewolf once. Blew its eyes right out the back of its head. Still kept coming. Killed it eventually, of course. All I’m saying here is we can do what needs to be done.”

  “Regardless of your previous experiences, you need to do exactly as I say. I am not exaggerating in the slightest when I say the country depends on our success tonight.”