“The girl’s telling the truth,” one of the men stated, verbalizing what all the witches must have known.
“Samuel as the Ripper. I knew it,” one woman murmured. “Didn’t I tell you, Oscar?” She turned to the man on her left. “Why, at one of Cecil’s parties I straight-out asked Samuel if he had any leads. When he answered, I knew he was lying, but I thought he was covering up a secret Scotland Yard was keeping. I should have pushed him further,” she said, looking distraught as the man next to her patted her hand.
“Please, don’t blame yourselves!” Damon said gallantly, a gleam of excitement evident in his blue eyes. Damon in front of a crowd was an impressive sight, and I knew he was just warming up. “Samuel Mortimer began a reign of terror in the East End not for sport, but because he thought his killings would lead to the prize he covets.” At this, Damon lowered his voice so much that people had to lean in to hear him. “He wants the heart of a purebred witch. And he’s convinced that witch is Mary Jane.”
“It’s true,” Lady Alice said. “All of it.”
“What happens if he gets the heart?” the woman in the blue dress asked, leaning forward in concern.
“He’s going to eat it.” The elderly woman by the door cut off Damon before he could answer. “And by doing so, he will gain the power to compel vampires. He can get all the vampires in London to do his bidding.” She slid off her stool and hobbled toward us, leaning on an intricately carved wooden cane. “But why should we help them? We can do this ourselves. How do we know they aren’t just setting this up as a trap for this…this Samuel,” she spat, as if the name was the worst thing she could think to say. She glanced around the room indignantly, the eyebrows on her wrinkled, withered-apple face knitting together. Her strident tone reminded me of Mrs. Duckworth, the maid at Abbott Manor. She was the type of woman people listened to.
“My brother and I have witnessed firsthand the unspeakable horrors Samuel has committed. I assure you that we are dedicated to fighting him until he is stopped once and for all,” I interjected. “As for taking care of yourselves, you may have magic, but Samuel is cunning and ruthless and therefore not to be underestimated. We’ve been following him for weeks,” I explained. “We know his habits, and we know his weaknesses. We have strength, and we have knowledge of our enemy. While separately we might fail, by banding together we have a chance at ridding London of this fiend. And so we’re humbly asking for vinculum to be invoked. Lady Alice told us about the spell, and it seems it’s what we need. I know vampires and witches have a complicated history, but if we have a spell that binds us, then you won’t have to fear us.”
The old woman nodded, but it was impossible to tell what she was thinking. She had the same strange pupils as Mary Jane. They were captivating, and it was hard to tear my eyes away.
Please, I thought. I didn’t dare say the word. But as I thought it, the woman’s eyes flickered.
“I’m aware of what we’re risking, Lavinia,” Lady Alice said gently to the old woman. “But I’m also aware of the dangers in not binding ourselves to these vampires. Samuel will kill Mary Jane, and if he does, he could have all of London under his control. I won’t take that chance. Mary Jane’s one of our own. And we protect our own. Or have you forgotten that in your old age? What does the rest of the coven think?” she asked, not bothering to wait for Lavinia’s response.
“I say kill the bloody bastard by any means necessary!” a portly, red-faced old man blustered. The men in the group murmured their agreement.
“I agree. Whatever we can do to save Mary Jane,” the young blond woman in the front said shyly. I sneaked a glance at Mary Jane. She was staring at a point far in front of her. Her face was pale. Just because the witches were helping didn’t mean she was out of danger, and she knew it.
“I don’t think so.” Lavinia shook her head vehemently. “These strangers come here in front of us, say they’re vampires, and say that one of their own needs the heart of a purebred witch. Now, I know they seem to be telling the truth, but vampires are crafty. And before we go any further, we need the girl,” she said, beckoning toward Cora.
“M-m-me?” Cora asked, stuttering in fear.
“No, the other human girl who was brought in front of our coven,” Lavinia growled sarcastically. “Yes, you.”
Cora stepped forward, and I could see her shoulders trembling underneath her frayed dress.
“Now, Cora,” Lavinia said, staring straight into her eyes. “Will you tell me the truth?” Her intensity reminded me of the way I focused before compelling. Cora’s gaze flickered toward me.
“Cora!” Lavinia said, causing her gaze to snap forward.
“Yes?” Cora asked.
“When you open your mouth, will you speak the truth?” she asked again.
“Yes,” Cora said. There was no question in her voice. Lavinia placed one hand, then the other on her shoulders. She nodded toward the coven.
“What will these vampires do once they’ve defeated Samuel?”
“I don’t know,” Cora said in confusion, breaking her gaze away.
Lavinia shook Cora’s shoulders. “Well, think! Two vampires, able to compel themselves into any situation or station would want to do something, wouldn’t they? Maybe gain power? Riches? Rule the city of London?”
“Damon wouldn’t. He wants an easy life. Whatever luxuries he can have, he’ll get, but he won’t cause trouble here. Not like Samuel. And Stefan…” She paused, and a small smile crossed her face. “I think that if Stefan kills Samuel, then he’ll finally stop feeling ashamed of who he truly is. He needs to do something good. Something heroic. But he won’t cause trouble. I know that.”
These were clearly Cora’s unedited thoughts. I felt she’d accurately pegged Damon, but I couldn’t help but feel betrayed at what she’d said about me. That was why she thought I wanted to fight Samuel? So I could feel heroic? She didn’t think it had to do with my wanting to save her?
“How interesting,” Lavinia said, breaking the silence. Her mouth twisted as though she’d sucked a lemon, and she took her hands off Cora. Cora staggered back as if she had been pushed.
“Are you all right?” Mary Jane asked, steadying Cora and helping her regain her balance.
Cora nodded, even though I saw her wince and rub her shoulder.
Lavinia turned to address the coven. “I’m satisfied that these vampires are who they say. And I won’t stand in the way of our affiliation with them.”