Victoria nodded, feeling a bit relieved, but at the same time as though she were sinking ever more deeply into a quagmire of lies and deceit.
Perhaps Aunt Eustacia would have some words of wisdom.
To Victoria's relief, the ever-present Max was not at Aunt Eustacia's home when she called later that morning. Kritanu served them a light nuncheon, then disappeared discreetly when it became obvious that Victoria was not there to practice her kalaripayattu.
"How is your arm?" Aunt Eustacia asked.
Apparently Max had been there.
"It is fine. "
"It will heal quickly; Max's salve is miraculous, and you carry the protection of the vis bulla. "
Victoria ate a bite of cheese, wondering how to tell her aunt she didn't think she could go on. That she needed to change something about being a Venator.
"Aunt Eustacia, I need your advice. I don't know what to do. "
"It is much more difficult than you believed it would be, isn't it, cam?"
"Phillip wants an heir, and I cannot give him salvi every night!"
Her aunt nodded, her black hair gleaming like the night. "It is a very difficult situation you are in, Victoria. As for the baby… well, that is easily preventable. I am surprised you did not ask about that sooner. "
She did not reply. Her aunt was right that she should have been concerned with this before now.
"I will give you a tonic. If you drink it regularly, it will keep you from having a baby. Victoria…"
The way Eustacia said her name brought Victoria's face up to look at her.
"Lilith has not forgotten that you and Max retrieved the Book of Antwartha. I know it is safely hidden at St. Heath's Row, but Lilith will not rest until she gets the book in her possession. It may seem that in the last two months undead activity has waned. It may appear that you are not needed, that Max and I can handle any threats that come along. But. do not be fooled. You are a Venator and have been forever marked as one. Never forget you have dealt Lilith a great defeat—for she will not forget. She will not rest until she has exacted her revenge. "
Evening fashions were not conducive to hiding wounds on one's arm, so Victoria found herself in quite a quandary that night. Verbena helped her to pull on the longest pair of gloves she owned, melon-colored ones that extended past the elbow, but there was a great expanse of bare skin exposed, due to the flimsy puffed sleeves that barely covered the edges of her shoulders.
"You will have to keep your wrap about your arms at all times," Verbena clucked. The dressing had been removed, and true to Aunt Eustacia's word, the cut had already begun to heal and was hardly sore at all. But the long red gash was still quite noticeable, so Victoria wrapped her shawl around her upper arm twice, letting the rest of it swag gently across the base of her spine and over her right arm. "Under no circumstances can you take that wrap from your arms. "
Phillip had sent word that he would be at his club for the evening, and would not be attending the dinner dance at which Victoria was expected to make an appearance. She considered crying off, but felt that it would be better to attend for a short while in order to appease her mother, and return home before midnight.
Thus she was greatly surprised when, as she was leaving the dance floor after a country dance, she saw Max striding across the room toward her.
Victoria excused herself from her dance partner, the younger son of an earl, and hurried to meet him. "I know that you aren't here to partake of Society at its best," she said by way of greeting.
"Lilith's minions are on the move. There's to be another group attack tonight," he told her, casting his glance about the room. "I do not wish to ruin your evening, but it would likely save some lives if you were to accompany me. Can you get away?"
"Yes, of course. " She was already walking toward the main entrance of the house.
"I don't see the marquess. Don't you need to tell him you are leaving?"
"He is not here this evening. "
Max easily kept in stride with her as she made her way up the sweeping flight of stairs. "Where is he?"
"At his club. "
"Which one is that?"
"Bridge and Stokes, I believe, although why it matters to you I—What is it?"
He'd grabbed her arm, nearly jerking her off her feet near the top of the steps. The butler eyed them curiously, but she ignored him, for when Max spun her about to look at him the expression on his face sent a sick feeling worming into her stomach.