章 18: BURNT OFFERING
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Rose pulled the dagger away from the frightened man's throat. She stepped closer, her body pressing into his. Rose's fangs ached and elongated. The man's body went rigid, and his heart was drumming. Rose smelled the blood pumping through his veins. It was driving her desire to feed. She ran her tongue across her teeth and bent her head as if she would whisper into his ear. Rose forcefully sank her fangs into the man's neck, making him squeal in agony. The skinny man tried to pry Rose off of him. "You said you wouldn't hurt me!" He shouted out loud with panic in his voice.
Rose murmured into his neck, "I said I wouldn't kill you with the dagger. I never said anything about using my bare hands." She smiled into his neck and then tore out his throat—blood gushed from the wound, drenching both of them.
Allison gasped at the sight taking place in front of her. She stared mindlessly at the scene. Allison was paralyzed with fear and could not believe what occurred. Rose was coated in blood. Allison watched her kill the two men and consume their blood. She was shaking violently and began to talk. "W-w-what are you?" Allison stammered and looked at Rose with widened eyes.
"I'm sorry, Allison, you weren't supposed to witness that," Rose spoke grimly. Walking towards the sales counter, Rose saw Allison retreat backward and put her hand up for Rose to stop and keep away from her. "I promise not to hurt you, Allison,"
The young woman was in shock and unsure of what to do. "I reckon we should call the authorities." Allison looked up at Rose and watched her shake her head. "No, Allison, this is my mess, and I will take care of it. Please keep quiet about what happened. These were terrible men, and they had every intention of harming us. Both men got the justice they deserved. I will clear this up.
"What are you, Rose?"
Rose winced at Allison's repeated question. "Maybe you should leave and go back home," Rose stated impassively. She wanted to take everything back and wished Allison had not seen the massacre.
"It bothers me that you won't answer my question." Allison pressed Rose again for a reply.
"I'm a vampire, a night creature," Rose explained. She bowed her head in shame and could no longer look Allison in the eyes. She knew it would be time to run again before someone hunted her down. Rose's heart and soul ached. The past few days had been too good to be true. Life never changed for her. She would always be the outsider. There was no place in this world for Rose.
The two women stood silently in the store, not acknowledging each other as night closed around them— both deep in their thoughts.
"It's time for you to go, Allison. I have to clean up now." Rose spoke in a grim tone. There was no feeling left in her voice.
"When you're done with this mess. Please leave the townhouse, Rose. Forget about Larson. I will make a reason, but you cannot stay in our lives. I need you to go away." Rose could discern the fear and loathing as Allison spoke.
Rose gulped back the lump in her throat and tried not to let Allison see the tears developing in her eyes. "I see. I will take care of this, don't worry. It will be gone by this evening. I only ask that you let Larson know it was an absolute pleasure being his guest and friend. I don't want him to think he did something for me to leave. You are right about your brother Allison. He does deserve the best life has to offer. Unfortunately, I'm not part of that equation."
It was evident that Allison was unyielding in her decision for Rose to leave, "I will pack your belongings when I return to Bedford Hills. You can collect them tonight." Allison's appearance was distant and cold.
"As you desire. Thank you for your hospitality over the past few days. I sincerely mean it when I say this, Allison. I hope we can be friends again one day soon. I know you are frightened of me, but I have no intentions of ever conveying harm to you or Larson. The two of you hold a unique place in my heart for the compassion you showed to me in my time of need." Rose felt a tear trickle down her cheek. She could say no more without breaking into a sob.
***
The store was dark, and Allison had finally taken her packages and left with the carriage. Rose scrubbed the store and herself, placed the men's bodies in laundry bags, and laid them in the back of the shop. She would have to carry them to the inn one at a time through the alleys.
Now Rose understood why Sadie had the snear on her face earlier when she sent the Tansys. Sadie had her hooligans following her and Allison. This would be the last day on earth for Sadie. She would be dead by Rose's hand before the night's end, and Rose would burn the house of ill repute to the ground. Sadie crossed the line, and Rose was going to end the game. Hell was coming, and it was following Rose right to the steps of Sadie's inn.
After an hour of moving bodies, Rose stood at the inn's back door. She cut the bags open so the bodies could be found in the open. Rose stuffed the fabric bags in a can, took matches from the skinny dead man's body, and lit them on fire. She threw the waste can into a back window. In moments the fire was roaring throughout the building. People started running from the inn as it burned. Rose waited patiently for Sadie to exit.
Once Rose saw her leave the building, she approached Sadie from behind and whispered sardonically into her ear, "Are you warm enough? Or should I add some fuel to the fire?" Rose wanted to throw Sadie while she was still alive into the burning building for destroying her newfound relationship with the Milner's. But why waste good blood? Rose thought. She was too thirsty, and there was no need to squander food. Rose would drink from Sadie and watch her beg for life until her last breath.
Sadie pivoted to face Rose. "Who are you?" Her face paled as she saw Rose's fierce eyes and crooked smile, which made the fire light glint on her fangs.
"I'm the thing your nightmares are made of, Sadie. Let's find a quiet place to talk about your capitulation, Shall we?" Rose drew her dagger and placed it in the innkeeper's ribs.
Rose escorted Sadie to a vacant alley and exhausted every last drop of her life-giving blood. She had no regrets about slaying Sadie, and now the streets around Covent Garden might be a bit safer with the innkeeper and her accomplices gone.
Later in the night, Rose reached Bedford Hills, and as promised, Allison had packed her belongings and set them outside the covered side entrance. The carriage driver walked up to Rose and explained Allison had requested he to take Rose anywhere she wanted. She had the driver return her to the greenhouses in Covent Gardens. At least it was warm, and Rose had a stray cat who could keep her company.
***
The inquisitive cat came closer to Rose. She was luring him with a piece of her fish and chips. He was a grey and white tabby. "What is your name?" Rose cocked her head and asked the cat as he sat and mewed for another taste of her fish.
"That's not a name. How about Oscar? That will be your new name." The cat took another piece of the fish and then rubbed his head on Rose's lap.
After finishing her meal, Rose pulled out her belongings that Allison had packed and located the books. She was glad that Allison let her keep them. They were very special to her. Rose read under the dim gas lamps in the greenhouse. Oscar had curled up on her lap and was purring contentedly. She hoped that tomorrow would be a better day. Rose began to feel drained. Her eyes no longer able to stay open. Rose nodded off to sleep before she knew it.
***
December 30, 1894
A clattering sound woke Rose. At first, she thought it was Oscar knocking things over. Then she saw a pair of men's legs walking through the greenhouse. She quickly gathered her belongings and made for the open door, hoping not to get caught. Rose escaped outside just in time to see Hans, the arborist. Before the New Year, he had come to check on the greenhouse and water the plants and trees.
Rose took her belongings, walked around the Covent Gardens, and found a small cafe. She sat at the counter and ordered a cup of tea. Her head ached, and she felt achy all over. Rose thought maybe the tea would make her feel better.
A local paper was lying on the counter, and Rose saw the story about the fire and bodies with mysterious markings on their neck and how two bodies had been drained of their blood. The report compared it to the recent killings in Whitechapel. Rose decided that her time in London had ended, and she needed to quickly move on. The last thing she wanted was the man named Christopher Thorn to come looking to kill her with his Claymore.
***
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