Page 32 of The Shadow of the Count
Peter rubbed his arms, suddenly much colder. “We have to stop him. What if he’s already found his next victim?”
“Then we save them like we couldn’t save Lyle.” There was a cold gleam in Don’s eyes that he’d only seen a few times in the desert in Egypt. It meant that Donnie was ready to fight, not just for what he held dear, but for justice. For the safety of the world. The look of a Peculiar.
“We need a plan, but we need Clark and Jeb in order to formulate it.” Douglas smiled at Yvgeny. “They’re the brains and the brawn. Wake me when we get near the port.” Douglas pulled his coat around him and leaned back in his seat, closing his eyes.
Donnie gave him a look but then shook his head. “He’s incorrigible. He’s right though. What can we do until we’re all together and able to make a plan? I’d also like to include Richard.”
Peter tried to fight a small surge of jealousy. “Who’s Richard?”
“He’s a doctor I met at a fete I attended with Lyle. A psychiatric doctor. He…” Don frowned. “There’s a patient named Reynaud. He seems to know the count.”
“Reynaud? Jacques Reynaud?” Peter exclaimed.
“Yes, why?”
Dread mixed with excitement in his gut. “I saw his name on some legal documents of the count’s. When he was buying property in London. Maybe he can shed some light on the man.”
Don shook his head. “He’s quite mad, love. Though, if we have a better idea what to ask, as we do now, he might give us the answers we need.”
“Well, then, it is worth a try.”Any leads they could use to find and destroy the count.
“I have seen this madness before,” Yvgeny said. “You were very lucky, Peter, that he did not exchange blood with you.”
Don started. “Exchange blood!”
“It is how he makes his slaves.”
“Yvgeny says legends abound about the count where he grew up. And there are more of his kind.”
Don shook his head, the horror clear upon his face. “At least poor Lyle died.” A soft sob escaped his lover.
Yvgeny shook his head but didn’t say anything, and Peter found that ominous in the extreme. He wouldn’t push the situation now, but when he and Yvgeny were alone, he would. Don had just lost his friend. He didn’t need more bad news this minute.
So he took Don’s hand, since no one could really see now, and held on. Don clung to him, fingertips digging in, almost bruising.
That was all right. He knew he was alive. He knew he was here with his lover. They would be alone soon, and he would kiss that dear face.
Yvgeny brought over coffee for everyone. “They are bringing trays in a bit.”
“Thank you, my friend. Don, why don’t you rest as well? We slept on the train.”
Donnie tightened his grip again. “Yes, but don’t leave me?”
“No. Not now.” Not again, if he could help it. “I’ll watch over you as you rest. You have my word.”
“Thank you.” Don sighed, his brow relaxing as he sank into sleep.
“Now, tell me why you were shaking your head,” he asked Yvgeny quietly.
Yvgeny’s mouth flattened into an unhappy line. “His friend will rise and be like the sisters.”
“But his friend—he could not be a demon. They were friends, after all.” Peter just couldn’t believe it.
“The count’s blood will turn anyone into a beast. Please, you must believe me,” Yvgeny pleaded, holding his hands out to emphasize the urgency.
“You have been nothing but honest, my friend. Nothing.”
“Thank you. I know it sounds mad.”
