Winterly (Dark Creatures Book 1), стр. 98
My dear friend,—It is with dire urgency that I speak with you. Meet me in the Whitby Inn today as soon as may be. I shall wait till nightfall. Make haste and come alone.
Ana.
“Mrs. Skinner!” Emma rang the bell and flew to the door. The vampyre appeared with her usual celerity. “Have the coach brought around. I have just recalled a vital errand and must hasten to town directly.” It was not a lie, she had a letter for Mary that she’d meant to post off yesterday.
“At once, miss.” Skinner lowered her small eyes to the opened letter and, after only a fleeting pause, disappeared from the door.
It was late in the afternoon by the time Emma signaled the coachman to a sudden halt. She had chosen a narrow street at hazard and, before the carriage wheels had even stopped completely, she alighted. The coachman was hidden beneath his broad-brimmed hat, upturned collar, and sturdy leather gloves. Yet he appeared miserable despite that the sky remained closed in with gloomy and impenetrable stratus. Still and all, her vampiric coachman seemed disinclined to leave her unattended. “The master won’t be pleased,” he said.
Unconcerned by his wary prognostications, she insisted he do as she bade him and instructed that he come back for her no sooner than the passage of one hour. That, she reasoned, would have her home before sunset with time to spare. Sullen faced, the coachman nodded and snapped the reins to urge the horses on their way.
Once the coach had turned a corner and disappeared from view, Emma hurried along the roads and alleys towards the inn. After a number of furtive looks at the front door of the coaching inn, she entered and proceeded to the dining hall. The tables were crowded and every chair and bench was filled with cheerful patrons partaking of warm comestibles and tankards of ale. The oil lamps were lit and the sounds and shadows bounced heartily along the wooden beams overhead. Tucked in the corner, removed from the gaiety, sat a lone woman in an emerald pelisse, her raven locks gleaming in the firelight.
“My dear!” Ana exclaimed, taking Emma’s hands in hers. “I feared my letter might have gone awry, but here you are at last!” Her beautiful face seemed especially pale tonight. “Your hands are so cold, dear girl, come sit by the fire and warm your blood.” She leaned around Emma to glance anxiously at the windows and the doorway. “You’re alone?”
“Yes.”
Ana appeared dubious. “He allowed you out of his sight, did he?”
“You mean Winterly?”
“Ay, him and his hateful kin.” Some shadow must have fallen over Emma’s features, for Ana took a breath and becalmed herself. “Forgive me, you do not know the particulars and must think me abominable. But I have a right to hate that family.”
As to the hateful kin… “Well, you needn’t worry about Victoria, she’s left Whitby.”
Ana’s eyes narrowed. “Where to?”
“Back to London, I imagine.”
Ana gave a curt nod and then glanced at the window.
Emma followed her gaze and perceive two other hooded women seated beside the window nearest the door—Mina and Tanith. Emma gave a small wave and they, in turn, each offered Emma polite nods. “Do your sisters not wish to join us?”
“It is best they keep vigilant.”
Emma folded her arms. “You mentioned some dire urgency?”
“Yes,” said Ana, “and your last letter intimated you were ready to hear the truth about the Winterlys.” But instead of coming to the point, she asked after Milli’s health.
“My sister…my sister is away visiting my cousin.” Could she trust Ana with the truth? Ana who had intimated the very existence of vampyres from the beginning. Before she could make up her mind, however, Ana’s hand shot to Emma’s throat and pulled the shawl away from the wound she’d been endeavoring to hide.
“What in God’s name have you done, Emma?”
Emma pulled away and hurriedly pushed her shawl back into place. “That is not your business, Ana.”
“I am your friend!”
“I hardly know you.”
Ana’s face hardened. “You must leave that hellish place at once. You do not have to know me well to know you are in danger.” She aimed a long finger at Emma’s neck. “That which covets your blood covets your life as well.”
“I cannot leave yet, I have struck a bargain.” More importantly, her heart was now anchored here.
“What bargain?”
“Milli’s safety in exchange for…”
“Your life.” Ana sat back, briefly sharing a meaningful look with her sisters. “A covenant written in blood, I see.”
“Ay, if that is what it takes.”
Ana’s eyes narrowed. “And have you lain with him?”
“Again, that is not—”
“Mercy, Emma!” Ana’s face became paler still. “Are you in your senses?”
Emma’s fists balled at being thus spoken to. She was a woman full grown. They were forced to keep silent as a servant arrived with two pewter mugs of ale which he deposited atop their table. Ana thanked him, relinquished some coins, and briskly dismissed him, saying there were to be no interruptions henceforth.
“At least,” said Ana, “give me the comfort of knowing you have not drank from his cursed veins. Tell me there is not that between you.”
“I have not and nor will I.”
“Thank heaven!” Ana’s shoulders relaxed somewhat. “You must assure me that you never shall.”
“And why is that?” She hadn’t intended to drink his blood and nor had he offered, but she was still desirous to know why it was deemed worse than his drinking from Emma.
“Because he is a parasite and a monster!”
Emma set her teeth. “You show a great deal of interest in my business, Ana. If your concern truly is disinterested then tell me once and for all who you are and how it is that you know so much about Markus Winterly.”
Ana’s gaze flitted back to her sisters. “Very well, I