Original Stories Fan Fiction ❯ Angels and Demons ❯ The Plot Thickens ( Chapter 11 )

A/N: It's coming to a close! I'm so sad. There will only be two more chapters, this and one more. Happy reading!

 

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Amber turned, gazing toward the road. Soon the horsemen came into view. She ran to the road, hoping to give Dante time to get out of sight.

 

“Milady!” a voice called. She recognized Aaryn.

 

“Lady Amber,” the other said. Amber knew it was the Baron. She recognized his pitch-colored steed. They both stopped before her, worry on their faces.

 

Amber gave them a relieved smile. “I am so glad to see you,” she said anxiously. “There are robbers up the road, and they tried to hurt me and steal Aato, but I managed to escape.”

 

A frown crossed the Baron's face. He held his hand out to her. “That's why your horse came back,” he said. “Come. I'll take you home.”

 

Amber took his hand and let him help her onto his horse behind him. As they turned to leave, she glanced into the graveyard. It was deserted, save for the silver falcon that was perched on one of the tombstones.

 

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Once they reached the mansion at Inverleigh, the Baron slid from his horse, helping Amber off. He escorted her inside and made her tell him what had happened. He walked with her to the den, where they sat as she told him about the robbers.

 

She lied about her whistle and Dante, though. She said she managed to struggle free, and she ran to the graveyard, seeking shelter there.

 

The Baron nodded once she finished. “I will be sure these men are found,” he said, standing. “Will you be alright?”

 

She nodded, her body too sore for her to stand.

 

He walked toward the door, but paused to look at her. “I would suggest that you stop sneaking away in the night,” he said, his voice low and warning. “It's not fitting for the woman of Inverleigh. You need to grow up and stop being so childish.” Anger flashed through his eyes.

 

Amber nodded, knowing he only said that out of worry. “Yes, Baron Griffin,” she said easily. “You are right. That was foolish of me. To make everyone worry so.”

 

He nodded. “Good,” he said. He thought for a moment. “How would you like to join me for brunch? Say at ten o'clock?”

 

Amber smiled, unable to turn him down, knowing it would be rude after he brought her home. “That sounds wonderful,” she said. “Shall I come to Ikbar?”

 

He shook his head, his eyes delighted. “No, that won't be necessary,” he said. “I'll send a carriage.”

 

Amber nodded. “It's a date.”

 

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The Baron rode quickly back to Ikbar. Abbadon and his comrades awaited him. They were all standing quietly inside his solar when he arrived.

 

“My lord,” Abbadon said as they bowed. “Your suspicions were correct.”

 

The Baron walked to his desk and sat silently. “Oh?” he said, rubbing his temples.

 

“The lady,” Abbadon said. “She is under the vampire's control.”

 

The Baron looked at him. “And you are going to do what?” he asked.

 

“We have discovered the only known weakness of a vampire,” Abbadon said. He drew his silver dagger. “Silver.”

 

The Baron leaned forward. “How do you know she is under his control?” he asked. His blue eyes bored into Abbadon.

 

“When we surprised her on the road, she summoned him,” he said earnestly. “She wears a silver falconer's whistle about her neck. He comes when she whistles.”

 

“Are not falconing whistles silent?” the Baron asked, suspicious.

 

Abbadon nodded. “But this vampire, he is superhuman,” he said. “He can hear it somehow.”

 

The Baron nodded thoughtfully. “I want him slain,” he said calmly. “How do you intend to do that?”

 

Abbadon glanced at his companions. “We're not sure yet,” he said.

 

The Baron smiled malevolently. “I have an idea,” he said. He looked at Abbadon and his companions. “Tomorrow, gentlemen, you will catch and kill a vampire.”