My Lord Eternity (Immortal Rogues #2)(7)

"I am accustomed to traveling these streets," she retorted, although Amadeus did not miss the manner in which her gaze strayed toward the now-empty darkness.

"Ah, but on this night it is unnecessary. I stand eager to offer my arm and my escort."

He held out his arm, but once again she stepped back from his advancing form. Briefly he wondered if the Medallion somehow gave her the ability to sense the fact he was not mortal. Or perhaps even his evil intentions. It was a complication that did nothing to improve his thinning temper.

"You are very gracious, Mr.... ?"

"Vicar Fallow." Amadeus bowed low, careful to ensure his expression remained impassive.

Even if the woman did sense something unnatural about him, she would have no notion of what it meant. Or the danger that threatened her. "And you are?"

"Miss Kingly."

"A pleasure to make your acquaintance."

"And you, sir. However, I have a task I must complete on this evening, so if you will excuse me?"

Realizing that she was about to slip from his grasp, Amadeus smoothly blocked her path.

"May I offer my services in performing this task?"

Forced to halt, she barely managed to hide her flare of impatience. "I merely wish to speak with Molly."

"Molly?"

"She can always be found on this street."

Amadeus raised a hand to his heart and offered a soulful shake of his head. "Oh, my dear."

She frowned at his sudden expression of sorrow. "What is it?"

"Does this Molly have red hair and a freckled countenance?"

"Have you seen her?"

"I very much fear I have."

Forgetting her revulsion of him, Miss Kingly suddenly stepped forward. "What is it?"

He pretended to consider the matter for a moment before speaking. "I am uncertain how to tell you this, but she was discovered in a nearby alley just half an hour ago."

Her hand reached up to clutch the Medallion upon the chain as if seeking strength.

"Discovered? What do you mean, discovered?"

Amadeus briefly recalled the sweet delight as he drained the life from the struggling, terrified whore. It had been a hurried affair, without his usual finesse, but the blood still raced through his body with a potent force.

"She has been murdered," he announced simply.

Predictably the maiden's eyes widened in shocked horror. Humans could become so illogi-cally attached to one another.

"Dear heavens," she breathed.

"A shock, I know," he sympathized.

"Are you certain it was Molly?"

He heaved a deep sigh. "Unfortunately it was I who found the body."

There was a moment of silence as Miss Kingly struggled to come to terms with the disturbing news of her friend, then she abruptly straightened her shoulders with commendable fortitude.

"Where have they taken her?"

Once again she managed to catch Amadeus off guard with her display of courage. His brows rose at her firm words.

"No, you must not attempt to see her," he retorted in solicitous tones.

"Of course I must."

"My dear, it would not be at all prudent."

Her expression hardened to one of determination. "I do not care for prudence. She may have been a prostitute, but I cared for her."

It was the opportunity he had been awaiting. He would display just how kind and compassionate he could be.

"A most honorable sentiment, my dear, and I fully applaud your generous nature. I myself have pledged my life to helping these poor wretches who nightly struggle just to survive.

However, my desire in preventing you from joining the poor child stems from the knowledge you would be deeply disturbed by her grievous attack. The murder was quite savage."

She paled at his soft words, her hands trembling as they clutched the shawl. "Oh."

"It is truly best that you return home."

Clearly disturbed by the unexpected end to Molly, the formidable woman gave a reluctant nod of her head.

"Yes, perhaps you are right."

Once again Amadeus held out his arm. "Shall we?"

"No, no, I thank you," she stammered, still uneasy in his presence. "I prefer to be on my own."

Incensed, Amadeus took a step forward, his fangs instinctively lengthening in anticipation of the kill. He would teach this vexing chit a lesson in daring to defy him. Then, with an effort, he regained his composure.

All things would come to him in their proper time.

Patience.

"As you wish." He performed a stiff bow. "I do hope that you will not hesitate to seek me out if you ever have need of my services. Until then, good night, my dear."

"Good night." With an absent nod the maiden turned and soon disappeared around the corner.

On his own, Amadeus clenched his hands in frustration. The evening had not progressed nearly as well as he had hoped. Miss Kingly had not readily embraced him as her savior, nor had she eagerly turned to him for his assistance. Instead, she remained wary and far too distant.

Still, he would not allow himself to press matters. Unlike Tristan, who was always brutal and impulsive, or Drake, who was far too arrogant, he knew that it was his keen intelligence that would allow him to succeed.