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VITA BREVIS

He did not intend to roll up in a hanso a constitutional in Piccadilly Not that any driver would dare venture into the Old Jago, for fear his brass would be tarnished, his fare stolen and his horse exsanguinated The last ti Sir Charles&039;s heels, he had gathered how teeht take weeks of patient work to find his Sergeant but find the man he would With Mackenzie dead and Kostaki imprisoned, he had no rivals on this track Only he knew the face of the quarry

As he strolled up Coh Noon&039;, froore Not politically a sound tune for an intimate of Lord Ruthven, it was hard to work out of the head Besides, when he had unshakable evidence that the Diogenes Club conspired against the Prince Consort, he would be forgiven anything His long-ago war would be wiped from the record He could name his own position Arthur Holmas on his way up

His nocturnal vision had improved markedly The entire quality of his perceptions shifted with each night The fog that shrouded the people on the street was to hiuish an infinite variety of tiny sounds, scents and tastes

Even if Ruthven lived forever, it was unlikely he could keep eternally on the right side of the Prince Consort He was too terace When that happened, Godal would be in a position to dissociate himself froht, he reith the increase of his sensitivities What was once a fu so into her with swollen, painful teeth - became easier as he found himself more able to impose his will upon the warm He merely had to issue mental orders to his chosen conquest and she would co her neck for his satisfaction It was shtful His approach became delicate and he was able

It was time he made more vampires, like Penelope Churchward He would need concubines, catspaws, et who served their master&039;s interests For the first time, he wondered what had happened to the new-born Penny She had stolen a suit of his clothes He must seek her out and bend her to his purpose

&039;Art?&039; cairl&039;s voice &039;I say, it&039;s Lord Godalirl and his thoughts crawled down It was like being dragged froh; forced to consider petty pursuits after having had the prospect of things colossal

&039;Miss Reed,&039; he purred, &039;how pleasant to find you&039;

Kate Reed looked at hi off her, but was not ready Vampire blood was heady Only true elders could survive a diet of the stuff, exhorting tribute froht make a suitable vassal in the new century Doubtless weak, she could be easily shaped into a pliable devotee

The girl looked taken aback; disgust leaked out of her head &039;I&039;m sorry,&039; she said, &039;I see I washad badly underestimated Kate Reed She had found hihts had been written on his face, or so boldly in his head that even a poor new-born could distinguish theirl retreated swiftly, al She would not welcome his attentions in the near future Still, he had time Eventually, he would claim her He would , but the tune was shrill and erratic to his own ears With considerable irritation, he realised Kate Reed had rattled him He was so taken with his new abilities and perceptions that he had neglected thebefore he left his warm days behind He had let another see hiivable His father, his hu his hand in such a blatant fashion

He wanted to be a people, hidden in a crowd There was a public house, the Ten Bells, on the other side of the road Heout of the path of a cart, and pushed into the pub

there were a fearm folks scattered in the crowd, butresisted the &039;s blood, but found company with a pair of new-born whores To everyone but his quarry, he would seeatroyd frohtest jacket, and looked the part of a bloodthirsty, empty-headed poseur

The whores were called Nell and Marie Jeanette; they were lightly sozzled on gin and pig&039;s blood Nell was re faceload of stiff red bristles Marie Jeanette was Irish with absurd pretensions and new clothes Marie Jeanette, as almost pretty, had an appointment later, presu the time but Nell was seriously on the prowl and took elaborate care to seeood appearance and obvious sharpness He did his best to see a supposedly te that they get together in her nearby room, and he could have his pleasure of the two of the her whiskered cheek against hi hiht way, Artie,&039; she said, s it up &039;Depending on what yer likes&039;

He looked across the pub and saw a , with a rush of excite sure his face was in shadow A pint of pig in his hand, the man turned, one heel up on the bar-rail, and looked about hiht of his drink, then wiped the gory residue out of his moustache with the back of his hand He was in a check suit not a constable&039;s unifor him

&039;That ant moustache Do you know hi&039;

If Nell noticed he was suddenly twice as intelligent and half as interested in her, she accepted the change without coentleood little spy, she took a neatly surreptitious look and whispered to hiular Danny Dravot&039;

The naave him a ticklish thrill in his stomach His quarry had a face and a na&039;s power

&039;I thought I ht have known him in the army,&039; he said

&039;He was in India, I hears Or er&039;

&039;So to the her tardy suitor

&039;Does yer wantlooked at Dravot&039;s glittering red eyes Though sharp and clever, they did not seem to notice him

&039;No,&039; he told the whore &039;He&039;s not the fellow I thought he was&039;

Dravot finished his pint and left the Ten Bells Godal the thores cold They would be puzzled but go on to the next custooin&039;?&039; Nell protested

He lurched away fro to be drunk

&039;&039;E&039;s a rum &039;un,&039; Nell told Marie Jeanette

The doors were pulled open just as he reached the aside a new-coo He made as if to follow but a hand was laid on his shoulder

&039;Art?&039;

of all the people in the Eed Still warrey, colour bad His clothes had been good once, but werea few buttons and none the better for dusty stains