3.
The next day, at three, he returned to Cedar Grove, carrying some roses for his lady. He dismounted at the front door, and one minute, there was no one behind him; the next minute, Ware appeared there. Elijah jumped back and the horse snorted and almost reared, but the servant kept a firm hand on its bridle.
“Come away from the beast,” said Ware, walking away toward the door. Elijah followed, while the horse bucked and pulled at the hapless negro, who almost dragged the animal to the rear stables. “Beasts know,” Ware said quietly, as another servant opened the door and took Ware’s hat and walking cane. Elijah always kept his hat with him, even if it was now known that he was walking with Lady Natalia and could stay as long as he liked. Elijah did not want to seem too enthusiastic, but he obviously showed it by coming to the lady’s house every day at the same time.
“Tell me more of what will happen,” Elijah said.
“Ah, good, let us go in here.” Ware turned left abruptly, and they were in the solar. Ware went across the room and shut the other door, locking it. Elijah immediately bristled. “So we are not interrupted,” Ware said, and locked the other door they came in. He stood close to Elijah and spoke quietly.
“You will learn to drink the blood of men – and women – but not to kill them. If they are sick, and there is no help for them, then you may claim their blood and they will die.” He leaned back a bit, and regarded Elijah. “Have you killed men in the War?”
“A few.” He remembered a couple distinctly, but most times, it was the thick chaos of battle, and he was shooting, stabbing or doing whatever it took to stay alive.
Wade leaned back in. “Then you are not squeamish. Once you have the blood of men in your veins, you will be stronger than them, faster. You will be flush with their life.”
“What are the bad things?”
“You cannot see your reflection in a mirror, as your soul will be tied permanently to your body. You must sleep with some of your native soil – soil from this country. You cannot ingest garlic – it will make you very ill. Even the scent will make you sick. You will learn. We will bring you back to London and we will teach you.” He sighed, “You cannot live in the country, for the folk will find you suspicious. If you arrive and people sicken and die, you will be blamed and they will jump to the correct conclusion. They will hunt you down and behead you.”
Elijah’s hand went to his neck. “Then I will die a final death and go to hell?”
“Indeed, sir.”
“I will go to London with you?”
“Yes, for, you see, I will be a hunted man here once we are through.”
“You have done this before?”
“Many times, sir.”
Elijah said, his head raised, “What do I need to do?”
That’s when Wade slapped Elijah across the face. Wade shouted, “How dare you insult my daughter, sir! I challenge you to a duel – tomorrow, here, at the main court, at this time.”
Before Elijah could react, the man turned around and stormed to the door. He looked back at Elijah with a wink, and then unlocked and threw open the door.