Beyond Death

Chapter IV: Violet

Chapter IV: Violet

London, November 1887:

"Wake up."

Two strong hands awoke me from my slumber, shaking my slouched shoulders with a roughness I was unused to. I groaned to voice my annoyance to my waker, who continued to rock me back and forth despite my obvious irritation. I mumbled for them to stop, keeping my eyes firmly locked closed. I had assumed it to be one of the children of the conservatoire, needing me to help change the sheets of their bed or to console them after a nightmare.

"Go away." I slurred, numb lips producing almost incomprehensible mumbles.

I was given a sweet moment of relief as the moving stopped and the hands were raised from my arms. I almost cried out with happiness, until I was suddenly taken by my sides. I was surprised at the femininity of my own, piercing shriek as I was twisted around and onto my back. Above me, Adrian stared down with an expression blending between frustration and humour. I could see the hint of a smirk on his lips. It was already easy to tell he just loved to make the lives of poor damsels like myself a nightmare.

I found myself not too surprised... and slightly surly.

"Why are you waking me at such an early hour? I'm exhausted, Adrian." I sighed, trying to push away my bitterness—externally, at least. It was not appropriate for a woman of decorum to address a man in such a manner, but my mind was as foggy as the Thames in winter.

"Well," he began, with a mischievous smirk creeping onto his lips. "I have to go out and it's your job to accompany me. Father said I can't go unless you're there to watch over me. I get into trouble if I'm left by myself."

Maybe he isn't so different from a toddler after all.

I mustered the biggest look of revolt I could manage, testing if it would affect Adrian's decision. Maybe you should bat your lashes, a mental voice sneered, and I quickly felt the need to reprimand myself. I should be having no such thoughts! Especially towards someone who is so... teasing. And scandalous, and dangerous. I stopped myself there, knowing that such a list would span to eternity if I dared try to complete it.

"And we can sight see along the way," he quickly added, making my eyes spark with anticipation.

I could never say no to a chance to spy my wonderful London once more, between the red curtains of the carriage window.

"It appears I have no other choice." I mumbled unhappily to hide my anticipation, slinging my legs over the other side of my bed. Adrian shot me an accomplished smile, seeming entirely sober and bubbly—surprising after how drunk and unwell he had appeared the prior evening. His features had been washed off the haunt from that night and he looked surprisingly refreshed.

"Get dressed as quickly as possible! We can get breakfast when we're out—I want to leave quickly I have a meeting to attend to."

"A meeting?" I questioned, trying to stretch my tired limbs into wakefulness.

I had been to very few meetings, but I knew that they were very serious things. The ones I had attended were boring, with old and dull businessmen who talked in monotone voices. Maybe meetings are more interesting in London... I posed to myself, hoping that I wouldn't be meeting horrid rich men with grinding voices and bulging bellies.

"I have some friends who I need to discuss some business with," he told me, staring into me with those dark obsidian eyes that screamed doesn't ask questions. "The trip should not touch an hour and a half, at most"