The Caged Bird

34. Missing

Lark could not suppress a scream as she was overtaken. But as the figure lifted their head they could see that the monster was August and his hands were soft and shaking against the pale skin of her throat. Her breath caught in her chest as she stared into the gaping mouth of the open door. The deep blackness within that should conceal the monster of Devroe was thick and empty. Why had he left it open? Where was the beast? Was he not inside? August pulled her close to him in a crushing embrace as if he could not believe that she stood before him unharmed. She held him for a moment before breaking away. Her frantic expression matched his perfectly and she could see instantly that he had not expected to find the chamber empty. He would not release her and pulled her closer with a desperation that proved he hadn't even expected to find her alive. He could not speak but nearly collapsed, gently guiding her into his arms as he fell to his knees.

"I thought-" he stuttered.

"I am safe," she soothed him. "I am not hurt. But where is...?"

"I do not know," he choked out. "He had been so quiet I thought he might have died at last. But he was gone. He is gone."

He took her hands and held him against his chest as he tried to calm himself. Where was Devroe? It was impossible for him to have escaped on his own. He did not yet know that there was a guard lying dead in the corridor beyond their chambers, stuffed unceremoniously behind a statue. He would not be discovered for many hours until a maid dared the shadowy recesses of the hall to clean. Her shrill scream had alerted the guard sent to search for him. He had been savagely drained of his blood and left to decompose. His neck had been torn apart as if by a starving animal and he was covered in bruises and bitemarks. There was no mistaking who must have been responsible. It could only have been Devroe. A trail of black blood led to the great hall where it abruptly ended in front of a heavy and ancient tapestry. It concealed a tunnel that August had often used to move around the castle and surrounding forest easily. Now it had proven to be a weakness. So few individuals knew of the tunnel. And Devroe could have never discovered it on his own. So who had betrayed him? It would have to be someone who was intimately familiar with both August and the castle. Why would anyone rescue Devroe? He was young without much power and August's servants and peers were generally trustworthy. At least they had left Lark alive.

He sent guards to follow Devroe's trail but they were soon thwarted by the labyrinthian tunnels. One guard even had to be rescued after being separated and lost underneath the castle. August halted the search knowing that Devroe had already escaped. They might be able to find where he had exited but for now Lark's safety was paramount. She had been confined to August's chambers with only his most trusted guards allocated to protect her. And he spent much of his time there, helping her wade through the final details of their nuptials. He considered delaying the wedding until Devroe's whereabouts were known but Lark refused.

"We mustn't show weakness," she argued. "Word will soon spread of Devroe's escape. I have already heard the servants whispering amongst themselves. We cannot afford to appear scared. Not with all that's at stake."

August had agreed and soon after the doctor arrived. To Lark's surprise she was a vampire as well, shrouded in a dark cloak to protect her from the remnants of the sunset still streaking across the sky. She had a small and delicate frame and wore thin round glasses perched high on the bridge of her nose. Her brown hair was pulled into a sleek, fastidious bun and her eyes were stormy gray and piercing as she assessed Lark in August's chamber. He had informed Lark that Dr. Denton had also presided over William's birth. She was an old ally and he had known her for over a century. As she examined Lark her hands were cold but firm, palpating her abdomen with surprising gentleness. Despite her professionalism she could not hide a small smile as she concluded the examination and faced both Lark and August.

"She is with child," she stated simply, packing her few instruments into a leather satchel. The pair was slow to react as the shock of her statement settled in. But within moments they were both beaming, their hands clasped tightly together in their excitement. "The child seems strong and is growing normally. It's development will be accelerated. Be prepared for birth in three months time. That might be all they need. This is a rare phenomenon and it is even rarer for the child to make it to full term. I will return for another examination in a month's time. And I can check on your progress before the wedding."

August rose and thanked her profusely before leading her to the entrance of the castle. He sent guards with her to ensure her safety as she returned to the secluded estate where she lived with her benefactor. The wedding was only days away now. Lark and August spent the rest of the evening laying together in blissful quiet, basking in the revelation that they might soon be parents. Neither could stifle the knot of anxiety inside them. There was so much to process. Lark eventually drifted off to sleep as the night deepened and August carefully extracted himself from her arms to conduct his own investigation into Devroe's escape. He returned to the feeding chamber, wrinkling his nose in disgust at the lingering smell of his prisoner's suffering. There was no sign of forced entry into the room and it was clear it had been opened from within Lark's chamber. Smudges of black stained the smooth stone at the doorway where Devroe had staggered to freedom. There was no sign of another person with him. But there must have been. He followed the trail into the corridor and then to the tapestry concealing the secret tunnel. Though he methodically studied the tunnel and tried to follow Devroe's scent he made no further progress. The stench of decay and centuries of dust stifled his senses. He soon lost any hope of following his prey. Devroe was gone.

As he emerged from the tunnel he stalked angrily past the harem. All of the girls had long since fallen asleep and the hall was dark and cool. He felt a small amount of regret for neglecting the pets he had once spent so much time with. Most would object to a new placement and would prefer to stay in the castle, hoping that he might one day return to them. But he knew he never would. The harem had been in place only as a technicality. The women were often disappointed that August held no real love for them, though he showed some affection. Rarely were they called to his chambers and their relationships had never been consummate. Fae and Rose had long since found solace in each other's arms and August had freely encouraged the relationship. They had recently been moved to a larger room together and were never apart. But Ariane seemed most affected by the loss of both Lark and August's attention. And Vayn. Vayn had floated through the harem like a shadow for months, feelings of jealousy and betrayal rolling off of her in waves. She had settled since being promised a new placement. But her displeasure was still palpable.

As August passed the harem he was approached by a frantic Madame Fawst. She ran up in her dressing gown, her hair disheveled. The panic in her voice was like ice going through August's body. She clutched his arm and her eyes were already red from crying. The Madame was never this outwardly distressed. Her typical calm and calculated composure was gone. Now there was only fear.

"My lord!" she sobbed. She nearly collapsed and August supported her and led her into the main hall where he sat her on a long stone bench. She buried her face in her hands and tried to breathe.

"What is it Madame Fawst?" August demanded. She looked up at him with her face contorted by panic. Barely able to speak she took a shuddering breath before revealing what she had tried to conceal for the greater part of the day.

"Vayn is missing!"