Paths Soon to Cross

James sat in the center of the living room of his temporary farmhouse, his legs crossed and his hands resting on his knees. His eyes were closed and for once, his expression laid flat. Every part of his face relaxed as he took multiple deep breaths.

While he knew he should be praying or studying his books, he chose to meditate, one of the only practices he learned from his mother that he kept up with.

Images of his mother flashed through his mind again and his expression slightly tensed before he shook his head and took another deep breath, letting the thoughts flow and shift back towards his case.

The photos of the animal carcasses in the case file popped back into his thoughts and he hummed. No one had any helpful information today, and he felt a little frustration build as he pushed it away with another deep breath.

If a vampire was in Camberwell, he would find it. He had to: it’s his entire life's purpose. The church saved him and he owed them.

James opened his eyes again and looked up at the ceiling. He never ever prayed, and he wasn’t about to start. But that fact didn’t stop him from glaring up at the sky towards a deity he wasn’t even sure existed.

James then stood from his spot on the floor and headed towards the office to look at his notebook to read over all of the notes he took:

‘My neighbor, Charlie, has been rather full of himself lately. Maybe you should investigate him.’

‘Maria thinks she is so perfect just because she won the contest for best garden. Well, she is mistaken if she thinks that is going to pass without consequence. You should bother her!’

‘Jefferson! Oh yes—he is definitely fishy. Only a true scoundrel cheats me in a card game!’

James growled at all of these and tossed the notebook to the desk. He felt that familiar sense of loathing he had for all of these rich people, and he knew they wouldn’t truly start to care until someone died. But he didn’t want anyone to die; no one deserved that, not even them.

Then he looked back at his board and examined the list of guests that would be attending the masquerade, and his eyes immediately picked out the name of Edwin Lavant.

He put a hand over his right ear as it once again began to ring before looking back to the notebook on his desk. He opened it to the page that had his name written again and the ringing got louder.

Shaking his head vigorously, he tore the page from his journal and pinned it to the board, taking a piece of twine and tying the guest list and the note together.

“At least it’s something…” he spoke softly as he put a hand on his hip and ran his other hand through his hair. “Guess I should get ready.”

His eyes scanned over the name of the Blue Elephant Playhouse one more time before turning on his heel and heading toward his bedroom to dress himself in a nice black three piece suit for the theater.

***

Meanwhile, inside Lavant Manor, Jamie couldn’t help but tap his foot nervously as he waited for Edwin by the car.

Looking up, his cheeks went slightly red seeing Edwin wearing a silver and blue dress. His corset was lined with elegant gold designs that slid down onto the skirt of the dress. The bodice covered most of his chest before sliding up and over his shoulders in a flowy manner, cinching at the elbows before an excess amount of fabric gently careened down his forearms.

His white hair was up in a braid and twisted around his head that almost made it look like a rose, and his makeup was perfectly painted in a smooth way over his face. Edwin’s eyes were complimented by a blue shade with silver eyeliner and his lips and cheeks perfectly red.

A soft smile spread over his soft lips as he tilted his head at Jamie. “Is everything alright my friend? You have successfully been able to make yourself look nervous and awestruck all at the same time.”

Jamie’s attention was brought back from his words and feeling the end of Edwin’s blue fan touch the tip of his nose. He brought his hand up to cover his nose and cheeks before shifting his eyes away.

“Apologies my lord. You just look so beautiful, it never ceases to amaze me,” he said in a nervous tone before opening the door to the car.

Edwin giggled softly as he entered the car. “Thank you Jamie, you’re a charmer as always.” He gathered all of the excess fabric and laid it out in a way that it wouldn’t crease. “But I can’t ignore your potent stench of nervousness.. What is troubling you?”

Jamie climbed in beside Edwin and shut the door, tensing slightly when the vehicle roared to life. “I don’t mean to seem so nervous, I’ve just been thinking a lot about what you said last night. And I understand you love to support the arts but—things like this don’t need to happen. You’ve seen this show before and—I think it would be better if you just stayed home.”

Edwin let out a soft sigh as he looked away from Jamie and out of the window of his vehicle. “Look I–I know what I said… But I also said I wanted to finish out these last few invitations. The theater invited me directly. I don’t have to pay for a box seat this time, and I would feel just dreadful if I refused the invitation now.”

“And I understand that,but you could always say something else came up and hold this offer for sometime in the future. And Edwin—there was a rumor of a Vampire Hunter roaming the streets and asking people questions today.”

Edwin’s eyes merely widened a little before he looked back to Jamie. “Please just…bear with me for these last few invitations, then I promise I will back off from the public.”

Jamie could only sigh before nodding. “Of course, my lord…”

“Thank you, Jamie.”

Edwin smiled at him and relaxed, seeing Jamie’s shoulders fall slightly from his ears before turning back to the window to enjoy the rest of the ride to the theater.