Alexander-Fyn-Sanguinarian

night? All waiting to see her married to the Raven? She shrank from the very idea and slid down into the black, fur-lined cloak which Munk had wrapped about her after helping her into her wedding gown.
    Raven emerged from the church, squinting into the gray morning light even with his blue-tinted spectacles protecting his eyes. He wore his evening suit from last night with a fresh white shirt underneath.
    The villagers, who had begun gathering about the church doors as soon as the Ravenscroft carriage was spotted in the village, watched their lord with fear and wonder. When he walked too close to them down the path toward the carriage they stepped quickly back, crossing themselves as they did so.
    “He looks terribly handsome,” Munk said proudly. “Don’t you think so, Miss Rutledge?”
    “I think terribly handsome is exactly the phrase I would use, Munk. Yes, he is handsome in a very unusual way.”
    The villagers were dwarfed by his height and awed at his presence. Yet last night, among his own kind, he had appeared 144
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    carefree, happy, completely at home— man she did not know. He was part of another race entirely, one completely alien to Evangeline. A race she was not part of and did not wish even to recognize.
    “How long have you served the Ravenscrofts, Munk?” Evangeline had never asked the woman a personal question before.
    Munk scanned her face quizzically. “All my life, Miss, I began with them as a child. My family died of the scarlet fever which was very bad that year. The late Lady Ravenscroft took me in and gave me work in the kitchen. I have been with them ever since working my way up to the most respected servant in the castle.”
    Evangeline met Munk’s eyes. “They are vampires, all of them are vampires. Did you know?”
    “I know nothing,” Munk whispered. “Nothing at all.”
    Evangeline flinched when Raven pulled the door open and thrust his hand inside. “It is all arranged, let us go in.”
    “The vicar has his voice back?” Evangeline was unable to hide her disappointment.
    “He does,” Raven stated. “Take my hand and get out!”
    When she emerged from the carriage, her cloak falling open to reveal the high-necked, lacy white gown, and her hair falling fair and loose down her back, she looked so incredibly young and virginal that the villagers sighed as one, shaking their heads sadly at this slaughter of innocence.
    Evangeline looked up at Raven nervously, her eyes wide and fearful. The villagers snatched caps and bonnets off their heads while their whispering rose up like a sudden wind. The words , the poor child , and what a shame , found their way to her ears. Raven snatched Evangeline to his side, looking down at them all until they began to bow and back away.
    With flying coattails he drew her swiftly up the path and through the arched church door, her feet hardly touching the paving stones.
    Without invitation, the villagers followed and settled themselves quietly in the rough, high-backed wooden pews to witness the Sanguinarian 145
    proceedings. Evangeline looked about for the attendees of last night’s soiree. “Where are they? Those people from last night?”
    “They could not remain here. We cannot draw attention to ourselves by going about in public in such numbers. Some had long journeys. They went home.”
    Standing at the altar, the vicar, a surprisingly young man, looked at Evangeline with the same bewilderment as the villagers. “Miss Rutledge?” he questioned, convinced she could not possibly be Raven’s bride.
    “Yes, vicar, I am she.” She stood before him with Raven at her side.
    “You are to marry his lordship?” His voice rose questioningly. He reached a hand toward her but refrained from touching her.
    Evangeline looked up at Raven, then at the vicar. “It would seem so. But I cannot.”
    Raven gripped her elbow hard. He was already angry at the villagers’ reaction and now the vicar began to question them. “Get on with it,” he ordered. “Be quick! I want this done quickly.”
    With a deep sigh the young vicar began, avoiding Raven’s eyes, plainly frightened of him. “Marriage is the lawful union of a man and a woman. If anyone here should know of any just impediment why these two people should not be lawfully married then let him speak now or forever hold his peace.”
    “Yes! I have,” a voice from the congregation shrilled.
    “Thank God,” Evangeline whispered, recognizing the voice at once. With intense