The farmer hissed, baring his teeth for all to see. Although her parents fell back, Jane was less shocked; her will was strengthened by her prior experience. Additionally, although this man's teeth were about twice the size of normal canines and sharp, they were decidedly smaller than those of the other vampire.
Still, Mister Fielding had recovered from a blow that would have killed any other person.
'Dear God,' George Austen gasped.
'God had nothing to do with it,' Fielding said, grabbing Austen and hurtling him into the group. Everyone went down in a tangled heap as a thud came from the back of the house.
'We're under attack!' Doctor Porter yelled, stumbling to her feet. 'They must have the house surrounded.'
She took out her blade and dived at Fielding. He knocked it away and slammed a fist in her face as Eddy raced at him. Jane hadn't seen the wooden stake in Eddy's hand; it seemed to have appeared by magic. Now he brought it up into the farmer's chest, dispatching it. At the same moment, another frenzied vampire came racing up the carriage drive and launched itself at Eddy and Doctor Porter.
There was a crash from the front parlour. Jane heard a cry from behind her. Turning, she saw a local farmhand emerge from the parlour, grappling with her father. Jane whisked her mother into the parlour and out of the way. Debris from the broken window lay on the floor of the room.
The farmhand drove George Austen to the ground and straddled his frail body. Baring his teeth, the bloodsucker leaned over the reverend's neck.
No! Jane thought. I've got to do something!
Quick as a flash, she snatched up the jagged, broken strut from the window, ran at the creature and plunged the sharpened timber into the vampire's back. The farmhand hissed, spat blood, convulsed and died.
Jane's joy was fleeting, however, as something smashed into her sideways, slamming her into the unyielding floor. Struggling to catch a glimpse of her attacker, she caught sight of a milkmaid from one of the local estates. She was naturally a quiet girl, but now she attacked Jane in a hideous frenzy, desperate to bite her neck.
The woman clawed at Jane's face. She pushed her back, but Jane felt her strength fading. Then a vase shattered into the back of the maid's head, sending shards of pottery over Jane. She caught a glimpse of her mother from behind the woman.
'Unhand my daughter!' her mother cried.
The maid flung back an arm and swatted her away before turning back to Jane. Lifting her head high, she was again about to plunge herself down onto Jane's neck when a blade cut through the air. The maid's head sheared from her body and bounced away across the floor. Blood spurted from the stump as Jane pushed the corpse aside.
Doctor Porter helped Jane to her feet. 'Jane, are you all right?'
'I am fine,' Jane said. 'It's my parents I'm worried about.'
She surveyed the battered, bloodstained remains of their parlour and hall. Blood and broken plaster lay everywhere. The hall carpet was ripped. A hole had ruined a painting of Jane that had hung over the fireplace. Pieces of the family's elegant Wedgwood creamware had been destroyed.
The bodies of the dead creatures lay about. Other than the one that Jane had dispatched, one was headless thanks to the quick action of Doctor Porter. Two others had died from stakes to their hearts.
But it was her parents who concerned Jane. Her father was alive but had been injured. Her mother's face was already beginning to swell from where she'd been struck. The attack was over, but it was clear that her parents would need to recover. Jane Austen turned to Doctor Porter.
'Doctor,' she said. 'What must we do?'
'Stay here and resume your lives,' Porter said, promptly.
'But what about Cassandra?' George Austen asked, gingerly rubbing his bruised shoulder. 'We must save her.'
'Eddy and I will save her,' Doctor Porter said. 'We have experience in hunting these creatures and stand the best chance of success.'
The father's eyes glistened with moisture. 'But she is my daughter. It is my duty to keep her safe.'
'I understand,' Porter said quietly. 'But your overriding duty is to keep your family safe. Until this crisis is over, you can best do that by remaining here and looking after your property.' She turned to Jane. 'The same goes for you. I have been trying to track down this elusive Dracula for some time, and I can bring him to heel, but I can't do it if I have to protect you as well.'
Both Jane's parents glumly agreed to the arrangement. They checked on their servants and other nearby neighbours, but theirs seemed to be the only home that had been attacked. Doctor Porter was finally heading out to her carriage when Jane called after her.
'Where are you going?' Jane asked.
'I know a man who may be able to help track down Dracula,' she said. 'He has helped me before.'
'I must come with you.'
'Dear Jane,' the doctor said, gently taking her arm. 'You must stay here with your parents.'
'I fought and killed a vampire tonight,' Jane said. 'I can do it again. Cassandra is my beloved sister. I cannot abandon her.'
'I can't place your life in danger.'
'It's my decision. Not yours.'
Doctor Porter smiled grimly. 'I admire your courage,' she said. 'It takes courage for a woman to succeed in this world. But for now, you must stay with your parents. They need you.'
Biting her tongue, Jane agreed.
Within minutes, Doctor Porter had ordered Eddy to take to the road, and they were heading into the night. They'd only gone a mile when the doctor tapped the ceiling of the interior and asked Eddy to pull over.
Sighing, Porter climbed out and checked under the carriage.
'Doctor?' Eddy said, frowning. 'What is it?'
Doctor Porter continued to the rear, where the boot was located. 'It seems we have a stowaway,' she called.
Stepping down from the rear compartment, Jane Austen dusted herself off and coolly regarded the doctor. 'Just as well you stopped when you did,' she said. 'That was the most uncomfortable ride I've ever taken.'
The doctor fumed. 'I should give you a good tongue-lashing,' she said. 'But now's not the time.'
'You're right,' Jane said. 'We'd better get moving.'
'What about your parents?'
'I'll send a message letting them know I'm fine.'
'You won't take no for an answer?'
Jane shook her head. 'My blood is up. Let's go.'
Shaking her head, the doctor directed her into the coach, while she took her position next to Eddy. Just as they were about to take off, Jane pushed her head through the window.
'Doctor?' she called. 'Where are we going?'
'To the centre of the world,' Doctor Porter said. 'London.'