The Ouroboros Cycle, Book Two: A Cautionary Tale for Young Vampires. G.D. Falksen
benefits of yoghurt. Nutritional, digestive, hygienic.”
“Hygienic?” Ekaterine was almost afraid to ask.
“Yes, apparently he bathes in it,” Friedrich said. “It’s one of the more exclusive treatments at his sanatorium. He tried to talk me into one, but I wouldn’t have it. I’m not particularly comfortable washing in something that isn’t water.”
“How unadventurous of you,” Ekaterine said. “Tush, tush.” She smiled and added, “But I agree with you. Yoghurt is to be eaten.”
“To be honest, I’m somewhat skeptical about that,” Friedrich said.
“How ever did you come to be in association with that man?” Ekaterine asked.
“Medicine,” Friedrich said. “Whatever else he may be, he is a brilliant doctor. And a very good surgeon as well. This ‘wellness’ thing of his may bit a bit mad, but I have seen incredible results. There’s something to it.”
“Are you sure?” Ekaterine asked. “Or are you simply enamored of his beard?”
Friedrich laughed aloud. “My God, it is somewhat terrifying isn’t it?”
“You could hide a cat inside it,” Ekaterine said. She shook her head. “Now then, tell me all about Doctor Thorndyke and his principles of wellness.”
“It’s all to do with clean living,” Friedrich said. “No alcohol or meat, that sort of thing.”
“It sounds horrible.”
“Yes,” Friedrich said. “Also something about cold baths. Believe me, you should never set foot in his sanatorium. All exercise and vegetarianism.”
Ekaterine looked at him, head tilted to one side.
“And yet, you spend time with this man?” she asked.
“That’s the thing about it,” Friedrich said. “Some part of the regimen works. It really works. Prevention of illness, longevity, health, youth, the whole thing. In Vermont, he introduced me to a dozen or more of his patients who have lived well into their eighties, who are fit and active, in the prime of health, and all of whom have the appearance and vitality of people twenty years their juniors.” He waved his finger to illustrate the point. “Now that is of interest.”
“How long has the sanatorium been in operation?” Ekaterine asked.
“Ten years, I think.
“Then one would assume that whatever regimen gave these patients their longevity, it was begun before they met Doctor Thorndyke,” Ekaterine said. “Logically.”
“I…” Friedrich began. He paused, momentarily at a loss for words. “Even so,” he said, “Thorndyke has hit upon something. I have seen the results. Health, youth, longevity. I want to know what it is, and Doctor Thorndyke has agreed to let me work with him on perfecting it, distilling all possible techniques and treatments until we have determined the ultimate method for wellness.”
“You’re searching for the elixir of life?” Ekaterine laughed, her tone amused. “How wonderfully absurd.”
But she understood his purpose. No doubt he was still searching for answers that had not been given to him in France. Longevity? Youth? Inspired by his mother’s own lack of aging no doubt. Varanus was seventeen years his senior, but when they had been reunited at the funeral, she had looked no older than he—the gift of the Shashavani. Varanus had dismissed it as the result of good breeding, but such an answer would not placate the likes of Friedrich. And it would become harder and harder to explain away as the years passed.
“Absurd maybe,” Friedrich said, “but it is a challenge, and as a man of science, I enjoy a challenge.”
The way he looked into her eyes left little doubt as to just what he meant.
“I’m certain you do,” Ekaterine said. “If you will excuse me, Baron von Fuchsburg, I think I ought to return to the ballroom and keep your mother company.”
“A marvelous idea,” Friedrich said. He offered Ekaterine his arm. “Let us both go and keep her company together. I am certain she will be delighted to see me.”
Ekaterine hesitated a moment and then took Friedrich’s arm.
“Your mother will certainly be enthusiastic in her reaction,” she said.
* * * *
Ekaterine did not see Varanus when she entered the ballroom. That was odd. Varanus seldom left her seat at social engagements, and despite protocol, she was only rarely asked to dance. Ekaterine could not quite place why, but for some reason the tiny woman seemed to intimidate all comers. Not that this bothered the notables of society, who had sent invitation after invitation once the period of mourning had ended. The English were a peculiar people. Did they enjoy having her sit there like a queen overseeing court? Ekaterine had observed a few other members of Society doing the same at other functions—even the Earl of Twillingham and his wife on occasion. Perhaps in Varanus’s case it was no different.
At the moment, however, Varanus was not at her seat, nor had she been in the refreshment room. That meant she was dancing. Ekaterine perused the dispersing crowd and saw Varanus in the company of Doctor Constantine, walking back towards her chair.
“Come,” Ekaterine said, nodding toward Varanus and Constantine. “Your mother will be delighted to see you.”
Varanus saw them as they approached. Her eyes widened at the sight of Friedrich, and her mouth tightened in anger. She said something to Constantine and led him in their direction. Ekaterine looked at her apologetically and nodded that she understood the reason for Varanus’s anger.
“Doctor Constantine,” Varanus said, “you already know my sister-in-law, Ekaterine Shashavani.”
“Yes, of course,” Constantine said, bowing to Ekaterine. “A pleasure as always, Princess Shashavani.”
“A pleasure indeed, Doctor Constantine,” Ekaterine said, smiling sweetly. “And I trust you are well?”
“Very well, thank you.”
“May I introduce my son, the Baron von Fuchsburg?” Varanus motioned to Friedrich. “Alistair—”
“Friedrich, Mother,” Friedrich said.
“—this gentleman is Doctor Constantine of the London Hospital,” Varanus continued, ignoring the correction. “He is a very talented practitioner of medicine. I think that you and he shall have a great deal to discuss.”
“Honored to meet you, sir,” Constantine said, bowing his head to Friedrich.
Friedrich nodded and said, “Very nice to meet you, I’m sure. You know, I am a doctor myself.”
“Oh yes?” Constantine asked. “But surely you do not practice.”
“Of course not,” Friedrich replied, laughing. “If aristocrats began to work, it might start a revolution.”
“Oh, quite the opposite, I think,” Ekaterine said.
Indeed, she suspected that the surest means of preventing social upheaval was for the privileged classes to start making themselves useful. The aristocracy of Europe had ceased to provide any sort of reliable military function, which rather invalidated the foundation of their privileged position.
“Yes, Doctor Constantine,” Friedrich said, “you and I must have a little chat sometime. We shall discuss medicine and such.”
“Uh, oh, yes, of course,” Constantine said, a little awkwardly. It was not common for aristocrats to invite members of the public to visit them for the sake of having a chat about medicine. “Perhaps you would care to see the hospital. I could give you a tour.”
“Fantastic!” Friedrich seemed delighted at the prospect. “Forefront of scientific progress and such. I’ll bring some brandy. It will