Revenge could not undo the past.
Besides which, he had forced himself to leave the maiden alone so that he could attempt to discover some means of luring Amadeus back to the Veil. It was, after all, the true reason he had been sent to London. He could not waste his precious time upon a spineless worm.
Even if his hands did itch to be around the man's scrawny neck.
Lucien gave a rueful shake of his head. Now was not the time for such thoughts. Not when he was tracking a desperate vampire. If he did not begin concentrating upon his task at hand, he might discover himself blundering into a very nasty surprise.
Sinking even deeper into the shadows, he soundlessly approached the door, coming to an abrupt halt when it swung open without warning and a tiny form stepped into the street to regard him with large eyes.
With his vision he could clearly make out the features of the small child that had so trustingly sought him out the first night he had visited the warehouse. A frown marred his brow as he moved to crouch beside her.
"What are you doing out here, my dear?" he murmured softly enough that he would not startle her.
Astonishingly she reached out to place her small hand against his cheek.
"I knew you were coming."
Lucien regarded her in bemusement. There had always been those special humans able to sense the presence of vampires. Perhaps this child had been born with the gift. If so, it could prove to be a genuine blessing.
"Did you? What a clever minx you are." He carefully watched the tiny countenance. "Has anyone else been near?"
She gave a firm shake of her head. "No, the bad man went away."
"The vicar?"
"Yes."
He let out a slow breath. She did indeed have the gift.
"I want you to listen carefully to me. If the bad man returns, I want you to slip out of the warehouse and hide. Can you do that?" Lucien waited until she gave a nod of agreement. "Good girl. And I want you to warn the other children. The bad man is very dangerous."
The eyes that appeared far too old and wise for such a young child regarded him steadily.
"Will you come back?"
"Yes, I will be back," he promised with a smile.
"I am glad. You are a nice man."
Lucien could not prevent a small chuckle. "And you are a minx." He leaned down to brush a kiss over the tip of her nose. "Now go back inside."
"Good night."
"Good night, my dear."
Lucien waited until the girl had scurried back inside the warehouse before he rose to his feet.
He could only hope the child recalled his warning if Amadeus did return. Although the traitor had no reason to harm the poor children, there was no use in taking any chances.
Once assured she was safely inside, Lucien continued past the warehouse and toward the narrow, broken streets beyond. It was destined to be a long night, he acknowledged ruefully.
Although he suspected that Amadeus must have his lair somewhere in the labyrinth of destitute buildings, there was only one means of locating him. He would have to explore the entire rookery block by miserable block. Not a pleasant prospect considering the foul odors and filth that was already ruining his glossy boots.
Eventually he would draw close enough to sense the presence of the vampire, he thought in an attempt to ease his smoldering impatience.
And then...
Well, he had to admit he was not entirely certain what he would do beyond attempting to frighten some sense into the traitor.