“Don’t you think you’re all being a little unfair, Minerva? Have we learned nothing from recent events? Don’t you believe that all natural creatures deserve equal respect and consideration?”
“Vampires arenotnatural creatures,” Zephyr rumbled. “I don’t think you understand what we’re dealing with when it comes to vampires, Maida.” Although Zephyr appeared to be a harmless, kindly old wizard, with a liberal bent, he was no stranger to dark magic. As an agent of the Society for the Protection of Natural Magic, he had spent decades protecting the natural world from dark threats, vampiric and otherwise.
“Vampires are created from darkness and blood magic. A primal place of scarceness, fear, and craving. Not unlike synthetic magic.” Zephyr mentioned the scourge that Primrose Court had battled most recently. “As such, vampires are perverse creatures who are innately depraved. They cannot help what they are. Which is predatory. Incapable of noble emotions like compassion.”
“You’re wrong!” Zani snapped. “That’s not true! At least not for Cosimo. He didn’t choose to be what he is, and he doesn’t prey on other magical creatures. Hehelpedme infiltrate the castle so I could take the stone and get rid of the nest of vampires plaguing that village.”
“And why do you think that is?” Zephyr asked.
“Like I said. He’s not like them.” Zani placed a defiant hand on her hip, but Will saw the shadow of a doubt that flickered across her face. “This is not a productive conversation. Clearly, I’ve got to head back to Europe and resume my search.”
“The Society will probably want to look into this before you do.” Zephyr motioned at the case.
“I suspect that’s what the letter’s about.” Zani sighed. “I don’t know how they knew.”
“They didn’t,” Minerva said. “That’s not what this is about.”
“Then what is it about?” Zani looked confused.
“The Society is recruiting you,” Minerva said. “Congratulations. You’re the new managing director and chief archivist of the Arcane Archives.”
“Excuse me?” Zani’s face was a map of incredulity.
“Effective immediately.” Minerva used her wand to coax the letter out of Zani’s pocket, plucked it from the air and handed it to her again. Zani didn’t reach out to take it. Minerva frowned. “I was actually hoping you would receive this letter as good news.”
“It must be a joke.” Zani finally took the envelope, holding it pinched between two fingers at a distance, as if it contained a dead bug. “You expect me tostay here?”
“Who better to curate the collection in the Arcane Archives? Are you not an expert collector and cataloguer of obscure items and magical relics? Who out there is more knowledgeable… aside from me?” Minerva smiled, apparently trying to make the best of the situation by pandering to Zani’s ego.
“What if I don’t want to?” Zani tore open the letter and read it with a scowl on her face.
“It’s not so bad here, really!” Rosie commented. “Many people would kill to get to live in Primrose Court.”
“If it means I get to see more of you, I don’t think it’s a terrible idea. In fact, I kind of think it’s a great one.” Maida stared at her feet, hands clasped. Will could see she was feeling a bit hurt by Zani’s reaction. “There’s plenty of room in the Mudpuddle for you to stay.”
“Oh, Maida.” Zani turned to give Maida a quick hug. “It’s not you. I just don’t think I’m ready to settle down. I have so much more work to do in the field. This really couldn’t have come at a more inconvenient time.”
“Take it up with Amrita.” Minerva shrugged. “But I doubt she’ll change her mind. She’s already sent out a statement in the Society’s newsletter.”
“You’re welcome to join the town council,” Zephyr enthused. “We meet bi-monthly! We could use some more worldly perspectives.”
Will thought he saw Zani shudder slightly.
“I’m sorry.” Will reached out and squeezed her hand. Selfishly, he was glad she’d be sticking around a little longer. But not if she was carrying a torch for a vampire.
“Not as sorry as me.” Zani pulled her hand away and sank dejectedly into a chair.
Item No. 428-F | Like you were never there
The Aura Eraser
It was after the incident in the Carpathian wine cellar (don’t ask … long story, lots of teeth) that I most appreciated the value of a clean exit. No blood, no drama, no lingering magical residue for the hounds to sniff out.
The Aura Eraser’s formula isn’t flashy. You cannot see it, or smell it (though you might hear it sighing faintly if you’re the sentimental type). It simply does what it was designed to do: make your magical presence undetectable. The moment you spritz it over your sleeve, your satchel, or the brass candelabra you really shouldn’t have touched, it works.
Works to eliminate echoes, shimmers, spell stench, and spectral aromas. All the little clues that say “something or someone magical was here.”
Recommended use: immediately after close calls, enchanted relic heists, or emotionally charged portal hopping.
