Will smiled roguishly and shrugged. “You need to get over that, Hart. I left you a flight voucher!”
“It turned out that the people we found in the audience were just as interesting as the lecture itself.” Zani interrupted their banter. She looked over at Maida and then nodded at Will to carry on.
Will took up the narrative. “Your parents were there, Maida. Both of them. Your father Buffalo, and your mother...”
“Larkspur Lathrop?” Maida whispered, eyes wide. She reached out to grasp one of Zani’s hands.
“She was beautiful,” Zani said gently. “You really have her eyes. And her hair.”
Maida blinked rapidly, looking down. She twisted the tassel on the corner of her pillow.
“She recognized something in me, too,” Will continued. “She said her banished Uncle Quentin and I were dead ringers. And that he was written right out of the famous Lathrop family for preferring Fae to his own kind.” He looked to Zani for confirmation.
“I think that’s very close to her exact words.” Zani nodded.
“Quentin Lathrop?” Maida repeated. “I don’t think I’ve ever heard that name.”
“There’s more,” Zani said. “Will thinks he saw the bloodstone amulet. Your mother was wearing it, Maida. We think she ‘borrowed’ it from the family archives to use in a Halloween costume, of all things.”
“What?” Maida’s head snapped up.
Arthur let out a low whistle.
“That’s not all, though. Guess who else was there?” Zani went on, answering her own question before there was a chance for anyone to guess. “Amrita Berman! She sat down right next to Will.”
“The Director was there?” Arthur’s brows rose. “She was with Maida’s parents?”
“No,” Will corrected. “Amrita and Larkspur were … clearlynotgetting along. There was tension.”
A silence fell over the group as they processed all the revelations.
“So let me get this straight,” Arthur finally said, lawyer-brain engaged. “Cosimo originally got the Celestial Sapphire from a Mer prince. Blood magic corrupted the stone into the bloodstone. Cosimo became a vampire in the process and has regretted it for centuries. Apparently, a Fae-loving wizard ancestor connects Will to the Lathrops, making him and Maida distant cousins. And Director Berman has been playing the long game, because she’s definitely known the two of you for a lot longer than you’ve known her?”
“That about sums it up,” Zani agreed. “But I think it’s a better story when I tell it. But there’s one more piece, Arthur,” Zani added. “I think I know the reason Cosimo helped me steal the stone. He wants to perform another ritual. He believes he can reverse the original spell, destroy the bloodstone, and possibly end his vampiric curse.”
“And do you think that’s such a bad thing, considering all the strife that stone has caused?” Arthur asked.
“I don’t know,” Zani admitted. “Cosimo is obviously obsessed with ending his curse. He’s been suffering for centuries. But… I have a bad feeling about it. Canceling curses is never that simple. And I don’t think another sacrifice is going to make things better.”
“Destroying the bloodstone could have unforeseen consequences,” Will agreed begrudgingly, “Especially during an eclipse like this one when the ley lines are naturally untethered. It might take out more than just that stone. If you ask me, the vampire is being selfish and reckless.”
“He’s been suffering for centuries, though,” Maida said more empathetically.
“We need to call the Director,” Arthur interjected.
“If she’s not already on her way here now. I wouldn’t put anything past Amrita,” Maida agreed. “What was she like in college?”
“Pretty much the same as she is now,” Will answered. “Sharp as can be.”
The fire had burned lower, casting the room in a softer glow. Outside, the clouds had grown thicker and the night had deepened, wrapping the porch in darkness.
“I’ll contact her tomorrow,” Zani decided. “First thing.”
Arthur began collecting the empty teacups. “It’s late. You two should rest. Take the spare room, Will. Time travel can’t be easy on the system.”
As they all prepared to head upstairs, Zani saw Maida catch Will’s arm. “When this is all over,” she said quietly, “let’s track down our family records. There’s got to be something more about Quentin. About your heritage.”
Will’s expression softened. “I’d appreciate that, Maida.”
