“A dozen or so. Other data, too. Missing persons, for example. From the data we’ve collated, we can account for approximately a third of all missing persons, from various causes—drugs, crime, mental illness and so on. But that means two thirds of all missing people, in every state in the USA, remain unexplained.”
Cally had done her own research and already knew that was true. But she frowned, as if skeptical. “I thought that was why they were… uh… missing?”
“We go a little deeper than the government, Miss Davis. The last-seen data points cluster around nightclubs, alleys, certain city blocks. A significant peak in eighteen to twenty-five-year-olds—vampires prefer younger blood. Many cases of families claiming the missing person had no reason to go missing, and pursuing the authorities for years. But let’s move on. Taras, the list, if you will?”
The Order’s theory was eerily close to Cally’s own experience, from her first encounter with Antoine to Joon’s sister, and the many attempts his family had made to discover the truth.
Eve looked concerned, flawlessly playing the part of someone hearing this for the first time.
The screen cleared, a few mouse clicks, and a spreadsheet opened. Divided by state, a list of names appeared. Taras focused on New York.
“All these people you see before you have some commonalities. They are all extremely wealthy, though much of their money is hidden in offshore accounts. Not only do they own property and businesses—often through holding companies with tenuous connections at best—but they also inherit their wealth from their fathers. Who, in turn, inherit from their fathers—or mothers, where the subject is female. We’re rarely able to capture images, but in those we have across years, none of them age.” He raised an eyebrow. “Theories, Miss Davis?”
Cally had discovered as much when she’d researched Antoine. The only surprise was how many names the Order had in their database. She wanted to ask to see their list for Massachusetts, but she already knew Antoine would be on it. How could he not, when she found him so easily?
“It’s obvious you’re saying these are vampires. If you know who they are, why haven’t you killed them?”
Darian tilted his head. “Do you know how to kill a vampire?”
Antoine tightened his arm around Minh’s throat and pulled. Gradually, inexorably, the younger vampire’s neck tightened and stretched, until skin split, flesh tore. With a final yank, Antoine ripped off his head and threw it away.
She went for what he’d expect. “A stake through the heart?”
“Not so far as we know.” Darian’s mouth pressed into a thin line. “What we do know has taken decades—centuries—and cost too many lives. Vampires are unnaturally resilient. Their bones are high-density, stronger than steel, their flesh compact. They’re not bulletproof, but they move so fast that hitting them is luck.” He grimaced, like he was reliving memories. “Even if you do, a lethal shot is unlikely. They don’t care about crosses, silver, or running water. To your point, staking them doesn’t dust them,Buffystyle. Vampires aren’t dead. What they have is supernatural levels of regeneration. They can heal almost anything.”
“Sunlight?” Eve asked.
Darian’s voice soured. “Not enough. It burns them, but they recover. The only real weakness we’ve found is that during thebrightest daylight hours, they fall into a deep stupor. The weaker and younger they are, the longer they sleep. But they know that too, and they’re careful. Layers of defenses, human thralls—they’re nearly impossible to catch vulnerable.”
“So what does work?” Cally asked, watching him carefully.
“Beheading.” His answer was immediate. “Fire, if it’s hot enough, but the problem is keeping them in it.”
Eve looked thoughtful, playing along. “What about drowning?”
“Possible,” Darian conceded. “We don’t know.”
Cally exhaled, shaking her head. “You have a list of targets, but no way to take them out.”
“We’ve had some success, but at a heavy price.” Darian’s face tightened. “One mistake, and we’re facing an abomination stronger and faster than anything you can imagine. Whole teams lost.” His jaw flexed. “And it isn’t exactly easy to recruit professionals into a secret war most wouldn’t believe in.”
“I’m still waiting to hear where I fit in,” Cally said.
Darian held her gaze, his expression stoic. Then he addressed the custodian, his tone calm but carrying the expectation of instant obedience. “Leave us.”
“Yes, Sentinel.” The man quickly gathered his things, stood, and left.
Darian waited until he was out of sight. “It should be clear by now that everything I’ve told you is the truth, Miss Davis. And that is why we need you.”
Cally folded her arms. “You’re going to have to be a little more specific.”
Darian gestured to the bookshelves around them. “Within these tomes lies a wealth of historical information. TheMalleus Maleficarum.TheGrimorium Verum.TheBook of Shadows, and dozens of others.”
Eve twitched as though she wanted to reach for the books and only force of will prevented her.
“There’s a bond between vampires and witches,” Darian continued. “Only the magic of—”
“A bond?” Cally interrupted, pulse racing. “What sort of bond?”
