Sebastian made a face. “It’s a story, a legend, with a million different endings. Everyone agrees the vampire went on a killing spree in a Spanish village, eating the auras of several people at once. My father says tía Casilda then gave her life to bind the vampire’s magic. My uncle says she lived but the binding cost her own magic, but he didn’t know what that magic was. And my great-grandmother used to say Casilda fed the vampire his own cojones and moved to Cuba to live out her days on the beach.”
“Hmm.” Wesley tilted his head. “And you don’t know why she was written out of your family?”
Sebastian shook his head. “But I know what I can do, and if I can get close to Blanshard, I will try to stop him.”
“That’s very heroic,” Wesley said dryly. “But I watched you pass out after you fought with Mercier. I’m not saying that as an insult,” he added quickly. “You were a hell of a lot more effective against him than I was.”
“And your point is taken,” said Jade. “Sebastian, you said Mercier’s magic was stronger but you didn’t think it was due to a relic. If we think Blanshard could have stolen the brooch relic and be using its magic to enhance his, I don’t think it’s safe for you to try.”
“But maybe I can,” said Sebastian. “At least some of the stories say my great-aunt did stop the paranormal who was murdering the nonmagical by also draining their auras.”
“But you don’t know if it cost her magic, or herlife,” said Wesley.
“Blanshard has murdered at least four people,” said Sebastian. “Wouldn’t stopping him be worth any price?”
“No,”Wesley said flatly. “I have no idea why you expect the rest of us to sit idly by and, I don’t know, write sonnets or some other waste of time while you nobly sacrifice yourself to magic that could kill you.”
“He’s right, Sebastian. We need a better plan.” Jade hesitated. “There’s something you should know about that. It has to do with the cable Zhang is waiting for.”
“The cable that just arrived.” Zhang’s eyelashes fluttered, and a moment later his astral projection abruptly returned to his body. Something in his expression put chills on Sebastian’s skin. “After Lord Fine told us about the encounter in the alley, I couldn’t stop thinking about the things Mercier said.‘I do, in fact, get away with this.No one comes when you scream.’”
“Almost as if he believed he knew the future,” Jade said quietly.
No.
“It would explain how there have been murders in busy city centers without witnesses,” said Zhang. “Because they know in advance, they know exactly when they can strike. And it would explain why Mercier was shocked to see you, Sebastian, because no one, not even your brother, can see your future with magic.”
Sebastian’s ears were ringing.
“Seers are so rare, but you mentioned your brother is one, and was at the world’s fair in Paris this summer,” said Jade, “and we know Blanshard was there too.”
“I cabled my mom in New York,” said Zhang. “Your family’s friends went to Oberlin to check on him—and he never came back this term.”
“The waitress,” Wesley suddenly said. “The one who thought she recognized you in York, near the scene of the murder. Does your brother look like you?”
“Oh God.” Sebastian’s heart plummeted. “We have to find him. He wouldn’t be working with them willingly, he would never—”
“We don’t think he’s willing,” Jade promised grimly.
“And we’ll help you find him. He’s a seer, Sebastian, they would never kill him. If they have him, he’s certainly alive, and they’ll keep him that way.”
Sebastian clenched his jaw. Under the table and out of sight, Wesley’s hand came to rest on his knee.
“I won’t promise either of those gents is going to stay alive if I meet them again,” Wesley said dryly, his hand a strong, grounding weight. “They did try to kill me, and I’m afraid I’m not really aturn the other cheekkind of man. And I am doubly motivated to help if they may have kidnapped Sebastian’s brother. Shall I draw out the floor plan of Blanshard’s mansion?”
When Sebastian furrowed his brow, Wesley added, “Well, obviously we’re going to search it today, aren’t we, for evidence of your brother?”
Sebastian glanced at Jade and Zhang, who were nodding. Despite the anger and fear swirling in his gut, Sebastian felt a pulse of gratitude. He wasn’t going to have to do this alone.
“If we head to the village closest to his manor, I can do some reconnaissance,” said Zhang. “Lord Fine mentioned Blanshard had a whole room of artifacts; we have to assume he has safeguards in place.”
“For all the good it will do him,” Sebastian said gruffly. “The only thing I can’t weaken is a relic, and no seer, Mateo or otherwise, can see me coming.”
“You do make things interesting,” Jade said. “Although Jianwei and I will be a bit hamstrung, if it comes to you using your magic.”
“What about me?” Wesley said, looking at Sebastian. There was no trace of complaint in his voice, only genuine question. “If you use your magic—which you’ll almost certainly have to—I’ll be worse than hamstrung, I’ll be a useless puddle on the floor. Aliability. Would you have me wait in the car? I promise I’m not one of those hotheads who doesn’t listen and will come rushing after you,” he added wryly. “I use my damn brain.”
“Let’s get there first,” said Jade. “We need to know what we’re dealing with.”
