Wesley’s unimpressed expression didn’t budge.
“Thirty-nine?”
Wesley’s eyebrow went up.
Sebastian huffed. “You’ve never told me your age.”
“I’m beginning to realize that I’ve assumed you know many things that you actually don’t.” Wesley fixed him with a pointed look. “But tell me that you do know whyIcame to New York in February?”
“To see your ex-lover.” Sebastian was pleased he got it out without sounding as insecure as he still felt every time he thought about Wesley sailing an ocean after someone else.
Wesley blew out a breath. “Well, there’s that, at least,” he muttered, helping himself to Sebastian’s tea.
Sebastian had a very strong sense he had just missed something.
But the waiter was approaching, with a tray of dim sum, so he put it to the back of his mind.
From the Dragon House, they walked up to Hester Street, and found the Taussig’s pharmacy. The teenager behind the counter, Levi, confirmed that Sasha and Pavel were out of town on a tour with Jade’s sister, Stella.
Sebastian got an ice cream soda from Levi, which Wesley firmly turned down in favor of a pack of cheap cigarettes. As they walked outside, Wesley began to count things off on his fingers.
“The paranormal siblings you’ve heard of, the Ivanovs, aren’t in the city. Mr. Zhang isn’t at the Dragon House. We don’t know where Miss Robbins’s speakeasy is. Arthur isn’t at his flat. Brodigan no longer lives at his boarding house nor has an antiques shop to work at, and we don’t have any other contact information for him.”
“They are all gone, and someone is sending you cryptic letters.” Sebastian didn’t like any of it.
Wesley glanced down the street. “How far are we from City Hall?”
“Very close. We can walk.”
“Then let’s go there,” said Wesley. “Because I know one more person in New York we can try.”
They got to City Hall as smartly dressed workers were flowing out for the evening. Wesley strode right up to the guard. “Wesley Collins, the Viscount Fine,” he said, and the guard immediately straightened. “I’m here for Alderman Kenzie. I don’t have an appointment, but I need him to see me.”
“I’ll find out if he’s still here, sir.”
Minutes later, Sebastian was following Wesley as the guard led them through a rotunda and down a hall to an office.
“Lord Fine?”
Two white men had come out of the office. One was about Sebastian’s height but stockier, with the same blue-gray eyes and light brown hair as Wesley. The other was a man even taller than Wesley, who looked shockingly like Arthur Kenzie, right down to the jet-black hair, blue eyes, and broad shoulders. He had a real smile on his face as he said, “Lord Fine, it is you. How good to see you again.”
Wesley shook his hand. “John Kenzie, how are you?”
Sebastian nearly bit his tongue. This was Arthur’s brother, the poor man who had suffered nightmares because the other paranormals Sebastian had been with in February had delighted in inflicting suffering, regardless of whether the blood magic in their veins made them do it.
“This is my friend, Mr. de Leon,” Wesley was saying. “Sebastian, John here will be America’s newest senator.”
John modestly waved that away, although he looked very pleased. “Elections aren’t for a while, but we’re polling well.” He gestured at the other man. “And you remember Walter.”
“Of course,” Wesley said, shaking the man’s hand. “It seems married life agrees with you.”
Sebastian placed him. This must have been Walter from the wedding Wesley had come for in February, the New York governor’s son.
“Can’t complain, can’t complain,” Walter said. “And how are you, Lord Fine?”
“Having a devil of a time, actually,” Wesley said. “Back in New York on business, and I thought I’d give Arthur a shout while I’m here. But I can’t find the bloody man anywhere.”
“That’s because he’s not in the city,” John said. “Went up to Tarrytown, not far at all. He said he went to look at houses.”
