Rory was staring at Eddie’s unmoving body. Sebastian’s jaw tightened as he looked up at Langford in the gas mask. “You planned this with Alasdair. You’re killing innocents.”
“The major understands it’s a war on magic,” said Alasdair. “There are going to be casualties.”
Eddie’s eyes were open and staring lifelessly forward, blood beginning to pool under his head. Langford was moving around the room again, gas mask in place. The stench of the pomander in this small space was nauseating.
“Alasdair, I know part of you understands this is wrong,” Sebastian said. “Part of you cares about people. You sent that letter to Wesley, didn’t you? You tried to warn him about Sir Ellery.”
“Yes, because Lord Fine was in danger.Everyoneis in danger, when magic is involved,” Alasdair said. “Look what it’s done to me. I’m killing people now, Sebastian. Magic has to go. I’m trying to save everyone, paranormals drowning in it, people like Lord Fine without it.”
“But this is not the way,” Sebastian pleaded. “I can take the brooch back. I can bind your magic.”
Alasdair raised an eyebrow. “I just told you the brooch will eventually kill you.”
“Not important now,” Sebastian said.
Alasdair appeared to be thinking it over. “No, I’m afraid that won’t work,” he finally said, with what seemed like genuine regret. “I don’t think we should let all the other paranormals keep their magic; most of them are dangerous too. Better to just destroy it all.”
Sebastian winced. “Alasdair—”
“You of all people should understand,” Alasdair said. “You’re descended from an actual witch-hunter. He would have approved of all of this.” He glanced at Langford. “The major is very smart to keep that gas mask on; this pomander is truly deadly for anyone without magic. Well, I suppose not Arthur Kenzie—I heard your magic in his aura, you know,” he said to Rory. “But you better hope no one else without magic comes up here and tries to be a hero, or, well.” He gestured at Eddie. “You see what happens.”
Shit. Well, that was the only thing Major Langford had done Sebastian would be grateful for. Thank goodness Wesley was nowhere nearby.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Arthur had known where to go from town, and soon enough, their stolen truck was climbing up a hillside road.
“I’m certain we’re both on the guest list to this party,” Wesley said, as Arthur slowed the truck in approach to an open gate topped with jack-o’-lanterns. “Do we just tell the gate guard who we are and that we brought plus ones?”
“Absolutely not,” said Arthur. “You said John was here. I’m not going to make him explain why his vagabond brother crashed the masquerade with a stolen truck full of bootlegged liquor.”
Wesley considered the house. “Well, Alasdair said he was supplying this party. Convenient we’re driving one of his trucks.”
“Icould have supplied this party,” Jade muttered.
“You don’t poison the customers,” Zhang agreed.
“Or sell gin with pieces of hat in it,” said Wesley.
Arthur cringed. “I drank that gin.”
They turned through the gate, and Arthur stopped the car next to a man with a list. The man eyed Arthur’s stubbly beard and the dirt on Wesley’s face. “And who are you?”
“We’re making a delivery,” Arthur said winningly.
“From Mansfield Textile Wholesalers,” Jade added meaningfully.
“Oh.” The man stepped away. “Drive around to the back, they’ll direct you to the kitchens.”
Arthur followed the drive around the side of the house and to the back. A pair of men in black-and-white suits were patiently waiting.
Arthur hopped out of the truck and turned to help Jade down. “All yours,” he said to the men, as Wesley and Zhang stepped out of the other side of the truck.
“Where now?” Arthur said, under his breath, as the men in the black-and-white suits began to unload crates. “These grounds cover a large part of the hillside, and they could be anywhere.”
“I’m going to use magic.” Zhang had steeled himself. “We have to find them—”
“You won’t be able to find Sebastian with magic, because of the tattoo,” Wesley pointed out. “We have other options to try first.” He pulled Rory’s ring box out of his jacket.
