Elisabetta.
Her father gave Verin a fond goodbye smile laced with something else and moved past Nicole to go and get his things. She was momentarily distracted by the aftershave he wore. It burned her nose, unusual and sharp, but the painter’s entrance forced her to focus.
Despite the centuries that had passed since she was immortalised, Elisabetta still seemed to favour what appeared to be a Victorian travelling dress. She held a circular case like a hatbox, the scent of pigments and oils gently drifting from it giving it away as an artistic case of some kind.
‘Goodbyes are in order, then,’ said Elisabetta.
‘Where are you headed?’ Nicole asked, forcing herself to be civil and not chase after her father as he disappeared down the hall.
To her left, Verin joined them.
‘I’m going to stay with some friends in Italy. They’ve been pestering me, and I feel …’ She smiled. ‘… lighter, having shared what I’d kept secret all this time.’
‘Good,’ Verin said, reaching for her outstretched hand before cupping it and tapping it distractedly. ‘I know you’ve been wrapped up in this for longer than me, but I’d feel better if you were out of the country, what with the Wake sniffing around again.’
Concern focused Nicole’s mind.
Elisabetta turned to Nicole, a fond smile on her lips. ‘I know Freya believes in you, from wherever she is.’
Nicole swallowed and said goodbye, then she and Verin watched the painter go.
‘I’ll miss hearing you all scamper about the place.’ Verin sighed.
Despite the overheard words that had set her stomach on edge, Nicole smiled. ‘Thank you, for having us here.’
His eyes softened. ‘It’s been my pleasure. In truth, I’ve been growing hungry for something new, and now I must continue with my own quest.’ As if bewitched, his hand went to the vial of pigment Elisabetta had given them, which he’d kept in the pocket of his velvet jacket.
Verin stared up at the altarpiece. ‘Be careful, my dear,’ he said softly.
Nicole glanced at his unique profile – reminding her of a jet-haired Roman relief.
‘I’ll keep working on the blood, but one thing is clear …’ He glanced at her, and there was both worry and revelation in his eyes. He raised the vial. ‘Whatever this blood is, I think it could change more than your lives.
‘And we know what those in power do when a global change is afoot, and a new treasure is unearthed.’
Yes, she knew all too well.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Kyan
THE PHILHARMONIC DINING ROOMS WEREFULL OF SUPERNATURALS.
The historic Victorian pub, often just called The Phil by locals, sat on the edge of Hope Street, one side of which featured the red-brick concert hall, the other the Metropolitan Cathedral that resembled a great, futuristic crown.
The Phil’s sand-coloured stone was adorned with colourful hanging baskets of flowers that fluttered in the hot breeze. Its later-added Art Nouveau entrance was a great arched iron door of swirling black and gold. Paired with the charming combination of turrets, architraves, and gables, its quirky but quietly majestic architecture gave the building a subtle, magical air.
The bright midday sun dimmed as Kyan entered, like he’d stepped not only back in time, but intohisworld.
The hidden and mythological.
The pub’s deep mahogany panelling continued the supernatural imagery. Sirens sang in stained-glass windows and danced in the copper reliefs above the bar’s banquettes. All throughout the place was decoration of some sort, from the Victorian-style flower lamps set into the bronze ceiling to the mosaiced floor.
To the right of the entrance were two smaller drinking rooms, made more private by wood-panelled walls and a corridor leading deeper into the pub. To his left was the iconic circular bar, behind whichwere more rooms, and directly across from the doors was a fireplace flanked with red leatherseating.
The creatures inside ceased their discussions at his arrival, but the humans carried on, oblivious.
Kyan scanned the pub, feeling out the array of supernaturals. Some were human-looking, others had the lacquered feel of varnish over them. He kept tabs on them, feeling more wired after a sleepless night planning every step they were going to take. How he could shadow Nicole, keep her safe and the Wake waiting.
