Page 46 of Lost

“The red vampyres will notice, won’t they?” Anastasia asked gently.

“I think they might. Well, not the regular soldiers, but someone like one of the red generals—I’m pretty sure he would.”

“What can Kevin do about that?” Dragon asked.

“Well, I can consider casting a spell over him—something that carries a scent with it,” mused Anastasia. “But any priestess who crosses paths with him could easily pick up the spell’s energy trail. And if you were anywhere near Neferet she would recognize my spellwork immediately.”

“Then that idea is definitely out,” Dragon said.

“How about something simpler?” said Grandma Redbird. “Kevin, how strong does this scent need to be?”

Kevin shrugged. “I’m not sure. When I was a red vampyre I didn’t really notice the stink.”

“It depends on the type of red vampyre,” said Dragon. “Soldiers reek like death and mold. With officers, especially higher ranked officers, the smell isn’t so bad.”

“So, with an officer, which is what Kevin is, the scent isn’t much stronger than a woman’s perfume?” Grandma asked.

“I suppose that’s a good comparison,” said Dragon. “If the woman is heavy-handed with her perfume.”

“Well, u-we-tsi, this is going to sound vile, but I think you should wear the blood of a red vampyre like you would perfume.”

“You want me to spray blood on myself?”

Grandma smiled. “Perhaps smearing some of it on your skin in places that can’t be seen would work better.”

“Disgusting,” Kevin muttered.

“But doable,” Anastasia said.

“Yeah, I guess you’re right,” Kevin said. “Man, I wish I could just give it a try without the stinky blood perfume.”

“You cannot,” Dragon said. “They discover you and they’ll discover us.”

“I would never tell them where you are!” Kevin said.

Anastasia put a hand on his shoulder. “Not willingly you wouldn’t, but after they starve you and torture you—well, let’s just say it’s better to be stinky.”

“Yeah, you’re right. So, I go back to the depot tonight—after I get some red vamp blood. I’m not gonna enjoy that.” Kevin shuddered and then cracked his knuckles. “But I’ll do whatever I have to. Okay, I do have a plan, but I want your input.”

“Of course,” Anastasia said, and the four of them moved to the stone benches the sprites had somehow carved out of the wall of the cave. The huge raven that seemed never to be far from the priestess flew into the cave in a flutter of cold air and dark wings, landing on a stone outcropping above Anastasia. “What are you thinking, Kevin?”

“We need Aphrodite.”

“Aphrodite?” Dragon grunted.

“Before you complain about it, just think about what I said before. What would happen if there were no more Red Army for Neferet to use as a wartime eating machine?”

Dragon sighed and nodded. “Yes, it is true. Without the Red Army, Neferet would no longer have such an easy time winning the war.”

“Exactly,” Kevin said.

“Then you must know it is worth the risk,” Grandma Redbird said.

“All right. I’ll have Johnny B lead you to where we hid the Polaris.” Dragon turned his somber gaze to Grandma Redbird. “Sylvia, I want you to know that you have a place here with us should you choose to stay.”

“Thank you, Dragon, but I must return to my farm. I’ve been granted protection, so I am in no danger, and I can do more good out there than hiding here.”

“How do I get messages to you guys here?” Kevin asked. “I’ll try to get back here as often as possible, but I’ll have to be one hundred percent sure no one’s following me. What if I have information you need, but I can’t get away?”