AllFreeNovel
Share Us
"So they drink blood, and tear people apart . . ." I glanced over at Peyton.
"Grandma's throat." Her voice was clear, but I could hear the tremor in it.
"Yeah, I was thinking that myself." I went back to skimming pages until I found another passage that seemed important.
Those turned by the Indigo Court must be Fae themselves for the turning to take. Unlike true vampires, the Vampiric Fae cannot turn humans or most Supernaturals. They can only turn other Fae and the magic-born. Their bite will enthrall, and that thrall can last a lifetime, but if they drain a mortal--a true mortal--that mortal will die.
The magic-born, however, respond to the turning in much the way the Vampiric Fae do. They will die rather than regenerate, but when they return to walk among the living, they retain their magical powers along with diluted Fae abilities. But they will never--as far as this research committee knows--match their sires in strength and power.
Both Peyton and Rhiannon fell silent. Anadey, who had been standing in the archway leading into the kitchen, shook her head.
"Then, we can safely assume that Myst and her people are the ones snatching the other magic-born, as well as the townspeople. They feed on both blood and energy, and they can turn the magic-born and use them for their own ends. A terrifying combination."
She turned to Rhiannon. "We have to talk to Geoffrey. The two factions are mortal--or rather, immortal--enemies. While the Indigo Court can't turn humans the same way a vampire can, they certainly can make a meal of them. We may have to ask the Vampire Nation for help."
I closed the book, staring out into the street. Everything looked so normal, but beneath the current of everyday life ran a dark river of energy. It's what I'd felt when I first looked out into the ravine next to Veil House, and it had followed us here. The thought of asking the vampires for help turned my stomach, after what had happened to my mother, but Anadey might be right. We needed help--we couldn't fight the entire Indigo Court by ourselves.
Without looking over my shoulder, I said, "So . . . I guess our next step is to talk to Geoffrey?"
Anadey's voice was soft but firm. "I'm sorry--but yes. I think we have to. The Society's fallen apart. We're on our own here. And regardless of our magic, we're no match for Myst and her people."
As I turned away from the window, I could feel someone from outside trying to peer in. Marta's wards were strong and whatever it was couldn't get past them. Yet. But I was certain that Myst's spies knew we were here.
After we loaded three boxes of books and four boxes of magical supplies into Favonis's trunk, we dropped Peyton and Anadey off at the diner again.
On the way home, I told Rhiannon, "I like them--especially Peyton. She's quiet and soft-spoken, but there's a strength behind her."
"She was always picked on when we were students in the conservatory," Rhiannon said. "So was I, but because I did so poorly. She was picked on because of her half-breed nature."
I nodded. "That had to be hard, growing up. At least she's half-werepuma and not werewolf--that would be far worse. We were chatting and discovered we both like sparring. We're meeting at the conservatory gym tomorrow morning to work out together. If we get along, I gather the fee's only twenty dollars a month. I can swing that."
"Sounds good. What about tonight?"
"I still need to unpack, and I think we should ward the house. We have to do something to protect ourselves."
Rhiannon nodded, slowly. "What would you say if I asked Leo to come stay for a while? I'd feel better with someone else in the house. Especially now, after what we've found out. And since he works for Geoffrey, and the vampires hate the Indigo Court . . ."
I picked up on her line of thought--if they knew one of their employees was living near danger, maybe they'd be apt to protect us. Trying to push my conflicted feelings over Grieve out of the way, I bit my lip and nodded. "Yeah. Why don't you call him now. See if he's home."
She put in the call and we lucked out. Leo had been given light duty for the evening and was hanging out at his apartment. We headed over there before going home, all too aware that dusk was falling.
Leo lived in an apartment smack in the middle of downtown New Forest, on the fourth floor. It was modern, but modest, and felt like just one of a dozen other buildings dotting the town.
The minute we got inside, without further to-do, Rhiannon asked him if he'd stay out at the house with us for a while. She stumbled over her words, and I wondered if she was worrying about how this would affect their relationship, but Leo took it in stride.
"Crap," he said as we explained what we'd found out. "Okay, I'm in. I'll feel better knowing the two of you aren't out there alone, so this will ease all our minds."
"But what about your rent here?" I asked.
He shrugged. "Don't sweat it. If it looks like I'm going to be over at the Veil House longer than a month or two, I'll give notice. Now that Elise is gone--we shared the apartment--there's just a lot of baggage here." He put his arm around Rhiannon. "We were talking about moving in together, anyway. This seems like as good a time as any. Can you grab my cat, Bart?"
He threw together a bag while I coaxed Bart off the top of the refrigerator. The Maine Coon was frisky, but when I opened the cat carrier, he let out a purp and looked at Leo, who was stuffing his backpack. He'd already filled two suitcases, one with clothing and one with spell components and herbs.
Leo gave a three-toned whistle and Bart delicately leapt down to the counter, then to the floor. He strolled over to the carrier and made himself at home, curling up on the thick cushion inside. I shut the door and fastened the latch.
"I've never seen a cat so responsive. How did you train him?"
Leo laughed. "You don't train cats. They train you. Marta gave him to me when he was nine weeks old, and performed a binding ritual for us. Apparently, Bart needed to be with a healer, and so Marta presented him to me and Bart approved. We've been together five years now, and he's been a great help. And a real friend," he added softly.
