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Leo greeted her politely enough, but I could tell he wasn’t all that delighted about another person in the house, although his interest picked up markedly when he smelled the soup and bread. But his possessiveness over this place was starting to get to me. The Veil House was Rhiannon’s—not his. And after Rhiannon, it would be mine. He was a guest here and it was time he started acting a little more gracious.
Kaylin, however, had noticeable eyes for Luna. From the moment he took her hand, I could see that he was attracted to her. She seemed to sense it, too, and I could almost see the sparks of interest flare between them.
As we sat down to dinner, I wondered if there was any way I could get away without Leo finding out about my impending visit to Geoffrey, but as always, he seemed two steps ahead of me when it concerned the vampires.
“I heard you’re due out at Geoffrey’s tomorrow night. You need a ride?” He glanced over at me, and for the first time in a couple of days, his voice sounded friendly.
I shook my head. “Thanks, but I’ve got one already.”
He shrugged. “Whatever, but if you want somebody to go with you, I’m there.”
I wanted to make some nasty retort, considering how he’d behaved lately, but then he pushed back his plate and gave me a soft smile.
“I really am sorry, Cicely. Geoffrey got wind of our argument. I don’t know how, but he swears it wasn’t you, and I have no choice but to believe him. He dressed me down something royal. I apologize for the way I’ve been acting, about you—and about Grieve.”
For a moment I panicked. “You didn’t tell him that I planned to break in and steal the antidote, did you? Because that plan has . . . gone by the wayside.”
He shook his head. “No, I didn’t say a word.” He let out a long breath. “I’m not supposed to tell you this, but damn it, I feel like I owe you one. I overheard Geoffrey and Lainule talking. They’re working on a plan to rescue Grieve.”
The light in his eyes didn’t look as friendly as the words falling out of his mouth, but I chose to let that go. His ego was probably still smarting from the dressing-down Geoffrey had given him.
“Thank you,” I said, feigning surprise. It occurred to me to warn Geoffrey to watch his back as far as eavesdroppers went . . . but then, if I did that, it would expose Leo to trouble. “That’s wonderful! But don’t let anybody else know—please. Not just yet.”
Leo gave me a sharp look. “You’re excited, right? Grieve will be back with you.”
If he’d been in on Anadey’s attack, he’d have to know that her spell hadn’t taken—I was still alive. Unless they really believed the connection could be broken without hurting either one of us. But the others would wonder if I didn’t show excitement. Feeling in a pickle, I opened my mouth, searching for something to say.
Peyton snapped around and interrupted. “So, Cicely, have you decided on a name for the new society yet?”
I flashed her a thank-you. “Yeah, I think I have. We’re fighting shadows. We’re fighting Myst. My thought is the Moon Spinners. Because the moon will expose them. The moonlight can ferret them out.”
“The Moon Spinners . . . I like it.” Rhiannon began serving the soup as Luna passed around the biscuits. Everything smelled warm and cozy and for a brief moment, I could almost pretend that we were just a group of friends, hanging out on a cold winter’s evening.
As I lay in bed that night, aware of the sounds of the house around me, I heard a whisper on the wind. I sat up, suddenly afraid, but Ulean seemed unperturbed.
Do you hear that? I hear something on the slipstream.
Ulean paused. You’re right, but I sense no danger. Only that someone is seeking your attention. It is not Myst, nor her kin. That much I can tell you.
Grieve?
No, or it would have Myst’s signature behind it.
I slipped out of bed and wandered over to the window, gazing out at the Golden Wood. The unhealthy glow that had settled over the forest remained, a thin green light that wavered and shimmered like an aurora. Only this aurora was sickly and felt infested with buzzing insects and rotting things that crawled out of the dark. I focused, turning my attention toward the energy emanating from the woodland, but the summons was not coming from there.>The afternoon passed into shadows and faded away. Luna listened to our story and—after a few probing questions—accepted what we had to say.
“My grandmother warned me that one day something might happen. She was one of the historians who worked on writing The History of the Vampire Nation. At least, the condensed volume.”
I jerked my head up. “Condensed volume? You mean there’s more than one book?”
“Oh, yes. There’s a fifteen-volume encyclopedia that was written about their history. It’s under lock and key—only two copies of it still exist. My family owns one of them; the other is deep in the vaults.” She let out a little gasp and pressed her fingers to her lips.
“Vaults? Luna, you need to tell us what you’re talking about.”
Looking chastised, she grimaced. “I should never have mentioned them, but . . . given what you told me about Myst and the Indigo Court, it might become necessary for you to know this. I’ll tell you, but please, don’t let the vampires know . . . or Myst.”
Peyton and I gave our word.
“There’s a society, they keep track of all the goings-on in the world. A group of historians known as the Akazzani. They are magic-born and yummanii alike. And they watch. They are born nine to a generation, and they are taken when young and trained for their jobs. They live in a hidden fortress and from there observe the goings-on of the world. They are the preservers of knowledge, the guardians of the ages. They do not interfere, nor do they direct matters, but they record all that has gone on, and all that will be. My sister was chosen by them. I only remember her from when she was very small, before the Akazzani took her under their wing.”
