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The first attack could have been written off as an attempt to scare humans, but it had a twist that was solidly aimed at vampires. The most recent attack was probably aimed at werewolves and shifters based on the noise…but if his aim is to do a larger attack, wouldn’t it be better for him to launch it sooner instead of keep experimenting? He’d have a higher chance of having an element of surprise if he did it now instead of continuing with his experiments.
Unless this is all maybe an intimidation tactic and he intends to drag it out and turn the public against supernaturals—that seemed to be the goal of the artifact ring. Except that was undeniably run by stooges, not leaders like the fae probably is.
And if that was the goal, why did they make the second attack markedly bigger than the first? It affected the whole street, which was entirely unnecessary as there weren’t many shifters downtown. It affected more fae—and elves—with the spell that cut off magic—wait…
“What if the second attack was aimed at the werewolvesandthe fae?” I asked, interrupting the friendly banter.
Noctus’s shoulders straightened as he considered my suggestion. “Did the fae suffer any kind of adverse reaction? I didn’t hear of any of them being harmed outside of collateral damage from the broken glass and chaos.”
“The no-magic zone,” I said. “The elves got caught in it, and we assumed it was done so supernaturals wouldn’t be able to heal as quickly as normal. But what if it was to cancel fae glamours and magic, and test how they responded?”
“Oh.” Aristide grimaced. “I donotlike that idea. There’s a good chance you’re right. But I do not like it.”
Noctus and Charon exchanged looks. “If there was a test for the fae threaded in that attack, what are the chances there was something in the first incident that targeted wizards?” Charon asked.
“The shadow creatures,” Noctus said. The certainty in his voice sounded grim. “Vampires and shifters could use raw strength to destroy them, while fae are typically trained in some form or fashion of weapons and could defeat them with their training if they were cut off from their powers. Wizards, however, are generally only ever trained in the use of magic.”
“That means the fae has tested attacks that would affect each of the four magic supernatural races,” I said. “Unless we’re wrong and this really is just about small incidents.”
“The Paragon might have a better idea given that on the whole he’s more familiar with how this group operates, but I suspect we’re correct,” Noctus said.
“Great, so they really are planning something on a large scale,” Aristide said.
“Could be targeting the entire city?” Oleander asked.
Noctus shook his head. “Even with elf magic at their disposal, it’s too big a target.”
“Then it must be the Curia Cloisters,” Ker said.
“We need to go back to my study.” Noctus turned away from the city, herding us back in the direction of the stairs. “Chloe, would you call Pat?”
“Sure,” I said. “What are you going to do?”
“Contact the Paragon,” Noctus said. “He’s got a direct line with the Regional Committee of Magic. I need to move in and offer myhelp so he doesn’t panic and reveal Calor Villa in the process.”
* * *
A week passed,and thankfully—blessedly—nothing happened.
I went to the Book Nookery as usual, Pat still spent too many hours on duty, and Charon continued with my training.
The only change was that Noctus now always had a squadron of elves on standby at the Cloisters with the Paragon’s help—he insisted they were an elite fae guard unit and thankfully no one had asked him why he hadn’t summoned them before now given all the past incidents in the Curia Cloisters. (Of course, knowing the Paragon, it was unlikely anyone wanted to risk asking him and then be forced to sit through whatever long-winded, chaotic tale he spun to suit the fae inability to lie. The Paragon, I was starting to suspect, used his eccentricities as a different kind of glamour.)
“If you’d like to get out here, Chloe, I’ll go park the car,” Charon offered. “I texted His Majesty before we left, so he’ll be expecting you. Aristide and Ker should be waiting.”
I snapped out of my reverie. “Okay. Oh, and thanks, Charon, for picking me up from work.”
“Of course.” Charon shifted the car into park after rolling to a stop outside the main doors of the Curia Cloisters. “The chance to escape the Paragon’s presence was most appreciated.”
I grinned at him as I unbuckled my seatbelt and then tossed my backpack onto the bench seat of the SUV.
While I was working the night away at Book Nookery, Noctus, Ker, Aristide, and Charon had spent the night meeting with the Paragon for a discussion about the elves’ future.
“See you inside,” I said as I slipped out of the car.
“Of course,” Charon nodded to me as I slammed the car door shut.
I gave him one last wave, then headed for the front doors. Since it was barely six thirty in the morning, the sky was still a dark blue, but any sign of the stars had faded, and the horizon line was rimmed with an anemic pale yellow, promising the sun would soon start to rise.
