“She rebuilt this city after the Great Eruption,” I countered. “She fought for and defended the largest territory in the country.” I wasn’t sure why I suddenly felt compelled to defend the ruthless vampire queen. Maybe it was the simple fact that, historically, powerful women were torn down far more frequently than their male counterparts.
“And she would’ve destroyed it eventually, had she been allowed to continue as queen. I’d stake my life on it. I have no interest in dragging what sins that may have been committed into the light. Let them remain ambiguous and in the shadows where they belong.” He lifted the torch in a way that displayed our shadows on the stone wall. “That’s what I do, Miss Hayes, and I’d advise you to do the same.”
15
I retreated to my flat to process the day’s events, which involved recounting every detail to the menagerie. Big Red was the only one who bothered to listen all the way through. The others only feigned interest until I gave them their treats, then they wandered away in search of a more stimulating environment. Traitors. The red panda had more patience.
“So those butterflies weren’t trailing me,” I said, as I stood at the stovetop and cooked a small pot of pasta. “I know what you’re thinking—who killed Antonia Birch and why?” I bent over to pat Big Red’s head. “No idea yet, but…”
The red panda grunted and skittered out of the kitchen before I could finish.
I walked into the living room where the rest of the animals were quietly gathered in front of the door. Herman bleated.
Okay, someone was outside the door. I waited a few seconds to see whether anyone knocked.
Nope. Silence.
I didn’t detect any vampires.
I connected to my magic. After what happened with Antonia at the museum, I had to be careful. If someone killed her and stole the book to suppress the origin story of the stones, then I was in danger.
I leaned forward to peer through the peephole. A man was crouched in front of the door. Although I couldn’t see his face, I didn’t need to. The sun tattoo on his bald head told me who it was.
The Green Wizard.
I’d encountered him on the site of the former St. Paul’s Cathedral where he tried to kill me. Callan had taken out his men and the wizard had teleported to safety.
What was he doing outside my flat?
The door was heavily warded, although he didn’t seem to be trying to penetrate it.
He resumed an upright position and a brown eye peered back at me through the peephole.
“I know you’re watching me.”
“You’re sneaking around outside my flat,” I replied. “Of course I’m watching you.”
“You’re London Hayes of the Knights of Boudica, yes?”
I placed a hand on the door handle. “Who wants to know?”
I didn’t wait for a response. I yanked the door open with one hand and grabbed the wizard by the collar of his cloak with the other. I slammed the side of his head against the doorframe.
He gathered his wits and used his smooth dome to head-butt me. Herman bleated his displeasure.
“Stay clear,” I told the menagerie. I didn’t want them feeling inclined to help.
I hunched over and flipped the wizard onto his back on the floor, slamming the heel of my boot on his chest to pin him in place.
Hera hissed and I glanced at the sofa. “I appreciate your support but don’t get involved.”
My raised foot dropped to the floor. I glanced down to where the wizard had been lodged beneath my boot only a moment ago.
He reappeared in the kitchen doorway, holding his hands in the air, palms exposed. “Stop. I only want to talk.”
Oh, right. The teleporter.
“You weren’t so keen to talk last time we met.”
“I didn’t know.”
“Know what?”
I might not be able to teleport, but I was fast. I raced across the room and pushed him against the wall, gripping him by the neck. If I could deprive him of enough oxygen, he wouldn’t be able to think straight enough to teleport.
“Why did you kill Antonia Birch? Where’s the book?”
“I…don’t know…what you mean.”
I tightened my grip to the point where his eyes began to bulge. “Why are you here?”
“Look…down. Door.”
I cast a glance over my shoulder at the floor to see a small rectangular card. That must’ve been why he was crouched in front of my door. It couldn’t be made of poisoned paper or spelled or it wouldn’t have made it through the ward.
Herman started toward the card to investigate.
“Big Red,” I called.
The pygmy goat treated any form of paper like a snack. The red panda scooped the card into his mouth and delivered it to my free hand.
I examined the card and then looked at the Green Wizard. “The card is blank.”
There was no symbol. No logo. No name.
I released my grip on his neck so he could talk.
“Only practitioners of magic can read what’s on the card,” he rasped. “It’s a failsafe.”
“Witches and wizards only, huh?” I turned the card over. “A reveal spell? You’ve got a giant sun tattoo on your head, but you need to keep your business cards a mystery? Seems to me you’re a walking billboard.”
I let him go.
“I’m part of a group called PSR,” he said, rubbing his neck.
I tried to identify the meaning of the letters. Post-Sun Revolution? No. Please Stop…'Pocalypse?
I gave up. “I’ve got nothing.”
“People in Support of Ra. Our main objective is to bring back the sun.”
I barked a laugh. “How do you expect to do that? A really tall ladder?”
“We thought we could use the elemental stone.”
“Except you don’t control it.”
“An unfortunate turn of events thanks to you.”
If he was trying to guilt me, it didn’t work. “You should’ve joined forces with the druid. That’s why he wanted it, too.”
“Dashiell wanted power. Nothing more.”
On that we agreed.
I closed the door and sat on the sofa next to Hera. “You said you thought you could use the elemental stone. You don’t believe that anymore?”
“We no longer believe the stone is enough on its own.”
I stroked the cat’s back and she responded by biting my hand. “I’m afraid I can’t help you.”
“Can’t—or won’t?”
I arched an eyebrow. “Does it matter?”
“We’d like to extend an invitation to you to join our group.”
“I’m not much of a joiner.”
“You’re a knight.”
“Out of necessity. A girl has to eat.”
He looked down at the animals that had collected at his feet. It wasn’t every day I had guests in the flat. “We could use someone with your skills.”
“I hate to undermine what your mother told you, but you’re not special. Everyone could use someone with my skills.”
His eyes met mine. “But is everyone trying to bring back the sun and eliminate vampire rule? Perhaps I’m biased, but I believe our cause is worthier than any other use of your skills.”
He had a point. The return of sunlight to the realm would be…Well, it was impossible to overstate its significance. It would change life as we know it, just as the sun’s disappearance changed life for previous generations.
“Okay, I’ll bite. How do you propose to bring back the sun?”
“Meet us and find out.” He motioned to the card. “The next meeting is tomorrow. That’s why I came here now. To invite you to attend.”
“I’ll think about it.”
He frowned. “You fight alongside vampires and yet you refuse a simple meeting with your own kind?”