“As of earlier today,” Chancellor Tilkin replied. “I only learned of it myself this morning.”
“How many vampires?” Bryn asked.
“Twenty,” the chancellor replied.
The door creaked open and Hazel bustled in with a tray of baked goods, a pitcher, and four glasses. Bryn was so distracted by the news of the vampires that she barely registered the secretary’s arrival.
“I can see we’re deep in concentration,” Hazel said. “I’ll just leave this here and make myself scarce.” She set the tray on the end of the desk closest to my roommates and hurried from the office.
Bryn picked up a biscuit and absently bit into it. “Anything special about these biscuits…I mean, vampires?”
The chancellor clutched both ends of her wand. “They were on a mission sponsored by the Vampire Alliance.”
My heart seized. The alliance again. There had to be a connection. “Who’s the chair of the organization?” I asked.
“It’s a triumvirate,” the chancellor replied.
“For a nonprofit organization?” Dani asked. “Isn’t that generally reserved for political leadership?”
The chancellor faced the fire witch. “And what do you think the Vampire Alliance is, child? They raise funds in order to influence policy that favors their species.”
And vampires were fairly high up the paranormal food chain, so they were helping to maintain the status quo, at the very least.
“I’ll talk to Gray and see what he knows,” Bryn said.
Chancellor Tilkin observed her coolly. “First, I can tell you what I know. You are already acquainted with one of the three.”
Understanding flickered in Bryn’s blue eyes. “Anton Harrington?”
“Indeed.” The chancellor returned to her seat. “I’m uncertain how much he’s at liberty to tell you, but I imagine he’ll recognize the critical need for information.”
I chewed one of Hazel’s biscuits. “Why haven’t we already been talking to Anton Harrington or the other two leaders? Shouldn’t they be involved in the investigation?”
“They are quite high on the vampire pyramid,” Chancellor Tilkin said. “It’s my understanding that Herb has been in contact with Mr. Harrington.”
“Herb didn’t mention it to me,” I said.
“This is part of the learning process, Mia,” the chancellor said. “It may feel like you’re at the center of the mission, but I assure you, you are only one cog in the wheel.”
A cog in the wheel. An insignificant member of the larger group. Small and practically invisible. Yep, that about summed me up.
“Thank you for your help, Chancellor,” I said. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, this cog in the wheel needs to figure out how to save the world before it implodes.”
“Mia,” the chancellor began, “I did not mean to suggest…”
I bolted from the office before anyone could stop me. Echoes of my name chased after me, but I kept moving. I didn’t care what the chancellor said. I was more than a minor player in this game of apocalyptic chess match, and I was about to prove it.
Chapter Seventeen
With its four Ionic columns and reflection pool, Harrington House was every bit as impressive as Nonesuch. Bryn and I stood on the doorstep. She’d insisted on coming along because of her past experience with the vampire.
“Don’t we need to ring the bell?” I asked.
“Not necessary,” Bryn replied. “There are daytime wards around the property. He knows someone’s here, just not necessarily who it is.”
“Is he nosy or paranoid?” I asked.
She shrugged. “Both. Now, let me do the talking. Anton can be somewhat of a character, but we have an understanding.”
I frowned. “What kind of understanding?”
“The one where he doesn’t piss me off and, in return, I promise not to kill him,” she replied matter-of-factly.
“Maybe you should’ve worn a different shirt,” I said, noticing Bryn’s sassy T-shirt. It bore an image of a witch silhouette in sun salutation pose and the print read Namaste, Witches.
Bryn glanced down at the shirt. “Why? It reflects my sunny disposition.”
The arched wooden door opened and a servant peered at us through the gap. He brightened when he saw Bryn. “Good day to you, Miss Morrow. What a wonderful surprise.”
“Hey, Edwards,” Bryn said. “How’s it going? Is the Fantastic Fanger home?”
Edwards snorted. “Do come in and I shall see.”
We stepped into the grand foyer and Edwards walked away at a brisk pace.
“Do yourself a favor and don’t go exploring his collections,” Bryn said. “Trust me on that one.”
“Anton is the one that gave you the healing stone, didn’t he?” I asked. “The stone with your father’s blood in it?”
Bryn appeared thoughtful. “I wouldn’t exactly say he gave it to me. Let’s just agree that he let me have it.”
My gaze swept the foyer with its suits of armor and tapestries. “Anton certainly seems to enjoy his collections.”
“He’s definitely someone who takes pleasure in being wealthy and immortal.”
Edwards returned to the foyer. “Mr. Harrington will see you now.”
“Please tell me he’s in the sunroom,” Bryn said. She looped her arm through mine. “Best room in the house.”
“I agree, Miss Morrow.” Edwards bowed before escorting us through the house to the sunroom. The room had a homey feel compared to the rest of the house. An antique table stood against the wall, covered in crystals and other incandescent stones. Thanks to the relentless sunbeams, the stones glimmered as though they knew they were on display to be admired.
Anton Harrington sat cross-legged on a window seat. He wore black yoga pants with a white tank top that read—Yoga. Because biting others is frowned upon. He and Bryn glanced at each other’s tops and laughed.
“A witch after my own cold, dead heart,” Anton said. He rose from the window seat and greeted Bryn with a kiss on each cheek. “And Miss Holmes. Lovely to see you. I’ve been hearing glowing reports from my spies in the AMF.”
I balked. He was admitting to having spies in the AMF?
Bryn snickered. “He means Herb.” She shot him a pensive look. “You do mean Herb, right?”
Anton broke into a broad smile, showing off his fangs. “Of course. Herb has been devastated by recent events. The entire community has.” His smile melted away.
“You weren’t at the enclave,” I said, and immediately wanted to snatch back the words. I wasn’t supposed to be there at all.
Anton inclined his head. “I was not. Not to worry, Miss Holmes. I heard all about your little adventure.” He snapped his fingers. “Edwards, a pitcher of that horrid Terrene beverage Miss Morrow is so fond of.”
“I believe it’s called iced tea, sir,” Edwards replied.
“Repulsive,” Anton said, wrinkling his nose in disgust. “But I do aim to please my guests, no matter how revolting their habits are.”
“With a slice of lemon, Edwards,” Bryn called after the servant.
I walked over to the antique table to admire the collection of stones. Cerys would be in her glory examining these. I suddenly regretted leaving her behind. Bryn said it would be best to minimize the number of guests or we risked raising Anton’s suspicions. We were there to extract information. He was less likely to divulge high-level intel with four witches in his presence.
“I hope you don’t have sticky fingers like your friend here,” Anton said. He joined me at the table.
I laughed. “I’m not drawn to stones. I’m an air witch.”
“I’m not drawn to them either, except as beautiful pieces of nature’s art.” He tapped a bright green stone. “This one has magical properties.”
“Another healing stone?” I queried.
Anton chuckled and cast a sidelong glance at Bryn. “You know about that one, do you? One of my most valuable items and she palmed it like a common thief.”
“Hey, arguably that stone rightfully belonged to me anyway,” Bryn said. “It has my DNA in it.”
“Yes, such the dragonfly in amber you are,” Anton joked.
“You should see Jurassic Park if you want to know the real value of DNA preserved in amber,” Bryn said.
“This is a place in Terrene?” Anton asked.
“Oh, yes,” Bryn said. “Very popular with tourists.” I could tell by her tone of voice that she was lying. Anton didn’t seem to notice.
“Not that I don’t adore your company, Miss Morrow,” Anton said, “but I have a busy day ahead of me. What brings you here unexpectedly?”
“The Vampire Alliance,” I said. I forgot all about the stones and gave the vampire my full attention.
Surprise rippled across his features. “Yes. What of it?”
“You’re a member of the triumvirate,” I said. I heard the accusatory tone and wished I’d taken a different tack.
“I am, indeed,” Anton said.
I pinned him with a hard stare. “It’s confidential? Your role?”
He moved away from the table as Edwards returned with a tray of glasses and a pitcher of iced tea. Bryn lit up at the sight of her beloved beverage.
“Ooh, iced tea in a crystal pitcher,” she said. “It doesn’t get fancier than that.”
“While it isn’t widely known, it doesn’t qualify as a secret,” Anton replied. “Obviously, key personnel in the AMF are aware.”
“And you and Herb have spoken about the vampire deaths?” I asked. “Not just the ones from Nonesuch, but the others.”
Anton’s brow furrowed. “Others?”
Aha. “The ones in the Southern Quadrant. They were found in the jungle by werewolves.”
Anton’s jaw clenched. “I am not aware of this group. They were members of the alliance?”
I nodded. “Twenty of them.”
He sucked in a breath and placed his hands in a prayer position. “Forgive my ignorance. Truth be told, I have taken a sabbatical from the alliance. That’s why you didn’t see me at Nonesuch.”
“Can you be on sabbatical when you’re one of only three leaders?” Bryn asked. She gulped down her iced tea and smacked her lips. “This is delicious, Edwards.”
Edwards bowed before leaving the tray on a sideboard and exiting the sunroom.
“I can do whatever I please,” Anton said. He plucked a glass of iced tea from the tray and settled on a chaise lounge. “I’m Anton Harrington.”
I folded my arms and scrutinized him. “Why have you taken a sabbatical from the group? Why now?”
Anton took a dainty sip of iced tea. “Truly horrid, Miss Morrow. I feel as though I’m being punished.”
“Then don’t drink it,” she said. “More for me.”
“I’m being a good host,” he said.
She gave him a pointed look. “Then stop complaining about it.”
“Fair point.” He took another sip before placing the glass on a coaster on the table beside him. “I’ve been taking on too much and my business enterprises were suffering. The alliance has been ticking along nicely, so I decided it would be an easy place to scale back my time. The other two have matters well in hand.”
“Were you involved in planning the fundraiser at Nonesuch?” I asked.
He smacked his thigh and laughed. “By the devil, no. Do I seem like the type of vampire to get his hands dirty?”
“No,” Bryn said, her mouth full of iced tea. She swallowed. “He doesn’t like to be dirty. He’s fastidious.” She pointed to the table where he’d set down his glass. “Look, he uses coasters.”
Anton smiled. “She knows me so well.”
“Who hired Sela to organize the fundraiser?” I asked.
“Sela came to the alliance and offered her services,” Anton replied. “She presented herself as a vampire. No one had any reason to believe otherwise.”
“Herb knows this, presumably,” I said.
He dipped his head in acknowledgement. “I was as shocked as anyone to learn she was a muse.”
“Even more shocking was the way she died,” I said. “Someone was very upset with Sela, or really wanted to silence her.” Or both.
Anton didn’t flinch. “Yes, Herb gave me a summary of the unfortunate incident.”
“She wrote something before she died,” I said. “In her own blood.”
Anton gave the glass of iced tea another try before surrendering it to the coaster once again. “And what was that?”
“Garden,” I said. “I couldn’t read the rest. The first word began with a ‘B.’”
“Well, I know of plenty of gardens.” He examined his nails and I noticed they were painted black and each one was decorated with a diamond. “I have no idea how to connect them to the muse’s death, however.”
“No, it’s been a dead end,” I admitted. I could hardly blame the muse for poor handwriting under the circumstances.
“Is there any reason to think one of your other Vampire Alliance buddies might be involved?” Bryn asked. Cutting to the chase—that was Bryn Morrow’s style.
“The other two leaders?” Anton queried. “I can’t imagine why they’d be interested in killing off our own kind. The whole point of the alliance is to further our causes. To protect the needs of our species.”
“Nobody’s been raving about bringing about the end of the world?” Bryn asked. “Come on, Harrington, you’ve got to have a nut or two in that alliance of yours. Wipe out all living creatures and then rise to the top of the food chain?”
He gave her a look of disdain. “Vampires are already at the top of the chain. We’ve no need to eradicate all creatures to prove it. Besides, we certainly wouldn’t be foolish enough to start with ourselves. That’s absurd.”
“You would if you were trying to make it seem like someone else was behind it,” I said. “Throw suspicion on another group of paranormals.”
“Cunning, Miss Holmes. You’ll make a fine Keeper of the North, but I believe you are…” He glanced at Bryn. “What’s that adorable Terrene expression—barking up the wrong tree?”
Bryn pointed at him. “That works.”
I crossed the sunroom and stared blankly outside. “What do you know about alchemy, Mr. Harrington?”
“Alchemy?” he repeated. “Should I know something about alchemy?”
“I went to the warehouse where the alliance…where Sela rented the snow machine from. There was a mage there with a tattoo.”
Anton yawned. “How pedestrian.”
“It was the symbol for blood alchemy,” I said.
Bryn poured herself more iced tea. “You think it’s relevant?”
“I’m not sure,” I said. “Alchemy is the transformation or creation of matter. The AMF lab identified the substance as a toxin, but that suggests it was biologically produced. What if it wasn’t? What if an alchemist played a role in creating whatever is killing the vampires?”
Anton stroked his chin. “I’m aware of a fraternal order of alchemists. They had plans to create a blood substitute and wanted a silent partner to fund the project. They approached me last year.”
“And did you give them money?” Bryn asked.
“No,” Anton replied. “I had no interest in a blood substitute. I’m partial to organic myself.”
“Do you remember the name of the group?” I asked.
“Yes, the Fraternal Order of Hermes,” he replied.
“Thank you,” I said. The group was worth a visit, considering the fate of the world was hanging by a thread and I still had no clue who held the scissors.
“It’s been lovely to chat with you both,” Anton said. “Next time, plan to stay for meditation and wear your most comfortable clothing. The sunroom makes an excellent yoga center.”
“Do you think you’d worship the sun so much if you’re weren’t a vampire?” Bryn said. “I swear you’re obsessed with it because it’s contrary.”
“Sounds more like you than me, Miss Morrow.”
<
br /> She flashed a dazzling smile. “I guess that’s why we get along.”
“That, and our affinity for blood,” he said.
“Well, I don’t actually like to drink it,” Bryn said. “I can barely watch when Gray sucks down a blood orange shake.”
“Ah yes, the venerable Warden Mappleworth. I’d hoped you would’ve grown out of that phase by now. Do pass along my regards.”
“Sure thing,” Bryn said.
“Before you go,” Anton said, “tell me, do you still have the stone?”
Bryn frowned. “My father’s?”
“Yes.” Anton rose from the chair to escort us to the hallway.
“Of course,” she replied. “I couldn’t part with it if I wanted to. It would be like one of those creepy dolls that turns up every time you try to dump it somewhere.”
Anton chuckled. “I have no idea what that means, but it sounds delightful.”
Edwards met us by the sunroom doorway. “Leaving so soon?”
“We’ve got a world to save, Edwards,” Bryn said. “You can thank us later with another pitcher of that delicious iced tea.”
“As you wish, miss,” Edwards said.
“What’s next on the agenda?” Bryn asked, as we left Harrington House and all its treasures behind.
“I don’t know about you, but I’m going to tip the scales at a boys’ club.”
Bryn nodded sagely. “In that case, I think we’d better load up on more estrogen.”
Chapter Eighteen
The Fraternal Order of Hermes appeared to be a mixture of paranormals. Wizards, warlocks, elves, and other species shuffled around a large, open-plan room filled with tables of beakers and bubbling pots. Thanks to Robin’s research skills, we found their headquarters in an abandoned wand factory on the outskirts of a town called Wishing Star. My roommates and I hovered in the unmanned lobby, getting the lay of the land before we entered.
“Do you really think these guys are responsible for creating toxic snow?” Cerys whispered.
“Yeah, they look like they’d have trouble wiping their own noses,” Bryn remarked.
“Can I help you?” a man in a brown frock appeared in front of us. The frock was cinched with a rope belt and his feet were bare. I noticed the same tattoo on his forearm that I’d spotted on the mage at Gadgets-n-Gizmos.
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