My eyes brimmed with unshed tears. “You never liked me. This is your chance to finally get rid of me.”
“On the contrary, I only need to wait this year for that happy outcome,” he said. “I’m more patient than you give me credit for.” He maintained a neutral expression. “Elder Sam will go to your room and pack a bag of essentials.”
“What about my kenzoku? Can I say goodbye?”
“I think you’ve said enough to them,” Elder Alastor said.
Elder Bahaira offered me a cup of tea while I waited for Elder Sam. I took two sips, but felt too queasy to have the rest.
“Take good care,” she whispered.
Elder Sam returned with a bag and my weapons. He handed them to me with a solemn expression. “Cassia, I’m sorry.”
“Don’t speak to me,” I said. “You let him do that to me. You stood there and watched and let it happen. You of everyone there knows how it feels to be cast out of your home.”
I spun on my heel and headed for the portal. The snap of fingers prompted me to turn around.
“There’s no need for the portal, is there?” Elder Alastor said. “You might as well use the wings you were born with.”
I cast a final glance over my shoulder before pushing through the hatch to stand on the ledge. I spread my wings and soared. It wasn’t until I was halfway to the city that I let the tears fall. I didn’t know why I was crying. Ultimately, I got what I wanted. I would bring Mariska’s killer to justice, even if it meant putting myself in danger, because I knew without a doubt that she would have done the same for me.
Chapter Eight
Hotel Franklin was located, appropriately enough, on the Ben Franklin Parkway. The exterior boasted a brick paved entrance with a three-tiered fountain and a covered entryway. A clock tower presided over the rest of the hotel. A bellman opened the door with a friendly smile.
The formal lobby was teeming with well-dressed guests. A statue of Benjamin Franklin lorded over the lobby from the middle of the atrium. Marble pillars supported the tiers above and a pianist played classical music on a gleaming black piano in the corner. Elder Alastor was fond of classical music, a thought that burned a hole in my heart. He often said it was one of the few things humans did well.
Looking around, I wondered whether this was a typical evening at the hotel. It was the kind of question I would have asked Elder Sam. It felt strange to be here without him.
A woman in a dark blue dress approached me. “Are you here for the fundraiser?”
“Yes, of course,” I said. “Why else?”
The woman glanced at my clothes. I hadn’t thought to glamour a nice outfit. “I’m going to change in my room,” I said. Once I secured one. I needed a place to sleep anyway. I’d seen one of Elder Sam’s credit cards in my bag and knew that he probably hadn’t mentioned the addition to the others.
“I thought so,” the woman said. “The registration book is there on the stand. You can sign in and enjoy a drink before we move into the ballroom.”
“Can you tell me where I can find Balthazar?” I asked.
“Oh, I see,” she said. “Apologies, I didn’t realize you were a friend of his.” She placed an emphasis on the word ‘friend’ that made me think it was a polite way of saying something else. “He’ll make an appearance later. He tends not to mingle this early in the evening.”
She moved on to another guest, so I took the opportunity to book a room. I hurried to the elevator and took my bag and weapons to the fifth floor. My wings were tricky enough—it wasn’t easy to keep everything glamoured yet still lug it around. I also changed my casual outfit into a dress based on one I saw on a woman in the lobby. She seemed closer to my age, so I figured it was appropriate.
I returned to the lobby to search for the vampire. It was hard not to be distracted by the architecture. The tray ceiling was covered in stained glass. The panels that surrounded it were equally elaborate, with gold-plated leaves and matching light fixtures. Gargoyles gazed down at me from atop each marble pillar.
“Beautiful, isn’t it?” a man asked.
My head jerked toward him. I’d been too distracted by the architecture to notice him. He was only a couple inches taller than me with reddish-brown hair and matching facial hair.
“I don’t know where to look first,” I said. “I’ve never seen anything like this place.”
“No, you wouldn’t have. It’s one of the oldest hotels in the country. Back when it was still a private home, rumor has it that Ben Franklin himself would come here when he needed a respite from his own guests. A miracle that it survived the war.”
“Is it?” I didn’t know very much about the city’s history. We were only taught very broad facts about the mortal city.
“Well, when British troops occupied the city, this was one of the first homes they chose for obvious reasons,” the man said. “The owner made each soldier who entered promise to leave the building as they found it. As the story goes, they were so enamored by the place that they agreed.”
“I can’t believe this was a house,” I said.
“Well, there have been tweaks here and there over the years,” he said, “but it’s a real architectural and cultural gem.”
“It’s nice to have relics of our past,” I said. “Helps us not repeat the same mistakes in the future.”
“Another history lover, I take it.” He stuck out a hand. “Professor Jamison. I teach at one of the local universities. I never miss an opportunity to attend a function here. Balthazar spares no expense.”
I pulled back slightly. “You know him personally?”
He nodded enthusiastically. “Oh, yes. I’ve been coming here for years, ever since I took up the post at the university. He’s wonderful company. The one time I can honestly say I’m not the most knowledgeable person in the room when it comes to history.”
A server came by and offered us small plates of shrimp, and I accepted one readily.
“Have you been to see the gallery upstairs?” Professor Jamison asked. “It boasts the most impressive collection of artwork from the colonial era.”
I glanced around for any sign of Balthazar. Although I didn't know exactly what he looked like, I knew he was a vampire. Among this crowd, that would be enough. “I wouldn't mind a quick peek,” I said. It was only when we arrived at the top of the steps that I realized we were the only ones in the gallery. The professor placed a hand on the small of my back and guided me closer to the first portrait.
“I’m sure you recognize Thomas Jefferson.”
“One of the most famous Founding Fathers,” I said. Inwardly, I sighed with relief that the Elders had seen fit to teach us the names of the most prominent men and women in American history.
“There’s a private room that has an even better collection,” the professor said. “Would you like to see it?”
I began to feel uneasy. It seemed the kindly professor was steering me further into isolation.
“I should probably get back to the lobby,” I said. “The appetizers won’t be circulating for much longer.”
He grabbed my wrist and yanked me toward a door that was slightly ajar. “No need to play coy now that we’re alone,” he said.
“I think you have me mistaken for someone else,” I said.
His eyes flashed with menace. “On the contrary,” he said. “I know exactly who you are and why you’re here.” He pushed me into the empty room and slammed the door behind us.
There was no way he could know my identity. “The only way you can know the reason I’m here is if you’re responsible,” I said.
His expression reflected confusion. “Responsible? The only thing I’m going to be responsible for is picking your bones clean.” His nails elongated into sharp claws and his eyes turned black.
I balked. “You’re a ravener demon.” How could I be so stupid? Ravener demons were greater demons from the second level of the Nether. They tended to prey on anything and everything.
“You, my dear,
are my guilty pleasure this evening. Why do you think I keep coming back here? I always find a morsel like you to taste.”
Blood pumped through my veins as my body geared up to defend itself. My hands twitched. He ran straight at me and I waited until his body struck mine to heave him aside. He flew through the air and crashed into a sideboard. Before he could regain his senses, a silhouette joined us in the room.
“Jamison, are you troubling my guests once again? I warned you that if you made an appearance again, it would be your last.”
The demon scrambled to his feet and lowered his head in submission. “It won’t happen again, Balthazar. I swear it.” He tried to brush past the vampire, but Balthazar caught him by the collar and yanked him back.
“I’ll need your unbreakable word this time,” the vampire said.
The demon twisted. “I just gave it to you.”
“No, no. Not this time. Your word, as in your bond.”
The demon winced and held up his forearm. Balthazar leaned down and sunk his fangs into the demon’s flesh.
“You taste much better than you look,” Balthazar said, once he had retracted his fangs. He released the demon and flung him toward the door. “If I spot you here again, I will kill you.”
The professor bolted from the room and Balthazar turned his attention to me. “You are quite welcome, though you seemed to have the matter well in hand.”
I nodded. “Thank you.”
I stood perfectly still as the vampire slowly circled me. If I didn’t know better, I would’ve thought he was sizing me up for a meal, but I knew that any vampire that took the trouble to rescue cambions couldn’t be the vicious killer he pretended to be.
“I sense very little fear in you,” he said. “Do not think that because I came to your aid that I am to be trusted.” He completed the circle and stood in front of me.
“I’m not here to trust you,” I said. “But I am here to ask for your help.”
He looked down his long, narrow nose at me. “How interesting. And what makes you think I would offer help to demonspawn?”
“Because Elder Sam told me so,” I said.
He cocked his head. “A graduate, are you? Finding your way in the mortal realm for the first time?”
“Something like that,” I said. “There was a break-in recently. An object of value was taken and someone was killed.”
Surprise rippled across his sharp features. “How can that be? The location is quite secure. Even I don’t know where it is and I take pains to know everything I can about my city. As one of its oldest residents, I consider it my duty.”
“That’s what we’re trying to figure out,” I said. “I’m tracking down anyone with a connection to the academy in Philadelphia.”
Balthazar slid his hands into the pockets of his neatly pressed trousers. “Surely you haven’t come here to level an accusation against me, not after all I’ve done for your little halfling playground.”
Music began to play and I realized the sound was coming from his pocket. He withdrew his phone so quickly that I could have blinked and missed it. He scanned the screen and looked at me.
“I’m afraid the rest of this conversation will have to wait. As you can see, I’m in the middle of an event and I’m needed downstairs.” He looked me up and down. “You’re more than welcome to linger until we’re able to speak again. I think you’ll find my event to be quite to your liking.”
“I can’t say I’ve enjoyed myself so far.” I nodded toward the doorway where the ravener demon had disappeared.
The vampire chuckled. “Fair enough, little cambion. Come, allow me to escort you to the ballroom. The main event is about to begin.”
Despite my reticence, I accepted his arm and allowed him to escort me down the wide staircase. Most of the guests from the lobby had already filed into the ballroom and the music had changed from classical to something more up-tempo. It wasn’t music that I recognized. Once we entered the ballroom, Balthazar took his place in the center of the room and a spotlight illuminated him. He clapped his hands together to get everyone’s attention.
“Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to another marvelous affair at Hotel Franklin. As always, I am your host, Balthazar. Thank you all for coming and spending your impressive amounts of money on a wonderful cause. Enjoy.” His hand twirled in the air with a flourish and I watched as the crowd swallowed him, eager to get their two minutes of conversation with the popular host. He certainly didn’t strike me as someone who would torture Harlan and murder Mariska. Then again, he did warn me not to trust him.
I maneuvered around bodies until I reached the buffet table. If I had to wait to speak to Balthazar again, I figured I should eat something. No need to suffer unnecessarily.
“I thought I recognized that unusual head of hair,” a gruff voice said.
I turned to see Rafe. He wore a black suit with a matching tie and a white shirt. His dark blond hair was slicked back in a way that emphasized his blue eyes.
“I’m surprised to see you here,” I said.
“That was going to be my next line,” he said. “I’ve never seen you at Hotel Franklin before. I would’ve remembered.”
I tried not to read too much into the remark. “I’ve never been here before, but I have a lead.”
He wore a vague smile. “Let me guess. Balthazar.”
I tried to disguise my surprise. “How did you know?”
“He’s a major player in the city. I’ve had past dealings with him.”
“Is that why you’re here?” I asked. “You think he might know the entrance to the gray market?”
“Oh, I think he definitely knows,” Rafe said.
“Then why not come to him first?” I asked.
He popped a piece of cheese into his mouth and chewed. “Because Balthazar doesn’t part with information easily. Usually you have to offer a trade. Given that he knows mostly everything that happens in the city, it’s hard to find something of value.”
My brow lifted. “And now you have?”
He laughed. “No, but events like this, sometimes you’ll catch him in a good mood. I thought it would be worth a shot. Wait until later in the evening when he’s had his fun.”
I peered at the Watcher. “You know what he is, don’t you?”
Rafe laughed. “Of course. He’s a wealthy man who happens to be over two hundred years old and likes the taste of blood.”
The music changed again, slowing to a moody beat. People moved to the dance floor hand-in-hand. A server passed by with a tray of wine glasses and I debated whether to take one. I’d never tasted wine, but the Elders seemed to enjoy it.
“Do I look old enough to drink in this realm?” I asked.
“You look old enough to me, especially in that dress.” His gaze lingered on me in a way that gave me a tiny thrill.
“So, you’re saying I look old? Is this because of my white hair? I know it’s a sign of age in bounders.”
He reached for my hand and squeezed it. “Relax, Cassia. You don’t look old. And even if you did, you’re beautiful anyway.”
My heart fluttered. No one had ever called me beautiful before. It was the kind of thing a mother or father might tell you. The Elders were not that demonstrative or effusive with their praise. The closest Mariska came to a compliment like that was to say that my hair looked brushed.
Balthazar leaned his head between us as he moved past. “My guests enjoy the evening more when they’ve danced.”
Rafe offered a thumbs up. “Subtle.” He extended a hand to me. “Care to?”
I hesitated. I’d never danced before, though I’d seen it on television. We didn’t have phones, but we were allowed limited access to mortal TV for educational purposes. Anything to help us assimilate later on.
“I promise I won’t bite,” Rafe said. “And neither of us appears to be armed.”
I moved closer and his arm circled my waist. My body reacted to his touch with heat coiling in my stomach and spreading to my limbs.
“Did you find the demon you were looking for?” he asked. His mouth was less than an inch from my ear, causing his breath to tickle my skin. It was not at all an unpleasant sensation.
“I did,” I said. “He’d been tortured for information.”
Rafe winced. “In the city?”
“Yes.”
His arm tightened around me. “If this is happening in my territory, I need to know about it.”
“He’s a demon, not a human,” I said. “He’s not your responsibility.”
“Any violence in my city is my responsibility. I know not all seraphim and nephilim view it that way, but I do.”
Rafe didn’t seem to possess the snobbery associated with seraphim and their offspring. It was nice to know.
“When you met us in the tunnel, you knew we were cambions. Why not try to kill us?” I asked.
“I told you. Watchers don’t run around killing cambions,” he said. “Besides, outside of the wings and the attitude, you don’t seem very demon-like, to be honest.”
“Well, I am half human.”
He pressed closer to me and my pulse raced. “Why don’t we work together?”
I pulled back slightly. “What?”
“You need help following leads…”
I squinted. “And what do you need help with?” And how could I possibly fill that role?
“I have a lead, but I can’t access it without help.” He smiled. “It’s one of the reasons I decided to give old Baz a try. I’m at a loose end.”
“How can I possibly help you?”
“There’s a nightclub called Pandora. Do you know it?”
I shook my head. “Nightclubs aren’t really my thing.”
“I’m surprised you haven’t heard of it though. It’s demons-only.” He smiled. “Or half demons. Anyway, you can’t get in unless you are one—or you’re with one.”
“And you don’t know any demons that can bring you?”
He laughed. “You seem to mistake me for someone popular with the local demon crowd. They see a Watcher and they run, even if they have nothing to hide.”
Demonspawn Academy: Trial One Page 8