The Stone Warriors: Nicodemus

by D. B. Reynolds

  Nico eyed her lazily and said, “I survived an attack just yesterday.”

  Her eyes went wide. “A vampire tried to—”

  “Five vampires, mademoiselle. One a master. Fortunately, it was barely past sunset, so—”

  “Five?” Charron demanded. “Who was with you?”

  “No one,” Nico responded. “I was alone, walking home from the cathedral.”

  His audience stared, until a man’s laugh broke the silence. “I told you he had power, Hadrien.”

  Nico turned with a smile and held out his hand in greeting. “Vital, mon ami.”

  Vital Bellamy returned a hearty handshake. “Nicholas, you have come back. Did you meet my sister?”

  That was one question answered, Nico thought, and said, “We met.”

  “You also met some of our vampires, apparently.”

  “I did. I was returning from the cathedral, and misjudged the sunset. I was very nearly home when they attacked.”

  “Did I hear correctly? There were five of them?”

  “Yes, and one a master. At first, I thought he would be the only one, given the time of day, but he called the others to him. You know of their ability to do that?”

  Vital had moved closer to the others, and so Nico asked the question of all of them.

  “We’ve suspected for some time. But how can you be certain that’s what happened?” Charron asked skeptically.

  “Forgive my manners,” Vital exclaimed suddenly, and dragged an extra chair next to the one where he sat near his sister. “Sit, mon ami.”

  Nico sat, then crossed his legs and leaned back casually while brushing a bit of lint from his pant leg. “To answer your question, Monsieur Charron, the master vampire was the first to attack. He was still alive when two more arrived, and I heard one of them tell the master that they had ‘heard his call’ and come.”

  Charron expelled a breath that was harsh with both disgust and regret. “So it’s true, then. Most unfortunate, but we’ve been fighting them all this time without proof, so it doesn’t change anything. What else can you tell us?”

  “Probably only what you already know. I never fought a vampire before arriving in Paris, and so everything I learn is new to me. But not to you, I would think.”

  “And yet, you learned something important last night, and you survived, which is most important of all. Five vampires? Superbe!”

  “Yes, Vital,” Charron said sourly. “And now that Nicholas has enjoyed a personal taste of their savagery, it would seem he is prepared to assist us.”

  “Merveilleux! Your strength is very welcome, mon ami!”

  “Oui, Nicolas is very welcome.” Violette’s agreement was a sensual purr, as was the look she was giving him from under lowered lashes.

  Charron shot her an irritated glance, which he transferred to Nico. “Am I correct in my assumption that you are prepared to fight these creatures?”

  Nico studied him a moment, then said, “I will fight, but in return you will do something for me.”

  The look Charron shot him then was so filled with hatred that Nico thought for sure he would refuse the offer, and tell him to fuck off, or whatever polite version of the sentiment existed in Paris. Instead, though the expression on his face was so sour that Nico thought he must be in pain, Charron asked, “What do you need?”

  “It’s not a difficult thing. No one’s life will be endangered. But as I said before, Paris is a big city, with endless villages and towns in the countryside. You and the others in your group know the city and its people far better than I. In particular, you have connections among other magic-users, which is most likely where my cousin would be found. Or if not found, then at least known, if only slightly. I want you, by which I mean the entire group, to inquire of friends and colleagues, merchants and bankers, if they’ve encountered my cousin, and if so, when and where.” He shrugged. “Simple enough, as I said.”

  Charron eyed him appraisingly. “And in return, you pledge to join our fight?”

  “My magic and I would be at your service.” That was an exaggeration, but the essence of his willingness was accurate.

  “Done. You should return this evening, which is when we meet. Several of our number have professional and family obligations most days, but at night we are all free.”

  “Do you fight at night, as well?”

  “We prefer not to, since the creatures are at their most powerful then. Though sometimes we must,” Vital provided. “We stalk them at night, though only to locate their nests. If the location is sufficiently remote so as not to draw attention, we will sometimes linger until sunrise and burn them out. More often, we return in daylight and eradicate the creatures as you would a nest of rats. We either stake or behead them as they sleep, and then open their nest to the sun.”

  “It is what they deserve,” Violette sniffed.

  Nico looked at her directly. “Do you fight as well, mademoiselle?”

  “Violette,” she corrected coyly. “And no, Nicholas. I do not. Do the women in your country take to the battlefield?”

  “Some of them do. And they are dangerous and very much feared.”

  She laughed. “I think I would like to be feared.”

  Nico was willing to be charming and polite, but that was the extent of his interest in her. He turned to address Charron instead. “What time this evening?”

  Chapter Five

  THAT EVENING, NICO did as he’d said he would and returned to the townhouse after dinner. He hired a carriage this time. While he’d killed the vampires who’d attacked him, he was certain there had been more back at the nest, wherever that was, and he thought it very likely that they would come after him in revenge. Especially since he’d killed their master, who had probably sired some, if not all, of those remaining.

  And if there was no danger from them? Well then, at least he’d arrive at Charron’s townhouse with clean boots and his energy unspent. The sorcerer might want a demonstration of his power for the others— and maybe for himself, too. He was probably hoping that Nico’s previous demonstration had been a fluke, and that a second conjuration would be Nico’s undoing.

  Nico didn’t care what they thought of his power, and if anything, would be inclined to conceal his true strength. He didn’t want to take over Charron’s leadership role. He was only joining their group to expand the net of inquiry after Sotiris’s whereabouts.

  When he stepped down from the carriage, two others were arriving at the townhouse door. One had his hand lifted to knock, but paused when Nico approached and said, “Bonsoir Messieurs.”

  They echoed his, “Bonsoir,” but the one lowered his hand and didn’t knock, only glanced nervously at his companion.

  “Monsieur Charron invited me to join all of you this evening,” Nico assured him, then backed a few feet away from the door. “I understand your reluctance, however, and will wait until you can verify my bona fide.”

  The one who’d been about to knock gave him a somewhat apologetic look, but didn’t invite him to come closer, when he lifted his hand again and rapped his knuckles on the wood in a clear pattern. Nico looked on askance. Knocking in pattern was a poor system at best, and easily copied by someone hiding nearby. He wondered that Charron hadn’t placed a basic spell on the entrance instead. Or if he lacked the power to maintain it, then he should at least have stationed a watcher on the door who could identify members as they arrived. He leaned back to search the upper floors, thinking there had to be at least one window that could serve as a surveillance point, and caught the twitch of a curtain and a flash of red hair.

  Violette, he thought. Well, at least she’d proven the existence of a suitable window. He’d ask Charron about the matter. If the sorcerer couldn’t power a satisfactory spell, he would offer to do it for him. The thought brought a smirk to his lips, tho
ugh he hid it well. The two arrivals were nervous enough about him. No need to add to it.

  The door opened, and Vital Bellamy stood there, smiling as always. “Entrez, entrez,” he said graciously, and gestured behind the two men to Nico. “Come, Nicholas. Violette told me you were here.”

  “Merci, Vital. Bonsoir,” he added, gratefully removing his hat when he stepped inside.

  Behind him, Vital closed the door and shot the locking bolts. “We are all here now. Follow me.”

  The other two had already gone ahead, familiar with the group’s routine, so it was only Nico and Vital who walked past the room where he’d met Charron before, and down the narrow hall to a set of double doors with an overly elaborate design carved into the wood. The artisanship was undeniable, he supposed. It simply wasn’t his taste.

  One of the doors was slightly open when Vital pushed it wider so they could enter. Vital glanced first at Charron, received a miniscule nod of permission, and then said, “Mes amis, nous avons un nouveau compagnon. Nicholas Katsaros.”

  He gestured at Nico, who dipped his head briefly and said, “Mon plaisir, messieurs.” He then gave Charron a nod of greeting and followed Vital’s direction to a seat between him and his sister at the end of the table opposite Charron. Violette touched his hand briefly in greeting. He managed to avoid yanking his hand out from under her pale fingers, but contrived an opportunity to do so gracefully, by using the hand to toss his hat onto the sideboard behind him, where other hats were similarly deposited. He also cast a silent spell insulating himself from the overwhelming scent of her perfume, not wanting to carry it with him the rest of the night and into his bed.

  At his end of the table, Charron took a healthy gulp of red wine, wiped his mouth more or less discreetly, then sat straighter and gave what sounded like a prescribed set of phrases to open the meeting. Nico noticed that the man to the sorcerer’s right was writing furiously, and assumed he was taking notes of what was said. That explained the formal opening remarks.

  Charron turned his attention to Nico next. “Monsieur Katsaros sought us out upon his arrival in Paris two weeks ago. He expressed his interest in our activities at that time, but was understandably occupied with other matters while he settled into living here. I have seen his power, and it is considerable. He is an excellent addition to our group on that basis alone. But I wonder, Nicholas, if you would be so kind as to expand on your talents for us. This will help me decide where you can best be assigned to do the most good.

  “Ah,” he continued, before Nico could respond. “It’s also worth noting that Nicholas was attacked by a group of vampires a few days ago. Obviously, he survived, but he killed five vampires during the assault, including one master. He already gave me the basics of the fight, but if you would, mon ami,” he said to Nico. “Could you relate the story to us in greater detail. We do this after every battle so that each of us can benefit from every experience.”

  “Bien sûr,” Nico agreed readily, having already decided to describe the events in a way that emphasized some of his skills, while downplaying others that he preferred to remain secret. “The first vampire— who was master of the nest—surprised me with his attack. It was barely sunset, with light still in the sky, though the sun’s orb had already dropped below the tallest buildings. I was passing an alleyway . . .”

  And so he continued, repeating some of what he’d already told Charron, while omitting other details. Most importantly, he omitted anything that would lead a knowledgeable magic-user—which he assumed all of these were to some degree—to conclude that his power was anywhere close to what it was. At the same time, he wanted to be sure he was included in every meeting of the group, no matter what was being discussed, or how many other members were included. Which reminded him of Charron’s promise in exchange.

  “As Monsieur Charron mentioned upon introducing me this evening, I only recently arrived in Paris. It wasn’t by chance, however. I traveled a great distance to reach your city, because I’m searching for one of my family who has disappeared. At least, he has stopped communicating with his family since arriving in this city. His parents received a single letter, advising of his safe arrival, but nothing since, and we are deeply concerned. I was sent to follow his trail and find out what has happened, whether the news is good or bad. He is a sorcerer, and though his skills are somewhat different than my own, his power is great. Such a man would not easily disappear into even a city as large as this one, much less the smaller communities in the countryside.

  “My cousin’s name is Sotiris Dellakos. He is darker in appearance than I am, with dark hair and eyes, and somewhat shorter in height. He is charming, when he chooses to be, especially with women, and not easily forgotten. If any of you have had contact with him, or have heard talk of others who have, I would be grateful if you would share what you know. And also, if you have family or business in the countryside, if you could inquire yourself, or ask others to do so, I would be most appreciative. I will have to return home at some point, and want desperately to have something to report to my family. Or better, to make the return trip with him by my side.”

  All around the table, there were nods and thoughtful looks that made Nico glad he’d finally thought to use them this way.

  He continued then, emphasizing his skill with magical objects, rather than his combat ability. His intention was to persuade Charron to put him in charge of creating devices—powerful devices—that could be used to both detect and destroy vampires. Most would be useable by less powerful sorcerers or magic users, and those he would leave behind, along with diagrams and notes for their design. The more powerful objects he would take with him and destroy any record of their making. Not because he begrudged this group the power to use them, but because he feared their use in the wrong hands—including Charron’s, who seemed more interested in his own political power than the welfare of Parisians, or anyone else.

  When he finished his retelling of the vampire attack, Charron, who’d been watching him with covert curiosity during his report, now eyed him speculatively, while the others mostly remarked on Nico’s good fortune in surviving.

  “An excellent report, Nicholas,” Charron commented. “And precisely why we take the time for such things. I listened closely to the details, and wonder if we could impose on you to take a lead role in the design and fabrication of the weapons we use to destroy these creatures. Vital currently supervises a small group of us who deal with such matters, but I would ask, mon bon ami—” He turned to Vital. “If you would be willing to include Nicholas in your group.”

  Vital smiled broadly at Nico. “Willing? I would be very pleased not only to include Nicholas, but to surrender my role as leader, if he would accept it.”

  Nico hoped his returning smile was as self-effacing as he tried to make it. Although only for the others, not Vital, whose own smile had indicated obvious amusement at Nico’s diffidence with regard to his sorcerous strength. After all, Vital had witnessed Nico’s fight with the four men who’d assaulted him after his evening at the Palais Royale, so he knew what Nico was capable of.

  “I would be honored, mon ami,” Nico said now. “Such research has always been a particular favorite of mine.” Which also was definitely not true.

  “Bien,” Charron exclaimed, and slapped his hands together. “This has been a very fruitful meeting, mes amis, n’est-ce pas? Shall we adjourn to the sitting room for cognac and cigars? And of course, wine for the lady,” he added, giving Violette a smile that was on the very edge of intimacy.

  Color rose in her cheeks, but whether it was anger or embarrassment, Nico couldn’t say. He thought himself a very good judge of women, and didn’t believe the two were close, much less intimate. Although his judgment of Parisian women might not be as good as he thought. He’d only been in this century, much less this city, for a short time. He shrugged mentally. The existence of a relationship, or the lack of one, betwee
n Charron and Violette was purely a matter of curiosity. He had no interest in her, nor would he. His love for Antonia would never fade, regardless of how long it took him to find her.

  When the others rose to relocate to the sitting room, he was tempted to excuse himself and return home, but then Vital suggested they use the time to discuss future projects, and make a plan for just the two of them to meet later. Nico didn’t mind killing vampires, but more importantly, this group was currently his best chance of discovering news about Sotiris. So, he and Vital selected two chairs away from the others who’d gathered close to the fireplace, and spoke of killing vampires. Mostly.

  Vital, as it turned out, was intensely curious about Nico’s home country. He responded vaguely at first, not completely trusting the other man’s motives in asking. But the longer they talked, the more convinced he became that Vital was simply hungry for anything he could learn about other places and people. Nico knew enough of this world by now to understand that travel was both difficult and dangerous.

  Wanting to avoid questions about his “country” as much as possible, he turned the conversation to Vital and learned that he was the head of his family, which included not only Violette, but a younger brother who was married and had three small children. The brother and his family lived on the ancestral estate outside of Paris, while Vital was Violette’s official chaperone in the city. Nico also discovered that the townhouse belonged to Vital, and not to Charron. The leader’s family had an estate in the same area as Vital’s ancestral lands, and the families knew one another. And that was how Charron came to be staying in Vital’s townhouse.

  It didn’t explain the way Charron treated the townhouse as his own, considering he was only a guest, but that wasn’t Nico’s concern, nor his problem to solve. He liked Vital, but knew they would never be lifelong friends. Nico saw Paris as nothing but a stop on his way to somewhere else. While Vital considered France, and especially Paris, his home, and for all his hunger about other places, he would probably die there, no matter when that unfortunate day came.