“I have some news, some rather startling information that I believe you need to be aware of. It doesn’t affect us yet, hidden in Drae Hallow and Bitterroot as we are. Still, I believe I should inform you of what is happening in Seattle as we speak.”
Caroline thrummed her fingers impatiently and sent him a sour glance. “Carol, can you stop that, please? I’ll make this quick.” He frowned in her direction and went on.
“As we speak, Seattle is dealing with a Rogue Magical—a Mage. Apparently whoever it is, and no we don’t know if they are operating alone or have help, they are using some form of power to steal the abilities of Others and Magicals.”
“Steal? How is that possible?” Carol interrupted; sarcasm heavy in her voice.
“Let me finish Carol!” Most days he wondered what he’d been thinking when he helped vote Carol Shamon to the council.
He continued, “Apparently whoever it is has some kind of ability to draw the powers that a Magical possesses away from them and harness that power for themselves. It leaves the Magical weak and more human than not. A few have died. We have no idea as yet what is being done with these… stolen powers. But we need to be cautious going forward.”
He paused to let what he’d said sink in.
“Do they have any leads as to who it might be?” Marcus asked, always the voice of reason.
“No, not yet. Part of the issue is that when they capture whatever power a Magical possesses, they also take a lot of their memories, especially short-term. The victims appear to have no recollection of who did this to them. Based on what is happening, our best guess is a higher level Mage who has developed a unique set of abilities.”
“Seattle had better be taking this serious then. They must move quick,” Fern Hodges added.
“I’m sure they are on top of it. Besides, what does this really have to do with us? Seattle is several hundreds of miles away,” Carol interjected, voice dripping sarcasm.
Before Lucas could continue, his wife spoke up. The musical lilt to her voice had hardened, and it reminded him that the wheelchair his wife occupied could be deceiving. It didn’t do to underestimate Wendy Seul. “A collection Carol, adds up. If he is compounding what he takes from his victims, and we should assume that might be the case, do the math. Someone like that, loose anywhere, is a danger to our way of life. If not now, they will be when Seattle becomes too small and they feel the need to expand their hunting ground.” She gave Carol Shamon a sweet smile.
Lucas almost felt sorry for Carol, but not quite.
“Well, I don’t know about a Mage. That’s just another name for a witch, isn’t it?” Carol slanted a mean look in Fern’s direction. It was common knowledge that the two didn’t get along. “I think we’re going to find that the Dark Faction is behind it. They are usually responsible for the unrest that goes on outside this valley.”
Several moans the length of the table were stifled. Carol was of the mind that everything was eventually the fault of the Dark Faction, an organization that had been around for close to a century. The Party itself was largely an enigma, a secret society that no one seemed to know much about. If you asked thirty different people who they were, half would say they were an evil organization hell bent on the destruction of humans at the hands of the more powerful Magicals. The other half would tell you they were an organization whose purpose was to ease into existence the knowledge by humans of Magicals and Other, so they might learn to coexist peacefully and live together without fear of one another.
Lucas had long wondered if the truth might lie somewhere in the middle. But he wasn’t here to debate possibilities. “Regardless. Ignorance is not an option here. You need to keep your ears and eyes open to the possibility. Maybe Carol is right, maybe it’s nothing we need to worry about.” He left the rest unfinished; they got the point.
Shuffling up and down the length of the table told him they could sense the coming meeting’s adjournment. He opened his mouth to do just that, gathering the papers at his elbow and preparing to stand. He’d said his piece. It was time to go home.
A movement at the door made him look up in shock, his mouth pursing in a thin line at the intruder.
Judge Fino Vas stood in the doorway, tall thin frame draped in heavy dark robes, his cold grey eyes taking in the Rule 9 council members who squirmed uncomfortably beneath his hard appraisal. Lucas imagined the Judge would win no popularity contests. He finished standing, a slow roil of anger making his stomach pitch.
Lucas Seul’s voice was hard when he spoke. “Beyond asking you how you got in to interrupt our private council meeting, how may I help you, Judge?” he growled, the words flat with disapproval.
A stiff wintry smile touched Judge Vas’ thin lips. He turned to address the group. “Thank you for your warm welcome. It is a pleasure to see you too.” His expression laid lie to the words. I’ve come to add a warning of my own.” Several gasps were heard along the table, quickly concealed behind their hands.
The judge rolled his eyes. “Please, none of you are Vampire, so you do not fall under my jurisdiction. I am simply here to pass on some information that has come to my attention and of which you may be unaware. All of you know that the vampire nation spans the globe. There are countless clans controlled by various Elders, such as myself. Those clans are then further controlled by various Vampire Nations and the directors that hold those seats. Together we sit in control of the various councils and help maintain law and order. I, myself, control the western part of the United States. I do not control alternate dimensions, of which there are many. But that does not mean I have no knowledge of them.”
Lucas looked around the room. The vampire elder held the reluctant attention of every council member in the room. His words commanded their total focus.
“You are familiar with Wyndoor, one of the alternate dimensions connected to ours? Last year I was present for the trial of several vampires from there that had found their way into Drae Hallow and were attacking the citizens of bitterroot. They are currently experiencing an uprising there once more as we speak. The entire vampire clan in Wyndoor has gone rogue, on a mad killing spree if you will. You need to prepare if they somehow manage to make it through one of the inter-dimensional portals leading into our valley. If that were to happen the resulting bloodshed would be unimaginable.”
Wide eyes stared at him as his words poured over them in a rising tide of panic. They could imagine the results. All they had to do was think back to when the infirmary had been full from the resulting victims of three rogue vamps, who had also been from Wyndoor.
Lucas wasn’t as easily frightened, and something about the Judge’s speech alarmed him for all the wrong reasons.
“And how, may I ask, have you come by this information? I wasn’t aware you were privy to what went on in Wyndoor.”
The judge smiled at Lucas, but it did not reach his eyes. “You may ask.” But the implication was clear. The ‘how he knew’ was none of his business.
Lucas tightened his fists, a frisson of energy traveling unseen along his arms and fingers, making him shudder with the effort it took to restrain himself..
“Thank you for the information. I will look into it and take care of the citizens of Drae Hallow, thank you. Now if you will excuse us, we’d like to finish our meeting with the invited members.”
Fino Vas’ smile deepened and several members of the council shivered. “One last thing. I need you to recall that the laws set forth to govern the behavior of the vampire nation are there for a reason. Our goal is to protect the humans as well as the… more powerful Magicals and Other. Don’t forget the damage a mere three vampires from Wyndoor visited upon your valley less than a year ago? Imagine a hundred just like them.”
Fino’s eyes wandered around the room, taking in the banked fear in council member’s faces with satisfaction. His eyes clashed with Lucas Seul’s and narrowed. That one was stronger.
“You know. It remains a shame that the three from before escaped so easily.
I would have made an example of them to encourage obedience in the rest. A show of strength might have discouraged others from trying to enter the valley.”
“What are you trying to imply, Vas?” Lucas ground out, his eyes darkening with emotion.
“Nothing at all, Mayor Seul. I can tell you have everything under control here. I’m sure their escape last year was nothing but an oversight, because if it were ever to come to my attention that they had help? Well now, then that would fall within my jurisdiction. The consequences of interfering in vampire business are… severe,” he finished with an icy smile.
Lucas gaze never wavered, “So noted. I believe you have overstayed your welcome. I’m sure you can find your way out. We’ll keep what you’ve shared under careful consideration.”
Judge Fino gave a slight inclination of his head and turned to go. Lucas Seul’s parting words made him pause. “Oh, and Judge? Next time you take it upon yourself to join our private council meeting uninvited, you will find out just where my jurisdiction lies.”
The judge didn’t respond. He gave a slight bow, turned in a swirl of heavy dark robes, and left without further word.
Lucas stared at the closed door and realized he’d lost his appetite.
CHAPTER SEVEN
The cabin Jerry had built with the help of the Tuttles was nestled on a hill no more than a mile along the ridge from the Tuttle farm and about a half mile from town. It was private and comfortable. Since the Tuttles had helped him, I wondered how many secret ways in—and out, they might have rigged for him inside those walls. Like his house in town, burned to the ground by Will Bennett, this one had a laboratory built in the basement.
“Are you sure he’s even home?” Nick asked. He had said little on the walk there, but the warmth of his palm over mine had done all the talking that was necessary. We were good and that made my world right.
“Not in the least. He might be at the Tuttles. The Major and Jerry have taken to playing chess once a week. Can you believe it? Jerry leaves his laboratory occasionally.”
Nick grunted, staring at the cabin and taking in its simple lines and neat front porch, complete with a pair of rockers for Sirris and Jerry to relax in.
A fire pit out front reminded me that both father and daughter liked to admire the constellations and watch for falling stars.
“They did a marvelous job, didn’t they? A lot different from the clapboard in town though.”
I nodded. “More secluded.”
We hopped up the steps and I knocked as loud as I dared. When Jerry was in his lab, nothing short of an explosion would rouse his attention. Several long moments passed and I was just beginning to think Nick had the right of it. Maybe we’d be better off checking to see if he was at the Tuttles.
A dull repetitive thumping from within grew louder and I realized he was coming up the stairs.
He opened the door and blinked in the bright light, his face breaking into a ready smile when he saw us. “Sadie, Nick. Hey, come on in. Nick, have you had a chance to see the new place? The guys did an outstanding job on it. Have a look around. Would you kids like something to drink?
He probably would have continued to ramble on if I hadn’t stopped him.
“I wish this was a social call, Jerry. But I may have a problem that requires your expertise.” I looked around. Jerry was alone, and I frowned.
“Is Sirris still gone?”
A shadow flitted across his face. He looked worried. “Yeah. It’s already been a couple days and I miss her like crazy. Where she’s at there isn’t any cell service.” He joked, but it came out sounding like he was choking on a grape. He motioned for us to come inside.
I frowned. Not knowing how she was doing or if she was okay and being unable to do anything to help if she needed it had to be killing him. Sirris and Jerry were tight.
“I’m sure she’ll be back soon, Jerry.”
He stared at me and his lower lip gave a brief tremble. “Sure you’re right.” He murmured and changed the subject. “What can I help you with?”
I shook my head to clear my thoughts. While we’d been talking, Nick had taken Jerry at his word and wandered around the cabin, peeking in the single bathroom and two bedrooms, one down and an open loft bedroom above. There was only one main floor and they divided it into a living room with a fireplace and a sizable kitchen separated from the rest by a central bar with stools for seating. It was quaint and perfect for a confirmed bachelor and his teenage daughter. It looked barely lived in. But then I knew Jerry did most of that in his basement lab.
Nick joined me and we took a seat in the living room.
I’d wasted enough time and got to the point. “Elise is back. This time her daughter is with her.”
“She brought the baby?”
“Apparently vampire’s children mature rapidly. She’s more like eight or nine.” I ignored his baffled expression and shook my head, “But that’s not important. Something has happened to the vampires in Wyndoor and she has asked for my—our help.”
Jerry blinked in surprise. “My help? What happened?”
“The vampires have gone bonkers, apparently. A real feeding frenzy and nobody knows why.” Nick spoke up, a sardonic smile edging his mouth.
“None of this is funny, Seul. People are dying.”
“But not our people. I still don’t think this is our problem.”
“It could be if they get into Drae Hallow. What then?” I insisted.
“I think…” he responded.
“Children! Enough already. Can somebody please tell me what’s going on here?” Jerry interrupted our escalating argument.
I sent Nick a dark look and turned back to Jerry. “Yes, well, it appears something has affected the vampires in Wyndoor. They have gone off their rocker and are on a rampage. Attacking humans and each other as well. Remember, like the vampires that exist here, they were pretty well civilized. The blood bank was on a volunteer basis and they had given up biting necks for pretty glasses with ice. But all that is out the door now. It’s become a free for all in Wyndoor.”
Jerry frowned in confusion. “Sounds like you need an army more than a scientist. That still doesn’t explain how you think I can help. Have you ever seen me with a sword? Not pretty, I promise you.”
Nick spoke up, “We don’t want your fighting expertise, we need your brain.”
I nodded. “We’re hoping you can help figure out what is causing them to go crazy like that, and maybe reverse it, if possible.”
Jerry frowned, thinking. “Didn’t you say Elise and her daughter are here? Why haven’t they ‘lost it’, too?”
I smiled at him. “See, you’re already thinking. That’s what none of us understand either. Elise seems to think it may have something to do with the blood supply.”
Jerry looked around. “They didn’t come with you. Where are they, actually?”
“Back in Wyndoor. They went to get her grandfather, Morei. I guess I should add that it was only the vampires in Wyndoor castle that were afflicted. All except Elise and Emerald.”
Jerry sat back; brow furrowed in concentration. “Well, the blood theory has merit. Vampires don’t need to feed every day. Do you know if this happened to all of them at once, or was it gradual?”
I thought back to what Elise had told me. “I’m not sure. That would be a brilliant question if she were here to answer it.” Maybe I should have spent more time getting all the facts from Elise instead of trying to figure out how to wiggle out of getting involved. I sighed. I was right in the thick of it again whether I wanted to be or not. My vacation was looking like a dim possibility.
Jerry spoke up, “Well, if I’m going to tell you anything, I think the first place to start is for you to get me a blood sample from one of the vamps that has crossed over from sane to nuts. Start there and get it back to me. Maybe I can isolate the issue with the blood, if that’s what’s causing the problem. While you are at it. Get a sample from the daughter and Elise as well. That’ll give me a c
omparison. Can you do that?”
Sometimes my sarcasm was uncontrollable. “Oh, sure. I’ll just ask them politely to lend an arm. I’m sure they’ll be up for it.”
Jerry grinned, his good humor returning. “You asked for my help. That’s what I need. Sides, wrestling a sick vampire should be easy for you two after dealing with the Hunter’s Guild this past summer.”
I shivered despite the steady warmth of the fireplace. We’d survived the encounter with them for sure, but I was also positive we hadn’t seen the last of the Guild.
“Right. What do we need to get that sample?” Nick asked, no longer smiling.
Jerry jumped to his feet. “Make yourself comfortable for a minute and I’ll be right back.” He wandered off, mumbling under his breath as he mentally ticked off all the items we might need. The stairs creaked as he bounded down them into the basement lab.
I looked at Nick. “You know, I get that this isn’t your problem, Nick. I’ll understand if you want to bow out of this one. Collecting a sample can’t be that hard for me to handle on my own, right?”
Nick rolled his eyes and looked at me like I was the one losing it. “Yeah, sure. That’s just what I should do, let my girlfriend go running into the middle of a bunch of hungry vamps—” his voice dwindled when he saw my expression. “—what is it, what did I say?”
My face had turned beet red. “You said… let my girlfriend. Is that what I am? Are we an item, Nicholas?”
He frowned, “Isn’t that what I said? Pay attention, as I was saying, you aren’t going into Wyndoor alone and that’s that. End of discussion.” He folded his arms manfully, scowling.
I thought my face might crack from the force of my silly grin. Nick was such a romantic.
Before he could stop me and listening for the footsteps coming back up the stairs, I reached over and threw my arms around his neck. I leaned in and gave him a soft kiss on the corner of his mouth.
Five minutes later when Jerry Waverly returned to the living room, a small sack of supplies in his hand, he stared in alarm at our reddened faces.
Rule 9 Academy Series Boxset: Books 3-5 Young Adult Paranormal Fantasy (Rule 9 Academy Box Sets (3 Book Series) 2) Page 33