The Turned

by A A Mize

  35

  Sophie

  Well, Mom is pretty upset with me. She’s insisting that I come home. I told her that I love it here and that I’m staying, but that only upset her more. She started crying, saying she lost one daughter to New Orleans and she didn’t want to lose another. I tried to explain to her that the city didn’t kill Rachel. I wish I could tell her what I know, but I can’t.

  First, she wouldn’t believe me if I told her. I don’t think anyone would. There’s no good way of saying, “Hey, Mom, the guys I live with are actually Turned. They drink human blood, and one of them was suspected of killing Rachel. Don’t worry, though, he was arrested but he’s innocent.” I would be committed so fast it’d make my head spin.

  Second, I hate the thought of putting Rowan and Matthias in danger. Say someone did believe me, then what? If too many people find out, there are likely to be some people who would go building conspiracies and although I don’t think it would blow up immediately, as time passes, who knows what could happen? They could all be sought out and experimented on or killed. Maybe I’m going a little far there. Our government has known about them for a long time now. Still, it could be dangerous if the general population knew.

  I’m glad the guys shared their secret with me, even if the way it came about was utterly terrifying. It’s really brought us closer, I think. It feels like a wall has been broken down between us and I have a better understanding of their needs. On the other hand, I feel there’s now a wall between myself and the rest of the human race. There is a secret they could never know even if, for whatever reason, I part ways with Matthias and Rowan.

  I’ll admit that I was tempted the other night when Rowan offered to Turn me. It was like seeing the world for the first time—experiencing it for the first time. I wanted so badly to see the world like that forever, but then I remembered how long forever is. Rowan always seems so lonely, even with Matthias around. His eyes look lifeless all the time and I know that his world has become dull, even with the beauty around him. He’s so used to his senses being heightened that I’m sure he doesn’t remember what it’s like to experience those things as a human. It’s like birthday cake: so special on your birthday, but if you had it every day, it would become boring. I’m sure you’d get tired of it fast. I think that’s what it’s like for Rowan and I don’t want to be like that. I don’t want to be drawn into that life by the perks only to realize that even the perks become normal life.

  On a different note, Matthias’s fangs didn’t match the ones left on Rachel’s body. It was a huge relief for all of us and when we left the police department Rowan’s pride was almost tangible. Matthias practically pranced home, me under one arm and Mamma under the other. She stuck to him like glue and for the first time in a long time life felt simpler. I hadn’t realized how hard it had gotten to breath. Matthias was cleared of Rachel’s murder and as happy as I am that he’s innocent, it doesn’t take away from my desire to uncover her killer.

  Matthias seems to be so much better since we got back from the station. He was still pretty weak from not feeding on anyone but me the past few days but his spirits are up and it shows. Once the sun set and he got a chance to hunt, I could tell he was excited, as strange as that sounds. But he promised Rowan to be more responsible and kinder to his prey, so maybe this whole ordeal will drive that point home with him.

  Speaking of Matthias, feeding from me and all the craziness that came with that night, I still can’t believe Rowan carried me upstairs to bed. He confuses me so much I can hardly stand it. I know where I stand with Matthias. He’s my friend, I know he cares for me as such and he’s pretty open with me about my place in his life. Rowan on the other hand, is hard to figure out. One minute he’s practically ignoring me, the next he’s protecting me, tending to my wounds, or helping me to bed. I just don’t understand. I wish I knew where I stood with him, but I’m too afraid to ask. He’s intimidating sometimes, when he’s not walking around with his nose in a book, tripping over end tables anyway.

  Just yesterday he bumped into the table in the downstairs hallway and broke a beautiful antique vase. Water and flowers were everywhere and all he could do was stare down at the mess and grumble under his breath. I would never have imagined he could be a klutz.

  Sophie giggled to herself, biting her lip. She closed the journal on her pen as a voice downstairs called to her.

  “Sophie,” Matthias said. “C’mon, we gotta get to work.”

  “Coming,” Sophie called, tucking her journal away to go downstairs, where Matthias handed over her coat. “Is it supposed to rain again?”

  “Yup. Kinda bullshit, really. I’ve lived here my whole life and I can’t remember a single winter where we had this much rain. Hey, before we go, there’s someone you need to meet.” Matthias waved for her to follow him into the living room.

  Cautiously, she followed him, gripping her bag tightly. In the living room an old man sat in Rowan’s chair, his long white beard laying across his lap. Bright, kindly eyes shone from between the wrinkles of his aged face with all the joy of a child on Christmas.

  A woman came from the kitchen with antique tea set on a silver tray, excusing herself as she passed between Sophie and Matthias in the doorway of the living room. Rowan watched her from where he stood, resting against the hearth, as she offered tea to the old man.

  “Come now, my dear,” the stranger motioned to Sophie to come closer. “Would you care for some tea? My Sarah makes the best Earl Gray this side of the Mississippi,” he said.

  Sarah smiled kindly at the man. Sophie watched them, the old man patting Sarah lovingly on the hand, and assumed that he was her father, whether biologically, or as a Mentor for the Turned.

  “No, thank you. We really should be going,” Sophie declined. “Maybe if you’re still here when we get back, we can relax over a cup?”

  “Very well then, it’s a date. Unless Rowan opposes?” Samiell shifted in his seat, his eyes twinkling mischievously at the younger Leader. Rowan stiffened, and he sipped from his wine glass, only answering Samiell with a casual shrug. The old man grinned from ear to ear like a Cheshire cat.

  “You request a date and yet you’ve not even introduced yourself. Your mind must be slipping in your old age,” Rowan replied dryly, refusing to meet Samiell’s gaze.

  Sophie swallowed hard at Rowan’s response. Again he was aloof, leaning against the fireplace with quiet indifference. She hated it. Did he care, or not? It was hard to watch his actions switch so easily.

  “Where are my manners? My name is Samiell. I am the Notary for New Orleans. Has Rowan explained my role yet?”

  “I’m sorry, that hasn’t come up in conversation,” she admitted. Every day she was realizing that there was still much to learn about the Turned. What she knew so far (which felt like a wealth of knowledge) was only the tip of the iceberg.

  “Well then, I’ll make it simple. I keep track of all Turned that come and go from the city. Those that come legally, of course. Rogues are a different story. Anyway, I collect the journals from Lessers, like Matthias, and legal paperwork from Leaders, such as Rowan, for the Turned history. That is why I am here tonight. I am going to use what I know to help Rowan find your cousin’s killer. Rest assured, we will do what we can.”

  “I appreciate it. I’ve been trying to wrap my brain around everything that’s happened lately, and I just can’t seem to make heads or tails of anything. I have so many questions that need answers, but I don’t know where to start.”

  “Look, Q&A will have to wait. Mamma will have our asses if we aren’t at work in ten minutes. Let’s go, Soph,” Matthias hurried her, waving a quick good-bye to the others as he ushered Sophie out onto the sidewalk. “Don’t get caught up with him unless you have a lot of time. He’ll talk your damn ear off.”

  The pair walked in silence as they made their way toward the Square. Matthias could see the spires of the Cathedral already, silhouetted in the dying light of day. He should be calmer. More relaxed in k
nowing he’d been cleared of murder.

  At first, relief had flooded him, but they were far from out of the woods. Rachel’s killer was still at large, and Azazel had been hired by someone whose identity remained unknown. What worried him the most was Sophie. If someone wanted him dead, they should already be aware that their first attempt had failed. He could only assume that a second try was in the making at the least, and what would happen if they attacked him while Sophie was around? If they sent someone stronger than Azazel, there was no way he could protect her. Or worse, what if they used her against him?

  “Matthias? Are you all right? I thought you’d be happy, but something still feels kind of off with you.”

  “I’ll be fine as soon as we find Rachel’s killer and figure out who hired Azazel,” he said, refusing to let on that inside a storm of anxiety and paranoia was brewing. “What about you? We haven’t had much time to talk about everything that’s happened or how you feel...you know, knowing what you know now about Rowan and me.”

  “I’m okay, I guess.” She pushed her hands deep into her pockets. “What happened with Yvette changed how I see the world. I mean, I know things now that a couple of weeks ago I never would have thought possible. I guess I have mixed feelings toward what happened with her. On one hand, it was downright terrifying. I really thought I was going to die and sometimes I have nightmares about it. On the other hand, if she hadn’t done what she did, I wouldn’t know what I know. It might sound strange, but I feel closer to you and Rowan because of it. The more I think about how I feel regarding Yvette, the more confused I get.”

  “I’m still sorry about that.”

  “I know you are. I know that you would never have left me alone with her if you’d have known what she was going to do.”

  Matthias hooked an arm around her shoulders and pulled her close as they walked, placing a kiss on top of her head. “Thanks, Soph. You know, if that had happened to me, I don’t know if I could have stuck around.”

  “I hadn’t planned on it,” she admitted. “I’m making myself stay. If I run away now I feel as if I’ll be giving in to what Yvette wants and I’m not ready for that. I still think about leaving but I also don’t want to give her the satisfaction of winning. And I don’t want to leave you and Rowan either.”

  “I won’t let her hurt you again, Sophie. You have my word,” Matthias replied, gripping her tightly as they walked. He’d kill Yvette before he’d let that happen again. No exceptions.

  36

  Sophie sat on the edge of the couch, untouched tea in her hands. Matthias sat quietly beside her, bouncing his knee as they waited for Rowan to join them. Samiell and Sarah spoke quietly among themselves about a book they had recently finished, patient as could be.

  Samiell had promised to tell them everything he knew about Rachel’s murder and the Turned who had made an attempt on Matthias’s life only a night before. Sophie was exhausted from work and the events of the last few weeks, but somehow, she felt relaxed. Rachel’s killer was still on the loose, and someone wanted Matthias dead, yet those things didn’t seem to have any effect on her urge to sleep.

  When they heard the front door unlock, everyone turned to see Rowan entering, a small bag of Thai food dangling from his arm, no doubt for Sophie. Now that their ruse was up there was no point in them consuming human food, but that didn’t stop Rowan from bringing her something to eat from work nearly every night. As appreciative as she was that he had thought of her dinner, she felt no pang of hunger. She only felt the desire to get information. And sleep. Even a little bit of something would help restore her hope for a time.

  “Good of you to join us, Rowan. I trust your evening has been uneventful?” Samiell asked, motioning for Sarah to fetch more tea, which she did without a word.

  “Very,” he replied, hanging his coat in the hall and setting the food beside Sophie on an end table before making himself comfortable on the window seat. Samiell was esteemed company and sat in Rowan’s favorite wingback chair, close to the warmth of the fire. “My apologies for taking so long. Let’s hear it, Notary. What have you found?”

  Sarah brought Rowan a cup of tea, which he set aside after one sip. Sophie felt he was stressed out over what had been happening around them. He hadn’t said as much to her about it, but there were times when he would stare out the window at nothing or sit up most of the day instead of sleeping. Matthias said it was because he was involved in the murder, had an attempt on his life, and left the body of a Rogue on the street for a human to see. All of those things reflected badly on Rowan as the Leader over the Quarter. If things weren’t sorted soon, the Council of Elders would be on him to either regain his control over the territory or resign and go somewhere else.

  “Very well,” Samiell said. “First things first: Ivanka. She is indeed engaging with a Rogue male, though she has made no move to go the Rogue herself. So far, she has broken no laws or abandoned her home. However, finding her ID in the alley by Artashir’s confirms that she was there, possibly when Matthias fed from Rachel. I suspect that she killed Rachel in the hope of framing Matthias for the murder.”

  “Why would she want to do that?” Matthias asked. “I don’t even know any Ivanka.”

  “I’m not certain. But since Azazel showed up and tried to kill you outright, I have to suspect that whomever hired him, hired Ivanka first to frame you. Get the Elders to handle your punishment. When that didn’t work, they tried a more direct route.”

  “But why Matthias?” Rowan asked. “He holds no territory or power. He’s a Lesser. I’ve not even named him as my Heir. What could there be to gain from his murder?”

  “That I am also uncertain of. If he was your Heir, I could understand getting him out of the way so that you could be more easily hunted. Yet, I don’t see that as being the case.”

  Sophie then piped in. “There’s still a huge chunk of this that doesn’t make sense. If Ivanka tried to frame Matthias with Rachel’s murder, how would anyone have known? There are a few people who saw Matthias and Rachel together, but that isn’t even where she died or where she was found. No one saw Matthias. He wasn’t even in the city anymore by the time she was killed. I just don’t understand how the Elder Council would have punished Matthias with that many gaps in the case.”

  “The Elder Council doesn’t take into account human forensics or anything of that nature. They trust no humans as witnesses because the human mind doesn’t retain information the same way a Turned mind does. They would have taken Matthias, Rowan, Artashir, and his security to a place of their choosing and read their minds. Then they would put the information together and make a judgment on if he was guilty or not. I know you feel this murder case is too loose for a verdict, but not for the Council,” Samiell explained bitterly.

  “It’s frustrating knowing humans have invented such useful techniques for unraveling a crime and the Elders simply refused to acknowledge their achievements,” Sarah said.

  “Matthias doesn’t even remember exactly what happened. If the Elders had come for him, would they have thought he did it even though the police have dropped him as a suspect?” Sophie asked.

  “It’s hard to say,” Rowan answered. “I’ve read Matthias’s mind and I know what he saw but his memories are far too corrupted by drugs to get a clear picture of what happened. If the Elders read his mind as I did, they wouldn’t be able to come to a definitive conclusion. They would say that he was too high and the memories could have been hallucination. He might have stood trial for it and that was no accident. Artashir said that Ivanka spoke with Rachel in his bar. Matthias’s memories indicate that Rachel was heavily drugged. I don’t think that is a coincidence. I think Ivanka slipped something in Rachel’s drink, anticipating Matthias would feed from her and wouldn’t have memory of what happened after. It might not matter that he had turned Rachel over to Ivanka, but a clear memory would exonerate him immediately in the eyes of the Elders.”

  “How in the hell would she have known I would feed from Rachel,
though? I didn’t plan on it. I just saw her and figured she’d be easy prey,” Matthias blurted out.

  Sophie prickled, her face flushing, eyes tearing up.

  “I’m sorry, Soph. I didn’t mean it like that,” he said, noticing the shift in her. She looked away from him and he sank back into the couch beside her, covering his eyes with his palms.

  “I don’t know how she would have known. My only theory is that Ivanka is a master of mind manipulation and somehow managed to control the entire situation—from the time Rachel left, to when you fed from her. There might be other options, but I can’t think of any.” Samiell admitted. “I have to be able to talk to her Mentor to figure out her talents, but he seems to be far more interested in locating her before the Elders do. He’s sent along her journals, though, so I might be able to uncover something in them. They should arrive in the mail sometime today.”

  “Samiell, I suggest we continue this conversation in my study,” Rowan suggested. “Sophie, Matthias, perhaps a little fresh air before the sun comes up will do you two some good.”

  Sophie didn’t bother waiting for anyone else to speak, nor did she acknowledge Rowan in any other way but to rise, grab her coat, and walk out the door. Matthias on the other hand, didn’t budge.

  Out in the predawn air she released a shaky breath before peering into the living room though the slit in the curtains. Matthias remained on the couch, still covering his face in shame, until Rowan spoke to him again. She pressed her ear to the glass and listened in.