by D. R. Perry
“Tea?! Definitely.” She got a hungry look on her face that I’d begun to associate with Bobby Tremain in the dining hall. I pottered around the kitchen, rummaging at the back of the cabinet for sugar and non-dairy creamer. I never used it myself, but my landlord did. The tea always went on when he came to collect the rent.
Just as I’d finished setting her infuser up, I heard the snick of the lower deadbolt. Owl shifters were perceptive, but I hadn’t expected one living diurnally to have much awareness. She’d noticed my discomfort. Maybe that said more about me than Olivia. All the recent socialization had shaken something loose. It’d take a while to settle down and fortify the armor I usually wore against the world.
The tea steeped as I brought the sugar and creamer to the table with some spoons. I set out saucers and napkins, avoiding the ominous bags for as long as I could. When I turned back with the mugs, Olivia headed back toward the table after taking a detour past my bookshelf. Owl shifters loved books like dragon shifters loved their hoards.
“So, what do you think?” I watched her pull the infuser out of the mug and set it on the saucer.
“Not enough High Fantasy, too much proto-horror. I’m not a Lovecraft fan, but Poe is nice.” Olivia sprinkled sugar in her tea, then heaped two teaspoons of powdered ersatz cream in after it. “You ought to try Robert Howard.”
“I have. An absent friend swore by his work, but it just never caught on up here.” I pointed at my temple, then took the infuser out of my own tea, inhaling deeply. Black, like my vampiric existence. The thought made me smile just a little.
“Do you have a lot of those?” Olivia gazed down at the light tan tea thoughtfully. “Absent friends, I mean.”
“More than I’d like.”
“Listen, one of the things you’re not going to like is from the Nocturnal Lounge. Fred Redford found it.”
“I figured.” I took another sip. “What about the rest of them?”
“One’s from the library.”
“How did you get in there?”
“Work-study. I digitize stuff in the media lab. I told them I had to get some homework, and they let me in.” She tasted her tea, made a face, added more sugar. “I found an amulet. Round brass thing, the size of a pocket watch.”
“Wait, what?” It was my turn to blink like a sleepy owl.
“I shouldn’t tell you more. Lynn said your impressions should be as unbiased as possible.” She tried the tea again and nodded at it this time. “Maybe I already said too much.”
“No, it’s okay. I’ll do a mind-clearing exercise before I start.” I inhaled the scent of bergamot again, bracing myself before starting. “Glad they’re separated. I won’t know what I’m getting with my eyes.”
“Exactly what Lynn said.”
“It’s comforting when a super-genius agrees with you.” I set the paper bags in a line, then reached out to pull one closer, opened it, and stuck my hand inside.
The object in my hand was instantly familiar. I remembered working on that amulet for the better part of three months, making mistakes and having to undo my impressions several times. Even the ribbon it hung from felt like an old friend. The energy coming off it was distinctly psychic but bonded to magic. Umbral magic, because no one else would need an amulet like this. Thing is, there weren’t any other Umbral magi at PPC, or even registered in Providence. I shook my head. The magic on the amulet held a feel of age and experience.
“This is an amulet I made for suppressing Umbral magic.” I took my hand out of the bag, leaving it inside. “But I don’t remember who it was for.”
“Is there a way to check that?”
“Maybe, maybe not. Depends on whether I made it before or after the Big Reveal. There’d be a registry slip if it was after. I might have stored the memory of binding it in an item, but that’s somewhere I can’t get to until Monday.” Olivia didn’t need to know I kept a collection of trinkets in a safe-deposit box at the Providence Underground Bank.
“Well, you got some information to start with, anyway.” Olivia leaned back and sipped more tea.
I shrugged and grabbed the bag in the middle. At first, I thought nothing was in there, but my fingertips brushed something warm and diaphanous. I closed my eyes, trying to get my hand around whatever it was. A thin and delicate netting wriggled against my palm, its warmth less unsettling than its stickiness. It clung, wrapping itself firmly around my fingers, binding them together. It could only be one thing.
“Spider shifter silk?”
“Crazy, huh?” I couldn’t see Olivia, but she was smart. She’d be leaning away from the table. No one wanted to tangle with this stuff, literally. It’d let me go since I wasn’t technically alive. “That’s what Fred found in the rubble of your table, by the way.”
“And he gave it to you?” I opened my eyes, all done with my impressions.
“Well, he made me bring Bobby.” Olivia shrugged. “Wouldn’t give it to me directly. Thinks I’m untrustworthy because I stay up all day.”
“Ah. Everybody loves the all-American bear shifter.” I waited for the silk to uncoil and settle back inside the bag, then folded the top over probably more than I had to. “Even Changelings likely to tithe Unseelie.”
“Fred hasn’t taken his mantle yet?” Olivia blinked. “I wonder why.”
“No idea. Maybe ask Tony.” I leaned my elbows on the table.
“Um, no rush on that.” Olivia’s cheeks pinked. “Anyway, what did you get?”
“It wasn’t put there by a spider shifter. It’s a spy device. Like a magical nanny cam.”
“So that means checking the registry’s not going to help us?”
“Probably not. You can get spider shifter silk in half the magic supply shops in Rhode Island.” I wiggled my fingers, then paused to take another slug of my tea. “Mainly, this just tells us we’re not looking for a spider shifter. Would a shady Extramagus or his Psychic friends register spyware?”
“No way. So what are we looking for?”
“Magi or Psychics who can make that kind of device and are connected to PPC.” I took a few calming breaths as I gazed at the last remaining bag. I had a hinky feeling about it. “Might want to start with Professor Brodsky, who went on medical leave just before inter-session started. He’s a Summoner, you know. They’re Psychic.”
“Okay.” Olivia jotted a few things down on a small notepad, then held her tea in both hands between herself and the last bag. I didn’t blame her.
“Well, here goes nothing.”
As I extended my hand, the clock across the square from my building struck twelve and my phone rang again. I grabbed that instead of the bag. That had to be a sign.
“Hello?” The connection sounded like the caller was outside in the wind.
“Henry.”
“Maddie.” I cleared my throat. “What’s up?”
“Are you okay? You sound like you got a stay of execution.” She seemed to just get me, but then again she might just get vibes. Having two psychic parents does that to people.
“It’s been a hectic morning.” I held one finger up, signaling to Olivia that I might be on the phone a while. She smiled, curling her hands around her mug.
“I know. Professor Thurston called you.” The connection cleared like she’d gotten out of the wind.
“That was a cakewalk compared to the errand Lynn has Olivia on.” I grimaced at the bag, then shrugged at Olivia. “Memory psychometry isn’t anyone’s idea of fun.”
“Ouch.”
“None of that’s the reason you called.” I hoped she didn’t call just to hear my voice even though I was way too glad to hear hers.
“Yeah, um, I guess.” The hemming and hawing didn’t bode well for putting distance between us. “Look, the fang had Telepathic energy on it. I can’t figure out why. Does that fit with Summoners? I know they get something like it with their creature contracts. But on a fang, it doesn't make sense.”
“Not that I’ve ever heard of, unless Mind magic's invo
lved. Why not talk to Lynn about it, or Blaine?”
“Yeah, I guess I should.” I could hear the smile in her voice. “Thanks, Henry. Sorry for bothering you while you were busy.”
“Don’t be sorry. Psychometry’s like a grab bag full of broken glass and venomous snakes. I’m glad to get any kind of break from it. Bye, Maddie.”
“Bye.” I kept the phone open until she hung up. After that, I put the device down and set my head in my hands.
“You’ve got it bad.” Olivia’s voice made me sit up. I’d almost forgotten she was there. Her face wore a slight but wistful grin, her eyes dripped with empathy.
“Um, what?” I shouldn’t have let Olivia see that.
“Never mind.” She glanced at the most awful brown paper bag in the entire city of Providence and shuddered a bit. “Might as well get it over with, right?”
I groaned like I used to the morning after a night at the clubs. At least hangovers didn’t happen to vampires. I reached for the bag again. I got a tingle just from putting my hand inside. Whatever was in there had a familiar feel to it. I couldn’t help myself, I trembled a little.
Once I held the wider-than-average card, I knew exactly what it was, where it had been found, and why it was here. I gulped, a reflex left over from my mortal days. An image came up behind my tightly closed eyes, one that should have been heartwarming but gave me a deep chill instead. I dropped the card back in the bag and closed it, understanding I’d get nothing else from it. Blaine probably would. I’d want to know exactly what he got off it right away, too.
“That’s Headmistress Thurston’s. It’s The Lovers, a tarot card her ex-husband gave her on their wedding day.” I shuddered. “Trouble is, the emotion in there is all wrong for her. It smacks of regret and missing someone, but I know that’s absolutely not true.”
“So why’d I find it at what Providence Police are now calling a murder scene?” Olivia turned her head and looked at me out of the corner of her eye.
“Someone’s trying to frame her for a hate crime.” I explained about the vampire fang in the lab box. "And if I'd been the victim, it'd make perfect sense."
“Who’d want to do a thing like that?” She blinked slowly a few times. “And who’d believe it?”
“Her best friend got killed rescuing a vampire. You’re an Extrahuman Law student. You know any detective worth his salt would pin that motive on her.” I took a deep breath, but it fell far short of calming. “There’s nothing more I can tell you until Blaine has a go at it.” I pushed the bags across the table toward her. “I have to be there when Blaine does his thing. We’ll need to talk.”
“Blaine wants to do it alone.” She plucked the bags from the table, then stowed them in her satchel.
“Tough.” I crossed my arms.
“He’ll be a dragon. Scaly. Massive. Big teeth.” Olivia fastened the clasp on her bag and got up, heading toward the door.
“Nothing I haven’t seen.” I rolled my eyes, leaning back in my chair.
“He’s a fire dragon.” Her eyebrows tried to make friends with her hairline as she undid the deadbolt.
“Okay, scary. I’ll manage.” I uncrossed my arms and shrugged. “You tell them.”
“I will.” She turned the knob and pushed the door open, standing in it for a moment. “Owl shifters always leave pellets of wisdom for their hosts. Here’s yours. The best-laid plans of Magi and monsters often go awry.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I stood up, collecting the tea things.
“I think part of you knows already. Bye, Henry. Thanks for the tea.” She shut the door behind her. I bolted it before finishing clearing up.
Chapter Twelve
Maddie
I pushed through the door at street level, finally done with class. I’d imbued the charm with Umbral energy that still hadn’t worn off. No one’s had. Our homework was to record how long the energy lasted and one more attempt over the weekend. Nox hurried out the door with me. I stopped short, and we collided. I ended up on all fours with scraped palms. Nox tripped right over me, stumbling headlong into Josh Dennison.
They were a tangle of limbs at the bottom of the steps. Muffled exclamations of surprise and annoyance had me stifling laughter as I stood up and brushed myself off. They looked like a giant amalgamated spider. I reached a hand down and grabbed one of Nox’s. It was cold and a bit clammy, exactly what I’d expect from a Kelpie.
Josh’s eyes followed our movement as I helped her up. Her breath plumed out white in the cold air, carrying a stammer of laughter along with it. I held my hand out to help Josh up, but he shook his head and rose on his own. I also laughed. Couldn’t help it.
“Great Goblin’s Garters, that’s hilarious!” Nox held her shaking sides with one hand and pointed at Josh’s chest with the other.
“I know, right?” I leaned on a lamp post to steady myself, gasping words out between giggles.
“What’s so funny?” Josh put his hands on his hips, feet shoulder’s width apart. His face wore the most menacing frown he could probably manage. Other people might be scared of an angry wolf shifter, but it didn’t faze either of us. After all, Nox could turn into a magical Unseelie horse, and I could hide if Josh wolfed out.
“Didn’t look before you put your shirt on today, huh?” I pressed a hand to my breastbone, trying to suppress the giggle fit.
“Leaping Luna, I did it again?” He pulled down the hem of his t-shirt, peering at it. I watched his lips form the words “Fuck you, you fucking fuck.” He rolled his eyes, reminding me of Lynn on an extra-sarcastic day.
“Yup.” I shook my head. “You wore the rudest shirt in the known universe again.”
“Wait, again?” Nox’s question came complete with a curious glimmer in her eye. “You mean he’s worn that in public before?”
“Yeah, I did. That was the worst presentation grade I ever got.” Josh sighed. “I’ll have to do something about that before I go on my Campus Police business.”
“And how.” I blinked. “Wait. You have Campus Police business?”
“Yeah. Gotta check on some professor on emergency medical leave. No one’s heard from him and the Headmistress is worried.”
“Hmm.” I wanted to tell Josh more, but probably shouldn’t in front of Nox. She didn’t know about the Grim problem.
“Oh, wow.” Nox put one hand over her mouth. “The only Professor on leave is Brodsky, the guy who was supposed to teach Magic Theory. Can I go with you? I had him last semester and actually liked him.”
My voice mingled with Josh’s as we spoke simultaneously. “Sure, let’s all go—” “Um, that’s not a good idea—” We stopped, glaring at each other.
“Look, I have to go change my shirt before heading over to Brodsky’s anyway.” Josh still held my gaze like the Alpha heir he was, but it softened a bit. “Why don’t we all go and Maddie can tell me what her issue is with having company on a mission like this.”
“Okay.” I re-settled my satchel on my shoulder.
Nox just nodded and hitched her backpack up her arms. We followed Josh along Hope Street, heading toward Swan Point Cemetery. He took a left toward the hoity-toity houses between Hope and the Blackstone Valley Parkway. Those were multi-million dollar properties. I hadn’t imagined someone like Josh living here. No wonder he didn’t have a room on campus. Then again, his dad headed PPC Campus Police, and his mom was the Extrahuman liaison to the Rhode Island State Police. Of course, they lived in an exclusive area. This was Rhode Island, and any position of power came with benefits. And I thought Blaine was the only rich kid I knew.
Nox’s eyes practically bugged out of her head when Josh stopped at a wrought-iron gate. Her power came from an Unseelie Faerie object. No wonder that gate freaked her out. It had spikes in front and on top, definitely the fashion at the turn of the twentieth century. Nox swallowed audibly, gripping the straps of her backpack so tightly her knuckles blanched.
“Sorry about the gate.” Josh grinned more gently at Nox th
an I expected. “We’d take it down, but we’re on the Register of Historic Places. They won’t let us without a ton of red tape.” I felt my eyebrows knit together, wondering why Josh would fib about something like that. Umbral Affinity sometimes let me know when people hid the truth. He must have told her a whopper.
“It’s okay. I’ll be fine in a sec.” Nox set her backpack on the ground at her feet. She unzipped it and pulled a small oilcloth pouch from inside. Then, she put her right hand under her shirt and murmured words in a language I couldn’t recognize.
Josh blinked as she pulled a slick black rectangle of pelt from under her shirt. She tucked it into the oilcloth pouch, a few drops of swampy-smelling water dripping to the sidewalk in the process. After that, she put the pouch back in her pack and zipped it. I’d seen the difference the pelt made in her appearance that morning. What really struck me was the change in her attitude.
Nox’s lips pulled back in an easy smile as she put her backpack back on. Her hair lost its wet and bedraggled look, and when she tucked it behind her ears, it stayed put. Her eyes were blue-green, something I hadn’t noticed before. As she walked through the now open gate, her stride was long but more tentative, with a hint of feminine sway she’d lacked before.
“You two have your talk.” Nox glanced over her shoulder at us as she ambled ahead up the long tree-lined driveway. “I’ll meet you halfway up.”
“Well, that was unexpected.” Josh turned around to close the gate behind us. “She’s something else. How long have you known her?”
“Just since the first day of class.” I grinned at Josh. “And that’s part of the problem.”
“Oh?” He walked slowly toward the house.
“Yeah.” I followed. “This Brodsky thing’s more than what it seems. I was with Professor Thurston when she called Campus Police. She thinks he knows something about the Grim.”
“He’s the Summoning Professor. That’s not a huge mental leap to make.”
“I know. I think she suspects him, but needs hard evidence.”
“So this might be more dangerous than checking to see if the old guy had a coronary. And we shouldn’t bring a Kelpie as powerful as Nox seems to be. Why?”