“Oh my God, Veritas. Look at you!”
Denise ran into the room next, concern pinching her lovely features. She was still in a nightgown, reminding me that England was two hours earlier than Athens.
I tried to wave Denise away. It didn’t work, and I was too weak to do more. She covered me with an embroidered silk blanket even though the blood and char on me would ruin it, and fussed at Spade to get me something to eat.
“I’m not hungry,” I said.
Spade ordered that some blood be brought despite my protests, and also some hot damp towels.
I was going to get sponge-bathed, too? That was it. I really was going to kill Ian for this.
“We heard voices,” Cat said, coming down the staircase with Bones behind her. They both looked like they’d been in bed, too.
“Where’s Ian?” Bones asked, thankfully not commenting on my appearance.
“Soon to be murdered,” I muttered, and then added, “By me, metaphorically,” when Cat’s expression grew alarmed.
“What happened?” Denise asked.
I was spared from answering when Silver flew into the room. He flew around me in his usual excited way, and then practically dove into the crook of my arm to snuggle.
Denise gave Silver an adoring smile. “He is the sweetest thing! I’d fight you for him when it comes time for Silver to leave, but Spade didn’t love him sleeping in bed with us last night, so I guess I have to let him go.”
Spade’s expression confirmed this statement.
I scratched Silver as I told them what happened. It took the last of my energy, but they deserved an update after having me literally dumped onto their couch. Besides, Denise had cuddled Silver in bed the way he liked when I couldn’t, so I’d burn down an enemy’s house for her after that.
That’s why I let Denise wipe away the dried blood on my face and hands with the hot towels Spade’s servant brought. I also sipped from the wrist of one of their human blood donors because I didn’t want Denise to worry that I’d be tempted to eat her again. When I was finished, I was so tired, I felt like passing out was a real possibility.
Maybe I wouldn’t kill Ian. He might have been right that now wasn’t the best time for me to fight Ruaumoko.
“We’ve struck out over here, too,” Cat said, sounding frustrated. “Marie still won’t agree to a meeting. My texts to her are also being ignored. But I did have some luck with the ghosts. My friend Fabian is talking to all his specter friends, and I have a medium on the way to pump out the bat signal even more.”
“Bat signal?” I asked, confused.
“Comic-book reference,” Bones said.
“Of course,” I murmured. “Sorry, I’m very tired. If I subconsciously revert back to my original language of Sumerian, just ignore me.”
“You’re welcome to rest. We have several guest rooms available,” Spade said.
“Thank you, but I can’t sleep until I know Ian’s safe.”
No one argued. From their expressions, they all understood.
“Denise, may I use your mobile phone?” I wasn’t good for much right now, but I could make a call.
She gave it to me. I closed my eyes, needing to concentrate to remember the number to Marie’s private line. Gods, even my brain was fried from burning myself out on the time-freezing spell. Finally, I remembered it and dialed.
“Who is calling me?” asked a smooth, feminine voice in lieu of a hello.
The sweet notes of her Southern accent made the question sound less threatening than it was. Few people had Marie’s personal line, so she probably wasn’t used to getting calls from unfamiliar numbers. I couldn’t imagine what she did to cold-call telemarketers. They must have their own unmarked graves.
“Marie, it’s Veritas, Law Guardian for the council,” I said, ignoring how Cat shot to her feet. “I have an urgent matter to discuss, so I need an audience.”
“Don’t you mean former Law Guardian and current council assassin?” Marie’s tone was still sweet, but so was hard candy, and that could also break your teeth.
My eyes briefly closed. Of course Marie knew. She had the best spies in the world because they weren’t of this world.
“Your ghosts are incorrect,” I said. “I didn’t murder anyone on the council. I was framed.”
“Interesting, but not my problem,” Marie said. “And I’m not receiving audiences, as I’m sure Cat must have told you.”
Were her spies here now? I glanced around. No ghosts that I could see, but that was what made ghosts the best spies. They were masters at hiding. Then again, Claudia and Pyotor had been murdered days ago. Marie could have heard about that despite the council keeping it quiet. Perhaps she thought Cat had called on my behalf before? If so, I needed to fix that assumption.
“I’m not calling about myself. There are dangerous gods on the loose,” I said before she hung up.
Silence for a moment. Then, “What kind of gods?”
I almost sighed in relief. She’d hear me out, and once she did, she’d agree to see me because this was too important.
“Ancient, elemental ones. Ruaumoko controls volcanoes and earthquakes, and Morana’s power is ice and—”
“Bless your heart,” Marie interrupted with a laugh. “I already know that those gods are here.”
The line went dead. I stared at the phone for a second, trying to absorb the implications of what just happened.
“What did Marie say when you told her about the gods?” Cat asked in an urgent tone.
I looked at her, still feeling dazed. “The Southern equivalent of ‘I know, and go fuck yourself.’”
Cat paled until her complexion resembled curdled cream. “Shit. You think she might be planning to align with them?”
That’s exactly what I thought. If I was right, we’d be fighting against gods and ghouls, which meant we’d be doomed.
Chapter 32
Ian didn’t return for over an hour. If I’d had the strength, I would have been pacing from anxiety by then. As it was, I had the energy only to drum my fingers against the couch.
A burst of smoke-scented air preceded Ian’s sudden appearance. He still wore the same clothes, but the bloodstains looked dry, so they were probably from my blood, earlier. Volcanic ash streaked his russet hair with gray, but he was unharmed, and I was so relieved by that, I could have cried . . . right up until his gaze found me, and he made an exasperated sound.
“You’re still awake? Thought you’d be resting by now.”
Really? “And I thought you’d be back sooner,” I snapped.
He laughed. “From you, poppet, that is beyond ironic.”
Okay. I deserved that.
He came over and pulled me into his arms. I had never been so glad to be there, and also had never felt so limp. He may as well have held one of the wet towels Denise had cleaned me with.
“Ruaumoko got away,” he said to the room at large. “Mencheres couldn’t hold him, Vlad couldn’t torch him, and Ashael and I were busy ferrying the council and Law Guardians away. They’re all safe, but that’s what took so long. Ashael’s still finishing up, since we’re keeping them all in separate places. The fewer who know where the others are, the better.”
I agreed, but I didn’t reply, despite having important news myself. It felt so good to be in his arms. I wanted to savor it for a few moments longer.
Spade cocked his head. “I hear a car. Expecting anyone?”
Cat pulled back the drape and glanced out the window.
“Good, it’s Tyler. My medium friend,” she clarified for me. “Oh, wait, he’s got another guy with him I don’t recognize.”
“Sun’s not up yet,” Spade said, rising. “No one invite them in. We need to be sure this isn’t a trick.”
Cat nodded, and then went to the front door and opened it.
“Hey! We’re in here, guys,” she called out, and left the door open behind her.
Not an invitation, but a greeting that left them no reason to stay outside wa
iting for one. Clever.
“We’re coming,” a masculine voice sang out with an American accent.
Moments later, two men came into view. One was tall, with black curls cropped so short, they barely hugged his head. His stylish shirt had golden designs at the cuffs and collar, complementing the amber undertones in his dark brown skin. The other man was shorter and bald, with umber-brown skin and a reserved air that matched his conservative blue suit. But his charcoal-colored eyes were warm, even if his smile looked a little forced when he saw all of us in the parlor.
“The party can now begin!” the taller man said.
Bones eyed the shorter, handsome man. “Who’s this, Tyler?”
The tall man grinned. “My husband, Harrison. Told you I had a surprise. I’m hitched! He’s a doctor, too. Mom was so proud.”
I didn’t trust the sound of their beating hearts or their breathing. Those could be faked. I used the last of my strength to feel for any blood or water inside them—something Phanes lacked—and my senses roared back in the affirmative.
“Neither is Phanes in disguise,” I said. “Both these men have juices running all through them.”
“You said vampires were different,” Harrison whispered to Tyler. “You didn’t mention that they’d know how . . . juicy I am.”
“Don’t worry, sugar, I won’t let you die twice,” Tyler replied, winking at him.
“Twice?” Cat cocked her head.
“We have the best meet-cute story,” Tyler said, beaming. “Harrison didn’t know he was allergic to bees. Imagine being his age and not knowing that? Anyway, he got stung while jogging in a park, went into shock, and crossed the veil for a few minutes. I was doing a séance nearby and boom! In pops this hottie.”
“No!” Cat said appreciatively.
“Yes.” Tyler grinned. “Since Harrison’s a doctor, he guessed what had happened, and told me to send paramedics with an EpiPen. I wasn’t sure if he was pranking me, but I did it, then ran to the park to see for myself. I beat the paramedics there, gave him mouth-to-mouth until they arrived, and . . .”—another grin that Harrison returned—“we haven’t stopped kissing since.”
“Congratulations,” Bones said, shaking Tyler and Harrison’s hands.
Cat chose a hug for each, and then Spade and Denise came over and shook their hands. Ian, did, too, saying, “Good on you, mate. I’m a married man myself now.”
“No!” Tyler said in shock. “Where is she?”
Ian swept a hand in my direction. “Right there.”
“Hello,” I said, managing a wave. If I tried to get up, I’d fall on my face, and that wouldn’t be the best first impression.
“Oh, honey,” Tyler said with sympathy. “You’re a beauty, but you also look like hell ate you up and spat you out.” Then, he rounded on Ian. “For shame! You can’t take better care of your wife than this?”
“You could raise the dead before convincing her to let someone take care of her,” Ian said, with a knowing look at me.
Harrison cleared his throat and stepped forward. “Ma’am, if you’re in need of medical attention . . .”
I stifled a laugh. “That’s very kind, but I died over four thousand years ago, so I’m beyond any help you could give me.”
“What you need is rest,” Ian said, coming over and scooping me up. “Charles?”
“If you’re actually letting her sleep, second floor, third room on your right,” Spade replied. “If you’re feeling amorous, back into the groom’s quarters with you, where you’ve already done enough damage that more won’t be noticed.”
Ian began climbing the stairs. He was almost at the second floor when Harrison shouted, “Jesus!” with clear alarm.
Ian turned. Ashael was now in the main hall, shadows and the scent of volcanic ash still clinging to him.
“No,” Ashael said with a dark chuckle. “Though many people have indeed screamed, ‘God, yes!’ while in my arms.”
Tyler turned to Bones. “Is younger, hotter Idris with you?”
“He’s with us,” I said, squirming in Ian’s arms. “Bring me down. I’ll fill both of you in about Marie before I pass out.”
Ian shook his head but went back down the stairs.
Ashael’s grin slipped, and he gave me a concerned glance. “Veritas, you still haven’t slept or bathed?”
“You, too?” I said. “Believe me, I’d love nothing more than to fall asleep in a hot bubble bath, but new shit storms keep interrupting that. Marie is just the latest.”
“I told you I could set up an audience,” Ashael began.
“She’s refusing all audiences, and she already knows that Morana and Ruaumoko are here,” I said.
Ian’s brows rose. “She told you this?”
“Right before hanging up on me,” I confirmed.
Ian’s sigh ended in a hiss. “Bugger me bent and broken.”
Cat gave him a sympathetic look. “We’ll all be buggered bent and broken if Marie allies the ghouls with those gods.”
Ashael pulled out his mobile and walked out of view.
“Marie, ma belle,” I heard him say moments later. “Comment allez-vous?”
Ian teleported us next to him before I could blink. Ashael held up his free hand in the universal “not now” gesture.
“I apologize for the interruption, Marie,” Ashael said, still speaking French. “But I must see you as soon as possible.” A pause. “That is unfortunate, for my business is urgent.”
Another pause. I could hear Marie’s voice, but I couldn’t make out what she was saying. Either my exhaustion was stymieing me, or Ashael had the volume turned way down on his mobile.
“I understand,” Ashael finally said, regret in his tone. “Alas, you leave me no choice except to call in my marker . . .”
I sucked in a breath. His marker? Had Marie made a demon deal with Ashael?
“Tomorrow night?” Ashael’s tone was bright again. “Of course that will be sufficient. Our usual place? Perfect. I’ll see you then, ma belle.”
He hung up. Cat appeared in my peripheral vision, her mouth ajar from the same disbelief I felt.
“How did you do that? Marie hung up on Veritas and me when we tried to get a meeting with her!”
Ashael gave her an arch look. “Told you to let me handle this. When a job requires a demon, accept no substitutes.”
“I’ll put that right on a tee shirt, but it still doesn’t answer my question,” Cat said, her tone turning hard.
“Ashael,” I said in a quieter tone. “What sort of debt does Marie owe you?”
“Not that kind.” His wave dismissed a demon deal as a possibility. “But if you think I wouldn’t have made it my business to know a beautiful, powerful woman whose meteoric rise up the undead ranks made her queen of the entire ghoul nation in a mere two hundred years, you underestimate my intelligence.”
“Ah,” Ian said simply. Then, “Know her well, do you?”
Ashael caught the inference and grinned. “Not as well as I’d prefer, but well nonetheless.” Then, he patted my shoulder. “May as well rest now. We don’t see Marie until tomorrow night, so there’s nothing you need to do until then.”
“We?” I said in surprise while Ian tensed.
Another grin, this one shameless. “Didn’t I mention that part? The debt Marie owes me includes my bringing a plus-one, and you, my sister, are it.”
Chapter 33
The French Quarter in New Orleans was one of the few spots in America that felt like preindustrial Europe to me. Maybe it was because the Quarter had kept the narrow streets that had originally been designed for horse and carriage instead of cars. Or how gas lanterns still flickered in golden-orange rebellion against the harsher brightness of electric lighting. Or how the eighteenth- and nineteenth-century architecture lining much of the famed streets prioritized beauty and whimsy over the modern tendency to stuff as many people as possible inside a building.
It could also be the ghosts. Aside from former battlefields,
America tended not to have an abundance of ghosts concentrated in the same spot. New Orleans, however, was filled with them, from residual ghosts that were mere snapshots of energy repeating the same moment to sentient ghosts like the newly deceased guy who kept chasing our car because he thought it was the Uber he’d ordered.
I didn’t have the heart to tell him that he was dead. He’d figure it out soon enough. Hopefully, he would move on to the next phase of his journey once he did. Sentient ghosts usually remained on this side of the veil for only a short amount of time before they crossed over, though some lingered for decades, and every so often, some never crossed over.
New Orleans had one of the highest concentrations of sentient ghosts I’d ever seen. They came from all around America and even the world, drawn by the otherworldly power of the city’s most famous resident, Marie Laveau.
“How long have you known Marie?” Ian asked Ashael.
Ian had come even though he wasn’t able to attend our “audience” since Ashael had only a plus-one invitation, not a plus-two. However, having Ian on the outside came with its own advantages. Marie guaranteed safe passage to and from any meeting with her, but in case this was the one instance where she revoked that, Ian was our backup. Marie didn’t know Ian could teleport, so he could warn Ashael and me of danger faster than she could sic one of her infamous Remnants on him.
“Since she was human,” Ashael replied, his mouth curling at my surprised expression. “Yes, I knew Marie was special even then. She channeled ancient mambo magic like no mortal had done in centuries. When someone pulls that hard on the veil, our bloodline allows me to feel it. You would have felt it, too, if you hadn’t been suppressing that part of yourself.”
Interesting. “You don’t think Marie could be another one of our father’s secret offspring, do you?”
“Blazes, no,” Ashael said with a chuckle. “I’ve seen the source of her magic. It might be netherworld adjacent, but it’s definitely not netherworld descendant.”
“If not a demon deal, what did you do for her that she owed you this ‘marker’?” Ian asked in a casual tone.
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