Night Veil

by Galenorn, Yasmine

  Kaylin grinned. “It kept them from asking further questions about me, didn’t it?”

  Again, the feeling I was out of the loop on something flickered through my mind but I knew better than to ask Kaylin what he was keeping to himself. He’d flat-out refuse to tell me.

  “Whatever you say. After we get things in order, I’ll sit down and figure out what I want the new Society to be like. I’m not calling it what Marta did, though—I’m too superstitious to give it the same name. I don’t have to add all thirteen members at once, I suppose, so we’ll start out with . . .” I glanced at them. As much as I wasn’t sure about Leo, I couldn’t leave him out. It would make for an uncomfortable situation. “I guess with five—the five of us.”

  “Five, for the five points on the pentagram,” Rhiannon whispered.

  “Earth, that’s Leo; Fire, you, Rhia. Water—Peyton, you can handle that. Air, me. And Kaylin, I guess that leaves you for Spirit—for the shadows you walk in. We have enough to invoke the Elemental Watchers. Ulean can guard the gates of Air. Chatter can keep watch overall.” I’d never really worked formal magic, but it looked like I was going to learn. And it looked like I was going to learn faster than I’d ever imagined.

  “We can do this whatever way you want, Cicely.” Rhia shrugged. “Since you’re the heart of the group, you call the shots.” She sent Leo a stern look, and he paled but nodded. “Whatever you say goes.”

  “I still don’t know how the hell they’ll handle the knowledge that I’m part Cambyra Fae. I thought only the full-blooded magic-born were allowed memberships.” I played with the crust of my bread.

  “Apparently not. They have to know something about your background. Either that or they’ve changed their rules. One way or another, we’ll find out.” My cousin gave me a soulful look. “Whatever you need, we have your back.”

  “Thanks.” But in my heart, I wondered if that was true. Were they all loyal, or was Anadey working with one of my friends? Everybody in this room knew that if she’d managed to neutralize my love for Grieve, it would destroy one of us. So her spell would have killed me. If somebody tried to help her . . . they knew they’d be party to murdering me.

  And what the hell was I supposed to do about Kaylin, now that the Consortium thought we were married? We couldn’t fake a license. They’d be able to check on that without any problems. We’d have to actually get married, pretend to be husband and wife, long enough to placate them. Because if they found out I’d lied about that, they might discover I’d lied about other things. Like Heather being on sabbatical, and Marta being killed by wild dogs.

  Somehow I didn’t think the Consortium would forgive lies of omission. With these thoughts in mind, I finished my tea, then went into the parlor to try to focus on work.

  Chapter 18

  Peyton and I were silent as we tidied up the parlor and took our places. I was sorting herbs and gemstone chips into little plastic bags to sell, while she was playing mutely with the cards. The silence was awkward, but what was there to say? I had to keep quiet about what had actually happened at Anadey’s, and I knew she was feeling guilty and angry over the whole incident.

  But after a few moments, she broke the ice. “I want to move in, if you’ll have me.”

  I jerked my head up. “What?”

  “If you have room, I’d like to move in. I’m not going back to the diner, and I’m not going back to my mother’s. The look on her face when I broke into the circle last night was terrifying. I’ve never seen her look so angry, or so . . . secretive. What the fuck did she do to you?”

  I shrugged. “I guess . . . what we talked about.”

  “She did more than that. This morning, when Kaylin asked if you wanted to go dreamwalking to find the antidote, you shrugged him off like he’d asked if you wanted to go stroll through the forest and take Myst a basket of muffins.”

  I sucked in a deep breath. How to handle this? Sometimes avoidance was the best route. “We should talk about something we can control, like the Consortium and how we’re going to go about working with them. I had no clue they oversee magical businesses. It seems odd that they came out here just as we opened our doors, doesn’t it?”

  “Not if they’ve been trying to get in touch with Marta. They’re probably running a bit behind, like any bureaucracy. But that aside, how do you feel about joining them?” Peyton brushed her hand across the soft cloth of the table. “Mother’s going to have a fit when I do.”

  “I’d rather have a few teeth pulled, but I guess there’s no help for it. And it’s not like we could hide anything—our sign was right out there by the side of the road when she got out of the car.” I shook my head. “I’ve never been good at joining anything or following rules. Creating a society like Marta did is going to be hell on me.”

  I preferred to rely on myself. But then again, perhaps we could create a group that was strong against Myst and the Indigo Court. Ysandra had given me no clear rules. What if I wanted to include Fae, or even vampires in it? She hadn’t said that I couldn’t. I was about to say as much when someone walked through the door for a reading. As Peyton invited the woman to sit down, I turned away, focusing on my work.

  I sold five protection charms that afternoon, and Peyton had one other customer. She talked to her for a bit, then called me over.

  “This is Luna. She has a problem that I thought you might hear.” Peyton introduced the woman, who was probably about thirty-five. She was short and plump, with long dark hair, and her eyes were ringed with silver sparkles. Pretty, in a way that appeared soft on the surface, but beneath I sensed a huge reservoir of strength.

  “Hi.” I shook her hand, surprised by the strength of her grip.

  “Hello.” Her voice was even and low, sultry almost. She slid back into her chair and as she lowered her head, a sweep of movement caught my eye. I closed my eyes and listened on the slipstream.

  She is marked. Her energy is marked. Keep her here, do not let her go out into the wilds tonight. The Hunters are following her—I can hear them on the slipstream. Ulean whirled around me, frantic.

  I turned back to Luna. “What’s going on?”

  “I feel like I’m being followed. The past day or so, especially during the evenings, I’ve felt something outside my house. I haven’t gone out to check—I’m not stupid—but my cards have warned me that something dangerous is waiting for me. I don’t know what to do. I have nowhere to go. I saw your ad in the paper and thought I’d ask if you could investigate. And maybe fashion a protection charm for me. I can make them myself, but my fear is overwhelming my sense of accuracy.”

  I glanced over at Peyton. “They’re after her.”

  “Who? Who’s after me? You know already?” Her lip quivered. “I live alone and I’m not sure what to do.”

  We couldn’t take in everyone whom the Shadow Hunters were after, but damn it, we had a chance to save her life. And for some reason, Luna struck me as useful. As someone I might want to know better.

  “Luna, tell us a bit about yourself. Then maybe we can help you better.”

  She let out a long sigh. “I’m single, I’m a singer—well, part time. I work in a little thrift shop to make ends meet, and I occasionally attend a psychic fair and do readings.”

  Then it hit me; she wasn’t magic-born like I’d suspected, but yummanii. And she had some very strong magic of her own. The magic-born didn’t bother with psychic fairs, but the yummanii, especially those who had magical abilities . . .

  “You’re yummanii.” I held her gaze.

  She nodded. “Well, mostly. There is mixed magic in my family. My grandmother married into the magic-born. After that, the abilities of the children and grandchildren grew stronger. I’m the strongest in the family. But it mostly comes out when I sing or play an instrument. My songs . . . I can sometimes make things happen.”

  A bard. Luna was an old-fashioned bard. And that would be very useful to Myst. She’d be able to charm in people with a bard-turned-vampire in ways that
she couldn’t now. Influential people, who might listen to Luna’s songs and fall under her spell. And if Luna belonged to Myst, then she’d obey without question.

  “You can’t go home, not alone. At least not for tonight.” I bit my lip, trying to think of what to tell the woman.

  She will believe the truth. Her energy . . . you must not let her fall into Myst’s hands. Ulean was adamant.

  Are you certain? She’s mostly yummanii . . .

  The yummanii are no less at risk than the magic-born, especially one with her abilities. She came to you for a reason. Don’t turn her out or you will be signing her death warrant.

  Taking a deep breath, I let it out slowly and gave her a slow smile. “Have you ever heard of the Shadow Hunters?”

  She slowly shook her head. “No, should I have?”

  “That depends . . .” And so we told her about Myst, and the vampires.

  The afternoon passed into shadows and faded away. Luna listened to our story and—after a few probing questions—accepted what we had to say.

  “My grandmother warned me that one day something might happen. She was one of the historians who worked on writing The History of the Vampire Nation. At least, the condensed volume.”

  I jerked my head up. “Condensed volume? You mean there’s more than one book?”

  “Oh, yes. There’s a fifteen-volume encyclopedia that was written about their history. It’s under lock and key—only two copies of it still exist. My family owns one of them; the other is deep in the vaults.” She let out a little gasp and pressed her fingers to her lips.

  “Vaults? Luna, you need to tell us what you’re talking about.”

  Looking chastised, she grimaced. “I should never have mentioned them, but . . . given what you told me about Myst and the Indigo Court, it might become necessary for you to know this. I’ll tell you, but please, don’t let the vampires know . . . or Myst.”

  Peyton and I gave our word.

  “There’s a society, they keep track of all the goings-on in the world. A group of historians known as the Akazzani. They are magic-born and yummanii alike. And they watch. They are born nine to a generation, and they are taken when young and trained for their jobs. They live in a hidden fortress and from there observe the goings-on of the world. They are the preservers of knowledge, the guardians of the ages. They do not interfere, nor do they direct matters, but they record all that has gone on, and all that will be. My sister was chosen by them. I only remember her from when she was very small, before the Akazzani took her under their wing.”

  “Does your family live in the area?” Peyton gave her a soft smile.

  Luna shook her head. “No, they are originally from Ireland, though some of them migrated over toward the Italian shores. My own mother and father chose to come to the States when they were younger. I was born here.”

  I made a snap decision, going on instinct. “You can stay here. I’ll have to ask my cousin, but I’m sure she won’t mind when we explain the situation. I’m glad you came to us today.”

  If she had not, tonight she would die. Ulean swept through the room. She can hear me, if I choose for her to. Her voice sends magic through the slipstream when she sings. You can teach her to talk to the wind. It might be a handy skill for her to have.

  You act as if she’s going to be around for a while.

  Keep her away from Myst’s hunters and she will.

  Luna glanced out the window. The clock was chiming six and dusk had fallen. She closed her eyes, then shuddered. “They are out there, aren’t they? Hunting for magic, hunting for people.”

  “For blood and life force, yes. And they leave very little of their victims. They are killing machines—make no mistake and do not let them charm you, should you ever encounter them. Myst’s people are sharks of the land, and they do enjoy their carnage. They dance with death and deal it out by the handful.”

  “I will stay, if you’ll put me up.”

  I stretched. “Then welcome. Can you cook?”

  “Can a bird sing?”

  “Good, because we can manage, but it will be nice to have a change of pace.”

  As Peyton led us out of the parlor, the doorbell rang. Rhia answered, glancing briefly at Luna, then came back from the door, an envelope in hand.

  “For you, Cicely.”

  I stared at it, recognizing the handwriting. After a moment, I ripped it open and pulled out the card.

  “Your presence is requested at my home tomorrow night. Formal dress. A limousine will arrive for you at 8:00 P.M. Come alone. Geoffrey.”

  I wondered if Leo knew about this, then silently slid the card back in the envelope. Best leave it for now. I shoved the summons in my pocket and, asking Peyton to take Luna in the kitchen for a snack, pulled Rhia into the living room and told her about the woman.

  “We need her. Ulean is certain of it, and certain she will die if we let her take off again.”

  Rhiannon peeked around the corner, then let out a long sigh. “We are gathering allies, you realize.”

  “And losing some.” I thought of Anadey. “But Luna, she’s yummanii and a bard—with a touch of magic-born blood in her background.”

  “She seems swathed in an aura of mist. There is more to her than meets the eye,” Rhia said. “You are sure of this?”

  “Ulean is sure. And yes . . . when I think about it, it feels right that Luna join our group. That will be six. I must bring the group to a full thirteen—of that Ysandra was positive. I wonder who they’ll be.”

  “Not Anadey.”

  “No.”

  “You aren’t telling me everything. I know that much, Cicely. But I won’t ask you what or why. You have your reasons, and I can only imagine what you must think of me, after Leo hit you like he did. I can’t ever apologize enough for his actions—”

  I waved her words away. “It’s not up to you to apologize. He knew what he was doing.”

  “I don’t know what to think. I’m second-guessing myself about him. Ever since he laid hands on you, I haven’t been able to let him touch me. The thought of him hurting a woman makes me sick to my stomach. It could have been me, Cicely.”

  I bit my lip, not knowing what to say. The fact that Leo had found it acceptable to hit me bothered me, too, a hell of a lot. And I wondered: If he could hit me, could he beat my cousin, who couldn’t fight back easily? Or who might lash out with her fire and burn him terribly?

  “I can’t give you an answer. All I know is that Ulean said we’d need him. So for now . . . we lead an uneasy truce because I know he’s still thinking I’m going to betray you all by bringing Grieve here.” At the mention of my love’s name, my wolf shifted and I forced myself to hold my hands steady.

  “What happened with that? Why won’t you let Kaylin take you dreamwalking to look for the antidote?” Rhia pleaded with me, begging to understand. “I know I wasn’t going to ask questions, but I can’t help it. Talk to me, Cicely.”

  “I cannot. I cannot speak, not now. Trust me, it’s for the best. As we descend further into war with Myst and her people, there will be more secrets and hidden agendas and we’ll have to get used to gathering our information in bits and pieces. For now, let’s make Luna welcome, and Leo better not frighten her off, is all I can say.”

  Rhia followed me into the kitchen, where Peyton was starting dinner. Luna was helping her, dicing herbs and vegetables for soup as Peyton browned cubed beef.

  “Did Peyton tell you I’m deathly allergic to fish?” I asked. “No fish at all—even shellfish—allowed. So never, ever bring any into the house, please.”

  “Does that extend to never giving you a hug if I’ve just eaten a tuna sandwich?”

  “If you give me a kiss I could go into anaphylactic shock. Hugs probably aren’t the best idea after a tuna sandwich or crab cake.” I pulled out my EpiPen. “I have to keep one of these around.”

  “Then I’ll start eating chicken or egg salad.” She smiled, and I wanted to hug her for understanding. So many pe
ople acted like it was such a big hassle for them to skip eating tuna for the day when they wanted to see me. Over the years, I’d gotten used to snide comments about how I should just “get over it,” and I’d learned to just brush them off, but they still irritated me.

  We cooked side by side, at first Peyton directing the preparation, the three of us punctuating the silence with get-to-know-you comments and questions.

  “Do you have a boyfriend?” I asked, after a moment.

  Luna paused, then shrugged. “No, not right now. I had a boyfriend, but he left me two years ago and I’ve been nervous about trying to meet someone new. I’m not quite what the fashion mags order up for a date, you know.”

  “You’re gorgeous,” Rhiannon burst out. “I can’t believe you don’t see that. You look a lot like Jane Russell.”

  Luna laughed then, her voice clear and ringing through the kitchen. “I’m about forty pounds heavier than she was, but yeah, I can see it.”

  “You wear the weight well,” I said. “Here, the tomatoes are diced. What should I do with them?”

  “Slide them into the skillet with the mushrooms, onion, and bacon. Then when they’ve sautéed we’ll put them into the soup base.” She stirred the broth containing the beef—already browned—and potatoes. A heavenly aroma rose from the pot and I found my stomach grumbling.

  “How long till this is done?”

  “About half an hour. Enough time for us to make biscuits.” Luna took over the kitchen the way Rhiannon took over the herb garden. We were suddenly at her bidding, fetching flour and butter and baking powder and greasing pans as she rolled out dough and cut it into rounds with a cookie cutter.

  By the time Leo, Chatter, and Kaylin came trudging in, we’d found out that Luna had two sisters that she hadn’t seen in years, that her parents lived in New York, that she’d come to New Forest because of her love affair with West Coast culture and her ability to get a job teaching music at the New Forest Conservatory, and that she had once sung on stage at Carnegie Hall.