by Ilana Waters
Because birds of a feather . . . George muttered to me.
“Er, right then.” I pointed at Titus. “You’d be in charge of that.”
“But Joshua, do you honestly think we can get enough explosives down there before Ferox figures out what’s going on?” Abigail asked.
“With any luck, he never will,” I said. “Besides, as long as he’s still searching for the crystal, it buys us some time. He thinks it’s the key to taking over the world, and he probably won’t fully execute his plan until he has it. You’re still going to find out more about it, right, Arthur?”
“Of course,” Arthur replied. “But do be careful, Joshua. I’ve been reading up on this Ferox fellow, and I warn you, when he’s crossed, the repercussions can be very . . . unfriendly.”
“Nothing we didn’t already know,” Titus said with a shrug.
“Yes, thank you, Arthur.” And please don’t tell me the details, or else I might lose my nerve. “So, are you on board with this?” I asked Titus. “We can’t do it without your help.”
He looked to me, then to everyone else at the table, who were raising their eyebrows expectantly. Finally, he let out a long sigh.
“I suppose,” he said. “But remember, Joshua, even the witches of old couldn’t permanently destroy Ferox. Why do you feel you can succeed where others before you have failed?” I was about to answer that I hadn’t the foggiest notion, but George beat me to a reply.
“I don’t know, Titus,” he said with a grin. “That was then, this is now. We have new magics, new tactics, new . . . explosives. I’d say we have a shot.”
I nodded my assent. “And in that case, Father, I think it’s time for you to place another ad in the classifieds.”
Chapter 16
It’s fairly easy when you’re a witch, mage, or vampire to disable standard security systems and visit places after hours. Which is why, the next night, we stood inside the National Roman Museum—or the Palazzo Altemps, to be more specific. And by “we,” I mean my parents, George, and myself. Just as we hadn’t brought Arthur to the bar, I didn’t want to put him in harm’s way here if I didn’t have to. It was also my dearest wish that this wouldn’t be another situation where his crossbow was required.
This branch of the museum housed some of the best-preserved Roman, Greek, and Egyptian sculptures and artwork created during the Renaissance. But we had no time to admire it. There is something strangely disturbing about a museum after hours. It’s eerily quiet and still. Every tiny sound is magnified, echoing. Although you know it’s unlikely, you keep thinking faces from frescoes are staring at you, or statues will spring to life and attack.
Oh, who do I think I’m fooling? I’m the impossible-born offspring of a witch and vampire. I suppose anything can happen.
“Are you sure Ferox’s mongrels won’t destroy all the precious artifacts here?” I asked no one in particular.
“I hate to say it, but better them than us.” George looked sideways at a sculpture that seemed to be looking back.
“Who’s to say they won’t destroy them and us?” Abigail glanced around, fingering the long paisley scarf at her throat.
“See here now,” said Titus. “I needed a place where we wouldn’t be disturbed or observed. This is all I could come up with on short notice. We’ll have to make the best of it.”
At least we were slightly better prepared to defend ourselves than before; Titus had healed completely. But I still sported several colorful bruises and varying degrees of soreness.
“How do you know Ferox will show this time?” George asked Titus. “You felt strongly that he didn’t come to the pub before because he was afraid of you.”
“I simply did as my son suggested,” Titus replied. “I placed an ad that explained the situation and all but begged for his help. If Joshua’s right, Ferox won’t be able to resist. If.”
“Wouldn’t he assume it’s a trap?” Abigail asked.
Titus stared at the large set of double doors opposite us. “He knows I’m not stupid enough to try and kill him in a public place, even one that’s presently closed. Mortals would easily find his remains in the morning. And even if I disposed of them, you can’t kill an ancient without some evidence of a struggle. We’re far too powerful for that. No, he knows I value secrecy and discretion as much as he. Frightening how much alike we are, actually.”
Alike enough for you to take over the world using his plans if he fails? I thought to myself.
“With any luck, he’ll come alone.” George clasped his hands behind his head. “Then we won’t have to worry about his miscreant offspring.”
Titus shook his head. “They’ll all be here. A man as savvy as Ferox leaves nothing to chance.” Suddenly, his head turned to the right. He stared at the double doors again, harder this time.
“Look sharp,” he said in a low voice.
Ferox walked through the doors with roughly two-thirds of his vampire children—ten or so, I’d say, based on the number he had when we first met. Of course, it was difficult to tell exactly what portion of his brood they represented; he could always have made more since we saw him last. Now I was truly glad we hadn’t brought Arthur. Even with him potentially wielding a crossbow, we were outnumbered.
Rattler was among the arrivals, glaring at me like his life depended on it. Not that he had any love for me before, but I imagine the incident with Merula’s head didn’t help. Of course, that was Titus’s doing, not mine, but I knew Rattler was unlikely to go after Titus again. It was easier to focus his fury on the smaller, weaker target: me. In addition to Rattler, I recognized the ones they’d called Stavros and Sasha, as well as a few others from the bar.
Please, God, ancient gods, yet-to-be-discovered gods, I prayed. Let this go according to plan.
“A very intriguing location you’ve chosen, Titus,” Ferox said with a smile. He was in a suit similar to the one he’d worn before, darker but still impeccably tailored. Anyone seeing him in the museum during the day would think he belonged in this bastion of culture. It’s strange how easily evil can wear mundanity’s face.
“Many figures I recognize from the past, but some of the styles are new to me,” he continued. His gaze rested on the statue of a woman whose sculptor had forgotten the majority of her clothing. “Not that I’m complaining, mind you.”
“Mortals have come a long way over the centuries, Callix,” Titus said. Or so you keep telling me, he thought in my direction.
“I’m very glad to hear that.” Ferox stood to face Titus. “In fact, I’m ‘counting on it,’ as you might say.” This time his smile didn’t reach his eyes, and the effect sent chills down my spine. Several of the other vampires were looking around the room, running their hands over the priceless treasures. One wrong move and they might topple over. Or we might.
“But what’s this I see? Someone new?” He tilted his head at George. “Another fire witch, I sense. My, Titus, but you do surround yourself with only the best, don’t you?”
“Are you sure he’s evil?” George asked Titus. “He seems awfully flattering.” Anyone but George would’ve been unnerved in the presence of a bloodthirsty ancient like Ferox. Like my father, I surround myself with only the best.
“Ah, but evil is in the eye of the beholder,” said Ferox. “Why did you bring him, Titus? Do you plan on making us all burst into flames and need a little assistance?” The other vampires glanced at one another sharply, then turned back to us.
“George’s role will become apparent soon enough,” I interjected. “And sorry, but is it just me, or do you seem unapologetic about your actions over the past few days?”
“Joshua!” Ferox directed his attention to me for the first time that evening. He was practically beaming. “So glad you could make it.”
“Ah, yes, thanks,” I said. “But you seemed to be blithely ignoring the fact that you had my father kidnapped and tortured, and the rest of us here nearly killed when we tried to collect him.” I didn’t mention Arthur; I wasn’t ce
rtain Rattler had told Ferox about him. Arthur was safer if Ferox wasn’t aware of his existence.
“Not ignoring, exactly.” Ferox walked lazily around a statue a few feet from us. He eyed it up and down as if he had all night to spend strolling through the museum. “I suppose we just don’t see things the same way. I thought you’d be more relieved than anything else. Sometimes our families are a burden to us, aren’t they? I know mine was.”
He’s got a hell of a nerve! I heard Abigail say. I felt heated magic travel through her hands and up her arms, almost to her shoulders.
Who does he bloody well think he is? asked George. I heard him estimating how many vampires he could set on fire at once.
My entire jaw tightened, and out of the corner of my eye I saw Titus’s do the same. So your family was a burden, Ferox, I thought to myself. Yes, I really want to hear all about your childhood trauma right now. Because while it might explain why you’re a sociopath, it doesn’t excuse it.
“Well, then, we definitely don’t see things the same way,” I said. “And should you ever try to ‘relieve’ me of my family or friends again, please be aware my plans for you will be similar to my father’s. I believe you received his message in that respect, all neatly wrapped in a hatbox.” Anger had made me bold, and on the last few words, I raised my eyebrows at Rattler. He squared his shoulders and started to move forward, but stopped when Ferox held up his hand.
“You’re very fortunate I didn’t take offense at that message,” Ferox said calmly. He looked to me and then to Titus, but my father’s face was as impassive as those of the sculptures around us. I knew this meant he was either contemplating his next move, considering murder, or both.
“Merula was very dear to me, and her loss will be felt keenly.” Ferox walked around a statue opposite the one he’d just left.
He’s lying, Titus thought to us. These so-called children are just means to an end, nothing more. He only pretends otherwise to their faces. He forgets I know him of old.
“Still,” Ferox continued, “she acted rashly, and without as much forethought as I would have hoped. Perhaps it was for the best. Individuals like these tend to threaten the safety of the group.”
“Which brings me to why we’re here,” Titus said.
“Yes, if I understood your other message correctly,” said Ferox, standing in front of Titus again, “you sired a vampire who seems to be causing a bit of a stir.” This time, his smile and voice were full of gloating that was surely driving Titus mad.
“A stir? More like a mini-apocalypse,” Abigail said.
“An apocalypse?” said Sasha. “Sounds like fun.” She clasped her hands over the eyes of a bust on a pedestal, as if playing the game Guess Who. Then she grinned and removed them all at once with a “ha!” I felt my stomach tense as the pedestal wobbled back and forth, threatening to fall. But at the last minute it righted itself, and it took all I had not to exhale loudly.
“Believe me,” Titus said to Sasha, “it’s not as much fun as it seems. I’ll admit this one has been a greater nuisance than I anticipated. His bloodlust is even more difficult to control than usual, and we fear it will attract attention to our kind.”
“Really?” Sasha walked over to Ferox and stood on his left-hand side, folding her arms across her chest. “We haven’t heard of any unexplained deaths or disappearances in the area recently.”
“Yeah, except the ones we caused,” Rattler chuckled, and a few other vampires joined in.
“That’s because we’ve done a fair job of keeping them under wraps,” said Abigail, looking darkly at the vampires. “So far.”
“But we could use your assistance, as well as your supremely convenient underground location,” said Titus, “to store the fruits of his labor. At least until we can take care of the problem once and for all.”
“Strange that you’re not asking for help in that last respect as well,” Ferox said. “What with so many willing hands at my disposal.” He indicated the vampires around him, but somehow the offer seemed more threatening than welcoming.
“The hands that seemed so willing to do us all in?” Titus motioned to Abigail, George, and me. “No, thank you. Besides, it was my mistake and my responsibility. Therefore, I’ll handle it. Personally.” I heard a bit of his general’s voice just then, warning Ferox not to press the issue.
Fortunately, he didn’t. “As you wish,” he said with a shrug. “But tell me, doesn’t society have catacombs or crematoriums these days for just such occasions?”
“Regrettably, we have so many bodies that there is no modern way of disposing of them without being noticed,” said Titus.
“Despite all the technological marvels mortals have managed to invent thus far?” Ferox raised his eyebrows.
“In case it escaped you, Callix,” Titus replied, “the world is strangely smaller than it used to be. Mortals are much better at communicating with one another—especially when they suspect something is awry.”
“I had noticed that, in fact.” Ferox adjusted the cuffs of his shirt. He looked up again at my father. “My, then, it’s a good thing I managed to control my own bloodlust when I did. But truly, Titus, it’s not like you to be such a poor judge of character. Surely the last few millennia have taught you who would make a useful addition to our kind and who would not.”
“Events do happen that are beyond our control, Callix,” Titus said through gritted teeth.
“Like ancient civilizations being destroyed,” said Abigail, giving my father the side-eye.
“I am not responsible for the entire fall of Rome!” he snapped.
“Well, it didn’t happen on my watch!” Abigail shot back. Titus was about to make a retort when my thoughts interrupted them.
No, let her harp on you, I said to Titus, making sure that George and Abigail also heard. Don’t you see? This looks like she’s angry at you for mucking things up by making that false vampire. Let Ferox believe it. Titus glared at Abigail, but said nothing more.
“Master, I don’t see why this vampire of his,” Rattler jutted his chin at Titus, “has to be dealt with in the first place. Who cares if everyone knows about us already? We’re going to take over the world soon anyway. Shouldn’t they know?” He went and stood on Ferox’s right. “Shouldn’t they all know?”
Remember, Callix, Titus thought to him, letting us hear as well. The other vampires were the only ones not privy to the conversation. Remember what happens when the bloodlust is uncontrollable, unchecked. When they refuse to take orders. You need obedient vampires, not those who will attempt to take the power for themselves.
Then the carnage can really start, I thought to my parents and George. I felt magic shift inside them and myself, in case Ferox made a sudden change in his discretion policy.
My father and Ferox locked eyes for a long moment, and the latter took several slow, deep breaths. Finally, he smiled faintly and turned his head to Rattler.
“Patience, my boy,” he said. “We must think strategically, and only announce our presence to the world at the correct time. Everything will be as it should eventually.”
“Eventually,” Rattler grumbled. He started kicking the pedestal of a statue so hard it inched across the floor, the figure on top shaking more each time his boot connected. “And here we are slowed down by little Johnny Appleseed.” He hung his thumbs in his belt loops and scowled at Titus long enough to stop threatening the statue.
“Yeah, what’s wrong with you?” asked Stavros. He folded his arms and smirked at my father. “Can’t keep your fangs in your pants?”
Titus gave them both a death glare. “Continue taunting me, and you’ll be the ones having trouble keeping what’s in your pants. If there’s anything there at all, which I doubt.”
“That’s right, don’t insult my husband!” snapped Abigail. “That’s my job.”
Titus closed his eyes and grimaced. Never fall in love, Joshua, he said to me. It’s a living hell.
Noted, I replied. And too late, as you
well know.
“This wouldn’t have anything to do with my crystal, would it?” Ferox turned his head sideways and looked at Titus.
“What?” Titus’s brow furrowed. “No, of course not.”
“And it’s not your crystal,” Abigail added.
“We told you before,” I said, “we don’t know where it is, or even if it still exists.”
“What about you?” Ferox nodded to George.
“Me? Sorry, mate,” George replied, shaking his head. “I’m not one for crystals and gemstones and such. If it’s jewelry you’re after, you’ll have to look elsewhere.”
“I don’t know,” he murmured, stroking his chin, his eyes roaming from one of us to the other. “This isn’t some kind of trick, is it?”
Oh God oh God oh God oh God, I heard Abigail think.
Steady now, Titus thought to us. Just wait and see what happens. No one do anything rash. Titus simply shook his head and sighed at Ferox, as if the notion were ridiculous. Time seemed to stand still as we waited for his response. It took every ounce of strength I had not to let my thoughts betray me. I felt a bead of perspiration run down the side of my face, but quickly glamoured it so none of the vampires would see.
“No,” Ferox finally said, answering his own question. “I know you, Titus. If you wanted to destroy me, you’d just come straight at me and try to take my head off. Perhaps not here, but somewhere, somehow. You’d never humiliate yourself by all but begging for my help,” he said smugly.
But it seems he’d do it to save the world, much to his credit, I thought to myself. I could practically feel Titus grinding his teeth. It was obvious Ferox was enjoying the opportunity to gloat so much it clouded his judgment. It was amazing how the ego could interfere with a person’s thinking. But it was to our advantage, so why the hell not? I had to hand it to my father: this must be killing him, but he was doing an excellent job of playing the helpless supplicant. Or at least his version of it.
But is that what he’s doing? I wondered. I couldn’t shake the thought that some part of him would like to be in Ferox’s place. That he wished he could bring his rival’s plan to fruition, just without the rival.
