by Mac Flynn
I nodded and followed him through the double doors. Seated in the living room area were our three acquaintances from heists past. Maeve and Specter sat on a couch. Well, Specter floated above the cushion beside Maeve. Dolf was seated opposite them in a chair. They all glanced at us as we entered.
Their smiles wiped off their faces. The two living people jumped to their feet and Specter floated higher.
"What happened?" Maeve asked as she hurried to Simon's side.
Dolf sniffed the air. "And why don't I smell him?"
"Faith will answer your questions," he told them as he hurried to the bedroom on the left-hand wall. He shut the door behind him and all eyes turned to me.
Maeve set her hand on one of my shoulders and led me toward Simon and my bedroom. Her voice was soft like her eyes. "Follow me and we'll get you cleaned up first. You're covered in blood."
I managed a small smile and nodded my head. "I could use a shower."
Maeve helped me with my clothes, and gave me a gentle push into the bathroom. I turned on the shower head, but paused before the bathroom sink. My pale reflection showed the specks of blood on my face from Certus's coughing fit. I turned my face away and shuddered. Suddenly I'd lost all interest in a shower, so I washed the blood off and shut off the water.
I came out wearing a bath towel. Maeve sat on the bed and studied me. She pursed her lips. "It doesn't take a witch's skill to know you didn't take a shower."
"The blood's off," I defended myself as I dressed.
Maeve stood, and together we walked out into the living room. Specter and Dolf stood so they had clear advantage of both doors. Maeve and I joined them. Nobody sat down. All eyes lay on me.
I cleared my throat and began my tale with the attack of Basileus's men. The story finished at Certus's own conclusion. "Certus. . .Certus jumped in front of me and took the dagger for me," I told them.
Dolf whistled. "So the big Trica's involved in all of this. I guess that explains why Certus doesn't have a scent anymore."
Specter floated around our more lively group. "So when's the cremation?"
Maeve glared at him. "That's a terrible thing to say!"
He shrugged. "You know it's gotta be done."
"Not before the job is finished," a voice spoke up. We turned to face the spare bedroom. Simon stepped out and closed the door behind him. He walked over to us with a smile and gestured to the living room furniture. "If you would all make yourselves comfortable I will explain the details of my plan."
Maeve arched an eyebrow as she took a seat. "So you know where Trica is?"
Simon moved so he stood at the head of the living room between the chairs and couch. His dark eyes swept over us as he clasped his hands behind his back. "I do not know where he is."
"And you're sure you really want to know that?" Dolf spoke up.
Maeve frowned at him as he sat across the coffee table from us. "We can't let Trica get into that room, and we can't let Faith be killed by that careless curse."
Specter floated behind her. "Is this a curse you can lift?"
She pursed her lips and shook her head. "No. By the description Faith gave it's a very personal curse. That means only the caster can revoke it."
Dolf leaned back and frowned. "You guys gotta know this isn't going to be easy. I've heard some stuff about this Trica guy, and I don't like any of it."
Maeve turned to Simon. "What do you know about Trica?"
"He is a very old and-"
"Very dangerous vampire," Dolf finished for him. "I've heard that, but what else?"
Simon's red eyes fell on Dolf. "He dislikes werewolves immensely."
Dolf glared back at him. "What's that-"
"Cool it, Dolf," Maeve snapped at our hairy friend. "He's talking about Trica, not himself. Anyway, one vampire is easy to handle. I'm more worried about who's around him."
"You should be worried about the vampire," Specter spoke up. All eyes turned to him. Specter floated above the coffee table so he faced Simon. "I'm in."
Dolf sat up and arched an eyebrow. "You're in?"
Specter nodded. "That's what I said."
Dolf leaned his arms on his legs and studied our spectral friend. "What's the deal? It's not like you to jump into human affairs."
Specter's transparent eyes flickered to Dolf. "Let's just say I have a score to settle with his group."
Dolf smiled. He leaned back and shrugged. "I'm not going to say no when Spook Boy's so eager, so I guess I'm in."
Maeve turned to Simon and pursed her lips. "As much as I'm going to miss Certus scowling at me, I'd still like to know what we're up against. Knowing more means fewer of us are going to get killed."
Simon closed his eyes. I watched his shoulders slump. "Trica is the source of many of the organized crimes within the city. He controls numerous gangs such as the Skulls and the Night Prowlers."
Dolf frowned. "But those guys are rivals. Just last week they shot each other up."
Simon opened his eyes and his gaze fell on Dolf. "Trica pits them against each other to see which is the strongest."
Maeve wrinkled her nose. "How barbaric. Does he surround himself with these 'strongest?'"
Simon nodded. "Yes. Those humans and vampires deemed powerful are assigned to his personal retinue."
"But not werewolves," Dolf sneered.
Maeve rolled her eyes. "Jealous?"
He shrugged. "Even a dog's gotta have his pride."
Maeve returned her attention to Simon. "Anything else you can tell us?"
He shook his head. "There is nothing."
Specter floated over our heads. "Then why are we still talking here? Let's get going."
"Hold on there, Spook," Dolf scolded him. "We don't even know where he is, remember?"
Maeve glanced at Simon and smiled. "But I bet you know where to start."
Simon's sly smile slipped onto his lips. "I do, but first-" A great crash interrupted him.
We all turned our focus to the shut bedroom occupied by our deceased friend. Simon rushed to the door and broke it down with his shoulder. The rest of us crowded in the doorway and looked inside.
The room overlooked the streets below through a pair of large, floor-to-ceiling windows. Both windows were broken. Their shattered remains were strewn about the room. There was the bed on the left-hand wall and a dresser to our right.
I looked around the room. "Where's Certus?"
Simon flew to the window and grasped the jagged edge of one of them on his right. He leaned out. I followed, but kept my distance from the long drop. There was nothing but the clear night sky reflected in the lower windows.
I turned my head to Simon. His teeth bit into his lower lip and drew blood. "What happened?"
"Simon," Dolf called out. We turned to see that Dolf stood beside the bed. In his hand was a blood-red envelope with white lettering on the back. He held up the slip of paper. "This is for you."
Simon strode over to Dolf and snatched the envelope. I came up on his right and peeked around his arm. The lettering on the back spelled out Simon's full name. Simon slit the envelope open with one of his sharp fingernails and pulled out a small slip of paper. There was a short note written in an ancient style of cursive that I could barely read.
Dear Simon,
I apologize for not appearing to you myself, but this will be much more entertaining. I have taken a page from your own book and stolen your servant's body. You must retrieve it from me before daybreak, or I will submit his corpse to the sun for immolation. Don't fret. I will leave clues for you to follow.
You'll find me in a place of stone,
Where silence cloaks the ground,
Search through all the empty names,
And finally I'll be found.
Happy hunting. Respectfully yours, Trica.
Simon clutched the note in his shaking hand. He shut his eyes and growl reverberated from his throat.
Our three companions stood in front of us. Maeve stepped forward. "What does it
say?"
Simon's shoulders relaxed. He opened his eyes. I'd never seen them look so old. "Trica has stolen Certus's body."
Dolf frowned. "Why would he do that?"
Maeve glanced around the room. "How did he do that? I set some of the penthouse barriers myself. They were supposed to at least alert us to intruders."
Simon shook his head. "Trica has at his disposal a great many powerful witches. One of them enchanted the intruders to break the barriers."
"But why did he want to do that?" Dolf persisted.
I looked up into Simon's face. "Basileus and Bentley?"
Simon nodded. "Yes. Trica no doubt guessed our involvement when he witnessed our interaction with Basileus's ship, and seeks to distract us with this hunt."
Maeve arched an eyebrow. "But is this really a distraction? I mean, Certus's body is going to disappear sooner or later. Why kidnap a corpse?"
"Maybe Certus can be resurrected?" Dolf suggested.
Maeve glared at him. "Don't you know anything? Once a vampire's soul is gone you can't get it back."
My eyes lit up. A sudden terrifying thought struck me. I whipped my head to Simon. His eyes, too, were wide.
I heard him murmur a few words. "The soul is then given to the one who cast the curse."
I grabbed his arm. "You don't think-?"
He pursed his lips. "What a fool I have been."
"What are you talking about? A fool how?" Maeve questioned him.
I turned to our curious friends. "Basileus told us that those Death Phantoms take the soul of the person who was cursed and bring it to the person who cast the curse."
Specter floated above the other two. "So Certus's soul is still floating around somewhere?"
Simon nodded. "Yes, and Trica has realized this. That is why he aims to use Certus's body as a distraction."
I furrowed my brow. "But how'd he know that's what happened to Certus? We were on the ship when it happened."
"Trica has many spies. I would venture to guess his were not on the ship, but on the mainland watching the ship," he surmised.
"This is all nice and fun, but what do we do now?" Dolf spoke up. He nodded at the crumpled letter in Simon's fist. "Do we follow this guy's game or do we ignore it and try to find it?"
"We will do both," Simon replied.
Maeve raised an eyebrow. "Like splitting into groups? I've seen enough horror movies not to like that idea."
Simon's eyes fell on her. "Are you able to furnish a better one?"
She pursed her lips. "No, but I still don't like it."
"But who would go where?" I asked him.
Simon nodded at our three strange companions. "You three will go to Sarpa and inform him of what has transpired, if his contacts haven't already informed him." He turned to me. "Trica expects me to play his game, and he no doubt is aware of your being my fledgling. That is a risk, so you will remain with me."
"And the Phantoms?" I reminded him.
Simon pursed his lips. "They have claimed one victim and lost one of their own. Their next attack may not come for some hours."
Maeve raised her hand. "I might be able to keep them away for longer than that."
Simon nodded. "Do so, and we will depart."
Dolf arched an eyebrow. "Wait a sec. We know where we're going, but how do you know where you're going?"
"You guessed the clue?" I suggested.
Simon held up the note. "Trica is not to be trusted, but he wishes for me to play his game, so he did not lie when he said the clue lay in the note."
"The Latin phrase?" Maeve guessed. Simon nodded. She furrowed her brow and tapped her chin with her long, black fingernails. "Where silence cloaks the ground? What's that supposed to mean?"
"It means a graveyard," Specter spoke up. He floated over to us. "Since that's my specialty I'll come with you. You know, as your guiding spirit."
Simon nodded. "Then let us leave."
CHAPTER 6
Maeve grabbed my hand and pulled me toward the bedroom. "Not before I've sprinkled some of my strong magic on Faith."
Dolf grinned and cupped his hand over his mouth. "Give her an extra rubbing for me!"
Maeve glared at him. "Keep your perverted thoughts to yourself!"
We marched through the door and into the other, less-occupied bedroom. Maeve sat me on the foot of the bed and stepped back. She cupped her chin in one hand and studied me. "Do you have any known allergies?"
I shrugged. "Not really."
"What about the usual vampire ones?"
"Um-" I raised my burned finger, "-I seem to have an aversion to silver."
Maeve sighed and rifled in her pants pockets. "Then we'll have to assume you have all the other ones."
I arched an eyebrow. "What are the other ones?"
She glanced down at herself. "You know. Hawthorn. Garlic. Sunlight. The usual-aha!" She pulled out a small paper packet from one pocket and smiled at it. "Here it is." She opened the flap. A pungent odor hit my nostrils.
I shrank from her as she approached me. "Could I read the ingredients before you do whatever you're going to do to me?"
She grinned and shook her head. "Believe me, you don't want to know. Now hold still. I just need to sprinkle this over you and say a few words." She dumped the dry, flaky contents onto my head and stuffed the packet back into her pocket. The witch closed her eyes, tilted her head back, and waved her palm over my head. "By the powers of Death heed my plea, make this mortal immune to thee." She backed up and smiled. "That should do it."
I patted my head and winced when my fingers came into contact with the dry powder. "So am I really immune to death?"
She snorted and pulled my hand away. "Of course not. His messengers just won't like that stinky stuff I spilled on you and stay away. That is, as long as you don't wipe it off or get caught in a rainstorm."
I stood and dropped my hands to my sides. "Thanks. I think."
Maeve smiled and set her hand on the lower part of my back. "Don't mention it," she commented as she led me to the door.
We stepped outside. The men, if they could be called that, waited for us around the coffee table.
Maeve gave me a gentle push in Simon's direction. "I've given her some protection, but I'd still watch my backs if I were you. These Phantoms are probably pretty ticked Certus destroyed one of their own and they might get rough now."
I whipped my head to her. "Like how rough?"
Simon set his hand on my shoulder and bowed his head to her. "I will remember your warning." He smiled down at me. "Shall we go?"
I cringed. "I guess."
Simon led our two groups from the compromised penthouse and down to the parking garage. We took his sporty black car while Maeve and Dolf took the limo. The traffic flowed by our small car and the lights flickered past the darkly-tinted windows. The world seemed so normal, and its normalcy felt so far away.
I glanced down at my pale hands. The tips of my fingers felt cold.
I glanced over at Simon. "So if Certus sort of survived his Phantom stabbing, what do you think would happen to me if they got a hold of me? Do you think I'd turn out in a death-coma, too?"
Simon shook his head. "No. You would enter a permanent state of death."
I frowned. "Why does he get an exception and I don't?"
Specter stuck his floating head between our seats. "Because you're human. Certus's body died a long time ago, so it doesn't mind being separated from his soul. Yours would probably break from the shock and not let your soul back in no matter how nicely you asked."
I slid down in my seat and crossed my arms. "Thanks for the good news."
Specter grinned and bowed his head. "Always happy to tell what I know. Speaking of that-" he glanced at Simon, "-what do you think is waiting for us at that cemetery?"
I arched an eyebrow. "Shouldn't it just be another clue?"
Specter snorted. "That was an easy riddle. Too easy."
I frowned. "I don't think so. It didn't even say the name of
a cemetery. What if we're going to the wrong one?"
The ghost shook his head. "Nope. His group's got a favorite, and that's mine."
I studied his face. "How do you know?"
A dark expression slipped over Specter's illuminated face. "Because that's where one of them murdered me."
I felt the color drain from my own face. "Murdered? As in definitely dead?"
"It was pretty permanent," he quipped.
I furrowed my brow. "How do you know it was someone related to Trica?"
Specter floated backward onto the rear seat. He narrowed his eyes and glared at the front windshield. "I went to the cemetery a decade ago to meet someone. They never showed, but a vampire did. He asked me what I knew about Trica." He scoffed. "The idiot didn't believe me until Trica's own vampires found us. The vampires destroyed him and chose to bury my body in the cemetery."
I wrinkled my nose. "But why did they kill you?"
"It was punishment for learning about the paranormal world," he explained. He lifted his transparent hands and turned them over. A bitter smile slipped onto his lips. "Now I'm a part of it." He dropped his arms to his sides and shrugged. "Now you've heard my spirit sob story, but I still want to know what Simon thinks they're planning at my old haunt."
Simon's sly smile played across his lips. "We shall see."
I glared at both of them. "You two are getting way too much pleasure out of our possibly-guaranteed demise."
Simon chuckled. "You have too little faith in our abilities."
I arched an eyebrow. "Maybe I'm just a little tired after getting chased around by Death's messenger boys."
Specter floated between us and grinned. "Could be worse. You could be dead."
I shrank down in my seat. "Comforting. . ."
We reached the cemetery along the river. Simon stopped the car at the abandoned house and stepped out. Specter and I followed. Simon led us around the side of the old house and in full view of the arched entrance to the forgotten land. The glittering night sky cast shadows over the tall headstones of the ancient burial grounds.
Specter floated in front of us and faced the graveyard. His transparency meant we could see him frown. "Something's not quite right here. I can feel it in my bones."
I looked him up and down. "Maybe it's just you having an identity crisis."
He shook his head and floated a few feet closer to the graveyard. "No, I mean someone's messing with my bones!"
Specter dove into the graveyard. Simon grabbed my hand and pulled me after him. We kept up with the ghost as he flitted through the trees and headstones. He led us to the grave where we'd first found Maeve and him.
