“The ring and dagger were part of a set, a set that someone apparently wants to use to raise an army of dark spirits and demons. We need something from the vault to lure them out and catch them before they can do so.”
Allard looked at me, then tilted his head. “Why do you think someone wants that?”
This time, it was my turn to stare in confusion. “Uhm, it’s… what this trifecta was made for, kind of,” I mumbled, wondering whether we had been too fast to jump to conclusions.
The witch looked at me, then took another long sip from his coffee. His eyes were thoughtful, but he genuinely seemed to consider my request.
That, or he’s wondering how he could ever bring a crazy woman like me into their midst.
“So you two believe it was neither the witches nor the vampires who were behind these attacks? It was someone else, a… rogue, for lack of a better word. Someone trying to pit us against each other, then wreak havoc?”
I nodded, my lips pursed. I had said what I had to say, now I had to hope he’ll believe me. And it was obvious he was way better at putting it into words than I was.
He looked at me for a moment longer, then sighed. “That would change things. Maybe a common enemy is just what we need to prevent this conflict from escalating further. I’ll talk to the Elders, wait here.”
I nodded again, this time with a hopeful smile on my lips. Even I thought my plan was crazy. That he trusted my judgement enough to bring it up to the Elders spoke volumes to me.
As Allard walked into the living room, I stayed behind in the kitchen area, using the kitchen island like a natural wall to hide behind. Doubts creeped into my mind again, and soon I was questioning my very sanity to plan such a mad endeavor.
It wasn’t just risky. I was playing with the fate of Darkhaven. And we didn’t even know what we were up against, what we would have to prepare for.
Predicting the reaction of the more conservative Elders wasn’t difficult. At best, I’d be laughed out. Hiding behind the kitchen island might be utterly useless against ridicule, but it helped keeping me somewhat calm as I watched them.
They listened to Allard as he spoke, quietly and softly, and more confidently than I had managed just before. I swallowed as some of the Elders and other magicals, turned their heads to look at me.
As expected, their expressions ranged from scoffs to scornful looks, eyebrows raised as if my plan was the stupidest thing they heard all day. Which was probably true, to be fair. I would happily accept a better plan, because we couldn’t come up with one.
My jaw clenched as I returned their looks, my rebellious side flaring up. Yeah, it wasn’t the most thought-out plan, and it was neither safe nor risk-free. But I was playing the hand we were dealt, while they were still puffing their chests with the vampires.
When Allard stopped talking, no, before that even, angry shouting erupted. I couldn’t make out full sentences, but their opinions seemed to be more or less the same—I was crazy, they would never let a vampire have anything else from the vault, the vampires were also responsible for everything, and there was no mysterious thief.
Only one pair of eyes was still on me, watching me thoughtfully. It was one of the Elder elementalists, Aaron if I remembered correctly. He wasn’t like the others. Young, probably not even thirty yet, and maybe more open to bold moves than the conservative Elders. Like last time, his style was impeccable, even if more casual. A clean, white shirt with blue stripes, navy slacks, and brown dress shoes.
He didn’t say anything, though. As much as I was hoping he would, he didn’t raise his voice and change everyone’s minds. Only as Allard raised his hands calmingly, reassuring them that he would not give us any artifact from the vault, did their cacophony of complaints and protests sizzle out.
Allard walked back to me, an apologetic expression on his face. The others continued their previous discussion, but I didn’t pay any attention. A deep sadness and frustration filled me as the realization settled in that our plan had been thwarted by their timid and hung-up thinking. Or maybe they just saw how stupid my plan was more clearly than me.
“I’m sorry,” Allard said briefly. No further explanation necessary.
I believed him, though. No point in venting my frustration at him. “Thanks, anyway. We’ll just… wait until they reveal themselves or use the artifacts for something evil, I suppose,” I sighed ruefully.
“Come on, I’ll show you out.”
I glanced at Aaron one last time, who had turned toward the coffee table again, but he glanced back to me as well. His eyes mirrored my own emotions—at least I wasn’t the only one that realized that the vampires weren’t the only problem we had. Maybe he had more luck from the inside.
Allard gently guided me back through the short hallway, his hand on my shoulder as if he was escorting me out to make sure I didn’t do anything stupid. I was a little hurt, but told myself it was just for appearances. Not because he thought I was crazy, too. Right?
“So, what’s next? More damage control, trying to keep the fragile peace? Or are they serious about the whole rising up thing?” I asked as we left the house.
Allard closed the door behind him, then stepped next to me. “They are. It’s bad. I can’t blame them, but you have to do something,” he said with a stern voice, then took my hand.
“Find the attacker. Find proof that it wasn’t us, and not the vampires, either. It’s the only way to save us now,” he whispered as he pulled me in for a sudden hug.
My arms stuck out like branches as my brain was still processing, deciding what to do about the sudden embrace. I respected him, but I didn’t let people into my personal bubble, and that was definitely too close.
Gently, I pulled back, hoping that my confused and uncomfortable expression made it clear that I wasn’t a hugger. I decided to keep a sharp comment to myself, as he couldn’t have known.
“Good luck,” he whispered with a smile playing around his lips before he turned around, and walked back into the house, and closed the door behind him.
“The hell was that?” I uttered to myself after a second.
My thoughts were stumbling around in my brain. I was unsure whether he had just behaved uncharacteristically because of the stress and perilous situation, or if that was a more final goodbye than I thought. Was I just thrown out permanently?
I shook my head, then turned and walked away. With frustration, I pushed the thoughts away to make space for more important matters, such as ‘what to do next’ and ‘how to I tell Octavian my plan failed without looking like a fool.’
Angrily, I jammed my hands in my coat pockets, then yelled in surprise as something cut me. I stopped on the sidewalk and inspected my hand. Blood gathering on a tiny cut in my skin. With a frown, I reached into my right pocket again.
Did I forget a knife in my pocket again?
My fingers felt around slowly, while I imagined anything from a throwing knife to a tiny turtle. The turtle didn’t make a lot of sense, but I remembered seeing a scene like that in a movie, so my mind was fully expecting another bite any second.
But what my fingers eventually touched felt cool and smooth, with fine edges. Carefully, I wrapped my fingers around it and pulled it out.
My mouth dropped open as I looked at the metal object in my hand. It had the shape of a diamond, but much thinner. Octagonal with facets, a rune engraved into each side, and a flat back. In the middle, there was an indentation, big enough for my thumb, with a small gate carved into it.
“You sneaky bugger,” I chuckled with awe. “I underestimated you, you tricky witch.”
With a grin on my face, I put the key to the vault back in my pocket and continued down the street. This solved most of my problems.
But it also threw up a new one—if Allard couldn’t bring us the book, we’d have to break in ourselves to get it. And after I had personally helped fortify it, it was not going to be an easy task.
***
About an hour later, we were sitting out
side a Starbucks, both of us with cups of coffee in front of us.
Pumpkin Spice Lattes, I corrected myself. I wouldn’t admit it, but there was a world of a difference between it and the stuff I made at home. After this, I’d have to consider investing in a new coffee machine or something.
“So, what’s the good news?” Octavian looked at me, curiosity sparkling in his eyes.
I had texted him only the location, and that I had good news. I wanted to keep it a surprise. Both a good and a bad one.
“Okay, I have good news and bad news,” I started.
Before I could explain, he interrupted. “Bad news first, always.”
“Such a dramatic,” I teased, shaking my head at him. “No, I’m going to start with the most important good news of the day: I took a photo of my Lady this morning, and she looks so cute it’s unbelievable.”
“Your lady?” He was taken aback. “Oh. I didn’t know you, uhm…”
I looked at him in confusion. “What? No, silly. Lady, as in my dog. You can’t know me this long and not know that I have a dog?!”
He quickly opened his mouth, his eyes looking at me pleadingly, but then closed it again when I put my phone in front of him.
“Isn’t she the cutest? She woke me up like this. She somehow managed to bring both the bag of dog food and her bowl to the bedroom without waking me,” I explained, a wide smile gleaming on my face.
“She looks beautiful,” Octavian agreed after studying the photo for another second. “But probably just as smart and dangerous if provoked. I guess you found the perfect dog for you,” he added with a flirty smile aimed at me.
I let out something between a snort and the chuckle, then waggled my finger at him. “If you think you can get me with compliments, mister, you’ve got another thing coming.”
“It worked though, didn’t it?” He seemed utterly unimpressed by my playful outrage.
“Maybe a little,” I quietly retorted, then put my phone back into my pocket. “But only because I was already in a good mood.”
“Well, spill it, then. What have you got?”
“Bad news: Allard can’t get us the book from the vault,” I said, the smile disappearing from my face.
“Okay, so… that’s it?” Octavian frowned at me, leaning back into his chair.
“No, more good news: Allard has secretly put his key into my coat.”
“But that’s great!” He smiled lightly and leaned in again. His hand landed on mine, sending a jolt of electricity up my arm.
“But it’s not official, so bad news: we will have to break in.”
The frown was back on his face, wiping the smile away. “Oh. That can’t be easy.”
“Good news,” I said, not able to suppress a grin. I was definitely enjoying this little game. “I was consulted to help with the defenses recently, so I know what it’s like on the inside, and how it’s defended.”
It was almost comical to watch his face go back and forth between concerned and relieved, his smile and his frown trading places every other moment.
“That sounds good, but let me guess—more bad news?”
“Yup. I only know what it was like before. They have upgraded the security based on my critical feedback and probably sealed all the vulnerabilities I’ve seen.”
“Well, good thing you have a powerful vampire at your side, then.” He grinned.
“Actually, the vault was specifically designed to keep vampires out.” I winked back at him.
He opened his mouth to protest, but then shut it again when he realized I was right. The pouting expression on his face made me erupt in laughter, earning me strange looks from the people around us.
I quickly quieted down into a chuckle as I remembered that maybe we shouldn’t talk about vampires and magic as openly in a public coffee shop, even if we were sitting outside with few other people.
“So, are we really going to do this?” I asked quietly, my face serious again.
“I guess we are. It’s not like we have much of a choice,” he replied grimly. “Let’s get properly dressed, then meet at… uhm… where exactly?”
Since he was, as always, wearing a fancy suit coupled with a white shirt and a black and gold striped tie, I assumed he meant properly dressed for combat.
“Let’s meet up at my place. Weirdly dressed people don’t raise much attention there, which is one of the reasons I chose the neighborhood.” I shrugged.
“Alright. In about, uhm, two hours?” He checked his watch, then looked at me for confirmation.
“Sounds good. Let’s do it.”
***
My fingers tapped on the door of my wardrobe. With a frown on my face, my eyes darted back and forth between the items on the back wall.
“What to pick, what to pick, what to pick,” I mumbled to myself.
Before me, fixed on the back of my wardrobe, was a wide array of weapons and tools that I had collected over the years. A couple of knives, my sword, a pair of small caliber guns, and in one of the drawers, I even had a small collection of explosives: grenades, flash bangs, smoke grenades, even trip mines.
As my eyes moved to the far right, my frown deepened and I shook my head. “No, definitely not a mission for a shotgun.” That one was only for particularly nasty missions. If everything went well, we wouldn’t have to kill today. And I certainly wanted to avoid any casualties.
With a sigh, I ended up taking two knives and two throwing daggers. For a small, constricted area like the vault, anything bigger would be a problem during fighting, so speed and agility were what I aimed for.
Just as I was about to close the wardrobe door, the doorbell rang. Jerking up in surprise, I smashed the door closed harder than I meant to and cursed to myself. Good thing I had already put the knives away, or one of them would now be sticking out of the door.
I stomped to the door and pressed the button to open the entrance door before turning around again to grab a glass of water. But Lady remained at the door, looked at me, then barking once.
I frowned and looked at her before jerking up again when someone knocked at the apartment door. “Jesus, that was fast,” I cursed quietly.
With two big steps, I reached the door and opened it slowly. Octavian greeted me with a wide smile, already clad in his full battle gear. The coat he was wearing hid most of it, but I could still recognize the form of his leather armor beneath it.
I scoffed and shook my head at his wide smile, then went back to the kitchen to get that glass of water. “Be right there, just a second.”
“Can I come in?”
My head swiveled around in surprise, and saw he was still standing just outside the open door. “Oh, right, sorry. I invite you in.”
He laughed as he stepped into the apartment. “No, it doesn’t work like that, you don’t actually have to invite me in. I also neither burn nor sparkle in the sun. I was just asking out of respect.”
I didn’t turn around, as I was filling my glass at the tap so he wouldn’t see me blushing. You might think after years I would know the difference between fiction and reality, but apparently, I still got things wrong.
No inviting in, got it, I noted to myself.
“Oh, do you want some water, too?” I quickly asked as I turned around to him.
He was still standing at the door, though it was closed behind him now. Lady was standing two steps before him, her watchful gaze not leaving him for even a moment. She was standing straight, her tail hung down calmly. She wasn’t happy to see him, but also not afraid of him. Ready to lunge at him and bury her fangs into his legs or arms at the first wrong movement.
Good girl, I thought. I walked back into the living room, putting my glass on the kitchen counter as I passed it.
“Lady, that’s Octavian,” I explained with a smile as I squatted down next to her, pointing at the vampire. “He’s a friend. I know I haven’t exactly introduced you to many friends yet, but friends are people we trust and don’t bite, okay?”
Lady stared a
t Octavian for another second, then turned her head to look at me. I half expected her to say something, some mocking comment about me simply never having had friends. But that was just what my inner voice would say when I talked to her. Which I did, quite a lot. She, or my inner voice representing her, had a lot of wisdom and sass to share.
Her stance relaxed a little, and I nodded at Octavian. Slowly, he came closer, then squatted down in front of her, too. He smiled and extended his hand, his open palm facing upwards.
Lady watched him carefully, sniffing his hand, then slowly moving closer. She sniffed some more, booped her nose against his armored belly, then barked once. When she looked up at him, I could see she had accepted him.
He saw it, too, apparently, as he slowly extended his hand and started stroking her back. It was a strange feeling, watching someone else pet with my dog. I felt almost jealous.
This is what it must feel like when you watch another girl flirt with your man, I thought. I cringed at the thought, but couldn’t deny that I was a little hurt that my protective Lady so easily trusted a stranger.
Then again, she was a smart dog. She must have sensed that he wasn’t just a stranger, not to me. And as I watched them play, a smile sneaked onto my face. He could be a fearsome sight in his battle armor, a terrifying foe to stand against. But right now, he was just a regular guy caught up in playing with a cute dog. And it meant a lot that Lady accepted him. She might only be a dog, but I trusted her judgment.
“So, are you ready to go or do you two need another minute?” I teased with a grin on my face.
He petted her one last time, then slowly got up. “Dogs are so much better than cats.” he sighed happily. “All ready to go.”
“Good, come here, then,” I said as I fetched the magical vault key from my coffee table.
Before I turned to Octavian, I knelt down in front of Lady. “We’ll be gone for a bit, but don’t worry, okay? I’ll be back soon.”
“I’ll take good care of her and bring her back, I promise,” Octavian said to Lady, his eyes glinting at me.
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