Shadows consumed the emporium as Lucien focused his magic into the pentagram on the mirror. The glass shifted, static filling what was once a reflection of the ceiling. Beside him, Sebastian winced but he didn’t instruct him to stop. Within seconds, the hazy image cleared and they saw themselves, donned in the same clothes they wore last night when they visited Nevermourn.
Sebastian tightened his grip on his wrist, face contorted in pain as he clenched down on his teeth and closed his eyes. Lucien tried to hurry, finding the exact time when someone cursed him. Unfortunately, they only saw what Sebastian witnessed, so it was just a vague male silhouette. But the faint chant of the curse whispered in Lucien’s ear. Death of a Thousand Sins. Nothing else discernible could be made out in the mirror, but one thing was crystal clear. Their killer wasn’t done murdering vampires yet.
Lucien broke the chain that connected them, using a wipe on the counter to clean up the blood. Meanwhile, Sebastian reeled back, rubbing at his temples. Peeking into an individual’s memories left them with an excruciating headache. He remembered when his mother first taught him how to conjure memories that way. It hurt enough to bring him to tears.
“Are you okay?” Lucien asked in a gentle voice.
Sebastian nodded. “What did you see?”
“Same as you,” Lucien replied. “A male silhouette, but I believe he had a mask on. You were too far away to see any recognizable features, so we can’t see much else. I heard the death curse. Death of a Thousand Sins, the same one that killed Charlotte.”
“That happened outside the clinic, didn’t it?” Castor asked.
“It did. I was walking home before dawn broke,” Sebastian replied. “He came out of nowhere, and I never saw a vehicle. Yours was the only one anyone noticed last night.”
“Shit, that’s not good.” Castor leaned back against the counter, running a frustrated hand through his jet black hair. “If word gets back to the Supernatural Council, they’ll be all over my ass. They’ll consider me a prime suspect.”
“That’s also why I came to warn you. Your police were in Nevermourn,” Sebastian explained. “I think the vampire they killed was working with your Council as a double spy for ours, but I’m not sure why. They’re taking his murder more seriously than the others.”
“But I was with you last night,” Lucien said. “As part of the Supernatural Council, I can vouch for you as a credible alibi. Same goes for Sebastian.”
“Lucien, you can’t.” Castor’s eyes darkened. “The Council will fire you immediately if they found out why you were at that clinic. A prominent member illegally donating their blood to vampires?”
“Charlotte did the same thing,” Lucien replied with a shrug. “If questioned, I’ll just say I had no choice if I wanted to find out what my sister was doing. I’m sure I’ll be reprimanded for it, but they won’t get rid of me. And if they do, I won’t be heartbroken over it.”
“You really don’t like them, do you?” Castor’s serious expression faltered.
“Not one bit.” Lucien grinned. “But we ought to find someplace for Sebastian to lay low. I’m sure Mrs. Pepperheart and her flock are spreading rumors about their encounter already.”
“Mom’s protection charms are even stronger at my house,” Castor said. “Pigs would fly before I convinced her to take them down.”
Lucien rubbed his chin, contemplating. “My folks also wouldn’t agree to it, but I’m the one who cast them around our home. I don’t want Mom to notice, but maybe I could fabricate something to keep her from putting them back up.”
“Why don’t I just stay here?” Sebastian suggested. “If anything comes into the shop, I’ll take care of it. Just until I’m fit enough to travel back home.”
“I mean, yeah, I guess that’s fine. Just don’t let anyone catch you in here tonight,” Castor told him.
“Shouldn’t be a problem.”
“I’ll close the shop early then, just so nobody comes nosing around.” Castor made his way over to the front door, flipping the open sign around. He paused for a moment, cursing under his breath. “Here come the damn council members.”
“Should I hide somewhere?” Sebastian asked.
“No, they likely already know you’re here.” Lucien leaned over, glimpsing out onto the street. “Orick Mandrake is with them.”
“Vampire hunter,” Sebastian hissed.
“Don’t worry, there’s nothing he can legally do to harm you,” Lucien said. “Vampires aren’t banned in Briarwood, although the amount of protection charms do wonders to ward them off. It’s mostly just a precautionary measure most wizards take to guard their homes, and with a murderer on the loose, they’re strengthening their security more than ever.”
“They look really pissed off,” Castor muttered. “Maybe we ought to escape out the back?”
“Too late for that.”
The emporium shop’s bell chimed and with a strong gust of wind followed three prominent members of the Supernatural Council. With one glance around the room, Orick’s glare settled on Sebastian behind the counter. His two subordinates trailed close behind, donned in their official white and gold-trimmed robes.
“You better have a helluva explanation here, Castor Vale.”
“Afraid I don’t know what you’re referring to, sir.” Castor quipped a smug smirk. “Is something wrong?”
“We’ve got several witnesses who spotted your jeep at the scene of a homicide that occurred last night in Nevermourn. The arsonist burned the victim’s body to a crisp.”
“Damn, that’s awful. My heart goes out to their family, but it has nothing to do with me,” Castor replied. “I was in Nevermourn, visiting my friend last night, but I left before any murders happened.”
“And I tagged along with him,” Lucien chimed in. “Nobody was murdered until after we left. As a member of the Supernatural Council, I can vouch for him as an alibi.”
“Nice try, Lucien We’re aware of your friendship with Castor and wouldn’t be surprised you’d stick up for him.” Orick directed his attention back to Castor. “As for you, we’ll need you to come with us to answer some questions.”
Dammit. The last thing Castor needed was to be brought in for questioning. It meant they actually considered him as a suspect in the vampire murders, which might lead them to accuse him of Charlotte’s murder. Sebastian’s presence only created more tension, but maybe Lucian could use it to his advantage.
“You don’t understand,” Lucien intervened, biting down on his lower lip, enough to taste metallic on his tongue. “I asked Castor to drive me out to Nevermourn last night.”
Orick frowned, pencil-brows furrowed. “Why?”
Lucien moved behind the counter, tilting Sebastian’s chin upward, meeting his very confused gaze. Impulse guided him to lean up, kissing the vampire on the lips. When he felt Sebastian’s tongue in his mouth, he knew he’d tasted the bit of blood. Just like he wanted him to. Vampires always responded eagerly to their lover’s intimacy, and Lucien needed to create the lustful illusion.
When he pulled back, Sebastian’s eyes clouded with bloodlust, crimson eyes piercing desperately into his. If Lucien hadn’t stepped away, he wouldn’t have been surprised if he’d taken the opportunity to bite him.
The council members froze, unable to conceal their shock. It would be a helluva pain to convince his folks he wasn’t screwing around with a male vampire, but he’d figure that out later.
Lucien cleared his voice. “So, now that you know about our little secret, you can let Castor go, right? If anyone’s got explaining to do, then it’s me. Castor only drove me out there to see Sebastian since I don’t have a permit to drive.”
“Holy hell.” Orick covered his mouth, disgust evident in his rigid features. He seemed like he was on the verge of vomiting. “Dammit, Lucien. You’re hanging around the wrong crowd. What will Mr. and Mrs. Cromwell say about this?”
“Well, that’s why it was a secret.” Lucien shrugged. “Magic’s out of the bag now, so how do you wish to proceed? Relationships between wizards and vampires aren’t illegal.”
Orick shook his head. “We’ll have a long lecture about this with your parents along with your future with the council. For now, you’re free to do as you please. But I’d recommend you keeping this little tryst a secret from the rest of the neighbors.”
“Thanks for the sage advice, sir.” Lucien resisted the urge to roll his eyes as they left.
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