Gemma paused. “I think I saw her go into the back room with Evan. You know, to have their privacy. And after that, I saw her hanging out with Bryce and Froggy at the keg. Stella and I had to leave to go to another party—she wanted to meet Corey at some Riverhead shindig downtown. Wait, did something happen to Vix? I haven’t seen her in school this week.”
Oliver hesitated. “There was an incident yes. She came home at five in the morning blood-drunk. Her parents decided they weren’t happy with the company she was keeping at Duchesne and transferred her to Le Rosey, where her mother is an alum.” That was the story the Conclave was spinning, and from her vantage point behind the glass, Mimi hoped Victoria’s friends would buy it.
“Really? They freaked that much? Her parents always seemed pretty cool.”
“This isn’t about Victoria,” Oliver said. “The Conclave is concerned about the video leak. While it is fortunate that the Conspiracy was able to deal with the matter before any Red Bloods could get suspicious, they mean to discover who was behind it. You understand exposure is a very serious concern.”
Gemma nodded impatiently. “Of course.”
“Can I ask how you would describe your relationship to Stella?” he asked, with a raised pen.
The pretty Conduit leaned back in her chair and crossed her arms. “I see now. The vampires think we did it. One of the human Conduits, am I right? That’s why you wanted to see me.”
“I didn’t say that.”
“No, but I’m here and I don’t see anyone asking Booze or Jamie or any of those guys a bunch of questions. Their blood is Blue so they’re above suspicion, while we’re just the honored servants entrusted with the Big Secret, I get it.” Gemma sighed. “All right, fine. I’ll tell you about my relationship with Stella. Other than the fact that she borrows too many of my clothes, we’re good friends. I mean—you know what I mean. Love her, hate her, it’s kind of the same thing.”
“You don’t . . . resent her position over you?”
Gemma huffed. “No, why would I? Stella’s a spoiled little vampire princess, but she’s my spoiled little vampire princess, you know? My family has worked for the Van Rensslaers for years. Stella’s like my sister—we understand each other. Don’t make me get emotional, but being a Conduit—it’s an honor, you know? Why would I ever do something like that? Make a video? Put it up on the Internet? It’s just . . . No.” She blinked back a few tears. “Honestly? I think we keep the vampires’ secrets better than they keep them themselves. Bryce and those guys are always showing off when they think no one is watching. Running too fast. Picking up a desk with one finger. I’m surprised it hasn’t happened earlier. Without those memory wipes they use like tissues, the whole world would know already.”
The next three interviews were the same. The Conduits all professed the same shock, the same resentment at the insinuation that they would ever be capable of exposing the secrets of the vampires, the same annoyance at the very idea. Mimi didn’t need to read their minds or taste their blood to know they were telling the truth. She was moved by the fierce loyalty the Conduits displayed. Why had Charles stopped using them? She wished she knew. Mimi walked into the room after the last Conduit left. She took a seat across from Oliver. “So, what’s the verdict? Who’s our Judas?”
“Well, it’s not a Conduit, at least we can rule that out. Whoever took Victoria and made the video, it isn’t one of them.” Oliver said, standing up from his chair and stretching his arms over his head. “Alibis are all airtight. Tech has found nothing on their computers, and the Venator scans came in clean.”
“I know, I saw the reports too,” Mimi sighed. “They’re all so freaking loyal.”
“What if we’re going about this the wrong way?” Oliver said.
“How so?” Mimi raised an eyebrow.
“Victoria’s been taken captive, and her familiar is missing too. The Venators think Evan isn’t capable, but what if . . .” Oliver returned to his seat. “He was her first human familiar, and they hadn’t been together long.
From what I can gather, the Sacred Kiss on the couch was their first hookup.”
“Are you saying Evan Howe should be a suspect?”
“In the absence of one, I’d say he’s as good as any,” Oliver said.
Mimi’s waved her hand dismissively. “You can’t seriously believe that. . . .”
“I’m just putting it out there.” Oliver shrugged.
“But you of all people know how human familiars are bound to love their vampire masters by the Caerimonia. No familiar would ever . . . could ever . . .” She shook her head vehemently. “It would never happen. Even the Venators ruled it out. The Sacred Kiss precludes any of that; it’s impossible.”
“Nothing’s impossible. Sure, it’s never happened before, but it doesn’t mean it couldn’t happen in the future. Who knows? The power of the Caerimonia may have been corrupted somehow, or lessened, we don’t know.”
“But it’s preposterous! They’ll laugh me out of the Conclave for even suggesting it!”
Oliver was stubborn. “Even so, we’ve got to follow it up.”
NINETEEN
Venators’ Quarters