Always the Vampire

Saber ferried Lia out to Cosmil’s on Tuesday evening so that I could do wedding errands. And, no, I hadn’t told Saber about Lynn. I wanted Triton to drop that bomb to the entire group tonight, and then I’d voice my concerns.

I met with Maggie in Wedding Central at five bearing the delayed but delightful tussie-mussie charms she’d ordered. The jeweler’s catalog photos hadn’t lied about the delicate filigree.

“They’re perfect.” She teared up as she let an ultrafine silver chain spill through her fingers. “Oh, Cesca, the wedding is in twelve days. This is really happening, isn’t it?”

“You’re just eager for the honeymoon.”

She gave me a watery grin. “That, too.”

“Let’s get these RSVPs recorded before Neil gets home.”

We did that and reviewed the plans for both the bridal and couples showers coming up on Saturday and Sunday, but I still changed into black cotton drawstring shorts and a workout T-shirt, and made it to Cosmil’s with ten minutes to spare.

Triton beat me to the shack, but I could tell he hadn’t spilled the Lynn bean the moment I joined the confab gathered at the coffee table. The warning glance he sent me as I sat on the floor at Saber’s feet said it all.

I won’t tattle, I projected at Triton, but you better fess up soon.

Don’t get your fangs in a bunch.

I rolled my eyes then jumped when Cosmil slapped the coffee table.

“Francesca, are you listening?”

Yikes, the reprimand reminded me of Mr. Genopoly, the first schoolmaster in St. Augustine. I hadn’t lied then and didn’t now.

“Actually, no, I wasn’t. Sorry.”

Saber squeezed my shoulder and winked when I looked up.

Cosmil puffed an exasperated breath and pulled on the sleeves of his wizard robe. Yes, he wore his uniform of white tunic and pants, but also sported a purple robe tonight. Lia was similarly dressed, but in what looked like light blue scrubs and a green sorceress robe.

“We will begin,” Cosmil said pointedly, “by evaluating your individual skills. After that, we will teach you an energy exercise to deepen your collective connection. Francesca, you will go with Lia, and I will coach the men.”

“We’re not working with the amulets?” I asked.

“Not tonight,” Lia said. “Come along.”

“No.” I folded my arms on the coffee table. “I’d like some answers first.”

Behind me, Saber snorted. Across from me, Triton shifted in his seat.

Guilty conscience? I projected at him.

No.

Hah.

Lia looked from one to the other of us, genuine puzzlement on her face. “What answers do you seek?” she asked.

“For starters, did you find Starrack?.”

“Only two faint traces of him, and we estimate those are five to seven days old. It is apparent that the goblet is contaminated with other DNA. But come. I will demonstrate.”

Saber and I bolted in Lia’s wake as she crossed to the island, with Triton and Cosmil bringing up the rear.

“As you see, we’re using three maps. A detailed map of St. Augustine,” she said, pointing, “an area map of nearby counties and cities, and a world map. Simply put, we sprinkled a luminescent powder over the maps, added scraping from the wine goblet, and pushed our intention to find the DNA owner into the spell. The glowing green points indicate hits.”

I squinted at the city and area maps, each smudged with a single, barely-there glow. In contrast, bright dots on one section of the world map looked like an outbreak of green measles.

“I take it,” Saber said, “you don’t think Starrack is touring Western Europe.”

“Just one or more nymphs or other guests who used Starrack’s goblet. But look here and here.” She waved a hand, and the two local maps slowly magnified. “We are certain Starrack has been in these locations.”

“Daytona Beach,” I murmured to Saber. “You think he was hanging out near Ray and the crew?”

“It’s this King Street at US 1 hit that bothers me,” Saber said. “That intersection is a just a few miles from your cottage.”

“And not much farther,” Triton piped up, “from my place.”

“We don’t yet know,” Lia continued, “if our poor results are due to the diluted DNA, to time lapsing, or to the strong possibility Starrack is deliberately covering his tracks.”

“Why would he be covering his tracks?” I asked. “Does he know we’re looking for him?”

“If he has contacts on the Council, yes,” Cosmil replied. “I mentioned in my report that the Void needs to be found and destroyed.”

“Does Starrack know where you live, Cos?” Triton asked.

“And know Lia is here now, too?” I added.