Always the Vampire

“I do not know for certain, but we must presume he is aware on both counts.”


“Which is why Cosmil and I began casting protection spells over each of you today. We will tweak the location spell later tonight, but you must understand that the magick doesn’t give us real-time readings like a GPS tracker does. When Starrack is stationary for thirty minutes, the map flares to light his location and an alarm sounds.”

“And then you call us,” Saber said. “Day or night.”

“But of course.”

“What about other information on Starrack?” I asked. “His appearance, his personality.”

Lia stiffened so subtly that, had I not been standing beside here, I wouldn’t have noticed. I did catch the glance Cosmil gave her, though. One that spoke of shared history, shared secrets. Secrets that better not have squat to do with our search.

“When I knew Starrack, he fluctuated between being a free-spirited, charming rogue and an arrogant, devious SOB. He was more a wanderer than a man of home and hearth, and more a trickster than a fighter.”

“We think he’s behind the attack on Triton,” Saber said, “but why would he want the amulets?”

“Because they can destroy the Void, I suppose,” Lia replied. “He’d want to protect his creation. However, the amulets are also valuable artifacts, so perhaps he would sell them. Starrack was never easy to read, or to predict.”

“What does he look like, Lia? Cosmil said there is a family resemblance, but I could see this guy on a ghost tour and not know him. Maybe he was even in Triton’s store, casing the place.”

“Starrack and Cosmil looked a good deal alike when they were younger, but Starrack’s proclivity for spirits and general debauchery aged him rather severely in the last years I knew him.”

“Hold on,” Saber said. “Starrack drinks a lot?”

“He had that reputation.”

“He’s a boozer, yet he came up with the Void? Doesn’t that strike anyone but me as odd?”

“Not necessarily,” Triton put in. “Several men that history considers geniuses have been giant lushes or addicts. Poe, Hemingway, Fitzgerald.”

“I wouldn’t call Starrack a genius,” Lia said, “but he has a highenough tolerance for alcohol to make him quite functional.”

“Functional enough to create and control the Void,” Cosmil agreed.

“I’ll take your word for it,” Saber said. “What else can you tell us about his appearance? Does he use spells to change his looks?”

“If so, he made only minor changes. Much the way Cosmil does.”

Triton crossed his legs, ankle on his knee. “Too bad you can’t conjure up a photo so we can see him.”

“Such an image would be an old one from my memory, but I was rather a dab hand at sketching once. Perhaps I can draw a portrait that will project an aged Starrack. Would that do?”

“It’s better than operating blind like we are now,” I said.

“Very well, I will work on a sketch. Now, we really must proceed with your evaluations.”

Our tutors led the way, and Triton hustled after them. Saber helped me to my feet and gave me a hug. “Way to beard the lioness, honey.”

“You helped.”

He grinned. “Always.”

“Cesca, Saber, now,” Lia called.

We complied, Saber peeling off to join Triton and Cosmil, me following Lia to the far arc of the circle of trees.

“All right, Cesca, Cosmil tells me you are a master at draining life force energy, and that is excellent. But before I begin formally evaluating your other skills, a woman-to-woman talk is in order.”

My hackles rose. “I’ve had the sex talk, Lia. I think I’ll pass.”

“No you will not. Sit.”

Much as I wanted to rebel, I reluctantly dropped to the grass.

“Cosmil has sensed you fear your power, and I sense that fear stems from ignorance.”

“Gee, thanks.”

“Cesca, listen to me. When a woman claims her sexuality, when intimacy is her choice rather than being coerced or outright forced, she claims a great fullness of her feminine power. In most cases, this relates to her body’s reproductive power. You being a vampire, that issue is moot, but the power is very real, and it is potent.”

“I know. I’m much better at flirting now.”

“Cesca.” She gave me an exasperated look then narrowed her eyes. “Normand didn’t allow a single male to touch you, correct?”

I squirmed. “He kept me fairly isolated.”

“Of course he did. Normand did not want you to come into your full powers until he deemed it time. He might have lost command of his own court.”

I snorted. “Not likely.”

“Perhaps not, but that was his fear. Legrand, the vampire killed in the Veil, inherited many of his sire’s powers and ultimately challenged Normand.”

“So Normand lost and hightailed it to the New World?”