Confused, Consuela drove the rented car to Erik Mortale’s home. She wanted to know the necromancer better. He wasn’t cooperating, and he didn’t appear happy Monique committed them to brunch.
For one of the DSF, he seemed awfully judgmental. Or maybe he took offense to her childish ploy for attention. Probably the latter. Perhaps tomorrow she could make a better impression, if it wasn’t too late.
She also found it interesting Monique was all in, whereas Erik was clearly holding back. For her friend’s sake, she hoped it wasn’t too late to fix their fractured relationship.
Since she couldn’t convince them to go to dinner that evening, she wanted more information about Erik. She hoped to find some common ground and learn what he truly avoided. Hopefully he would write their first meeting off to grandstanding. Something most mages dabbled with.
Pulling up to the home, she paused. Neither Robert, nor Preston bothered with the ridiculous ritual. Erik didn’t play that game either. Interesting. They were certainly willing to go to her for help.
Clearly she made a mistake earlier. It had been so long since meeting another Deathcaller with so much talent, she’d forgotten to proceed with caution. Some liked the added flair. Others feared their gifts. Erik was neither. He seemed quite capable, knowledgeable, and definitely cautious.
She climbed out of the vehicle and made her way up his driveway. The wards buzzed to life, the hair on her arms standing on end.
Interesting. His magic was infused into the wards. Seemed Monique’s magic was infused into her shop’s wards and home. She needed to find out who did those fancy spells. They could come in very useful. She’d never come across anything quite so thorough.
She stopped before the porch. The spirits cried out, hiding beyond the wards. She couldn’t figure out why.
Since she wasn’t going to be able to physically glean any info from the house, she called on her brother. “Everaud, I need your assistance, love.”
Everaud’s untimely death at nineteen had helped her immensely over the years. He became her faithful servant, unable to resist her in life or death. Only now, he played by her rules, not the other way around.
“Yes, Sister?” he asked pleasantly, though his smile never reached his eyes.
“Need you to watch for the master of the house and follow him. Any information you can find would be immensely helpful.”
“Yes, of course.” He stepped onto the porch and was flung away. His ghostly body rolled on the ground, toward the street. Picking himself up, he cocked his head and stared at the house. “I’m afraid I can’t enter.”
Her lips quirked. “Interesting. Never seen the likes of this magic. Perhaps it’s to keep the spirits at bay. Instead, we’ll have to track down Erik Mortale and perhaps you can follow him once you make yourself known to him. Though you’d be wise to avoid telling him your last name.”
“Very well,” he answered, fading to nothing. She didn’t miss the way he glanced up at the window as his visage finally disappeared.
She didn’t find anyone at the window, but ghosts were tricky.
A black Maserati pulled up to the curb as she walked back to her car. Preston leaned his head out the window. “What brings you to Erik’s home?”
Consuela smiled, sashaying Preston’s way. “I hoped to get to know the enigmatic necromancer better. Unfortunately, it seems he’s not home. A disappointment. I do enjoy learning how another Deathcaller works.”
“Why is that?” Preston asked with an arched brow.
“Never too old to learn something new. And I have rarely met anyone with as much natural talent as Erik. I want to understand why he locks most of it away. I’m merely curious.”
“You don’t want to sway him to the dark side?” Amusement and warning danced through his pale blue eyes.
“I have no intention of changing his direction. It never hurts to encourage conversation between two similar people.”
Preston’s brow arched. “I wouldn’t consider you similar. He doesn’t flaunt his power. You do. He doesn’t taunt the dead. You seem to. That seems pretty opposite to me.”
Nodding, Consuela shrugged. “I admit, I pushed too far yesterday. It’s the first time, in a long time, someone asked for my help, then seemed to ignore me. I don’t like being ignored. Though I’m starting to understand. Your primary concern was clearing Erik. I was merely backup. Not my usual position, but now that I understand the situation, I don’t mind.”
“You made everyone uncomfortable with your display yesterday. Erik will never play those games.”
She sighed. “It wasn’t a game. I wasn’t aware you could play a scene back. Most mages do it without sound. Had you given me more information, I would have held back. Again, I apologize. I started on the wrong foot.”
“Remember, not everyone with your talent wants to use their power in the same way you do.”
“Erik shouldn’t shun his abilities.”
“He doesn’t,” Preston remarked. “He embraces what he can do, but he doesn’t abuse his power. And before you go getting all pissy, I don’t mean you do. He has his own set of guidelines he follows. I’m merely pointing out that you don’t share the same boundaries.”
“I’m not a necromancer, Preston. I have my own unique set of skills. Though Erik possesses many similar ones.”
“I’ve noticed.”
“Does that mean you believe me to be a threat?”
Amused, he shook his head. “No. Though I am curious what your motive in helping is. Especially with your deep interest in Erik.”
“Even when you noticed the darker side of what I am?”
“Crimson Witch?” Preston shrugged. “Like undead vampires, living ones don’t have to kill to feed. I understand that blood enhances your power. I see nothing wrong as long as you don’t forcibly take blood from the unwilling.”
She shook her head. “Not unless I’m horribly wronged.”
“Self-defense is perfectly acceptable. And I’ve heard those stories too. We aren’t looking to judge you, but you can’t blame us for being cautious until we know you.”
“Of course not. It was a pleasure speaking to you. Please pass on that I am truly interested in learning from Erik. Nothing more.”
“Will do. And don’t mind Erik if he remains reserved. He’s still sorting through some stuff.”
“Good evening, Preston.”
“You too.” He pulled away.
Consuela smiled, feeling as if the air had been cleared some. They knew precisely what she was, and they weren’t trying to lock her away.
She still wanted more information. Perhaps she could help solve the mystery of who framed Erik.
* * * *
Erik pulled his phone out of his pocket and frowned. He hit talk. “Hey, Preston. What’s going on?”
“Consuela is awfully curious about you. She showed up at your house, hoping to glean some information. You may want to keep your head down. Her asking questions may tip the wrong people off.”
He sighed. “I’m not sure what I think of her. We’re meeting her for brunch tomorrow. Want to join us at the bed and breakfast?”
“Sure, send me details.”
“And tonight, I think we’ll stay in Seattle if I can convince Monique.”
“Why Seattle?”
“I can’t stay cooped up. I want to look into a few ideas. Besides, I know plenty of places mages won’t go. We’ll be safe.”
Preston snorted. “Watch your back. Don’t want anything happening to either of you.”
“Thanks. I’ll see you tomorrow around noon.”
Preston hung up without further comment, and Erik turned in his seat. “Head into Seattle. Let’s go to Shenanigans. We can get a hotel out there. Then maybe we can figure out what the hell is going on and how to stop it.”
“Aren’t you worried that whoever is gunning for you will find you in Seattle?”
“Not at Shenanigans. Makes sense elitist mages put Tarek up to this. They don’t wander that part of Seattle because it’s contaminated by werewolves, fae, druids, and all manner of Others they choose to avoid.”
Monique laughed. “True. I hadn’t thought of that. But Consuela may come sniffing around there, looking for you.”
“We’ll have warning. Once we get somewhere, I’ll call Cassandra and Alistair to me. They’ll ensure Consuela is busy elsewhere.”
“You’re going to have your ghosts lie to her ghosts?” Another giggle escaped.
“Got a better idea?”
“No. Though I’m trying to understand. What do you have against her?”
He shook his head. “I’m trying to figure out what’s off about her before I get to know her too well. Don’t get me wrong. I’m glad she came to help, but I’m wondering what her end game is. Aren’t you?”
“Now that you’re worried, yeah. But I’ve known her for years. I’ve seen her help ghosts. She warned me against seeking my mother but did it anyway. She could do a lot of things she doesn’t. So what if she showed off today. Perhaps she hadn’t thought of a better way to deal with everything.”
“Maybe. Look, I’m not saying she’s evil. I don’t expect the worst of her, but her methods are definitely not my own. So yeah, I’m being cautious until I understand her.”
“How do you start understanding if you don’t give her a chance?” Monique countered.
“Damn it, right now, I have other things on my mind.”
“Fine.” She huffed, then smirked. “So you’ll have your ghosts lie to hers?”
“For now. I want a little more time until we cross her path again. I know, tomorrow at noon. I would have preferred after this mess was over.”
“Fair enough.” Smiling, she changed the topic. “Cassandra was always drawn to you. And Alistair, I can’t blame him for having a crush.”
He rolled his eyes. “I don’t know why. I’ve never done anything to lead him on.”
“Yeah, but you’re a good guy who takes care of everyone. You probably helped him find peace, and now he doesn’t want to leave. It’s why I could never totally let you go.”
“Could have fooled me,” Erik muttered.
She took his hand. “How do I make you believe?”
That was a priceless question. He didn’t have a clear answer to it.
“Wipe away the last forty-two years?” He snorted. “And you can’t do that.”
She let out a sigh as she pulled over on the side of the road. “Contact your people. May as well enjoy ourselves tonight.”
Erik stepped out of the car and moved away. Shoving his hands into his pockets, he said, “Cassandra, Alistair, I need your help.”
Within seconds Alistair appeared with a ridiculous grin. Erik’s head cocked. “What’s that look for?”
“Found a friend.”
“Who?”
“Everaud Bordeaux—”
“Shit, the brother. Did he follow you?”
Alistair shook his head. “Unfortunately, he had to report back to Consuela.”
“Phew, okay. Can you steer him in the wrong direction? Rather, would you? Keep him busy, tell him anything but where we’re going.”
He smiled. “Where are you going?”
Erik’s brow arched.
Cassandra appeared next to Alistair and giggled. “I think Alistair may leave you alone now.”
Erik rubbed his head as Monique walked to them with an amused smirk. “This is Alistair?”
“Alistair, meet Monique, officially. Monique, Alistair. And you already met Cassandra.”
“A pleasure,” Monique answered, her eyes sparkling.
Alistair turned to Erik. “She can see us?”
“It’s new,” Erik explained.
Alistair’s head cocked to the side. “Interesting.”
“Is that a problem?” Erik asked.
“No. Probably should watch what I say around her.”
Monique nodded, the smile falling. “Let me guess, you whined because he wants me?”
“And you treat him like dirt,” Alistair answered automatically without a thought.
“My own stupidity and desperation to take my heart back, but he’s always held it tight.”
Erik’s gaze slowly swung to Monique. Maybe they had hope after all.
She slipped her fingers through his. “I won’t fight what I feel anymore. I love you.”
Alistair sighed. “At least I found someone to distract me now that he’ll stop moping around.”
One corner of Monique’s mouth twitched. “That so?”
“Maybe,” Erik grumbled. “Anyway, there was a point to calling you both. Please, if anyone asks, don’t tell them we’re in Seattle. Tell them we went anywhere but there.”
Alistair nodded, a smirk on his face. “Don’t worry. I’ll keep him busy.” With that he disappeared.
Cassandra rolled her eyes. “I won’t say a word. And I’ll see if I can find out more about Everaud. There’s something different about the ghost. Like, he’s still tethered to his body, sort of like someone only practicing astral projection, but he’s definitely dead.”
Erik’s eyes rounded. “That sounds like she’s trapped him in his body. And if she’s a couple hundred years old…shit.” He paced away.
“What does that mean?”
“Depends. He can leave his body and do her bidding, so not a ghoul, and not a zombie because they decay no matter how strong you are.”
“Unless she sacrifices to it,” Cassandra pointed out.
“Don’t get too close,” Erik warned. “If she has that kind of power, there’s no telling what she’ll do to you or Alistair.”
“I won’t, but if she’s out, I could sneak in.”
He shook his head. “No. Not worth it. The body would be in New Orleans, probably enshrined. Would explain why spirits flee from her.”
Her brow arched. “In that case, I’ll stay away, and I’ll see if I can’t convince Alistair to do the same. That boy…” Cassandra shook her head. “If I can remain undetected, I’ll keep an eye on him.”
“Thank you. Hopefully Consuela is too busy digging up dirt on me to bother with either of you.”
“I’ll find you if anything happens.” Cassandra left.
Monique grabbed his shoulder, turning him to face her. “You worried?”
“Yeah, I am. Alistair is like family. That annoying little cousin who looks up to you. Cassandra is like a sister.”
She smiled. “See, you’re a good guy. Now let’s get to Seattle.”
“Hopefully we can find some answers before they find someone else to actually succeed in a set-up.”
“Would the Council buy it when they already know someone is trying?”
“I don’t know. Maybe if they did it where normal humans got involved. There’s no telling what they may attempt.”
“Stop worrying. We’ll figure this out.”