Page 29 of Claim the Twilight
“My bag is back at the Order office,” Holly replied. “In the interview room I’ve been using for crafting spells.”
“The teapot’s at the office too,” Merry added.
I knew exactly where the teapot was. “I’ll come with you. I know where it’s hidden.”
“Then I’ll come too,” Ezekiel said.
“It’s dangerous out there,” Padma said. “We came across a man and woman on the road to Jacqueline’s. They’d been attacked, and as we were talking to them, a monster appeared out of nowhere and swallowed them, vanishing into thin air.”
“Were they human?” Kaster asked.
“I think so.”
Kaster frowned. “No humans have been harmed so far. In fact, from what we’ve surmised, Loviator is doing her utmost to keep the human population calm.”
“That explains it,” Holly said, looking at Padma then Merry.
“Explains what?” Lorenzo asked.
“The humans in the market were oblivious to the wards and to Godor and the batlings flying overhead. I even pointed the batlings out, but nope. Nothing.”
“But why make the humans oblivious?” Merry asked.
The answer hit me like a fist to the chest. “Because every god needs someone to worship them. Human faith is powerful.”
Kaster’s mouth turned down. “It is indeed. Humans are safe for now, but Loviator’s minions are popping up all over Dracul and targeting the supernaturals. She’s feeding. She’s getting stronger.”
“Then we should stop chattering and get to work,” Lorenzo said. “You go fetch the teapot and Holly’s bag, and I’ll work on adding wards to your castle.”
“I thought wards didn’t work in Old Town,” Merry said.
Lorenzo smiled, wicked and sexy. “Mywards will. If Loviator is sending her minions to attack supernaturals, then we need a haven for the supernaturals to come to.”
“Brimswood could be a sanctuary too!” Merry said. “I’m sure Crush will want to help. We can ask him when we go to set the trap for the entity.”
Ezekiel stood taller. “Godor, get the word out that Branwood is a haven. Matthew, send a raven to Brimswood Park to ask Crush if he’ll give sanctuary and another to the vampire houses. We’ll hold a conference tomorrow night. If we’re to stop a god, then we’ll need every immortal on board to help.”
“I’ll check in with my battalion,” Kaster said. “I’ll return as soon as I can.” This last part was said to me.
I gave him a curt nod, and a moment later, he was swallowed by a beam of light.
“Is it all right if we work in here?” Lorenzo asked Ezekiel.
“Of course. Do you need supplies? What can we get?”
We had a plan. One that didn’t involve Hemlock killing himself. I turned to look for him, but his armchair was empty.
Hemlock was gone.
Chapter 13
ORINA
Hemlock didn’t reply when I knocked on his door, but the need to speak to him overrode my respect for etiquette. I knocked once more and slipped into the room. The aroma of cedarwood was strong inside. Or maybe it had always been that way, but now that my senses were heightened, I could truly notice it.
Cedarwood was Hemlock’s scent. His aroma, and it was all around me.
The lights were off, drapes open to let in the moonlight, and Hemlock stood at the window with his back to me, his frame silhouetted in silver. Tiny motes of dust floated in the aura of light around him, undetectable before but clear as day to my new vision.
