14. Oz #4
“Yeah, it’s some weird thing that happens after bonding. Everyone in the family can see ghosts now.” He raised an eyebrow at Manny.
“Yes, I can see them too.” He squinted at me.
“Since Rory considers me family.” Was he hinting that I’d be able to see ghosts if we continued our relationship?
I wasn’t sure I wanted to see ghosts. “Huh. I wonder if my mom can see them now. I didn’t think to warn her.
” He made a face. “How I’m supposed to explain her sudden ability to see ghosts without mentioning magic, I have no idea.
But, shit, she’ll freak if Grandpa Blackbourne shows up in her living room one day. ”
I shifted uneasily in my chair. “Maybe you should see what Rory suggests?”
“Anyway.” Arch ignored the topic tangent.
“Saturday I went to the warehouse where we rescued you.” Oh, fuck.
I’d let Manny distract me from what Arch had been talking about.
“Harrison and Cassandra went with me, and we found the cell where you’d said the, uh, monster had been held.
” He gave me an encouraging nod. “I thought I saw a ghost while we were there, so yesterday I went back by myself and talked to her. She confirmed the monster is a vampire.”
It made sense. I’d speculated the same thing myself, but what did I know about vampires?
Arch told us how he’d spoken to Simon, the only friendly vampire on record, and up to now the only vampire anyone had been aware of left on Earth.
“He said he’ll come if we find them, so he can help capture the vampire and the trafficker. ”
My chest felt too small for my lungs, but I tried to keep a blank face and breathe through it so Manny and Arch wouldn’t hover. I wanted the trafficker and his pet vampire caught, but I didn’t want Arch to be in danger.
Manny didn’t notice my turmoil. “From what I know of vampires, I’m confused as to how the other guy can control him.”
I managed to keep my voice even. “The magic carrier was definitely in charge.”
Arch rubbed his face with his free hand.
Shit, he had to go to work soon, and none of us had eaten our meals.
“I don’t know. Simon did tell me that when a vampire mates with someone, that other person gets some of the vampire’s abilities, instead of just enhanced versions of their own.
” Wait, what? We stared at him, and he nodded.
“Right, so this magic carrier could’ve gotten the ability to mesmerize people. ”
Manny frowned. “Can vampires be mesmerized?”
He hesitated. “I didn’t ask, sorry. I’ll check with Simon. But I don’t know any other way this guy could be controlling a vampire, do you?”
Manny made a face and shook his head. I pulled my hand away, making sure to smile confidently at them. “I’m okay, I promise. Please finish your breakfasts. Um, so how are you going to find them? The trafficker and the vampire? Some big Hunter dragnet or something?”
Arch winced, making a face I couldn’t really translate. “Not that, no.”
“What’s wrong?” My stress ratcheted up.
He sighed, looking down at his plate. “Someone in the Hunters is working with the trafficker.” Manny and I sat, open-mouthed, and Arch grimaced. “Did you ever wonder how Randolph Chamberlain knew Pia was in this house with Rory, Shane, and Ellis?”
Manny put a hand over his mouth.
“There’s more, but the most recent thing is from the rescue operation where we freed you, Oz.
” I braced myself. “Remember how you hadn’t been interviewed afterward?
None of you were. But you should’ve been, and we all thought you were, because the forms were filled out and all the questions answered for each of you.
But no one actually asked the questions.
I’m sure they were hiding the information about the auctioneer. ”
I felt cold. I wrapped my arms around myself. How could Arch guard against the trafficker and the rogue Hunter at the same time?
Manny threw his hands in the air. “What the fuck, Arch! That’s... whoever it is needs to be stopped!”
He fiddled with his fork. “There’s a strong chance the person leaking the information doesn’t know they’re doing it.”
I saw where he was going. “They’re mesmerized?” I felt sick at the thought of the Hunters being forced to betray their colleagues against their will.
“Could be. It does make more sense than there being two magic carriers who’re exploiting Wonders.” He glanced at his watch, then cursed. “I’m so sorry, but I need to get to work.” I got up to get a container to put his food in for later. He pointed at Manny. “Don’t go anywhere alone.”
Manny’s fists clenched, and he opened his mouth, no doubt to spout something about Arch not being the boss of him, but Arch held up a hand.
“Please.” His eyes were pleading.
“I won’t.” Manny sounded like a sullen teenager. Didn’t he remember he already had a round-the-clock security guard?
Arch smiled. “Thank you. That’ll ease my mind so I can focus on figuring out who this trafficker is and where he and the vampire are.”
Manny slumped in his chair, conceding defeat.