Chapter 12 Komal
Mamma: Your father wants to host a launch party for you. It will be lovely and quiet, just a few of his business friends and a couple of reporters. I told him to go ahead. I was wrong to doubt you. It means so much to him that you’re going to be mayor in his stead.
I’ve also decided your first proclamation as mayor should be an official public holiday to celebrate real estate agents! We are the glue that holds the community together.
Argleton Weather Watch: What a beautiful day! I’m kidding, it’s rainy and gross. I hope you don’t have an outdoor wedding to go to because that is cancelled.
“WHAT ARE ALL THESE?” I tuck the red flower behind my ear and slide onto the velvet sofa next to Winnie in the Events room at Nevermore Bookshop.
It’s the first night of official late-night shopping, but Nevermore is the only shop in the village still open.
I convinced all the other shopkeepers not to adopt the new hours in protest – a small win, but I’ll take it.
Unfortunately, I couldn’t convince Mina to shut Nevermore – she thought late-night shopping was a great idea.
And judging by the press of vampires and humans browsing the shelves, the constant DING of the old-fashioned till, and the loud ‘croaks’ of protest from Quoth whenever someone quotes Poe at him, Augustin was right. Damn him.
You win this round, Durant. But I’ve still got the vampire soiree and debate to kick your undead arse.
“I maaaay have told Alaric about our amazing signage ideas, and he thought he should contribute. He’s been up all night making these.
It’s his way of saying he trusts you to do a good job with the Conclave.
” Winnie holds up one of the posters, revealing an incredible drawing of a fox digging around in a rubbish bin.
Above the artwork, the sign reads: “DON’T BE RUBBISH. VOTE KOMAL AHUJA FOR MAYOR.”
“They’re perfect! We can hang them up after our meeting.
” They’ll look great next to posters of Augustin looking distinguished (and, if I’m being brutally honest, a little bit suave) in his designer suit.
I maaaay have already doodled a little penis on his cheek in every one of his posters, but all’s fair in war and local politics.
It’s not our usual Wednesday book club night, but Beth texted everyone, saying she had something important to share.
Normally, Beth having “something to share” means she’s invented a new mushroom cure-all she wants one of us to try, or she’s voice memoing us various medieval torture methods she has planned for Augustin since he rejected her pole studio rebuild, but this time she said it was about the husker case.
The ladies trickle in, one by one, each carrying a stack of books they purchased, because none of us can go into a bookshop without collecting shelf trophies. I shove my own embarrassingly tall stack deeper into my tote bag and accept a glass of wine and a cream doughnut from Celeste.
Mina arrives with the biggest smile on her face.
“I left Heathcliff in charge, so hopefully Beth gets here soon. If one more person asks him to match a book to their outfit, he is going to explode. I can’t believe how busy it is!
And our new vampire book display has been popular.
I wonder if we could do a vampire literary festival… ”
“Another great idea.” I make a mental note.
“I’m here!” Beth’s scent enters the room first, an earthy, patchouli aroma from the incense she burns in her shop. She plops down into one of the beanbags, her usually bright features drawn into a frown. “I know how the killer got hold of Alyra’s blood.”
I lean forward. “You do. How?”
“Someone broke into my shop and stole it.”
“What? How did you only just figure this out?” Beth’s shop is right next to mine in a row of old Victorian cottages.
Her front rooms are decorated with enough dreamcatchers and Buddha statues to make at least seven different cultures cry “appropriation!” Out back, there’s a small treatment room and a kitchen where Beth mixes up her tinctures, soaps, scrubs and elixirs.
“They jimmied the lock on the kitchen window. I have been so busy at Sanctus doing my vampire treatments that I hadn’t even seen it until today.” Beth’s frown deepens. “I had a small amount of vampire blood stored in my fridge. They took all of it. They must have known what to look for.”
“How would someone know you have vampire blood in your fridge?” Maisie asks.
“Why do you have vampire blood in your fridge?” Arabella flashes her fangs. “Who in their right mind would give you something we don’t even share with each other?”
“I take it from my clients.” Beth tugs at the hem of her yoga top. “My deep tissue treatments don’t work without it. Alyra was the one who showed me that mixing vampire blood into treatments helps them penetrate tough vampire skin.”
Arabella strokes her cheek. “Our skin isn’t tough. It’s radiant.”
“Right. And it’s magical, meaning normal beauty treatments don’t work.” Beth places her head in her hands. “Alyra gave me two vials of her blood, but they’re both gone. I can’t believe I didn’t even notice.”
“So whoever killed Alyra knew that you had this blood.” Mina drags out the murder board and starts typing a Braille label to add to it. “We’re back to them probably being a Sanctus vampire. We’ll need a list of all your clients.”
Beth nods sadly, but Arabella frowns. “We’d better be discreet. Vampires won’t like us knowing their private information.”
“We can be discreet!” I say.
“I’ve yet to see it,” Arabella murmurs.
“I’ll make some discreet inquiries with my clients.
” Beth beams. “Luminita has asked for a new selection of serums and masks based on scents from her time as a Habsburg princess. She’s hosting a vamp girls’ sleepover at Brimstone, although she’s worried Eleanor is going to turn it into a recruitment drive for her illegal siring support group.
If you ask me, all siring should be illegal. ”
“Beth.” Winnie folds her arms. “That’s a bit harsh.”
“It’s not. Vampires shouldn’t be making other vampires willy-nilly without oversight. I can’t be the only one who thinks so. You fell in love with Alaric, but you don’t want to be like him!”
“I haven’t decided yet,” Winnie says. “That’s what Alaric is fighting for – my right to be in love with him and to choose whether I remain human. There is oversight, but it could definitely do with reform. Everyone seems to agree, except on what that reform should look like.”
“But how much can humans really choose when the vampire world is kept hidden?” Beth says. “Even though the Nevermore Coven all know vampires exist, and they want us to find this husker, we still know next to nothing about them.”
“Don’t look at me,” Arabella glares at each of us in turn. “I am not an open book. I am a locked tome sealed with an ancient curse and bound in the skin of all who’ve come to me seeking answers.”
“I actually learned a bit about the process of siring,” I say.
“The vampires build a relationship with an adult human first, who must be able to consent. All parties stand in front of a committee of elders at their court and argue their case. And then the committee votes. Each court has different rituals to welcome the new vampire. It all sounds quite beautiful, actually.”
“Alaric didn’t tell me anything about making a speech!” Winnie wrings her hands. “I hate speeches. Where did you learn all that?”
Eight pairs of eyes round on me.
“From Augustin,” I mumble.
Beth’s pale blue eyes narrow. “You’ve been talking to Augustin about vampire stuff?”
“I didn’t have much choice. We, er, got locked in the stationery cupboard at the council meeting, and he told me about being an orphan in Victorian London and joining an occult society run by vampires. We had to do something to pass the time.”
“You could have made out with him.” Winnie grins.
“Gross. She’s not doing that!” Beth makes a face. My cheeks go red as I think about Augustin’s very kissable lips hovering an inch from mine, and the way his touch made my skin light up.
I mean, gross, no. I’m not thinking about my archrival’s lips. That would be weird and wrong.
“Why are you so against Augustin?” Winnie asks.
“Yeah, he’s actually quite a good councillor,” says Celeste. “Apart from the whole shop hours thing and nearly closing the Gazette.”
“Are you kidding?” Beth places her hands on her hips.
“Of course I’m against him. Komal is my friend, and she hates him, so I hate him.
Plus, there’s the little matter of his refusing to grant my planning consent to rebuild my pole studio.
He acts like he’s such a stickler for the rules, and okay, fine, technically my studio was never permitted properly, but permits aren’t very aligned with my vision, and Augustin is one to talk!
He took that bribe from Gideon to expedite the Sanctus Estate permit, so how’s that any better?
I’m an orphan, too, and you don’t see me breaking my own moral code when it’s convenient! ”
“You’re an orphan?” I ask, ignoring Beth’s outburst because I had no idea she didn’t have a permit for the pole studio. “I thought you said your parents lived in an ashram in southern India?”
“I thought you said they were in a commune in Belgium,” Celeste says.
“I was embarrassed, okay!” Beth wrings her hands.
“The truth is, everyone in the Nevermore Coven has such a wonderful life. Look at Mina’s three husbands, or Arabella’s general fabulousness, or Komal living with her amazing family.
I didn’t want anyone to feel sorry for me.
You guys are the only family I have. I’d do anything for you. ”
“Oh, Beth.” I throw my arms around her. “We’d do anything for you, too.”