Chapter 6
Seth was already waiting on the bench when Petra arrived at their meeting spot.
He looked surprisingly alert for someone who’d spent the night prowling the grounds in animal form.
His dark hair was damp, as if he’d recently showered, and he wore different clothes than yesterday.
Clean jeans and a dark green henley that made him look less like a mercenary and more like someone who might actually belong in polite society.
“Morning,” he said as she approached. “Sleep well?”
“Better than expected, actually.” Petra sat down beside him, leaving a respectable distance between them. The morning air was crisp and cool, carrying the scent of roses and dew-wet grass. “I had a dream about my grandmother. She told me to trust you.”
Seth’s eyebrows rose slightly. “Did she now?”
“Don’t let it go to your head.” Petra smiled despite herself. “She also said I was braver than I thought, which suggests even my subconscious knows I’m terrified.”
“Being terrified and doing it anyway is pretty much the definition of bravery,” Seth said. He leaned back against the bench, looking relaxed despite the circumstances. “Any trouble last night? Unexpected visitors?”
“No. I barricaded my door with the dresser, which was probably excessive, but it made me feel better.” She paused. “Thank you for staying out here. Knowing you were watching helped.”
“That’s what I’m here for.”
They sat in comfortable silence for a moment. A bird called from somewhere in the trees, and Petra watched the morning light filter through the leaves overhead. It was almost peaceful, if you ignored the fact that they were planning to fight dark mages.
“I’ve been thinking,” she said finally. “About the legal situation.”
“And?” Seth prompted her when she paused too long, as if unsure of what she’d been about to say.
“I’m not sure I should trust the estate’s law firm.
Not completely.” Petra turned to face him.
“They represent Kettering’s interests, or they did.
I have no way of knowing how deep their connection to his operations went.
For all I know, they’re aware of the Venifucus and consider them legitimate clients.
Or they might be in league with them, or even part of the organization. ”
Seth nodded slowly. “That’s a fair concern. What are you thinking?”
“I want my own lawyer. Someone who can explain what the estate lawyers are saying, make sure I’m not signing anything dodgy, and generally look out for my interests instead of the estate’s.” She met his gaze directly. “Someone I can be certain isn’t working for the bad guys.”
“Makes sense.” Seth pulled out his phone. “I can reach out to Sam and Mark. Between them, they’ve got connections all over the world. There’s probably a shifter lawyer who can take you on, someone we know is on the right side.”
“A shifter lawyer,” Petra repeated. The phrase still sounded absurd, like something from a bad television show. “That’s really a thing?”
“Shifters exist in every profession. Lawyers, doctors, accountants, and even famous chefs, among other professions. We have the same needs as everyone else, just with added complications.” Seth was already tapping on his phone.
“Being able to recommend someone from the community means we know where their loyalties lie. Mark and Sam are astute businessmen who vet all of their associates, so there are no hidden Venifucus connections.”
“Right. Yes. That makes sense.” Petra watched him send messages to both contacts. “How quickly do you think we can arrange something? The estate lawyers are coming back tomorrow.”
“Let’s find out.”
They waited. Seth’s phone buzzed almost immediately. He glanced at the screen and his expression shifted to pleased.
“Mark’s got someone. A lawyer in Frankfurt he uses for his international business deals.
According to Mark, she’s completely trustworthy.
” He scrolled through the message. “Her name is Katja Brenner. Mark says she specializes in estate law and corporate acquisitions. He’s messaging her now to alert her that you’ll be in touch. ”
“That was fast.”
“Mark’s efficient. He didn’t get where he is by sitting around waiting for things to happen.
” Seth looked up from his phone. “He says she can meet with you this afternoon, if you’re available.
She’ll make the trip from Frankfurt to Kaiserslautern and meet you there, if you wish.
If you decide to work with her, you could probably ask her to stay at the castle for the next few days.
That way, you’d have an ally close at hand inside the castle. ”
“What if she isn’t free to just drop everything and stay here?” Petra asked, frowning.
“Mark has a way of convincing people, and the fate of this place is more important than you know. There is clear evidence that the mages who have been working here are already responsible for the murder of a shifter couple in Connecticut, and all sorts of attacks on our people. They’re actively fighting a war against the Light and making inroads into the forces we’ve been building to stand against them.
It’s in everyone’s best interests to stop them. ”
Petra’s heart rate picked up speed. This was moving quickly, but she supposed that was good. She needed help before tomorrow’s meeting with the estate’s lawyers. “Today works. I was already planning to go into town anyway.”
“You were?”
“I only packed enough for three days. If I’m staying longer, I’ll need more clothes.
I don’t have to be back in London at any particular time since I quit my job before leaving, I didn’t think I’d be staying in Germany long, so I didn’t pack much.
” She gestured at her current outfit, the same thing she’d worn yesterday.
Seth smiled. “Shopping is a good excuse for an excursion. Is that what you’ll tell Herr Müller?”
“Yes. As far as he’s concerned, I’m going into the city for lunch and shopping.
He doesn’t need to know about my meeting with the lawyer.
” Petra stood, brushing off her pants. “Can you attend the meeting? I’d rather not walk into this completely alone, and it might be useful to have you there.
You understand the magical side of things better than I do. ”
“I can do that.” Seth stood as well. “I’ll just text the lawyer now and set it up.”
His fingers flew over his screen as he messaged the lawyer on Petra’s behalf.
Within moments, he had everything settled.
“We’ll be at the restaurant waiting for you when you arrive,” he told her, then gave her the name, address and directions for how to get to the restaurant they’d agreed on.
“Does two o’clock work? Will that give you enough time for your shopping? ”
“That’s perfect. I didn’t realize how alone I’d be here, and how much I’d need an ally or two to help me out. Thanks for your help with all this.”
“You’re very welcome.” Seth’s phone vibrated in his hand.
Seth read the message, then turned his phone so Petra could see the screen.
A professional headshot showed a woman in her mid-forties with elegant features and pale blonde hair pulled back in a sleek bun.
Below the photo was contact information and an address in Frankfurt’s business district.
“Katja Brenner, Brenner and Associates,” Petra read aloud. “Specializing in international estate law, corporate acquisitions, and cross-border transactions.”
“Mark vouches for her. Can’t really get higher authority than that,” Seth said. “She knows about the magical world and the various players involved.”
“Then she sounds perfect for what I need.” Petra took a steadying breath. This was really happening. She was hiring a lawyer to help her fight dark mages while navigating an inheritance she’d never expected. Her life had become completely surreal.
“While you’re in town, I’ll get you a burner phone. I’d be surprised if your own phone isn’t compromised by now, so be careful who you call and what you say when you use it. Just in case,” he warned her.
Her eyes widened. “You really think they somehow tapped my phone?”
“Kettering wasn’t just a conventional arms dealer.
Some of his companies also manufacture very sophisticated surveillance systems for the military.
I wouldn’t be at all surprised to learn that they’ve been watching you ever since you were identified as the heir.
Any electronics you currently own could have been corrupted by now, so just use caution. ”
“But a burner phone would be safe?” she asked, feeling skeptical.
“At least for a while, but we only need a few days. First we deal with the legal stuff tomorrow, then we gear up for the mages.”
“You make it sound so simple.” Even she could hear the fear in her own voice.
“One step at a time, Petra,” Seth counseled.
“For what it’s worth, I think you made a good choice seeking your own counsel on the legal matters.
I don’t know enough about the estate’s lawyers and that bothers me.
I think Frau Brenner will be able to tell us more, or at the very least, check her own network for anything they might know about the firm. ”
“The legal stuff seems a lot more straightforward than the magical stuff. I’ll be honest. The more I think about the people who were using that workshop, the more I wonder what in the world I’m doing trying to stop them.
I don’t know much about magic or the power these people have, but somehow I feel the need to stand in their way, even though I think it’ll be dangerous.
And I’m afraid of what they will do to me when I stand against them,” she admitted in a small voice.
“That’s why I’m here, Petra,” he said soothingly. “I’ll help you devise a strategy and when the times comes, you won’t be facing them alone.”
“Really?” She felt the support in his words down to her bones. She didn’t know why she trusted this man so much on such short acquaintance, but she did. It was as simple—and as complicated—as that.
“Really.” Seth glanced toward the castle. “You should probably head back. Get your story straight for Herr Müller about your shopping trip.”
“Right. Shopping.” Petra started walking, then paused and turned back. “Seth? Thank you. For all of this. I know you’re just doing your job, but it means a lot.”
“It’s not just a job anymore,” he said quietly. “You’re trying to do the right thing under really difficult circumstances. That matters.”
Something warm settled in Petra’s chest. She nodded, not trusting herself to speak, and headed back toward the castle.
Time to face Herr Müller and convince him she was just a normal heiress going shopping for clothes, not someone preparing to dismantle an evil operation with the help of a man she’d only just met but found herself trusting despite her better judgement.
The drive into Kaiserslautern took just under forty minutes.
Petra’s little hatchback felt even more pathetic navigating the well-maintained German roads, but at least it was reliable.
She’d left the castle after a brief conversation with Herr Müller, who’d accepted her shopping excuse without visible suspicion.
Whether he believed her was another matter entirely.
The restaurant Seth had chosen was in the old part of the city, tucked into a side street near the pedestrian zone.
Petra found parking in a nearby garage and made her way on foot, consulting a map of the city on her phone.
The device felt suddenly suspect in her hand after Seth’s warning.
Was someone really monitoring her calls and messages?
The thought made her skin crawl. As soon as she found the restaurant, she powered off her phone, tucking it into her bag.
The restaurant was the kind of place that catered to the upper economic classes, with discreet service and private tables that allowed for confidential conversations. It was also the perfect location for discussing magical conspiracies and estate law, apparently.
Petra pushed through the door, and a hostess in a crisp white blouse looked up with a professional smile. “Good afternoon. Do you have a reservation?”
“I’m meeting someone. Seth…?” Petra realized she’d never actually learned his last name. “Dark hair, probably already here with another woman?”
“Ah, yes. This way, please.”
The hostess led her through the main dining room to a secluded table in a back corner. Seth saw her coming and stood, which forced the woman sitting across from him to turn and look.
Petra almost stumbled, realizing Seth was dressed more formally than she’d ever seen him. He wore dark slacks that fit to perfection, a white Oxford shirt open at the throat, and a sport jacket that made him look absolutely professional, yet casual.
Frau Brenner in person was even more striking than her photo suggested.
She was tall, with the kind of posture that came from either military training or ballet.
Or maybe it was a shifter thing. Her pale blonde hair was pulled back severely, emphasizing her high cheekbones and pale blue eyes that assessed Petra in a single sweeping glance.
“Ms. Haas,” she said, standing and extending her hand. Her grip was firm and her English was perfect. “I am Katja Brenner. Thank you for meeting with me on such short notice.”
“I should be saying that to you, Frau Brenner. Thank you for making the time to see me,” Petra replied, sitting in the chair Seth held politely for her. “I really appreciate your driving all this way.”
“It’s no trouble at all. Mr. Peppard explained the general situation.” Katja’s eyes flickered to Seth, then back to Petra. “I understand you’ve recently inherited a rather complicated estate.”
“That’s putting it mildly.”
A waiter appeared, offering menus and water. They ordered quickly—Petra barely registered what she asked for—and then they were alone again, or as alone as one could be in a public restaurant.
Katja pulled a leather portfolio from the chair beside her and set it on the table. “Before we discuss specifics, I want to assure you of complete confidentiality. Everything we discuss today is protected by attorney-client privilege, whether or not you choose to retain my services.”
“I’d like to,” Petra said. “Retain your services, I mean. I need someone I can trust, and Seth and Mr. Peppard both vouch for you.”
“Then consider yourself represented as of this moment.” Katja opened the portfolio and withdrew a pad of paper and a pen. “Now. Tell me everything.”
Petra glanced at Seth, who gave her an encouraging nod. She took a deep breath and began.