Chapter 6 #2
Eve rose abruptly, jerking her chin toward Cally, who got up to follow her out of Zara’s living room and into the spare bedroom used as a home office. Behind them, Priya started asking Amelia questions in an excited voice.
“We’ve already said too much,” Eve began as soon as the door clicked shut. “We don’t know anything about this woman.”
“I know,” Cally replied, her brow furrowed in thought. “But we need help learning about witch magic, right? Maybe she has access to things we could use.”
“And maybe she’s just an interfering old busybody that knows no more than Zara does.”
“Well, if that’s the case, then what we’ve shared won’t make any difference, will it?”
“I suppose not,” Eve admitted grudgingly. “Is that why you agreed to perform like a circus monkey for her amusement?”
“I’m picking up on clues that you don’t like her. They’re subtle, but they’re there.”
Eve raked a hand through her damp hair. “The whole thing stinks to me. Zara goes all big-mouthed and indiscreet on the forum, and then some stranger turns up, claiming to be a ‘High Priestess’? Don’t you want to know why?”
“I don’t disagree.” Cally made a face. “I think it’s fishy as hell. How many people like Zara boast all the time on those forums about stuff they’ve done? Does Amelia tour around Boston meeting with all the covens?”
“Well actually, I did get that impression. She seemed very uninterested, like she’d done this a hundred times. Right up until you made the crystals glow. Then all of a sudden, you were her best friend.”
“Yeah. Did you see her send a text straight away?”
“And the photos?” Eve grimaced. “That got my Spidey senses tingling.”
“Still, there’s no threat. I’m going to go out on a limb and say she isn’t a third-dan taekwondo black belt.”
“Boosted with the super-strength of a vampiric bond.”
“Exactly.”
“So we wait and see?”
“Yeah,” Cally nodded. “I think the risk is small enough to be worth the potential reward.”
“All right, babe, I’ll take your lead. Want me to play up it’s all you and not Zara at all?”
“Uh, I think the others have already done that.”
“God, at least we didn’t tell them about Antoine before Amelia showed up. Can you imagine Lily keeping her mouth shut if she knew?”
“Not a chance.” Cally winced. “I’m really curious what Amelia’s after, though.”
“Me too. Let’s go find out. But be careful, right?”
Cally smiled ruefully. “Is that you warning me not to be impulsive and reckless?”
Eve blinked innocently. “Now, why would I need to do that?” She didn’t wait for a reply but opened the door, leading them back into the living room.
Amelia had been listening to Priya, who, from the sounds of it, had been explaining the foresight spell that had led to Cally’s vision. She looked up as soon as Cally re-entered, then set down her cup and saucer.
“I hear the secret to the coven’s success is your blood, Miss Davis,” she said, cutting across Priya in mid-sentence.
Eve paused, her shoulders tensing, and Cally knew how she felt.
Not just my blood, but my name too. She’s been busy.
“I like to think I had some small part to play,” Zara added petulantly.
“Yes, yes.” Amelia waved a dismissive hand and didn’t look away from Cally.
“Let’s get back to the point,” Cally said. “How can you help?”
“Answers, my dear. Knowledge and answers.” She tilted her head forward, peering at Cally over the rim of her glasses. “That is what you seek, is it not?”
Cally crossed her arms. “No one offers anything for free. What’s the price?”
Amelia smiled. “That is something we should discuss in private.” She addressed Zara. “Is there a room we could use?”
Zara looked like she would refuse, then slumped, resigned. “You can go in my office, but there’s not much space in there.”
“It will be fine, thank you,” Amelia said as she rose. She gestured toward the hallway. “After you, Miss Davis.”
In turn, Cally gestured to Eve. “After you, Miss Sullivan.”
Amelia raised her hand. “I regret, Miss Davis, that what we discuss is for your ears only.”
“And I regret, Amelia, that we will be discussing nothing at all if Eve doesn’t join us.”
She pressed her lips together in disapproval, then reluctantly nodded.
Eve winked at Cally as she walked past, leading the way, and they trooped into Zara’s spare bedroom, standing in the small space left free by her desk. Amelia closed the door before she spoke.
“Boston interests us because of the heritage of witches here, as no doubt you are aware. But I am part of a larger order, and our headquarters are in upstate New York.” She paused for effect. “We would very much like you to visit.”
Cally looked at Eve, but she stayed quiet, letting her take the lead. “What sort of High Priestess is part of an organization with headquarters in upstate New York?”
“All your questions will be answered when you arrive.”
“I haven’t agreed yet.”
“But I think you will.” Amelia said smugly. “How else will you find what you seek?”
It was tempting, but Cally shook her head. “I have no idea who you people are, or what you want. You’ve offered nothing but vague promises. I’m not flying to New York with you.”
Amelia took her refusal in stride. “I assure you, your importance to us is greater than you could possibly imagine.” She raised her phone, wagging it for emphasis.
“I’ve been authorized to offer whatever incentives and assurances are necessary.
A shopping trip while we’re there, perhaps?
An expense account? Compensation for your time off work? ”
Cally folded her arms. “Answers would do for now.”
She inclined her head. “I’ll answer what I can.”
“Who are you people?”
“I represent the Boston arm of an organization known as the Aeterna Vigilantia,” she said, speaking softly. “We just call it the ‘Order’, or the ‘Vigilantia’. It’s Latin, as no doubt you’ve gathered, and it primarily means ‘those keeping an eternal watch’.”
“Do you like to watch?” Cally asked dryly.
Amelia smiled, humorless and without warmth. “We don’t just watch, no. We do what we can to keep humanity safe from… threats.”
The hairs on the nape of Cally’s neck stood on end. “What sort of threats?”
“Are you sure you wish to know? Most people prefer to be kept in ignorance.”
“I think I can handle it.”
Amelia’s voice dropped quieter still. “Vampires, Miss Davis. Vampires are real, I regret to inform you, and we are the first, last, and only line of defense.” She raised her hand.
“I know, I know. You’re thinking we’re all insane.
This is why you need to come to New York, where we can show you evidence that will leave no doubts.
The truth is, someone with your… unique gifts…
would be an incredible asset in the fight against the Ordo Noctis. ”
“Vampires,” Cally tried to inject all her disbelief into the word, in the spirit of someone hearing it for the first time. She looked at Eve with what she hoped was an incredulous expression.
“An understandable reaction, but we can prove it,” Amelia insisted. “Please don’t believe we are going to ask you to fight them.” She gave a small laugh as if such a suggestion was absurd. “You are far too valuable for that. However, you could help us in so many ways.”
“So if I want answers I have to go to New York?” Cally sought Eve, who returned her gaze without expression. Letting me decide.
“We have our own plane and it can be here tomorrow,” Amelia said, like it was a given. “No expense spared.”
Cally raised an eyebrow. “Your own plane, huh? How long’s the visit?”
“A day would suffice. We will fly you there tomorrow morning and bring you back on Monday.”
“Can you get a day off work?” Cally asked Eve.
“Wouldn’t miss it.”
Amelia hesitated. “The invitation is only for—”
“You have a plane, Amelia,” Cally said bluntly. “Unless it’s a one-seater, Eve is coming.”
“I can see you know your own mind.” She nodded. “Very well, your friend may accompany you. Yes. Perhaps that would be best, after all.”
“We’ll come and see, but we’re making no promises,” Eve said.
Amelia’s smile didn’t falter. “Once you have learned the truth, I have no doubt you will see things our way.”
“No promises,” Cally echoed Eve firmly.
“What do you desire, Miss Davis?” Amelia asked. “Wealth? Power? Knowledge? Secrets that only we know? The Order can offer all this and more.” Her eyes sparkled behind her glasses. “I am quite certain we will come to an arrangement.”