Chapter 12
I texted Darcy.
We need to talk. Now.
He responded almost immediately.
Ok. I’m at Netherfield.
I drove over to Netherfield, jumping out of Mr. Rothschild’s car and hurrying up the steps.
Oscar was startled when I burst in, quickly putting away his phone. But he didn’t fail to meet me with his normal, “Oh, it’s you.”
“Where’s Darcy?”
“If you’ll follow me, I’ll take you to him in the study.” But I rushed past him, much to his consternation, and made my way up the stairs.
Darcy was sitting in his chair across from council member Tom Selving.
“No matter what the council says, I assure you that you have my loyalty, Your Highness.” Tom leaned forward. “I’ll do everything in my power to prevent them from acting against you. I know how you support medical innovation, and we must keep that moving forward.”
“I appreciate that,” Darcy said. “Especially considering our history.”
“That’s water under the bridge, my boy. What matters is the here and now.”
They both turned as I walked into the room. Darcy had on a comfy yet stylish sweater, and the other fae wore a suit and tie.
“If you’ll forgive me, Mr. Selving,” Darcy said. “I’m afraid I have an urgent matter that needs attending to.”
“Yes. I will go.” Mr. Selving rose and nodded to me. “Wickham. When is your next big concert?”
It felt odd sometimes, being addressed by people I had little contact with as if we were common friends.
But it was part of being in a semi-famous band, so I’d learned to roll with it.
I smiled. “I’m not sure. We’ve had a few setbacks that must get worked out.
But hopefully soon. The band will be at Club Meryton this Friday.
” Despite the Grey Doors playing at Lydia’s party, I hadn’t fully committed to going. I should probably tell Bradley.
“That’s wonderful. I have a niece who loves your musical group and would love to watch you perform, so I’ll let her know.” He waved. “I’ll see you later.”
As soon as he was gone, I sat in the chair across from Darcy. “The killer is fae.”
The fire crackled as if reacting to my revelation. Darcy stared at me, paling slightly. “How do you know that?”
“Lydia cast a spell that told us the species of the killer. And before you assume it’s a fae turned vampire, it’s not. Lydia’s magic distinguished the culprit as a fae that’s not a vampire.”
“I don’t understand—”
“What’s not to understand? Someone wants a vampire to appear guilty, and they want to out me.” I shook my head. “Hold us accountable for our crimes, fine. But blame vampires for fae crimes—that’s something only a fae could get away with.”
“But why? If they’re fae, why not tell the police what you are?”
It was strange, but sitting here talking to Darcy reminded me of the time in high school when we’d watched Murder on the Orient Express. We’d sat on his large plush couch with blankets and spiced tea and spent the entire movie debating who the culprit might be.
“You’re right. This has to be a bigger statement against vampires in general. They don’t just want to put me away, they want everyone to know that I’m dangerous.” I pushed a hand through my hair. “What did you find out about Albert Jones and John Rittle?”
Darcy frowned and leaned back in his chair.
“Not much. John Rittle was the only contact that Albert Jones had in town, and the two were close. John also has a pretty airtight alibi. He was in a meeting with my uncle, the king, at the time that Albert would have been killed. My uncle attested to it himself.”
“What if he hired someone to do it?” But that would mean that I’d had contact with whoever he’d hired. That was the stipulation for Lydia’s potion to have worked.
I didn’t go around making friends with hitmen. Besides, there still was the question of how a fae would drain a subject of blood and make it look as if a vampire did it. Fae powers couldn’t do that.
There were too many unanswered questions.
Darcy lifted out his phone and pulled up the newest vlog from Pam Smoot. “There’s another option. Pam has gotten big in the past few days since they found the vampire body.”
“You think she’s causing drama to go viral and to get revenge for you putting her brother out of business? By stoking fear and rage toward vampires?”
“Seems like a stretch. But could be.”
“They tried to take Lydia.”
Darcy’s hands curled on his armchair. “What do you mean?”
“They attacked Cupid’s Confections. They—”
Darcy was on his feet. “Is Lizzy—”
“She’s fine. Everyone is fine,” I said reassuringly. “The attackers pretended to be vampires, though they obviously weren’t, and one was glamoured to look like me. They must understand I can’t avoid accusations if Lydia ends up…” My stomach churned. I couldn’t say it.
Darcy still appeared on edge, but he nodded and sank back into his seat. “All the more reason to get that annulment.”
Something angry and protective rose in me as I pictured that fae going for Lydia. “Don’t talk to me about annulments when you can’t keep your own people in check. Besides, an annulment now won’t protect her. It could only make it appear as if we weren’t getting along and make things look worse.”
Darcy was quiet for a long moment. “You’re right.” He ran a hand over his face. “This is a mess. Where is Lydia now?”
“The Bennets are rallying to protect her. We need to bring this to a close. Soon.”
Darcy nodded. “Any ideas how?”
“Not one. I—” My phone rang in my pocket. I frowned when I pulled it out and saw who was calling. “It’s Lizzy.” I immediately picked it up. “Hello?”
“Wickham? Oh, thank you for picking up. Is Lydia with you?” Lizzy’s worried voice sounded in my ear.
“Lydia?” I said, bewildered. “Why would she be with me?”
“She was in her room. We’d just put an extra safety spell around the house to guard against intruders. But now I can’t find her. The protections will do little good if she’s not here.”
I rose from my seat, fear gripping me. “Lydia is gone? I barely left her with you.”
Darcy frowned as he listened, his brows pulling together.
“I know. She was so determined to help you,” Lizzy said. “I thought maybe she left to find you.”
I felt sick to my stomach. I placed a hand on the back of the chair to steady myself. “Have you tried calling her?”
“Of course I have.” Her tone was impatient. “But it goes straight to voicemail.”
I jerked my keys from my pocket and left the room, racing down the steps of the main staircase. “What are you doing to find her besides calling me?”
“I’m brewing a potion to help locate her, but it won’t be ready for several hours.
Jane is out looking for her at her normal spots.
Kitty is checking in with her friends… I’ve even called the police again, but they have no idea where to search…
other than that I…” Lizzy sounded on the verge of tears.
I was vaguely aware of Darcy’s footsteps following behind me on the steps. “I’ll check a few places. Call me the instant you find her,” I said.
“Yeah, okay.”
I hung up the phone and didn’t stop walking as I headed out the front door. “Sorry, Darcy, I have to go. Lydia is—”
“I heard. I want to help. Do you want me to go with you?”
I shook my head. “How about you go to Cupid’s Confections and check in with Lizzy?”
“I’ll do that.” Darcy hurried off to another car parked in the driveway.
I jumped into Mr. Rothschild’s old station wagon, jammed my key in the ignition, and started the car. I gunned the engine, peeling out of the driveway.
All this time I’d been pushing her away because I was afraid she’d be hurt. And now none of it mattered. Instead of trying to end things, I should have been holding her close, cherishing every minute.
Now, I might never see my fae-witch alive again, and that thought made the light inside me fade to black.