“Have there been rumors about any organizations trying to recruit vampires? Especially groups with Church connections?” Brent asked.
“Gonna have to give me more to go on than that,” Cassidy said. “Who do you suspect?”
Travis looked up as Brent laid out their suspicions that the attack could have been connected to the Sinistram and their theories on why. Although Travis had long-ago cut ties, Brent could see sadness and regret in the other man’s face.
“Wow. That’s quite a conspiracy theory,” Cassidy replied. “Travis used to be with them, didn’t he?”
“Yes, and the parting wasn’t friendly,” Brent answered. “But this isn’t the kind of thing he could ask even if he was still a member in good standing. If there’s some sort of alliance between the Sinistram and vampires, it’s a big deal. Like, it goesagainst their sworn mission, and they’re the Left Hand of the Holy Father.”
“I know the Vatican has had its complicated politics over the centuries, but having the Pope collaborate with vampires would be a doozie,” Cassidy said.
“That’s putting it mildly,” Brent responded. “We might be entirely off-base. It could totally be someone else. And it could be a splinter group within the Sinistram and not officially sanctioned. When we first considered it, we thought it was preposterous. Then we thought about it and realized it might not be as crazy as it seems.”
“I’ll ask Sorren,” Cassidy promised. “And I’ll check to see what any of our other contacts might have heard. Father Anne isn’t Roman Catholic, but she knows a lot of clergy who are involved in the supernatural side of things.”
“Last question,” Brent said. “Have you heard more than usual about omens and augurs for the ‘end of time’?”
Cassidy chuckled without humor. “There’s always someone ready to lead the faithful up a mountain and wait for the apocalypse. Don’t know why people still fall for it, but they do. I don’t imagine that the recent black moon, lunar eclipse, and falling stars have helped. To people looking for signs, those all count. Even though they happen every year, and we’re all still here.”
“Travis says that the apocalypse is part of Sinistram lore. I’m just trying to rule out any connection.”
“If I hear anything about that, I’ll let you know.”
“Thank you.” Brent felt a little of the weight lift from his heart. Knowing they had powerful allies helped a lot. “Anything you find out will help.”
He ended the call and looked at Travis. “It’s a start. Get anywhere with your Night Vigil people?”
“I left messages or texts,” Travis replied. “Like Sorren, a lot of them aren’t daytime folks. The whole point of creating the network was to tap into what people with supernatural skills who weren't necessarily high-ranking or in charge of anything might know or hear. Your average shifter or witch on the street, so to speak.”
Brent knew that at least a couple of the Night Vigil folks included young vampires and werewolves who were turned against their will and had sworn not to prey on humans. To survive, they banded together in loose-knit found families, where they were likely to hear gossip.
“I don’t want to make them targets,” Travis repeated. “I’m not asking anyone to go poking their noses into things. But what might seem like a random comment to them could end up meaning a lot more to us. It’s worth a shot.”
“I thought I’d see what Chiara Hamilton knows.” Brent named another friend who was a source for supernatural intel. “She’s usually plugged in.”
“I’m going to check with some of the witches,” Travis replied. “It’s a long shot, but if there’s a disturbance in the energies, they’ll know.”
Both men refilled their coffee and settled at the table. Brent called Chiara while Travis dialed the first of their witch friends.
“Hiya, Brent. To what world-ending situation can I attribute this?” Chiara greeted him. She lived north of Pittsburgh and usually worked with Mark Wojcik, but they had handled cases together and stayed in touch.
“Just wondering if you’ve heard of any supernatural conspiracies lately.”
“Conspiracies?” she repeated. “You mean like Bigfoot working with UFOs?”
“Not exactly.”
“What did you have in mind?”
“Groups teaming up that don’t usually work together,” Brent replied.
“Is this one of those things where if you give me more information, you’d have to kill me?” Chiara joked.
“Not exactly, but we don’t want to put you in danger.”
“That ship sailed a long time ago. I’m a big girl, and I know how to defend myself. Tell me what you need.”
Brent gave her the basics, and she listened closely, remaining silent for a moment when he finished.
