Not seeing another option, I followed.
The back room was just a room. An office where the owner could pay bills or whatever a tea shop owner did, but still just an office.
Judging by the way Miriam watched me, it wasn’t always just an office. Last year I saw through some of her enchantments to what she kept hidden. Either whatever boost in power the sorcerer’s mark had given me was gone or this place’s enchantments were better.
Miriam’s face was thoughtful as she watched my lack of surprise.
An old woman with skin the color of an aged oak watched me with ancient eyes that were almost milky. I’d guess cataracts, but I didn’t know if witches suffered from human ailments. Her hair was piled into a graying bun at the back of her head. Her hands were knobby and covered in raised veins.
“I hear you have a package for me.” In contrast to her appearance, her voice was smooth and lyrical, not even a hint of her apparent age coming through.
“Sarah Temper?”
She inclined her head, the movement that of a queen bestowing acknowledgement on a subject.
I held out the phone, holding my breath as she pressed her finger onto the screen. Green. This was Sarah Temper.
“This was good work, Miriam,” Sarah observed, her gaze on the phone but seeming to look past it as if she could see something that the rest of us couldn’t. “I’d guess some of your best.”
“Thank you, elder.” Miriam’s tone was deferential, as was the way she kept her gaze downcast as if she revered the person before me.
Elder? I was willing to bet this woman was a major player in the community. This could be good or bad. She would probably have the information I needed, but she could also swat me down with such strength I might not get back up again.
“You’re the clanless vampire running around getting into all sorts of trouble,” Sarah said, her gaze coming to rest on me. Her eyes did that unfocused thing as if she was seeing pieces of me that weren’t normally visible.
A chill ran down my back.
This person could be dangerous. Perhaps more than any I’ve faced before.
My body instinctually braced for fight or flight as adrenaline flooded my system. Blood pumped harder, my vision sharpened until everything seemed to come at me in ultra-high definition. My body temperature rose sharply.
For most people, their flight or fight response causes them to freeze or to flail about uselessly. Once upon a time that instinct is what kept our ancestors alive and kicking. Now after thousands of years of civilized living that instinct is often an obstacle. Courtesy of the U.S. Army, I’ve been trained to act through it. To not let it take control and shut me down.
Over the last few years, this training has been reinforced. So instead of reacting with unwarranted aggression or fear as my body wanted me to, I took a deep breath and kept my natural instincts under control.
“You have a question for me. What is it?” Sarah gave a slight smile as if she knew what had just happened and my lack of response amused her.
Yup. Dangerous. Very dangerous.
My gaze darted from her to Miriam, who watched with an inscrutable expression. There was no help or guidance from that quarter, not that I expected there to be.
“There have been some odd things going on around town,” I finally said. It wasn’t the reason I was here, but I had a feeling leading with that would be better than just blurting out my real question. I’ve learned to trust my feelings since becoming a vampire. “Would you know anything about them?”
She tilted her head as if I’d surprised her. I got the feeling that wasn’t the question she’d been expecting. Made sense. I hadn’t expected to ask it.
“There are many odd things going on right now. You will need to elaborate.”
Now I wanted to know more about the odd things she was talking about.
I needed to stay on track.
“Several people have disappeared after a bout of paralysis followed by raving madness.”
“Ah, that odd happening.”
I fought my impatience. I had a feeling that showing her any attitude would not end well for me.
“Why are you interested?” Miriam asked from her corner.
