“Magic,” she says. “Dangerrr. Let me take them, you shhtay clean.”
The water level is getting higher in the reservoir. The column thickens, more decisively taking a woman’s shape. I resist the urge to cast a spell. Simon squeezes my shoulder.
“They mean us no harm!” Shepard insists. “They’re looking for their friend. We think she was kidnapped by vampires.”
The water—some sort of river spirit? Is she the river itself?—hisses. “Bad company,” she splatters. My shoes and socks are wet. Baz steps away from the wall.
“The worst,” Shepard says. “We think she’s with the Next Blood.”
The entire lake is disturbed. We can hear it pounding against the concrete.
“We thought maybe you could tell us where they are,” Shepard says. “You’reeverywhere.”
“Not anymorrre,” she sobs. “I am dammed and diminishhhed and loshht to the mishht.”
“You’re still grand,” he says, “from where I’m standing.”
The water laps at his face. It makes a noise like,Psssssht.
Shepard leans out farther—too far, his feet are off the ground. His face and hair are dripping.
“The New Blood taste dishhtilled,” she grumbles. “Chemicalshh, vitamin shupplemntshhh.”
I’m getting impatient. “Where are they?”
I get soaked in answer.
Shepard flashes me a“shut up”face. Oh,nowhe wants me to shut up. “We’d be so grateful for your help,” he says entreatingly.
“Weshhht,” she says.
“Just west?”
“On the shhhoresh. Shaltwaterr. Irrigashhion. Golf courshesshhh.”
“That could be anywhere in California,” Shepard says to himself.
“I tashte them closherrr shometimeshh.”
“Yeah?”
“Vegashh.”
“They’re mixing with the others? That can’t be.”
The water seems to shhrug. I mean shrug. “They all find theirrr way to the Katherrrine eventually.”
“The Katherine,” Shepard says. “Like, the hotel?”
“No.” She shakes her head back and forth, splashing in every direction. “Dangerrr. You shhhould let them go alone.”
“Blue. I’ve promised them my help.”
“You’rrrretoohelpful.”
“That reminds me.” He smiles and slides to the ground, taking off his rucksack. “Brought you some good news.” He pulls a novel out of his bag. “I liked this one. Kind of sad. Good jokes though.”
“Is it ficchhhion?”
