Page 39 of You’re So Vein

“Arf!” adds Oscar, her guide dog.

“Exactly.” I settle onto one of the stools. “And all business conducted with a G&T in your hands is guaranteed to go smoothly.”

Plus, I need fortification, because after this fact-finding mission for the Nevermore Coven, I have my next date with one of Papa’s potential husbands. And this has to go right. The list is getting shorter every day.

“Our future mayor has a point,” Winnie says. “Make that two G&Ts.”

“Three,” says Dora.

“I’ll have a white wine,” adds Beth.

“And I’ll have a glass of whatever vintage you have open tonight,” Arabella taps her nails on the bar. “Tell me it’s not another seventeenth-century Courtier. They’re so vapid.”

The rest of the club chimes in with their orders, and Lilac busies herself making the drinks. “I thought you’d like to use the snug this evening,” she says with a wink as she sets our glasses on a tray. “Follow me.”

We settle around the beanbag chairs and overstuffed sofas in the snug. Lilac sets down our drinks and pulls the doors shut behind us. “I’m guessing this is about your investigation into Alyra’s murder.”

“And Danny and Patrick,” Winnie pipes up.

“Of course, them too.” Lilac makes a face at the mention of Danny’s name. “No one is missing that git Danny, and the Upyr didn’t really know Patrick except as the brilliant window man who jumped with fright whenever anyone smiled at him. But Alyra was beloved within our community. For the husker to kill her so brutally, right under our noses, in a place where vampires are supposed to be safe! Everyone is afraid they’re next.”

“You don’t live at Sanctus, do you?” Maisie asks.

“Please,” Lilac scoffs. “As if I could afford a place like that. Besides, I have no interest in giving up my allegiance to Dusk Court.”

“But you live among humans.”

“It’s not uncommon, especially these days.” Lilac shrugs. “Court is a bit stuffy and old-fashioned. It’s also a bitch to get to.”

“Where is it?” I ask, curious about the place where Augustin lived with his parents.

“That’s a difficult question. It depends on your understanding of thaumatic principles.”

“Thaumatic what?”

“Exactly.” Lilac winks at Arabella. More vampire secrets. “I assume you have questions. I don’t know how helpful I’ll be. There isn’t much I can say to humans about Dusk Court or how our magic works.”

“You gave Danny a potion to make him forget about vampires,” Arabella says.

“Yes.”

“That’s against Conclave laws.”

“It is.” Lilac straightens up to full height, her eyes fixing on each of us in turn, daring one of us to turn her in. “Part of the reason I don’t live at court – aside from the trans-dimensional commute and the lack of a decent hairdresser – is because of the magic regulations. I understand the reason for regulation. Magic in the hands of the wrong Upyr can be dangerous. It’s rumoured that some ancient potion masters could transform lead into gold, reverse time itself, or heal any wound.”

I exchange a glance with Arabella. We already know that her sire, Lord John Astor, was able to do that kind of advanced magic. It’s how he survived Arabella killing him the first time. We’re hoping that he’ll stay dead now.

“But just because I agree with regulating magic doesn’t mean I don’t bend the rules sometimes.” Lilac bites the tip of her finger, pointing it in my direction. At the same time, a bead of blood appears on the tip, and a bright red paper umbrella unfurls in my drink. “I’ve got talents. I won’t have them going to waste.”

I grin as I tuck the umbrella behind my ear alongside my flower. “Can you tell us how Dusk Court magic works? What even is it? What does it do?”

“Every vampire’s magic is different. Some can control nature, or the elements, others have premonitions, still others can project themselves across vast distances or manipulate the minds of others. All Dusk Court magic has one thing in common – it requires a sacrifice.” Lilac sucks her finger. “Our blood is what makes the magic work. The harder the spell, the more blood required.”

“Vampire blood can also be an ingredient in spells, right?” Beth asks, leaning forward with interest. “Like say, a potion to render a vampire immobile?”

“Theoretically. I don’t know a spell that would do that. If one exists, it’s closely guarded. Some magic shouldn’t be tampered with, especially not if it could be used against an Upyr. Certain spells are only taught to mages who require them. Sometimes, questionable spellbooks are burned so their contents can’t fall into the wrong hands. But what that means in practice is that the most powerful magics are kept in the hands of a few influential, mostly male court leaders. The most important skill I learned at court was how to mix a decent cocktail. I’m pleased I escaped young so I could learn and think for myself. Now, the only force dictating my life is my own wobbly moral compass.”

Why does that sound like a threat?