Chapter 8

 

 

Brent woke in Amelia’s embrace. He’d stayed up with her until her body died for the day. Then he slept a few hours.

Time to get answers. After a shower and food, he drove out to Edenton. Tremaine Gallagher had a stockpile of books, recorded histories, things Brent didn’t have access to. Though Brent did have a few things Tremaine couldn’t get his hands on.

They were both collectors of knowledge and often traded when the opportunity came up. He hoped like hell Tremaine had written histories of Crom Cruach, the cult, Eamon. Anything that could help them find some clue of where to find those involved.

And while he was there, he planned to contact Consuela to see if she had any idea how to contact Gaius. Worst case, maybe Robert would. Though he wasn’t sure how much he wanted to share with the mages just yet. Would they pull them both from the case, knowing Brent’s history?

Then again, going to see Tremaine meant that Robert would know sooner or later. Shit, maybe going to them from the start was the better choice.

He drove while he sorted out his options. First stop, A Good Book to see Tremaine. He owned the shop with Liz.

Luckily, Tremaine was at the counter. One hurdle down. Brent walked over. “Have someone else here to take over? I need to talk to you.”

“Sure, let me grab Liz.”

“Does she have little Wilhelm with her?”

“Mmm, and if she puts him down, he’ll wake up cranky.” Tremaine ducked down the hall.

Brent followed, but stayed out of the office.

Tremaine stepped out a few minutes later, followed by Liz.

She passed with a smile. Wilhelm had a head full of curls of different shades, like his mother. In fact, his tiny hands were wrapped in her hair.

“Morning, Liz.”

“Hey, Brent. Don’t get my man in trouble. You won’t like me if you do.”

“I’m not dragging him into anything. I need information I’m hoping he has.”

“In that case, me too,” Tremaine answered.

Chuckling, Brent stepped into the storage room with Tremaine and shut the door. “Happen to have anything on Crom Cruach, or maybe the first vampire?”

“Eamon Mac Domhnaill?”

Brent nodded.

“Not many know the origin story of vampires.”

“Yeah, well, I heard the stories while I was a blood slave for a cult dedicated to Crom Cruach. I hadn’t laid eyes on Eamon until last night, and then only his shoes, while Amelia had a very interesting conversation with him.”

Tremaine shook his head. “Why the fuck would you choose to do that? Are you crazy?”

“Would you rather a bunch of vampires summon something that would destroy this world? I understand what Crom Cruach would do to our planet is even worse than the dreaded Blood Dawn.”

“Depends on how you look at it, but I see your point. Really think written records will help on this front?”

“Anything could help. I want to find something to stop Eamon from resummoning Crom Cruach before Amelia gets sucked in too far to pull herself out.”

“You two form a blood bond?”

Brent nodded. “Which ups the stakes, considering if Drummond figures out who I am, this whole thing will go sideways.”

Tremaine rubbed at his face. “You have a couple options. Most permanent would be Fallon’s work, if she can work such a spell. Have her give you the ward to keep a vampire from compelling you, and see if she can extend that to blocking all your thoughts. If not, I’m positive Declan can create a piece of jewelry.”

“I was planning to stop by both shops before going home. Amelia won’t have time for a tattoo, so I’ll get her jewelry. Besides, she has one of Fallon’s tattoos, and I sensed magic on her belly ring.” Brent rubbed at his neck.

“Tell me it’s not the age that’s bothering you.”

“A little, but I’m more concerned with visions I’ve had.”

Tremaine shook his head. “Get out of that line of thought. The future can change, and she’s made her choice if she traded blood with you. The equation of your ages means nothing in the end.”

“Hard to forget visions I’ve had most of my life, but I can’t think about the end. I want to enjoy the present.”

“You deserve to be happy, and fate rarely works the way we expect. Look at Robert, Liz, and me.”

“Good point,” Brent answered.

Tremaine smiled. “How about you talk to Fallon or Declan. I need to make a trip out to get the books. I’ll find you when I get back.”

“Sounds good. And thanks.”

“I want to know what you know when I hand them over.”

Brent backed up a step. “You can’t tell Robert. It would take too long for him to find someone else to replace me, and I’m not letting Amelia go alone. You and I both know she won’t stop now that she’s involved.”

“Good luck with her.”

“I may need it.”

Tremaine’s brow pinched. “You saw something really bad, didn’t you?”

“Yeah. But it doesn’t change what I feel.” He sighed. “I’ll see you later. And thanks.”

“Anytime. And Robert will never hear a word from me on this. But you should tell him, before he finds out.”

“The only thing I want to keep hidden is my time in their cult. Robert would pull me out, worried they would figure out who I am. I’m not leaving Amelia unprotected.”

“How worried should we be?”

Brent lifted a shoulder. “Between glamour and this enchantment, if it’s possible, I’ll be fine. And I’m going to teach Amelia how to block mind magic. All forms.”

“Can a vampire?”

He nodded. “Believe so. Takes practice. Besides, with the blood bond, there is a good chance she got some of my ability. Either way, a strong mental shield can be achieved by even the most mundane human. But honestly, she has something in her blood from before. Something dormant. Probably too far back and forgotten. Doesn’t matter. I can still teach her.”

“I’ll see you before long.”

 

* * * *

 

Two hours later, Brent sat in Fallon’s chair. He already had a new ring for him and one for Amelia. Fallon was working Amelia’s name on his inner wrist in the water language his father taught him.

Tremaine walked in with several tomes. “Happen to read the Irish language? The old version?”

Brent nodded. “I do, thanks to my mother, an old Irish midwife.” Regret ran through his veins like ice water. There was still so much Amelia didn’t know. Like the fact he had two daughters and had a son that had died around twenty years before. He was a grandfather, though he’d never seen the girl because Tyrell wanted to protect them all from the darkness that hunted his wife’s family.

His granddaughter would be around Amelia’s age. There was a conversation he dreaded.

Would his children and grandchild bother her? And did he even want to touch the subject when she couldn’t have kids?

Tremaine’s head cocked. “Didn’t know that. There isn’t much on record about your family.”

“For good reason. The Dark Templar would have hunted me down, and every one of my bloodline if they had any idea of what I can do.” He glanced at Fallon, a druid who could weave powerful enchantments into her tattoos. Her artwork happened to be amazing, but he went for something simple that wouldn’t draw too much attention.

One of Fallon’s scarlet brows arched. “Need some privacy for this?”

“You’ll keep a secret, won’t you?” Tremaine asked with a smirk.

“Always. Unless it’s something Brody needs to know,” Fallon answered.

“The part I’m going to tell Tremaine about my own experience in this cult needs to stay quiet. The rest, well, I’ll need to share it with Robert and Preston.”

“Trouble’s coming?” she asked.

“Yeah, and if the cult encroaches on Edenton, it will be best to be prepared, but there are so many Others in Seattle right now, that may not become an issue.”

“Spill it,” Fallon prompted.

Tremaine nodded. “Yeah, I want to know how deep you and Amelia will have to dig in.”

 

* * * *

 

One more stop before Amelia woke for the night. Hundred to one, Zoe was stewing in her kitchen, looking through the notes he wrote yesterday, before kneeling in the presence of an ancient king with a penchant for blood.

Not to mention, the slimy fucker seemed to have his eyes on Amelia. And she’d have to play along to a degree, if they were going to learn a damned thing.

After parking, he sat in the car, staring at the house. Last thing he wanted to do was bring trouble to her and her mate, but he may have no choice if the shit hit the fan.

He took a deep breath, steeled his courage, and made his way to the door.

Kellan opened the door with their daughter on his shoulder. “What in the abyss did you send Zoe that has her so worked up?”

“Let me in and I’ll explain, because the investigation is a thousand times worse than I thought it was.”

Zoe stormed into the living room and threw the door open. “Inside, and spell the place so no one outside hears.”

“Nyla’s sleeping,” Kellan cooed, running his fingertips through the curly blond hair.

Zoe shook her head. “No, that’s not the problem. I’ll remain calm because I know that something needs to be done, and no matter how I spin it, I can’t think of anyone more qualified.”

Not to mention he was also in more danger than anyone else would be.

“How worried should I be?” Kellan asked.

“Toryn would have warned you if he didn’t have faith Amelia and I could get to the bottom of this story. He knows why I have to be involved and why no one can know it’s me.”

“Then start explaining,” Zoe demanded.

He did. Everything from the time he was taken, through when Reance broke him free. Then tacked on what had happened at the club the night before and some of the stuff he read before leaving Edenton. He had those books in the car, ready to devour once he got home.

Zoe leaned forward, her elbows on her knees. “And there is nothing I can do to help?”

“If we disappear for too long, tell Toryn. You’ll need his help.”

Her eyes narrowed. “Not just him?”

“No. He’ll bring reinforcements if needed. He already knows.” Brent had made that call on the way. He figured Reance would want to know, considering both Toryn and Reance had helped him escape Eamon’s vampires two hundred years before.

“Blood cult? What’s their goal?”

“To bring back Crom Cruach. I had my suspicions, but I had hoped it was a younger generation of vampires to watch for. But no, Eamon, the first vampire is here in Seattle. So is his general. I have no clue who else he may have with him. All I know for sure is that he can’t know who I am. So, you’re in charge at In Other News until I get back.”

“You’ll be glamoured?”

He nodded. “I got something for Amelia to help her shield her thoughts even if they get their fangs in her.”

“She’s supposed to get into the cult. How can you hide her thoughts without looking suspicious?” Zoe asked.

“If they believe she’s smart, they may suspect it. It’s not uncommon, especially among Shadowstalkers.” Brent lifted a shoulder. “I can destroy most vampires who get close enough.”

“Most?” Kellan asked.

He nodded. “Not going into that right now. The important thing is I’ll protect Amelia. And if I get in trouble, you’ll recognize me by this.” He held out his arm, his palm up so they could see the new tattoo across his inner wrist.

Zoe tipped her head. “What does it say?”

Kellan answered, “Amelia. In the water language.”

“Should have listened to me,” Zoe taunted. She had told him to just tell Amelia what he wanted a million times, regardless of the visions.

Kellan laughed. “She’s often right.”

“It’s why she’s such a great reporter. She follows her instincts. And she’s taught Amelia well.”

“Too well. And her instincts are spot-on, which makes keeping her out of trouble impossible.” Zoe offered a smile that did nothing to comfort Brent.

“Tell me about it,” Brent grumbled.

Zoe patted him on the back. “We’ll do our best to keep eyes on her in our own way.”

“Our word. You helped keep us together. We’ll do what we can to do the same for you,” Kellan promised.

“Now, fill me in on everything you can,” Zoe prompted.