“Never met Sebastian,” Zoe confessed, “but he’s one of the older vampires that migrated from Europe, and everyone’s scared of him. He’s into torturing people, even his own. You cross him, you disappear. Regarding his ties to the drug trade or Molyneux, I can’t even guess. Nothing would surprise me. Wish I had more for you, but Sebastian doesn’t allow me any contact. Not even through the Magic Council. I rarely see the vampires.”
The prince was a real charmer, Ari thought. But not so unusual for what she knew of the old ones who hadn’t adapted to modern society. Made Prince Daron seem like a saint. Ari stole a quick glance at the two vampires. They were arguing. Maybe setting up a meeting hadn’t been such a good idea.
“So how do you do your job,” Ari asked, “when your Council has no authority over the vampires?”
Zoe shrugged. “This is a large Otherworld community. Believe me, I have enough to do without them. Sebastian is chief judge and executioner in his own territory, and he keeps his people away from the human population. Mostly.” She turned away to put the last journal in the trunk. “I’ve heard they use human blood donors. I just hope they’re willing.”
Ari frowned, still watching the vamps argue. “It’s a different world up here. Almost like the vampires don’t exist.”
“Until something like this happens.” Zoe followed Ari’s gaze to the argument. “That doesn’t seem to be going well.”
The tattooed guy broke away and stomped toward them. It struck Ari that he seemed familiar, but maybe it was just the scowl on his face. He wasn’t happy with whatever decision had been reached. He stopped in front of Zoe. “You. Get in the car. Pierre will go with you. You,” he pointed a finger at Ari, “come with me.”
“No way. Not until I hear what’s going on.” Ari wasn’t about to let these underlings take control. It would be bad enough once they reached the prince.
“That goes for me too.” Zoe folded her arms.
He was really pissed now. The veins in his throat bulged, but his voice stayed flat. “Sebastian will meet you near the airport. You can make your flight if you don’t keep wasting time.”
Zoe and Ari exchanged looks. This didn’t sound like the Sebastian they’d discussed. Too accommodating. He must want something really bad.
“Need to make a call first,” Ari said, waving her cell phone. This rushed meeting was giving her a bad feeling. Not a witchy kind of feeling, just that stirring in the gut, that hunch that told her something wasn’t right. She wanted to alert Ryan. If she didn’t show up later, he could at least call out the Mounties to look for bodies.
“No calls. Sebastian said no calls or the meeting is off.”
“Well, your boss is the one who’s so anxious to meet.”
The vamp gave her the same stone-faced look.
Non-negotiable, huh? She pocketed her phone. Ryan was too far away to help anyway. What did she care if they found the bodies? “Fine, but the Toronto Guardian and I go together or not at all. We’ll follow you in our own car.”
The tattooed vampire frowned but offered a compromise. “You can go together, with Pierre in the backseat. No calls. Let’s go now. Prince Sebastian is waiting.”
* * *
An hour later, they pulled into the rear parking lot of a modern twenty-two-story hotel. Zoe parked her VW next to the vampires’ black sports car. As they entered the hotel rear entrance, additional escorts arrived to take them to the top floor. VIP suite. Vampire guards stood at every entry.
Once inside the suite, the tattooed vampire directed them toward a seating area near the large bay window. The drapes opened to the night sky, and Ari looked out on a spectacular view of Toronto’s lights. Zoe chose the nearest chair and made herself comfortable, casually crossing her legs. Ari elected to stand.
Double doors opened on the left, and five vampires glided into the room. Even though the haughty demeanor of the vampire in the lead identified him as Sebastian, Ari had to stop herself from gaping. The Toronto prince was the most underwhelming vamp she’d ever seen.
Squat, stubby, but it wasn’t his diminutive size that drew her attention. She didn’t dare look at Zoe. Ari swallowed hard to force down a wayward giggle and peeked again at the very weird mustache dominating his upper lip. History book pictures of Hitler came to mind. The same black, bristling scrub-brush. Only larger. It couldn’t be real.
Sebastian suddenly focused on her, and she forgot the mustache. A sense of malevolent loathing slithered over her. She clamped down her magical defenses. Too late. Sebastian’s power pushed through her outer walls like they weren’t there. Blinding pain sent her collapsing on her knees, and she squeezed her fingers to her temples.
She dropped her hands to call the witch fire, but muscled arms grabbed her from behind, trapping her hands to her sides. Throwing her body against him in a frantic attempt to break free, she knocked them both to the floor, but her hands remained imprisoned. Curling in against the pain, Ari teetered on the edge of panic.
A sudden rush of heat flared in her head, a mental door slammed shut, and the pain lessened. Sebastian’s intrusive magic battered unabated against the barrier. She couldn’t push him out, but the certainty grew that he wasn’t going any farther.
The pressure seemed to last forever. In reality, it was only seconds. Then Ari was able to think clearly again. She relaxed her struggles, and as soon as the guard let go, she shot to her feet. Five vamps formed a circle around her. Zoe’s arms were held by two others, a knife at her throat.
Sebastian stared at her with cold, calculating eyes. “Interesting. Have a seat, Guardian. I am sure you would be more comfortable.” His words, even recited in a soft, singsong voice, were not a request.
She sat. It was a minor issue, and Sebastian had made his point. By some miracle, Ari had blocked him, but she had no idea how she’d done it. Or how to do it again.
“Tell me, Ms. Calin, how do you like our city so far? Is it not fabulous? I believe this is your first visit.”
Well, hell, now he wanted to chitchat? “I find it…overrun with dead things.”
“How unfortunate. I thought we provided a rather lively nightlife. What would you say, Ms. Vesper?” A benign smile beamed at Zoe.
Released by the restraining guards, Zoe stretched to her full height. “You can leave me out of this, Sebastian. And in the future, if you have anything to say to me, do it through the Magic Council.”
He barely spared her a glance. “I was merely being polite, my dear. I have absolutely no interest in you or your Magic Council.”
“So what do you want?” Ari asked, grabbing the offensive. “I have a plane to catch. If there’s a reason for this meeting, beyond your obvious power demonstration, let’s get on with it.”
The guards watching her stirred, but Sebastian kept a smile painted in place.
“So impatient. Part of your American manners, I suppose. Very well. We shall get on with it. What brings you to my city? We rarely have foreign visitors, especially from the States. And never from Riverdale.” His smiled broadened, displaying yellowed fangs.
Ari shrugged. “Nothing that concerns you.”
“But everything concerns me. You visited the wizard. Why?”
“How did you know we were there?” she countered.
Sebastian giggled, an unexpected sound that made her skin crawl. “I know everything.” He spread his hands in a wide arc. “Or I will when we are finished.” His reptilian eyes focused on Ari. “Would you like to answer my question now? Or do you need further persuading?”
No thanks. Not the kind of persuasion he could deliver. Besides, what did she lose by telling him? Maybe she’d learn something useful if she dropped a hint or two.
“I wanted to talk with Dubrey about drug trafficking. Do you know anything about his drug experiments on vampires?”
Sebastian studied an invisible speck on his sleeve. “Experiments? On vampires? It sounds highly unlikely. Enlighten me.”
“A drug called Fantasy. That Louie Molyneux is busy distributing to the vampires in Riverdale.” Ari watched closely, but Sebastian gave nothing away, except by his silence. And that could mean something—or nothing. “Do you know Louie?”
Sebastian smiled. “You tell me. You seem to have all the answers.”
“I think he works for you,” she said boldly. “Or maybe you work for him,” she added, seeing if she could prick his pride. “And you’re both connected to the wizard. Did you order Dubrey’s death? I can’t help but wonder why. Afraid he was going to control your mind?”
Sebastian giggled again. “How accusatory you are. It all sounds so fanciful. I have no knowledge of such matters. I am very distressed that you believe me capable of such bad behavior.” His singsong voice rang with insincerity.
Ari snorted. Bad behavior? More like evil. Zoe stirred beside her. Anticipating more action? Reminding Ari to tread lightly?
“How is my old friend, Prince Daron?” Sebastian asked abruptly, a jovial smile creasing his face.
Ari chose her words with care. “I wouldn’t know. I’m not personally acquainted with Prince Daron.”
“No? Did I misunderstand?” The prince cocked his head. “I thought my people said you were bringing a greeting from his court.”
“I lied.”
Sebastian covered his giggle with a lace handkerchief. “A pity. But you know his lieutenant, Andreas, I believe. Another very old friend of mine.”
“Isn’t that nice. I’ll be sure to tell him you said hey.”
Sebastian’s eyes slitted. “You are a disagreeable witch, and you have involved yourself in matters that do not concern you. If you hope to live a long life, Guardian, stay out of my affairs.”
“By affairs, do you mean the drug traffic? Or the murder of the wizard? Your old friends in Riverdale will be so disappointed that you threatened me.” Ari knew she should stop pushing. Sebastian had already proven he could breach many of her defenses. She braced for his reaction.