The Oracle and The Vampire:A Wilhem Walengrave Vampire Novel

By Jon Herrera

Wilhem Walengrave is the Vampire Master of Fort Worth, but he doesn't take the job too seriously. He wakes up and finds a strange man standing over his coffin. The man is the painter Sebastian, who wants to paint a portrait of the Goddess of the World's End. He then meets The Vampire Queen of America, who is worried that her Oracle is missing. She asks Wilhem to her find him. He says that he thinks he can fit her into his schedule.

Along the way to finding the missing Oracle, Wilhem will have to do his usual business of capturing Rogue Supernaturals and dealing with his women, his friends, and a Conference of Supernaturals in town for a convention.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jon Herrera
• Release date: Mar 8, 2016
• ISBN: 9781310633072

Jon Herrera

Jon's a Texas native born in Fort Worth. He discovered his love of writing while in high school, but his work as a portrait photographer caused him to set aside his writing ambitions. He never really stopped writing, but he focused his efforts more on blogging and less on fiction. He loves writing funny and modern urban fantasy vampire books. His novel, The Goddess and The Vampire, is the first in a proposed series of books.

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The Oracle and The Vampire

A Wilhem Walengrave Vampire Novel

Book 2

Jon Herrera

Smashwords Edition

Copyright © 2016 by Jon Herrera. All Rights Reserved.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by an information storage and retrieval system - except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review to be printed in a magazine or newspaper - without permission in writing from the publisher.

Cover Illustration Copyright © 2016 by Jon Herrera

Author photograph Copyright © 2016 by Jon Herrera

Table of Contents

Copyright

Preface

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

About The Author

Preface

I CAME TO life in my coffin once the sun went down. This was a quiet time for me. In the old days, I could lay here for as long as I liked. Sometimes I thought about my plans for the night, sometimes I savored the memories of the night before. But having an Elven Goddess in my life meant my time was no longer my own. I had to do what I could to keep the universe safe. So long as it didn’t interfere with my duties as Master of the City of Fort Worth.

What the hell are you waiting for? A man’s voice with a French accent said. I can tell you’re awake. Do you think I have nothing better to do than wait around for you to get out of your box?

I pushed open the lid of my coffin and found a man in the small confines of my crypt. He was short and dark and had a snarl on his lips. He was wearing a tan painter’s smock that brought to mind the middle ages. He smelled of oil paint and turpentine. I was surprised he didn’t have a painter’s palette in his hand. I could see Katie, my Elf, standing behind him with a helpless look on her face. He followed my eyes to her and shook his head.

I am here to paint the goddess. The man said and massaged his temples as if he’d had a long day. But this stupid Elf refuses to summon her without your consent.

You mean Desiara? I said and crawled out of my coffin. The Goddess of the World’s End?

No. He said and tilted his head to the ceiling and let out a heavy sigh. I mean Muffy the Goddess of the Mall. Of course I mean Desiara.

This is Sebastian. Katie said and bowed toward me as she often did. He’s a famous portraitist.

And what’s he doing here? I said and felt my cold blood get warmer.

I’m here to paint a portrait of the Goddess. Sebastian said and stepped between me and Katie. He spread his feet and put his hands on his hips to block my view. I need her on the roof of the Nightshade Gallery West. During the daytime. I understand you’ve seen the painting in question?

I felt a lump form in my throat as I thought about the last time I had seen the Goddess Desiara on the rooftop of the Nightshade Gallery West. She had been in the process of turning the world into a new asteroid belt. But I had managed to stop her. With a little help from the ancient vampire Kilestra. I shook my head and looked at Sebastian again.

Why? I said and leaned forward until my face was inches from Sebastian’s.

The Queen has commissioned me. Sebastian said and narrowed his eyes at me. He looked at me as if he could see into my soul and didn’t like what he saw. It seems the last portrait I painted met with an unfortunate accident. So I need to make another.

You painted Desiara’s Hope? I said and had a sudden vision of the bound and mournful Goddess. I shook my head and gave the painter a penetrating stare. I thought an Elf painted it.

Elves. Sebastian said and raked his fingers through his thick hair. Liars and thieves on a par with vampires.

I’ve had enough of you. I said and pulled in a breath. I let my power rise and my fangs grow long. My face shifted into the monster mask and my hands flew up with my fingers hooked into claws. I glared into the painter’s eyes and poured my power into him. A small growl filled my throat.

Sebastian looked at me with hooded eyes and a flat expression. He raised a hand and held up two fingers. He flicked his wrist like a rich man dismissing a waiter and my power left me like a snuffed out candle.

I will be back tomorrow. Sebastian said in a cold voice filled with a magic that touched a pocket of fear in my heart. Tell the Goddess to be on the rooftop of the Flatiron Building at ten a.m. And tell her to have a vial of your blood with her.

He turned on his heel and walked out, brushing past Katie as if she didn’t exist for him. And maybe she didn’t. I reached out with my vampire sense to map his progress, but there was no sign of him. He had looked human, but then, I could pass as human when I had a good feeding.

He’s rude. Katie said and stepped forward to give me a hug. But he’s a great painter.

We walked out into the small common room outside my crypt. I found a large easel with a five foot tall canvas sitting on it. It was covered with a thin layer of paint in flowing pigments. I felt a touch of magic in the painting. Something lingered for a moment and faded away.

Katie was an Elf. Small and delicate with fine bones and fine flavored blood. She looked to be about fourteen human years old, but looks can be deceiving. She was wearing black leggings and a dark pink hoodie with a cluster of Elven script emblazoned on it. I couldn’t read Elvish, but knowing Katie, it was the logo for some Elven brand of headphones. She was also the vessel that held an Elven Goddess imprisoned. The lock to that cell had been a magical painting, one that the Goddess had turned to ashes not too long ago.

Can you make the Goddess appear? I said and looked into the Elf. I saw her eyes flash green for a moment and a subtle shift flowed over her face. I swallowed and resisted the urge to take a step backwards. The light faded and Katie smiled for a second.

Yeah. She said and clasped her hands over her chest. She looked down and trembled a bit. If you ask me to.

Good to know. I said and pulled her toward me. I guess you need to be on a rooftop tomorrow.

Katie brushed her hair aside and looked off into a corner of the room. I put my mouth to her neck. She remained still as I drank her blood. She reminded me of a patient in the dentist’s chair waiting for the drill to stop. I began to pour some pleasure into her and she put a hand on my chest. I pulled away from her and looked at her face. She met my eyes and smiled for a second and then looked sad.

What’s wrong? I said and realized I hadn’t even asked her about posing for Sebastian. I lowered my head and studied Katie’s face. Don’t you want the lock restored?

Katie’s eyes changed and took on the green glow of the Goddess. She floated a bit into the air and her hair became thicker and fuller. Her nostrils flared and the cords of her neck stood out. She held her hand toward me with the fingers spread. She made a fist and my arms clamped to my sides. Her chest heaved as she fought for breath. Her power squeezed me like a vise.

Of course, Beloved. Desiara said in a guttural roar. Your wish is my command.

Desiara released her power with the wave of her hand. She floated back to the floor and began to shake like a leaf in a strong wind. She hugged herself and shook her head. Her lower lip trembled and I saw a tear fall from her eye. In a few second the light faded from her eyes and Katie rushed forward to give me a hug.

I wrapped my arms around her and held her tight.

Chapter 1

BEING MASTER OF the City doesn’t pay as well as you might think. It’s still more of an honorary title. So I have a job, of sorts, in Code Enforcement for an Ancient Vampire named Fedor. Fedor is the Consul for the Fort Worth Consulate of the Vampire Commission. They have a lot of Consulates and an Embassy in every Capitol City on Earth. Vampires and Supernaturals do a lot of traveling. Funny how soon some of them can wear out their welcome. Fedor liked to make a bit of money on the side and keep the paperwork in order. The Consulate makes money by collecting fines and setting large fees for release from the Consulate’s extensive dungeons. Fedor does a bit of loan sharking to remind him of the good old days when he ran a Counting House in London.

The Consulate pays a reward. You might call it a bounty, on Rogues who break the rules. It’s not a lot of money, but it keeps the lights on. The downside has to deal with Rogues, outlaw Supernaturals, on a regular basis.

This brings us to Tony Radzikowski. A Were of indeterminate origin who was hugging a light pole near the front door of the Consulate. I had tried to pry him from the pole a couple of times, but he had an amazing grip. It had taken me a couple of hours to get him into the Dodge. Then more time to pry him out of the Dodge. He was taking up a lot more of my time than I had expected.

He was wanted for Failure to Identify, a minor offense which was solved by a Were telling The Consulate what he was. This had become an offense after a Dragon had burned down most of Southern California a few decades back. It was racial profiling to force Dragons to live in less flammable areas, but it also made a certain amount of sense.

I sighed and thought about getting some help, but Tony wasn’t a big guy. I was pretty sure he wasn’t a Dragon. Andy, my human helper in such matters, would never let me live it down. I was pondering my options when a Humvee rolled to a stop at the curb. I looked over at The Captain, the Consulates Military Attaché and an all-around nutcase. He’s the kind of guy that would use a hand grenade to get the last olive out the jar. It had taken a couple of weeks to find all the bits of glass.

What is this, Walengrave? The Captain said as he leaned out of the driver’s small square window. He’s a Were, but I can’t tell what kind.

He’s a little secretive on the topic. I said and let my vampire power flow over the Were’s body. I still got nothing. He has a good grasp on that pole, so maybe he’s like a python or something.

Were’s can’t be reptiles. The Captain said. He lowered his chin and gave me a withering look. Or birds. Or fish.

Yeah, I think I read that somewhere. I said and did my best to return The Captain’s stare.

Why is he out here? The Captain said and tilted his head to one side. Don’t tell me you can’t get him inside?

He’s tougher than he looks. I said and looked over at Tony. He was all of five feet tall, balding, and didn’t appear to have any muscle mass at all. I brushed a bit of imaginary lint off my suit jacket. I walked over and patted him on the shoulder. Tony’s a bit shy.

I’m not going in there! Tony yelled in a voice that rang down the street and filled my head with white noise.

Don’t do that again. The Captain said from beside me. He was about seven feet tall, but he was an Ancient and could move fast when he wanted to. He leaned in close to Tony and spoke with slow, deliberate words. Let go of that utility pole.

Tony turned his head and looked up at The Captain. His face flowed into a frown and his shoulders slumped as he let go of the lamp pole. The Captain smiled in a way that could have curdled milk. He nodded at me and flashed back to his matt black painted Humvee. He rumbled around the corner to his private entrance to the Consulate.

When I turned back to Tony, he was hugging the pole again.

Tell you what. I said and stared into the Were’s eyes. I showed him the full might of my vampire power. Glowing eyes, extended fangs, and an unpleasant expression. How about I drink you dry and leave your empty husk here for the trash collector.

You can’t do that. Tony said and clamped his eyes shut. He turned his head and hugged the pole tighter. He peeked at me through the fingers of one hand. Can you? I mean, The Captain might, but everyone knows he’s crazy. You’re respectable. Well, sort of respectable anyway.

Yeah, I’m a nice guy. I said and nodded. I let my power fade and slipped my hands into my pockets. Did you know I have a goddess back at the house?

Tony let go of the pole and sprinted into the Consulate. Even if he was a Dragon, he was no match for Desiara. Since he had taken up most of my night, I just collected my reward and headed back home.

I LIVE IN The Mansion with my parents and my Elf. My Grandfather lives in the apartments nearby. They were all Chosen, meaning I drank their blood and shared my power with them. This keeps us all alive and well long past our use by dates. Well, except for Katie, Elves have damned long life spans and I got all the benefits of our relationship while all she got was a bit of a buzz.

It was around five in the morning, and most of them had just started their days. We were all kicking back in the conversation pit in the living room, a relic from the house’s 1970s construction I liked. It was a nice place to share a little power and take a little blood. After feeding and sharing a little power, we were all feeling pretty good.

So have any excitement last night? Grandfather said as he sat back in the plush white cushions. He was drinking from a long necked beer bottle. Everyone else had a cup of coffee sitting nearby. Stake anyone to the ground and chop their heads off? Force a Were to shift while they were trapped in too tight a place? Turn some poor innocent into a vampire against their will? Add any slaves I should know about?

Grandfather was tall and thin with a shock of hair that fluctuated between white and gray. He was wrinkled and gnarled with more than a touch of curmudgeon. People told me he looked like a late model Clint Eastwood. But the odds were good Clint wouldn’t make it to 260 the way Grandfather had. Grandfather’s style was less grumpy old man and more grumpy old rock star. He was wearing black jeans and a black concert T-shirt covered by a black blazer with the sleeves pushed up. There were times he looked more like a late model Keith Richards.

I brought in a Were for Failure to Identify what he was. I said and wrapped my arm around Katie’s warm shoulder. I didn’t need to chop off his head. And since it takes two vampires to turn a human, and they have to be evil to start with, no, I didn’t turn any innocents. I don’t make slaves. Slaves have been thrust upon me.

A gong sounded and we all turned around. There was a small man dressed in a bright red costume with a lot of gold piping. He wore a tricorn hat with a couple of large feathers sticking out to the sides. We all recognized him. It was the Royal Crier Henry Boatwright. He looked a lot taller on TV.

Her Majesty The Queen. The Royal Crier bellowed in a voice that knocked plaster off the walls. We looked around the small man and waited for our ears to stop ringing. Two large vampires also dressed in royal red costumes stepped forward and unfurled a crimson rug. The Royal Crier stepped toward us and let a spark of vampire power show in his eyes.

Kneel before your Queen! The Royal Crier said and used enough vampire coercion to make all of us, even Katie, fall to our knees. A rustle of power filled the air and I looked up. The Vampire Queen of America was standing before me.

She was an Ancient, of course, and her beauty was preternatural. Her skin was pale and her hair was black. This was more due to her English human life than her vampire afterlife. She was covered in gemstones and wore the small crown she used for less formal occasions. Her gown was a gossamer bit of business that showed off her thin, but muscular body. I liked what I saw. One of the guards stepped forward and slapped me with the back of his hand. I ended up lying on the floor.

You are not to think of The Queen in that way. He said in a deep and threatening voice. He looked at me with cold, dead eyes and a slight wrinkle to his nose.

The Queen looked down at me and curled her lip in an impressive manner. I looked away.

We are honored to welcome you to our home. My Mother said in a shaky voice.

Silence! The Royal Crier said and we all kept our mouths shut.

The Queen seemed content to stand in the middle of the room. It was one of those rare moments when I wished Fedor was here. I’m sure he would know what to do. I didn’t have a clue. The Queen took a step forward and her three servants each took a knee. She stopped in front of me and I risked looking up. I saw a small flash of fire in her eyes. Then she smiled and looked like one of her portraits.

Master Walengrave. The Queen said in a voice that was rich and full and felt like warm honey flowing over my skin. Walk with me.

I walked with her.

She took the lead until we reached the front door. I moved around her and opened the double doors and led the way out into the night. The guards seemed to be standing about every ten yards in every direction. These were less formal and more special ops, all dressed in black. The Queen laid a hand on my shoulder and pointed me toward the woods behind The Mansion. I nodded and smiled. We walked into the darkness.

About halfway into the woods, there’s an old stone bench. The previous owners buried a horse or a giraffe or something out here and this was the marker. Rich people can be a bit odd. The Queen walked up to the bench. She sat down with a flourish of gossamer skirt that took up the entire seating area. She sat with her back straight and her ankles crossed. I stood in front of her and waited.

My Oracle, Artemio, is missing. The Queen said and I saw a small twitch under one eye. He has been with me for many years. His predictions have always come true. He is invaluable to me.

Could he have found a better job? I said and cleared my throat when the Queen narrowed her eyes at me. Do you have any enemies that might have taken him?

One comes to mind. The Queen said and gave me a frosty look. The Goddess Desiara.

Oh. I said and found I had nothing else to say.

Artemio told me I would seek out your help. The Queen said and looked me up and down in a way that said what help could I be? If something should happen to him. He said he had a Vision about the Goddess of the World’s End.

I’m not sure there’s much I can do. I said and paced in front of her with my hands clasped behind my back. The Goddess isn’t under my control. And I’m not sure she recognizes the Vampire Commission’s authority either. What did the Oracle see?

A jumble of timelines. The Queen said and bit her lower lip a way that made me stop my thoughts before I got another slap. He told me a King would sit on my throne and he asked to be released from service. He said he was seeing things he didn’t want to tell me about. But if he left, maybe the future would change.

And you think that King will be me? I said and plucked at the cuffs of my shirt.

No one else has the power to threaten me. The Queen said and let a white light of power flash in her eyes. She gave me a darting glance and let her power go. And you have to be a vampire to sit on the throne, even if someone else is the real power. Someone, like, say a god?

You said he was always right. I said and looked at the highest ranking vampire in America. Maybe you should trust him.

I do trust him. The Queen said in a low voice. She looked around and tapped a finger to her head. When she spoke again her voice was in my mind and not my ears. ‘I have made a number of investments following Artemio’s advice. Without his further counsel, I don’t know when to sell or what to buy next or which country to sign a treaty with. There are important things going on. Without his help, I could lose my crown.’

Most Royals don’t leave the office by choice. Losing the Crown often meant losing your head as well. I’d never met The Queen before, but I had no reason to want to see her dead. She stood up and I bowed my head. We walked the short distance back to the Mansion and her waiting guards.

You sent that painter over. I said and looked at The Queen as one of her Servants rushed forward to open the limousine’s door. You want to keep Desiara imprisoned.

I wouldn’t imprison her. The Queen said and her brows drew together over her glowing eyes. She smiled in a way I didn’t like at all. I want her head on a spike and her soul in a bottle on my desk. The Queen of the Elves sent the painter.

She got into the back of the long black limousine and the door closed with a solid thunk. I watched as her motorcade wound down the hill and into what was left of the night.

So. Grandfather said from behind me. He leaned in close and put a hand on my shoulder. What did she want?

I turned and found Mother standing behind him with an eager look on her face. They both spent a little too much time watching shows like America’s Top Vampire and TMV-Twenty Million Vampires, both Vampire gossip shows. The Queen had been an often discussed topic.

Did she want to go out on a date? Mother said and tilted her upper body toward me. She rubbed her hands as if she expected to hear something really juicy. She’s supposed to be some kind of Succubus. So maybe you two would be a good match.

I don’t think she’s a succubus. I said and let out a sigh. I let my face relax a bit. And neither am I.

No, dear, of course not. Mother said and rolled her eyes. You’re an Incubus. I have always wondered what would happen if two of you got together.

I’m not an incubus either. I said and tipped my head back to look up at the fading stars in the night sky. I don’t have to have sex with everyone I meet.

So if it wasn’t a booty call. Grandfather said and he lifted an eyebrow. What was it?

She needs my help to track someone down. I said and tried to look modest. She heard what a great Code Enforcer I am.

Grandfather laughed and it turned into a coughing fit. Mother patted him on the back until the spasm ended. She looked at me and shook her head.

No offense, Sonny. Grandfather said and rubbed his throat. But isn’t that kind of thing more Kilestra’s area of expertise?

Kilestra was an old vampire lover and a world class Hunter and Investigator. She was better known for tracking down and killing than tracking down and rescuing. Now if the Queen had wanted Artemio’s head on a stake...

I’m not sure Kilestra would be right for the job. I said and adjusted the lapels of my jacket.

Be careful, Dear. Mother said and twisted her long hair around one finger. She bit her lower lip and tilted her head at me. I wouldn’t want anything to happen to you.

Mother was tall and thin. She had thick brown hair and a full beautiful face. She had been a model for both Harrison Fisher and Charles Gibson. When she felt like seducing me, she would wear a high collared Victorian dress and poof her hair till it looked like cotton candy. Even in her casual clothes of black slacks and a white button front shirt, she was lovely. She smiled at me and batted her eyes. Then Katie walked up behind her.

You can take your Mom to bed later. Katie said. She held her hands up and shuddered as she turned her head and closed her eyes. Mother glare at her, but Katie wasn’t looking. She looked at me and winked. I have an idea where to look for the Queen’s Oracle.

You were listening to all that? I said and looked at Katie as she fiddled with her messenger bag. She hooked the lead from her headphones into something and ignored me. Did Desiara do something to him?

The goddess doesn’t do anything without your consent. Katie said and gave me a playful smile. She turned to Mother and got on her toes to give her a kiss. Keep the bed warm for us.

You are a little tramp. Mother said and sighed. She bounced on her toes and rolled a shoulder. Don’t be too long.

Mother turned and took Grandfather back into the house. I walked with Katie around the corner to where the Dodge was parked. The Magnum was a glossy candy apple red with low profile wheels and dark tinted windows. I always got a little buzz from looking at it. I found a couple of people to take care of it for me. Now the Dodge was always gassed and waxed whenever I needed it. They both worked for a local dealership that used their service as part of my Tribute. One of the small perks of being Master of The City of Fort Worth. In return they used my photo in some of their advertising.

So, where to? I said and looked over at Katie.

The Temple in Arlington. Katie said and adjusted her headphones.

You don’t think The Queen would have thought of that? I said, but Katie was already lost in her music and had her eyes closed. Her preferred method of traveling was to tune out the rest of the world.

I drove down the drive and out onto Hulen street and up to I-30. There was little traffic at five thirty in the morning and I was soon enough rolling through the streets of Arlington. A bit of sacred land sat between two giant sports complexes. There was a large Greek style Temple of the Oracle on a patch of green lawn amid all the asphalt of the parking lots. I parked near the front in a spot reserved for Master of The City. I seldom stopped by, Seers and Oracles and Soothsayers never seemed to tell me any good news.

Katie and I walked up the long white stairs in the glare of several spotlights. The doors were closed, as they have always been, and we had to knock three times. The oversized metal doors were covered with ornate designs like the back of a dollar bill. Two eternal flames burned on either side of the entrance and chimes could be heard tinkling their soothing messages. The door swung open.

What the hell are you two doing here? Helen, the Temple’s High Priestess said. She bent at the waist and looked around to see if we were alone. You know damned well I don’t like seeing you.

Helen was naked except for a thick gold necklace and a thin gold belt around her waist. She was small and well proportioned. Her breasts defied gravity in a way I had always admired. I smiled as I stared at her. She put her hands on her hips and a white light flashed. A moment later she was wearing a white toga that covered her like a curtain.

Doesn’t your little Elf keep you occupied? Helen said and stared at Katie. Her thick eyebrows grew close as she closed her eyes. Dammit. The two of you and you’re mixed up time lines are giving me a headache. What do you want?

Have you seen Artemio? I said and waved a hand to clear the air of the smell of holiness. The Queen’s Oracle?

He’s not here. Helen said and moved to close the heavy door. I put a hand out to stop her.

Any idea where he might be? I said and smiled my best Master of the City smile.

You want me to Look? Helen said and I watched her lip twitch and her fist flex. She looked at Katie and me and bowed her head. Of course, Master. Do come in.

Helen turned and walked away. Katie and I followed her into the relative dimness of the Temple. Ionic columns rose at even intervals along the walls. The air was heavy with incense. Our footsteps echoed on the marble floor. It was all a bit intimidating, but Katie seemed unimpressed. Another large door at the end of the main hallway opened and Helen went through without waiting for us.

I don’t think she wants to see our future. Katie said and let her eyes roam around the Temple. I think Artemio told her something. Warned her not to look.

It was your idea to come here. I said and pulled her to a stop. I looked around the empty Temple. It was always a place that gave me the creeps. The evil core of my being didn’t like it. Not even a little bit. Are you saying we should leave now?

Katie looked at me and her eyes shifted into a glowing green. The goddess Desiara stared out at me. She turned and looked around the room. She nodded and smiled in a way that showed off all her teeth. It was a sight that never failed to impress me. She walked up to a column and ran her hand across the marble. She nodded her approval and glowed with pleasure.

If I’m going to stay here. The Goddess said in a voice that was rich and deep and bone rattling. I will need a Temple of my own.

You can’t have mine. Helen said as she ran up to Katie and turned her around with a jerk. Helen said something in the singsong language of the Elves. Desiara smiled and bowed her head. A moment later, Katie was back.

Did Artemio tell you something? I said and looked at Helen. She was still staring at Katie with anger burning in her eyes. She shifted her eyes to me and I felt a waft of pure rage that only the Holy can project.

He said he was tired of working for The Queen. Helen said and let some of her anger wash away. He also said that he loves her and doesn’t want to hurt her by telling her about the things he’s seen.

What kind of things? Katie said and frowned a little. She stood still and looked at Helen. The Queen thinks I have something to do with it, doesn’t she?

Not you little Elf. Helen said and rolled her eyes. Your hostage.

Well. I said and smiled. I stepped close to Katie and put my hands on her shoulders. There’s not much to be done there.

Tell me about it. Helen said and turned back toward the rear room. Follow me.

This room was dark save for a couple of tall candles. Once the door was closed it took on a deeper silence and the shadows seemed infinite. The center of the room was occupied by a pounded metal tub twelve feet wide. The metal was mirrored and the pool reflected the endless shadows. It was like looking into a liquid sky without stars.

This is Pythia’s Chamber. Katie said and leaned in toward me. The sacred space where the future is seen by the High Priestess.

Could use another torch or two. I said and looked into the shadows. Helen put her hands on her hips and stared at me. I could hear her teeth grinding a bit and her simmering with anger.

Scrying requires concentration. Helen said and waved a hand at the water. I refused to do this for the others. I would refuse you if you weren’t Master of the City and she wasn’t what she is.

Others? I said before she was lost in a trance. What others?

Consul Ventura. Helen said and bitterness filled her mouth. Consul Fedor. Artemio used to work for Ventura. His sister also stopped by. She’s never been a fan of his being an Oracle. Hard to keep secrets from a man like Artemio. There was also a man who said he was from the Vampire Commission. I didn’t like the feeling I got from him.

You love Artemio? Katie said and tilted her head at Helen. I can kind of feel that kind of thing.

We belong to the same Guild. Helen said and put her hands on her hips again. Do you want me to Scry or do you want to eat bonbons and gossip about boys?

You’ve got bonbons? Katie said and perked up as she looked around.

Keep quiet. Helen said and turned her back to us. She moved to the lip of the tub and pulled a hood over her head that blocked out all distractions. This meant us. The water swirled and dark shapes moved below the surface. This was a lot different from my own little efforts at looking into the future. I felt that little tingle in the air of potentiality. We peered around Helen, but the water remained blank to us.

After a few minutes the water stopped swirling and the magic seeped out of the air. Helen stayed where she was with her hands braced on the sides of the tub. She took a deep breath and turned around. She pushed the hood back and looked like she was fighting the urge to throw up.

Well? I said and leaned over to look at her. What did you see?

I didn’t see him. Helen said and made a point of closing her mouth. She narrowed her eyes and looked from me to Katie and back again. She shook her head.

See something else? Katie said and stepped closer to Helen. Something we might be interested in?

Crossed paths. Helen said and I watched her sepia eyes twitch. You two are so determined to end the world.

Helen smiled at Katie and spoke a few quick words in Elvish. Katie doubled over in pain and stepped back. I flashed forward and grabbed Helen by the hair and yanked back. Hard. She fell to her knees and held her teeth together. She looked at me with more defiance in her eyes.

Where’s Artemio? I said and let my power shine in my eyes.

What are you going to do? Helen said in a harsh whisper. She was barely able to breath, but she still resisted me. "Murder me