“Yes,” he said. “His knowledge of raising the dead is unsurpassed. Not only do the most powerful vampires infuse the dead with their essence to create ghoul servants, but they also have the experience of their own un- death to draw upon. Ask the vampire master of the city what would happen if faerie children and the dead were to dance the Danse Macabre together, because if The Pied Piper is using the demon flute to lead the children to the endless dance, then the dead will join the dance. Perhaps he can divine The Pied Piper’s purpose and have some insight as to how he can be stopped.”
“Okay, I was planning on paying the vamps a visit anyway,” I said. “I’ll add your questions to the list.”
The priest shifted from one foot to the other.
“I wish that I could tag along, but vampires detest priests, for obvious reasons,” he said. He gestured to the crosses adorning his stole and the gold cross at his neck. “If you discover anything, you will tell me, won’t you? For my research?”
“Sure,” I said. “We should get going.”
I looked up at the stained glass windows high overhead. The light filtering through the glass was faint. Was it dusk already? I started to reach for my phone to check the time, when a dark shape flit past one of the ruby, red panes of glass.
Could a bird have become trapped inside the church? The shadowy form rushed back and forth past colored glass, flying closer to a brass light fixture with each pass. The jerky pacing looked frenzied and I worried that the bird would harm itself trying to find a way to escape. Its movement appeared abnormal from my vantage point. Hopefully it hadn’t already injured a wing.
I squinted, trying to get a better look as it flew closer to the wall sconce and into the dim light. As if sensing my gaze, the creature stopped mid-flight and turned to face me. I froze, jaw dropping open.
That was no bird.
The faerie, for it was definitely fae, appeared similar to a small, three-legged lamb—if lambs could fly. Tiny wings sprouted from its sides like a chimeric My Little Pony. At least it didn’t have butterflies or rainbows tattooed on its butt.
“Um, you do know you have a faerie flying around up there, don’t you?” I asked.
I pointed toward the ceiling where the lamb-like creature had begun jumping through the rafters. The faerie seemed content now that it had been seen. It bleated happily as it leapt over a large, beautifully carved beam. I’d never seen anything like it, and I’ve seen a lot.
“What?” Father Michael asked. “Galliel is our only resident fae…Oh.”
The priest’s face paled and perspiration beaded on his upper lip.
“A Grim,” Ceff said, in hushed tones.
“You guys can see it?” I asked.
“Unfortunately, yes,” Father Michael said. He sagged, his robes suddenly seeming too heavy for his thin frame. “I can see it clearly.”
Father Michael turned to me, eyes wide and watery. Hair prickled on the back of my neck. Something was definitely wrong.
“What?” I asked. “What’s wrong? Is it dangerous?”
I stroked the outline of my knives, still hidden beneath the sleeves of my leather jacket, and widened my stance. I kept an eye on the faerie as it played in the shadows. It was smaller than a real lamb, about the size of a large housecat, and covered in crimped wool the color of milk. The feathers covering its wings were a pale shade of blue.
The thing was adorable, but I knew better than to trust appearances. Some of the deadliest fae were cute as a baby panda bear.
“No, it’s not dangerous,” he said. “At least, not to us.”
“Then why the long faces?” I asked. “You guys look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
Ceff winced, eyes haunted as they followed the faerie.
“A church grim is not predatory,” Father Michael said. “They are guardians, attached to a particular church, who watch over our flock. But to see a grim means that one of my flock is in danger. They are harbingers of death…the death of a child.”
I staggered backward, shaking my head.
“No, that can’t be,” I said. “I won’t let anything happen to those kids. We’re going to find them.” I took a shaky breath and whispered. “We have to find them.”
I had promised all of the children’s parents that I would bring their kids home safe.
Galliel pressed against me, nuzzling his face under my arm until I stroked his head. Running my fingers through his mane helped me focus. The appearance of the church grim was upsetting, but I wasn’t ready to give up on those kids.
The future isn’t written in stone. Omens and portents have been wrong before. I had to believe that we had the power to make things right.
“I will continue to search through my library,” Father Michael said. “Perhaps there is something in one of my books that can help. In the meantime, ask the vampires about The Pied Piper of Hamelin and the Danse Macabre. There is a chance that the undead may be able to deduce his whereabouts.”
I glanced up to see that the stained glass windows had grown dark. The sun had finally set. It was time to interrogate some vamps.
Chapter 14
I sighed and pressed the doorbell. It was beginning to look less and less like vampires were involved in the kidnappings, but I hadn’t ruled them out. I could get the measure of them inside their lair. But most of all, I was here to follow up on the priest’s theory. If The Piper was using some demon instrument that raised the dead, then the vamps, experts on animating the dead, may have some insights.
I tapped my foot and pressed the doorbell, again. I lifted my gloved hand to knock and nearly fell as the heavy door swung inward.
I’d been expecting Stinky, the vamp boss’s rotting ghoul servant, but instead the door was held open by a tall vampire in a tailored suit. The vampire was bent slightly at the waist, arm outstretched. I didn’t like having strange vamps at my back, but it would be rude to insist he walk ahead of us. I angled my body to keep one eye on the bowing vamp as I stepped inside. The vampire straightened as we walked past, but froze when he raised his eyes to mine.
It was the vamp from the waterfront, the one I pissed off the night of the
He had tried to stop me, giving the message that he, “was sent to voice the displeasure of the council.” Big whoop, I couldn’t have cared less. The vamp had shown up while deadly water fae were attacking the harbor. I had more pressing things to worry about than a disgruntled vamp; I had a friend to find and a city to save.
It’s unwise to offend a vampire, but in my defense, I didn’t think I’d survive the night. I said something insulting and rushed past, leaving him to stand there like a fool. The vamp never had a chance to deliver the full message from the council. That probably hadn’t endeared him to his masters.
The vamp took a step toward me and hissed. He hadn’t forgotten my rudeness. The angry vampire fought to hold his pretty boy glamour, but I could have seen through his magic even if he wasn’t upset. His true form—a dried, corpsified husk with fangs—frowned and flexed his claws.
Oh yeah, I’d accomplished what I did best. I’d created an enemy.
I took a deep breath and calmed my racing heartbeat. The vamp was already licking his parchment-like lips, hunger awakened by his fury. It wouldn’t help matters if I rang the dinner bell. Letting my heart race was like holding up a flashing sign saying, “eat me.”
The vampire was sizing me up for dinner, but I didn’t run away. I slowed my pulse with another deep breath and stepped forward, into his personal space. That was the first rule of dealing with vamps; never show
