Vannier eyed each of us before speaking. “The boy, Bastien, is missing. The duke did not seem surprised by this revelation, so I can only assume he is involved. I contacted an old friend to find out what happened to the boy.”
I crossed my arms casually, belying the sudden tension radiating through my body. Bastien was missing. Could he have been taken when I sent him running after our encounter with the mercenaries? “Bastien seemed to think you held little regard for him.”
Vannier’s wrinkles deepened with a sour expression. “The boy is my grandson. His mother was a drunk, I was forced to disown her early on. When I learned she had perished, I secured a life for the boy.”
He couldn’t have shocked me more if he admitted to being the duchess’ murderer. When I could find the words, I asked, “Bastien doesn’t know?”
“What good is a grandfather who abandons his kin? I deserve no relationship with the boy, but I can at least make sure he is all right.”
I met Steifan’s waiting gaze, knowing we were both thinking the same thing. He had been apprehended, and maybe killed, because of us.
I turned back to Vannier. “Tell us everything you know about the duke and duchess, and about why anyone might not want the duchess’ murder solved. I will do everything within my power to find Bastien.”
Vannier licked his thin lips, considering my offer. He wrung his wizened hands. “All right, I’ll tell you everything, but not here. This information could get me killed. You know of the canals leading out into the city?”
I nodded.
“Good. Meet me at the entrance behind the guild hall at first light. I’ll tell you everything, but for now, I must not be found missing.”
“We will see you at dawn,” I said, gesturing for him to retreat.
Sparing a final glance for us all, he hurried back toward the estate.
Steifan moved to my side as we watched him go. “Do you think we can trust him?”
I sucked my teeth. Bastien was missing, and the duke knew about it. “We’re going to have to. Now let’s get out of here.”
We retreated back through the canals the way we’d come. We would seek out a place to rest, perhaps back near the old keep, then we would meet Vannier at first light. I didn’t ask Asher where he was staying, or if we would see him tomorrow night. Despite how much he had helped us, I really didn’t want to know.
Chapter Eleven
Vannier awaited us behind the guild hall at first light as promised. Even hidden near the cellar doors, he stuck out like a red flycatcher standing stiff-backed in his showy livery.
His shoulders relaxed as he spotted us coming toward him. “It’s about time. I must get back before I’m missed.”
I glanced up at the first hint of sunlight just now showing over the rooftops. We were precisely on time, but I didn’t bother pointing that out. He didn’t have to meet us. I could be patient with a bit of bluster . . . but only a bit.
“Stand guard,” I said to Steifan. “I don’t want anyone sneaking up on us.”
I tugged the hood of my brown traveling cloak forward a little further, making sure it covered all of my hair. Steifan wore a similar cloak. After one attempt on our lives, we couldn’t be too careful. I had belted my sword around my waist instead of across my shoulders to make it less conspicuous. The blade was a bit too long for comfort, and it might take me a few moments longer to draw it, but a woman with a greatsword would stand out. At least around my waist, someone searching for me wouldn’t spot it from a distance.
Steifan walked out to the narrow intersection and disappeared around the corner. We both had Ryllae’s ointment smeared across our eyelids and over our ears, so hopefully even if someone with glamour came, Steifan would be all right.
I turned my attention to Vannier. “Tell me everything you know.”
His eyes couldn’t seem to settle on a particular part of my face. He wrung his hands, finally meeting my gaze. “You swear to me you will find the boy?”
“I will not give up until he has been found one way or another.”
Vannier rubbed his tired eyes. It looked like he hadn’t gone back to sleep after we left him. “Lady Charlotte had many secrets, and I was sworn to keep them, but if telling you will help solve her murder and bring back the boy, I will break my oath.”
I anxiously waited for him to continue.
He let out a long breath. “Lady Charlotte had a . . . business. She had suitors other than her husband.” His lined face grew redder as he spoke.
“If you are trying to tell me she was selling her womanly charms for coin, you can save your breath. Lady Montrant already hinted at as much.”
His eyes flew wide for a moment, then he seemed to settle himself. “I suppose that makes this explanation a little easier. Lady Charlotte kept to a regular schedule, and while her business was less than proper, it seemed she was staying safe. Then I noticed the first vampire bite. I caught just a glimpse of it when her sleeve pulled up too far, revealing her wrist.”
I lifted my brows. “So the bite on her neck wasn’t the first one. How long was this going on?”
“It started a few weeks before she went missing,” he explained. “At least that is when I first noticed it happening. It was confusing, to say the least. I had believed that vampires could not feed without killing their victims.”
It was a common misconception. “The old ones have more control,” I explained. “An older vampire could feed from her roughly once a week without weakening her . . . ” I trailed off at a sudden thought, realizing this was the first time anyone actually admitted she had gone missing
