“What happened to her?”
“She drew the attention of the Council. The Old One ended her.”
“Old One?” I was pretty sure who he was talking about, but playing dumb wouldn’t hurt to confirm it.
“They call him Clemency, but that is not his name. Oldest warden I’ve ever heard of. He has become a legend, and I’m sure as many of the stories are true as are exaggerated. One is hard fact, however: Once he’s set on a trail, his prey does not escape.”
He puckered his lips as if the words were sour on his tongue.
“Did Susma Tamang earn the Council’s wrath through a particular act?” Mira asked.
“Not really. She left a trail of nightmares wherever she went. I’m sure she was on the hit list for years before Clemency found her.”
“And Castle wasn’t with her when she died?” That didn’t sound right to me.
“Apparently not.” He tilted his head. “Or he bounced when he caught the scent of something going down. Susma played around with summoning circles. Became very adept at using them like portals. Ha ha! I remember the day Castle usedone to break into the Nepali Sanctuary. Anyway, could be he used one to escape when the Old One found them.”
“What else?”
“Fire, the human you mentioned, must be keeping him pretty busy.” He paused to take a drink from his glass. “So much so, he hasn’t been seen at his usual haunts for the last few months. Otherwise, I haven’t heard anything else of interest about him.”
“What hold does Fire have on him?”
“Who could say? But I do know their relationship was strictly business at first. That seemed to change within the last three or four years.” He shrugged. “Fire obviously found a leash for him.”
“Have you heard anything about a healer being kidnapped by a djinn? Or about a miracle worker?”
“No to the first question, buteveryoneis looking for that miracle worker.” He shook his head. “A prince of Hell is offering a bounty for one.”
“Why? Why does he want a miracle worker?”
“Who would care, when the reward is an indulgence?” He chuckled. “Two nights ago, some fools kidnapped a neph, set up a meeting with the prince’s avatar, and tried to pass the neph off as the miracle worker. It did not end well.”
“I suppose not.” I half-smiled. “Was there anything left of them?”
“A charred outline on a brick wall in one of Brownsville’s alleys. So far, it has deterred any further acts of idiocy.”
“How does someone meet the shadow prince?” Mira wanted to know.
“Simply ask, my dear.” Zick’s index finger tapped his phone where it lay on the table. “I’d be happy to arrange it. For a small fee, of course.”
“Of course,” I muttered.
A few more questions and I learned he didn’t know any more than we did about Darius or his brothers. Disappointed but not surprised, I moved onto the next topic.
“What do you know about the Alchemists?”
“Oh, Harker,” he laughed, “you’re taking on more than you can chew.”
“You have no idea how big my appetite has become. I will consume everything in my path to get my girl back.” I smirked when his eyes widened slightly. “And I know I gave you that one for free. Call it an appetizer for the rest of your payment.”
“I am hundreds of years old, Harker.” He rolled his eyes. “I have accumulated more wealth than you can imagine. Human money or even the gold I smell in your pockets holds no allure for me, nor will it benefit me should certain parties discover I spoke to you about this.”
Boots tapped my chair leg with her shoe, and I gave my head a tiny shake.
“What if I could give back what you lost a century ago and have mourned every day since?”
“That is a dangerous subject, Harker, and a more dangerous promise.” His pupils turned red with rage.
