Valentine glanced at them all—Hecate, Rolf, Khent, and Varu. It had to be overwhelming to be surrounded by so many dangerous predators, but she stood determined.
“A mysterious individual named Spectre has been moving around the city for years. He leaves a very small footprint, but we’ve been watching.”
“We?”
She nodded. “I have a network of spies in the bazaar and the city. The problem with Spectre is that no one has ever seen him.”
“And Spectre is the necromancer we’re looking for?” Varu asked.
“I believe so. I knew him as Vladimir the Wicked a long time ago, when he amassed power by killing necromancers all over the world. Twenty-three years ago, he killed my parents and an entire flock of shifters. Now he goes by Vladimir of the Void, or so I’ve been told.”
“And you haven’t managed to kill him after all this time?” Rolf sounded disappointed in her.
“It’s not that easy, draugr.” Valentine shook her head, and Khent saw a hint of defeat in her posture he didn’t like. Unlikehumans, vampires didn’t question themselves. They didn’t know fear, and when they experienced loss, they accepted it and moved on.
In a vampire’s life, there was no room for sadness or self-doubt.
“Every time I got close, he vanished,” Valentine continued. “As if he knew he was being tracked. He’d disappear for years on end. I did my best to get more powerful and make friends so I could build a dead army that could go up against what he’s creating.”
“Which is what, exactly?” Varu asked.
“I don’t know, but it’s something big. When he popped up here a few months ago, I felt his signature. The problem is, Vladimir’s been using glamours and spells to disguise himself. I only know his current guise because he killed a witch who saw his face.”
Khent approved. “You reanimated her for the information.” Something he often did with his own pets.
“For her information and for her power. Though a new witch, she’s full of magic. She’s currently protecting my shifters, so try to take them on at your own peril.”
Varu rubbed his chin, but Khent saw the smile he tried to hide.
“A challenge?” Khent studied her, more than willing to battle her for real.
Valentine didn’t meet his gaze when she answered, “You can take it however you want. I need everyone I’ve gathered to help me fight him. You have no idea how strong he is. Even for a non-vampire,” she tacked on, finally glancing at him with those deep, dark eyes.
“We are powerful,” Varu said. “That is not and never will be in question. But we are also intelligent. This necromancer is working with demons. We need to know why.”
“For power, why else?” Rolf asked. “Humans are always wanting more than they deserve.” He smiled at Valentine. “No offense.”
She rolled her eyes.
Varu growled, “I want to know why we can’t find him. Duncan’s been trying, but this Spectre has avoided him. And that takes skill.” Varu studied Valentine, his gaze intense.
She took a subtle step away from their patriarch and closer to Khent, surprising him. Valentine cleared her throat. “I’ve also heard rumors that there’s a substantial reward being circulated in the bazaar about a certain gem.”
Hecate perked up. “Our last stone?”
“I don’t know.” Varu nodded to Valentine. “What say you, human? Is your necromancer trying to find a legendary Bloode Stone?”
“I don’t think so. But then, I don’t know why he killed my family or why he wanted to kill me. I do remember him asking about a gem though, maybe the same one someone has been looking for. An old ring or necklace? My mother had a talent for imbuing jewelry with magic.”
Khent and Varu exchanged a look.
Hecate asked, “Are you sure you don’t remember what it is he’s searching for? Perhaps we could take a peek inside your memories.”
“No.” Valentine didn’t hesitate. “My mind is my own.”
Instead of pushing the issue, as she should have, Hecate relented. “Of course. What else can you tell us about this Vladimir?”
“I consider him a master in necromancy.”
