Mysterious deaths? she asked.
Merlin nodded. They havent gotten a lot of coverage, because none of them have been on one of those trashy reality shows or even made Hollywoods D list. These poor people have gone from this world unnoticed and unknown.
Like you saidthis is L.A., Rhiannon said, frowning.
Well, speak to your cousin, because shes got contacts who have told her a few things. There have been three similar deaths, and all three corpses were discovered in a similarly advanced state of decay.
And? She whispered the word, as if that could keep her fears from becoming real.
The cops have been trying to keep the details out of the papers, but someone leaked one important fact, Merlin told her grimly.
And that fact is? she asked.
He winced. Im sorry, Rhiannon. The corpses were almost bone dry, sucked dry of
Of? she asked, even though in her heart she knew the answer.
Blood, Merlin said gravely. Sucked dry of blood.
Chapter 2
To a lot of people in L.A., it wasnt all that late.
But to Rhiannon, after her wretched shift at the café, nothing sounded more welcome than her bed and a pillow.
Still, she knew she wouldnt sleep if she didnt try to talk to Barrie, though with any luck Barrie would already be in bed and wouldnt answer the knock at her door.
To Rhiannons dismay, Barrie was up.
A single light was on in Barries living room, where she had been sitting on her sofa and working. Her laptop was sitting on a pile of newspapers and magazines.
Barrie definitely tended to be a workaholic.
She had a good job in her chosen field, but she still wasnt where she wanted to be in her career. At the moment she mostly got stories that ran under headlinesoften handed to her whether she liked them or notlike West Hollywood Woman Reveals Secret Behind Amazing Weight Loss.
Barrie was a crusader; she had strong opinions on right and wrong. She wanted to be where the action was. She wanted to get off the crime beat and into issue-based investigative journalism, but her Keeper duties would always have to take precedence, and that was a problem.
Rhiannon sympathized with her. She knew how difficult it was, trying to have a real career and deal with this sudden shift in purpose.
Hey, I didnt expect to see you tonight. Barrie grinned and rolled her eyes. Merlin, maybesometimes he forgets the time. Thought youd come home exhausted and ready to crash.
Am I interrupting? Rhiannon asked her.
No. Yesbut its all right, honestly. She sighed. Im trying to come up with a story and an angle no ones thought of yet, so I can take it to my boss and maybefinallyget a green light.
Good luck, Rhiannon offered.
So, how did things go at the café tonight?
They sucked. Totally sucked. Some actors staged a vampire attack right out front to publicize their play and nearly gave me heart failureand in all the fuss my tip jar was stolen.
Youre right. That sucks. Want a cup of tea?
I just had one, but sure, Rhiannon said.
Barrie led the way into the kitchen.
All three of their houses might have been curio museums, filled as they were with Merlins collections from a lifetime of loving magicand the bizarre. The main house held the bulk of it, because it was so large, with five bedrooms upstairs, a grand living room and a family room that led out to the pool. Tiffany lamps were everywhere, along with Edwardian furniture, and busts and statues, and paintings that covered the walls. Pandoras Box had a Victorian feel, with rich, almost stuffy furniture, and a collection of sculpted birds, with the largest being a magnificent gesso rendition of Poes raven. It also boasted a few of Merlins old coin-drop fortune-teller machines.
Gwydions Cave, Barries house, was decorated with old peacock fans, marble sideboards and rich wood pieces from the decadent days of the speakeasy. The service she used for tea was Royal Doulton. As she entered the kitchen, Rhiannon caught sight of herself in one of the antique hall mirrors, and though she knew it was distorted by the old glass, her own image troubled her.
She had the shocked look of someone who had stuck a finger in a live socket.
Barrie hummed as she boiled water and then looked at Rhiannon. Something more happened than what youre telling me, didnt it? I always think of you as the go-getter among us. Nothing fazes you. But tonight you lookfazed.
What if that attack had been real? Would I actually have been able to do anything to stop it? I guess we didnt think wed be handling this kind of thing so quickly, Rhiannon said.
None of us did. But its not like we had a choice.
I know. I just want to play my music, you know? Its all Ive ever wanted. I missed my shot with the band, but at least I get to play at the café, you know? And thats what I was doing when those idiots interrupted.
Listen to you, being so whiny.
Whiny? Rhiannon protested indignantly.
Yes, whiny. Everybody but me gets to play in the band, while Im stuck in a coffee shop playing for tips. Buck up, buttercup.
All right, all right, I have been whining. A little bit. But, honestly, I just wishI wish wed been a little better prepared. I mean, my dad is in great health. I never thought
You never thought youd have to be a Keeper until you were old and gray. I know. Neither did I. But here we are. So, what else is bothering you? Because I know theres something.
All right, I came here to tell you, soone of the actors was an Elven. I saw him when I was closing up my guitar case for the night. He came up to me and chatted, and II wasnt exactly rude, but I felt like he was comparing me to my dad and it bugged me. You know that Keepers all over the state put us down all the time. The Gryffald girls. What a shame their fathers were all put on the council. There used to be good Keepers in the Canyon. So I guess I was a little rude. But really, I dont want to get all warm and cozy with the ElvenIm going to have my hands full with the vampires.
I understand all that, Barrie said calmly. So, why are you so upset?
Well, he invited me to see his show. Like I want to see some ridiculous play about a bunch of vampire attacks. I brushed him off. But he knew who I was, and he said, No, no, you really should see the show, or something weird like that, and when I got home She paused for breath.
When you got home? Barrie prompted.
Merlin dropped in on me. And he told me that I should speak to youthat there have been three recent murders in L.A.
Only three? Barrie interjected drily.
Three in which the bodies have been found drained of blood and decayed andI dont know. Merlin just said to talk to you.
Oh, Barrie said.
Oh? Rhiannon repeated. Come on, Barrie. You must know something. You work at a newspaper, for Gods sake.
You know all they give me is fluff, Barrie reminded her.
Yes, but youre there and you must hear things.
I dont remember anything that sensational, but maybe the police are keeping the details quiet. I do remember hearing about a John Doe found in a lake near some half-built apartment complex. That might have been one of your victims. Ill see what I can find out, she promised. Sowhen are you going to see the show?
Yes, but youre there and you must hear things.
I dont remember anything that sensational, but maybe the police are keeping the details quiet. I do remember hearing about a John Doe found in a lake near some half-built apartment complex. That might have been one of your victims. Ill see what I can find out, she promised. Sowhen are you going to see the show?
Now that Merlins talked to me? Tomorrow night, Rhiannon told her, then sighed. Hugh told me not to be late tomorrow night. Hes going to give me a buttload of grief, not to mention dock my pay.
Tell him you cant be therethat you have Keeper duties and thats it. Ive seen you in action. Youre great fighting other peoples warsfight this one for yourself. For all three of us, Barrie added. We have to prove ourselves. You might as well start tomorrow night with Hugh.
As Barrie poured hot water into the teapot, they heard the sound of a car door slamming. Sailors home, she commented.
So she is.
Ill get another cup.
Rhiannon walked to the door and opened it just as Sailor was about to knock.
Hi, her cousin said.
Sailor spoke with a cheerful voice and had a perfect smile to go with it. Rhiannon thought that while they were all decent looking, Sailor was their true beauty. It made sense that she was so passionate about being an actress. She had both the talent and the looks.
Maybe it had to do with the fact that Sailor had been destined to be Keeper of the Canyon Elven. Elven were beautiful, Rhiannon reminded herself drily, thinking of Mac Brodie.
Guilt bit into her. Several times shed caught herself feeling impatient with Sailor for not taking their calling seriously, but hadnt she wanted to deny it herself? And now she was facing her first real challengebecause even if the murders proved to have nothing to do with the Canyon vampire community, standing up to Hugh was going to be no picnicand all she wanted was to run away.
I saw the light, so I thought Id stop by, Sailor said.
Come on in, Rhiannon said.
Sailor swept past her and headed straight for the kitchen. I had a great nightI mean a great night. I went to this fantastic party at the clubDeclan Wainwrights club, the Snake Pit.
Declan Wainwright was the shapeshifter Keeper for the Malibu area. Theyd known him forever, though Rhiannon wasnt sure she would actually call him a friend.
Declan told me he was going to ask you to play there a few nights a week. Well, he didnt tell me. Hes kind of an ass to me. Im not A-list enough for him, so mostly he ignores me. But I was with Darius Simonides, and he told Darius that he was going to talk to you. Pretty great, huh?
Its nice that you spent some time with Darius, Rhiannon said, filing away the potential offer of employment to consider later. Darius Simonides was Sailors godfather and a big-deal Hollywood agent, but as far as Rhiannon could tell, he hadnt done much for her. At least not professionally. There was also somethingslimy about him, she thought. Maybe it was because he was soHollywood. In his line of business, double-talk was really the only talk. Maybe that was at the heart of her reaction to him, but she still didnt trust him.
Not only that, we hung with Hunter Jackson, toodo you know who he is?
Hunter Jackson, Rhiannon repeated, trying to remember why he sounded so familiar. Ive heard the name, she said.
Hes a director, Barrie said.
Hes the director these days, and he says that he has a role for me in a big-budget vampire thriller hes going to start filming in January. He and Darius actually invited me to the Snake Pit tonight to talk to me about it. Sailor beamed. And it turns out theres a reason why Darius has kept his hands off me.
Thats good to hear, Barrie muttered sarcastically.
I mean as far as my career goes, Sailor said. Darius is a sweetiepeople just think hes tough because hes so powerful. The thing is, he wanted me to make my own way, to prove I could succeed on my own before he stepped in. But tonightit was wonderful! Sailor looked rapturous. She drew a breath, and Rhiannon was sure she was going to go on some more about her amazing night, but instead she said, Barrie, you have artificial sweetener, dont you? I dont want to gain an ounce right now.
Rhiannon decided that she would once again have to rethink Sailors role in ensuring the safety of the world.
I have everything I can think of for anyones choice in tea, Barrie said. Dig into the cabinet and help yourself.
So, tell me more, Rhiannon said, genuinely happy for her cousin and momentarily putting aside her fears for the fate of the world.
Sailor turned to her, beaming. The two leads will be major A-list actors. I dont know who yet. But what Ill make for just a few days work will pay my bills for months.
Rhiannon lowered her head. At least one of them would be making a decent income, though if what Sailor had said about the offer to play the Snake Pit was true, she would be earning some real money, too, even if Hugh got mad enough to fire her. She looked up quickly, frowning. Hunter JacksonI remember reading something about him. She looked at Sailor. Hes a vampire, right? But hes the responsibility of the West Hollywood Keeper, Geoff Banner.
Yes, Barrie said. And hes the perfect person to direct a vampire thriller. The movies always have it wrong. Like all that crap about how vampires cant go out during the day.
Seriously, Rhiannon agreed. But no one wants to hear that the only problem is their eyes are exceptionally sensitive to light, so they always wear sunglassessomething that seems to be expected in Hollywood, anyway. She met Sailors eyes. You did know that hes a vampire, right?
Sailor stared at her, indignant. Of course I did. Im the one who really grew up here, remember? I know the lowdown on almost everyone. Am I supposed to suddenly be suspicious of him because hes a vampire? And of all people who might be down on vampires, it shouldnt be you!
Im not down on vampires, Rhiannon said quickly.
Then whats your problem? Sailor asked.
I just wanted to make sure you knew what you were dealing with, thats all, Rhiannon said.
Sailor looked at her as if she knew Rhiannon doubted her abilitiesand her competence in the face of a crisis. Yes, I am well aware, thank you. And if you come across any Elven, I hope youll try to be a little less judgmental.
Failed that one, Rhiannon thought. But she kept silent.
Hey! Barrie said, lifting a hand. I get that were all a little jittery right now, with our new responsibilities and all, but its important that we get along. The world respected our fathers, but were going to have to prove ourselves. And that will be a lot easier if we respect each other.
Yes, youre right, Rhiannon said softly.
Theres nothing to prove, at least not right now, Sailor said. Thanks to our dads, everything in the Canyon is running smoothly. She turned to Rhiannon. Cant you just be happy for me? she asked.
Im sorry. I am happy for you, Rhiannon said. She hugged Sailor, who resisted for a moment then eased up and hugged Rhiannon in return. Im sorry. It was a bad night for me, Rhiannon said.