A Call of Vampires (A Shade of Vampire #51)(69)

Vincent lit up like the sun at that point, his beautiful face beaming with a radiant smile.

“Excellent! Thank you,” he replied. “You’ll love it! I will send our tailors over to the Broken Bow Inn first thing in the morning to assist you!”

“Thank you, Vincent.” I smiled, then walked out, followed by Avril and Heron, who bade farewell as two Imen servants closed the double doors after us.

We reached the fountain outside and proceeded to walk down to the inn, taking a series of narrow stairs and alleys. I mentally stored all the information and clues I’d gathered so far, most of which didn’t make much sense.

“Okay, so we all need to agree that Vincent has the absolute hots for you.” Avril was the first to talk, her voice laced with humor.

“To be fair, he is sweet on the eyes,” I replied. “Like marshmallows dipped in chocolate.”

“So how do you expect me to be serious when she goes and says something like this?” Heron looked at Avril with feigned outrage, prompting us both to burst into laughter.

“But, on a serious note,” I said, catching my breath, “there’s definitely something off about the Imen.”

“Yeah, we tried talking to one earlier,” Avril replied. “He was literally brainwashed.”

“I think all of them are,” Heron mused.

“There is one who seemed alert.” I sighed as we went down another set of stairs. The alleys were almost deserted, with just the occasional Iman walking beneath the street lamps, completely oblivious to our presence. “A young girl, Arrah. She didn’t want to say much, but not because she was mind-bent. At least, I don’t think she was.”

“You think she knows more than she’s saying?” Avril asked.

“I’m sure of it. I think she was just afraid of speaking out in front of Vincent or the others,” I replied. “She might know something about Sienna that no one else does.”

“What, like a dirty little secret?” Heron grinned, and I nodded in response. “Well then, it’s a good thing we’re doing the Spring Ball tomorrow night!”

Both Avril and I looked at him, our confusion obvious.

“Fiona, since Vincent is so sweet on you, you could keep him busy during the ball,” Heron explained, “while Avril and I can go check out the Roho mansion again, and even talk to Arrah. My mind-bending works on the Imen. One of them could lead us to her. Maybe she’ll be more forthcoming if Vincent and the other servants aren’t around.”

“That’s actually a really good idea,” I said.

“All we need is for you to keep the Roho dude busy for fifteen minutes or so.” Avril wiggled her eyebrows with a smirk.

“Sure, I can dance with him, entertain a conversation or two. Worst case scenario, I’ll flirt around a little.” I chuckled as we reached the Broken Bow Inn. A few late patrons were still out, while the Imen servants collected the empty cups.

“Just don’t get too touchy with him,” Avril advised me, “as he is, technically, a potential enemy.”

“That’s a bit of a stretch.” I scoffed, finding it hard to believe Vincent would try to harm me in any way. Not that he wasn’t capable—he was still a Mara, after all. But nothing about him screamed “hostile” in any way.

“Not until we find out why all his Imen are mind-bent to such an extent,” Heron replied, then noticed the quiet inside the inn. He walked over to one of the servants. “Excuse me, where is everyone? It’s nighttime. The Maras should be out and buzzing.”

“Not since the curfew was enacted, milord,” the Iman said. “The night has become dangerous and deadly, and our Lords and Ladies can no longer go out and hunt. Since the disappearances started happening in the city as well, they’ve resorted to keeping to their rooms or entertaining small social gatherings in their homes.”

That sounded sad. Imagine being a creature of the night and not being able to enjoy it. I could tell from Heron’s expression that he felt sorry for them. We went inside, and agreed to catch up first thing, before Vincent’s tailors would come to assist us with our outfits for the Spring Ball.

I had a feeling that spending the evening among all the Exiled Maras would give us even better insight into their way of life and their treatment of the Imen. If the latter were here willingly, then we didn’t need to worry about them and could focus exclusively on the disappearances.

But if we got a whiff of oppression, we’d have to raise the issue with Jax and Hansa, and then contemplate solutions for both problems. Cultural differences aside, it was never okay to enslave or torment the vulnerable.





Caia





(Daughter of Grace & Lawrence)





We’d interviewed one family of Exiled Maras, without much luck. They didn’t know anything, and the last time they’d seen their daughter, she’d gone out for a hunt, despite her parents’ warnings. They were quietly commemorating the second month since her disappearance. I took copious notes, however, of words and behaviors of all those involved, including the Imen servicing the Exiled Maras’ household.

The second family was slightly different, of a more modest background. Rewa helped intermediate the interview, whenever the Maras were weary of answering our questions. Clearly, they were still adjusting to us, complete strangers from another world, in their homes.