15. Deadly Betrayal

Officers from the Supernatural Council crawled over his library like eager little beetles to collect evidence. Rowena's case was reopened with her sister's confession. Kieran didn't mask himself any longer, trying his damndest to help the wizard detectives, who did their best to disregard his existence.

Vampires weren't looked kindly upon in Briarwood, but with his royal blood status and officiation with the Sanguine Council, they had no choice but to let him help out.

Everett couldn't help but grin at the vampire's enthusiasm, watching them collect residue of magical particles in the air. Kieran told the lead detective all about their findings. Including the sinister details about the demoness. He shivered just imagining that hellish fiend, trapped with her for eternity. Unlike Kieran, Everett and Rowena gave them a wide berth to do their job. It wasn't like Everett wanted to steal Kieran's spotlight anyway.

"You really like that vampire fella, don'tcha?" Rowena leered from behind the librarian's desk, floating around him.

"Perhaps." Everett shrugged, biting back a smile.

"I've never seen a vampire show such fear before." Rowena's expression grimmed. "I found you unconscious first, then called out for Kieran. He was desperate to make sure you were still breathing and considered turning you into a vampire to save you. Kept mumbling how it was too soon to lose you."

"Why do you think he likes me so much?" Everett watched the vampire curiously as he followed the detectives like a jittery puppy. They were out of earshot, but he kept his voice low in case those sensitive vampiric ears heard him.

"Love at first sight? Who knows?" Rowena floated upside, then flipped herself around. "His feelings are genuine. Even I can sense that much. But it worries me with how strong he cares for you, how he even made such a blood bond."

"I shouldn't have made that bond with him, should I?" Everett asked softly. "He's just been so kind to me. I trust him. There's no way it could hurt me, right?"

"No, that's not my concern. I believe it's your blood," Rowena replied.

"My blood?" Everett frowned.

"The poison that courses through your veins is like an aphrodisiac to vampires. I can't help but wonder if it's your blood he loves more than you as a person."

Everett folded his arms across his chest. "You could be right, as much as I hate to admit it. However, that doesn't explain my own feelings, does it?"

"Are you just as fond of the vampire?"

"I am. We've got this strange connection, it's hard to explain." Everett bit on his lower lip. "I'm not one who believes in silly love at first sight nonsense, but I think I want to see where this goes. I mean, we're bonded for eternity now."

"You know that would scare the daylights out of most wizards, right?" Rowena asked.

"Absolutely. It's batshit insane. I'm risking a lot by staying with him." Everett smiled as Kieran gave him a little wave, gesturing to the evidence bag in his hand. He waved back, then turned to face Rowena. "But I don't really give a damn."

"Ooh, I see now." Rowena gushed. "Vampires are notorious for being great lovers."

Scarlet seared through his face, making him resemble a fresh tomato. "It's not like that!" Everett exclaimed, casting an apologetic look at the detectives who turned toward him. "Dammit, Rowena. They'll think I've gone mad."

Rowena waved a dismissive hand. "As if that's not true. You're already being courted by a Valorath vampire from a powerful, wealthy family. Many dames in their country will envy you."

"Gods, if it weren't bad enough dealing with demons and your psycho sister. No offense."

Rowena snooted her nose. "None taken. We never got along well."

"Still, it must have been a shock to learn she poisoned you. I'm sorry." Everett gazed down at his boots.

"Don't apologize for that wench. She wanted to get rid of us both," Rowena replied. "Working with a demon is a new low for her. I wouldn't be surprised if the council executes her for this."

Everett tensed. "Do you think they'll actually do that?"

"Probably. It's not like they can keep someone affiliated with demons around. It's only a matter of time until those evil creatures slither into our town, blend with our people." Rowena's ghost trembled.

"The demon we made a deal with will come back, won't she?" Everett asked softly.

"Most likely, but I don't think you'll need to worry." Rowena gave him a small, half-smile. "Kieran won't let that bitch hurt you, not without raising his own hell. Even demons are weary of crossing paths with vampires."

Everett nodded, fiddling with his wand in his hand. "That's what I'm afraid of, but hopefully, it won't come to that."

Minutes melted away as the wizard detectives and forensics packed up, heading out into the murky morning fog. Kieran came around his desk, eyes sparkling with awe as he told him about the fascinating details of magical residue. Everett smiled as he droned on.

"Looks like my case is finally closed." Rowena floated around Kieran.

"Yes, and you were right all along. Crazy how it turned out to be your sister, under the influence of that wretched demon," Kieran said.

"Thank you for helping." A playful grin stretched across her ghostly lips. "But what will you do now that you've solved my murder? A date to formalize your courtship, maybe?" she teased.

"That sounds like a lovely idea." Kieran's grin faltered. "But maybe not today. Surely Everett has business to tend to here at his library."

"No, I'm officially closed. It's not like anyone wants to come in with such godforsaken black magic lingering in the air." Everett pinched the bridge of his nose, exhaustion weighing heavily on him as he sighed. "I'm just tired." He returned to his desk, plopping down on the swivel chair.

"I imagine that demoness summoning you like took a huge toll on your body." Kieran nodded. "You should rest."

"What will you do if she tries something like this again?" Everett asked, eyeing him curiously.

Kieran's expression grew rigid, as his frown lines became more visible. "Then, I'll have no choice but to exorcize her. Wipe her from existence."

"That's not an easy feat." Everett drummed his fingers against the mahogany wood of his desk. "You might wage a war between your kind and the demons. Will your mother be pleased?"

Kieran scoffed. "She's used to me pulling stunts like this. Last time I started a war between us and the werewolves when I rescued my old buddy from an abusive pack."

Everett raised a brow. "You've got a werewolf friend? Should I be jealous?"

"Nothing like that. There's never been any romance between us." Kieran spread his hands. "He's a good friend, that's all, and he's very happy with my cousin. Their wedding is actually this winter."

"Ooh, so I wouldn't be the only anomaly in the Acheron family." Everett teased.

Kieran cracked a smile. "We've never had a wizard in our family. Werewolves weren't common but there's a few in our bloodline."

"Well damn. Here I thought I wouldn't stand out." Everett pouted.

" I'm hoping you'll be able to attend as my date if we're still together." An impish smile crossed his face. "My family's not as standoffish as your wizards."

Everett readjusted himself in his chair, reclining back. "I suppose we should make this relationship official here. Regardless of my folks opinions. It's not like they can interfere much. We're both consenting adults and I'm free to be with whoever I desire."

"I feel like there's more to this." Kieran scrutinized him. "That sounds awfully too good to be true. Your families worship traditions like Gods themselves. Surely a courtship with a vampire tarnishes your name. I am afraid I did this without considering much of your stance, and I apologize. I forget how different things are here."

Everett waved a dismissive hand. "Don't worry about them. I appreciate what you've done for me, giving me protection beyond anything wizards here could offer with their magic. It'll be enjoyable to see the looks on their shocked faces." He smirked.

"Ah, a devious plan, I sense?"

"Tomorrow night is when they're bringing the carnival into town. All wizard families attend, showing off their family's magic and just enjoying the festivities," Everett explained. "That is where we'll make this official."

Kieran tilted his head. "Fascinating. Sounds simple enough though. I expected something more shocking, but I suppose the sight of us together could make the faintest of heart pass out."

"Everett, you wouldn't." Rowena floated over to him, dramatically clamping a hand over her mouth. "Your folks will wish to have him hanged!"

"And that's the best part. They can't. I think my mother will come around eventually." Everett shrugged as he yanked out his black magic spell book. "If not, I won't be too torn up about it. My sisters will have my back no matter what. Even if they think I'm a lunatic."

"I'm a little lost." Kieran rubbed the back of his neck. "Why does this Harvest Fest mean so much? And who cares about the person you attend with?"

"Every year, the youngest of the wizard families showcase their magic at the gardens. Just to put on a little show," Rowena explained. "It used to make my sister so angry and jealous." A melancholia look crossed her graying eyes. "Anyway, after showcasing their magic, the winner blesses someone of their choosing amid the townsfolk."

Realization shone in the vampire's brilliant crimson eyes. "Gods, that will be hilarious. Blessing a vampire. That will certainly cause mayhem."

"Precisely." Everett grinned. "I had Rowena check over the rules to make sure there were no rules that prohibited it and there's not."

"How do you know you'll win?" Kieran asked.

Everett shrugged. "I don't. At the very least, it'll be noticed by the townsfolk when I announce you as my date at the opening ceremony. It's not the first time someone's been with a vampire around here, and I doubt it will be the last. You know, not long ago there was a family of dhampir children who lived among us."

Kieran raised a brow. "I didn't know that."

"They were murdered." Everett's expression grimmed. "A tragedy, honestly. I'm not sure what happened to the vampire mother, as she disappeared shortly after her kids were murdered. Her husband stayed, however, and remarried. They have a child of their own now."

"Gods," Kieran murmured.

Everett fiddled with his hands on his desk. "I found their case years ago when curiously reading. It was before I was born, back when my own folks were kids themselves."

"Do you think that's why they tried to strengthen their laws on vampire and wizard relations?" Kieran asked.

"Well, yes. Orick Mandrake was their father."

Kieran blinked. "That detective who was just here? The one who looked so frightened of me?"

Everett nodded. "It was difficult to piece together, but I managed. I'm not sure how many remember, as his surname changed when he married the prominent Monarch Elaine. Their daughter is Seraphina, who works at Blissful Bites. I take it that he chose someone of royal status to make himself appear more holy. I've wondered if he had his new wife tamper with his memories to forget most of that life, or perhaps, hexed him with feelings of disgust for vampire-kind."

"There's certainly a lot more going on in this town than I ever expected. And you sure know quite a lot."

Everett shrugged. "Reading has its perks. Besides, who would suspect a simple librarian like me of ever finding out about any of this?"

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