"Remind me to never get on your bad side," Kieran muttered.

Back in the ghost town harbored by vampires, Everett bristled at the cold chills that raked his body. He pulled his robe tighter. They passed by buildings boarded up with planks. Crooked closed signs hung in the dusty windows, untouched for so long only the bugs and stray rodents inhabited the places.

"Will that hex really wear off on Vincent?"

"Yes. It would have worn off regardless if he told the truth," Everett replied with a half shrug. "Not like he knew that."

Kieran smirked. "Clever."

"Who do you think would've poisoned Richard with that?" Everett's voice softened. "It's illegal to obtain, you know."

"Just because it's against your laws, doesn't mean people will abide by them." Kieran pointed out. "Probably someone knew it would kill him in the end, and maybe that's what killed Rowena as well. Did they examine her body for poison?"

"I'd assume so. I can check the Council records to be sure though. But I'll have to go by myself. Vampires aren't typically allowed in the Supernatural Council building unless they're under suspicion."

"Is that safe?" Kieran asked. "What if someone catches you snooping around?"

"I'll be fine. It's not unusual for me to look into cases of the ghosts I speak to. My mother knows that. Which is why she's granted me access to their files. Mostly to organize, of course, but also so I can dig around."

"Nobody minds you doing that?" Kieran frowned.

"I'm nobody important, while my sisters are prominent council members, and my mother a Warden." Everett shrugged. "Nobody blinks an eye. What could I possibly do with old records anyway?"

"Why do you think Richard didn't just take an elixir like you did?" Kieran asked.

"It must be approved by the Supernatural Council, and you need someone to prepare it for you. Unless you can do it yourself, like I can now," Everett replied. "The ingredients aren't easy to come by, which is why the council regulates them. My mother secretly stole some to keep me alive."

Kieran froze. "They wouldn't give it to a poisoned child? What the fuck?"

"There's much paperwork you must fill out. She had no time. I was on the verge of death." Everett shuddered just remembering it. "I'd assume Richard's situation was similar, where he was running out of time. Vampirism is a fascinating idea, but I don't know how it would react with the poison."

"I'd assume it would cancel out the poison, but not all wizards will accept the venom easily."

Everett nodded. "Which I assume happened to Richard. Then, Vincent panicked because he thought it was a trap. Perhaps his killer chose that poison, knowing full well he'd seek help from a vampire."

"But why would someone poison him?" Kieran shook his head. "Since Vincent fled, I assume they didn't bother to check his history any further or they would have found the poison. Dammit."

"Tainted Venom would appear in toxicology reports. I remember, because they had to test me. They listed Rowena's death as natural causes, so maybe it was some kind of sleeping potion she overdosed on."

"I see. It's definitely something we'll need to look into. Maybe we can ask Rowena if she remembers what she ate or drank before passing?" Kieran suggested.

"Good idea." Everett nodded. "Let's go see her."

"We will tomorrow."

Everett frowned. "What? Why not now? Just fly us to the library. I have the key, you know."

"You need your rest," Kieran said. "Wizards aren't nocturnal, nor can they power through without sleep. Your magic will drain the more weary you are."

"That's why I keep coffee at the library," Everett pointed out, grinning. "I'm not even tired, so don't worry."

"Are you sure?" Kieran hesitated, reaching a hand out before snapping it back swiftly.

"Of course. Come on, fly us back to Briarwood." Everett bounced down the sidewalk like a gleeful kid on a sugar high, ready to soar through the night sky again.

All worries dissipated into the gale that night as they flew through the night. Everett savored the thrill of the flight, but it ended shortly when Kieran dropped them off at the library's entrance.

Silence greeted them on the barren street. Oak trees swayed in the breeze and crimson leaves pirouetted all around them. The amber street lamp flickered above their heads as they crossed the sidewalk, but an unearthly chill swept down Everett's spine. He ruffled through his robe's pocket for his key to unlock the door, creaking it open with caution.

"Rowena?" Everett called out. He held up his wand, illuminating a silvery glow.

"Maybe she's resting?" Kieran suggested. "I'm not sure how the whole ghost thing works or where they linger."

Everett stepped further into the library, checking behind his desk before maneuvering around the towering shelves. He brushed aside fake cobwebs, calling out the ghost's name. The silence only unnerved him.

"This is weird." Everett scoured every room, coming up with zilch. "I don't detect Rowena's spirit anywhere. She can travel through the spirit world and graveyard, but normally she's here at nighttime."

"Maybe she's just busy socializing with the other ghosts?" Kieran shrugged. "We can always come back in the morning."

Tendrils of mist materialized from behind a bookshelf as Rowena's ghostly form slipped through stacks of books. Terror shown in her opaque, widened eyes. She hovered in front of Everett, teeth chattering in an unnerving manner.

"Rowena?" Everett cautioned. "Are you alright?"

"Something evil was in here." Her voice dropped to a hushed whisper. "I don't know if it ever left."

Everett gazed back at Kieran, worry lines creasing his forehead. "What kind of evil?" Using his defensive magic, he inhaled a sharp breath and felt around the air for any traces of demonic forces. Everett had a sixth sense when it came to the otherworldly creatures, far more than most wizards in Briarwood.

"Devils."

"Did you see something?" Kieran asked, frowning. "Is this not normal?"

"I don't keep demons in our library, Kieran."

Kieran raised his hands in mock surrender. "Sorry, just making sure. I don't think anything's here now, so many we spooked it off?"

"Demons don't get spooked," Everett muttered. "I don't detect anything wicked around here, but I can strengthen the barriers before I leave tonight."

"Could it be that she sensed what happened back at the graveyard with her husband's body?" Kieran suggested.

Rowena frowned. "What happened?"

"Ah, Richard's body zombified and tried to attack me," Everett explained, as if that were an everyday occurrence. "It seems like someone cursed his entire corpse to attack me. I didn't consider unearthing your body, but it's very possible someone did the same to yours. Your graves both seemed disturbed, but it wasn't visible to the naked eye. Someone covered their tracks with magic."

"Goodness gracious."

"Before that happened, we spoke to Richard's ghost. He claimed he never sought a vampire's help to turn him, but then, we tracked said vampire down. His name's Vincent," Kieran explained. "We got him to confess everything. He fled that night, because he swore he'd been set up. Richard was poisoned with Tainted Venom."

Rowena clasped a hand over her mouth in shock, slowly pulling away to reply, "Dammit, that fool. I'm not surprised he lied. Why would he want to become a bloodsucker? No offense, dear." She gave Kieran an apologetic smile. "But you know it's taboo for wizards to do that."

"None taken." Kieran waved a dismissive hand.

"Wouldn't be the first case, nor the last." Everett shrugged. "I think Richard did it because he feared dying. He knew someone poisoned him and figured it was his best chance to survive."

"Who would have poisoned him?" Rowena shook her head. "My husband, God forbid, could be a stick in the mud but I can't imagine anyone wanting him dead over it."

"What about you, Rowena?" Everett asked. "It's possible someone poisoned you as well, and it just wasn't something traceable in the toxicology reports."

"You believe it, don't you?" Rowena exclaimed, lips curving in a grin. "I was murdered, wasn't I?"

Everett's expression soured. "I don't know if that's something to get excited about? But yes, I suspect foul play was involved. Nobody would go through these lengths to hide a death from natural causes or care about me looking into it."

"Interesting. We need to compile a list of suspects! Good thing I already have one mentally prepared." Rowena touched her temple. "Let's see, first I'd have to consider someone close to me. Like one of my best friends. Or my spiteful little sister." Rowena shook her head. "We did not part on good terms, I tell you that."

"Oh?" Kieran raised a brow. "Do you think your sister killed you? Is she a killed wizard in necromancy?"

Rowena snorted. "She could probably perform better magic with her wand up her arse."

"Good grief." Everett facepalmed. "This isn't going to be simple, is it? Please, tell me we can narrow your suspect list down enough not to make a novel's worth list of names."

"Well," Rowena pursed her lips, then sighed. "I'll try."

Minutes melted through the night as Everett jotted down names and addresses of her potential suspects. A crown of golden light shone through the glass windowpane. Tendrils of fog hung heavy in the morning air, barely allowing the sun to escape the murky clouds.

Everett prepared himself a steamy cup of hot chocolate, stifling his yawn. The last thing he wanted was to prove Kieran right. He wasn't tired. Maybe a little, but not enough to deter their investigation. While Kieran looked over the list, Everett plopped two dollops of whipped cream in his already extra- sugared drink and added some sprinkles to make it even tastier.

"Okay, let's start with your sister. Angelica Lianorin. She lives closer to the library so we can walk," Everett said, taking a refreshing sip of his hot chocolate. It warmed his soul, and hopefully, it would keep him awake.

"It's quite early." Kieran gazed toward the doors. "Maybe we should hold off until afternoon? That way you could rest and we meet up later."

"Nonsense. I'm sugared up and ready to go." Everett all but hopped over his desk. Sugared jitters wouldn't fend off weariness forever, but he wanted to get to the bottom of things. Sleep could wait.

Kieran shrugged. "If you're sure. You better not conk out and make me carry you home. I'm sure your sisters will surely have heart attacks if I do that."

"My mother as well." Everett cringed.

"Or the alternative would be to bring you to my place." Kieran held the door open for him, a teasing smile graced his reddish lips. "I think you'd look rather peaceful sleeping in my coffin."

Everett chuckled. "Of course, but I do hope yours is built with breathing access. Otherwise I would suffocate to death."

"Oh, yeah. Forgot about that." Kieran awkwardly rubbed his neck.

"You forgot about breathing?" Everett scoffed. "I guess you've been a vampire for a long time then."

"It's rude to ask a vampire their age." Kieran's piercing eyes only glowed with amusement. "How old do you think I am?"

Everett admired the vampire. From his stance, he looked roughly in his twenties. Perhaps a little older with the sickly complexion. Many vampires from Valorath were ancient beings, but Everett doubted he was anywhere near such extremes. Interesting enough, Kieran never mentioned any wars, but it seemed like he was a traveler.

"Were you human or a mage in your living days?" Everett questioned.

"You can't answer it with another question."

"Sure I can." Everett beamed. "This will help me."

"I was a dhampir before fully turning." Kieran quipped a smug smirk.

"Didn't expect that." Everett rubbed his chin. "I think you're about one hundred and twenty."

Kieran snorted.

"Am I wrong?" Everett pouted. "Am I at least close?"

"One hundred and twenty four, actually."

Everett gasped. "No way. I was that close? You barely look a day over a hundred."

"Thank you." Kieran laughed, exposing his fangs as he did.

It didn't take them long to reach Angelica's cozy little cottage. A protective barrier of vines and moss covered the grayish home. The moment Everett touched the gate, he felt the owner's potent defenses vibrate through his very soul. Beneath his feet, the ground rumbled like a warning to get away.

However, Everett was audacious enough to lift the latch of the gate and step onto the yard. Leaves rustled underfoot. Magical energies restrained his powers as he stepped up to the porch, admiring the little skeleton family on the porch chairs. Festive strands of orange lights hung from the rafters and pumpkins guarded the bushes.

Everett pressed the skull-shaped doorbell, faintly hearing the screaming chime echo from inside the residence. Fumbling movements had him curiously try to peek through the little door window. But it walloped open so quickly, Everett jolted back in surprise at the stout old lady who opened the door.

Behind thick silver-framed glasses, her blue eyes seemed to bulge. Wisps of white hair billowed in the wind as she examined the two of them, then before Everett had a chance to explain why they were there, she drew her wand and hexed him with a spell he could barely register before slamming the door in their faces.

Pain nibbled at his face as he reeled back in shock. "What the hell?" Everett muttered. "I didn't even have a chance to tell her why we're here!"

"Are you alright?" Kieran's panicked voice came behind him, reaching for his arm. But pulled away when he met his gaze. "Um, I hope this isn't permanent."

"Why?" Everett frowned as he ruffled through his robe's pocket for a compact mirror. A bulbous pumpkin head glared back at him in the glass, blinking each time he did.

The shriek that rattled off his lungs scared some innocent birds in the trees. Kieran's apologetic, awkward expression did little to settle his nerves.

Everett glowered at the door. "That damned witch! I bet she really did kill her sister!"