Ghost Light

“What could be so important that it demands our attention during a council meeting?” he asked.

There was an edge to his voice and my eyes darted to the other vamps.  They continued to sit unmoving, but a flick of Gaius’ wrist was all that kept the council from launching themselves at our throats.  One water fae and one half-breed against thirteen vamps in a magically sealed chamber?  Not good odds.  Oh, make that fourteen vamps.  We couldn’t forget ol’ Gerry in the shadows.  He’d be the first on me, if I angered Sir Gaius.

I’d just have to play nice.

“I am sorry to disturb your meeting,” I said.  “I was unaware that the council had gathered.  But now that we’re here, I have a question for the master of the city that perhaps you can all assist us with.”

“You put a question to the council?” Sir Gaius asked.

I flicked my eyes to Ceff, but he gave a slight head shake.  The phrasing of Gaius’ words sounded formal, similar to entering a bargain, but I was here to ask a question and I didn’t have time for games.  Ceff and I were shooting in the dark.  I took a deep breath and gave a curt nod.

“Yes, I have a question,” I said.

“And what do you offer us, supplicant?” Sir Gaius asked.

His lips pulled back from needle-sharp teeth.  I stifled a shudder and wracked my brain for something I could offer the most powerful vampire in Harborsmouth.  Not blood, that was for damn sure.

I thought back to recent bargains I had made.  There had to be something I could use again.

Fetching something on a deadline?  That bargain had nearly got me killed.  The Cailleach was one scary old crone. Two favors to be named later?  No way.  I was already regretting entering into that agreement.  The Green Lady was one damn savvy negotiator.  My bargain with the clurichaun wasn’t nearly as bad.  Work a future case for free?  Jinx didn’t like it when I worked a case pro-bono, but it was better than bloodletting or owing surprise favors to the undead.

“I offer the vampire council the services of Private Eye detective agency,” I said.  “I agree to work one case of your choosing free of charge in exchange for truthful answers to our questions.”

“Agreed,” Sir Gaius said.  The bargain settled on my soul like dead weight.  I gasped for air as invisible iron bands constricted my chest.  Gaius may not be fae, but I had enough faerie blood running through my veins to make the deal binding.  “What is your question?”

I struggled to speak as the bargain shifted and I regained my balance.

“Over thirty faerie children have gone missing,” I said.

The master of the city moved vamp fast, suddenly standing with hands splayed on the table.

“Despite our reputation as monsters, we have strict laws against feeding upon children,” he said.  Gaius’ voice lowered to a deep whisper that sent shivers up my spine.  “Do you dare accuse us of this crime in our own council room?”

I swallowed hard, but kept my eyes on the vampire’s forehead.

“No, there is no evidence of vamps…um, of vampires being involved,” I said.  “But you are masters of the night, and these children all went missing during the darkest hours of night.  You are also gifted at raising the dead, expertise that may help us answer questions about the kidnappers.”

“Go on,” he said.

My jugular was surprisingly still intact, but I didn’t waste time beating around the bush.  I’d already angered the master vamp.

“We think a lamia named Melusine and a faerie musician known as The Pied Piper may be involved,” I said.

One of the council vamps hissed and I palmed one of the wooden stakes I kept tucked into my belt.  I was careful to keep the stake hidden from sight.  Was it something I said?  I was trying to be polite, even played to the vamps vanity, but I still managed to get them riled.

“We know of The Piper,” Sir Gaius said.  “He is a faerie who was gifted at musical compulsion, for a half-breed.  The Piper had the ability to compel both rats and humans, but apparently that power wasn’t enough.  There are rumors that The Piper made a deal with a demon.  In exchange for an enchanted flute that gives him the ability to extend his life, The Piper gathers souls for Hell.”

The Piper was a half-breed like me?  That explained his desire for immortality.  True blooded fae are immortal, but half-breeds with the taint of mortal blood have shorter lives than other fae.  We live longer than the healthiest of humans, but we don’t live forever.

I didn’t like having anything in common with a sociopathic kidnapper, especially one who made deals with demons.  I frowned and pushed on with my questions.

“How does this demon flute work?” I asked.

I wasn’t asking for myself, not at all.  But understanding the flute’s magic may help us find and rescue the children.