Aetherial Annihilation (20 page)

Evan leaned his elbows on the conference table. "When Daelissa was the Templar Divinity, she used her powers to 'bless'"—he wiggled his fingers like air quotes—"Templars. During the original reign of the Seraphim, they also used a similar method to create the original vampires." He looked at Nightliss. "As the Clarion, you now grant Templars and others the blessings of supernatural strength and longevity."

She nodded. "I plant a seed of power within a person to enhance that which they already possess."

"All very interesting," Komad said, "but vampires do not use magic."

"You don't actively use it, but at your very core is an ancient enchantment." Evan nodded toward Elyssa. "The same goes for the Templars. Picture it like concentrated magic at the core of your supernatural identity."

Delectra's eyes widened. "An enchantment will eventually expire if there is no aether to sustain it."

"Precisely." Evan gave that a moment to sink in. "Without magic, vampires will either die or revert to normal humans and Templars will lose their supernatural strength and other gifts."

"What about lycans?" McCloud said.

Evan shrugged. "Lycans are a natural magical product of Eden. It's possible you'd lose your ability to shapeshift." He turned to Kassallandra. "I don't know much about Daemos, but I'm certain your shifting and feeding abilities would be affected as well. Without magic, we would lose our connection to the other realms permanently." He waggled a hand in a so-so manner. "On the bright side, there would be no more demon possessions."

Kassallandra's lips peeled back from her teeth with distaste. "Mr. Farnsworth has made it quite clear that the Overworld as a whole must invest in a solution. Otherwise, we supernaturals will cease to exist and noms will rule Eden."

Her statement cast a pall over the room.

Komad's forehead furrowed—the first sign of distress he'd shown. For a long moment, he stared at the table, then finally spoke. "The Red Syndicate stands ready to serve."

No one cheered.

Though we still didn't have a plan, at least we had everyone on board. Despite converting the vampires to the cause, I knew better than to celebrate. As I turned back toward Elyssa, I caught a meaningful look from Evan. He gave me a brief nod. Victus and Delectra caught it too. Evan had just proven he could be an asset. So far, Victus hadn't done much except try to sell me snake oil.

Though I was still a baby by Overworld age standards, some people regarded me as a hero. If I endorsed someone for a particular office, they would almost certainly get the votes they needed. On the other hand, if I publicly announced that I really liked Komad, his people would probably kill him. The vampires bore me all the ill will of a conquered nation. I might have won the favor of young vampires compelled into fighting, but those in power might still despise Komad's decision to ally with me, no matter the cause.

I thought back to an earlier discussion about the vampires and decided now was a good time to find out. "Are the ancients back in control of the Red Syndicate?"

Komad shook his head. "They have no interest in the affairs of modern vampires. The only being they revered was Daelissa, for she gave them their powers."

"The goddess of the ancient vampires is dead," McCloud said, a troubled look on his face. "Perhaps they will be more dangerous now than ever."

Komad didn't offer an opinion. Instead, he turned to me. "As I said, the Red Syndicate will join in your cause."

"A wise decision," Kassallandra finally said, since no one else offered encouragement. She turned to Elyssa. "How should we proceed?"

"Am I right to assume your organizations have contacts within nom governments?" Elyssa asked.

"Aye, but not many," McCloud said. He nodded toward Komad. "I know for a fact the vampires have plenty."

"I'll be more than happy to use our contacts," Victus said quickly.

"As will I," Evan added.

I looked at Kassallandra and raised an eyebrow. "My father told me the Daemos do as well."

She seemed reluctant to answer, but finally relented. "Yes, but I will have to speak with the other house heads for a better assessment."

"We might be able to use those contacts to get images of the crystoids so we can open portals." Elyssa waved a hand toward the holographic map. "I can give everyone a list of the nations involved, then meet again tomorrow to discuss our potential reach."

Komad shook his head. "That doesn't give me much time."

"Agreed," Kassallandra said. "It could take several days to find the information."

"Share with the others in your organizations what we've learned here today." Elyssa gave them both stern looks. "If we don't act fast, magic in Eden is finished."

I pounded a fist on the table. "Aetherial annihilation."

My melodramatic demonstration elicited hesitant nods from Kassallandra and Komad.

"I will do what I can," Kassallandra said.

Komad sighed. "As will I."

"Let's adjourn until ten tomorrow morning," Elyssa said. "Send me whatever images or information you can in the meantime. If any of it is actionable, we'll get right on it."

The meeting broke up and I noticed Victus and Evan dithering nearby, casting furtive glances at me. They obviously wanted a word.

"Might I speak to you in private?" Kassallandra was never one to beat around the bush when she wanted something.

"Sure." I motioned toward the hallway.

"I'd also like a moment when you're done," Victus said.

"Me too," Evan added.

McCloud snorted, obviously finding the whole thing amusing. He walked around the table and slapped me on the back. "Being important is quite the bother, eh?"

I smiled and shrugged. "Thanks for coming, McCloud."

"Aye, my pleasure." He tipped his head at the others and left.

I went into the hallway with Kassallandra and walked to an adjacent conference room. Once inside, I closed the door. "How can I help you?"

"Why hasn't your father taken a more active role in house politics?" she asked bluntly.

I sensed her frustration and saw it plain on her face. "I think he's happy letting you take over. Wasn't that what you wanted?"

She frowned. "If we had married, it was to be a joint effort."

"That's not how I remember it." I pressed on without waiting for a reply. "You threatened to throw your support to Daelissa if he didn't marry you. By combining the two most powerful houses of Daemos, you planned to rule them all." I held out my hands in a
what gives?
gesture. "Isn't that what you wanted?"

Kassallandra's frown deepened, marring her beautiful face. Finally, she huffed. "Yes, it is precisely what I wanted, but now that I have it, I must admit it's very difficult controlling everything on my own. Every house has a mind of its own, and the house heads have insufferable egos I must deal with."

I tried not to laugh, really I did, but it burst out. "Coming from you, that's a rather ironic statement."

"Do not mock me," she hissed.

I stiffened. "I'm calling it like I see it, Kassallandra. As the noms say, be careful what you wish for—you just might get it."

She threw up her hands. "I would kill Yuuki Wakahisa with a blunt object if her murder brought me no consequence." Her red eyes blazed. "And Godric Salomon would be next."

"I wouldn't blame you one bit if you did." I held up a hand. "That's not permission from the Kohvaniss to start killing other Daemos leaders just because you hate them."

Kassallandra looked down, for once appearing almost humble. "Please speak with your father about helping me."

I almost felt sorry for her. Almost. "This is what you've always wanted. I'm certain my father is happy to let you lead and most likely won't interfere unless you really mess up." I shrugged. "I'll tell him, but no promises."

She nodded. "It is all I ask."

There was nothing more to say, so I slid open the door and walked outside.

Evan, Victus, and Delectra waited for me in the corridor. I repressed a heartfelt sigh. "Next."

Victus motioned toward the room. "You may go first, Farnsworth."

"No, you go first," the other man said.

"Really, now, I insist." Victus put a hand on the other man's back.

"Don't touch me!"

I suspected the two would argue all day about it, so I pointed to Evan. "Come inside, please."

Kassallandra made her way through the group, but not before giving me a slightly smug look. I suspected she enjoyed seeing my plight.

Evan scowled, but went inside the room. I followed him and closed the door behind me. "Speak." I was running out of patience.

"You can't recommend Victus for Arcanus Primus," he said bluntly. "The man is a scientist first, and an Arcane second. He'll surely use the position to undermine the Arcane Council."

"Who says I'm going to recommend him?" I said.

He looked relieved. "Then you realize that I offer the most for the position?"

I put my hands on the back of a chair and leaned on it. "What I see is that the Arcanes need to choose their leader for themselves. I don't want to recommend anyone."

His mouth dropped open a fraction. "But your word could easily decide the next primus."

"Yes, and I don't think it's up to me to decide." I released the chair and folded my arms. "If it were up to me, I'd go with someone I know, like Captain Takei of the Blue Cloaks." That man had shown he knew how to lead, and he'd been a vital asset in the war against Daelissa.

He nodded vigorously. "He would be an ideal choice. Unfortunately, when I spoke to him, he showed no interest in politics."

"Well, the people most qualified to lead are rarely the ones elected." I shrugged. "I think it's best to leave it up to the Arcanes."

"In that case, Victus will likely win." His shoulders slumped. "I fear for the future if that man gains more political power."

"Why do you feel that way?"

"There are rumors that he's conducting genetic splicing experiments between humans and animals."

It sounded like something out of a mad scientist movie—precisely what Science Academy was all about. "Is he using actual humans, or just human DNA?"

"Well, I'm not well versed in science, so I can't say for sure." Evan tapped his chin as if trying to jog loose a bit of scientific fact. "Are you familiar with the tragon?"

I snorted. "Probably a little more familiar than most, yes." Part Tyrannosaurus rex, and part dragon, the monstrous creature had helped me in a couple of pivotal battles, though not willingly. I suspected he'd much rather have eaten me than served as my reptilian sidekick.

"Victus created him during his schooling at Science Academy."

My arms dropped to my sides. "He's the one who made that monster?"

"My sources at Science Academy say the tragon was supposed to fight in the Grand Melee, but since it's not a golem or a robot, it wasn't allowed." He jabbed a finger toward the door. "That man is busy creating more such monstrosities."

"You have proof?"

He shook his head. "No, but I trust my sources."

That led me to another question. "Is it illegal to create monsters?"

Evan paused. "If it's not, it should be."

I couldn't argue with him there. Unfortunately, I wasn't the one in charge of Overworld rules. "Do you have any other reasons why you think Victus would be a danger if he takes power?"

"Perhaps I should put you in touch with my people at Science Academy. They went to school with the man. They know him much better than I do." His eyes shone with sincerity. "I trust their word and think it would be a horrible mistake to allow Victus to gain power."

"Why isn't his wife running for the position? Isn't she an Arcane?"

Evan's lips peeled back. "She doesn't have the personality to win. Delectra has always relied on her last name to open doors for her."

My eyebrows pinched. "I didn't realize Edison was such a good name to have."

Evan nodded. "If you're a scientist, having a name like Edison, Einstein, and so on will open a lot of doors in that community." He crossed his arms. "In the Arcane world, Delectra's maiden name is powerful."

I waited for an answer, but he was really milking the suspense. "What's her last name?"

"Her full name is Delectra Moore." He let that sink in. "She is a descendant of the very founder of the Arcane Council itself, Ezzek Moore."

Chapter 17

I couldn't believe my ears. "Ezzek Moore had children?"

Evan nodded. "He had many children over his long lifespan."

I rocked back on my feet. "Are you certain?" The first Arcane had lived thousands of years and gone by many names—Moses, Ezzek Moore, and finally Jeremiah Conroy. I'd known him only a fraction of his lengthy time on earth before Daelissa killed him. He'd never mentioned children to me, but it made sense that anyone with such a long life conceivably had whole flocks of rug rats.

"He had twenty-three children we know of over the course of a century—most by different women." A wondering look came over Evan's face. "For all we know, he had many more than that."

"I didn't know Ezzek very well, but I suppose it makes sense he probably has descendants who are alive today." An image of Daelissa burning him to death flashed into my head and I shivered. "Does she have Ezzek's gift for magic?"

He waggled his hand. "I believe so. She used to be a different person—a world class broom racer, if you can believe it. Then her entire family was murdered, and it turned her into the ice queen you met today."

I grimaced. "Yeah, I suppose I could see how that might affect someone." I paced a few steps toward the door. "Unless you have anything else to add, I think we're done here."

"I'll give you the contact information for my people at Science Academy so you can verify the unsettling truth about Victus," Evan said. "Please talk to them when you get a chance."

"In case you hadn't noticed, we're in the middle of a crisis." I put my hand on the door. "I'll talk with them when I have a chance."

"That's all I ask," he said, an almost verbatim repeat of Kassallandra's last words to me.