Page 61 of Obsessed in Blood
“Ever since Devon has started his crusade to remove his censure, he’s discovered tidbits of information that make him believe that his parents’ deaths weren’t an accident.”
Teller’s face grew red, and his hands that had been resting comfortably next to the coffee cup fisted. “We’d suspected, but there wasn’t enough evidence. And with Lyra’s injuries and Devon’s arrival, we had no choice but to drop it.”
“I’ve searched old newspapers, but there’s not enough information to lead me anywhere. I’ve asked for the files on the accident from the police, but I don’t expect them to be of any help once they find them.”
“Why now after all this time?”
“There was another accident a week ago involving a Family member who is quite dear to Devon. It has the same feel as the one that killed his parents.”
“And you suspect Venizi?”
“We know it was him. The passenger was kidnapped, and the driver burned in a suspicious fire. The passenger ended up on Shadow Island but managed to escape.”
“Now that is someone I’d like to meet. I didn’t think anyone could get on or off that island without Venizi’s permission.”
“And I imagine that it’s still driving him mad.”
Teller finished his coffee and pushed the cup aside, resting his elbows on the table. “As much as all this makes me happy, I’m not sure what I can do for you.”
“I’m trying to locate Yun. He was my predecessor. I’m hoping he had insights that might help with our investigation.”
“Venizi is too good to leave enough evidence worth taking to Council.”
“It’s not evidence we need, and we have no plan to take it to Council.”
Teller’s brows rose. “Devon plays a dangerous game.”
Sergi’s devilish smile should be enough to let Teller know how serious House Trelane was in this endeavor. “And he has every intention of winning.”
Teller did know where Yun was and texted the vampire, who immediately agreed to meet with Sergi.
Now, Sergi was driving to the top of a desolate mountain where a private monastery hid deep in the backcountry of British Columbia. From what Teller told him, the monastery was non-denominational. Anyone interested in pursuing their own beliefs was welcome, but they took their privacy seriously.
Sergi had tracked down preliminary information on Yun, who had also moved to a smaller House but, after twenty years, was offered a cadre spot in a larger one. He spent forty years there before turning rogue to focus on his studies of ancient Japanese religions and martial arts.
From the outside, the monastery was everything one would expect. Stark walls that looked centuries old with little adornment. With the building sitting above the tree line, vegetation was scarce and what little was there were nothing more than scattered bushes hardened to withstand the snowy winter months. Being summer, the grass was green, softening the severe building that covered a city block.
Once inside, everything changed. The first thing was the sound of chirping birds and a waterfall. The immense entry hall had a marble floor, tall ceilings, and white walls, which were bare with the exception of an occasional watercolor of herons or swans in mountain and lake landscapes.
Low couches ran along two walls, and a large double door that rose from floor to ceiling was the only entrance to the rest of the building. He found one additional wall hanging by the door where an internal map of the structure had been hand-drawn. The simple rectangular building was divided into three levels of multiple rooms and hallways. In the center, a long space had been carved out for a garden area in addition to sectioned-off areas that ran alongside the interior building walls.
He didn’t have long to peruse the map before the doors opened and a short man of undetermined years with a slight bend to his back and wearing a navy-blue yukata shuffled through the door and bowed.
“Brother Yun is expecting you.” He spoke with a clear British accent that surprised Sergi. When the man turned and walked back through the door, Sergi followed.
The door shut quietly behind him, and he decided not to dwell on how the door closed when no one else had been present. They traversed down a long hall with doors on either side, then turned right at the end to follow it three-quarters of the way down. He considered suggesting a movable walkway, then decided the occupants wouldn’t be bothered by how long it took to get from one place to another.
He doubted he’d survive long in this stark environment.
The guide pressed a button, and a faint melodic chime could be heard on the other side of the door.
A long minute later, the door opened to a wiry man of average height, dark intelligent eyes, and a blank expression. He wore a dark-colored gi, and a light sheen covered his brow.
“Thank you, Lee. That will be all.” Yun waited for the man to bow and exit before turning his gaze to Sergi. “I was just finishing my morning meditation. You’ll need to excuse my dress.”
“It is I who has taken you away from your daily rituals.”
The vampire snorted and turned to lead Sergi into a room that wasn’t too dissimilar to the entryway of the monastery except in size and with more wall hangings. There were watercolors in addition to scrolls and pedestals with sleek sculptures.
