Page 19 of Lucas
Lucas sat back, and Ginger scooted closer, reaching out for his arm. “Do you know what the benefits were that were shared between the species?”
Beall shook his head. “I have my suspicions, but I never had the benefit of reading the book. And no, I won’t share an old vampire’s musings. You’ll have to discover that on your own. I’m not one to start rumors, especially around something that can get one killed.”
“And the reason why the book has been hidden?” Lucas asked the obvious question, and as much as he wanted confirmation, he knew he wasn’t going to get it. But Beall’s words were enough to read between the lines.
Beall drained his teacup and reached for the teapot. Ginger rose and picked it up, refilling his cup and refreshing theirs. “Thank you, my dear. You’re very kind.” He gave Lucas a wink. “And properly trained. I should expect nothing less from House Trelane. Guildford was always particular about the kindness of his Blood Wards to do the right thing.”
Lucas bowed his head, accepting the compliment. He’d owe Ginger a fancy dinner as compensation for her performance today.
After finishing his second cup, Beall continued. “The species lived comfortably together for centuries until certain members of the Council began to fear the dreamwalkers. From what I heard, there had been a few bad apples among the dreamwalkers, but it was enough. These members convinced the majority of the Council that there was a better path without the dreamwalkers. The rumors and fear spread rapidly, which is one reason I don’t barter in rumors.”
“And what happened?” Lucas asked.
He shrugged. “There are dozens of answers—maybe more—to that question. But I’ll sum it up for you. In all your years as a vampire, have you ever been told of dreamwalkers, let alone met one?”
Lucas shrugged and hedged his answer. “Not once in all my earlier years.”
“Yet, if I had to guess at your mission, this book is something you’d search for even without Trelane’s support.”
Lucas allowed a small grin to show. “I’m a student of history, and other than this one elusive book, there’s nothing else written about dreamwalkers in the Renaud library that I’m aware of.”
“And yet it seems Trelane is hanging his seat on the Council on this very book.”
“Let’s just say he’s building a rather strong case.”
A light glow hit Beall’s gaze, and he grinned. “I see.” He steepled his fingers and gave Lucas a long, appraising stare. “Then I’ll leave you with the one piece of information I feel confident in sharing. The last I heard—and this was about a year ago—Fiona was in Fayetteville, Tennessee. She’s your best hope in locating the book.”
Chapter Eight
The pub wasreminiscent of what I thought a pub should look like. Not the fancy ones intent on encouraging the happy hour crowds with electronic dart boards and flashy video games. The food would be the typical fare you’d find in any chain restaurant regardless of the name on the building.
This pub was dark, smoky, and narrow, with dark-green walls and tables with wooden bench seats with tall backs so you weren’t staring at the back of someone’s head in the next booth. A scarred and drink-stained bar ran the length of the building against the wall to the left.
In the far-right corner, two men stood next to a pool table with a single red lampshade hanging over it. They watched a third man take a shot, and they leaned to the left as the ball rolled toward the pocket as if they were encouraging its progress. When it hit the edge and bounced away, their moans could be heard above Johnny Cash singing about a boy named Sue. Music my father listened to when we lived in Nevada before the family moved to Seattle.
Lucas selected an empty booth in the middle of the room and sat so he could watch the door. Neither of us expected vamps to make a move in a human bar, but we weren’t taking any chances.He’d already checked the back exit and ensured we had a clear path to it.
After leaving House Beall, Lucas drove south until the sun was close to setting. He didn’t want to put the House in jeopardy by staying too close. I wasn’t sure it made a difference, but Lucas had taken a state highway that headed the same southerly direction as the interstate, hoping to stay off the vamps’ radar.
“What do you think of Beall’s story?” I asked the question because he hadn’t wanted to discuss it while driving. It didn’t happen often, but sometimes Lucas required complete quiet to untangle a knotty problem or work through a strategy. Basically, he was in his head, and his blank expression was his “do not disturb” sign.
“His story carries the startling authenticity of the truth.” He stole my leftover pickle and took a swig of beer. “I’m disappointed with the Council…something that’s becoming more common the further we pursue Devon’s mission.”
“You expect more from your government? It’s not much different on the human side.” I nibbled at my fried cod, pleased at how tender and juicy it was, while glancing at Lucas’s salad. Only with vamps would the male be eating a salad while the female human was stuffing fried food in her mouth. My only excuse was that comfort food reduced my stress levels. I was going to gain an easy five pounds before this trip was over.
“The only thing I’ve learned is Remus has been right all along, though I shouldn’t be surprised. It matches Devon’s vision.”
“Of a combined Council?”
“It’s only fair. Equal representation.”
“That would only be true if the dreamwalkers get their fair number of seats.”
Lucas grimaced and stabbed at his salad, piercing the tender leaves as fiercely as if they were enemy combatants. “And that will be a hard sell with the current Council.”
“Not if we find the book, and Beall gave us the best lead we’ve had so far. Except it doesn’t match what Sergi gave us.”
“But it’s close enough.”
