Story of Sebastian

Story of Sebastian, Chap 14

Chapter Fourteen

            “Come on, Kitten,” Sebastian sighed.

            Sorcha looked up from her little spot on the beach. “You mean it?”

            “Yes, watching you pout has made me give in.”

            He ducked the ball of sand that flew at him. She didn’t buy his little lie apparently. Oh well.

            “You need something…” Sorcha started as he turned his back. She ran after him. “Okay, fine, I don’t care what it is. Just tell me we’re going somewhere with people.”

            “We’re going to London.”

            He ignored the rest of her excited questions. Clearly she was trying to figure out where the roughest parts of town were. It was London, pick any back alley or dive bar and she could find trouble. Which made Sebastian all the more pressured to find his answer. The problem was, to get time to sneak out and find it he’d have to leave her to her devices. Something he was sure would add to the problem.

            Sebastian threw their things over his shoulder after shaking off the sand. His hand latched around Sorcha’s and they were off.  He pulled her back and pointed to her pants as they stood on the cobbled back alley.

            “Might want to shake the sand off, pretty sure they don’t have that around here.”

            Sorcha actually blushed. “Right, black sand would raise some questions.”

            She called a strong breeze to blow them both free of the stuff. Whatever was stuck under the clothes or in their shoes would have to wait for the hotel. Sebastian started out across the street, zeroing in on the bed and breakfast style inn. They were pretty close to the city’s center and what Sebastian needed.

            He watched her out of the corner of his eyes. She was oddly quiet as they checked in and cleaned up. For ease, they usually just shared a double room now. Sebastian taking the couch or floor if they weren’t available. She was in the restroom and he heard water running as he dropped their bags. He grinned, she was excited to go out and afraid to show it. He wasn’t the only one learning how to hide his feelings.

            Sebastian cleaned the weapons while he waited. The movement of his hands mechanical from years of repetition, his mind churned over the problem. He was starting to care for the brat like a sister. Add Dubhan, his only friend ever, to the equation and he was in one pile of shit. Sebastian didn’t want to let either one down by letting Paul’s plan work.

            Ah, the plan. He only had an idea of what it entailed. He was here to do research and find out if he was right. Sebastian partly hoped he was wrong, because if he was right the damage was already done.

            The bathroom door opened, breaking his thoughts, and a clean Sorcha walked out trying not to look excited. The energy radiated off of her though and he sensed it.

            “Go, just try to stay out of too much trouble.”

            “I’ll whistle if I need you,” she winked and was off at a run.

            Sebastian armed up and headed for the one place he knew could help. The trick would be getting in. He wandered the streets slowly, pulling his trench close together and lowering the brim of his hat to block the mist. Night was coming into bloom and with it all the creatures of the night.

            He found the right door that he remembered from ages ago and knocked. The peep hole slid open and slammed closed. Sebastian heard rushing around behind it. He placed his hand on the knob and concentrated. Throwing the door open and closed behind him, he walked into the scribe’s shop.

            “Sebastian,” the old man nervously laughed. “Heard you were dead.”

            “I am.”

            The man tried kicking something under a table behind him and Sebastian grinned. “I’m not here as an enforcer.  You don’t have to hide shit from me.”

            “In that case, welcome,” a voice boomed from the back.

            The tall, lean figure walked forward and Sebastian bobbed his head, his only deference to their rules.

            “Lucias, I need a favor.”

            “Why should I grant you one,” the vampire smiled, showing his fangs. “You are not what I would call a friend.”

            Sebastian growled. “I never burned the place down either.”

            The man let out a shriek of indignation and then calmed. “True, you did not hold us at fault for that nasty incident. What do you require?”

            “I need information on the Fae.”

            “Why would I have it?”

            “Drop the bullshit, Lucias.”

            Sebastian played hardball. Every good enforcer knew that vampires were no better than snoops and gossips who recorded everything. It added to their thinking that they were better than everyone else. Truth was, he’d mentioned fire on purpose. It was a subtle reminder that he could still burn the place down and no one would care.

            Lucias caved and bowed. “Fine, I may have some information. Please follow me.”

            Sebastian did, careful where he stepped. Vampire record houses were littered with landmines and booby traps. Paranoid bunch, but usually kept to themselves and stayed out of trouble… except for that one incident.

            “I trust you took care of Mr. Upstart.”

            “Of course,” Lucias grinned. “He answered to vampiric law and paid the price.”

            Sebastian held back his snort. Wouldn’t be surprised if the nitwit was locked up in the wall somewhere, the damn vampiric laws were steep and strict regarding taking the life of another vampire. Thankfully, Lucias was one of the few who would talk to him. It’d been a shock to find out the little bastard had been from his coven. Lucias was a much needed ally for information, so Sebastian had turned the kid over as a peace offering.

            “Ah, here we are, the room of scrolls. Were you looking for any particular type of Fae?” Lucias asked.

            Sebastian knew by the grin the vampire was hoping he didn’t, sorry for his luck. “Dark fae.”

            “Very rare, may only be a few scrolls…”

            “Just wave your staff, Lucias, I’m in a hurry.”

Sebastian leaned against the door frame and waited. Lucias said a few words in a strange language and indeed waved his walking stick. A few scrolls floated out from their shelves and landed on the table in a cloud of dust.

Lucias waved his hands and coughed delicately. “Sorry, not much need for those.”

“Don’t worry about it.”

“I trust you know the way out.” At his nod, Lucias started out. “And, don’t steal, you know we catalogue all this.”

Like he could forget. Sebastian rolled his eyes and got to work. He pulled out the notepad and pen he’d snuck in and began to take notes.