In Moonlight - Ch 15 - Interviewing Vampires

"So, we're meeting a vampire. In a library. At noon?" Genie asked.

As they crossed the cobblestones of Windenburg's Olde Platz, Genie noted that Etta appeared more focused and confident than she had been. Whatever understanding she'd come to with Miranda appeared to have eased at least some of Etta's tension. Which was good, Genie thought, what with the whole 'meeting a vampire' thing.

"Would you prefer meeting a vampire in a creepy cemetery at sunset?" Etta asked, a touch of mischief in her dark eyes.

"No, thank you. Been there, done that. It nearly went very badly for me," Genie said with a shudder. "But, you know... Vampires. Sunlight."

"Vampires don't really burn up in daylight," Etta explained. "That's a myth, and a fairly modern one. I think it was started in the 1920s by a silent movie, Nosferatu. Later movies popularized the idea."

"You're a bit of geek, aren't you?" Genie teased quietly as they entered the library.

"No, I'm not," Etta said calmy. "I'm a nerd and that's a secret. If you tell anyone, I'll have to kill you."

Genie smiled. Etta was definitely feeling more herself if she could joke around. At least, Genie thought, I hope she's joking.

The interior of the library was all dark wood, antique furniture and old books. It had been the manor house of some noble family once, Genie remembered. Many of the old noble families had lost their fortunes in the last century. Estates and manor houses had been sold off and converted to other uses. Genie found herself wondering if there was a converted building somewhere in the city that had once been the manor of Etta's Blackwood ancestors. 

The library was quiet and nearly empty, apart from a pair of young women playing chess and a lean man watching them politely.

Etta did nothing to announce them, but as they walked closer, the lean man turned and came over to meet them, moving with a languid grace that drew Genie's eye. OK, so he's hot, she thought. Stay focused, you're supposed to be meeting a vampire, not picking up random guys in a library.

"Lady Blackwood." The man greeted Etta in a faintly accented voice that sent shivers down Genie's spine. "So good to see you again."

"Caleb," Etta replied. "Thank you for agreeing to meet us. Allow me to present Genie Elderberry. Genie, this is Caleb Vatore."

"Caleb Vatore, like the author?" Genie said, taking the man's strong, cool hand. "You know, the one who wrote all those vampire novels... except he'd be in his sixties or seventies and you're... Oh God."

"Actually, I'm a hundred and twenty three," Caleb said softly. "But don't tell anyone."

"You're a vampire," Genie whispered.

"And you are the reporter who helped take down the Alto crime family," Caleb said, leading them over to one of the dark wood tables. "An impressive feat for anyone, especially a young woman barely out of university... but I would expect nothing less from someone who keeps company with people as remarkable as Claudette Blackwood and Miranda Goth."

"I can also tie a knot in a cherry stem with my tongue," Genie said. Oh my God, she thought a moment later, did I actually say that out loud?

"Good to know," Caleb smiled.

"I hate to interrupt, but if we could spend just a moment talking about that whole murder investigation business," Etta put in.

"Of course," Genie said. Get a grip, woman, she thought to herself. He's a vampire for God's sake.

"So concludes the light banter portion of today's entertainment," Caleb smiled, brazenly unashamed.

"Behave yourself," Etta said firmly.

"My dear Claudette, you of all people know that my behavior is always beyond reproach," Caleb said. "At least in comparison to my peers."

"It's a low bar, Caleb," Etta countered, but Genie noticed she smiled as she said it.

"Touché," the vampire smiled in return.

"The murder of Shannon Charm, Caleb. What do you know?" Etta said firmly.

"Not much, I'm afraid," Caleb said. "Just what I read online. A young woman, killed in broad daylight in Gesellschafter Square. Police suspect a mugging gone wrong. You think it was a vampire kill. You wouldn't be asking me otherwise... but why? Was she fed upon?"

"I don't think so," Genie said. "She was stabbed multiple times and bled out in the square. The witness I spoke to didn't mention anyone lingering around to... um... drink, and the medical examiner's report doesn't say anything about... well... biting."

"Probably not a vampire kill then," Caleb said. "With that much blood, and there would have been a lot, I'm afraid one of us would have had a hard time resisting the urge to drink. Mind you that doesn't completely rule out the Dark Court's involvement. I know a few Houses who keep killers in their stables, and even a minor House would know how to hire one... but, again, why? What would make this Shannon Charm a target of the Court?"

"She was a witch," Etta pointed out.

"Ah, well... wait, Charm? As in Baron Charm?" Caleb looked suddenly serious.

"His daughter," Genie nodded. 

"God's Blood," Caleb cursed. "That's... that's bad. That's very bad. For someone to attack one of the Old Families, now of all times. It's madness."

"Why 'now of all times'?" Genie asked. 

"Because of you," Caleb replied. "Because of what you did with the Alto family. You have to understand, with Lady Hel destroyed and Nick Alto in prison, most of the Houses were maneuvering to get influence over the Alto family, the last major crime family in the Republic. Whichever House had them in their stable would be a force to reckoned with. When you took them down, all the Houses started blaming each other, and that just dragged up all the old grudges, vendettas and petty rivalries they've nursed over past few decades or centuries... "

"The Dark Court is in chaos," he continued. "The Houses are coming down hard, trying to keep their vassals under control, which only makes some of them more rebellious. Rumor is there's open fighting between the Willow Creek barons. For someone to challenge House Charm now? They may as well build a pyre and throw themselves into the flames. It would be quicker and probably less painful."

"We need to know for sure," Etta said firmly. "Who can we talk to?"

"Bludvin would know," Caleb said grimly. To Genie's blank look he added, "Baron Bludvin of House Straud. He's Count Straud's most loyal vassal, and effectively Master of Windenburg in the Count's absence. If someone is killing witches in Windenburg, they're either doing it on Bludvin's orders or in defiance of his authority. Either way, he'd know." 

"Can you arrange a meeting for me? Today?" Etta asked. 

"Do you know what you're asking? Never mind, of course you do," Caleb sighed. "I know someone close to Bludvin. I can try to call in a favor, but I can't promise anything... safe passage least of all."

------------------

"You don't have to come in with me," Etta said.

Looking at the creepy, old, vine-covered mansion, Genie didn't think either one of them should go in there. It didn't look safe from a purely structural standpoint, forgetting about the fact that it was supposedly full of vampires. A creepy, old, vine-covered mansion at sunset was definitely the kind of place to meet vampires. In a horror movie. 

"I said I'd back you up. I'm backing you up," Genie said with more confidence than she felt. At least, she thought, if this is a horror movie, I'm probably safe. I'm not a top heavy coed and I haven't had sex in months. Who knew that might turn out to be a good thing?

"Genie, I want you to understand," Etta said firmly. "The only things keeping us safe in there are an ancient tradition of hospitality, which they might or might not feel compelled to honor in our case, and their fear of my powers."

"I thought you didn't have powers anymore," Genie said.

"Precisely," Etta replied.

The smiling butler who met them at the door was pale, thin, and as creepy as the mansion. As his eyes roved over her, Genie couldn't decide if she want to slap him or run away screaming.

"You are expected," he purred. His accent reminded her of Caleb's, but the shiver that went through her when the butler spoke was very different. "Please come with me."

The very last thing Genie wanted to do was follow him deeper into the house, but she'd promised to back Etta up. The fair-haired ex-witch just nodded imperiously, as if she had already dismissed the butler as unworthy of notice. It was a look that reminded Genie uncomfortably of her mom.

With a last glance back at the door and the fading sunlight, Genie followed Etta into the creepy mansion. Too late to back out now, she thought.

"Ms. Faust, or do you prefer Lady Blackwood? Welcome to Bludvin House," Baron Bludvin greeted them in smooth, cultured tones. The vampire, in his old-fashioned suit, seemed to match the antique elegance of the crumbling sitting room and its lavish portraits. Genie recognized that painting of Count Vladislaus Straud, prominent behind the Baron.

"Thank you for agreeing to see us," Etta replied formally, managing to look at home in the strange room despite her rustic clothes.

"I am, of course, always honored to have the great Doctor Faust's protégée as a guest, and dear Faith tells me that you wish to speak with me on an urgent matter," Bludvin said, gesturing to the slim, dark goth woman lounging on a couch, managing to look at once sultry and bored.

"Yes," Etta said. "An urgent matter concerning the death of Shannon Charm, daughter of Baron Darrel Charm."

"So, you are here on behalf House Charm, are you Lady Blackwood?" Bludvin sneered. "Have you finally tired of tumbling with the dogs of the Moonwood? I gather in recent years it has become fashionable for young witches to... entertain themselves... among such beasts."

"Hey," Genie snapped.

Etta gestured her to silence, not taking her eyes off the master vampire. 

"Was Shannon Charm killed on your orders?" she asked almost conversationally. "Or have you become so dissipated and depraved that your vassals no longer consult you before they act?" 

"Your father would reward me richly for your broken body, Lady Blackwood," Bludvin replied with a snarl. "And there are many in the Court who would hail me a champion if I were seen to drink the heart's blood of Genie Elderberry, whose actions have so frustrated all their goals."

Genie was suddenly very aware of the pounding of her heart. She wondered if the vampire could hear it. Was it making him hungry? Glancing behind her, she saw the pale butler and another man... another vampire... standing in the doorway. Am I going to die here, she thought.

"Was Shannon Charm killed on your orders?" Etta repeated calmly.

"No," Bludvin snarled. "No vassal or thrall of my House ended her life, nor did any paid killer employed by me or mine. No other member of the Dark Court is responsible for her death either, because none of them could commit such an act in my domain without my knowledge, nor would they dare to go against my will. Tell Baron Charm that if he wants open war with the Court, he will need to manufacture another excuse!"

"As for the two of you," Bludvin continued. "If I let you leave here alive, it will enrage your father and infuriate the other Houses... which is reason enough for me to allow it. Begone, while this still amuses me."

Genie blinked, shocked by the vampire's sudden change. A moment ago she had been certain she should be screaming and running for her life. Now, he seemed to have almost lost interest in them.

"The courtesy and hospitality of your House have been all I have come to expect from a lord of the Dark Court, Baron Bludvin," Etta said with a slight mocking bow.

Please don't taunt the vampire, Genie thought, desperately hoping Etta didn't goad him into changing his attitude again.

"And your elegance and dignity are as memorable as ever, Lady Blackwood," Bludvin replied with the same mocking bow. At least he still seemed to be amused.

Etta turned on her heel, with what Genie considered to be a lot of elegance and dignity. Though it did put them face to face with the two vampires blocking the exit. Genie's heart hammered in her chest. She was certain the vampires could hear it.

"Move," Etta commanded softly.

"For a minute there, I thought we were in real trouble," Genie said when they finally reached the outside, desperately breathing in the cool, damp evening air.

"Don't kid yourself," Etta said with a slight smile. "We were in real trouble from the moment we arrived."

"Do you trust him?" Genie asked.

"Bludvin? I trust him about as far as I can comfortably spit out a rat," Etta said. "If you mean, do I believe him when he says he isn't responsible for Shannon's death, and that he doesn't think anyone else in the Court is either, I do. Caleb's right. He's genuinely worried about open war with Glimmerbrook. With the Court in chaos, they don't want that. 

"If you mean do I think he's actually serious about letting us get out of here alive," Etta added. "Well, I think it would be a very good idea for us to get to a public place. One with a lot of people. Quickly. Come on, it's getting dark."

------------------------------

Author's Note: Thanks to snuffybucket for the cameos of April, Melinda, Faith and Seth. 

Check out their original versions in the dark and wonderful SimLit, Almost Eternal. 

In Moonlight - Ch 14 - The Charming Baron Charm

"Are you sure this is a good idea?" Jenny asked.

Once back in the Old City, she and Miranda had taken the bus out to Stoneridge House in the Windenburg hills. It wasn't as big as the Elderberry's sprawling estate on Crumbling Isle, but there was an air of antique majesty about the house. Jenny couldn't help feeling a little intimidated, especially now that she knew Baron Charm, on top of being a wealthy and powerful nobleman, was a witch. 

"I mean, I've been thrown out of a few places before," Jenny continued. "Believe me, the bouncers always remember you."

"It's not a nightclub, Jenny, and he's a butler, not a bouncer," Miranda smiled easily. "Trust we, I can get us in. That's the easy part."

"Is my outfit OK?" Jenny asked, rocking to a halt. "I mean... I decided I wanted something that looked professional but also a little boob forward... but not too boob forward. It's too boob forward, isn't it? Or maybe it's not boob forward enough? Do you think we have time to go back to Genie's so I could try another outfit?"

"You look fine," Miranda said soothingly. "Just like your first two outfits looked fine. Baron Charm's not an ogre, Jenny. He's a witch, just like me. He's not going to eat you. So just take a breath, OK."

"Sorry, I know I don't usually freak out like this but... " Jenny sighed. "I've just never really dealt with, like, a lot of aristos or... what did you call him... old witches? The whole aristo old witches thing is kind freaking me."

"Witches of the Old Blood. Basically, yeah, aristo witches," Miranda replied. "You'll do fine. Just... if he offers you anything to eat or drink, accept graciously, but don't say 'thank you.'"

"Ummm, about that, you know I've had this thing with like booze and... you know... substances," Jenny said. Three years clean and sober, she reminded herself. 

"Don't worry, I've got your back," Miranda said gently. "Also, don't make any promises or offer him anything."

"Right," Jenny nodded. It's like a role, she thought. These are just the director's notes. I've had weirder director's notes. "OK, so... what do you need doing? Am I being flirty? Distracting? Are my boobs OK?"

"Your boobs are fine," Miranda chuckled. "But really, I think curious would be better than flirty. You're mortal but you know about us. Witches, I mean. At the same time, you don't know a lot about our world. Ask questions and we'll see where his answers take us."

"Can I help you?" The same pale-skinned, red-haired, weird-looking butler as the last time answered the door with the same tone of voice. One which suggested the very last thing he wanted to do was to help anyone. His sharp green eyes narrowed in recognition at Jenny, but before he could open his mouth to say anything else, Miranda spoke up. 

"I am Miranda, daughter of Cassandra, of House Silveroak," she said in a ringing voice. "I request an audience with Darrel, son of Augustus, of House Charm." 

Jenny couldn't help grinning. She could hear the echoes of Miranda's community theater days in her voice.

Still, the butler seemed to buy it. His entire manner changed instantly, and he made a deeply respectful bow. "Lady Silveroak. Stoneridge House is greatly honored by the presence of a Guardian of Glimmerbrook Watch."

"I am Cole," the butler said smoothly. "If you and your... companion... would follow me."

"Of course," Miranda nodded politely. 

Jenny could see her friend's suppressed grin and bit back a laugh as they followed Mr. Snooty Cole into an impressive looking room, complete with fancy bookshelves, stately portraits that reminded Jenny of the Elderberry's, and antique but comfortable-looking couches.

"I will inform Baron Charm of your arrival," Cole said. "Please wait here."

Miranda nodded her agreement, leaving Jenny wondering about the whole "don't say thank you" thing. 

"OK, I have so many questions already," Jenny said as they took a seat on one of the couches, which she was pleased to see were even more comfortable than they looked.

Miranda grinned. "Go on then."

"OK, first, House Silveroak? Guardian? What's all that about?" Jenny said.

"Silveroak is Gwen's family," Miranda said. Even knowing she was a witch, Jenny always just thought of  Miranda's other mother as someone who was nice and a little out of it, like most artists. 

"In the mortal world, the Goth name is big, between mom's fame and the old family money," Miranda continued. "Among witches, those don't mean much, and it's Gwen's name that's a really big deal. House Silveroak is one of the Old Families and Gwen's uncle Simeon is on the Council. As for the whole Guardian thing, it's... complicated and also tied up with Gwen's family. It's usually just terrifying, honestly, but it's also a really big deal to people like the Charms."

"OK, second, what's with Snooty McSnootyPants's ears?" Jenny said. "He looks like an extra in the Lord of the Rings."

"He's alfar," Miranda said. At Jenny's blank look, she added, "He's... well yeah, kind of an elf. Elf-blooded anyway. The alfar... the elves... were the first witches. They had children with mortals and, after generations, you get witches like me, who are mostly mortal... but some witches, especially the older Glimmerbrook families, still have enough alfar blood for it to show."

"So, there are elves? Like real Lord of the Rings style elves?" Jenny blinked. Ghosts, witches, werewolves, vampires, aliens and now elves? No matter how much she pretended to be cool about it all, it was a lot to take in. What's next, she wondered, mermaids in Sulani?

"Not many," Miranda said, "and most of the alfar have at least some mortal blood. There are only a few of the High Alfar left who don't. Gwen is one. You're about to meet another."

A door in the opposite wall swung open, and Cole stepped through looking, if anything, even more snooty than before.

"Darrel, son of Augustus, Baron of House Charm, Lord of Stoneridge," the butler announced formally as he bowed once again.

The man who followed him into the sitting room was, Jenny thought, kind of cute. He was younger than she'd expected, until she remember that the other witches she knew - Miranda's moms Cassie and Gwen - both looked a lot younger than they actually were. His long, dark hair covered the tips of his ears, effectively hiding any supposed high elf heritage. He looked a little uncomfortable in his formal, old-fashioned suit, and Jenny found herself imagining him looking better in jeans and a hoodie.

"Lady Miranda," Baron Charm said in a rich, cultured voice. "Welcome to Stoneridge House."

"Lord Charm, allow me to introduce my companion, Jenny Poole," Miranda said. "I hope you will forgive our intrusion. I only recently learned what happened to Shannon and..."

"It is no intrusion," Charm said easily as he took a seat opposite them. "I know Shannon considered you a friend. She would be pleased you came. Cole, bring something for our guests. Some of the Tartosan summer wine, perhaps."

Jenny flinched, remembering the crisp floral taste of summer wine. Three years, clean and sober, she thought, fighting the sudden longing.

"Actually, Lord Charm, do you have any fresh spring water," Miranda said smoothly. "I've been in the mortal world a long time and I miss it."

"Of course, from the headwaters of the Glimmer itself," Charm smiled. "Cole?"

"At once, my lord," the butler nodded.

"Shannon often said you inspired her," Lord Charm said a short while later.

Glimmerbrook spring water was amazing, Jenny thought. Almost enough to make her forget about summer wine.

"I... I can't imagine how," Miranda stammered in response. "We were friends at the Academy in Glimmerbrook, yes, but... inspired?"

"Your stories of the mortal world," Lord Charm replied. "Even the... unfortunate incident." A nice way to describe getting kidnapped, Jenny thought. "The way you were involved with the outside world. It was all inspiring to her."

"Was Shannon not involved in the real world? I mean our world, the... mortal... world?" Jenny asked.

"Not as a child," Lord Charm said. "My mother wouldn't allow it. She was determined that Shannon be raised in the strictest propriety, as a daughter of the Old Families. Perhaps she hoped everyone would forget the scandal."

"Scandal? I'm sorry, I don't mean to pry," Jenny added hastily. 

"Emilia, my wife, was one of the Ascended," Lord Charm said.

"A mortal with enough magic in her blood that it could be awakened with the proper rituals," Miranda explained. "It's called Ascension. It's rare but it happens sometimes."

"Among the more... let us say more traditional... members of our community, it is frowned upon," Lord Charm said. "An Ascended witch is considered little more than a mortal who has gotten above her proper station. I was, at the time, the son and heir of one of the most respected of the Old Families... Well, dalliances with mortals are expected, even encouraged... but to marry one. Oh yes, it was a great scandal.

"But I loved Emilia and I would not be swayed," he continued, gesturing at the family portrait behind them. "So we married and we had a child, Shannon, but shortly before she was born, my father was taken from us. I was required to assume his duties as Baron. I offered to bring Emilia and Shannon here to Stoneridge House, but my mother insisted Shannon be raised among our own people. Sadly, in Glimmerbrook, Emilia could not escape the whispers and the snide looks. She was always so determined to prove herself. I believe that is what led her to the experiments and ultimately to the accident that took her from us. Shannon was only a child."

"I'm so sorry," Jenny said sincerely.

"Forgive me, Ms. Poole, but you can scarcely imagine it," Lord Charm sighed. "We are immortals. My father, whose portraits hang throughout this house, led our family from the Dark Ages through to the modern era, and should be leading it still. I myself have lived longer than this Republic has existed. I should have had centuries with my wife. Centuries to watch my daughter grow into the great woman I know she could have been.

"Instead, they have been taken from me," he sighed. "Emilia, lost to the arrogance of my own people. My father and Shannon, lost to the savagery of the Dark Court."

"You believe the Dark Court killed Shannon?" Miranda asked carefully.

"Can you, of all of us, doubt it?" Lord Charm said, suddenly fierce as a blazing fire. Jenny thought she could actually feel the heat of his anger rolling across the room. "When the Dark Court has twice in a mere quarter-century committed bloody slaughter against House Silveroak. When they have struck at you, personally, even more times than that! All while the Witches' Council stands idle, calling it a private feud between House Silveroak and House Straud. Cowardice!

"Now they have struck at my House again. They have dared to take my daughter from me!" His voice was like trumpets and a driving martial drumbeat. "It will not stand. My agents are already hunting for the proof of it, and when they find it, I will address the Council. And they... they will ignore it. They will make excuses. They will plead for peace... but they will not have it! House Charm will stand with House Silveroak. The minor Houses, the scions of Lost Families, the Ascended... all those the Council and the Old Families look down upon... will rally to our banners. We will have our vengeance on the Dark Court and their murderous agents."

Jenny quivered.  

For a moment, she was ready to leap to her feet and follow him. She imagined herself marching into some glorious, epic battle alongside Baron Charm. In that instant, she would have done anything he asked and done it gladly. Her next breath shocked her back to clarity. When she'd come here, she'd been nervous to meet the magical Baron Charm of the Old Families. When she had actually met Darrel Charm, she thought he was cute, sweet and a little sad. Now, she was terrified... not just of what he wanted to do, but of the undeniable fact that Darrel, son of Augustus, Baron of House Charm, Witch of the Old Blood, might actually be able to do it.

"We're also looking for the truth of what happened to Shannon," Miranda said, her voice like the soft whisper of violins after Charm's drumbeat, soothing but somehow no less compelling. "I hope that with that truth, we can give Shannon the justice she deserves."

"I pray the Goddess brings good fortune to us both then," Lord Charm said, visibly calmed. "But, I must warn you... be careful who you trust in your search. For some years, I did not know the truth of how my father died, but I eventually learned the name of the Dark Court agent who murdered him.

"That name is Villareal."

In Moonlight - Ch 13 - We Have a Plan

We have a plan, Genie thought with no small amount of trepidation.

The whole Alto ledger business a month ago had taught her a couple of things about plans. The first, and perhaps most important, was that Jenny Poole should never be allowed to make The Plan. The second was something an ex-boyfriend had said a lot: no plan survives contact with the enemy. It was true. Macho and pretentious - like Carlos - but true. 

Still, they did have a plan and they had all decided not to wait around to get started. So rather than finding a hotel, Genie and Jenny, accompanied by Etta and Miranda, had caught the last train of the day back to Windenburg. 

As the night-shrouded countryside sped by, Genie had wanted to talk to Miranda. To ask her about her months in hiding. About what she was feeling right now. About whether she really imagined a black ball cap and dark glasses concealed her identity. 

However, the day was catching up with her, and Genie found herself dozing off instead. The last thing she remembered before sleep claimed her was Etta and Miranda, still awake, silently not meeting each other's eyes.

----------------------

"You know, I'm starting to think seriously about getting one of those rail passes," Genie said. 

It had been morning when the train finally arrived in Windenburg. Genie felt rested, but stiff and grimy from a night sleeping on the train. No one had objected when she suggested they take the ferry across the bay, go to her house and get cleaned up. Although really, no one had said much at all. The night had done nothing to ease the tension between her companions.

"Yeah, I really think I will," Genie continued brightly, trying to fill the silence. "I mean, with all the traveling I've been doing lately, it just seems like a good idea. Who knows, my editor might even let me expense it."

"Sounds like a good idea," Miranda said, breaking her silence at last. "Genie, if you don't mind, I'm going to take a walk around the grounds. Clear my head."

"Yeah, sure," Genie said. "My family's sprawling estate is your sprawling estate."

"I 'm going to take a walk too... this way," Etta said suddenly, moving in the opposite direction. "I need to call my contact again." 

"Oh, OK," Genie nodded.

"Don't fall off a cliff or anything," Jenny muttered darkly at Etta's back.

"OK, I get that they've got issues," Genie said. "But do you have to make it harder?"

"Hey, issues of my own here," Jenny grumbled. "Everyone remembers how Claudette and Max V kidnapped Miranda... but in case you've forgotten they used me to lure her into their little trap and kidnapped me along with her. Something about giving me to the vampires... as a snack! So, yeah, I don't trust her! Why do you?"

"Because she knows it was wrong," Genie said softly. "She knows she screwed up and she's spent the last few years trying to help and protect people. Risking her life to do it. I know that doesn't make up for what she did, but she's trying to be a better person. If we're all only judged by the worst thing we ever did in our lives, if we don't even get a chance to change, we're all screwed."

After a moment, Jenny smiled. "You took a philosophy class at university, didn't you?" 

"I might have sat in on one of Mariah's Ethics courses," Genie muttered as she started toward the guest house. 

"So, I've got to ask," Jenny said with exaggerated innocence. "Exactly how long have you had this crush on Miranda's wife?" 

"I am not having this conversation," Genie groaned. "At least not until I have a clean shirt."

"You do know all your shirts look the same, right?" Jenny pointed out.

"Yes, but the new one will be clean," Genie sighed. 

"Dibs on the first shower," Jenny grinned.

----------------------

Etta sat alone in the little folly she'd found hidden away behind a small hedge maze. It was nice, she thought. Quiet and pretty and probably very romantic in twilight.  She silently thanked whatever gods might listen to a damned soul like hers that it wasn't twilight. She felt confused and conflicted enough as it was.

"You should just tell her," Demarco had said.

Etta had pretended not to know what she was talking about. "Tell her what?"

"Just tell her," Demarco had insisted.

I don't even know what I would say, Etta thought as she looked around the folly. I don't even know what I want to say... to either of you.

"Hey." Miranda's voice, soft and gentle and a little sad, interrupted her thoughts like a thunderbolt.

"Oh, hi," Etta breathed, looking away. "I... I can go somewhere else."

"Don't." Miranda shook her head. "Just... you don't have to..."

There was an uncomfortable silence that lasted the thousand years it took Miranda to cross the open space and sit on the bench beside her. Etta kept herself still and quiet, refusing to react to the proximity of this woman she'd once imagined to be her enemy. Refusing to be aware of how close she was, of the heat of her, almost touching...

"I've been thinking," Miranda said. "Remembering things from back at the Academy. Remembering Shannon."

"I've been thinking about the Academy too," Etta said carefully.

"Do you remember your first day? " Miranda said, warming to the subject. "Meeting Shannon and Elena?"

"I remember," Etta smiled. "They were both from Old Families, with magic going back centuries, and there I was, the first Blackwood witch in generations."

"You and me both, daughters of Lost Families," Miranda smiled.

"I remember thinking Shannon was nice," Etta sighed.

"... but a bit stuck up," Miranda smiled.

Miranda laughed suddenly. "She couldn't even handle a basic cleaning spell, remember. She'd always had the family butler do them."

"I remember you getting me to sneak us into their room the night before the test," Etta smiled. "So you could help her practice that spell. We were up all night and Mr. Collette almost caught us. Twice."

"She passed the test," Miranda smiled proudly.

"Barely, but yes she did," Etta smiled.

"Was any of it real, Claudette? Any of it?" Miranda asked, suddenly sobering.

Etta sighed, closing her eyes. Her father had sent her to the Academy with specific orders. She was to do anything required to get close to the youngest of the Guardians of Glimmerbrook Watch - Miranda Goth. Befriend her, seduce her, confuse her emotions. Lure her away from the protection of the Academy, and finally do everything in her power to help Faust's hired goons kidnap her and hold her until he came for her. 

She'd done everything she'd been asked to do. 

Why wouldn't she? He father had taught her that the Guardians served the Old Families and the Witches' Council. The Old Families considered the children of the Lost Families, like her, and Ascended witches, like him, to be lesser beings because they couldn't trace their bloodlines back to the High Alfar of old. The Council were oppressive tyrants who used their magic and immortality to rule the mortal world from the shadows. They had to be stopped. That had been his Great Work. She had been so proud to finally be able to help him with it.

Until she'd met Shannon and Elena, and Ms. Anansi and Mr. Collette. And Miranda. Most of all, until she'd met Miranda.

"Yes," Etta whispered. "Some of it was."

----------------------

"Can I help you with anything, Ms. Poole," Stephens asked politely.

Jenny, freshly showered and changed into clean clothes, smiled back at him. "Just checking out the art, really... and you can call me Jenny."

"Of course, Ms. Poole," Stephens replied with a slight grin.

"So, this is Genie and her family," Jenny said, gesturing at the painting. "They're all so... little."

"A family portrait is something of a tradition," Stephens said. "I believe this one was commissioned five years ago."

"Over here, we have the previous generation," Stephens continued, leading Jenny across the room. "I believe this was painted around the beginning of the century."

"That's... my god, is that kid... Max?" Jenny said. It was impossible for her to imagine the vicious but charming gangster Max V as a small boy.

"That is indeed Mr. Maximillian," Stephens replied. "Along with a young Mr. Hugo Villareal on the left and of course Mrs. Elderberry, or Ms. Luna Villareal as she was then, in the center. Behind them is their father, Monsieur Jacques Villareal." 

"He doesn't look like an underworld kingpin, does he?" Jenny mused.

"I couldn't comment on such things, Ms. Poole," Stephens said primly.

"And who are these charming fellows?" Jenny asked, moving over to a pair of portraits framing the music room doorway.

"The older gentleman is the late Baron Henry Von Windenburg," Stephens lectured, "and there we have his son, Lord Karl Von Windenburg."

"So, Genie's great-grandfather and..." Jenny pondered.

"Her great-uncle," Stephens supplied. "As I understand it, Lord Karl was lost during the Tomarang War."

"So, wait, is Genie like Lady Genie?" Jenny asked.

"The Von Windenburg title is currently vacant," Stephens explained. "I believe Mr. Hugo Villareal, as the eldest child of the dynasty, has the right to claim it but has chosen not to."

"So, if the Baron here and the cute Lord Karl are Genie's grand-grandfather and great-uncle, and if Jacques Villareal over there is her grandfather, we're missing someone," Jenny pointed out. "There's no portrait of Genie's grandmother anywhere."

"No," Stephens said. "Mrs. Elderberry does not wish to have her mother's portrait displayed."

"Sounds like there's some family drama there," Jenny said, interested.

"I couldn't comment on such things, Ms. Poole," Stephens repeated.

"There you are," Genie called to Jenny as she came into the hall. "And there you guys are..." she added, as Miranda and Etta entered through the main doors. "We all good?"

"I'm great," Jenny said with a wink. "Just ask Orange. He'd tell you, once he stopped blushing."

"We're good," Miranda said with a wry chuckle at Jenny's comment.

"Why wouldn't we be good?" Etta added. Tension still lingered between the two of them, but they seemed to be dealing with it.

"Right, well, let's put this plan into action," Genie said.

"I guess we're going to go charm the charming Baron Charm," Jenny said brightly.

"... and we're going to interview vampires," Genie chuckled. "This should be... interesting."

In Moonlight - Ch 12 - Investigating a Murder Here

"Look, I don't know much about witches and vampires and shadow wars and stuff," Knox said with a deep breath. "I think Shannon's... I mean... I still think this all has something to do with the protest and with Evergreen Development."

Genie took a deep breath of her own, reminding herself of that she'd had it right a moment ago. They were investigating a murder here. In the middle of unexpected reunions and all the drama and occult weirdness that came with her friends, she needed to focus. After all, she'd come here - they'd all come here - to talk to Knox and find out what he knew.

"Knox, I know you think..." Missy said soothingly.

"No, I mean it," Knox pressed, becoming agitated. "Evergreen has got some secretive outside investors, with big money, backing this huge development project they're planning up on the mountain. They're buying up land and development rights that belonged to the Landgraab Group."

"I thought those assets were all frozen when Nancy Landgraab went to jail for racketeering," Genie said. She'd still been in high school at the time, but she remembered her mother talking about the dramatic fall of the wealthy and powerful Landgraab family.

"Not anymore," Knox insisted. "A bill got pushed through, all quiet like, permitting the sale of those assets to Evergreen. Shannon heard her dad talking about it. She said there's another bill going up soon to allow them to build on National Trust land!"

"That actually fits with what we saw," Demarco put in. "Remember, we followed that shady older guy, the one who's giving Cletus his instructions, to the Evergreen Development offices. I think he was meeting with Bess Stirling."

"Do you guys really think Bess is mixed up with this?" Missy asked. "I know you don't get along with her, Knox, but..."

"She's been involved in some shady stuff before," Knox said, though he didn't sound convinced.

"Shady, sure," Missy said. "I could even kinda believe she'd be involved with sending Cletus out to bully people... but... umm, like... murder? That's a big step."

"Even if she is involved, does any of this really sound like some kind of secret magic shadow war thing?" Knox asked.

"Actually, it does," Etta said quietly. "Like we said, both the Council and the Dark Court have people in influential positions in the government. They're able to push legislation that supports their goals. To me, this sounds more like the Dark Court than the Council, especially with them also using a bunch of criminals to do their dirty work. One of the vampire Houses could easily be the mysterious investors behind Evergreen Development."

"You'd know all about Dark Court schemes, wouldn't you," Mariah snarled.

Demarco growled at her. 

"Yes, I would," Etta said calmly, opening her arms as if to acknowledge the hit.

"Ok, but why would vampires be interested in land development?" Genie asked, trying to keep them on track and keep a lid on the simmering tensions. 

"Because land is wealth," Miranda said with a carefully measured calm of her own. "Remember, we're talking about centuries-old immortals here. They've got some genuinely medieval ideas about things. A big one is that owning land equals wealth and power."

"More than that," Etta explained. "We're talking about the Moonwood, which is Power. Literally. The Moonwood is one of the great places of magical power. The werewolf elders and pack leaders draw on it instinctively, extending their lives and just generally making them stronger. A witch with access to that power would be amazing..." Her eyes met Miranda's for a moment. "Or terrifying. I don't know what a vampire could do with it, but I do know that my father, who's a warlock serving the Dark Court," she added for Knox's benefit, "wants the power of the Moonwood for himself. He's tried before."

"We stopped him once," Demarco said confidently. "We can do it again."

"If this is the Dark Court, I don't think they would have hesitated to kill Shannon if they thought she was getting too close to their schemes," Miranda said. "She might have known or guessed too much about what they're planning. You know, if she did know something, she might have told her father."

"Unfortunately, he wouldn't talk to me. There's some kind of bad blood between my family and the Charms, but I have no idea what," Genie said. Her summary ejection by Baron Charm's butler still bothered her. She couldn't help but think that, despite all the sins she did know about, her family still had dark secrets she hadn't uncovered yet.

"He'd talk to me," Miranda said with her peculiar kind of mysterious confidence.

"Mia amata, we're supposed to be in hiding," Mariah put in.

"Look around you," Miranda smiled. "The cat is out of the bag. The barn door is open. The ship has sailed."

"I still have contacts in the Dark Court," Etta said quietly, as if the admission pained her. "I might be able to get something out of them."

"That sounds... dangerous," Genie said. The thankfully few encounters she'd had with vampires had been brief but terrifying. 

"I'll keep her safe," Demarco said, in a tone that made her words sound like a challenge to God, or Fate, or the universe itself.

"No," Etta said gently. Before Demarco, or anyone else, could object she continued calmly. "You being there is more likely to provoke a fight than prevent one. You know it."

"You can't go alone," Demarco insisted. For a moment she looked less like that brazenly confident werewolf and more like someone worried for a person she cherished.

"I'll go," Genie said, as much to Demarco as to Etta. "I mean, I'm not a witch or a werewolf or anything, but I can at least back you up."

Demarco seemed to consider for a moment, before giving Genie a silent nod of thanks. 

"Then I guess I'll go back to keeping an eye on Cletus," she added. "Maybe I can find out more about the mysterious grey-haired man and the woman in black." 

"Going by what the witness said, a woman in a black hoodie might be the actual... um," Genie hesitated, glancing sympathetically at Knox.

"Killer," he supplied grimly.

"There is more than one woman in a black hoodie in the world. It guess could technically be a coincidence," Miranda said doubtfully.

"Coincidence... coincidenza," Mariah said, as if she was tasting the word in her mouth. "I've heard of those. Don't think I've actually ever seen one." 

"You should go with Demarco," Miranda said to Mariah. "You've had experience with those kind of people, and you can handle yourself. If anyone can back her up, it's you."

"If you two can stop snarling at each other," Genie added, anticipating disaster.

"What, I'm supposed to let you go to Windenburg alone?" Mariah asked. "What about the Altos?"

"I can take care of myself," Miranda said confidently.

"I'll go with her," Jenny said. "I'm not just a pretty face, you know. I helped get the Altos' ledger."

"Madonna. Fine," Mariah sighed. "We good?" she added to Demarco.

"Not the first time I worked with a rival pack," Demarco smiled toothily.

"Behave," Etta admonished.

"We're good." Demarco smiled more genuinely while Knox and Missy shared a knowing chuckle. Definitely old friends, Genie thought.

"OK, I don't know anything about gangsters and witches and monsters and stuff, but I do know that my boyfriend, Clay, works for Evergreen Development," Missy said, a little wide-eyed. "He might be able to find out more about this project and its investors."

"You really think he'd help?" Knox asked.

"Come on, Knox. I know you guys argue about politics and the environment and stuff, but he's still your friend," Missy said firmly. "I know he'll help."

"We can't ask him to put himself in danger," Demarco said. 

"Oh no," Missy said, "Definitely a big No to danger. We'll just ask him about what he knows and maybe if he hears anything interesting at the office tomorrow."

"Alright," Genie said. "Miranda and Jenny will talk to Baron Charm. Etta and I will talk to the Dark Court. Mariah and Demarco will keep an eye on the gangsters, and Missy and Knox will talk to Missy's boyfriend about Evergreen Development. I guess we have a plan."

"Great. What could possibly..." Jenny started.

"Don't say it," the entire group said together.