23. Kique

Astur was bathed in the gentle glow of enchanted lanterns, creating an ambiance of ethereal beauty. The hum of magic, a constant undercurrent, was almost drowned out by the hushed conversations and distant footsteps on the stone streets. Slade and I moved with purpose through the district, our eyes scanning the surroundings for our next destination.

The residence on our list belonged to a water nymph, known for her elegant gatherings that drew beings from various factions. The atmosphere inside was tranquil, the air infused with the subtle scent of fresh water and the faint murmur of a distant waterfall. The walls adorned with intricate paintings told tales of aquatic realms, but nothing seemed out of the ordinary.

"Any signs of a link, Slade?" I asked, my eyes flitting across the room.

He shook his head, his keen eyes scanning the area. "Nothing. None of the scents here have been to the other missing residences."

The sense of unease intensified as we moved to the next location—a werewolf"s den. The faint scent of pine and earth greeted us, the room filled with the warmth of a fireplace. Werewolf paraphernalia decorated the space, from intricately carved totems to silver accessories that shimmered in the firelight.

"We need something, Kique. A connection, a pattern," Slade muttered, frustration evident in his voice.

I nodded. "We"re missing a crucial link, something that ties these disappearances together. Let"s think. What do these supes have in common?"

Slade leaned against the wall, deep in thought. "They"re from different factions, different power levels. There"s no apparent pattern in terms of species or abilities. None of the scents line up either so we know they weren't familiar with one another."

I rubbed my temples, feeling the strain of the investigation. "We need to dig deeper. Talk to their friends, their allies. There has to be a thread we"re missing."

Our journey through Astur continued, each residence providing a piece to the puzzle but no clear answers. As we reached the abode of a gargoyle known for his stoic demeanor, my hope started to diminish.

"Kique, this isn"t working," Slade admitted, frustration etching lines on his face. "We"re going in circles."

I sighed, my mind racing for a breakthrough. "We"re looking for a motive, something that ties these victims together. It could be a personal vendetta, a power struggle, or a common interest or friend."

Slade"s eyes met mine, a spark of realization in their depths. "Do you think someone was scouting victims from within the compound before they were taken?"

"It"s a possibility," I conceded. "If they were taken for a purpose then they may have been selected intentionally."

By the time we had visited each residence, Slade and I were no closer to finding a link than before. "Let's think on it and reconvene with the rest of the council tomorrow" I proposed.

Slade nodded in agreement before we parted ways. I headed back toward my sector. As I navigated the winding streets, each building adorned with intricate enchantments, I sensed a familiar presence approaching. Remina emerged from the crowd of Light Fae, her dark aura a stark contrast to the luminous surroundings.

She caught up with me, and I could feel the nerves radiating from her. "Kique," she began, her voice cutting through the ambient sounds of the district, "I need your help."

I raised an eyebrow, genuinely surprised. Remina wasn"t one to seek assistance easily, and the gravity of her request piqued my curiosity. "You need my help? Color me intrigued, assassin. What could you, the almighty witch of the Order, possibly need my help for?"

Her eyes flickered with uncertainty before she handed me a crumpled photocopied page. It looked to be from some sort of a grimoire. Ancient symbols and a name written in dark ink covered the parchment. "I found this. I need to know if you recognize the name."

I studied the page, the dark mage script sending shivers down my spine. "This is no ordinary name," I remarked, my tone hushed. "It belongs to an ancient house of Dark Mages. A family thought to have perished during the dark mage civil war centuries ago."

Remina"s gaze hardened in a mixture of determination and concern. "But they"re not extinct, are they? This was in the house of the human witches. This name means something. They must have survived and gone into hiding."

I nodded, a weight settling in my chest. "It's possible. Or someone linked to their bloodline has passed down their grimoire. The history of this family is steeped in evil. They were formidable, even amongst Dark Mages. If they"re resurfacing now, it"s not to be underestimated."

She looked at me, searching for answers. "Do you know anything else about them? Where they might be hiding or where to find them?"

I sighed, realizing the gravity of the situation. "Unfortunately, no. The records are scarce, and the Blackstone family was known for their secrecy. If they"ve managed to remain hidden for this long, it won"t be easy to track them down."

Remina"s jaw tightened, her mind undoubtedly racing with the implications. "We can"t let them continue whatever they"re planning. It's clear they are behind the recent disappearances of supernaturals."

I agreed, my unease mirrored in her expression. "We need to gather information, and start piecing together their motives. But we need to be cautious. Dealing with this family will require finesse and strategy."

Her eyes met mine, a glint of resolution shining through the shadows. "Do you have any ideas on where we can start?"

I paused, considering the options. "There"s a recluse Light Mage, Eldara Sunshadow, known for her extensive knowledge of mage bloodlines. She resides on the outskirts of Lysoria, a secluded cottage atop the Eastern Hill. Getting information from her won"t be easy, but she might hold the key to the Blackstone family"s whereabouts."

Remina nodded, her expression focused. "Can we go now? We need to find them before it"s too late."

With a whispered incantation, I conjured a portal—a shimmering gateway that would transport us to the distant Eastern Hill. The air crackled with magic as the portal opened, revealing a serene landscape bathed in moonlight. We stepped through, the transition swift but disorienting, and found ourselves on the other side of Lysoria.

The Eastern Hill loomed ahead, a silhouette against the night sky. The scent of earth and dew hung in the air as we ascended the winding path, the cottage coming into view. Eldara Sunshadow"s dwelling stood at the crest of the hill, embraced by the quietude of the surrounding woods.

The atmosphere changed as we approached the secluded abode. An enchanting hush settled over the area, and the moonlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled patterns on the old, pebbled path. The cottage, adorned with glowing runes and ivy-covered walls, exuded an air of old magic.

Remina"s gaze darted around, her senses on high alert. "This place feels ... different."

I nodded, confirming her intuition. "Eldara is known for her quirks and her mastery of protective enchantments. She values her solitude."

We reached the cottage door, and I rapped gently. Moments later, it creaked open to reveal Eldara, a figure cloaked in the luminescence of her own magic. Her eyes, pools of ancient wisdom, regarded us with a mixture of curiosity and scrutiny.

"Kique, is that you, boy? It"s been a long time. What brings you to my haven?" Eldara's voice was soft yet commanding in the quiet night.

Remina stepped forward, ignoring my silent plea to let me respond, "We seek information on the Blackstone family. Can you help us?"

Eldara"s gaze lingered on Remina, as if assessing the depth of her resolve. After a prolonged moment, she nodded. "Curious, I wondered if I would ever meet the last of the Larkspur Line. Come child, we have much to discuss."

The cottage interior was a haven of antiquities and mystical artifacts, the air scented with incense.. Eldara motioned for us to sit, and as we settled in, the tension in the room became palpable. Remina looked at me with so many questions in her eyes, but I was as much in the dark as she was. I had no idea how Eldara knew who Remina was.

"You needn"t worry, child. I make it my business to know of all living mages. I took a particular interest in finding out if any Dark Mages survived that massacre, but I have spoken of your existence to no one. Now, speak your purpose," Eldara urged, her eyes fixed on Remina.

Remina explained the urgency of our quest, detailing the disappearances and the apparent connection to the Blackstone family. Eldara listened in silence, her expression unreadable. When Remina finished, Eldara"s gaze bore into her.

Eldara inclined her head as if weighing the gravity of what she was about to say. "The Blackstones were a family steeped in corruption and evil. They believed in the supremacy of Dark Mages, considering them the pinnacle of magical beings. Their cruelty knew no bounds."

As Eldara spoke, I felt the temperature in the room drop, as if a phantom chill had crept in with the mention of the Blackstones. Eldara continued her tale, "Many believed the Blackstones perished during the dark mage civil war, their name fading into history. But, in truth, they survived—submerging themselves in secrecy and maintaining clandestine connections with other Dark Mage families."

Remina"s gaze never wavered, her focus on Eldara"s every word. "Do you know where they are now?"

Eldara sighed, a sound weighted with the burdens of the past. "I cannot pinpoint their current location, for they have become adept at eluding even magical detection. However, I do know of a place they once resided."

She retrieved a weathered parchment from a nearby shelf, etched with mystical symbols. On it, she inscribed an address in an elegant, swirling script.

Remina took the parchment, her expression resolute. "Thank you, Eldara."

Eldara nodded in acknowledgment. "Be careful. The Blackstones are a powerful family, even if they have been in hiding. Kique, dear, do bring her back again."

As we exited Eldara"s cottage, the moon cast an ethereal glow on the Eastern Hill, illuminating our path as we descended toward the portal that would return us to Astur. Remina held the parchment tightly, the address a beacon guiding us toward an ominous confrontation.

The journey back through the portal was swift, the transition leaving a faint tingling sensation in its wake. We emerged in the heart of Astur, the city"s hustle and bustle starkly contrasting the solemnity of our mission.

Remina turned to me, determination etched across her features. "We need to visit this residence as soon as possible."

I nodded, the weight of our responsibility settling on my shoulders. "I agree, but we need to speak to the rest of the council first and go in with a plan. If the Blackstones are there we need to be prepared for a fight."