Chapter 7

Ben slipped on his suit jacket, he would not be rushed. Alex had enchanted a mirror and he was able to check his reflection. These were the small things he’d missed after he’d been turned that he’d accepted he’d lost, but then Alex had come into his life and all was right again. He’d been relieved when he’d found out he could still eat, and when a boffin had invented special injections to allow vampires to tolerate garlic he was first in line, same went for some of the heavy-duty sunscreens even if he could tolerate a limited amount of sunlight.

He sipped a glass of an Italian 23, a little weedy for his normal tastes, but he needed a light top-up before he faced what was waiting for him. Karl had informed him that their guests had arrived and he would treat them like any other guest, even if Niven and Webb weren’t here to be friendly. Charles had advised him not to be difficult. The Invigilators were meant to be neutral, and playing along would help get rid of them quicker. Charles wasn’t to know they weren’t necessarily wanting this to go in the same direction. It wasn’t that he didn’t want the earldom, he did on his own terms, and what he hadn’t appreciated was the lack of warning. Charles making his decision without consulting him had left Ben fuming, and could’ve derailed his current project, and he’d worked too hard on his alter ego’s reputation to let that happen.

He’d need to tread carefully with the warlocks, because didn’t want them to find something that would bar him from taking his seat, he just wanted a slower run in. Three months might be enough, six would be better, so he intended to use all the charm he was renowned for and not upset anyone more than he had to. Ashley might be a hard nut to crack, and he was still baffled by what had caused Ashley’s reaction to him to invent his odd accusation he’d forgotten some liaison between them. Perhaps it was a case of mistaken identity, a slim chance, but he suspected the real explanation was Ashley was making stuff up, possibly to unnerve him. Wanker.

Karl had come up with the idea to separate Ashley and Jack, and suggested trying to keep them apart as much as possible. Crofton Hall had the space and they could run them in circles for weeks if needed. The problem was they would have to come to the right conclusion, in a few months’ time, and that meant guiding their investigation down as many rabbit holes as possible and then leading them to the answer he wanted them to find.

He left his rooms. He would call on Ashley and offer a tour of the house, picking up Jack on the way and then heading for dinner. Mrs Weather had been briefed and he was sure his housekeeper would do him proud. The hall had several secret passages and he took one that brought him out in the corridor where Ashley’s room was situated.

Ben waited after knocking. After a minute he did so again. This time the door was flung open.

“Yes?” Ashley demanded.

Ben would not be intimidated in his own home, certainly not by this haughty creature. There were lines of men and women who’d be delighted to find Ben Redbourn at their door. “Good evening. I thought you’d like a quick tour of the house to help you get your bearings.”

“You’re offering to give me a tour? Not your pet demon or elf?”

“I assure you Karl and Alex are not my pets, and while you may be here to investigate me, I would ask you to be courteous to my staff.”

“I will be as courteous to them as they are to me. I have been left with no doubt they are here to protect you possibly from me.”

He’d not expected open hostility, instead he thought Ashley would be more like his father, who with all his machinations and political intrigue, knew how to walk the line. But if he was still play-acting a spurned lover, then it could make sense. “Of course they are going to protect me. I performed a great service for them both, and their thanks are what you see. Nothing insidious, I assure you.”

That was all the explanation he was going to give Ashley Niven. He’d leave the curious bastard to continue digging on his own, and hoped it would provide an interesting distraction while Ben figured out the best way to set up whatever conclusion he would want Ashley to come to about his suitability to be earl.

“I will not let them impede my investigation.”

“I wouldn’t dream of asking them to do so. Now, please allow me to show you some of the house, and then over dinner, you can meet Harry and Catlin and perhaps fill us in on what this investigation of yours may entail.”

Ashley looked dubious, which could have been his usual state, as he seemed to have mastered resting bitch face to an Olympic standard. Ben stood to one side and gestured for Ashley to leave his room ahead of him. He was quite surprised Ashley didn’t argue further.

“I suppose it will be beneficial to know the lay of the land. I have requested architect’s drawings of the house to be sure there is nothing hidden. I’d rather not have to do a magical sweep of the property as I can only imagine the sort of artefacts you have in this place.”

Crofton Hall had never belonged to a magical family but there were enough interesting stories and connections to the paranormal in her past to not want to poke too deeply into dark recesses uninvited. “There are a few choice pieces in the Crofton collection. My favourite is the dead man’s hand we discovered buried under a loose floorboard when I was investigating what looked to be an infestation of poltergeist termites.”

“Poltergeist termites?”

“Oh yes, a house like this with so many centuries of vampires calling her home, she’s bound to be subjected to all sorts of infestations. We’ve a brace of wizards at the moment.”

Ashley tutted. “The correct terminology is warlock.”

Ashley was fun to rile, his hazel eyes seemed to glow dark amber when he was irked. “Apologies. Although I’m sure you refer to me as many other things than vampire.”

“Until this assignment I didn’t refer to you as anything.”

“No? But I thought I had cruelly insulted you in some way in the past, yet if you had never had the need to think of me before, that suggests otherwise.”

Ashley raised an eyebrow. Ben shouldn’t have found it as attractive as he did and had to shake away the idea he would love to run his fingers over said eyebrow and smooth it out.

“You are not as stupid as you look.”

“Is that meant to be an insult? Or do you think that with great beauty cannot come brains?”

“It certainly comes with arrogance.”

They glowered each other and Ben felt an unmistakable frisson and elemental lust. “Indeed.” He needed to get his head back in the game. “If there’s one thing I can be arrogant about it is the beauty of my home.”

Ashley sneered. “You can cut that out right away.”

“Cut what out?”

“I wasn’t born yesterday, don’t bother trying to use your thrall on me.”

Ben blinked. He had not expected that reaction. “I assure you, Mr Niven, I am not using my thrall on you. I would not waste my energy. May I remind you that at our previous encounter it was you who alluded to an assignation between us that you accused me of forgetting. If either of us are playing games it is you.”

Ashley looked furious. “How can you be so certain we had not met before?”

Many vampires remembered their life before they were turned, but for Ben his memories were murky and sporadic, but he knew that in life he had been nowhere near as vibrant a man as he was in death. Ashley need not know that.

“Because I would not have forgotten someone like you, who is able to give the dead indigestion. A feat unparalleled I assure you.” Ben continued walking, now was not the time or place to have this argument and he would not let his base instincts rule. “As I said before, I am not here to fight you and I will cooperate with your investigation. But I will not be treated poorly in my own home. Now, I would ask you to be a considerate guest and please walk with me, once you know the rough layout it will make navigating the house much easier. I suggest we pick up Mr Webb on our way to dinner.”

Ben thought it best to keep their conversation to topics that weren’t too personal, he’d seldom met anyone who could get under his skin—Ashley appeared to have a definite talent for it. Ben prided himself on his ability to deal with most situations, and had built his plan to deal with Charles’s announcement quicker than he’d expected, but Ashley seemed to be able to push his buttons without opening his mouth. By the time they had walked downstairs and crossed the hallway, they’d reached the newer guest rooms where Jack had been housed. Ben was relieved to have a new person for company, as he might not have held his temper.

Jack opened the door. Where Ashley was dressed in an understated fashion, Jack was wearing an alluringly cut shirt and trousers the tailor of which should’ve been knighted for. His eyes were rimmed with a smoky kohl and his long black hair tied back to reveal a delightful pale neck and the tease of a collarbone.

“Good evening, Lord Crofton. I see you’ve been kind enough to escort Ashley to me.”

“Nothing is too much for my guests.”

Jack took his arm and he heard Ashley huff. “Ashley, you really must try to be a little less… you.”

Ben had done a bit of digging on Jack Webb, the Invigilators’ most senior legal counsel, and no one had any information on him they were willing to share before the mid-1920s. There was no way he was that young, not with his rank and responsibilities and Ben itched to find out more.

“Mr Webb?—”

“Please call me Jack. There is no need for this investigation to be unpleasant. We are professionals conducting our business, and we can do that easier through the spirit of cooperation.”

Even if this was an act, it was much preferable to Ashley’s sourness. A gentle cough behind made him turn and he saw Billins materialise. “Yes?”

“Dinner is ready, my lord.”

“Are Harry and Catlin dining with us?” They bloody better be, as he’d made it clear they should be showing a united front—anything else would be suspicious. Charles had sodded off for a few days to demonstrate Ben could run the show but his sired siblings were meant to be here and be supportive.

“Yes, my lord. They are waiting for you and your guests. Karl is on duty this evening, I will be available as required.” He faded away as he spoke, and Ben thought it for the best. He’d not brought Billins into his confidence, not that he would say anything deliberately but he’d caught him napping in a corner once, muttering in his sleep.

“How delightful,” purred Jack. “We’re getting to meet the family. And I hadn’t realised you retain a ghost on the staff.”

Ashley sniffed. “Given there’s an elf and a demon, a ghost isn’t a surprise.”

“Well, I for one think it charming,” Jack said, and Ben thought that the legal profession could do with having a lot more individuals like Jack. “Just as your sired siblings are, I’m sure.”

Ben hoped his family would behave. While on paper, if Ben were not to take the earldom, either of them could step up. Catlin had not been keen although would be willing if needed, but Charles had as good as said he’d sire a new option before letting Harry take the seat at Council. Ben hadn’t got to the bottom of that and he suspected there was more to it than Harry being an arsehole, as that wasn’t seen as a bad thing for a vampire.

The dining hall was one of Ben’s favourite places in the house. A table had been set for five—not the one used for banquets but something smaller designed for more intimate encounters. Tonight there would be no live feeding, which was more likely when this table was used and he didn’t know how Karl had removed the bloodstains—he really was a marvel.

Catlin and Harry turned in their direction as they entered but didn’t stand. Their blond colouring was striking and it wasn’t a surprise he had often been asked if they were related. It wasn’t the case, Charles had been going through a blond siring phase when he’d met them and Ben had ended up with two younger siblings he hadn’t asked for and didn’t want.

Ben sat at the head of the table. “Harry, Catlin, this is Ashley Niven and Jack Webb.”

Catlin’s nostrils flared but Harry just raised his glass. “I don’t believe that the Invigilators have ever been inside Crofton Hall, usually you lot prefer to stay out,” drawled Harry.

Ashley took his seat and smiled. “I can’t speak for members of the Invigilators as I’m not one, but I’ve never had the need to come before.”

“It is a beautiful example of Jacobian architecture,” Jack said as he sat to Ben’s right. “I do love an old house.”

Karl was attending table and poured white wine into Ashley and Jack’s glasses, and offered Ben the same. “Wine, my lord, or would you prefer something a little more full-bodied?”

“Do we have any of the Swede left?”

“Yes, sir.”

“I’d prefer something Spanish,” said Harry.

Catlin nodded. “Something older though.”

“Both can be accommodated,” Karl said and disappeared in a roll of grey smoke.

Ben watched Ashley sip his wine, he didn’t seem bothered by the conversation, and would’ve known what they were talking about. Jack gave his glass a sniff.

Ben laughed. “I promise it’s wine, and not plasma.”

“In my line of work, I’ve learnt to be cautious when offered food or drink,” Jack said.

“I wouldn’t have thought you’d have been targeted.”

“You’d be surprised how unpopular a warlock with a legal mandate can be. I’ve survived three attempted poisonings and someone trying to chop off my head.”

Jack was an intriguing fellow.

Ashley laughed. “And those were just your boyfriends. The time you were chased by a zombie dragon was my favourite.”

“I still have the scars.”

Ashley smirked, it was a knowing smile. “No you don’t.”

“You’re the one I had to rescue from being suspended upside down over a cauldron of boiling oil.”

Ashley raised his eyebrows and stared at Jack over his glasses. Ben’s stomach gave a little flip and he had a fleeting longing for Ashley to look at him in the same way. “Least said about that the better.”

“So what does being a Senior Warlock entail?” asked Harry. He’d always had a bored quality to his voice, and Ben couldn’t be certain he cared or was helping move the conversation along.

“As well as my Warlock Ruling Committee duties, I conduct research into various magical questions, design new formulations of older elixirs and try to help uphold Vampire Council edicts when asked.”

“I’m an edict now, am I?” Ben said.

“I have no idea what you are—yet. But that’s what the investigation will determine.”

“I happen to think I’m the next Dark Earl of Crofton.”

“There seems to be at least one person who doesn’t agree, and knows the Vampire Council’s rules better than most, enough to unearth a centuries-old protocol that means I… I mean we… are stuck here for three months, or until we have conclusive evidence either way.”

“Conclusive evidence of what?” asked Harry. “Ben might be many things, but he’s been named as Charles’s successor and that should be enough to support his appointment.”

Appointment was one thing, to keep the earldom another. Ben didn’t trust Harry, but he wasn’t stupid enough to upset Charles, who would hear one way or another if he wasn’t seen to be saying the right things. Actions that couldn’t be traced back were another matter, and while Harry wasn’t in the running to be earl, he had too good a thing going at Crofton Hall to fuck it up.

“The protocol that has been invoked is old and the scope nebulous,” Jack said. “The wording simply says Benjamin Redbourn is not yet fit to take up the position of the Dark Earl in the House of Hewel.”

Ben had been very careful drafting the documentation, it was a little more involved but not much. The wording wasn’t the issue but the protocol he’d used to assert it.

“That makes no sense, you wouldn’t call into question the four-hundred-year-old process of succession because someone said so,” Harry said, incredulous.

Jack set down his glass, it was quite a deliberate move. “You do when a certain bylaw and a blood oath is used to enforce it.”

Harry shrugged. “Never heard of that happening.”

“It is basically an insistence that the statement is taken at face value.”

“So?”

“The legal status harks back to before the Vampire Council was formed, when it was still just the Heads of Houses and they shared a blood oath,” Jack explained. “The petitioner will have had to write in the blood of members of at least two of the houses. Then make a sacrifice to seal the oath.”

“What sort of sacrifice?” asked Ben, knowing the answer.

The blood of the Houses hadn’t been that difficult, not in the grand scheme of things. Robin had provided a vial covering the House of Hewel, not asking questions but Ben knew at some point he would be doing so, and Alex had hunted down Isaac to a nightclub, spiked his drink and took a sample without him knowing as he slept off his inebriation. Alex was a little too good at doing those sorts of things, especially since he’d also been able to mask whose blood it had been.

“Human, but that’s neither here nor there for vampires, is it,” Ashley said. “I imagine they used the poor sod to wash down dinner.”

Technically it had been breakfast but he’d let it slide.

Harry still didn’t look convinced. “Surely Charles, as the current earl, should have a say. Blood oaths are annoying but we’re vampires, blood and dealing with it is kind of our thing.”

“Even vampires have to toe the line when a legal challenge is upheld,” Jack said. “Charles did protest, but there’s not much he can do about it.”

Charles had been annoyed at first when the challenge had been made, but then he’d been worried. He’d fucking lose his lid when he found out the truth about who had done it. Ben thought it might be for the best for the sake of all those involved that he never got to know, or at least until he’d calmed down a bit. A couple of centuries should do the trick.

“A blood sacrifice does bring with it a certain level of finality.” Ben took a deliberate drink of his blood. Swedes were an underappreciated delicacy—he needed to get a regular supplier. If Ikea could install a fully functional demon portal in every store under the guise of a market place surely they could sell a decent line of rhesus negative. “But now you’re here, and I’d like to know what you’re going to do.”

He hadn’t factored in how intrusive his little scheme would be. The information he’d unearthed had alluded to oversight but not that he’d triggered a special caveat meaning he’d have someone move in for a few months. He’d envisaged they’d visit, poke about a bit and sod off to lurk in libraries and interview the people they’d believe would have made the accusation.

“We’ll start with a general review of your business and personal dealings, look through any documentation at the hall that we think might be relevant and use any magic that might we deem necessary to support our research.”

“Very little of the material in Crofton Hall relates to me. Charles is the earl, and you shouldn’t be intruding on his privacy.”

“I am aware that you are a relative newcomer to our world,” Ashley said. “I have been alive since before this house was built, had dealings with some of the greats in history, I do not need to be warned about misconducting an investigation of this kind.”

“Niall said he’d never had to do this before.”

“Not this particular issue. But my experience isn’t limited to dealing with vampires.”

Ben would ask Karl to make more enquiries, they’d not had much time from Ashley and Jack being assigned to them arriving and his information was limited. He was beginning to think he had made a mistake with the way he’d gone about this, but he’d needed something to put off becoming Earl and he’d got it. Trouble was it came with two warlocks, one of whom had a bug up his arse but the most wonderfully pouty lips.

“All I am saying is that it is me under investigation, not the current earl, the history of the earldom, or anyone else in this house, so you will have to adhere to those boundaries.”

“No one is saying we won’t,” Jack said. “I am more than aware of the limit of our jurisdiction. Perhaps rather than thinking we are here to discredit you, instead think of us as helping to clear your name.”

Nice words, pity Ashley’s actions didn’t back them up. “Your colleague’s scowl speaks for itself.”

“Ashley is annoyed your predicament has taken him away from his cauldron.”

Maybe he had misjudged Ashley and he was a like-minded frustrated academic. “I’m sure we can facilitate a continuation of your research, Ashley.”

“Your valet made it clear that I’d not be allowed to brew in the house.” Ashley’s face was a picture of annoyance. “Mentioned an outhouse. No doubt damp and not suitable.”

“Mr Reynolds had the outhouses refitted to his specifications,” said Catlin. “He brews regularly.”

“Your outhouses are considered elf-standard facilities for brewing?” Ashley’s eyes were wide and then he remembered himself and the pout was back. “I probably won’t have time anyway.”

“I tell you what. While I’m sleeping tomorrow, I’ll have Karl introduce you to Dr Callagan. He’s our archivist, and he can show you not only documents relevant to your investigation of me, but the Hewel book collection.”

“Hewel? As in your Head of House?”

“Yes, Sebastian is quite the collector and Anthony, the 1st Dark Earl owned this house so Sebastian has spent a lot of time here over the years.”

Ben watched Ashley’s internal conflict. If he could get him on his side then the next few months had the potential to be much more pleasurable.

“I have a job to do, and I will not be distracted.”

Talking of distractions, Karl arrived with a soup tureen.

“Excellent timing, Karl. I’m sure our guests must be hungry.”

Karl smiled and Ben noticed his horns were back to their pristine shiny quality. “I aim to please.”

“I’ve told Mr Niven you’d been happy to escort them to the archive in the morning.”

Karl set down the tureen and checked his pocket watch. “I will check in with Dr Callagan in the morning. To confirm he is fit to receive visitors.”

Ben glanced at the window, the moon was waning. “Should be fine but always best to check.”