Chapter 9

“Did the special collection work?” Ben asked Alex as his secretary collected the letters he’d signed, and locked away his seal and blood wax.

“Unfortunately, Ashley hasn’t seen them yet. Karl thinks he was tempted but saw through our ruse to distract him. We’re thinking of leaving a couple of the most interesting volumes on his nightstand if he doesn’t take the bait in a day or two.”

Ben played with his pen, he needed to do something with his hands, the repetitive action helped him to think. “They’ve been here a few days now and Dara said they’ve gone through everything he’s given them and have a list of other things they’re working through. We need to buy more time so we can find someone who could have been responsible for raising the complaint so they don’t figure out it was me.”

“Yes, my lord, we’ve identified a number of potentials we could point the finger at but we need to discuss who would be the most feasible as we spoke about before. It would depend on the direction they take the investigation.”

“Then we should work up the evidence for two or three and then we’d be ready when needed.”

Alex’s nostrils flared, a sure sign he wanted to press the subject but wasn’t sure he should. “An admirable idea. If you don’t mind me asking, what are you hoping the result of their investigation will be? Both myself and Karl have been keeping to the idea that there would be nothing to stop you from becoming Earl, but is that what you want?”

It was a fair question. Karl and Alex had helped him dig out the details of the obscure edict that had allowed him to stall taking up his seat but hadn’t pushed for an explanation.

“I do want to become the earl, I just want the chance to finish my latest project and I objected to the way it was being forced on me without the chance to prepare. Charles can be exceedingly stubborn.”

“But this has only bought you three months.”

“I know. I thought it would be longer, but I didn’t factor in the officiousness of the Invigilators or that they’d send two warlocks.”

“Right.” Alex’s nostrils flared again, he hadn’t seen him this agitated since he’d freed him from the curse and offered him a job at the hall. “So we want them to take the full three months, potentially trigger the extension to six, but for them to come to the right conclusion. At the rate they’re going they’ll be done far too quickly.”

“Then we need to find a way to slow them down. I was hoping, since we’ve discovered Ashley is a frustrated researcher, and this is cutting into his time, then that would be the path forward as I don’t believe Jack will be the issue.”

“It’s still a good option. But I think it’ll need more. If you’d permit me to use your blood vials, I could place a few spell boxes around the place, making it look like you’re hiding something, and you could start being a bit difficult.”

“I can do difficult.” He was beginning to think he’d made a terrible mistake and it was his own fault. “But there is another issue. I need to make sure Charles and Anthony don’t get an inkling that I have anything to do with this either as if Charles gets really pissy over this I wouldn’t put it past him to sire someone new.”

Alex’s eyelid twitched. This was a disaster. “But if his lordship wishes to relinquish the title as soon as possible, then you are his best choice.”

“Yes, but he can be a sanctimonious arse, and if he thinks I’ve wronged him in some way, then I wouldn’t think he’d care about the delay.”

“I did wonder if we’d be able to call upon the previous incumbents for additional support. What about Lord Anthony?”

Ben shook his head. “He’ll side with Charles. Unless Sebastian steps in.”

“Is that likely?”

The last thing he wanted was Sebastian to get involved. He could be a scary bastard, and he’d never seen his unhappiness directed at him and he didn’t want to experience it. “I fucking hope not.”

“Fine. Then let’s start with the spell boxes, we can use some of your more choice collectables as decoys. Then you can get snippy and defensive over him poking his nose in.”

“Great stuff! Don’t forget to drop a couple of interesting books into Ashley’s room. The fae potions might be a good one. What about Jack? Have we discounted him too early?”

“I’m waiting to hear back from my source. We’ve not got a lot of information on him so it’s difficult to say, but I can tell you he’s not a pure warlock.”

Now that was a surprise. “Then what is he?”

“I couldn’t tell exactly, his magic is amazing but there’s a tang I couldn’t place,” Alex admitted, sounding annoyed with himself. “Creature-like, but what creature I’m not sure yet.”

Ben tapped the pen against the surface of his desk. “Dara did say he thought he reacted almost protectively when he found he was a werewolf.”

“He’s definitely not a hound, or a shifter. Leave it with me.”

“He’s not the puppet master here, so I’m less worried. Now I come to think of it, I’m going to personally select a prize edition from my extensive collection and give it to Ashley. I can start my annoyance campaign.”

“Actually, my lord, I have the perfect candidate if you’re aiming for annoyance yet distraction.” Alex grinned, clicked his fingers and a book appeared in his hands. “The Gentle Art of Warlock Taxidermy: A Practical Handbook.”

Ben smirked as he took the book. “From recollection, this has some detailed anatomical drawings.”

“The spell section is comprehensive, and there are specific potions for preserving different parts.”

Ben was going to enjoy this. “Looks like I’m off to see the wizard.”

Ben peeredaround the door frame of the room Ashley had commandeered, seeing if his prey was alone. Ashley was reading through a stack of papers, jotting down notes. He’d asked Karl to show Jack a set of household accounts which would offer no help other than tell him that Ben was partial to silk handkerchiefs and spent more than necessary on shoes. Neither of which should be a surprise, but should keep him busy for several hours.

He entered the room without knocking, this was his house after all, and it was getting late so Ashley should be tired and probably irritable. “Ah, there you are. I’ve been hoping to catch you.”

Ashley put down his pen, a rather deliberate act that spoke volumes. “I’ve not been hard to find since I’ve been in here since breakfast.”

A tray with the remains of his dinner was on the side. “You dined alone?”

“Jack had an appointment. He’ll be back later to finish the accounts he was given—although the only thing unnatural he’s found so far is the number of pairs of brogues you own.”

“I’ve always loved clothes and shoes, and I believe a gentleman should always be perfectly dressed.”

If he was not mistaken, Ashley looked him up and down, then blinked repeatedly as if redirecting his thoughts. There was no harm in being thought of as attractive, maybe that would also work in his favour, and Ashley had accused him of using his thrall.

“All very interesting, I’m sure. But I’m busy, so if there’s not something I can help you with, I would appreciate being left alone to get on with my work.”

With Ashley in such a pissy mood, his objective to annoy him further should be easy to meet. Ben laid the book in front of him on the desk. “I know you haven’t had the chance to delve into the hall’s book collection yet, but I didn’t want you to miss out on this beauty.”

Ashley picked it up. His top lip curled into a rather sexy sneer. “Is this meant to be funny?”

“Not at all. I thought you’d appreciate the subject matter.”

Ashley’s scowl made his fangs ache in all the right ways and as he got to his feet Ben was surprised at his own body’s reaction to the way Ashley faced up to him.

“I’m not stupid, and I’m not going to fall for your puerile games.”

“Who says I’m playing games? I’ve given you a perfectly reasonable piece of reading material.”

“About stuffing wizards.” Ashley stabbed him in the chest with his finger. “Let me assure you, I will bathe you in holy water if you so much as try to put your hands on me. I’m not one of the spaced-out idiots you coerce into your bed.”

This wasn’t taking the direction he’d been expecting but he wasn’t about to be insulted by a jumped-up arsehole like Ashley Niven. “I don’t have to coerce anyone into my bed, those that are granted the enormous pleasure of being my lover do so readily and beg for more. If you think I’d be interested in a pot-burning, spark-making waste of skin like you, then you are delusional.”

“You aren’t worthy to clean my cauldrons. I’ve dissected more intelligent creatures than you.”

Ben was not stupid, he might be vain, morally ambiguous, and had a taste for human blood, but he wasn’t lacking in intelligence. “You think you’re clever because you can flash sparkles about, or make pretty smells, but real brains don’t need magic… or Daddy to get them where they are. Tell me, did Niall make you Senior Warlock as a birthday present?”

Ashley shoved him but Ben stood his ground. “I earnt my position with hundreds of years of proven magical ability. Unlike you who has been awarded everything he has because he’s a vamp’s favourite sippy cup.”

“You know nothing about me,” he snarled, his fangs descending.

Ashley raised his hands, red sparks dancing between his fingers. “I know enough. Now sheath your fangs before I knock you on your arse.”

Ben needed to get a grip, he was meant to be getting under Ashley’s skin not the other way around. His fangs retracted. “The book is not about sex with wizards, male witches or warlocks, but a treatise on the magical preparation of a corpse and use of body parts for potions. But you jumped straight to the base level. Hardly the makings of a great mind.”

Ashley growled.

Ben turned and walked away. “Good night, Mr Niven. And don’t worry about locking your door, I assure you I wouldn’t want to fuck you or drink your blood. The aftertaste from either would be horrendous.”

Without looking back, Ben left. He heard a bang, which he assumed was the book hitting the desk. He needed a drink—alcohol and blood—and he headed for his study. Not the one Ashley and Jack thought he used, but his inner sanctum, where he could think and work. Charles had showed him the room when he’d recovered from being turned and he’d claimed it as his own. It had two entrances, one through the bookcase in the parlour and the other through a secret passageway off the long gallery. Karl kept the secret passageways as clean as anywhere else in the hall, and thanks to his excellent night vision Ben didn’t need any lights to navigate and he was soon in his favourite place.

Karl materialised with a bottle as Ben was pouring himself a large measure of his favourite whisky.

“I thought you might appreciate a little pick-me-up after dealing with Mr Niven.”

Ben knocked his whisky back in one and examined the bottle. “Thank you, Karl. What’s this evening’s offer.”

“British 43, reserved edition.”

“Oh, not had one of those before.”

Karl handed him a crystal glass of blood. “I was talking with Mr Flint when he last visited and he said it was something he thought you’d appreciate.”

The blood was smooth, with an undercurrent of spiciness and a cleanness on his palate, suggesting a healthy lifestyle. “Different. But in a good way—marathon runner?”

“Close, the sampling notes said canoeist.”

He settled down in his favourite chair and picked up the book he’d been reading. “Send my compliments to Mr Flint. I think I’m going to spend a few hours in peace.”

Karl disappeared and Ben lost himself in the pages of Necromancy for Intermediate Practitioners.