The Last of the Red Hot Vampires - By Katie MacAlister Page 0,85
went back to the pub so I could take a shower and change. I know you have to be angry, or at least disappointed, that I've messed up the trial so much that I won't be a virtue, and won't be able to pardon you, but I really don't believe the situation is as hopeless as you no doubt think it is.
I don't think anything is hopeless, sweetling, nor am I in the least bit angry. I think you showed remarkable restraint in not acting rashly with Leticia. I know how much you wanted to treat her in kind.
"Can I ask a question?" Sarah leaned forward so she could be heard in the front seat of the car she'd rented for our trip, now serving as our primary mode of transportation while Theo's car was out of commission.
"Since I'm delighted to know you're still talking to me, by all means, ask away."
"I wasn't not talking to you, silly. I was taking notes on what happened. This is so incredibly fascinating!"
"I'm glad someone is getting enjoyment out of it. What was your question?"
"Why are we going to the Court if you're now out of the running as a virtue?"
A headache was building behind my forehead. I rubbed it, not for the first time, wishing I could rewind my life and start this section over. "Because I'm hoping that if I bring proof to the mare of what happened to Hope, they will excuse the last trial and give me another shot at it."
"Yes, but if you're no longer a virtue, how are you going to make with the fog?"
I glanced at Theo. His jaw was tight, his eyes a light grey that indicated he was not a happy camper. "Evidently, even though I failed the three trials, I am not de-virtued until someone strips the power from me."
"I hope so, otherwise you'll be in even hotter water than you are. So, we're just walking in the front door?"
"There is more than one entrance to the Court," Theo answered. "We will take the one nearest the library, so Portia's talents won't be overly taxed."
"Good thinking." Sarah sat back to make a few more notes. I spent the rest of the way to the castle mentally sorting the events of the last few days, looking for something we might have missed. I had an uneasy feeling that something significant had happened that I'd failed to acknowledge, but a quick survey of the last three days didn't come up with anything to assuage my uneasiness.
"Someone is bound to notice this fog isn't normal," I murmured to Theo forty minutes later, as we stopped just beyond a small doorway cut into the stone wall that surrounded the Court. Ahead of us stood the building we'd visited earlier, the library where the Akashic Record was held.
"We will be gone before they can trace the source." Theo's voice was muffled, oddly contorted through the heavy fog that now rolled through the area surrounding the library. Even though he was just a few feet away from me, I could barely see his silhouette. "Just a little more, sweetling, then we can go in."
"I resent being put on watchdog duty," Sarah hissed from somewhere behind us. "I won't be able to see anyone until they are right on top of me."
"No one knows who you are," I whispered back, taking Theo's arm. His fingers closed around mine, reassuringly warm and strong. "All you have to do is distract anyone who comes to the door. It's not rocket science, Sarah."
"Hrmph."
Theo guided us to the main doors of the library, opening them wide. I summoned more fog, and sent it into the building, thick white rolls of it slowly filling all available space. We crept along the now-fogged hallways, hands outstretched to avoid colliding with obstacles. There were a few exclamations of surprise from people who found themselves caught in the fog, one person shouting for someone to find the mare.
We don't have much time, Theo said. I clutched the back of his shirt, my other hand holding Sarah's arm, so we wouldn't get separated.
I know. "Sarah, this is the doorway to the archives. Stand here and keep anyone from coming in."
"Will do."
I released her arm and followed Theo into a small, dusty-smelling room, shutting the door behind me to keep the fog out. Theo flipped on a light switch, and stood considering the cases around us. The room was, thankfully, empty of people.