Blood and Kisses - By Karin Shah Page 0,48

amethyst and diamond earrings in her ears.

Mina guided them into her generous living room, redolent with the scent of Murphy’s Oil Soap and freshly baked chocolate chip cookies. She took a seat in a leather wingback chair and waved them onto an elegant Victorian-era green velvet sofa, with a knitted afghan draped over the back. The delicate piece of furniture sighed ominously beneath Gideon, but held. “I was surprised when you called me, my dear. I had heard you were searching for Lily’s killer, but I can’t imagine what help I can be.” A chilled pitcher of lemonade sat on a teak sideboard next to a plate of cookies, and as she spoke, Mina filled a tall, frosted glass with the beverage, and handed it to Gideon. She then set two cookies on a small plate, placed a napkin beneath it and passed that to Gideon. Looking a bit bemused, Gideon balanced the plate on his knee.

Increasingly tense as Mina performed these small niceties, and consumed by the feeling they might dance around the truth all night, Thalia went on the attack. “I know about the meeting, Mina.”

The other woman paused in the act of filling a second glass, then finished her task and handed it to Thalia. “Heath felt a meeting was called for and so did I. And now that Kimmy’s dead...”

“I can’t believe that you, of all people, are plotting behind my back. You were my mother’s best friend.” Thalia struggled to stay calm, but she felt like she might be ill. Mina had been like a grandmother to her when she’d been growing up. The older woman’s doubts cut her to the bone.

Mina sighed, her eyes full of regret. “The danger that faces us is bigger than any one person. This isn’t personal. I had a vision and I’m obligated to share it with the community.”

“Why didn’t you come to me?”

Mina’s eyes flicked to Gideon, then back to Thalia. “Let me tell you about my vision. I think it will explain my actions. In the vision, I see you alone in the pitch dark. You have a white candle. It flickers. At times burning brightly and then becoming only a spark. The shadows around you encroach and retreat as the flame grows and shrinks. Behind you looms a monster, covered with the blood of innocents. Bodies litter the ground beneath its feet. It kills you.” Mina closed her eyes, as if this part of the vision pained her. “The candle falls and sets fire to the city, destroying it.”

“I have tried to find some other explanation, but I can only interpret the vision one way. The candle represents your power. The monster is the evil that recent omens have foretold. Probably this rogue you pursue. It will steal your power and use it to consume the world.” She smiled deprecatingly. “Or at least our little corner of it.”

Thalia sat for a moment in shocked silence, then shook her head. “How is this possible? Even if someone could steal my power, I’m not strong enough to endanger the world.”

Mina looked grave. “There’s no telling what this . . .being is, but you are the last of the Champions here. Perhaps your power mixed with its own will somehow increase its potency. I don’t know, but my visions have always been extremely reliable.”

Thalia paced to the massive brick fireplace, the focal point of the room, to maintain control. “So, what? You expect me to just step aside and let someone else take over?” Being the Champion had been the one sure thing in her life and now she felt as if she stood on the edge of a cliff that was crumbling beneath her feet.

She turned back toward Mina, who said nothing. “I couldn’t, even if I wanted to. The victims are all people who knew me. We don’t even know if this rogue vampire has anything to do with your vision.” Thalia took a deep breath. Even she thought that sounded like denial.

Where to go from here? She wasn’t sure she wanted to share her mother’s prophecy. They would probably use that against her as well. Could you be anymore selfish? People are dying. People with friends and family. People like Lily. Mina was a powerful witch. She might have information they could use.

Mina got to her feet and took Thalia by the hands. “I know there’s something you want to tell me. Please, don’t hold back.”

Thalia exhaled. For Lily.

She handed her mother’s grimoire to the older