The Last Smile in Sunder City (The Fetch Phillips Archives #1) - Luke Arnold Page 0,4

by the law. Other than the occasional renegade, I believe the Blood Race to be the noblest species to ever rise up from the great river.”

“I apologize for my ignorance. I’ve never encountered one myself. How are they doing post-Coda?”

My naïvety pleased him. He was a man who enjoyed imparting knowledge to the ignorant.

“The Vampiric population has suffered as much, if not more, than any other creature on this planet. The magical connection they once accessed through draining the blood of others has been severed. They gain none of the magical life-force that once ensured their survival. In short, they are dying. Slowly and painfully. Withering into dust like corpses in the sun.”

I slid a photo out of the folder. The only signs of life in the face of Edmund Rye were the intensely focused eyes that battled their way out of deep sockets. He wasn’t much more than a ghost: cavernous nostrils, hair like old cotton and skin that was flaking away.

“When was this taken?”

“Two years ago. He’s gotten worse.”

“He was in the League?”

“Of course. Edmund was a crucial founding member.”

“Are they still active?”

“Technically, yes. In their weakened state, the League can no longer carry out their sworn oath of protection. They still exist, though in name only.”

“When did he decide to become a teacher?”

“Three years ago, I made the announcement that I was founding Ridgerock. It caused quite a stir in the press. Before the Coda, a cross-species school would have been quite impractical. Imagine trying to force Dwarves to sit through a potions class or putting Gnomes and Ogres on the same sports field. It would have been impossible for any child to receive a proper education. Now, thanks to your kind, we have all been brought down to base level.”

He was baiting me. I decided not to bite.

“Edmund came to me the following week. He knew that he wouldn’t have many years ahead of him and this school was a place where he could pass down the wisdom he’d acquired over his long and impressive life. He has served loyally since the day we opened and is a much-loved member of staff.”

“So, where is he?”

Burbage shrugged. “It’s been a week since he showed up for classes. We’ve told the students he’s on leave for personal matters. He lives above the city library. I’ve put the address in his report and the librarian knows you’re coming.”

“I haven’t accepted the job yet.”

“You will. That’s why I asked you to come early. I was curious as to what kind of man would take up a career like yours. Now I know.”

“And what kind of man is that?”

“A guilty one.”

He watched my reaction with his narrow, know-it-all eyes. I tucked the photo back into the folder.

“It’s been a week already. Why not go to the police?”

Burbage slid an envelope across the table. I could see the bronze-leaf bills inside.

“Please. Find my friend.”

I got to my feet, picked up the envelope and counted out what I thought was fair. It was a third of what he was offering.

“This will cover me till the end of the week. If I haven’t found something by then, we’ll talk about extending the contract.”

I pocketed the money, rolled up the folder, tucked it inside my jacket and made for the exit. Then I paused in the doorway.

“That film didn’t differentiate between the Human Army and the rest of mankind. Isn’t that a little irresponsible? It could be dangerous for the Human students.”

Under the dim light, I watched him apply that condescending smile he wore so well.

“My dear fellow,” he said chirpily, “we would never dream of having a Human child here.”

Outside, the air cooled the sweat around my collar. The security guard let me go without a word and I didn’t ask for one. I made my way east along Fourteenth Street without much hope for what I might be able to find. Professor Edmund Albert Rye; a man whose life expectancy was already several centuries overdue. I doubted I could bring back anything more than a sad story.

I wasn’t wrong. But things were sticking to the story that knew how to bite.

3

Sunderia was an inhospitable land with no native peoples. In 4390, a band of Dragon slayers followed flames on the horizon, thinking they were closing in on a kill. Instead, they discovered the entrance to a volatile, underground fire pit. Rather than wallow in their mistake, they decided to put the flames to use.

Sunder City began its life as one giant factory, owned