until there seemed to be a natural break in the activity. “Jerabeth, I hate to interrupt, but could I have a minute of your time?”
“Sure, Governor. Doctor, I’ll be right back.”
“Take your time.” Dr. Fox switched on a machine that started spinning a batch of vials. “We’re just waiting on this next set of results.”
Jerabeth walked out to the hall. “What can I do for you?”
“Let’s talk in the office.” A moment later, that’s where they were, door closed, Charlie at her computer. Donna sat at her desk, indicating Jerabeth should take a chair too. “You know that I don’t have an issue with the sun the way most vampires do.”
Jerabeth straightened, tensing. “Yes, but I swear I haven’t told a soul.”
“I know. That’s not why we’re having this conversation. We’re having it because I need you to come up with a plausible spell or potion or something that might make that possible. I need an explanation.”
“Oh.” The witch sat back, looking greatly relieved. “Does it actually have to work?”
“That would probably be for the best. In case someone wants to test it.” Donna groaned. “I’m asking too much of you. I’m sorry. Your plate is already full, and I just asked you to make room for dessert.”
“I could call in some help. If that’s okay with you. She wouldn’t need to know more than the brief. Create a spell or potion that can keep a vampire safe from the sun for an extended period of time. With you running this raid at dawn, it’s completely plausible. Although I have to tell you, this is something vampires have been after witches to create for years. No one’s been successful at a long-term potion yet.”
“That doesn’t make this easy, does it?”
“No. It could also make me a target.”
“You know you have my full protection if that becomes an issue.”
Jerabeth nodded. “I appreciate that. We just might need to say the formula became unstable or something. Enough that no one wants it.”
“Good to know.” Donna sat up a little. “Who are you thinking about asking for help?”
“The first witch that comes to mind is Harper Ferris. Harper is a solid potion-maker. I think she could do it. Or possibly her sister Reggie. She has a particular vendetta against the fae anyway, seeing as how her fiancé was killed by one.”
“Wait a minute. You’re talking about the witches who make the leather goods with their father?” Donna glanced at Charlie, then back at Jerabeth.
She nodded. “Yes. Ferris & Coven. Daisy, Harper, and Regina are Will Ferris’s daughters. I’m sure they’d help, considering the situation.”
“The coat they made me is amazing. Please do reach out to them.”
Jerabeth got up. “I’ll do it immediately.”
“Good. Time is short, Jerabeth. I need something believable to cover my daywalking abilities before I leave for the stronghold.”
“Understood. I will do my best.” She left.
Donna exhaled loudly, propping her elbows on her desk and leaning her head into her hands.
“There are a lot of moving parts, aren’t there?” Charlie asked.
Donna nodded. “Do governors get to take vacations? Because I feel like I’m going to need one.”
“I bet. Since you’re here, do you want to check out the armory and pick out a sword you like for the raid?”
Donna moved one hand so she could turn her head and stare at her admin. “A sword?”
“You’re going to need a weapon for this fight. An iron-edged sword is what most vampires favor in close combat with fae. If distance was involved, I’d suggest a crossbow with iron-tipped arrows, but I’m not sure that’s right for this.”
Donna sat up. “Just one small thing. I don’t have a clue how to use a sword.”
“I realize you haven’t been trained. We’ll address that at a future date, but you’re a vampire. You have speed and strength. That alone will give you enough skill with a sword to defend yourself. Plus, with the iron-edged sword, you don’t have to worry about a fae taking the sword and using it against you. Just touching it would burn them.”
“So a sword is just standard-issue.”
“Pretty much.”
Donna squinted. “We have an armory?”
Charlie smiled and nodded at the louvered doors across from Donna’s desk. “Do you think that closet is filled with office supplies?”
“Yes.”
Charlie got up and opened the doors wide, revealing an impressive array of weapons, mostly an assortment of blades, short and long, but also several crossbows and a couple of other things Donna didn’t know the names of.
“Wow. The last time I saw an arsenal like that, I