Page 17 of Forty Deaths Till Us Part

I recognized the spell. It wasn’t powerful, and most witches of power could easily perform such a feat. “Magic. A witch added the mark when the document was created.”

Rene’s eyes flickered. “How can you be sure it was at the same time? The mark could have been added after Vladir’s scroll was created.”

Manu shook his head. “I agree with Raven. This mark was on the paper before he wrote it. He either had contact with the witch or he was forced to leave this where a future generation would find it.”

Rene’s eyes narrowed. “You believe he was forced to seek his rest. Set up to die so this document would lead to him.”

Manu nodded. “Which insinuates that either Magda, or another witch from that time, was working with the monster hunters.”

Rene took the parchment from Manu. “The only thing left of Vladir is his portrait and his grave.”

I gagged. “I am not into digging up a coffin from fifteen hundred years ago.”

Rene shook his head. “That would not be necessary. He has a fairly-large mausoleum in the cemetery.”

I shivered. “I hate crypts.”

“It is still preferable to digging,” Manu said.

Rene passed the page back to Manu. “You wish to search Vladir’s crypt.”

Manu smiled like a child with a new toy. “Yes. Very much so. It may not be a page, but I suspect it is.”

Rene nodded. “We know there is a page on clan property and are already checking any leads regarding the prophecy. The three of us will check this one.”

Manau glanced at the door. “Where is Cass?”

“She has some personal business to attend to,” he said.

Manu rolled the scroll back up and affixed the twine, before placing it on the shelf. “I’m ready. Lead the way.”

Rene took my hand and led me from the conference room as Manu followed.

I lowered my voice and leaned toward him slightly. “What is Cass doing?”

Rene and I passed several couples in the hallway as we reached the parlor. “She is training her younger members.” It was Cassara’s job to train the death dealers, and while there was no inflection in Rene’s voice, I had a feeling there was more to it.

“She is training all the younger members. Not just Kirnen?”

Rene opened the main door for me and indicated for me to exit the mansion. “She is spending some... quality time with Kirnen.”

I paused outside as Manu exited. “This better not have anything to do with him sparring with me.”

Rene took my hand. “Of course it does. He is talented enough that he should not have made such a mistake.”

I stopped and tried to release Rene’s hand, but found him reluctant to do so. “Don’t hold him accountable for my mistake. His weapon could never have done any permanent damage to an immortal.”

“It could have if he stabbed you in the heart,” Rene said coldly.

“He didn’t aim at my heart. If you want a serious relationship between us, then you can’t wrap me in cotton. I have to live that undead life the best I can. If people have to step on eggshells around me, I won’t make it here.”

Manu stopped and stared at the overseer. He was clearly interested in Rene’s response, but he remained quiet.

Rene rolled his shoulders, and it was clear he was not used to being questioned in clan matters. “I understand.” It wasn’t exactly an apology, or even an admission of guilt, but I understood he was unused to changing his mind about a decision.

Manu winked at me when I glanced at him. I was expecting to drive to the mausoleum, but we turned left at the end of the canopy and made our way to a trail on the side of the mansion.

The wrought-iron gates of the private cemetery were intricate works of art. They were open slightly, as if welcoming their fellow clan members to visit. The cold breeze washed over me, sending shivers down my spine. I didn’t have to ask which one we were visiting as Vladir’s name was etched in thick bold letters above his final resting place. It was one of the oldest and grandest in the area.