Page 36 of Harmonic Pleasure (Mysterious Arts #6)

“I’ve heard descriptions of people , oh, on safari, something like that.

Someone who turns around and realises some lioness or cheetah has crept close and is watching them.

That kind of danger,” Vega said immediately.

“Then there was something in his magic, but I’m not sure if it was there the first time.

Or if he were modifying whatever it was, since it was an entirely public bridge. ”

“Presumably he didn’t want you fleeing, first thing,” Vivian agreed.

Farran cleared his throat. “May I ask what the two directions are, or is that the sort of question that won’t be answered? At least for me?”

Both Vivian and Aunt Ancha began to speak before Vivian waved a hand and Aunt Ancha continued.

“Here, I think we might share the basics to make certain we all have the same understanding” She took a breath and went on.

“There are lines of Cousins in the Americas, but they are distinct at this point from the lines in Albion. The Pact has an ongoing impact, but it is not the same agreement, not with the long indigenous Fatae, for example. Over the years Cousins descended from Fatae on the continent have migrated to the Americas as well. Some of them are touchy about certain matters.”

“I had explained that, Aunt Acha. Also, some of us are decidedly touchy,” Vega pointed out. “But we have, what was the word Aunt Mera used? Agreed on territories. When someone crosses the ocean, those lines are much fainter and easier to cross.”

“Just so. And if there is some reason this Vandermeer thinks he might have some connection to this piece, or to a similar piece, or the person he is working for does...” Aunt Ancha let her voice trail off.

“The other option is that he is someone who is aware of Cousins and our magic, but because he hunts it out, seeking it. They are rare in Albion, because the Pact protects us from interference. But if he is a short-term visitor, he would have not made the full oath on the Silence, perhaps.”

Farran was quick enough to see it immediately.

“Keeping his own magic private is a different matter than the full agreement with how things stand, upholding the treaties, and so on. If he didn’t seek out going to Trellech or Dinas Emrys or any of the demesne estates, he just intended to stay in London, too.

..” He shook his head. “I see the problem. May I ask your recommendations?”

“There’s a third option, actually.” Vivian cut in.

“There is a chance— small, but real, I think, in this case— that he is also doing some work for the American government of some form. Or possibly some other foreign government. It’s hard to tell.

I inquired of a few sources, but my sources for that sort of thing are not strong, and they take time. ”

Farran blinked. “Well. That would be complicated, yes. Does that change what we do about it?” He addressed that more to Aunt Ancha.

“I would recommend speeding up your research as much as you can. The sooner you can find this piece, the better,” Aunt Ancha said. “We are glad to make a couple of protective talismans available to you.”

Farran coughed. “We have found they have an odd reaction with my magic unless specifically tuned.”

“Oh?” Vivian didn’t say anything, but she arched an eyebrow, and Aunt Ancha subsided. “Vivian, in that case, whatever you might recommend.”

“I have a friend with a pet creative alchemist,” Vivian said, agreeably. “Who should have a suitable potion ready for delivery on Friday. Enough for several doses. It mutes the magical scent like traipsing through a river to put hounds off the scent.”

Farran nodded. “I have a few ideas on where we might want to look next, but I’ll need to make an arrangement for access for one of them.

Or Vivian, you might have a better contact?

” He hesitated, then added, “My first apprenticeship determined I’ve an odd knack for materia, but it also reacts a little unpredictably.

It’s an advantage now, but it needs tending. ”

That part of things took a few minutes. Vega did not try to follow the back and forth, nor did Aunt Ancha.

Farran and Vivian went back and forth, trading names, phrases that made sense to both of them.

Aunt Ancha was listening, but Vega let her mind drift.

Finally, Farran nodded. “Thank you, Vivian. Tell Uncle Cadmus I’ll be in touch about when I can come out. Not Saturday, maybe in a week.”

“Of course.” She turned her cheek, and Farran stood before bending to kiss it.

Vega took her cue, doing the same to Aunt Ancha.

Farran offered her his arm, and they made their way through the door.

It wasn’t until they were outside, a good twenty feet down the street, that Farran said, “I’m sure they’re going to gossip about us. ”

“Oh, yes. We should allow them to do so. No sense in making them cranky at a lack of gossip. I am glad they were both forthcoming enough. Shall we get tea somewhere in Trellech, before the portal? I’ve got an hour comfortably.”

“Excellent.”