Page 95 of Kick the Candle (Knight Games 2)
"Yes." Julius shot me an annoyed look. "They are drifters, like your human stereotype of gypsies. They collect things. It is well known that the Pryth Clan frequented New England at the time of your death, scavenging goods from the dead. Thanks to drought, war, and hysteria, there was an abundance of dead."
"Nice."
"But they can't carry everything they steal. Like pirates, they bury their booty to retrieve at a later date. They seal it in vault under the earth. So, you see, when one comes around after so much time, word gets out."
I lowered my eyebrows, which hurt because of my busted face. "Why now? It's been hundreds of years. Why wouldn't the Nekomata come before this?"
Julius downed his drink and returned to the credenza to pour another. Did vampires get drunk? I wasn't sure. "The Nekomata seal their treasure inside a vault they create in the Earth. Always near a gravesite, since their magic uses the dead. Only during specific celestial events may the vault be opened. As it so happens, the winter solstice is but days away."
"The winter solstice happens every year. Why now? Why this year?"
"Because this is the first year that the hiding place will be accessible to the Nekomata, dear witch. This is the first year that your house is not your own." He pointed at me with conviction as if I'd done something wrong.
"So, you're suggesting that the Nekomata are buying my house because the Book of Flesh and Bone is buried somewhere on my property in a Pryth clan vault, but they can't get to it without buying my house because of the spell of protection my predecessor put on the place."
He nodded slowly. Julius' mouth spread into a wide, toothy grin. "Your dear old friend died before her time, before she could transfer the title of the house to you."
"Prudence?"
"When she left the house to your father, she meant it for you." He snorted. "Didn't work out. Perfect time for the Nekomata to strike."
"So, the Nekomata got word the house was for sale. It's been for sale for two years. Why not come earlier?"
He lowered himself back into the leather desk chair and stared at me like I was dense.
"Any protective spell you had on the house would be fully in force until you returned. But a transitioning witch is vulnerable. You should have reinforced the spell when you had the chance. Now, it is already beginning to weaken."
"I thought you were behind the sale, Mr. Helleborine."
"Who is Mr. Helleborine? I know the name... Helleborine is an herb you should be quite familiar with, Hecate, but I have never gone by that name."
I looked at him skeptically. "Someone going by that name tried to buy my house earlier this year."
"It was not me, although I wouldn't put it past Anna. She can't be happy about the nekomata getting the book."
"Why? I'm sure she could compel it out of their hands in a heartbeat. She's probably behind the purchase."
"Poor. Dear. Ignorant. Witch." He sighed. "Nekomata and vampires are natural enemies. A nekomata bite is deadly to us and, no, they can't be compelled. They're immune. No nekomata in their right mind would help Anna."
"So, she's trying to get to it before they do."
He shook his head. "Maybe, but I'm not sure why. A Pryth clan vault can only be opened by nekomata magic. It can not be forced open by muscle or any other natural means." He sipped his scotch and stared at a spot on the wall.
"What about magic? She had a leprechaun in her employ. Aren't they, like, super-sorcerers?"
"I'm not sure even a leprechaun could bypass nekomata magic, but I'd rather not find out. You must have wondered why I sent Gary with the money. You are not so naive to believe it was out of the goodness of my heart." He chuckled.
My lips parted. No, I hadn't trusted Julius' gift, and I still didn't. I turned his words over in my mind, wondering what parts I should believe. I decided, in this case, the shock of honesty might be just what I needed to shake him up. "Nekomata bought my house. It isn't mine anymore. We haven't closed on the sale yet, but unless a miracle happens, it's his."
Julius stood up, knocking his chair back with a clatter. "How? I sent you the money. Why didn't you buy the house?"
"I tried! He bought it first before I could get a loan."
Julius began to pace in front of the door. "This is undesirable."
"You don't say." I pressed a finger into my lips. "There's something I don't understand. You think the Book of Flesh and Bone is hidden on my property. If Anna and everybody else knows about the nekomata, why is she coming after me? The city is swarming with supernaturals looking for this thing. If there was any rumor it was in or around my house, why are they in the city and not Red Grove?"
"Anna Bathory has compelled every supernatural creature within a one hundred mile radius to help her find the book. But make no mistake; she doesn't actually want any of them to find it. Her purpose is to raise an army, so that should the nekomata obtain the grimoire first, they will never be able to leave with it. Believe me, if the book were hidden anywhere but on your property, Anna would already have it. The fact that she doesn't proves it is still protected by your magic. I suspect that's why she might've killed you tonight, to see if your death would break the enchantment."
