Kill It With Magic: An Urban Fantasy Novel (The Lillim Callina Chronicles Book 1) by J.A. Cipriano Page B
Authors: J.A. Cipriano
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territory. I needed a wild goose-catching net.
“This is unacceptable.” Gib turned his eyes to me, and I was pretty sure that if he could think me to death, I’d have exploded. “You will go to this Logan, and you will track down my son. Now!” His calm finally shattered, putting his hatred on full display.
“Um…” I mumbled, mostly just to have something to say. Logan was a vampire I’d met before. That grease ball wasn’t the typical vampire who specialized in blood magic. At least he wasn’t what I expected because I always pictured a tall, spindly fellow with long boney fingers and greasy blond hair… Logan was barrel-chested, short, and had pudgy fingers like fat sausages. He had an almost girlish sort of face, and always, without fail, wore beaded necklaces.
On top of that, the Owls were perhaps the most dangerous of all the vampire castes. Sure, the other ones could rip you to pieces and all, but some Owls had been rumored to be able to make a person’s blood congeal into a solid substance with the merest touch… and I was going to go accuse them of kidnapping. Swell.
Chapter 8
The stench of old blood and rotting meat inside the House of Owl was so strong that I could practically feel it clinging to my skin. Gib had taken one step inside and declared that he would wait for me outside. I’m pretty sure that it had more to do with the guards not wanting to let him in than the smell, though. Otherwise, that would make him a pretty horrible father.
That had been three hours ago, and the receptionist was being none too helpful in summoning Logan. I had known that Voln didn’t have much pull with the other vampires, so I had expected to wait, but this was growing unbearable. Every breath filled me with such revulsion that I’d had to make my way outside more than a few times. Sometimes fresh air is a marvelous thing.
As I paced in the foyer, I kind of wished Gib was with me. While vampires always creeped me out, being in this room was unnerving me to a degree I’d not thought possible. It was hard to stand there, in the thick of the place, and know that behind every door grisly experiments and blood sacrifices were taking place.
“Ma’am?” The receptionist’s shrill voice cut through me and I jumped.
“Yes?”
“I’m afraid Logan will be unable to see you today. However,” she said before I could respond, “Mistress Danae will be more than happy to see you in his stead.”
I nodded my head to show that this change would be suitable, though I knew from her tone that by “more than happy” she meant “grudgingly.” I guess Voln’s name carried some weight after all.
Danae descended the stairs with the sort of supernatural grace reserved for deities— as though light existed for the sole purpose of making her appear ever more stunning. Her eyes held that schoolgirl innocence that the rest of her sinful gait seemed to betray with every step. Thin strips of red satin clung to her in such a way as to suggest what might be underneath and to make you hope that they might move just a little bit more… if you were into that sort of thing.
There are different kinds of vampires within clans. Some of them, like Logan, were the normal bloodsuckers. It was the other ones, the ones normal people referred to as the succubus and incubus, that I really disliked. They were creatures that thrived on lust. Guess which one Danae was? And when she was in full charm mode, like now, I couldn’t help but notice every little thing she did.
“Danae, thank you for seeing me today.” I bowed my head toward her and made a sweeping gesture with my arms.
“Quaint, Lillim.” Her tongue darted out to lick her ruby-red lips as she spoke, her porcelain teeth flashing for moment. “I’m delighted to see you, too.” She had moved close to me, her breath hot on my neck. Vampires didn’t need to breathe so it had to be just for effect.
“You should just stop trying to charm me.” I was annoyed. “I
“This is unacceptable.” Gib turned his eyes to me, and I was pretty sure that if he could think me to death, I’d have exploded. “You will go to this Logan, and you will track down my son. Now!” His calm finally shattered, putting his hatred on full display.
“Um…” I mumbled, mostly just to have something to say. Logan was a vampire I’d met before. That grease ball wasn’t the typical vampire who specialized in blood magic. At least he wasn’t what I expected because I always pictured a tall, spindly fellow with long boney fingers and greasy blond hair… Logan was barrel-chested, short, and had pudgy fingers like fat sausages. He had an almost girlish sort of face, and always, without fail, wore beaded necklaces.
On top of that, the Owls were perhaps the most dangerous of all the vampire castes. Sure, the other ones could rip you to pieces and all, but some Owls had been rumored to be able to make a person’s blood congeal into a solid substance with the merest touch… and I was going to go accuse them of kidnapping. Swell.
Chapter 8
The stench of old blood and rotting meat inside the House of Owl was so strong that I could practically feel it clinging to my skin. Gib had taken one step inside and declared that he would wait for me outside. I’m pretty sure that it had more to do with the guards not wanting to let him in than the smell, though. Otherwise, that would make him a pretty horrible father.
That had been three hours ago, and the receptionist was being none too helpful in summoning Logan. I had known that Voln didn’t have much pull with the other vampires, so I had expected to wait, but this was growing unbearable. Every breath filled me with such revulsion that I’d had to make my way outside more than a few times. Sometimes fresh air is a marvelous thing.
As I paced in the foyer, I kind of wished Gib was with me. While vampires always creeped me out, being in this room was unnerving me to a degree I’d not thought possible. It was hard to stand there, in the thick of the place, and know that behind every door grisly experiments and blood sacrifices were taking place.
“Ma’am?” The receptionist’s shrill voice cut through me and I jumped.
“Yes?”
“I’m afraid Logan will be unable to see you today. However,” she said before I could respond, “Mistress Danae will be more than happy to see you in his stead.”
I nodded my head to show that this change would be suitable, though I knew from her tone that by “more than happy” she meant “grudgingly.” I guess Voln’s name carried some weight after all.
Danae descended the stairs with the sort of supernatural grace reserved for deities— as though light existed for the sole purpose of making her appear ever more stunning. Her eyes held that schoolgirl innocence that the rest of her sinful gait seemed to betray with every step. Thin strips of red satin clung to her in such a way as to suggest what might be underneath and to make you hope that they might move just a little bit more… if you were into that sort of thing.
There are different kinds of vampires within clans. Some of them, like Logan, were the normal bloodsuckers. It was the other ones, the ones normal people referred to as the succubus and incubus, that I really disliked. They were creatures that thrived on lust. Guess which one Danae was? And when she was in full charm mode, like now, I couldn’t help but notice every little thing she did.
“Danae, thank you for seeing me today.” I bowed my head toward her and made a sweeping gesture with my arms.
“Quaint, Lillim.” Her tongue darted out to lick her ruby-red lips as she spoke, her porcelain teeth flashing for moment. “I’m delighted to see you, too.” She had moved close to me, her breath hot on my neck. Vampires didn’t need to breathe so it had to be just for effect.
“You should just stop trying to charm me.” I was annoyed. “I
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