Lake Silence

CHAPTER 23

Aggie

Thaisday, Juin 15

Following Ilya Sanguinati’s orders, Aggie gathered her Crowgard kin and flew to the woodland side of Silence Lodge, where they wouldn’t be seen by any humans fishing on the lake. Many of the Crows chose to perch on the branches of nearby trees, but most settled on the ground since it was easier to shift to a human form when you didn’t have to balance on a branch that might not hold that shape.

A dozen Sanguinati followed Miss Vicki’s attorney out of the lodge. Several Crows fluffed and fluttered. Other Crows preened their feathers to show they weren’t concerned by the number of vampires who were also attending this meeting. Normally the Crowgard had no reason to fear the Sanguinati. Being another form of terra indigene, they were not prey. But powerful predators should never be taken lightly.

“We would like your assistance in solving a puzzle,” Ilya Sanguinati said.

Aggie stopped preening. Puzzles were fun, especially the ones that required figuring out how to claim a shiny.

Ilya Sanguinati held out a photograph of the shiny clip thing she had traded for the pretty bracelet. “We need to find out how many humans have a tie clip exactly like this one. Once we know who they are, we’ll be able to find out why they are interested in The Jumble.”

Eddie Crowgard said.

“We think the humans who wear this clip are trying to force Miss Vicki to leave.”

“Not yet.”

All the Crows settled down. “Not yet” wasn’t quite a promise that soon there would be eyeballs for lunch, but it was close.

“You cannot take these shinies,” Ilya Sanguinati said. “They have to stay with the humans who own them.”

Aggie stared at Ilya. No shinies? What kind of puzzle game was that?

“Find something else to bring back that will tell me who the humans are and where they live,” Ilya said. “Something they won’t miss, like mail humans toss in the recycle box as soon as it arrives or an envelope that has been thrown out. We need something with the human’s name and address.”

Aggie asked. She wasn’t sure how many of the Crows would play this puzzle game if they couldn’t bring back any shinies.

Ilya smiled, showing his fangs. “Then we’ll be able to identify the human enemies hiding among the rest.”