Chapter 240 - Allies, Unite!

Breakfast itself was a delicious thing. Vampires didn't eat, of course, so I had only Eve to share the joys of good food with. But that let the other three people present at this meeting, which obviously was more serious than a courtesy gesture, talk freely.

"I wish to say again how grateful I'm to all of you for helping me yesterday, and to apologise for the way yesterday's event ended. Especially to you, Eve." Cornellio inclined his head in her direction, to which she hummed something noncommittal with a full mouth and waved her hand in dismissal.

"You couldn't have predicted this will happen," she said after swallowing. "If someone's to blame, it's me for not making the seal more solid.." She glanced at the controlling array, which she still had with her right now. The small obelisk stood next to her cup of tea on the table.

"And another thing you're wrong about, Cornellio. I wasn't any help yesterday. I was just an obstacle. Really, I'm out of place here." Bob snorted and shook his head.

"Don't say that, Bob. When everyone else fought like animals, you found in herself to look for the controlling array. You didn't know where to search, or how it looked like, or what to do with it afterwards, but the attempt was commendable either way. You, unlike even me, stepped above yourself and at least left the main carnage. This, in my opinion, deserves praise and respect. And, I think you might have something to say about other things I wanted to talk about."

"Still," Bob didn't seem entirely convinced. He glanced at JJ through his eyelashes. "Now, Jean, he was a real hero. Never thought he had these tricks in him… Or were they yours, Diana?"

"Don't give me too much credit," I said between mouthfuls, and didn't elaborate.

"I'm sure we can spend an entire day discussing who did more and who did less to put an end to yesterday's catastrophe, but I doubt that would be the most pleasant way to spend time. Talking about the same thing over and over again is something that only people with a very particular mindset can enjoy. I'm just glad to have been at the right place and the right time to stop yesterday's events from ending up in a much grimier way than they did. Now, Cornellio, what you wished to speak about?"

"The identity and the goals of the person who had intruded on us last night. You called him Staghead, if I remember correctly?" Cornellio glanced at me in askance, and I nodded. "Is this his real name?"

I shook my head. "No, I, ah, just called him that because of the antlers and stuff. I don't know his real name, but he mentioned he was, what, second lead of the Wild Hunt?" I looked at Eve for confirmation.

"Yes. I've thought about it between here and now, called my partner, too. He has some interesting tidbits of knowledge at times. There are plenty of legends about the Wild Hunt, but they are all vague and rarely have any names in them. If we want to know more about Staghead, the best course of action, in my opinion, would be asking one of the covens which actually have connections with fey courts. I know some with these connections… And just to clarify—I don't know how about you all, but I intend on finding him and taking back what he stole."

"This is a motivation I can easily get behind," Cornellio smiled, flashing fangs. "As for myself, how can I rest calmly after such insult thrown into my face? My peers will laugh at me if I do nothing, and I won't be able to close my eyes until I bleed the scum dry from his fey blood. And though it should be my personal quest, I know that intruding on the matters of fey alone won't end up well for me. Eve, I would be most delighted to join forces with you. As for you," he turned towards the rest of us, "I know this isn't your fight, but any help, no matter how small, would be appreciated and returned tenfold."

I exchanged glances with JJ. He knew just as well as I did that I had another piece of the jade seal in my possession. At this point, looking for Staghead was really more of a self-defence. Oh, of course, I could give him my piece of seal… Ha! He'd wish!

I turned to Eve. "You know, and this is just what I wanted to talk with you about earlier, but I actually have another piece of the Seal of Absolute Knowledge in my possession—"

"Wait, what?" Eve almost jumped from her seat, catching herself at the last moment to ask me with more calm, "Do you have it with you?"

"No, right now my teacher keeps an eye on it. It should be safe enough for now, but what I meant to say, Cornellio, is that I have reasons to think that Staghead already tried to make a move on it through his pawns." I frowned. "I don't know how he makes people do what he wants, but he clearly does. Threats? Blackmail? Either way, I'd be glad to join the hunt on the Wild Hunt."

"I double that," JJ said. "Not to mention that to leave an action like that of this Staghead's unfinished goes against all my better nature."

"What Staghead—nice nickname, by the way—did is far from the worst shit I've seen in my life, but it doesn't make it any better. Besides, I'd be able to catch up with my old pal," Bob smirked at JJ. "How's that to you?"

"Very convenient." JJ's tone was dry, but he smirked back.

"Splendid!" Cornellio beamed. "It will be a pleasure to work with you all, I'm sure of it. Then, if we are finished with the introductory part, let's move to the more detailed organising of our future operations."