Page 7 of Ruby Red Sky

The man was not a sorcerer. He didn’t possess a single solitary cell of born magic, yet he was a master of the craft. Self-taught and highly proficient, his skills would unlock this device for me while I suffered the weakened state this Realm had left me in.

The man’s house was set at the end of a winding drive, just north and east of the city on the Connecticut line.

A mix of trees bordered the edge of the road, providing shade and safety for the prolific number of crows guarding the property. The soundproof vehicle I rode in blocked the noise, but one of the birds flapping its wings by my window was moving its mouth and letting me know my arrival had set off the alarm.

Oswald pulled the car up to the front entrance of the massive estate, and the birds fluttered away to perch in the trees once again.

Kiam’s home was built in shades of beige and tan, but the bricks were marred by mold, moss, and trails of ivy that threatened to devour the entire gothic structure whole.

The mansion almost blended invisibly with its surroundings, shrouded by trees and shrubbery. If one didn’t know any better, they may have thought it deserted if they even spotted it at all.

My door was opened, and I placed my feet on the gravel, closing my long coat around me. It was springtime; but the air still contained a chill. Temperature variations didn’t bother me much, but I was used to dressing formally, and my coat was comfortable. It was similar in style to my regular wardrobe of longer suit jackets and tunics with its craftsmanship.

The moment I placed my hand on the doorknob, the door swung open. “Lukas,” Kiam said, moving to the side to let me pass. “How are you?”

Such a useless question.

“Here,” I said, handing him the phone. “I need access to the contents.”

He took the device, and I followed him down the hallway, passing brass candelabras full of flickering flames and narrow tables displaying artifacts. Gilded daggers, gem-encrusted skulls—both animal and human, along with devices and knickknacks I didn’t recognize were strewn about shelves and tables.

The air held the scent of old relics, woodsy, green, and the faint aroma of vanilla.

His home could’ve used a good dusting, but he didn’t employ anyone to assist with household chores. It must’ve been an unshakeable habit from his human days, doing all the work himself.

We entered his cluttered office; the shelves stuffed with scrolls and crumbling tomes. Piles of books were stacked five feet high on the floor, threatening to topple at any moment.

The only clean places were his desks. The multiple monitors and other devices were immaculate; the shiny wood surfaces they were set on free of dust and blemishes.

“What is this about?” He asked, staring at the phone before plugging it in.

“Someone piqued my interest.”

He glanced up. “Oh?”

“Yes.”

“What was it?” He looked down at the phone again, rubbing his hand over it. The candles in the room flickered and my skin prickled.

“Her scent.” I rubbed my chin. “I’m not entirely certain. I’ve had women more beautiful than the stars themselves.”

Not that the woman wasn’t gorgeous, but there was something else that drew me to her beside her fragrance and polite mannerisms. It was a mystery I didn’t want to consider, not just yet.

Kiam raised a brow. “I’m sure you have. I downloaded her information for you. Here.” He handed me a small piece of plastic when he stood.

“Tell me,” I demanded. I wasn’t going to wait until I got home.

He leaned against the edge of one of his bookcases, dislodging a scroll that was ignored when it rolled across the hardwood floor.

“Cassia Chamberlain. Age thirty, originally from Westchester, New York. No kids. Lazy boyfriend. No pets. Parents died in a car accident when she was twenty. Self-employed graphic designer. Likes wine, plums, and donuts, collects cactus plants. Her favorite color is green, conveniently for you.”

My nail tapped against the nickel-sized file of information he’d retrieved. The boyfriend would be removed as soon as I located him.

The lack of family would make this easier, certainly. We didn’t have donuts back home, but they could be arranged.

Her age was ideal for preservation. This would all go much more smoothly than I’d hoped.

Kiam placed his hand on my back before he walked out of the room. “Relax. When’s the last time you had a fresh meal?”