Page 81 of Cursed By Fate
CHAPTER TWELVE
I typed a text message to Penny and thanked her for the delicious casserole. I asked her to continue cover for me, explaining that I needed a bit more time to recover from my head injury. Her response was immediate.
Anything you need, boss!
With Penny squared away, I planned my exit. I no longer had access to the portal system I once used. If I hoped to find my old contact, I’d have to take the scenic route.
I refilled Jinx’s water bowl and stroked her head. “Be back soon. If Penny comes back, you have permission to bite her ankle.”
I locked the front door and flew to the home of a wizard named Bartholomew J. Buttons. Despite his name, he was a very talented wizard. His skills weren’t as polished as they once were, but if I had to place a bet on which magic user had the ability to open the type of portal I needed, it was Buttons.
I rang the bell six times before he finally answered the door. He was either napping or hard of hearing—probably both.
“I’ll take a box of Thin Mints,” he said.
“I’m not selling cookies, Buttons.”
His eyes snapped into focus. “Maya August. Come in.”
The interior was, to put it mildly, not the tidiest. Stacks of newspapers lined the far wall. Empty mugs and dishes littered the coffee table.
“You’ve been busy,” I said.
“I fell down a rabbit hole earlier this week and I’ve had trouble climbing out of it.” He glanced at the mess on the kitchen counter. “I’d offer you a drink, but I’m not sure I have anything suitable aside from water.”
“What’s the rabbit hole?”
“Anastasia,” he said, splaying his fingers like he was announcing the title of a new movie.
“The Russian princess?”
“The one and the same. I think I found her.”
“Didn’t that myth get debunked? Her bones were found buried in the same grave as her sibling’s.”
“A lie invented by her protectors to throw people off her scent.”
“Can you blame the woman for wanting to live out her days in peace?”
“Not a woman,” he said, eyes wild. “A vampire.”
“Your theory is that Anastasia is a vampire?”
“Yes, and that’s why they couldn’t kill her. She’d already been turned.”
“A fascinating theory. I look forward to your final report.”
“I’m creating a PowerPoint presentation for the next history club meeting. I can’t wait to blow their minds.” He mimicked the sound of an explosion.
“I might have to show up for that meeting, but right now, I need a favor.”
He leaned on the counter for support. “What kind? Research?”
“A portal, and I need to keep it quiet.”
The wizard cast an appraising look at me. “And you’ve come to me? Why not your precious coven?”
“They’re not my precious anything. They’re a chatty bunch, and I need this trip to stay strictly confidential.” Plus Meemaw didn’t have the same gift for portals that Buttons had.
