Do we think our intrepid girl will be deterred so easily?
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Nettie Spiegel appears courtesy of @venriliz!
Nettie: Your hunch was right. Your sister is with the Vatores.
Julia: Holy cow! And you’re sure?
Nettie: Do I seem like I’m in business of not being sure?
Julia: [eagerly] Did you actually see them in the flesh? What were they doing? How did she seem? Where did you find-
Nettie: I tracked them down at an art gallery in Windenburg. I was only tailing the sister at first. When she arrived, your sister and the brother were already there. But she and Ms. Vatore left together, under circumstances too… intimate for me to safely follow.
Julia: Windenburg? But that’s all the way across the country. I can’t just hop a plane and-
Nettie: [firmly] Which is why, now that we’ve confirmed her whereabouts, I suggest you drop this. I regret not disclosing it sooner, but there’s a conflict of interest. This isn’t the first time I’ve dealt with Ms. Vatore.
Julia: You’ve tailed her before?
Nettie: Yes. But, more importantly, I’ve tailed others for her. [sighs] Honestly, I’d hoped I wouldn’t find your sister in her company. Trust me, no good can come of it.
Julia: Hold on. Are you saying Helena is the one in danger? All this time, I was worried she might be hurting other people!
Nettie: All I can go on is Ms. Vatore’s history, and it’s not particularly exemplary. It was a couple decades ago, give or take, when she first showed up at my office. She threw a duffel full of cash at me in exchange for keeping tabs on her brother. I didn’t ask why – that’s not typically part of the job – but they didn’t seem to be on speaking terms at the time. Then she wanted me to follow his partner, learn their habits, establish their schedule, identify their friends and colleagues. Again, her pockets were so deep I didn’t ask questions. Finally, she had me track down a book for her, old, rare, filled with dangerous – and forbidden – spells.
Julia: Did you just say spells? As in magic?
Nettie: [impatiently] Yes, Miss Zhao, magic. Well, I told her where she could find it, and that ended our business together. Some time later, I learned the Council of Sages – these spellcaster bigwigs – had been assassinated by means of ancient, outlawed magic. Her brother’s partner was one of them. I shortly put together the pieces.
Julia: So you’re telling me that my sister may be involved with a… a… murderer?
Nettie: To be fair, you won’t likely meet a vampire – including me – who isn’t, which is why I’m advising you to steer clear. I apologize for being abrupt, Miss Zhao, but it’s early and there’s a coffin calling my name. Goodbye.
Julia: [muttering to self] What am I supposed to do now?
Guy: Babe, are you coming back in or what?
