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the droplet of tea from my lap.
    “I asked it where we could find your father.” I held the napkin tightly in my hands as he let The Hand slip back down between my breasts.
    “And?” Archie flexed his metal fingers as if imagining Victor's neck in his grip.
    “We won't have to look. The aether says that the Lizard and Baiandelio are coming for us.”
    “They're working with my father.” Icarus stood, pacing in front of the fire. “I should have guessed.”
    “Who is the Lizard anyway, Ic? You never told us who he is.”
    “He's a slimy bastard. A dark wizard I knew by another name, many years ago.”
    “And, like many others you've chanced across, he has reason to hate you.”
    Icarus folded his arms and frowned. “Not everyone I meet wants to kill me, Archimedes.”
    “I've yet to find one who doesn't.” Archie winked at me. “Even Cora and I have dabbled in the idea on occasion.”
    “Funny.” Icarus' tone said it wasn't. “His name when I knew him was Georgio Gecko.”
    “Gecko. A type of lizard.”
    Two sets of eyes turned to me.
    “I grew up with a grandmother who practiced magic. She kept books on many topics, including reptiles.”
    “So Gecko is The Lizard.” Archie's mouth turned down in distaste. “And he hates you for some reason. And we know Baiandelio has reason to hate us both.”
    “You for leaving his victim alive, and me for casting him out of London.” Icarus agreed.
    “Why does he hate you for that, Archie?” I asked.
    “When she was well the girl returned to her family. A very influential Coven family, as it turns out. Her father had Baiandelio's club closed and he backed Icarus when he bid for the London territory.”
    “So if you'd have killed her, her family might not have backed Icarus, and he may have been able to retain his territory.” I surmised.
    “I'd have killed him, rather than let him continue to sell black magic in London.” Icarus shrugged when I shot him a disbelieving look. “What?”
    “Cold blooded murder is a bit much, even for you.”
    “The man is a beast and a savager of women. I've no sympathy for a wizard like him. He and the Lizard are two of a kind in that respect. Both work blood magic, and can do harm if they get the chance.”
    I wrapped my arms around myself. Blood magic was the biggest taboo of the magical community. Though I was newer to it than Icarus, who'd been born to it, and Archie who'd been introduced as a child, I knew the cost a wizard paid for blood magic. Usually their souls were warped, their minds lost to the darkness blood magic wrought. Simple blood magic spells could be done using donated blood, but the more complicated spells required sacrifice. Some dark magic was tolerated and overlooked by the Grand High Coven, but blood magic was an offense punishable by death.
    Icarus raised his head, as if only noticing that the room had grown darker. He waved his hand and the sconces on the wall lit, casting a warm glow about the room.
    “We have electricity, Icarus.” I reminded him.
    He glowered. “Gah. Science! This insane argument that man can overcome his need for magic by using metal and wire is ridiculous.”
    I looked at Archie and we shook our heads. Magic was accepted and used all over the world now, but non-magic users grew weary of relying on practitioners provide them with power, healing and protection. A movement was underway to forge ahead in scientific fields, hoping to reduce the non-users reliance on magic. Men like Icarus, who'd never had to pay for magic, didn't understand the non-user's resistance. It was an argument we bandied about between us at many a dinner meal. We both knew Icarus would never understand the masses and their need for independence from the magical community.
    “If the aether is correct, Gecko and Baiandelio will make a move against us soon.” Icarus crossed his arms over his chest, a small smile twisting his lips. “We'd best prepare.”
    “The wards are set.” Archimedes was