Veiled Magic by Deborah Blake Read Free Book Online Page A

loss of life, both Paranormal and Human. Separately, they don’t seem to mean much. But taken together, I believe they indicate that the lost race is on the move again—and that they intend to create widespread destruction and death as their revenge for the Compact that virtually erased them from existence. Since both the Alliance and the Church agreed to the Compact, this lost race is targeting all people, regardless of their species. And a lot of innocent Humans could end up being collateral damage. You have to believe me—all my evidence shows that this threat is real, and very, very dangerous.” He held one ethereal hand out beseechingly toward Donata.
    â€œBefore I died, I had hoped to contact someone who could help me work on the painting, both to render it harmless, should the Cabal ever get their hands on it, and also to remove that black blotch to reveal the identity of the sixth race.” Desperation showed clearly on his face, even as the rest of his body thinned. “That painting may be our only chance to find this race and reason with them—if that is even possible—or learn a way to fight them, if it is not.”
    He stared at Donata almost fiercely. “I cannot complete my task now. So you must complete it for me.”
    â€œCan’t we just destroy it—burn it or something? Then there is nothing for the Cabal to go after.”
    The ghost shook his head. “That would not be as easy as you think. But it doesn’t matter. You are missing the point. The painting
must
survive. It is the only way to discover the identity of the sixth race and to stop them from creating chaos and destruction on a scale you cannot even imagine.”
    Donata opened her mouth to protest, and he held his ghostly hands out before him in an unspoken plea. “Please, Officer Santori. You must believe me. The safety of the Paranormal races, and perhaps the world as a whole, lies with that painting. It is your task now. You must find a man named Peter Casaventi. He is half Human and half Dragon—although he does not know about his Dragon heritage. He is also one of the best restorers and copyists I know. If anyone can help you reveal the secrets of the Pentacle Pentimento, it is Peter.”
    Great goddess, why me?
Donata thought, not really expecting an answer.
    Did you not say you wished to be of service?
A soft female voice echoed inside her head. The goddess herself? Her own subconscious? Impossible to say. But Witches believe that what you put out into the world was what you got back. She had made the choice to serve Humanity—that didn’t mean she necessarily got to choose how she was meant to do so.
    Donata sighed in resignation, and she could see the ghostly old man before her sag in relief as he read her acceptance on her face. Even the Kobold seemed to relax, and at her feet, Grimalkin gave a meow of approval. Completely outnumbered, that was her.
    â€œFine, so how do I find this Peter Casaventi, anyway?” She thought for a second. “And when you say ‘copyist,’ do you mean ‘forger’? Please tell me you’re not sending me to ask some criminal for help with a painting that’s currently locked up in the evidence locker at the police station.”
    Farmingham had the grace to look down at his feet, although there wasn’t much to see there at the moment. “He’s a great talent,” the ghost protested, “one of the best I’ve ever seen. He comes from a family of famous artists—you’ve heard of Lily Casaventi, surely?”
    Donata nodded. “Of course, didn’t the city commission her to paint that huge mural at the new capitol building?” She searched her memory. “I’ve heard of Lily, and aren’t there a couple of daughters and a son who are also famous artists? Is Peter the famous son?”
    The ghost gave her a doleful look. “No, he’s not. In fact, he’s the only