“Kvassir’s Blood. All you need is to find one of the local Asatru Kindred,” Thruor said. “I don’t have any, but one of them should. It’s often used for blots.”

“Alright, and if it was made by them, it would qualify.”

She nodded. “Bruce might…”

“I bet Bruce knows somebody. I’ll call him.”

“I’m surprised…”

“He said he was doing it for Mike, not me. Or maybe, a little bit, for you.”

Thruor grinned. “I don’t think he dislikes you as much as you think. He let you keep the horn.”

“He said he didn’t need it. I bet he can tell when somebody’s being truthful anyway.”

“Oh, definitely.”

I decided I’d almost rather have that particular talent than setting things on fire…even if I’d only done it a couple of times. “The tricky part is going to be getting them to drink it.”

“Going to take a lot of illusions…”

“Right, and the point is to break the illusion for them. Which means…hrm. They’d recognize Kanesha, or me, or you.” And they weren’t inclined to trust…Seb wouldn’t be a good call, and I couldn’t ask Father William.

“Fitz.”

I looked at her.

“You broke the control on him. Maybe he’d do it. He’s their lawyer.”

“The question is whether it has to be from the horn, or whether…”

Thruor pursed her lips. “Not directly.”

I nodded. “Hopefully the stuff isn’t too vile.”

She laughed. “When you find some, try a sip. I think you’ll find it’s not too bad.”

I caught that laugh. “Alright.”

Next step was to call Bruce. Or, on second thoughts, track him down. I was suddenly a little wary of discussing this over a cell. I couldn’t do anything that night – it had to wait until after school the next day.

Kanesha came with me, and we wandered down the street to the magic store. “Special mead?”

“I get the impression it’s just a recipe, but if it’s made right, it has some qualities. Kvassir was a giant who died and his blood gave wisdom, so representing it…I guess it’s red or something.”

Kanesha grinned. “Maybe it’s made with red berries?”

“I don’t know. I hate asking Bruce for it ’cause he could get into trouble, but I don’t know of any other way to find some. Maybe he can give it to Thruor or have them give it to her.” That was probably the best idea, thinking about it. I didn’t want anyone being arrested for corrupting a minor.

Bruce was in the store when we came in. “Hey.”

“Hey. Need something?”

“Yes, but we have time for a social call as well.” I felt bad that it seemed a lot of the time when we met up I wanted something from him.

“How about we go to Eamonn’s and get fish and chips, then?” he suggested.

That actually sounded good, at least to my stomach. He headed out of the building and we followed.

I felt a growing sense, though, of some kind of threat.