Oblivious to my distress, Cyrus went on. "That might be easier to find out than just charging into the mansion and drinking people's blood."

"Oh?" Nathan's annoyance was practically tangible. "Why didn't you mention this before Carrie risked her life?"

"Because you wouldn't listen to me unless it was your very last option," Cyrus retorted, "And you didn't take the time to ask me when you were pummeling me the other night."

"I'm sorry about that," Nathan said quietly, and though there was a bitter edge to it, his apology sounded genuine "What's your idea?"

"My father travels rather conspicuously. A full retinue of armed guards, black sedans, a hearse. Do you think those things are easy to ship?" He raised an eyebrow, as if in challenge.

Nathan and I both shook our heads.

With a satisfied smile, Cyrus continued. "Do you know of many places you can rent a hearse? All we have to do is look up records for hearse sales in the last few days."

"What?" I thought I could feel my eyes bugging out of my head at his suggestion. "How do you expect us to do that?"

"I don't know," he said with a shrug. "They do it in the movies all the time. Someone always conveniently knows someone who can get the information."

I smacked the back of his head and rolled my eyes. "I'm so glad we've reached the but-they-do-it-in-the-movies phase of desperation. It inspires a lot of confidence."

There was a long moment of silence before Nathan spoke. "I know a way."

"Whether you know a way or not, it's stupid and we're still screwed." I shook my head. "It's impossible."

"I believe Nathan is alluding to another solution. One we have denied from the very start." Ominous silence followed Cyrus's statement.

Then Nathan turned to Cyrus, his eyes hard. He spoke, and his voice was as raw as the pain I felt through our blood tie. "Believe me, I've considered it."

Cyrus contemplated him for a moment, then shrugged.

"I'm merely stating the obvious. You're all too eager to send Carrie out to do your spying, but when it comes to something that might endanger you—"

"Oh? I should expose her to the danger I pose when I'm under his influence?" Nathan shouted.

His sudden change of tone startled me, and the motion sent another pain ripping through my head. Whatever Clarence had given Dahlia, I pitied the hangover she would have when she fully recovered. "Cyrus, he can't open up the connection to the Soul Eater. He was possessed—"

"By a spell. A spell Dahlia probably cast." When I didn't immediately agree, Cyrus point toward the kitchen. "It's in the book. You can see for yourself."