“Are you sure I can’t pay some bum to pretend to be my mom or dad?”
“It’s not impossible, but I don’t see how we could figure it out within the time limit.”
“A year isn’t enough?”
“The spells they use to prove relations are centuries old and I don’t know exactly what they’re looking for. There's more to it than the blood, which would be difficult enough to fake.”
She watched several people pass by, brown shoes and sweeping cloaks. She was pretty sure she could get any one of them to pretend to be related to her, but that wasn’t the problem. If she messed this up, she might not get a place in any magical school at all.
“Exactly,” Donner said. “Word would spread of the attempt, you would be barred entrance for years at least, and they would try to reform you in the meantime. Completely unnecessary attention.”
“Isn’t there some kind of procedure for a kid with magic who lives with people who don't know about it? This must have happened to other people before.”
“You aren’t wrong, but that isn’t Society’s concern. Unless the child has exceptional power, enough to trip the spells and be registered in the Annex, they have no reason to be involved. As it happens you do have that power, but they won’t be paying you mind until you’re old enough for Nyx and Aether, unless you do something like try and fake your way into another magical school.”
“What’s the Annex?” She didn’t think he’d ever said anything about that before or, if he did, he didn't explain it.
“It’s the hub of Society. The government. Within is a list of those whose power passes a threshold. It’s rare for one to be written as a child, but even then they do little about it unless that child presents a problem.”
“What kind of information does it keep?”
“As it happens,” an idea was forming, “the basic location of the person is listed along with their general information.”
“Would Ji-hun be there?” She got excited. “And what about you? Is your name on the list, too?”
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“Both should be there, yes. But, you can’t walk into the Annex and demand to see the list. It is under strict protection. I wouldn't be surprised if they are using a dragon for that.”
“You never went to see it before?”
“I had no need.”
She sat a minute longer, thinking it out, and asked, “But you know where it is? You know where the Annex is and how to visit it?”
“I know those things, but I do not know where the list is kept or how to get to it.”
“We have to go there first,” she said aloud as she stood. No one cared. They all had their own worries. “Can I hire someone for that, at least? I doubt they’d think it’s normal for some kid to walk in by herself.”
“For this purpose, I think it would work, but don't plan on taking some beggar off the street. They have to be capable of playing the part without raising suspicion.”
“But desperate enough to do it at all,” she added in her mind as she began to walk. “Not from here then.”
“No. Those who frequent Dark Alley are too poor to be of any use. You will have your best luck on Toad Road, but not at this time of day. You will wait until evening.”
“Why not go now?”
“No self-respecting witch or wizard will do this for you. You will have to use someone else.”
“Who the heck else is available?”
“Someone lower on the rungs. A vampire, perhaps.”
“A what?!” she shouted. That did draw a few eyes, but as she was still in Dark Alley, they quickly averted. “A vampire!?” she asked in her mind.
“They are not as stories depict, the newer ones at least. They do, indeed, drink blood and they are outcasts, but they are not uncontrollable beasts. Their place in Society is debatable, but they aren’t barred access to most facilities. They, too, have magical abilities. One cannot become a vampire without them. No doubt they are given such access to keep an illusion of acceptance. There was a rebellion, narrowly won by the wizards, and they would rather avoid a repeat. They would not win this time, I don’t think. They have forgotten the ways they used in the war.”
“What the fuck are you talking about?” she asked, dumbfounded. “A war between wizards and vampires?”
“Yes, and it doesn’t matter now. By nightfall, they will be emerging from their sleep. The daylight is not fatal, but they do not prefer it. Their eyes and skin are sensitive.”
“Wait, wait, wait! Are you serious? Vampires are real?”
“As are other creatures you surely think are fantasy. It doesn’t matter. Now you know and you will make use of the knowledge. This is the plan. You will find a vampire to act as your guardian and get into the Annex. We will figure out where the list is kept and a way to access it. This may take several visits, but it is our best chance.”