Day 24 The Undectables

Only four chapters today, but each one is pivotal, as they involve the death of one of the prime suspects.

The investigation continues with no clear confirmation of who The Whistler is. As mentioned in the previous entry, the Undetectables have narrowed the list of prime suspects down to three: D.I. O’Sullivan, Night Mayor Van Doran, and Becket Kingston—Cornelia’s vampire boyfriend.

Becket makes an appearance in this section, and Mallory witnesses him biting Cornelia’s neck—an act that directly violates the covenant established after the Great Vampire Wars. Since the war, vampires have been strictly forbidden from taking blood, as part of a broader rule that prevents all occult beings from causing harm to humans or other beings.

This ties into a theme I’ve discussed before: the limitations placed on occult beings in this world. Vampires, in particular, got the short end of the stick. Although they retain immortality, their powers—once derived from blood—are now suppressed. They’re nearly indistinguishable from “apparants” (non-magical humans), apart from their longevity. Interestingly, drinking animal blood doesn’t appear to be a viable loophole here, likely because even that would be considered a form of harm (even if it could be justified as pest control).

This differs from how vampires are handled in Rainbow Rowell’s Simon Snow trilogy, where animal blood is a feasible alternative. In that series, Baz’s ability to age and die naturally after switching to animal blood becomes an emotional point, as it allows him to grow old with Simon. In contrast, the vampires in this world are trapped: immortal, powerless, and forbidden from pursuing their nature. It’s no wonder that this would feel like an existential insult.

Another fascinating detail is the effect that drinking blood has on vampires in this universe—it’s treated almost like a drug high. If blood is a source of magical power, then the euphoric rush they experience could be a byproduct of that forbidden magic surging through them.

When the truth about the incident comes out, both Diana and Mallory express their disdain for Becket, calling him a condescending creep. Surprisingly, Cornelia begins to see their point. But before she can officially break up with him, she receives shocking news: Becket is the latest victim of The Whistler.

While accompanying Cornelia to the police station for questioning, Theo inadvertently implies that he might have had motive or opportunity, and is promptly arrested.

So, one suspect is eliminated—and two remain, both with potential motives. But what’s even more alarming is that this is now the second person close to the Undetectables to be killed. The first victim was a near-stranger. The second had ties to Cornelia and Diana, though Mallory was more distantly connected. This third victim—Becket—was someone Cornelia had been intimately involved with.

With Samhain approaching fast, it’s clear someone is working behind the scenes, trying to ensure that the Undetectables fail. The stakes are no longer just supernatural—they’re personal.