“How much salt did you use? That incarnate looks twice as down for the count as the one in New Orleans.”
“Enough. Trust me,” Luke replied. “That bastard has one massive headache waiting when it comes to.”
With a smirk, Tanya put her cell back in her pocket. “Yup, and her name is Raven.”
Gabby snorted, giving her a high five as they headed toward the back veranda.
***
“Okay, everyone. Listen up.” Aiden looked at the gathered group. “First, we’re not sure how long we have before the incarnate stirs. The last demon we held was down for about seven hours. It was an adolescent, and this is a fully fledged adult. It has been an hour and a half from initial takedown until we secured the entity.
“We have a lot to cover and discuss, so let’s get to it. Raven was able to glean clues from a witch named Ilaria Brock, in New Orleans. At this point, her role in this is immaterial, but her son’s is not. Aaron Brock is…or was…our summoner. The one responsible for opening the portal and bringing this scourge into our midst.
“From the information Raven got from the woman’s mind, we were able to pinpoint the location of the summoning ritual. We’ve vetted the locale and the evidence matches, as does the residual dark magic imbued in the surrounding earth.” Aiden gestured for Jared to take over.
“Thanks, Aiden. The place of origin is a farmhouse about sixty kilometers from here. The area is isolated, and we’re pretty sure the bastard hid his activities in the barn.”
“Jared,” Tanya interrupted. “When you say activities, do you mean he used the barn for the summoning?”
“There was salt everywhere,” Aiden answered. “The immediate area looked dusted with snow, and the barn was blown apart like a tornado ripped through.
A murmuring roar took the room as everyone took in Aiden’s meaning. Alain stood, waving Jared back to his seat. “Everyone, c’est vous plait. Quiet down and let us finish. Like Aiden said, there is much to cover and much to discuss.”
“We know who, and now we know where,” Gregory replied. “That lying witch in New Orleans and her son are the crux of this. I say we move on to a plan of attack.”
“You weren’t there for that, though. Were you, Gregory?” Gabrielle replied, sparing a glance for Luke.
All eyes turned. “Gabs, what are playing at?” Raven asked. “It sounds like you just accused Luke’s father of involvement.”
“Let me explain my comment,” Gabrielle stood, ignoring Raven’s tug on her pants and Luke’s raised eyebrow.
“Yes, I think you’d better explain yourself,” Greg shot back.
“What I meant is you weren’t there for the fall out. You didn’t see what happened when Raven delved into that woman’s boobytrapped mind, or how both women suffered. One dying, and the other needing weeks of healing magic to mend the blank spaces in her mind and regain her abilities. So excuse me for taking offense to your grab-your-pitch-forks-and-torches call for action.”
“Are you saying we shouldn’t destroy these demons? One of whom tried to attack your unborn child?”
“I not saying that at all!”
“Then kindly clarify yourself, and not in another couched accusation!”
Gabrielle took a breath. The only thing she accused him of was leaving New Orleans after getting into it with Luke over their budding romance. Gregory made his disdain clear from the moment she arrived with the others at the chateau. Still, starting her say with a cheap shot wasn’t the smartest thing to do, but she couldn’t help herself.
Gregory Laval wasn’t there for the climax in New Orleans, and he didn’t deign to go with the others to vet the information Raven risked herself to collect. The man was a blowhard, but he was still Luke’s father. She needed to explain herself before he turned the tables.
“I simply meant we need a plan A and a plan B. We have information. Information gotten at a steep price from Ilaria Brock’s mind. We’ve been led to this farm and its barn. Okay, good. On the surface, it makes sense, but my Spidey senses tell me no. I realize I don’t have as much experience as others, but I recognize potential bullshit when I hear it.”
The room erupted in a stunned buzz, and Aiden had to yell over the confusion to get everyone to shut up. He got up from his chair, but Alain put a staying hand on his arm.
“Cher,” Alain began quietly, “what exactly are you saying? Don’t you believe our report?”
“I believe every word,” Gabrielle explained. “I believe the sentinels found the remains of the summoning circle belonging to Aaron Brock. That it is in fact the place of inception. What I don’t believe is the way we were given that location. Something’s missing. I’ve dealt with pat lies most of my life. Stories that connect the dots on the surface, but fall apart under closer scrutiny.”
Luke stood at that point. “Bébé, are you saying Raven was misled? After all the pain she endured?”
Gabrielle looked at her best friend. “No. Raven wasn’t misled. She found what she was meant to find, and blocked from uncovering the in spiritu’s true name.”
“Then what are you saying, Gabs? I love you, but even I’m having a hard time with this.”
Her eyes met Luke’s and she nodded. “I don’t believe Aaron Brock did what he did for the reasons his mother gave. We all know her initial story was a lie. Raven uncovered that the moment she saw her son’s face in her mind. Aaron Brock is connected to this clan, but not because of the lies his mother told. We’re missing something close to home, but I don’t know what. All I can tell you is my witchy intuition says it’s petty, it’s selfish and very immature, but with dangerous and far-reaching consequences.”
The room was quiet,
