“They aren’t the strongest, though, and none of yours have been blending whatsoever.”
“True.” Theodore hummed a bit, moving his fingers to cast dancing shadows with the flicker of candlelight. “They’re also the best and strongest when it comes to possession.”
I trembled.
“I could be fishing, though,” Theodore said. “Mother tells me nothing. It’s like she doesn’t trust me just because I refuse to bend to her will.”
A flicker of a memory danced on the surface of his thoughts, where he attempted to break free from the cell his mother locked him in. He used a bone from one of his friends’ corpses—the three warlocks who were killed as punishment for Theodore’s misbehavior—to fashion a makeshift blade. He stabbed The True Witch in the shoulder and bit down on another witch accompanying her. He nearly ripped out the other witch’s throat before The True Witch confined him.
As quickly as the joyful musing blossomed, it wilted away to nothingness just as fast.
“All I do know is she’s searching for the best and brightest among the vampires I summon.”
“Why?”
Theodore shrugged. “Presumably because Chicago is crawling with powerful witches and annoying bitches.”
I glowered.
“I thought it was funny,” Theodore teased. “The point is, Mother only wants the best and brightest among the vampires I summon.”
“I didn’t realize you could control the specific type of demon you summon.”
“I can’t, but they learn after a while,” Theodore explained. “When I control the demonic energy, building it up to summon a demon, if anything other than a vampire crosses through, I’m to banish it immediately.”
“I see.” I cleared my mind, preparing to take an immediate leave. “How long will you be here?”
“She never keeps me in one place more than a night,” Theodore said. “And no, I don’t have any ideas where I’ll be moved next. Not even sure where I am now.”
“London.”
Theodore scoffed. “At least I’m not missing anything exciting. I’ve always found the masked vigilantes who act too cool for fame so much more irksome than the annoying enchanters clamoring for attention.”
I wanted to pinpoint this location, to offer it to the Global Guild. And I still could, but by the time I connected with my core self, Theodore would be gone. The trail would be cold again.
“You know, if you want to know where I’ll end up next, you could always tag along.”
Doubtful. Last time, The True Witch sensed my presence and expelled me immediately.
“And if you’re worried about mother’s little traps sniffing you out, I know a way to hide under the radar.”
“Really?” I crept closer, cautiously.
“Dive on in, friend.” Theodore held open his mind, revealing the gnarled tree of his twisted thoughts. “I promise to play nice.”
“Not happening.”
“Shame. I was hoping we could braid each other’s hair while divulging all our secrets.” Theodore flicked his gaze at me. “Maybe even play a round or two of Seven Minutes in Hell.”
I’d learned all I could from Theodore, so I took my leave without so much as a goodbye. It was unlikely the Global Guild would gain much intel from this encounter, but perhaps they’d make some sense out of it. Mostly, I hoped this meeting would spark Milo’s clairvoyance. His visions always worked best when in proximity to a threat, even by extension.
Expelling what remained of my manifestation’s energy, I floated through the psychic plane and returned to my core self to share all I’d gathered.
Aftertelling Milo and the Global Guild everything I’d learned, they assembled a meeting with their top members. It was clear they’d be making a move on Chicago soon, and as such, Milo wanted to convince the Global Guild to send their best to assist. I had access to the facility, but not the virtual meeting itself.
Gladiatrix stood outside the meeting room, staring at her buzzing phone.
“Pompous Prince?” Milo asked, peering over her shoulder at the incoming call. “Is he actually one of the princes, or is that just a fun name?”
