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“We ran all the experiments we could, moving it often, and then when we’d exhausted the possibilities we could think of and didn’t want to see any more equipment damaged, we tossed it back through the portal.” She closed the folder and glanced up at me. “Which is what we need to do with that demon, alive or dead, once we manage to contain it.”
“And if we close up the portal while it’s still here, then we’re stuck with it—and whatever ways it’ll keep destroying this world even if it’s dead.”
“Yes.” Her lips formed a tight smile. “So you see, our primary focus has to be getting the one demon back to its proper home as quickly as possible. Only then can we focus on sealing its gateway into this world.”
The explanation made sense. I hadn’t seen any hint of this possibility in the Frankfords’ records—but then, how could they have known? They’d never let any of the demons through to see what effect they might have on this world.
I swallowed my nausea. “I’m sorry I was so pushy before. If you’d told us—told Rose—”
Paulson lowered her head. “It isn’t information the higher officials want spread through the entire witching community. That would cause even more panic. We couldn’t discuss it openly in front of everyone at that meeting. But—maybe I should have made more of an effort to speak with Lady Hallowell about it, to take her aside. I was startled when she burst in, and, well…”
“You don’t think all that highly of her or us,” I finished for her, without much rancor. “We’ve noticed that’s the general attitude. It’s kind of hard to miss.”
“You do want to contribute, though, don’t you?” She peered at me curiously. “You had no idea magic even existed until recently, from what I understand? Lady Hallowell has said she didn’t reveal that secret until shortly before your consorting.”
“That’s true,” I said. “But I didn’t have to see that much to believe in it. It’s hard to deny something that’s happening right in front of you. Honestly, all I want is to learn as much as I can so that I can really contribute. I’m pretty good at putting pieces together and finding possible answers… if I have all the pieces to start with.”
“And you have had access to the Frankfords’ files for weeks longer than we have.” Paulson hesitated, and then said, “You’ve requested access to the full Assembly server. There are some sections that must stay secure—I don’t have authority over them in the first place. But I can’t see any reason you shouldn’t be able to look through our general records and historical archives, in case that gives you a better grounding, more context for what you’ve read already.”
My heart lifted. “Really? That would be amazing. Now?”
A warmer smile touched her face at my enthusiasm. “I can set you up. But first—can you swear that any insights you gain, you’ll share with the Assembly rather than the bunch of you running off on your own?”
Her hand twitched as she spoke, and the air vibrated around us. I had the sense that my answer was going to be binding in a literal way. But that was all right. She’d trusted me—I could return that favor.
“I swear I’ll consult with Assembly officials before we take any action,” I said.
“All right. Then let’s get you started.”
Chapter Twenty-One
Rose
Walking into the Assembly’s holding building wasn’t any more fun than it had been on my previous trip. I rubbed my arms as I stared down the dull gray hall, the faint chemical smell in the air trickling into my lungs. The afternoon had turned overcast, heavy clouds congealing in the sky, but the air conditioning in here was still at full blast.
I pushed myself onward. Coming here had been my idea, but I didn’t want to spend any more time in this place than I had to. Investigator Ruiz, my sole companion this time, kept pace with me, our shoes tapping against the tiled floor.
“I have approval to use further truth compulsion, if you think it’s necessary,” she said. “You’re not to cast that sort of magic yourself.”
“I know,” I said. “I don’t think it’ll really help us with the sort of information I’m hoping to get today. But if I think one of them is hiding something we can only get that way, I’ll let you know.”
Starting things off with a truth spell made the conversation automatically twice as antagonistic. Not that I was feeling especially friendly toward the two men I might speak to today, but we’d already gotten the straight-forward facts from them. I wanted impressions, insights, the sorts of things it was easy to weasel around saying under compulsion, if they decided to. By going in with good faith, maybe I’d earn a little in return.
Or maybe they could just give enough of a damn about the rest of us to want to make sure the demon didn’t raze this city to the ground.
Ruiz motioned to indicate which door led to Charles Frankford’s holding cell. He and his wife, Helen, had led their faction together for decades, but I had the feeling he was the one more invested. He’d been the one gaining a sort of magic from it. He’d been the one who’d gone to the greatest lengths to stop me from uncovering their conspiracy.
I doubted there was anyone in the world who had greater experience with demonkind than he did.
Ruiz unlocked the door. The air in the room inside was a little warmer, but I had to suppress a shiver anyway, stepping inside to face the man who’d orchestrated so many horrors.
Frankford leaned back against the wall at the sight of me, his expression tensing in defiance even though he was looking a little haggard. The Justice division didn’t believe in torture, but I remembered what it had been like trapped in one of these little rooms for just half a day. The boredom would be eating at him, along with the restriction of movement. He was probably stewing over the possible sanctions he’d face when the current emergency was over and he could be brought to proper trial.
I wasn’t sure I could hope any guilt had come into that mix, as much as it would have been deserved.
“Lady Hallowell,” he said, his voice crisp if a little hoarse.
“Mr. Frankford. I thought we should talk a little more.”
