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“To counter darkness, you sometimes have to step into the shadows,” Eli said. “This isn’t a dark spell, per se. It just uses the power of blood to lure and entrap the demon.”
“Meaning Mom is bait because the demon—or the wraith who commands him—has a taste for the family blood.”
Ashworth nodded. “While our wraith undoubtedly wants revenge for whatever hell he spent time in until he could regain power and some form of flesh, there’s also no doubt he and his demons would have gotten stronger with each kill.”
“There’s no evidence they were feeding on the blood of their victims.”
“We haven’t seen the coroner’s reports, remember, but your aunt’s brain was missing, as was your brother’s heart. Neither was found, but there are demons who consider such things delicacies.”
I shuddered. That was information I really didn’t need to know.
I made a fresh pot of tea, then carried it over to the counter, claiming a stool before grabbing one of the Tim Tams that had been plated up for afternoon tea.
“Why not use my blood, then? I’m the one he’s ultimately after.”
“But your mom is next on the list, and the demon will be aware of that.”
“Yes, but this demon is in Russel’s body and therefore not likely to be our wraith’s strongest.”
“A fact we hope will actually make him an easier target.”
Presuming the wraith hadn’t already figured that out and countered that possibility. “So how do we summon it without a name? Belle got a feel for its energy, but that usually isn’t enough to summon a spirit, much less a far stronger demon.”
“That,” Eli said, “is where you come into the equation.”
I raised my eyebrows. “I take it you mean for me to use my psychometry skills, but unless you can get hold of something personal from Russel’s belongings, I’ll be little more than a power source for Belle.”
“Hopefully this summoning won’t drag so much strength from me that I need to lean on yours,” she said. “Not now that we have Dad and at least one other spirit talker coming to our aid. And Mom, of course, though she’ll be using her telepathy to keep an ear out for movement and problems.”
With all the people already protecting us, Ava’s presence probably wasn’t necessary, but I nevertheless felt easier knowing she’d be here. She was one of the few people from the “lower class” lines who had no fear of Mom and who Mom actually respected.
“It’s going to get quite crowded in this house,” Eli said, amusement evident. “Because Samuel is also turning up to help out.”
“The man obviously doesn’t believe in time off or sleep,” I said. “He and Aiden are two peas in a pod.”
Who both had the good sense to be attracted to you, Belle commented.
I smiled. Samuel came onto the scene way too late. Besides, from the little I’ve gleaned from Saska, he’s a bit of a player.
Because he’s been hurt.
That raised my eyebrows. You’ve rummaged through his thoughts?
When he first appeared and showed interest. Had to protect my witch, after all.
I snorted and returned my attention to the conversation.
“Samuel has collected a number of personal items from Russel’s apartment,” Ashworth was saying. “Hopefully there’ll be something amongst them holding enough of an echo for you to trace.”
I wrinkled my nose. “My psychometry generally requires me to physically look for the owner’s location. I can’t just point to a map and declare X marks the spot.”
“You’ve never actually tried to do that though, have you?” Ashworth said. “Given the upscaling that’s been happening, it’s more than possible you could at least give an estimate of location even if not his exact position, and that might be enough.”
“Is it worth the risk, though? Our wraith is aware of my psi skills—it’s how I found him the first time, remember. He might well have primed his demon to watch out for such things.”
“Demons generally aren’t sensitive to the use of psychic skills,” Eli commented. “And there’s no spell that I’m aware of that can protect against them.”
“And if there is?” I asked. “Have we got a plan B?”
