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“We always have a plan B, even if there’s a less than optimal chance of it working.”
Meaning we all had to hope we didn’t need to use plan B.
I poured my tea then glanced around as the doorbell rang. Eli went to answer it and I heard polite conversation. Mom, not Samuel.
She appeared a few seconds later, greeting everyone in a measured tone before moving across to the counter and perching between Belle and me.
“I wish to thank you all for your effort to protect my family,” she said. “I know the situation with the court case has complicated things, but let me assure you all that we will do all that we can to expedite that situation and let you get back to your lives.”
I took a sip of tea. “Does that mean Dad will no longer fight the court case? That he has no intention of introducing additional witnesses to challenge the state of my sanity?”
She glanced at me, her features controlled and eyes giving nothing away. The same couldn’t be said of her aura, and it certainly gave evidence to the conflicting nature of the emotions swirling beneath the calm exterior.
“Indeed, he has. We both agree, given the testimonies that have already been given and the weight of the evidence so far, it would be for the best. Prolonging the court case benefits no one.”
“Wouldn’t have anything to do with our side’s request to hold a spirit talking with Clayton, now would it?” Belle said, voice dry.
A small smile touched one side of Mom’s mouth but just as quickly faded. “That did come into consideration, yes.”
“In other words, he’s well aware that contesting things further will only harm his reputation,” I said.
“Well, a man is only respected as far as his word can be trusted.”
“I would think,” Belle said dryly, “that after all this time being top of the tree here in Canberra, most blue bloods would be well aware just how far Lawrence Marlowe’s word can be trusted.”
Mom gave Belle a sharp glance but didn’t reply. Ashworth slid a cup of coffee across the counter, then offered her the milk and sugar.
She shook her head and took a sip. “Lovely, thank you. Elizabeth tells me you have a plan for capturing this wraith.”
“We do,” Eli said, and proceeded to explain.
Mom pursed her lips when he finished. “Blood magic is a dangerous path to take, especially when dealing with darkness.”
“Yes, but it’s also the best way to guarantee the demon will answer. We haven’t got his name, and while we do have the name of the person he’s infiltrated, there is no certainty the demon can be lured from the shelter of its host’s body.”
“Not even when you have a sense of the demon’s energy?”
“Not even,” Belle said.
Mom nodded. “Okay then, we’ll do it. When, is my next question.”
I blinked, not expecting her to agree so quickly. “Midnight. We can incorporate the strength of the moon in our protection spells.”
She nodded. “Sensible. Will you be performing the ceremony alone, Isabelle?”
“No. Dad and another spirit talker will be assisting with the summoning. Liz will be connected to me but not part of the circle. You and Mom can be our last line of defense if the demon breaks out of our protections or the wraith attacks.” She glanced at her watch. “We’ll meet them at the location at eleven.”
Mom’s eyebrows rose. “We’re not performing it here? Is Samuel aware of this?”
“He will be once he arrives,” Belle said.
“And the circus that protects the place?”
“Will continue to protect it,” Eli said. “In fact, they won’t even be aware that we’ve left.”
Meaning there had to be some sort of escape tunnel built into the house. My parents certainly had one, but I hadn’t been aware it was something other blue bloods did. I know my aunt didn’t—I’d asked Deni about it as a teenager.
We made small talk for half an hour or so, and it was remarkably easy. Which really shouldn’t have surprised me, because Mom was basically the “people” person of the Marlowe “firm.”
