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Thralls?Maelle had implied she didn’t have any others, but that didn’t mean she was telling the truth.
No.
Then what are they? Demons? It would at least explain their scent.
If I had to guess, I’d say a combination.
Is that even possible?
A question for Ashworth or Eli, I’m thinking. But she obviously had them on hand, because surely the creation of such creatures would take time.
And effort.Though it could explain the gauntness in both her and Roger.
“You want me to drive?” I added. “It’s not like you’re in a fit state right now.”
“What about the SUV?”
I shrugged. “We can pick it up later. I mean, it’s full of bullet holes, so who’d steal it?”
She laughed, winced, then handed me the keys. I helped her into the passenger seat, then jumped into the driver’s side and spun the car around.
“Do you want to go straight home?”
She shook her head. “I told Monty to meet us at the café. We need to add the additional protections, because I don’t trust Maelle’s maker not to come after one of us in an effort to snare you.”
“She might know about you, but surely she hasn’t been here long enough to uncover all the minutiae about our friends and families.”
“Except Roger did know all that, and it was part of the information they stole.” She thrust a hand wearily through her hair. “They didn’t erase as fully as they thought, and I was able to pick up echoes of what they went after.”
“Well, fuck.”
“To put it bluntly. But there is one good thing to come out of it—thanks to that echo, I have a feel for the other telepath and should be able to find him.”
“How? By some sort of telepathic probe? Would that warn him you’re looking for him?”
I swung into the laneway and slowed as I approached the rear parking area.
“Yes, it would,” Belle replied, “which is why I’m not using a probe. I’ve got my spirit guides on the hunt for us.”
“Your spirit guides?” My eyebrows rose. “The same guides who insist their purpose in life is to do nothing more than impart information and advice?”
“They have apparently decided this situation is dangerous enough that they can break their usual rules.” She paused, her eyes narrowing a little. “I stand corrected. The rules have apparently been adjusted since events up in Canberra.”
I hadn’t thought my eyebrows could rise any higher, but I was wrong. “Does that mean there’s some sort of spirit guide council making rules and adjusting them as necessary?”
She laughed. “No, but many spirit guides were once witches, remember, and they do get together to discuss events and share pertinent information. It’s how they’re able to continue providing relevant guidance to those of us gifted with their presence.”
I switched off the car and climbed out. “And what about feline and other non-human familiars? Do they get to participate in such gatherings?”
“Of course.” She glanced at me. “Why?”
I grinned. “I was just wondering if your spirit guides could pass on a bit of tolerance advice to Monty’s wretched familiar.”
She laughed. “Eamon is okay once he gets to know you.”
“And how many decades will that take? Because the bastard meets me with claws every time I go over there.”
“Because he’s well aware it’ll get a rise from you. Heisa feline, remember, even if his spirit once held human form. He won’t ever draw blood. Not much, anyway.”
