"Dr. Michael Leclerc at my university. Although I have never run across him at Tulane," she pointed out. "Professor Mark Drexel at LSU, Dr. Martin Clarke at the University of Virginia. He's been using variations of the same identity to track Guardian families."
"Son of a bitch," Dre breathed, studying the photos over Phi's shoulder. "How long has he been doing this?"
"Based on the academic records I can access through the university database, at least five years," Phi replied. "Maybe longer. He creates fake credentials and gets temporary research positions. He looks into the Guardian bloodlines and then disappears before anyone can verify his background."
"If Marcus has been running a long-term intelligence operation, he'd need a base of operations," I said, pieces clicking together in my head like a particularly twisted puzzle.
"Somewhere he could analyze data, coordinate surveillance, and store artifacts," Dre agreed, already checking her weapons. "He would need somewhere isolated enough that neighbors wouldn't ask questions about unusual activity."
Thomas looked up from examining the surveillance equipment. "There's an old shipping warehouse in the Bywater that's been abandoned since Katrina. The spirits have been... uneasy about that area lately. They say it's dangerous and have been trying to get me to go look around."
"That's got to be our target," I decided. "We should go check it out."
"Absolutely not," Kaitlyn's voice was curt as she and Kaveh finally joined us. "You're not going into a potential trap without backup."
"We don’t exactly have a choice," I said.
"Which is why we’re going with you,” Kaveh interjected with a smile. “I’ve been wanting to get in on this investigation.”
"Thank the gods," I blurted as I fought the urge to throw my arms around the djinn leader’s neck.
"We do this smart,” Dre said as she lifted a finger in the air. “We stick together and keep our protection amulets on us at all times."
"Speaking of smart," Kaveh added, "I can teleport us directly there. No need to drive across town again and risk being spotted by more surveillance."
"Can you transport all of us at once?" Lucas asked.
"Ten people?" Kaveh considered. "It'll be tight, but manageable. Though I should warn you—teleporting into unknown magical territory carries risks. If Marcus has warded the area against magical transport..."
"We could end up scattered across three parishes," Kaitlyn finished grimly. "Or worse."
"It’s worth the risk. If we drive out there, we risk giving him advance warning," Noah pointed out. "If this place is as heavily surveilled as the tunnels, he'll know we're coming the moment we turn onto his street."
I looked around at the group. It was either the perfect strike team or the most chaotic magical clusterfuck waiting to happen. It really could go either way. For my sisters and me, it usually involved a bit of both that helped us to win the day.
"Alright," I decided. "Kaveh, can you get us close without landing us directly in whatever trap Marcus might have waiting?"
"Let me survey the area first," he said, his form beginning to shimmer. "I'll scout the perimeter, find the best insertion point, then come back for you."
He vanished in a swirl of smoke and flame. Lia and Dre were checking their go-bags and getting ready to leave. I hadn’t used anything from mine, so I knew I was good. Still, I checked to be sure, focusing on my dagger. The last thing I wanted was to be caught without a weapon. Kaveh reappeared with a satisfied expression as I moved my knife to my waistband for easier access.
"Good news and bad news," he announced. "Bad news. The place is crawling with surveillance equipment and what I'm pretty sure are motion-triggered magical wards. Good news. I found a blind spot."
"Define blind spot," Kota said suspiciously.
"There's a maintenance area on the north side where the surveillance coverage has a gap," Kaveh explained. "It's probably an oversight in their security setup. I can put us down right there."
"Do it," I said. "But if we end up scattered across Louisiana, I'm holding you personally responsible."
Kaveh's grin was distinctly unrepentant. "Wouldn't have it any other way."
The teleportation felt like being squeezed through a tube of ice water while lightning coursed through my veins. It was incredibly unpleasant but over before I could work upa complaint. When the world solidified around us, we were standing directly under a cluster of surveillance cameras in what was definitely not a blind spot.
"Kaveh," I said through gritted teeth as red lights began blinking on every piece of equipment within sight.
"Ah," he said, looking around at the very obvious cameras pointed directly at us. "That's... not where I intended to put us."
"You think?" Dre snarled as alarm sirens began wailing from inside the warehouse.
