“Yes, Sloan told them to stand down while he worked on getting council support for another attack. If possible, you should all take this opportunity to find new places to live, at least for a while. It’s important that you stay safe. I can also… There are some books on runes in the archives. It’s forbidden for guild members to use magic, because it’s considered satanic, but that shouldn’t be a problem for you guys. Ward this place, ward your homes. Anyone who means you harm shouldn’t be able to cross the threshold.”
Hadn’t Storm just been thinking about doing exactly that on their way inside?
“That’d be fantastic,” Ira said. “They don’t know where Wolf and I live, as far as I know, but having the extra insurance would make me feel a lot better.”
“I’ve got a second apartment. Alex and I can move there,” Talon said.
“We can move, too,” Malachi said. “I’ve got the funds for a second place.”
Nathan looked at Storm, waiting.
“I can move, too,” Storm said. “I don’t already have a place like Talon, but I’ve got plenty of money stashed away. Shouldn’t be too hard to find something.”
“Good,” Nathan said. “I’ll make copies of the warding spells and send them to you tomorrow, then. There’s a couple of legitimate magic shops in LA, if you need supplies.”
“We’re aware,” Talon said. “Some of them pay to use demon blood in potions. I know of some halflings who donate.”
Alex looked uncertain. “Magic? Really?”
Nathan nodded. “There aren’t many who use it nowadays, but it’s real.”
“The guild played a big hand in almost eradicating it, actually,” Talon said. “Christians and their witch hunts, y’know?”
Alex grimaced. “Right.”
“Don’t let the King James version fool you,” Nathan said. “Witchcraft isn’t evil. Magic is just a tool, no different than the swords and holy rites we use. You guys are outnumbered, big time. Use everything you can get your hands on, including magic. Some will be more adept with it than others. I suspect Ira will have more power at his disposal, but it’ll work if you believe, just like the rest of the rites we use.”
“We’ll give it a try,” Luke said. “I’m willing to use anything if it’ll help us protect ourselves. We’ve got enemies on both sides, after all.”
Nathan tilted his head. “You do? That doesn’t sound good.”
“The guild are no friends, of course, but we’ve recently had trouble with someone amongst the halflings, too,” Luke explained. “Lilith. She’s kind of like a mob boss to the demons, and she doesn’t like us. She owns the club, and she blames us for the attack.”
Nathan winced. “Shit. I’m sorry. Do you need help with her? If paladins want to kill some halflings, maybe we can aim them at each other instead of you.”
Talon snorted out a laugh, then covered his mouth like he didn’t mean to let it escape. Alex grinned at him, nudging him playfully.
Nathan laughed, too, but added, “I’m serious! Would that work?”
“I have no idea,” Talon admitted, shaking his head. It was reassuring, at least, that Nathan had inadvertently found a way to put Talon at ease. “It might just make things worse. If you give the paladins leave to attacksomehalflings, what’s to stop them from attacking all?”
Nathan inclined his head. “That would be a risk, yes, but I hate to think you guys are out here with no backup.”
“We watch each other’s backs,” Talon said. “And there are a few of us not here tonight.”
“That’s good,” Nathan said. “I just wish there was more I could do.”
Unfamiliar affection filled Storm. Nathan was a good man who probably deserved far better than Storm, but he wasn’t going to let that stop him.
“Which reminds me,” Nathan said, grimacing, and pulled his laptop toward himself. “I’ve got something to show you guys. Sloan gave me a case. It’s something we’ve never seen before.” He opened up the laptop and went to his email. “He emailed me a copy of the video. I thought it might be best to show you.”
They all crowded around the laptop to watch, and Nathan stepped out of the way as he hit the play button on the video. Storm watched the shift of his back as he went. Thanks to Nathan’s explanation at the coffee shop, he already knew what he’d see on the video, and looking at his human was a far nicer view than exploding hearts.
“What are we looking for?” Luke asked.
“You’ll know it when you see it,” Nathan replied.
Storm glanced distractedly between the laptop and Nathan’s pensive expression—until the man on the screen fell to his knees.
