"She's more than unhinged," Izzy adds. "She clearly has her own agenda."
As much as I love hearing that the witches of the Emberwood Coven are wise to Laurel's duplicitous ways, that won't help us against Tharuzel. "So, what is your idea?"
Mica picks up the thread and meets everyone's gaze. "Most of you know I'm a metal witch, but my affinity isn't only about manipulating metals. It's also about understanding their properties, their histories, and their purposes."
She pauses, and when no one asks about that, she continues. "There's a legend in metallurgical magic circles about an ancient forge called The Cinderheart Crucible."
The name alone sends a jolt of energy up my spine.
"I've never heard of it," Wylder admits.
"You wouldn't have. It's old magic. The kind that predates covens and the time when witches organized themselves into communities." Mica's gray eyes gleam with something between excitement and trepidation. "The Cinderheart Crucible wasn't just any forge. It was built to create weapons and tools capable of banishing supernatural entities permanently."
Asher stops mid-popcorn-chew. "Permanently as in go away and don't come back ever? Like not in another five years when the ley lines start going screwy and the veil starts to tear again?"
"Right. Permanently. If the lore is to be believed, it sends them back to their realm of origin and seals the door behind them."
"The legends say it severs connections between realms for all those banished for good," Clara adds.
Well, that sounds awesome, but all this talk of legend and lore isn't filling me with confidence.
Still, it's more than we had an hour ago.
"So, what are you envisioning?” I ask.
“We forge weapons on the Cinderheart Crucible and then, once Tharuzel has gained the power and strength to take aphysical form, we use those weapons to send him back to the Hell Realm.”
I blink. “So, we just get up close and personal and go stabbytown on him? You realize he's over ten feet tall and has blades for claws, right?"
"And magic," Asher adds.
"And an army of minions," Orion adds.
Mica shrugs. "I didn't say it would be easy. But I'm hoping Poppy's connection with him will give us an advantage."
My pulse quickens.
Does the Emberwood Coven know about my blood-bound contract with Tharuzel? How could they? Only my closest inner circle and Vale know about it. And Vale wouldn't say anything. I may not trust my lawyer's ethics in getting things done above board, but I do trust his loyalty to his clients and his discretion.
I swallow. "My connection with him?"
"Yeah, he's the one who demon-marked your bloodline, right? When your mom and Sebastian were battling him the first time?" She looks at me directly, and there's nothing nefarious or hidden in her expression.
I let out a tight exhale and force a smile. "Yeah, of course. He's the demon who marked our bloodline."
"Right, so, you're a spirit witch with an inherent connection to the target of our assault. That combination, channeled through the Cinderheart Crucible during the time of the forging…"
"Could banish Tharuzel for good," I breathe.
"And his minions," Izzy adds. "All the demons he's pulled here to serve him will carry his energy signature. The weapons created by the forge could send them all back."
Rowan sits up straighter, shadows flickering at her fingertips like she can't quite contain them. "This could be our solution."
Wylder's already shaking his head. "It still won't be simple."
"It won't," Mica admits, her expression falling, "because I have no idea where the forge actually is."
The room falls silent except for Nobuddy's snoring.
