Hunted

- 12 - SECURITY GUARDIANS

I couldn’t sleep. Maybe I was too used to falling asleep in Bran’s arms, or the worries about the Tribe, my wacky powers, and the fact that Grampa was in Xenith got to me. The other three senior Cardinals were around, but having my grandfather in charge often made me feel safer.

Whatever the reason, I tossed and turned the rest of the night until I gave up on sleep, turned on the lights and picked up the book Master Haziel had given me.

Starting from where I had previously stopped, I scanned the pages for clues, read captions under drawings, and scrutinized the pictures. There was nothing about transfer of powers from the dagger to its wielder. About to give up, words leapt out at me when I turned the next page and saw the subtitle.

‘Vessels’.

I sat up with excitement and read.

“To communicate with her people, Goddess Xenia used Guardians as vessels from time to time. This practice allowed her to interact with her people on a physical level even though the bodies she chose were not hers. The Guardians got the chance to hear her voice and even see her mannerisms manifested by her vessels. It was considered an honor to be chosen as a vessel. Unfortunately, the effect of possession by the more powerful Goddess often proved detrimental to the chosen Guardians. The vessels…”

My heart pounded with dread as I turned the page.

“…often ascended as soon as the Goddess left their bodies. Even though the ability to ascend was and is still a coveted achievement among the Guardians, the Goddess stopped this practice after several millennia. She did not think it was right for the chosen vessels to sacrifice their physical lives for her. Also, most of her vessels were Cardinals, which deprived them of their primary objective, which was and still is to defend humanity and help the remaining Guardians get their glory back.”

My admiration for the Goddess went up a notch.

“Instead, Goddess Xenia chose to telepathically link with her people in their time of need. Until a more powerful Cardinal is born to be the Goddess’ vessel, the Guardians must be content with telepathed words from our Goddess. Even though such messages are often misunderstood, it is better than completely severing ties between the Guardians and their exalted Goddess.”

A more powerful Cardinal? Like the Chosen One, or a Cardinal with the dagger’s powers inside her perhaps? I didn’t want to speculate, yet I couldn’t help myself.

I changed and was ready to go training by seven before I remembered Master Haziel’s instructions not to go to the pit until eight. I pinged him anyway.

Can I come and talk to you? I asked.

Now is not a good time.

Why? What are you doing? I mean, you are not training us or anything, and I really need to know something.

He chuckled. Always impatient. Okay. What is it, Lil? Is it your headache?

My headache is gone. The writings are gone too. Am I the Goddess’ vessel?

There was silence then, Lil—

Just give me a yes or no answer, Master Haziel. I tried to stay calm but my inner voice rose. I hated losing control and the hollow feeling in my stomach just kept growing. Am I or am I not her vessel?

Yes, you are. You were not ready, hut the arrival of the Tribe caught us unaware, so the Goddess did what she could to prepare you. That is why the powers of the dagger moved to you. I was not sure whether your body would reject or accept the powers.

I blew out a breath. You knew from the moment we were attacked, didn’t you?

No, I knew from the moment you were born that you were the one. Do you think the Fates decided you should survive the dangers that have dogged your steps since your birth? Guardians were strategically placed to ensure your survival. You might not have seen them, but they were there. I am but a humble trainer, destined to prepare you. As the Chosen One, your duties will be many and varied. Some of them, like being the Goddess’ vessel, are happening sooner than we had expected, but you will rise to the challenge just as you have risen before when the Cardinals needed you.

I swallowed, not sure whether to be scared or furious. Do I have a say on whether I want to be her vessel or not?

Of course you do, but being her vessel is an honor. If you have a problem with it, tell her.

Yeah. Right.

It is true. Just because she is the Goddess does not mean she gets her way all the time.

He was nuts. How do I talk to her?

When she links with you again. After all, this is not the first time she has appeared to you, is it? According to the Chronicles of the battle on Coronis Isle, she helped you retrieve the Kris Dagger.

No wonder she’d sounded familiar. I would have died in that cave if it weren’t for her. Not sure how to feel, I asked, How many surprises should I expect from her?

All will be revealed to you, Lil. Be patient. I will see you at eight. Come prepared to train. And no more doubts about your destiny. I believe it. The Guardians believe it. We will need to rally behind you, but we cannot if you are not a believer.

He broke the link before I could come up with a response. I hadn’t asked to be given all these powers. They came with responsibilities and pain. Pacing, I fought the urge to scream, my heart pounding. Could one really refuse a Goddess? I was a nobody, a teen still exploring her abilities, while she was the Goddess, daughter of Azazel—one of the leaders of the Principalities. She was stronger, powerful and older, while I was…me. Worse, I could still ascend once she was done with me.

Ascend. I had never known that word would fill me with so much fear. Unfortunately, I couldn’t outrun my destiny. Like Master Haziel had said, the responsibilities of the Chosen One were many and varied. Grampa always told me to face my problems head on, even if it meant death. Ascend, death, same thing.

The acceptance didn’t mean I liked it. Neither did it take away my fears. Sighing, I laid on my bed and stared at the ceiling until it was time to head to the pit.

Lights from crystals blazed in the hallway and the offices. The morning shift employees were visible through the glass panels on the doors, holographic images in front of them. The whirring of ellipticals and treadmills filtered into the hallway from the Civilian gym. The High Council provided everything for its employees.

Surprisingly, the lights along the hallway leading to the dorms were also on. Could the students be back? I entered the rotunda of the Academy to find Sykes and Remy slouched on one of the benches.

“Cutting it close, aren’t you?” Remy said, looking at his watch.

I glanced at my watch. It was three minutes to eight. “You guys coming?”

“No, not yet,” Sykes said, teleporting to my side and draping an arm around my shoulders. He led me to the bench. “Sit. We’re waiting for Kim, Izzy, and Llyr.”

“Bran is not in the valley.” I slouched lower and sighed. “He never came home last night. What’s going on?”

“We need to make an entrance,” Sykes added, finger combing his messy hair.

“Don’t listen to him,” Remy cut in. “Master Haziel was waiting here in the rotunda when we arrived. He told us to wait for you guys. What’s wrong with you?”

“Nothing. Why?” I finally removed Sykes’ arm from my shoulder.

“You look like you want to punch someone,” Remy said.

“Yeah,” Sykes added, dropping beside me on the bench. “Didn’t you sleep?”

“Sleep has nothing to do with it. My life sucks.”

They stared, not masking their shock. I tended not to whine about stuff, except to Bran.

“That’s extreme. Did you and Llyr have a fight?” Remy asked.

“Want me to hunt him down and beat the crap out of him?” Sykes added.

“Everyone but me,” I snapped. “Why is that? Is it a conspiracy?”

“What?” Sykes asked.

“When did you find out?” Remy asked.

I explained everything that happened. “So the bottom line is I’m completely bonded with the most powerful weapon in the universe, so I can be the Goddess’ vessel.”

The massive doors to the rotunda closed with a thud and we whipped around. Kim and Izzy walked it. Kim’s usually gorgeous hair was a mess and her eyes were red-rimmed.

“Please tell me he canceled,” she said hopefully.

Sykes laughed. “Nope. What happened to you? And don’t say you couldn’t sleep because your life sucks. Lil called dibs on that first.”

“I’m too exhausted to argue with you,” Kim mumbled.

“Let me guess.” Sykes smirked. “You went back to L.A. to visit a certain violet-eyed Brotherhood Guardian and spent the night tangoing between the sheets?”

Kim opened her mouth to respond, and closed it without saying a word.

“She was up late last night helping her mother pack, and this morning dealing with her tears,” Izzy explained.

“Pack? Why?” I asked.

“Most Civilians have been ordered back to Xenith,” Izzy explained. “They will stay there until we finish with the Tribe.”

Kim looped her arm around Izzy’s. “And the sooner we send them packing, the faster things will return to normal around here.”

“Lil is the solution,” Remy said, causing the other two girls to stop and glance my way. But before they could speak, Remy gripped their shoulders and turned them toward the pit. “We’ll explain later. Right now, Master Haziel is waiting.”

“You can’t just drop that bombshell and expect us to forget it,” Izzy griped, digging her heels in.

“The power of the dagger didn’t just switch to Lil temporarily; she bonded with it because she’s the Goddess’ true vessel,” Sykes said.

I shook my head. He couldn’t keep a secret if his life depended on it.

I ignored the questioning looks from Kim and Izzy as we left the rotunda. Already, the noose of responsibility and of everyone’s expectations was tightening around my neck. How could I train and mentally prepare myself to fight the Tribe with thoughts about the Goddess and being her vessel hanging over my head? When would the Goddess need me?

As we got closer to the pit, we could hear thuds and voices. We glanced at each other without saying anything, but we were all asking the same question—who was with Master Haziel?

Kim, still in the lead, pushed open the door and stopped, forcing us to stop too. We stared. There were at least sixty men and women, all dressed in black sweats and tank tops like us. Unlike the gold six-sided star on the breast of our uniform, their insignia looked like a rising sun. From their sweaty skins and the wooden staffs in their hands, they’d been practicing for a while.

Were they new trainees? Most of them looked older.

“Come on,” Master Haziel called out impatiently from somewhere in the back. “Grab a stick and step forward.”

Propped on the wall by the door were six wooden staffs. We grabbed them. When we faced the new trainees, they had split and created a path between them.

“Come forward, please,” Master Haziel called out. “No need to be hesitant. You are among your peers.”

You’d think he would have warned us we had visitors, Izzy griped.

Where did they come from? I asked as we walked forward.

Remy chuckled. Xenith, of course.

I made a few eye contacts and received nods and smiles. How do you know?

They are SGs—Security Guardians trained to defend Xenith. I recognize a few hotheads from the Institute, Sykes said. Don’t worry, they love us. They consider us heroes.

My hand tightened on the staff. Master Haziel had a wacky way of doing things, but parading us before these Guardians just didn’t seem like him. Unless…

Guys, get ready, I warned. We were in the middle, nearly surrounded by them.

Ready for what? Sykes asked, smirking and nodding at the SGs he knew.

An ambush, I said.

They rushed us from all sides just as I finished speaking, two against each of us. I raised the staff, ducked and blocked, and counterattacked. The flurry of movements kept me from being hit. Two sticks came at me, their movements so fast they were a blur. I teleported and reappeared, knocking the attackers off-balance from behind. I delayed rematerializing until I saw an opening, over and over again.

The SGs meant business, and as soon as two went down, two more replaced them. They got time to rest, we didn’t. My gaze connected with Sykes’. Hero worshipping, huh? Nice red carpet.

He smirked. I know. Incoming. Nine o’clock.

I turned and parried, then attacked. Switching to autopilot, I went on offense. I anchored the staff on the floor and swung on it, using a split kick to stop my two attackers at the same time. More replaced them. Sweat ran down my face. My lungs hurt with each breath and my arms grew tired and heavy. How long was Master Haziel going to let this go on?

“When outnumbered, go for the unexpected,” Master Haziel often said. But we were out to defeat these guys, not kill them. Still, the unexpected came in many forms.

I locked on some of the psi energies and telepathed one message. A woman was in the air, aiming a kick at my side. In a fraction of a second, she adjusted the arc and caught the man on my other side instead. The man responded. Grinning, I blasted them with my power of persuasion. The ones in the periphery joined the fight, first one by one, then in droves. In seconds, the floor was filled with fighters, all more interested in each other than in us.

I teleported to a booth on the upper level of the arena, settled on a seat and watched the mayhem below.

What are you doing? Kim yelled.

Resting.

She materialized beside me, her breathing labored, and gave me a high-five. “Nice move.”

“Thanks. These guys mean business, don’t they?”

“Yep.” She leaned forward and studied the booths below. “Where did Master Haziel go?”

“Home. He’s probably having potato soup for breakfast,” I said. “Ready to go back?”

She gripped my arm. “Not yet.”

We grinned and watched the fight.

“They’re good,” I said. “I’d like to see their sword skills.”

“They are just as good as us. Master Haziel trained them. But if we used our powers, we could take them out in seconds.” Kim winced when Izzy got hit. “That was some mind control you pulled.”

I was beginning to feel bad. I watched a girl trying her hardest to beat Remy into the floor. She was totally focused on him, which might explain why my mojo hadn’t worked on her. “Do you know some of them?”

“No. My family didn’t allow me to associate with other students before or after I joined the Institute.”

“Friends?”

“No time,” she said airily, as if it didn’t matter, yet she sounded regretful.

“I’m not buying it,” I said.

Kim shrugged. “Mom kept me busy. I had a private tutor, private trainer, movies, and computer games from Earth for entertainment.”

I frowned. “I thought Xenithians despised earth things.”

“We do, but my parents knew I’d be joining the Academy, so what better way to prepare me? Dad brought the gadgets home; Mom selected appropriate DVDs and games whenever she visited him. I grew up watching Veronica Mars, The O.C., Gossip Girl, 90210…even Buffy”

I grew up on Earth and yet never watched any of these programs until I’d met Kylie.

Izzy dropped on a seat on the other side of Kim. “Bitches, you should have telepathed me.”

Kim laughed. “You were having so much fun.”

“Fun?” Izzy elbowed Kim.

Watching them, I now understood why Izzy’s friendship meant so much to Kim. She was her first and only friend.

“You did that?” Izzy asked, jerking her head to indicate the fighting.

“Yeah. Who’s the girl trying to send Remy to Tartarus?”

“His ex,” Izzy said then glanced at Kim. “Remember?—he’d visit her on weekends until a year ago when she broke it off. Let’s tell the guys to join us. Whatever mind control you threw at these people might last for a long time and they need a break.”

“I don’t know,” Kim said, studying Remy, then Sykes. “They seem to be enjoying themselves.”

Izzy ignored Kim and telepathed Remy and Sykes. They looked up at the same time. Distracted, they didn’t see their attackers. Sykes got hit in the chest, propelling him back into someone’s stick, while Remy literally got swept off his feet. They both teleported at the same time, landing on top of us in a tangle of arms and legs.

“Ouch,” Izzy protested.

“That’s what you get for cheating,” Sykes said, moving to a different seat.

Kim pushed Remy off her. “Get off me, you oaf.”

Remy chuckled and plopped on a chair, his chest rising and falling. “How long have you been up here?”

“Just a few minutes,” Izzy said.

Kim grinned. “Five.”

“I’m going back,” Sykes said. “I need to teach Lucien a lesson.” He disappeared.

“Who’s Lucien?” I asked as Sykes reappeared in the mix as though he hadn’t left.

Remy rotated his neck. “His childhood best friend, now his nemesis.”

Izzy and I laughed.

“How juvenile,” Kim said. “I bet it was over a girl.”

“What else?” Remy turned and studied us. “Let’s finish this.”

“Party pooper,” someone murmured, Izzy or Kim.

“We attack from outside, surround them. Lil, start from the entrance. Izzy, you’re opposite her. Kim, take the south end while I plow them from the north.”

We teleported back into the fray. Maybe it was the rest that did it or the fact that we were more mentally prepared, but we had them on the run this time. Still, it was a relief when Master Haziel called out, “Enough.”

The SGs staggered to the nearest chairs while we stayed standing. We even helped up the ones on the floor. Master walked to where I stood.

“What was that?” he asked.

I gave him an innocent smile. “We improvised.”

“Sloppy execution,” he snapped. “You should have done it smoothly, affecting everyone at once, not a few at a time.” He turned and indicated the seated Guardians, who were watching us with puzzled expressions. They probably didn’t understand how we had defeated them. “These are members of Xenith Security Unit, or as they are usually called, Security Guardians. They are our guests for as long as it takes. More will be arriving this evening.”

“Why?” Sykes asked, his gaze going to a curly-haired guy he’d been fighting—Lucien.

Master Haziel’s eyes narrowed. “They are here to offer us support. Unless you think you are invincible.”

“Depends on who our target is,” was Sykes’ cocky response.

Master Haziel pursed his lips and nodded. “You are going to need that confidence.” He glanced at all of us. “Your team is good, but you are not there yet. Maybe in a few decades. Still,” he smiled and glanced at me, “you must always find a way to defeat your enemies. Do you know why I made you do this little exercise?” he glanced at us, then the SGs. “Anyone?”

“Because you have a wacky sense of humor?” Sykes said with a deadpan expression.

“And a mean streak,” Izzy added.

Master Haziel didn’t crack a smile, though we smiled while the SGs stared with shock. They probably couldn’t believe the bold responses w e’d given.

“No,” Master Haziel retorted. “Your enemies will not wait for you to notice them before they attack. They will swoop down when you least expect them. I want you to be vigilant at all times.” He turned his attention to the SGs. “The Tribe practices both physical and mental warfare. You never ever let an opponent get inside your head. It does not matter how powerful they are. The Tribe did that to Lil and she just did it to you. Yes,” he continued, pacing, “she used her power of persuasion and compelled you to turn against each other and ignore her team, and it worked brilliantly.”

What happened to ‘sloppy execution’? My face burned when the SGs focused on me. I expected resentment from them, but all I felt was approval after the initial surprise.

“You did not really think they overpowered you so easily when you outnumber them and are more experienced fighters?” Master Haziel continued. “She saw an opportunity and used it. She learned from her mistake. In the next few days, you will learn how to fight back against the paralysis that follows a mind-blend with a member of the Tribe. Warm up is over. It is time for some serious work.”

“Master Haziel?” Izzy called out

He scowled. “What is it?”

“Who’s guarding Xenith if the SGs are coming here?” she asked.

Master Haziel frowned. “A few will be left behind, though there is really no need. The portal will be destroyed by sundown.”

Gasps came from my friends.

“You were not supposed to know about this until later today. Now back to work. Get practice swords.” Daggers and swords floated from the wall. “Hand-to-hand combat that way.” He pointed to the area near the door, then the other end of the arena. “Sword sparring over there.”

I caught a sword and started across the floor, but I couldn’t help overhearing the conversations among my friends. They were planning on going home to see their families immediately after the morning training session.

With the fear and anxiety came determination. We worked hard. The more Master Haziel pushed, the more we gave him. Still, there was a collective sigh of relief when he called out, “That is enough for today. Lil, stay behind.”

I joined him in the booth, where he poured water in two glasses, offered me one and gulped down his. I knew the water would be lukewarm as usual and didn’t bother to drink it, though I politely accepted the cup.

“How are you feeling?” he asked, studying me with a frown.

I shrugged. “Okay.”

He nodded with approval. “Good. I talked to your grandfather this morning. Do you have any questions?”

“When will the Goddess need me? For how long?”

Master Haziel shook his head. “I do not have all the answers. I am sure she will let you know when she is ready.”

“Does everyone know about me?”

“That you are the Chosen One? Yes. That the powers of the dagger are inside you because you are the Goddess’ vessel? No. That is between us and the Cardinals.” His eyes sharpened. “I assume you already told your friends?”

I made a face. “Wasn’t I supposed to?”

“No, but what is done is done. If you have questions, concerns, or just need to talk, I am here for you.”

“What if I want to vent?”

He straightened to his full height, which was several inches shorter than mine. “My students do not vent. They protest forcefully, object vehemently, or show their disapproval passionately.”

I laughed. Master Haziel did have a wacky sense of humor.

“Come on. I want you to meet your new team.” He started for the booth’s entrance.

“New team?” I placed my glass on the table. He pointed toward the floor of the pit, where four SGs—two guys and two girls—were talking.

“Why do I need them?”

“They are your backup. You are going to L.A.” Master Haziel indicated we should join the others, but I didn’t move.

“To do what?” I asked.

“Bran needs your help with something.”

“You talked to him? When? Is he okay?”

“Yes, I talked to him a few minutes ago and yes, he is okay,” Master Haziel said impatiently.

Relief washed over me. “Why can’t I go with Remy and the others?”

Master Haziel sighed, then pinned me down with narrowed eyes. “They are going home to see their families before the portal is sealed. They,” he indicated the SGs with a nod, “will be your backup team until your friends return. You must learn to work with other Guardians, not just your regular team.”

“Why? No, let me guess,” I added quickly. “It is part of my duties as the Chosen One to be flexible?”

“I always knew you were a quick learner. Come along.”

The four SGs stopped talking as we drew closer. I recognized Sykes’ old buddy Lucien. From their black hair pulled back in ponytails, pale skin, and brown eyes, to the moles by their left eyes, the two women were carbon copies of each other. The other man had a thin moustache and a goatee. Although it was hard to guess the age of most Guardians, he appeared older than the twins, who looked like they were in their mid-twenties.

“This is Esras,” Master Haziel pointed at the bearded guy, then nodded at the twins, “Lunaris and Solaris. They are heads of sectors.”

I had no idea how many sectors were in Xenith, but only the best of the Guardians made sector heads, like my grandfather was the head of the Senior Guardians.

“And this is Lucien,” he indicated the curly-haired guy with twinkling topaz eyes, “an enterprising young man who might prove to be useful.” There was pride in Master Haziel’s voice, but he leveled the young man a warning glance before looking my way and adding, “You will take the lead on this.” He paused as though expecting the others to say something. When they didn’t, he continued. “Do not take too long. Help Bran and come straight home. The security team is monitoring the area for the Tribe, and so far they have not spotted them since the attack on the island. Should you encounter them, do not engage them. Find a way to lose them and head home. Questions?”

No one spoke, but everyone grew tense at the mention of the Tribe. I didn’t like the idea of going anywhere with four Guardians straight from Xenith. What did they know about fighting demons? On the other hand, Bran needed my help.

“What is Bran’s mission and how are we going to help him?” I asked.

“Find him and find out instead of wasting time asking questions.” Master Haziel dismissed us with a wave, then teleported.

Releasing a breath, I turned and faced the SGs. They stood with their hands behind their backs, legs slightly apart, body straight, and eyes locked on me as though I were a drill sergeant and they were recruits waiting for instruction. Resentment mixed with curiosity hung around them. The resentment came from the twins. What was their problem? They didn’t like me in charge? Too bad. I thought I caught a twinkle in Esras’ eyes, but I must have imagined it because when I looked him straight in the eyes, he didn’t blink or crack a smile. Lucien’s topaz eyes shone with anticipation. I liked him already.

“Okay. Let’s relax and get to know each other better now that the taskmaster is gone,” I joked, surprised when my voice came out confident when I wasn’t.

Lucien grinned. The twins and Esras didn’t relax.

“I know this is your first time here, so feel free to ask me anything,” I said.

“Are we going to fight demons, Cardinal?” Lucien asked.

I grinned at his enthusiasm. “I don’t know. Our objective is to find Bran, help him with whatever he’s doing and come straight back. If demons get in our way, then yes, we’ll deal with them. Please, call me Lil.”

Lucien’s grin widened. “We heard that your team uses neutral demons as informants and are friendly with them. Can we stop by their den? I’d like to tell my friends back at home that I visited one.”

“No,” Solaris, or Lunaris, said, disgust written on her face. “We don’t associate with demons.”

I studied her, not surprised by her attitude. The Guardians’ innate hatred for demons was homegrown. When I first met Remy, Sykes, Kim, and Izzy, they’d felt exactly the same way. Bran had cured them of such prejudices.

“We do things democratically around here, Lunaris,” I said firmly.

“My name is Solaris,” she snapped rudely as though insulted I couldn’t tell them apart. She jerked her thumb and indicated her twin. “She is Lunaris.”

I kept my cool when all I wanted to do was snap back, but I was leading this mission and that meant keeping my cool, just like Remy or Bran would. “We usually go with what the majority decides, which means we vote.”

“Then I vote we don’t fraternize with any demons, active, neutral or whatever you want to call them,” Solaris said.

Her sister nodded. The two were angry about something, though I wasn’t sure what. Esras’ gaze moved from me to the twins and back to me again, but he didn’t speak. I had a feeling he was one of those guys who just watched and listened without intervening.

“That’s going to be interesting, because we are going to Jethro’s Bar and Jethro is a demon, a Neutral to be specific,” I said with just a tiny bit of glee. “And if you didn’t already know, Cardinal Bran is considered a Souled Demon by some.”

The twins looked at each other and made faces. Their attitude was beginning to piss me off. Lucien raised a finger to get my attention. “Yes?”

“Can we eat at Jethro’s since it’s getting close to lunch time?”

“No,” the twins said, in unison this time.

Esras shook his head, too.

I gave Lucien a sheepish grin. “Sorry, we’ve been outvoted. We’ll probably be back here by lunchtime anyway. If we are not, we can eat at a restaurant owned by a Guardian.”

Lucien was disappointed, even though he tried to cover it with a smile. “Is Jethro a member of the Outcasts?”

“It’s an insult to use the term ‘Outcasts’,” I corrected him impatiently.

He blinked, his smile waning. “I didn’t know.”

Feeling bad since he was the only nice SG in my unwanted new team, I gave him a smile. “They are called the Brotherhood of Guardians or just the Brotherhood. And no, Jethro is not a member. He is a neutral Hermonite.” From the corner of my eyes, I caught the glance and eye rolls the twins exchanged. Grinding my teeth, I added, “But that doesn’t mean he didn’t go after human souls at some point. What matters now is he doesn’t do it anymore. He supplies us with information on demonic activities that our Psi-dar can’t pick up. We, in turn, offer him protection.” I glanced at my watch. Eleven o’clock. I gave them a sweeping glance. “Do you know where the weapons room is?”

“Yes, Cardinal.” Esras frowned. “Master Haziel showed us around.”

“Did he give you hunting coats to conceal your weapons, too?”

They all nodded.

“Good. Wear them and let’s meet outside the weapons room in thirty minutes. Oh, and Esras?” He glanced at me. “Don’t call me Cardinal. Everyone calls me Lil.” I waited until they teleported, then sighed. This mission could turn disastrous if I didn’t watch my temper.