Chapter 8 #2
“I’m going to check out the castle and look for possible points of entry,” Cedric stated as he headed for the door then sat waiting for someone to open it.
“Uh, won’t people think it’s weird for a cat to be wandering around?” I noted.
“Yes.”
“And?”
“And what? They will remark upon it, perhaps report it, but I’m experienced when it comes to avoid being captured.”
Before Ulseere let Cedric out to roam, he asked, “Would you mind scouting out the rooms of female guests of similar size to Florence and Charlotte?”
Cedric glanced at me and Flo on the couch. “I’ll see what I can do.”
The cat left, and Ulseere grimaced at the latch on the door. “What a flimsy portal and lock.”
“It’s standard for most hotels, seeing as how they’re not usually trying to stop demons from getting into their rooms,” my dry riposte.
“Speaking of demons, I’m about to turn into a hangry bitch if I don’t get something to eat. I’m starving,” Flo declared, rubbing her belly.
“I don’t suppose the spell you put on the receptionist will extend to us ordering in room service?” I asked.
“What is room service?” Ulseere frowned.
“It’s when we use the phone over on that table to call in an order for food and a hotel employee brings it to us and charges the cost to the room.”
His lips pursed. “That might not be wise.”
“Flo needs to eat,” I insisted. And while I’d had some rat and chocolate, my nerves could use something salty to calm them too.
“I’ll go grab us something,” Flo offered.
“No. That doesn’t sound safe. Demons and a dark prince hunting us, remember?”
I expected Ulseere to agree, but he cocked his head. “Gryvak wants the Grimoire and you. She should be fine, especially if she manages to stay within the hotel. There is a restaurant I believe on the main level.”
“There is. I’ll stay where there’s people the entire time.” Flo heaved herself from the couch.
“In your pjs?”
Ulseere waved his hand, and Flo once more wore a nice dress. “Don’t dawdle lest it wear off before you return.”
“Got it, boss.” Flo glanced at me. “Gonna need your stash of cash.”
Unless I wanted to keep arguing, she was going. I dug into my pocket and handed over all my money. “Something salty for me.”
Flo snorted. “As if I didn’t already guess that. Any preferences for you?” She aimed the last at Ulseere.
“Anything will do.”
Only once the door shut behind Flo did I voice my concern. “Is it wise letting her go by herself?”
“As I said, Gryvak isn’t interested in her.”
“But he could follow her back to our room. Kidnap her and use her as leverage.” I’d hand over myself and the book in a heartbeat if that happened.
“All possibilities, however, I suspect he is more likely plotting his next move.”
“Plotting how? You said most of his demons are gone.”
“I am not the only one with the power of persuasion, meaning there is plenty of mischief he can achieve.”
“If he can mind control, then why would he even need an army?”
“Because compulsion doesn’t last long in beings of free will and is good only for short-term goals.”
“Meaning the receptionist might suddenly remember you didn’t actually pay and send security to escort us out.”
“We’ll be long gone by the time that happens.”
“Gone where?” It might have emerged a bit sour. Adventure was one thing, but the implication we’d be constantly on the move really didn’t appeal.
“I don’t know yet.” Damn him for being honest.
I unzipped my jacket and pulled out the Grimoire, heaving it onto the table in front of the couch. “I still don’t get how I can open a door to your world but you can’t. You obviously have more power than me.”
“It’s not so much more as different,” he corrected. “The umbradriad can control aspects of the five elements.”
“Five?” I repeated.
“Water, air, fire, ground, and spirit. Humans, on the other hand, can directly manipulate the energy that runs through the elements.”
“If that’s the case, why do we need ingredients for the spells?”
“I imagine it’s for focus. To give your request a specific shape.”
“With the summoning one it wanted something called interdimensional dust, but we used Infernal,” I murmured in remembrance.
“Hence creating the doorway to my dimension.”
“What of the other ingredients, though?” I rattled several off but omitted the period blood because it still grossed me out.
He shrugged. “I don’t know what their purpose serves. Perhaps to make it seem more complicated. Could be they provide some kind of balance.”
Since he seemed talkative, I took advantage. “Have I always had magic? And if yes, why is it manifesting now?”
“I don’t know how it works with humans. With the umbradriad, our ability to manipulate elements manifests at birth, although sometimes it might appear as if we can only touch one or two. As we age, our affinity grows stronger, might even unlock our access to other elements.”
“Do you go to a school so you can figure out how to use your powers?”
“We are educated by tutors almost from birth, not just with the elements but in politics, history, fighting, strategy.”
I frowned. “Sounds as if you’re raised to be soldiers.”
“Because we are. The umbradriad are in a constant battle with demons, other territories, and every few centuries, an ancient or outside menace will threaten.”
“Do you never know peace?”
“Do humans?”
I almost blurted out, “hello, we’re not at war right now,” but that would be a lie. Earth constantly had skirmishes happening. Uprisings. Fights for supremacy. Even in Canada, considered one of the most pacific of countries, we weren’t without troubles.
“Guess in that respect we’re not that different.”
“The umbradriad and humans have much in common. There are some that theorize you are descended from us. A splintered group that somehow managed to leave Infernal for Earth and went on to evolve slightly differently.”
“You know, one of those DNA tests would probably tell us for sure.” At his frown, I had to explain.
“It’s when a sample of your blood is analyzed at its deepest levels.
Our scientists have managed to identify the parts that allow them to know where a person came from on our planet.
They can use it to match up family members and more. ”
“It’s easy to identify family and doesn’t require blood.”
I cocked my head. “Okay, you’ve got me curious. How?”
“The pattern of their spirit. Although the method requires at least two suspected members of a dynasty to be present to do the comparison.”
“What if all but one person is dead in a family?”
“Then why does it matter?”
“Inheritance? Knowledge?”
He snorted. “If you’re not sure if you belong to a family, then why would you deserve their wealth? As for knowledge…if you’re the last, then better to forge a new future than dwell on the failed past. Families aren’t decimated without reason.”
“Guess so.”
“You seem bothered.”