Chapter 14 #2
The interior made my jaw drop. This was a professional intelligence center that would have impressed the FBI.
Maps covered every wall showing suspected Guardian sites across multiple states.
Genealogical charts traced bloodlines back centuries with red X's marking ‘neutralized’ families.
Surveillance monitors displayed real-time feeds from Congo Square, Preservation Hall, and even Willowberry's front lawn.
The latter was filmed from across the street but the people milling about were still obvious.
"Jesus Christ," I breathed, studying a wall of photographs that looked like a serial killer's trophy collection. "He's been watching everyone."
There were files marked financial records, medical histories, daily schedules, even DNA analysis. Michel approached this like an expert researcher. Too bad he put all this effort into evil. He could have solved some serious problems with his skill.
"There are Guardian tools over here," Phi called from a workstation covered in corrupted artifacts. "Crystal orbs, scrying mirrors, and so much more. He's perverted them into some kind of communication network."
"These have been soaked in malevolent energy for years," Kaitlyn said grimly.
Kaveh examined the surveillance equipment with a dangerous focus. "They're using djinn-crafted components as well. Someone's been trading with entities they shouldn't have."
"All to give the Collector eyes and ears wherever it needs them," a gravelly voice said from behind us.
We spun to find Michel Drake emerging from the shadows. He was in his early forties with classical features. He would be good-looking if his eyes didn’t hold a fanatic gleam that marked him as a power-hungry loon.
"The famous Six Twisted Sisters," he said with a horror-movie smile, "and the High Witch of New Orleans. You’re a surprise,” he said to the djinn leader. “How delightfully diverse. You've been even more helpful than I anticipated. Every move you've made has served our purposes perfectly."
"Our purposes?" Dre snarled, magic crackling around her hands. "You mean you and the horror that is going to be your demise?"
"The Collector isn't a horror—it's an inevitability," Michel replied with disturbing conviction. "The binding was always temporary. You need to understand cooperation. It’s the only path to survival."
"You've been feeding innocent families to that thing!" I couldn't keep the disgust from my voice.
"I've been ensuring my family's survival," he corrected sharply. "When the Collector returns to full power, those who served it will be rewarded. Those who opposed it will become fuel."
He gestured to the monitors showing Willowberry. Inhuman figures prowled around the perimeter. "It already knows about your plantation, your wards, and your guests. You've made our job easier by gathering them in one place. Cuts down on the manpower needed to hunt them down."
"You've been manipulating everything to get the bloodlines together," Lia guessed with a scowl.
"Brilliant, isn't it?" His smile widened. "Cyran's good intentions, your protective instincts—all serve the Collector's ultimate purpose. There will be a harvest using the combined life force of every remaining Guardian to shatter the binding once and for all."
"And you think it'll spare you after that?" Kaitlyn demanded. "You think a creature like that will let you live because it’s grateful?"
"Especially one that's been imprisoned for over a century," Kaveh added as flames danced around his fingertips. "Entities like that don't feel gratitude—they feel rage."
Uncertainty flickered across Michel's features before fanatic determination replaced it. "The Drake family has served faithfully for generations. We've earned our place in the new order."
"The new order where everything living becomes food?" I shot back. "Great fucking plan, genius."
Michel's expression hardened. "Join us, and you can share that protection. The Collector values useful servants. Your abilities and knowledge would be... appreciated."
"I’ve got a counter-offer," Dre said as her magical energy built like a storm front. "Go fuck yourself."
Her curse flipped a switch, and the warehouse erupted into chaos. Harvesters moved from the shadows. Corrupted artifacts pulsed with malevolent energy, and other creatures materialized. They were bound servants. Their souls had been completely consumed and reshaped into the Collector's tools.
They moved with coordinated precision, trying to surround us while Michel backed toward a ritual circle carved into the warehouse floor. He was trying to activate something. "He's opening a portal!" I yelled when I got a better look. "It's on the floor!"
"I don’t think so!" Kaitlyn snarled as her power erupted in silver light that made the bound servants recoil. I threw a crudely cast magical bomb at Michel at the same time. It managed to take out several harvesters.
Kaveh's djinn fire joined Kaitlyn's magic. Together, they created a barrier of supernatural flame. "Now would be good, you guys!" He shouted at us.
My sisters and I linked our magic and added our combined power to the assault. The warehouse filled with crackling energy as witch magic and djinn fire slammed into the bound servants like a tsunami.
It didn’t stop Michel. He managed to activate his circle. Symbols began glowing with a sickly green light. "You're too late! The Collector comes, and your precious Guardian bloodlines will fuel its final victory!"
A portal tore open. Michel leaped through with a final taunt. "The reunion guests are already compromised! My allies walk among them, waiting for the signal! You will not save them!"
The portal snapped shut before we could stop him.
Kaveh couldn't even try to trace the power before it dissipated because the bound servants and harvesters Michel left behind didn't vanish with their master.
If anything, they seemed more agitated now.
They were circling us like predators who'd just lost their leash.
"Eat this!" Lia shouted as she dug into the emergency kit she always carried.
We'd learned the hard way to never leave home without our supernatural first aid supplies.
She tossed a potion that incinerated three bound servants.
I yanked out a vial of rapid freeze, while Dre produced what looked like liquid silver.
We threw them at the harvesters trying to eat us before turning to fight some more.
Over and over, we hurled our potions at the remaining creatures without stopping. It took less magical energy than using spells. The liquid we doused them with burned through the creatures like acid through tissue paper.
When we ran out, we resorted to our magic. “We do this together,” Dre said.”
Nodding, we linked our power again. This time, I channeled it through the alchemical chaos we'd just created.
The warehouse filled with purifying energy that burned away the corrupt creatures.
All that was left several minutes later were smoking stains on the concrete floor where the creatures had been.
"Well," I said, breathing hard as the last of the purification smoke cleared, "that's one way to clean house."
The warehouse fell silent except for the sound of our ragged breathing. "He's right about the reunion," Lia finally said. "Michel has had years to infiltrate Guardian families. There's no telling how many guests are compromised."
"Then we cancel it," Lia suggested.
"And lose our only chance to perform the binding ritual during the celestial alignment?" Phi interrupted with a shake of her head. "No. Without the reunion, we can't assemble the seven bloodlines needed to renew the prison."
"The djinn can help identify infiltrators," Kaveh offered. "We're good at detecting supernatural corruption."
"And I will bring the coven to add protective wards," Kaitlyn added.
"Perfect," Lia said. "We're not canceling anything.
We're gonna change the rules. Michel thinks he's been playing us, but he's given us exactly what we need," she continued.
"Complete intelligence on every Guardian family, their abilities, and their locations.
He's revealed the Collector's network and shown us how they coordinate attacks. "
"We can use his intelligence against him," Phi said with a wicked grin.
"Exactly. We're going to throw the party of the century," Lia declared with a grin that bordered on unhinged. "But instead of a harvest, Michel and his buddy are going to get the surprise of their very long lives."
"I love it when you get that look," I said with an answering smile. "It usually means someone's about to have a very bad day."