Chapter 31 #2
“Chaos,” Beatrice answered calmly. “Fear. There’s much more to be had with everyone here than trying to find random people in the forest. And, while demons can’t hurt humans directly, there are plenty of loopholes.
For instance, nothing stopped the demon from brewing a poison, and it could have left it out for anyone to consume.
Or Jane could have given it to someone, convinced it was benign. And demons feed on fear and pain.”
“‘They come to feast,’” Nicholas intoned, clearly quoting something. “‘So be wary. Be strong of heart and do not tarry. Deprive the demon: no food, no water; then send it home, to the slaughter.’”
“Yes,” Beatrice nodded, recognizing the quote. “Sir Avern’s poem is a bit sparse on the details, but it gets the main idea across. The only way to deal with demons is to banish them, and that is easiest if they are weak.”
“So how do we banish this demon?” Sadie asked.
“The easiest method will be to find the tear between our realm and the demon’s, then seal it—with the demon on the other side, obviously.
” Beatrice rose and sorted through a few of the books on the desk, handing one with a blue cover to Nicholas.
“Lord Alfred Huxley successfully sealed a demon portal he found in the Gloaming Forest. That seal could very well have weakened over the centuries since, and could be the spot where our demon came through. Alfred didn’t detail the exact spot of the portal, and the landmarks he mentioned may have changed over time, but it gives you a starting point. ”
Nicholas studied the journal in his hands.
“I’ll see if I can recognize anything. My steward also reported an uptick in complaints about the woods being haunted since this past spring—and then followed up with a report that more of the claims seem justified than ever before.
I’ll ask him to compile a list of locations of the incidents that truly did not seem to be caused by accidents.
Maybe that can help us narrow the search area. ”
Sadie frowned. “I’m guessing the details of how to seal away the demon are also in that journal, but I still don’t see how we get the demon to the tear, let alone force it through to its realm so we can seal it off.”
“Everything I’ve read agrees,” Beatrice said calmly, “if a demon is blocked from any hosts, it will be pulled through the nearest portal. If you lure it directly there, then cut it off, it won’t have a choice.”
“We need protections, then.” Nicholas eyed the table of books. “Did any of the journals you read detail how to stave off demonic possession?”
Beatrice pointed at the blue journal. “Lord Huxley successfully cast wards that prevented a demon from possessing him. I couldn’t understand his description at all, but perhaps you’ll have better luck, since you share his power.
” She reached for a slim volume bound in red leather and handed it to Sadie.
“The baron’s brother brewed a potion that increased the drinker’s mental fortitude, allowing them to resist the demon more effectively. ”
They spent the next half an hour reading their individual books, Beatrice diving right back into the one she’d had open when Sadie and Nicholas arrived.
“Spirits.” Nicholas closed his book and returned it to the table. “I think I understand, but I won’t know for sure without trying, and I can’t effectively test the ward without a demon. It is a nice protective measure, but we can’t rely on it.”
Sadie gently closed the grimoire she had been reading. She wished it had been in the brewing room these past weeks, for it had many very interesting potion ideas. “I can make the potion if we can get all the ingredients. There are a few I haven’t seen in the brewing room or kitchen.”
“What are we missing?” Nicholas asked.
“Amber, anise, and starflower.”
“I have amber in my workroom, and we can find starflowers in the forest. I’d probably have to send someone to the city to get anise, unless Ferman’s carries it?”
The question, directed at Sadie, was an unpleasant reminder that her time at Marstede Manor was only a short hiatus from reality.
How sad was it that she’d rather deal with a demon than contemplate the return to her ordinary life?
“Ferman’s can order it, but it would take at least a week, probably two, to get the stock. ”
“I’ll send someone to Linzen first thing tomorrow, then. We should have it by the end of the week that way.” Nicholas stood. “Thank you, Beatrice. We’re lucky you suddenly decided to become an expert on demons.”
“Luck has nothing to do with it. I found one of the books on my second day here, and after the conversation about the forest being haunted, I deliberately set out to find everything in the library about demons. I knew there had to be some truth in the rumors given the sheer number of tomes on hand.”
“Then it is lucky you were here to follow that logical path. Unless your research has given you reason to disagree, Sadie and I planned to keep our suspicions about the demon quiet. We don’t want to panic anyone while we are still working out how to deal with the creature.”
“Secrecy gives the demon more freedom, but I think you are right and panic would be worse.”
“Then we’ll see you at supper.” He tucked his ancestor’s journal under one arm and offered the other to Sadie.
She took it and let him lead her out of the library, though she had more questions for Beatrice. They had so much still to do; there would be plenty of time to ask.