Chapter 6
Chapter Six
DANIEL
“There’s something you’re not telling me,” Ewan says as we leave the chicken coop, the chickens safely shut away.
It’s his turn to settle the animals for the night, but I’m helping so we can get it done faster and Kieran doesn’t burst a previously unknown aneurysm waiting for this meeting to happen.
“Yep,” I admit. “I’ve been told not to. The only thing I’m allowed to tell you is that Skye spoke to a spirit today and we’re having a meeting tonight.
” Connor was very thorough in his threats before he left with Skye.
He doesn’t want people converging on Gabe with questions while he’s talking to the Collective.
My guess is he’s also hoping Kieran might get distracted by work and stress less, which wouldn’t happen if everyone knew and wanted to talk about it.
Not that it’s going to happen anyway. Stressed is Kieran’s natural state.
“That sucks,” Ewan grumps as we approach our house. We have just enough time to shower and change before we need to head up to the house, which I appreciate.
“You’ll hear all about it soon enough.”
He gives me a dirty look and claims the bathroom first, and I pull out my phone to see if I’ve missed a message from Skye or Connor.
Not that I’m expecting one, or that I could really do much against either a demon or a spirit—or that I could cross the distance between here and town in enough time to help if they did need me—but it makes me feel better to check.
To my surprise, there’s a message from Kieran.
Do you know anything about Skye’s mom?
I frown. Skye’s mom? Not really. I thought she might be dead, to be honest. Skye doesn’t talk about her, but he was raised by his dad—who’s really cool—and later with the help of his dad’s boyfriend.
Only that she wasn’t around when he was growing up. Why?
I stare fixedly at the screen, waiting for a reply. Which is dumb, since he might be doing something else right now. But I don’t have anything else to do while I’m waiting for the shower.
Con sent a message asking. Apparently they saw her at the bakery and there was tension.
My protective instincts rise. Nobody gets to upset Skye, not even his own mother.
Ok, will be on the lookout for any issues.
I don’t even fully know what I mean by that. I don’t think Skye’s long-lost mother is going to storm the estate and cause trouble. But if Skye’s upset and needs some understanding, I can do that. It’s a part of friendship I’m good at.
Before I can think about it any more, Ewan comes out of the bathroom wrapped in a towel. I take a second to admire the sheer muscled size of him. It’s not the first time I’ve seen him nearly naked—far from it—but it’s always worth a glance.
“Bathroom’s free,” he says, disappearing into his bedroom.
“Thanks,” I call, and get my ass into gear.
Ewan and I are the last ones into the staff break room, though Skye and Connor are just sitting down when we walk in. Arissa’s opening a box from the bakery, and the scent of cinnamon twists fills the air.
My stomach rumbles. It’s been a long day, and I’m more than ready for dinner, but I guess a pastry can tide me over for the time being.
“You’re actually going to share?” Skye says to Connor. The words are teasing, but something about his tone seems subdued. I study him while trying to look like I’m not, but I can’t tell if he’s upset about seeing his mom or if he’s just tired after the day he’s had.
“I said I would.” Connor fakes hurt. “Plus, I already stashed some of them to take home.”
“Thanks,” Kieran says placidly, putting one on a plate. “That will make a nice breakfast tomorrow.”
From the arrested expression on Connor’s face, it hadn’t occurred to him that he’d have to share his stash.
“While I appreciate the pastries that I didn’t have to bake,” Riss says, licking sugar off her lips, “could someone please tell me what this meeting’s about?” She swallows hard. “God, there isn’t another demon in the basement, is there?”
“No,” Kieran assures her. “But a spirit visited Skye today.” He turns to Skye. “Do you want to give them the rundown?”
I’ve heard it all already, so I set about devouring my dough and studying Skye. Sure, it’s been a long day, and sure, he’s told this story several times already… and sure, there might be a mega-scary demon looking for him… but something else is definitely wrong. He looks wan and subdued.
“…Con and I went to get my stuff, and Gabe was going to call the Collective,” he finishes, and we all look at Gabe.
He opens his mouth, but Arissa says, “Wait… sorry. Just… give me a second.” She takes a deep breath and then nods. “Okay.”
Josh leans over and pats her hand. “It’s going to be fine.” I’m not sure where he’s getting that soothing confidence from, but I bite back a grin. I’ve always liked Josh.
“It is,” Gabe assures us. “The information I’ve been given is that there have been other hints in recent years that something is afoot.
Nothing quite so concrete as a warning, but signs.
The council has been quietly making plans to have rapid response teams ready, but without more information…
” He shrugs. “They now believe that this area may be somewhere they need to focus more attention. Specifically, they want that gateway found. Con, they’re sending out some help for you.
At least two people, maybe more, who can join your search. ”
Connor nods. “Did they say who?”
“Nope. I don’t think they knew yet. I’m on standby to help if you need it, and the second you find the gateway, my orders are to seal it as tight as I can and hold it until backup comes.”
That sounds sensible to me, so I don’t get why Connor jerks upright and drops his pastry. “What?”
Gabe spreads his hands. “Those are my orders. It’s the only option, Con.”
The long string of filth that comes from Connor’s mouth is creative and very evocative. It even makes Skye perk up.
“Impressive,” Ewan murmurs.
“Yep,” Josh adds. “Now tell us why Con’s inventing new words.”
“Some of them were actually really old ones,” Gabe informs us. “Norval used to amuse himself when we were teenagers by teaching us obsolete obscenities.” He glances around. “Speaking of Norval and the others… how’d you keep them away?”
Alarm crosses Kieran’s face. “You mean they’re not here? None of them?”
Uh-oh. I don’t know why I thought—like Kieran obviously did—that the ghosts were chilling quietly in the corner, listening. In retrospect, it’s a dumb assumption. Since when have they been this silent, with no interruptions, ever?
Josh gets up. “I’ll go check on them.”
Kieran pinches the bridge of his nose. “Okay. While Josh is ghost wrangling, could someone explain why Gabe locking down the other gate is a problem?”
Gabe grimaces. “Gatekeepers have a finite amount of power,” he begins.
“Not all gatekeepers can manage all gateways. Ours, here, for example, is a pretty big one, and because it’s demon-made, it has a lot of complexities.
There aren’t a lot of gatekeepers who could guard it successfully.
” His tone is matter-of-fact rather than bragging, which is just like him.
“So you’re like a super-gatekeeper?” I ask, wanting him to know we see how cool he is.
A smile tugs at his lips. “No, but thanks. Anyway, what I mean is, if there were two smallish gateways in reasonably close proximity, I could guard them both at the same time.”
“What if they were far apart?” Skye asks.
“Depends how far. That would be harder.”
“What he’s not saying,” Connor interrupts impatiently, “is that even if this hidden gateway is within fifty miles, we don’t know how big or complex it is, and Gabe’s already guarding a big, complex gateway.”
That can’t be good. There’s an awkward silence while we all compete not to ask Gabe if he can handle it.
Gabe sighs. “We don’t know how big the other one is. It’s probably quite small, since they’ve been able to hide it so successfully. In that case, I should be able to manage for the short time it will take to get help here.”
“What if it’s big?” Arissa asks, complexion gray. She loves our ghosts, but the demons and gateways freak her out. It’s been a tough year for her.
“If it’s big…” Gabe tries to smile. “Well, I’ll do my best to hold both gateways, but if the demons behind all this sense me trying to cut them off and push back, I’ll need to release the guard on our gateway and give all my focus to the other one.”
Whoa. “What if you do that and they decide to use our gateway to come through instead?” I ask.
Heads slowly turn in my direction.
“Not helpful,” Ewan murmurs at my side.
“It’s a possibility,” Gabe concedes. “The thing is, if they sense me locking them down and try to strike, I’m likely not going to be able to hold the gateway anyway.”
“You mean they’d be able to get through?” Arissa’s pitch rises to almost painful.
“It’s okay,” Kieran assures her, but he’s looking at Connor’s set face.
“These are higher demons. They can come through guarded gateways. It takes them a lot of effort, which means we have time to assemble a team on this side. Plus they’re exhausted when they get through, and dealing with them is easier. But yes, they have the strength to force their way through.”
There’s something not right about that, but since it’s all a total mindfuck anyway, I can’t put my finger on what’s bothering me.
“Okay,” Kieran says, running his hands through his hair. “If I understand this correctly, so far the plan the Collective suggests is to find the gateway if possible and incite the other side to attack before they’re ready… or we’re ready.”
Gabe winces. “I’m hoping they’ll be able to come up with something better once they have more time to consider it.”
“Is there anything we can do?” Ewan asks helplessly.
“Yes, actually. We need Skye out hunting for spirits. Every spirit he can find and talk to may be able to give us some more hints. But he goes nowhere alone.”
Ewan and I exchange glances. It’s summer—peak tourist season. Getting away from the estate during the day isn’t going to be easy.
But it’s Skye.
“Sure,” I say. “We can work out some shifts. Maybe get a couple more college kids to work part-time. Ewan and I will make sure one of us is free to go with Skye.”
“What good will they be?” Skye snaps, shocking all of us. “No offense, but they can’t even sense demons and ghosts.”
The outburst is so out of character that it takes Connor a moment to reply.
“They can drive, so your focus is on finding spirits. And if you do run into trouble, they can call for help. But I’m gonna be honest, Skye: We’re dealing with higher demons here.
If one finds you, it won’t matter whether Daniel’s with you, or me, or everyone here in this room.
The demon will win. If you think one’s nearby, leave.
Run. Don’t look back. Call for help and keep running, and if luck goes your way, it won’t notice you. ”
There’s something dark and painful in Connor’s gaze right now, and the fear in his voice is unmistakable. Gabe reaches over and takes his hand, squeezing tightly. There’s a story there that I’m not sure I want to know.
“I—” Arissa’s voice cracks, breaking the cold silence that’s fallen. “I’m sorry, I can’t… can’t do this.” The sentence ends on a sob. “I can’t stay here. I quit.”