Industrial Magic
Page 131
Thats okay, I said. We dont need them. You got the information from someone else, so were good. What did they say?
Well, the first three necros I called had no clue what I was talking about. Then I found two who did, and they tried to tell me any necromancer could reopen the portal, no special tools required. But I knew that was wrong. Nans books were the best there were, the real thing, not like the crap thats out there today. Another wave of regret flooded her eyes. She shook it off. Anyway, I knew that reopening a portal called for human sacrifice of a specific kind, so I kept calling around and finally found someone whod read the same book my Nan had. We need
A knock came at the door. Everyone looked up. Elenas nostrils flared and she leaned over to whisper something to Clay.
Fuck, he muttered. Keep talking, Jaime. Its only Cassandra. She can wait. Forever, if were lucky.
I heard that, Clayton, Cassandra said as she walked in.
Who the hell forgot to lock the door? Clay said.
You were the last one in, Elena murmured.
Damn.
Black-Magic Standby
AARON ARRIVED A FEW MINUTES LATER, HAVING LIKELY been parking the car. He got a warmer reception than Cassandra, but the meet-and-greet phase was cut even shorter this time, now that we were all eager to hear what Jaime had found. First, though, we had to bring Cassandra and Aaron up to speed.
So now Jaime was about to tell us what Edward needs to reopen the portal, I finished.
Well, like I said, the key ingredient is the black-magic standby, a good ol human sacrifice. If Edward performs the sacrifice on the exact spot that the portal opened, itll reopen for a couple of minutes.
So whats to say he hasnt done this already? Cassandra said. Hes a vampire. He could have taken a victim by now and gone through the portal.
Im getting to that, Jaime said. As I told Paige, I knew he needed a specific victim. According to the necromantic ritual book, he needs to shed the blood of someone who passed through the portal.
What? Cassandra said. Thats ridiculous. Youve made a mistake, Jaime. Obviously, if they passed through the portal, they arent here to
Aaron clamped a hand over Cassandras mouth. Continue, please, Jaime.
Cassandras right, Jaime said. Most people who pass through a portal never return, so the ritual doesnt actually mean you need to killor rekillthe person who went through. That would work, but the ritual means figurative bloodthe blood of the closest same-sex relative. That leaves fourpossibilities, since two of you went through. Someone could use Paiges mother or daughter, or Lucass father or son. Now, I know Paiges mom has passed over, so unless one of you guys has a kid stashed awaywhich I seriously doubtthat leaves one possibility.
My father, Lucas murmured.
And Edward has how long left? I said. About twenty-four hours before the portal closes for good? That leaves him one day to kidnap and kill the Cortez Cabal CEO. Right now, I bet Edwards seriously researching the hidden child theory. It would be near-impossible to get Benicio.
Perhaps, Jeremy said. But if hes as determined as he seems, hell certainly try.
I should warn him, Lucas said.
As he rose, he brushed his hand against my arm. I looked up and he nodded, almost imperceptibly, toward the bedroom, asking me to join him. I followed. Less than thirty seconds into the call, I understood why he felt the need for a little moral support.
No, Pap, he said firmly. I am in absolutely no danger. This is about you Pause. No, my blood Pause. My blood wont Pause. Pap, listen to me. Please. Edward cant use my blood for the ritual.
The lie flowed so smoothly even I almost wondered whether Id misunderstood Jaime.
Consider it logically, Pap, Lucas continued. Why would the ritual require the blood of the person who passed through? That person is gone and, in almost every case, not coming back. In most sacrificial rituals, if the original subject is no longer available, you must use the nearest same-sex blood relative, correct?
A brief pause. Lucass lips parted in a silent sigh of relief.
Yes, thats right, he said. Therefore you are the one in danger. I know youre extremely security-conscious already, but this will require additional protection. For the next twenty-four hours, you should excuse yourself from public life and
Lucas stopped and listened, frown lines deepening with each passing second.
Yes, yes, I do remember your mentioning it, but Pause. In this one case, I believe you have a reasonable excuse for not attending Pause. Yes, perhaps it would be a way to trap him, but Another sigh, this one audible. His eyes cut to me. Let me speak to Paige, and Ill phone you back.
Whats this about trapping Edward? I said as Lucas hung up.
My father is scheduled to make an appearance tonighta semipublic appearanceand he refuses to bow out. He hopes Edward will show up.
Well, the first three necros I called had no clue what I was talking about. Then I found two who did, and they tried to tell me any necromancer could reopen the portal, no special tools required. But I knew that was wrong. Nans books were the best there were, the real thing, not like the crap thats out there today. Another wave of regret flooded her eyes. She shook it off. Anyway, I knew that reopening a portal called for human sacrifice of a specific kind, so I kept calling around and finally found someone whod read the same book my Nan had. We need
A knock came at the door. Everyone looked up. Elenas nostrils flared and she leaned over to whisper something to Clay.
Fuck, he muttered. Keep talking, Jaime. Its only Cassandra. She can wait. Forever, if were lucky.
I heard that, Clayton, Cassandra said as she walked in.
Who the hell forgot to lock the door? Clay said.
You were the last one in, Elena murmured.
Damn.
Black-Magic Standby
AARON ARRIVED A FEW MINUTES LATER, HAVING LIKELY been parking the car. He got a warmer reception than Cassandra, but the meet-and-greet phase was cut even shorter this time, now that we were all eager to hear what Jaime had found. First, though, we had to bring Cassandra and Aaron up to speed.
So now Jaime was about to tell us what Edward needs to reopen the portal, I finished.
Well, like I said, the key ingredient is the black-magic standby, a good ol human sacrifice. If Edward performs the sacrifice on the exact spot that the portal opened, itll reopen for a couple of minutes.
So whats to say he hasnt done this already? Cassandra said. Hes a vampire. He could have taken a victim by now and gone through the portal.
Im getting to that, Jaime said. As I told Paige, I knew he needed a specific victim. According to the necromantic ritual book, he needs to shed the blood of someone who passed through the portal.
What? Cassandra said. Thats ridiculous. Youve made a mistake, Jaime. Obviously, if they passed through the portal, they arent here to
Aaron clamped a hand over Cassandras mouth. Continue, please, Jaime.
Cassandras right, Jaime said. Most people who pass through a portal never return, so the ritual doesnt actually mean you need to killor rekillthe person who went through. That would work, but the ritual means figurative bloodthe blood of the closest same-sex relative. That leaves fourpossibilities, since two of you went through. Someone could use Paiges mother or daughter, or Lucass father or son. Now, I know Paiges mom has passed over, so unless one of you guys has a kid stashed awaywhich I seriously doubtthat leaves one possibility.
My father, Lucas murmured.
And Edward has how long left? I said. About twenty-four hours before the portal closes for good? That leaves him one day to kidnap and kill the Cortez Cabal CEO. Right now, I bet Edwards seriously researching the hidden child theory. It would be near-impossible to get Benicio.
Perhaps, Jeremy said. But if hes as determined as he seems, hell certainly try.
I should warn him, Lucas said.
As he rose, he brushed his hand against my arm. I looked up and he nodded, almost imperceptibly, toward the bedroom, asking me to join him. I followed. Less than thirty seconds into the call, I understood why he felt the need for a little moral support.
No, Pap, he said firmly. I am in absolutely no danger. This is about you Pause. No, my blood Pause. My blood wont Pause. Pap, listen to me. Please. Edward cant use my blood for the ritual.
The lie flowed so smoothly even I almost wondered whether Id misunderstood Jaime.
Consider it logically, Pap, Lucas continued. Why would the ritual require the blood of the person who passed through? That person is gone and, in almost every case, not coming back. In most sacrificial rituals, if the original subject is no longer available, you must use the nearest same-sex blood relative, correct?
A brief pause. Lucass lips parted in a silent sigh of relief.
Yes, thats right, he said. Therefore you are the one in danger. I know youre extremely security-conscious already, but this will require additional protection. For the next twenty-four hours, you should excuse yourself from public life and
Lucas stopped and listened, frown lines deepening with each passing second.
Yes, yes, I do remember your mentioning it, but Pause. In this one case, I believe you have a reasonable excuse for not attending Pause. Yes, perhaps it would be a way to trap him, but Another sigh, this one audible. His eyes cut to me. Let me speak to Paige, and Ill phone you back.
Whats this about trapping Edward? I said as Lucas hung up.
My father is scheduled to make an appearance tonighta semipublic appearanceand he refuses to bow out. He hopes Edward will show up.
