Page 31 of Spirit Storm

"Or are about to be."

“How many lockstones do you think there are?”

“No idea.”

“How do we find out?”

“No clue.”

“And if we find the location of others, how do we stop him from breaking more?”

“All good questions.”

Dammit. Tharuzel has been the horizon of my nightmares for months. The monster that harvests souls and wears them like costumes. The monster with a vertical mouth full of shifting teeth and a chorus of the dead living inside his voice. I built my entire understanding of terrifying around him.

And now he's just a key to something worse?

When he broke free, I thought he'd torment and plunder and gain power for himself. But he's not trying to become something bigger. He doesn't need to.

He's trying to open a door to something even worse.

"I need to call Garrison."

CHAPTER EIGHT

It's nearly midnight by the time the Life and Death Brigade gang is gathered and ready to roll. After explaining what I felt during the breaking of the lockstones, Garrison agreed I should be on the ground with them, and not halfway around the world.

So, it’s road trip time.

We’re just waiting for our ride.

Rowan is sitting on the counter eating a piece of cinnamon-raisin toast.

Orion stands by the sliding glass doors with his arms crossed.

Wylder is checking his bag with the methodical patience of a man who doesn't want to be caught unprepared.

Asher is sitting on the floor, letting Nobuddy and Somebuddy say their goodbyes, which apparently requires extensive face licking.

And I'm still trying to figure out how big an area the warded array covers now that I know the first broken lockstone was in Ireland and the second was in Denmark.

"They like to listen to Pitbull while they eat," Asher tells Izzy. "Their favorite is On The Floor with JLO, but they like Fireball, too."

"They'll be fine," Izzy says. "I'll take good care of them, I promise."

"I know you will." He scoops Somebuddy up and holds her against his chest. "I just worry they'll think I've left them behind.”

"They know you love them."

Asher snuggles them in and gives them kisses. "I do. I love you, puppers."

Two Order envoys climb the steps of the back porch, and I give them a little wave. “Okay, guys, our ride’s here.”

I hug Izzy and thank her for dog-sitting for us, and then we’re all shuffling out the sliding glass doors.

One of Garrison’s guys stands at the far side of the porch and the other comes over to greet us. “Five of you, then?”

“Yeah, this is us.”