The relationship between the Wardens and law enforcement was an odd one since ninety-nine percent of the world was oblivious to the truth because of stupid rules. As far as I knew, only those in the highest echelons of departments knew what Wardens really hunted. Most of them found out through some level of demon exposure. Exceptions to the rules had been made, and some were brought into the know after proving they could be trusted with the truth. How anyone could prove that they were that trustworthy was beyond me, but Thierry once told me that officials in every state and within every federal law enforcement agency, from the FBI to the Department of Defense, and every intelligence agency in between, were aware that demons were definitely among us. Matthew had hinted at a super-extra-secret department within one of the agencies that dealt with demon activity. I had no idea if that was true, but if it was, were they tapping out on the whole Gabriel issue?
Couldn’t really blame them if they were.
“Apparently they received several missing-persons calls from families of construction workers who were working at the school on Saturday,” Dez continued. “None of the workers returned home or are answering the phones.”
“Oh, man,” I muttered around the hair tie as I gathered my hair and quickly braided the mess. That school was packed with lost souls. Most of them had been ghosts who hadn’t moved on and had become vengeful, angry wraiths. They posed a threat to anyone in that school, but they weren’t the only ones there. The school was bursting at the seams with Shadow People—the essence left behind by a demon who died—and they were far more dangerous and terrifying than a wraith having a bad day on the Mondayest of Mondays. All of the ghosts, wraiths and Shadow People were basically trapped there, waiting for the portal to open so they could enter Heaven, infecting it like a really bad outbreak of chickenpox. How in the world anyone could actually work in that building was beyond me, but the facade of restoration was in full swing. Even humans who didn’t believe in ghosts had to sense something off about the school.
“Yeah.” Dez nodded as he slowed the SUV down at a crosswalk. “A unit went out to check on it and they lost contact with them after they entered the building.”
Tying the end of the braid, I looked over at Dez. “That’s not good.”
“It’s not.”
“And let me guess, there’s more not good news to be shared.”
“Yep. Another unit went out to check on them. They went into the building and only one came out.”
My brows lifted. “Did the school eat the partner?”
“According to the cop, his partner was sucked into the ceiling by a giant black mass.”
My lips parted. “So, the school did eat their partner. Jesus.” I shook my head. “That school needs to be shut down.”
“Agreed, which is what I told the captain. Since it’s probably going to be a crime scene of sorts, it’ll stop people from going in for a short bit. She’s looking into what she can do to get the construction stopped more long term.” He turned right and we moved about a foot before stopping again.
I frowned as I stared out the window. Why in the world was there so much traffic on a Sunday evening?
Dez had a better question. “Did you happen to see a giant black mass the last time there?”
I snorted. “No, but I saw a crap ton of ghosts and Shadow People. I’m no expert on Shadow People, but that may be something they did—sucking someone through a ceiling.”
“This should be fun,” he commented. “I figured since you could see them and we can’t, it was a good idea to bring you in.”
I nodded. Made sense. “And something has to be happening there. As crazy as it seems, workers have been in there for how long without major problems. Before that, summer school? And the only thing I know that has happened has been a kid being pushed down the steps. So what could’ve possibly changed now?” I thought that over. “Then again, the spirit of Sam? He came back to warn Stacey to stay away from the school, because he sensed something bad was about to go down. I figured it was the portal he was sensing.”
“Maybe they wanted to clear the school out in preparation for the Transfiguration?” Dez suggested. “But that doesn’t make much sense.” He dragged a hand through his hair. “That’s at least two weeks from now.”
Looking out the window, I wondered if something had triggered the ghosts and Shadow People to become more violent? Or if it was just nature taking its course? Any ghost or wraith would become more dangerous the longer it was trapped.
“You’re awful quiet over there.”
“Sorry. Just thinking.”
“About Zayne?”
I shrugged. I hadn’t told him about my plans to go to the Crone, but decided against it. That was something better left not being shared until tomorrow. I had a feeling he would either try to talk me out of it or invite himself along.
Dez was silent for a moment. “Nicolai didn’t want me to call you in on this.”
“What?” I looked over at him.
“With everything going on with Zayne, he’s concerned you’ll be distracted.”
Me? Distracted? I almost laughed. “First off, I’m always distracted. I’m in a constant state of distraction.” I held up two fingers. “Secondly, I’ll admit it. Zayne is a priority. Right or wrong, I don’t care. But dealing with the Harbinger is still my duty. This is what I’ve been...bred for.” My lip curled. Bred? That sounded terrible. “This is what I’ve been training for. If something is going down with anything that has to do with the Harbinger, I need to be in on it. I can separate what’s going on with Zayne and with the Harbinger, and finally...” I stared at my three raised fingers and then lowered my hand. “I don’t have a finally. I just have one and two.”
Dez grinned. “I know, but he’s worried that this could be a trap. A way Gabriel is going to try to lure you out.”
“It could be,” I said, and Dez glanced over me. “I don’t know if he believes that the Wardens would bring me in or not. Maybe he does, but it’s not like he doesn’t know where I live. Imps and another demon showed up last night.”
“What? And you’re just now bringing this up?”
My eyes widened as Dez hit the brakes. A smaller red car had zipped out in front of him. “It’s not a big deal. I took care of them.”
“Not a big deal? You’re not safe there if Gabriel knows where you’re staying.”
“Gabriel has probably always known where I’ve been staying, and for whatever reason he sent his minions after me last night,” I pointed out.
“You can stay with us—”