Page 56 of Spit

But when Legion or Katalina didn’t react, I thought I must have imagined it.

Trey didn’t seem happy to be back in the mansion. Though perhaps he was just tired, as his namesake Sin suggested.

Arlo quietly picked at a bowl of porridge, his head low as if he wanted to eat and get away from the table as fast as possible. I imagined he had something important to do—probably involving his Mass Spec or the whole host of lab equipment in the infirmary. I felt a sting of rejection when Arlo didn’t look up to greet me, but I told myself it was better that way.

Legion cleared his throat, placing his screen face down. “Children.” He warned. “Perhaps we should focus less on sniping at each other and more on finding our missing facets, hm?”

Trey said something, but the words were muffled against his arm.

“Yes, Trey?” Legion stared at Sloth.

With a put-upon sigh, Trey pushed himself upright. Every inch of the demonic male screamed teenage pouting, but I kept the observation to myself.

“Oof.” Sev laughed, and I realized he was watching me. “I know that face; it means you’re holding back somesharpwords.”

I gave him a look. “It’s not my fault my words are sharp, especially when your wit is too blunt to cut butter.”

Sev inhaled a breath before placing his hands over his chest. “Be still, my heart; give the lady a dagger so she can gut me fully before I succumb to my lust.”

“Shut up.” My cheeks burned.

“What was it you wanted to add, Trey?” Legion pressed, ignoring mine and Sev’s hushed conversation.

“Perhaps you should look into the other three human companies on the same street as Magicktek.” Trey rubbed his temple, eyes closed as if he were getting a headache. “Maximus Security Solutions is on the same street as Magicktek, and the ward could have belonged to them.”

“What’s the other companies?” Legion asked, turning to Arlo.

Arlo looked up, blinking as if he had only just realized a conversation was happening around him. “Happy Cow Pharma. They specialize in medical research.”

“Like Magicktek?” I asked.

Katalina scoffed. “Death and darkness, do you live under a rock?”

I gave her a look reserved for unruly bodies that refused to listen to their bodyguard. I said nothing but turned to Arlo for a response.

“FDA laws are sketchy in the Red Cities, as human law does not apply. Even in the Human Sector. As far as I know, Happy Cow specializes in livestock medicine. Namely enhanced growth hormones that allow bovine to grow thrice their intended size.” Arlo pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose.

“I doubt a company specializing in cows would want to take one of the city Stewards.” Sev rolled his eyes and reached for his cup. The liquid was red—wine.

“And the last company?” Legion wondered.

“Imports.” Arlo shrugged. “Darling-Moore Freight and shipping. Sustaining an entire city with no farmland or factories takes a lot of work. Everything has to be imported, and the routes must be maintained to ensure no demons escape. Though that’s more for PR. Demons are in the Red City because they wish to be. Humans very rarely are.”

“The wards belonged to Magicktek.” Katalina interrupted. Her eyes were hard. “I scryed for the Fourth and Fifth Circle Stewards, leading me to Magicktek.”

Legion didn’t offer her a reassuring pat or even an acknowledgment that she had spoken. “You said that Magicktek had runes carved into the floor of their reception?”

It took a moment to realize that Legion was speaking to me. “Yes.” I nodded stiffly. “I didn’t recognize them, but they looked similar to the ones on the city's walls.”

Legion considered my words. “All signs point to Magicktek at this moment.”

“What if there is something under the building?” Sev offered helpfully, sipping his wine and staring at Legion over the rim of his glass. “Would there be a subway system, or perhaps, tunnels?”

I shook my head. “As far as I’m aware, you can’t build underground because of the water. Lousiana has a whole lot of swamp.”

“To be sure.” Sev agreed. “It’s certainly wet and damp.”

“Those two words mean the same thing.” I pointed out.

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