Page 395 of Castings & Curses

MELINDA

"You sleptwith one of the angels investigating you? Really?" Riga asked as she sat with a cup of tea in front of her. "You could sleep with almost anybody…"

"I like her, and she likes me," I said, by way of explanation.

Now, admittedly it wasn't the best explanation out there, but it happened to be true. I sank back in the chair and glanced back at Riga.

"She's also very good in bed," I added, just because I found the comment entertaining. It was also true.

Riga rubbed her eyes, as though she was exhausted all of a sudden. "You're telling me things I don't need to know!"

"I suppose I am at that," I replied.

An impish smile formed on my face, and sure enough, I had Riga smiling before she could finish her cup of tea.

"So our task is to identify the kinds of magic the attacker has used," I said. "We know they flew when they attacked the archangel Raphael, so that narrows it down to deities, angels, demons, shapeshifters or shamans. Unless I'm forgetting anyone."

"Shapeshifters and shamans would fly by taking full or partial animal form. It's possible, but doesn't sound like the case here," Riga said. "Fae magic is also a possibility."

"Ouch, let's hope not," I replied. "Fae aren't supposed to have broken through into our world in several hundred years. We wouldn't want them to start now."

"I would guess we're either dealing with one of your kind, an angel or a demon, or a species hybrid," Riga surmised.

"A hybrid like a Nephilim?" I asked, remembering a previous discussion on the subject.

"It's possible," Riga said. "A Nephilim can be powerful, and so could another, similar hybrid. For instance, the offspring of an angel and a demon could become even more powerful than the child of an angel and a human. It's documented in some historical magical texts. There haven't been any instances that I recall of children born of angels and gods, or demons and gods for that matter, but that isn't to say it hasn't occurred. It isn't that they would need to be Nephilim, though. An angel, a demon or a god could become powerful enough to commit these crimes."

I tapped my lips as I gave it more thought. "When Aurelia gets back, it might be a good idea to ask her about the current status of demonic activity on Earth. My understanding is there are occasional instances of individuals breaking through, and a few operating in the shadows, but the old seals are holding — for the most part. Perhaps something has recently changed."

"The seals are always many times stronger than the being trying to leave hell. It's why weaker beings sometimes get out with outside help, while stronger beings have next to no chance," Riga explained. "If there were enough powerful beings helping them from the outside, they might be able to, but thankfully for us, there aren't."

"Could you use magic to detect how many gods, angels, demons or Nephilim there are in the city?" I asked.

"I'm afraid not," Riga replied. "The angels might keep track of their own… people," she said. "Gods — well, we know what you're like."

"Eh!" I replied, narrowing my eyes. "How many of those could best an archangel in a fight?"

"It depends on how powered up they are?" Riga asked, with a shrug. "A normal angel wouldn't. A god could, but there are very few with that kind of power. As for demons, I'd rather not think about it. And a Nephilim could."

"So that rules out most average-level angels unless they have an additional source of power — which they could. What do you call them, Seraphim?"

Riga nodded. "There are various types, but yes. Please continue."

"And as long as the seals of hell are intact, we can rule out a demon. So it's either a god, a Nephilim or another, similar hybrid. Quite possibly part-angel," I surmised. "It makes sense."

Riga nodded. "Most gods wouldn't care to target Misha Drake or our acquaintance, Raphael. It also doesn't make a lot of sense. It would be a strange play for a god, but perhaps not for a Nephilim."

"I will speak with Aurelia about it," I replied. "So what do you think? Does our reasoning actually make sense?"

"I think so," Riga replied. "It's a guess, but an educated one."

"Indeed. Are we still thinking of setting a trap? Using the stealth spell attracted their attention before. It might bring them to us again," I said.

"Not at this stage. We will need to ensure we have adequate help if that becomes the plan. We know what this being did to Misha, and you're like family to me, Melinda. I couldn’t bear losing you."

"Aww," I replied, beaming with a smile for Riga. "Sometimes I think you don't approve of me, and then you go say things like that."

"You know I do," Riga replied. "You just do my head in at times."

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