Page 59 of Goblins Don't Count
I heard Gabby’s voice in the background. “If this wasn’t ‘protector of humans’ business, I’d be seriously upset right now, Sweetheart!”
I took a deep voice. “Yes. It was incorporeal, but capable of acting on objects, such as a goblin bomb he threw at me, and a sink he exploded. He grappled with goblin magic, and it appeared as a wave of red light. He could fade at will, and of course controlled Lieutenant Joss’s mind, not entirely, because he was crying as he fought the compulsion to shoot himself, but in the end he pulled the trigger.”
“Sounds like you had a fun time. A goblin bomb? Did you get your injury looked at?”
“Yes. It’s just a scratch. All the shrapnel got pulled out right away.”
“Don’t scratch it.”
“I wasn’t going to. I’m not unaware of the effects of goblin bombs.”
“Of course you aren’t.”
“Who do you have guarding the other summoning points?”
“Gargoyles.”
“Oh.” Usually no one admitted there were gargoyles.
“Yes. The Gray Society is heavily invested in preventing the summoning of greater demons in Singsong City.”
“Glad to know you’ve got it handled.”
“Somewhat handled. The demon you’ve blocked isn’t a nice guy. He should be locked up in a special dimension created by angels for the purpose, but somehow he got out.”
“You think there’s an accomplice?”
He said, “Of course. That’s why they dragged the Representative in there along with your boss. Otherwise, it’d be the cleaning crew and the night watch that would have gotten killed. And they’d all be finished in the same night. You need to find whoever released the Coratta demon, because that host is its weakness. Probably its only weakness. Do you want to stay with us? We have an extra room, and I promise not to let Gabby be too affectionate with me. I know it makes you uncomfortable.”
I groaned while Gabby grabbed the phone, hissing at him. “Like saying that doesn’t make her five times more uncomfortable. Your people skills have somehow gotten worse. Sorry about that,” she said to me. “Anyway, where were we? Oh, right! Yes, definitely come stay with me, or my mom, although her PDA with Vincent is downright scary. Also, she forgets to wear pants. But you know that.”
“I’m fine. I’m staying with Sashimi.”
“The Goblin Authority? Sorry, but how is that a good idea? I mean, you said you were dating him, sort of, but moving in together after one date?”
The way she said it made it feel weird. She didn’t understand about the whole protector thing since I was ten. “My mom found out I’m a cop. I needed some space. Anyway, I’ve got to get to work. Thanks for the help. Sorry I didn’t tell you what was going on.”
“No, you aren’t. You’re a secret keeper. You always have been. But you aren’t turning into a goblin anymore?”
“Not noticeably.”
“Good! Not that I wouldn’t think you were the best, even if you had green skin. And pointed teeth. I’m saying that the shape of your teeth doesn’t define you.”
“Thanks. That’s always good to hear. I really appreciate the help, Gabby. Tell Apples thank-you for me.”
“Oh. You don’t want me to punish him for stealing my phone even though he was so rude at the end?”
“Nope. It’s amazing the kind of information about demons he has in his head.”
“He has a lot of things in his head. Manners, no, but he really knows trivial details about some interesting things. Fine, I won’t punish him, although he likes to wash the cabinets. Call me if you need anything, and if you need a place to stay, promise to let me know, okay? Goblins aren’t your only options.”
I snorted. “Thanks. Bye.”
“Bye!” She hung up violently, leaving me to look up Coratta demons.
Terrifying. They could throw their aural energy away from their host. They always had a host. Someone really must have released the creature from its prison. Coratta demons possessed people. Thus the forcing the suicide victims to its will, but they could only do that to a corrupt person. So Jossy was corrupt.
I pulled out the files in my briefcase and started taking pictures of everything, sending them to Gabby in case these files were also destroyed, like everything else that had been in my office. And my car.
