Page 85 of Destined for Dreams
“It is not something we usually mention in front of your kind.”
Bartol supposed it said something they were hearing about it now. “What did we miss over the last week?”
“The attack here in Frankfurt was against Muslims this time.” Remiel’s lips thinned. “During Friday prayers, half a dozen mosques were filled with men, women, and children. They set their buildings on fire and stayed inside with none attempting to escape.”
“The demon must have used considerable power to keep that many people from saving themselves,” Caius said, shaking his head.
Bartol set his fork down, unable to eat more. “This is true, which is why he must have needed to siphon ours and other supernaturals’ strength.” He directed his attention to Remiel. “How many died in the fires?”
“Nearly one thousand.”
Bartol sat back in his chair, stunned. Zoe had warned the attack in Germany would be considerable if the demon wasn’t stopped in time, but he still hadn’t calculated that kind of loss, especially compared to the previous ones. “How are the authorities handling it?”
“Not well. All of their evidence points toward the victims not being trapped, but rather lighting the fire themselves and willingly staying inside, which is what is getting reported in the human media. But of course, there are those who refuse to believe such a story, especially with the tragedies happening at six mosques simultaneously. Tensions are running high, and authorities fear there may be retaliation.”
The Islamic world would be in an uproar. “Extremist groups will attempt retribution.”
“Indeed.” Remiel sighed, his features showing exhaustion he rarely exhibited. “This could result in thousands more dying without the demon having to do anything else, and it could assist him in generating more power.”
“Zoe said he’d attack again in London,” Caius pointed out.
The archangel nodded. “Yes, we heard that as well. Her nerou students have yet to be wrong, but we are not certain on the nature of the next attack. The only details the seer has been able to offer is that he envisions thousands of deaths with bodies and debris littering the ground.”
“You don’t have your own sources with more details?” Bartol asked.
Remiel sat back in his chair, frustration on his face. “None we can use in this instance. It is a rather complicated matter.”
“It always is with you people,” Caius muttered.
“There has been enough death already, and we have less than a week to stop the next attack,” Bartol said, unwilling to join his friend’s ire. He could get angry about the archangels not doing more as well, but he’d long since learned arguing wouldn’t do any good. “That’s not a lot of time.”
“No, it is not,” Remiel agreed.
Caius clutched his knife and fork as if he planned to stab someone with them. “The demon has to be unimaginably powerful after this last tragedy. If people start killing each other over the mosque fires, it will fuel him even more. This has to end now before nothing can stop him.”
Except it wouldn’t be easy. “How will we do that if he’s stronger than ever, and he has the Gregorian stones? We couldn’t get near himbeforethis last attack when he was weaker and an easier target.”
Bartol went on to explain to Remiel how they’d run into Haagenti in Prague, and what prevented them from fighting back.
The archangel was quiet for a moment. “It won’t be simple, and it is going to require a coordinated plan. We will need sensors who do not have angel blood to nullify the Gregorian stones. It is one of the reasons their race was created in the first place—to do that very job the last time this issue arose.”
“Good luck finding any volunteers,” Caius said. He continued with his meal, not appearing convinced that the first step could be accomplished.
Bartol had seen Melena’s bravery and had to believe there were others like her out there—without the angel blood. He wouldn’t rule them out just yet. “Assuming a few sensors do manage to get close enough to render the stones mute, who will fight the demon?”
“That is where the plan becomes more complicated. We have an answer to that, but it is one that holds quite a lot of controversy among my brethren.” Remiel rubbed his face. “But I don’t see any other choice if we wish to do away with the demon permanently.”
“What is it?” Bartol could not imagine them arguing over a solution if it could help, but who knew what sort of debates they had in Archangel Headquarters.
“You are part of it.”
Bartol stiffened. “What does it have to do with me?”
“Gregorian stones aside, you are no doubt aware you have unusual powers when it relates to demons—whether you use them or not,” the archangel replied, giving him a pointed look.
Bartol threw his napkin on the table. “I can’t control those powers.”
“You managed it once, mostly.” This came from Caius.
