JD didn’t answer, instead focussing on the area around the eternal flame. After studying the ground for a few moments, he pressed his foot on a large, round gemstone, and a section of the floor started to move. Harlan leapt back, and Nahum pulled Olivia out of the way.
“Bloody hell,” Jackson said crossly. “You should warn us.”
JD was unperturbed. “I wasn’t sure it would work. I’m wondering if there are walkways through all this.” The section of floor continued to move, rearranging the circular table, and swinging the three-legged stand over the eternal flame, including the large crucible. “Ah, good. I was hoping that would happen. I suggest,” he said, looking up at all of them, “that you leave me to it. I’ll work it out better if I’m uninterrupted. You, Nahum, need to get your brothers to bring the jewels here. I think I know how to release them from Belial’s grip. Or I will when I practise on that one.”
“All of them?” Nahum had tipped the ring into his palm, but now he looked up, shocked.
“Why not?”
“I’m not sure I like that idea, JD. It’s a long drive. If the other Nephilim come back…”
JD turned to him, lips pursed. “But it’s all in a spelled box, right?”
“Yes, but—”
“Then it’s fine.”
“It really isn’t. If Jiri and his bloody team are watching the house, they could pounce on them.”
“I doubt it. They will have gone to lick their wounds. Besides, you said they didn’t know where you live. “
“I don’t think they do, but we didn’t think they’d attack us here, either!”
“Do you want this to be over?”
“Yes, of course…”
“Then get them here. Now!”
“Are you saying you could do this tonight?”
“I thought you said the sooner the better? Aren’t Gabe and your other brothers about to fight Jiri?” JD’s foot was tapping the ground again, and Harlan wanted to throw something at him when he was in this mood.
Nahum remained calm. “Yes, they hope to.”
“So, no time to waste!”
“But,” Harlan interjected, “don’t you need to experiment, or practise? Or just make sure you know what the hell you’re doing?”
“Harlan, you blistering nincompoop, what have you just told Olivia? I have been studying alchemy my entire life. I am not coming at this blind! And this place offers me all the tools! I can do it. I know I can. Are you sissying out now?”
“Will there be consequences?” Harlan stepped closer, refusing to be intimidated by JD.
“To us, probably not. To Belial, yes. At least I bloody well hope so!” He looked at the group’s uncertain expressions. “Well? Do you want to just sit around and twiddle your thumbs?”
“JD,” Olivia said, laying her hand on his arm, “what you’re proposing is big. We hoped that it would happen—we just didn’t expect it so soon. All of this is incredible. I feel like I’m in a fairy story, or Aladdin’s cave. It’s the speed of everything that is so unnerving. You have to remember that we’re not as brilliant as you.”
JD liked Olivia far more than he did Harlan, and his expression softened. “Sorry. I know, but this is tremendously exciting. This is an alchemical playground for me, and it’s exactly what we need. The important question that you must ask yourselves is whether you trust me, because there’s no way that you will understand anything of what I will do.” He stared at each one of them in turn. “I’m on your side, you know that. I helped you destroy the count. I will help you do this, too. And then,” he grinned unexpectedly, “I wish to be left alone for months so that I can study this place properly, without interruption. Does that sound fair enough?”
“Well, I trust you,” Jackson said, “and you’re right, I have no idea what the hell any of this does. However, I’ll help you in any way possible.”
The rest of the group agreed with him, and Harlan smiled. “You’re a mad old bastard, JD, but you’re our mad bastard. I’m in.”
“Wait!” Nahum demanded. “You can’t handle the jewels. Belial will possess you. I won’t allow it.”
“Then you will have to help me. I have no intention of being possessed, thank you very much!”
All eyes swung to Nahum. He sighed, and then reached for his phone as he headed for the stairs. “I’ll call them.”
JD wafted his hands at them. “Shoo! Everyone else out, too. But be ready for my instructions!”
Harlan was the last one up the stairs, and he took a last look at JD exploring his new workshop. What the hell were they getting themselves into?
Shadow studied her brothers. She had rarely seen them so tense, but this wasn’t any ordinary meeting they were waiting on. It was a meeting with Ozan. The Nephilim had phoned Gabe, and they had arranged to meet at a neutral location.
They were on the terrace, scanning the surrounding area, and checking their weapons. Shadow wished Niel was with them. She had absolute faith in everyone there, but Niel was a useful addition to the team.
“I suggest,” Shadow said, “that only Gabe and I go. If it’s a trap, then at least we won’t be caught. Not that they’ll catch me, of course. I am fey.”
“Being fey,” Estelle said with a bite to her voice, “will only get you so far.”
“But I’m your secret weapon.” She knew that statement would irritate Estelle, and although they had come to a truce, she couldn’t resist teasing her. “Belial does not see me, and his tokens have no power over me.” She tapped her long bow. “Plus, I have this. I can stay far enough away so that I am not seen, but still be close enough to be deadly if Gabe is compromised.”
Barak shook his head. “I still think we should watch from above, but we’ll keep our distance. I bet he’ll have backup, too.”
Gabe nodded. “Yes, he probably will. But just Barak. The rest of you stay here—including you, Ash.”
“If you’re not back within an hour, I’ll come looking for you,” Ash promised, “and I won’t spare anyone if you’re hurt.”
