then came running over to give me hug. Caeco got the next one, while the wolf watched us with unblinking eyes. Chris came around the corner, Toni’s father, Roy, just behind him.
Gina led us into the living room, making a hand gesture at the big black leather sofa. Roy shook my hand and Caeco’s as we sat down. Toni squirmed in between us while the grownups all found seats.
“So… what’s up?” I asked.
“A couple of things, Declan. A couple of favors to ask, if I can?” Chris asked.
I nodded and he went on. “I’d like you to look at the necklace, see if it’s okay, running properly or whatever it is that it does. That sort of thing. I also wanted you two to keep an eye on some folks for us.”
“Ariel and Ashley?” I guessed.
“Yeah. Ariel is the reason that my team and I aren’t locked away in a cell under the Pentagon.”
“She took that picture, didn’t she? The one of you in chains.” It was Caeco’s turn to guess.
“Yes, yes she did. And gave it to the media.”
“She seems pretty shy,” I noted.
“She is. She’s also a pretty gifted precog, but her gifts won’t help against any of the more predatory kids. Its one of the things we’re worried about. Normal schools develop a pecking order. In a school where a good portion of the kids are deadly, well, let’s just say we don’t want any blood shed.”
“What about the other girl… Ashley?” Caeco asked.
“Ashley has a unique form of telepathy that doesn’t work on humans,” Gina said. “Not all of the portals lead to Hell. Some lead to other worlds. On one of those worlds, Ashley’s abilities allow communication between the two dominant species. Without her, they are one mistake away from war. With her, they can trade and coexist. If it were up to them, she would be wrapped in bubbles and guarded at all times. But her father was able to negotiate a deal, one that allows her to come home to Earth on occasion and, in this case, study among her own kind.”
“But they’re worried about her safety here at the witch and werewolf boarding school,” I guessed.
“Exactly. All of our staff and all of the Oracle agents on site are watching out for her, but Chris thought you two might be able to help a bit.”
Chris snorted at her words. “Gina, these two are already more capable than most of Oracle, and they’re only going to get more skilled.”
“I’m not downplaying their abilities, Chris, I’m just telling them it isn’t their job. They have enough on their plates,” she said to him before turning back our way. “We just want you to be aware so you can keep an eye out. That’s all.”
“Okay, no prob. They seem nice. Now let’s take a look at this necklace,” I said, turning to Toni, who was wedged between Caeco and me. I reached over and gently lifted the silver chain with the big black teardrop from around her neck. Chris, Gina, and Roy all sucked in quick breaths.
“What?” I asked, startled.
“It’s just that no one but Chris has been able to take the necklace off her. It… resists.”
I studied it with my Sight for a second. My vision twisted so hard, I almost puked up my dinner. “Well, I did have a part in making it. Aunt Ash used my energy for her spell, so maybe it recognizes me.”
“Is that possible?” Roy asked.
“Magical objects can develop a kind of personality. Depends on the power and the sophistication of the spells that created it. With this thing, who knows?”
“What do you mean?” Gina asked.
“It was created from what I understand is an actual tear of God, infused with a portion of the aura of an… an…” I sputtered out and Caeco filled in.
“Angel,” she said.
“Yeah, and the spell that created it came from an ancient grimoire that definitely has a personality and awareness,” I said, again opening my Sight and trying to look it over. It was like trying to read a spinning book through a blurry looking glass.
“Has it done its job at all?” I asked.
“Four times, with tremendous effectiveness,” Chris said.
“Lethal effectiveness?” I asked, trying for casual.
“Twice, and twice with less than lethal responses,” he said.
“Really? Well that’s a good sign. Can I see your necklace too, Chris?”
He pulled it off, over his head, and handed it to me. Toni’s necklace was in my left and his in my right.