"It's not like I actually have a choice in this." And to be fair, neither did he, apparently.
"I guess." He half shrugged. "Go on."
"He said there was blood magic involved—that it was used to transport the thing that did this into the house, and to also hide its form. Handberry's last memories showed little more than a vague, smoky mass."
"So we have a dark practitioner at large." He flicked on the turn signal and turned onto Hoddle Street. "Do you think Ilianna will know if there's one active in Melbourne?"
"It's worth asking." Neither Ilianna nor Mirri was a member of a coven, preferring to practice inpidually, but both had some serious contacts in the witch world. If there was a Charna active, those contacts might have heard whispers. Or at least felt the wisps of his or her evil.
"And if she hasn't heard anything?"
I scrubbed a hand across my eyes. "I don't know."
Tao was silent for a moment, then said, "What about looking for the connection between the little girl and Handberry? If blood magic was involved, then it surely couldn't be a random attack."
"That would involve running a complete background check on both victims. Neither you nor I have the skills for that sort of hacking." And I couldn't ask Uncle Rhoan. He'd kill me. Or lecture me, which was usually worse.
"But Stane has. And he loves a challenge."
I frowned. "I don't know. This situation could get very dangerous. It's bad enough that I've involved you and Ilianna."
"Stane is more than able to take care of himself—"
"Not against something that is transported by magic and can steal souls."
He made a frustrated growl, then said, "Do you want this solved or not?"
"Yes, but—"