Chapter 9

CHAPTER 9

F aith pulled her key chain from her pocket and began playing with her kubotan. It was something she did often when she was irritated or thinking. "Even if we get the information on Asham, we can't just walk up to him and say, hey I hear you like to set up your competitors. Any chance you drugged Tegan?"

I snorted. "Yeah, that isn't going to work. If he or anyone else admitted to attacking a guardian, he would sign his own death warrant. The council would crucify him."

Faith's eyes met mine. "Trust the council would get what was left of him and it wouldn't be much. There is no cushy cell at the end of the rainbow for the guy who drugged you."

I held a hand up. "Faith, we need this guy alive."

Faith smiled sweetly at me. "I won't harm an innocent, and we need answers first. Even if this Asham guy wants to take Marco down, there were easier and more direct ways to do it. There is more to this."

I had to agree with her. Even though we had a working theory, it seemed incomplete.

Eve motioned outside. "I want to stop by the store. If this Asham guy attacks us, I want a few potions on hand. We can think up some ways to approach him on the way."

I had already been thinking of ways to approach Asham without him knowing who we were. If he was our suspect, then he knew what I looked like, and he would already know about Eve. "Could we use some kind of glamour?"

Eve shrugged. "That would disguise who we are, but changing our face doesn't give us access to his house. We need to come up with a plausible reason for being there. Maybe some reason to search his home."

Faith shook her head. "He would suspect any organization showing up out of the blue to search his house."

Salima tapped her finger to her mouth. "That's the key. You don't just show up. You respond to his call."

We all looked at her as she nibbled her thumbnail.

"What are you thinking, Salima?" Faith asked.

Salima pulled her arms close to her body, and it was painfully obvious she was unused to being the center of attention. At least not in a good way, one where people cared what she thought. "I saw an old router in the soulglass. It's the kind you use for a smart home. He has likely upgraded, but he is using electronics to run his appliances, sensors, and other applications inside the home. We simply need to disrupt them. He will call for you."

"How would you disrupt his systems?" I asked.

Salima smiled. "I'm a hacker. It's a mundane hobby and I don't take anything. I just like to break into anything I can to see if it's possible. I have been sanctioned by the council to use my skills, but only take what they authorize. They typically have me managing their accounts, but anyone can do that. Asham's home will be nothing for me, provided he hasn't warded his fridge or lighting system."

Faith's jaw dropped. "I knew I liked you."

Salima chuckled. "I can also redirect any calls from the house to come to us. I just have to go home and set everything up. I will need both my computers and a few things from the closet."

I turned to Nishi and Faith. "So Salima disrupts any systems in the house she can, and we wait to be called in. Eve, can you glamour us to look like repairmen?"

Eve nodded. "There are repairwomen too, though. I think this will be a mixed lot. Since Asham would be a top client, he won't think anything of them sending a full crew."

"How do we know which company he uses?"

Salima put her hand up. "Leave that to me. Once I break into his system, I will be back to tell you who set it up."

I turned to Salima. "Are you sure you don't mind helping us? Technically, we are breaking the law until we prove this guy is a black-market dealer."

Salima winked. "I live for this. And we know he is at least buying black market artifacts. That storeroom was full of them. It shouldn't matter if they are yours or not. It was all contraband."

I shrugged. "That is true. But this guy lines the council's pockets. Which means nothing to anyone but Caton and Lucinda. If I had to bet, it's one of them that is friends with Asham."

Faith shook her head. "His alliance with the council predates Rhain and Darick. We can't be sure who his friends were or are. And taking money from supporters isn't a crime. A lot of supernaturals donate to the council. They aren't all criminals."

"She is right," I said. "The council pays money to the guardians, as we can't hold down regular jobs when attending the vault. The council does need financial backing. Just not from criminals."

Faith pointed at the door. "I say we take Salima back to her suite and get the name of the company running Asham's systems. Then we can head to Eve's before going to see Marco. As much as I want this guy, we can't rush into anything."

Everyone agreed, so we left the vault, the air heavy with our shared resolve and unspoken questions. As we made our way upstairs, I grabbed my jacket, the fabric soft and familiar against my skin. The others followed in silence, each of us lost in our own thoughts.

Outside, the crisp air greeted us, a sharp contrast to the cool, still air of the vault. I got into the jeep with Faith and Salima, while Eve and Nishi headed to her vehicle. The engine roared to life, and we were on our way.

The drive to Salima's was quiet, the hum of the road beneath us the only sound breaking the silence. I glanced at Salima, her expression still haunted, her eyes distant. Faith kept her focus on the road, her jaw set in determination.

In no time, we pulled into the driveway of Mrs. Harriet's house. The flowerbeds were still damp, with the roses bright and swaying gently in the wind. Their vibrant colors seemed almost out of place against the backdrop of our current conundrum.

There was no sign of Salima's gentle landlady, and we exited the jeep in silence. We walked toward the side door that led to her suite, our footsteps crunching softly on the gravel path. The house loomed above us, a comforting yet somber presence.

Salima led the way, her shoulders tense but her steps sure. She unlocked the door, and we stepped inside.

As we entered her suite, the quietness of the house settled over us like a shroud. I looked around, taking in the sparse furnishings. It was a stark contrast to the tension that had followed us from the vault.

Salima moved to the table in the small kitchen, her eyes still reflecting the unease from our earlier encounter. Faith and I followed, our footsteps light on the wooden floor. I could hear Eve and Nishi arriving, the soft sound of their car doors closing signaling their approach.

Salima flipped open her laptop, then went to a closet near the lone bed and pulled out a second from a bag. She had some other equipment in the duffel she carried to the couch but returned to the table with only the things she needed before she set up the second computer.

Her fingers flew over the keys as Eve and Nishi joined us.

The monitor flashed several times, and her fingertips tapped the keys vigorously before she pulled up a website.

Salima leaned closer to the monitor. "Gotcha. Asham Wager is a priority client of Westhaven Securities. They are a supernatural-owned business but they have many high profile mundane clients too. I have his profile ID so I can log in and check all his systems. I will make sure he has some flashing lights and perhaps a false fire alarm or two."

Eve shook her head. "Not a fire alarm. That may notify the authorities. Just make it annoying things, like a beeping fridge or lights that won't work properly."

Salima nodded before her fingers flew over the keys again. "Eve, can I get your phone number? You have a believable and comforting voice. You can answer Asham's calls."

Eve handed her the phone with the number displayed to Salima.

We all waited in silence as Salima focused on her task. She hit a key purposefully and leaned back in her chair. "Now we wait for the fireworks."

Faith glanced at the screen, but there was only a picture of the Westhaven logo. "What is going on?"

"The fridge is beeping uncontrollably, and the bathroom lights won't come on. I hope this guy doesn't mind peeing in the dark."

Faith chuckled. "I doubt he will be the one who has to clean it up if his aim is off."

Nishi grunted before Eve's phone rang.

Eve glanced at the screen. "I don't recognize the number. Is that him?"

Salima nodded. "Or one of his staff."

Eve clicked the button. "Westhaven Securities, how may I help you?"

There was a beeping sound in the background before an older gentleman spoke. "This is Asham Wager. My goddamn house is having a meltdown. You assured me that nothing like this could happen."

"I am very sorry, Mr. Wager. We have noted a surge in the system. I will send a team out to diagnose and fix the problem immediately," Eve said.

"I want them here within the hour," Asham growled.

"Of course, Mr. Wager. You are a priority customer." Eve tapped the computer keys of Salima's laptop without looking at them. "My best crew is finishing up and will be en route to you. They are on the other side of the city and traffic is heavy," she said with a hint of fear in her voice.

"Don't be late or I will cancel my contract with you," he said before he ended the call.

Eve hung up and smiled at the rest of us. "I should have gotten an acting award for that."

Faith laughed, "I'll say. Now let's head out to see Marco before you glam us up." She grabbed her phone when it pinged. "Ignore that last comment."

Eve squinted. "Why?"

"Marco Madison is flying back from a meeting in Salem. I wanted to make sure he was in town. He takes these trips often. We are going to have to postpone our chat with him. Let's go fix the cable."

Nishi grunted. "It's not ideal, but we should have checked on Marco earlier. Still, we have a location and a reason to be in his house, so we can't pass this opportunity up."

"I agree," I said.

Salima motioned to the computers. "I have to monitor your progress from here. Hopefully, once you are inside, I can help you find the room. It's in the basement somewhere, but the soulglass isn't exactly a map. I may have exited the hidden room from a wall rather than the door." Her phone pinged, and Salima swore under her breath.

"What is it?" I asked.

"Lucinda. She wants me to report to the council chambers. I have to take the portal in the store."

"What does she want? Is someone sick?" Memories of Henriette's last moments still haunted me, and I knew it was only a matter of time before we saw another case.

Salima put her phone beside her laptop. "No. It was a scheduled meeting. She just didn't give me the time until just now. I have the feeling I won't get a lot of notice when being called into use for the Ravenholde coven."

"What is the purpose of this meeting?" I asked.

"It's to review my duties and supervision protocols," Salima said.

"What kind of supervision?" Faith asked.

Salima glanced away. "I am on a form of probation. The Salem coven doesn't want me back, so if Lucinda deems me unfit, then I will be severed from the coven in Salem."

Faith hissed. "Those jacked-up bitches."

Salima shrugged. "I'm used to it. I have been walking on eggshells my entire life. I'm always one misstep away from death."

Eve leaned down toward Salima. "I have experienced being severed. It is unpleasant, to say the least, but I didn't die."

Salima stared at Eve. "I thought the rumors were false. No witch should be able to create her own coven, especially with non-empowered members. But you are stronger than any witch I have ever met, with the exception of Tegan. Her power has evolved into something... else. In some ways, Tegan is more like a necromancer than a coven witch."

Eve nodded. "Tegan and I are aware of the differences in our magics. We made the mistake of combining them once and it had catastrophic repercussions."

Salima nibbled her lip. "Can other witches join your coven?"

Eve shrugged. "I have no idea. It's not something I would want to try without research. You have to be unattached to join a coven. As you know, we are inducted when we start to develop our magic. When it's of lower power, we don't need a coven to ground us. If I accept a new witch, she would have to be severed from her coven first, and if mine didn't take hold, she would die."

"How did you do it the first time? If you don't mind me asking?"

Eve sighed. "I don't know. I thought I was going to die and then Nishi, Faith, and Hunter reached for me. I am still not sure if I did it, or they did."

"You are lucky to have people who love you. A death bond is rare and only forms under those circumstances."

"A death bond?" Eve asked.

"I have seen it once. You have to be a necro to see the threads form." She glanced at me. "You might be able to see them."

Eve smiled at her. "That's remarkable. But you don't need to be connected to us to be our friend Salima. We will always be there for you, no matter what coven you call home. Come to the shop when you have some free time. I will get you some soaps and other supplies on the house to create a homier atmosphere here."

Salima swallowed hard, and I had to wonder if anyone had given her a gift since her mother died. "Thanks."

Faith motioned to the computers. "How do we rectify the glitches in the house after we retrieve the artifact? If all goes well, we would need you to shut it down so we can walk out without him knowing he was robbed."

Salima picked up her cell. "I have this system connected to my phone. I can monitor your progress from anywhere. Just text me any questions and let me know when to restore normal functionality."

Eve rubbed her hands. "Now, about that glamour."