Page 129 of House of Malice
Val nodded. “Yeah. Jolene has the spell and the ingredients. So we can effectively do that once we’re there.”
“Okay, but how do we transport the paintings from his place to ours?” Andro asked, frowning. “Is it even safe to do so?”
“We won’t bring it here,” Val said. “Rogue will take the paintings to a safe place.”
“And that safe space is what?” Andro asked, crossing his arms. “The Black Market?”
“Yes,” Val said, her facial expression flat. “There it will be safe from the Dean and anyone else who might be on his side.”
“Like whom?” Alecto asked. “You think he has allies inside the academy?”
“Professor Namiad,” Val said. “She helped him poison the victims. I’m sure she knows at least something about his plan.”
“What are we going to do about her, though?” Blaze asked.
“Once the Dean is gone, she won’t be a problem,” Val said. “Our alumni can deal with her afterwards. Now, Galia will meet us at the Dean’s house. She’s familiar with the place, so she will help us get in and navigate it.”
They all nodded. For a moment, nobody said anything, and they sat in silence.
“Alright,” Val finally said. “Let’s get on with it and put an end to this threat to our House once and for all.”
50
They arrived at the Dean’s house on the edge of Darly a few hours after sunset. It was already dark when the door to their carriage flew open and revealed iron gates and a long gravel road leading up to the house.
It was a grand two-story Victorian home with large gardens surrounding it. Alecto had never visited the place, barely even though of it. But from the Dean she knew at Venefica, it seemed very out of character for him.
Or maybe she didn’t really know him that well. She sure as Hel didn’t think he was the one behind trying to ruin their House.
“Alright, Jolene, set up everything we need for the spell,” Val instructed.
She looked around. The Dean’s home was quite remote, surrounded by fields and a forest. They were the only ones here.
“Where’s Galia?” Andro asked. “Isn’t she supposed to be here?”
Val sighed. “Obviously, she’s late.Again.”
From her little tote, Jolene pulled out a small bronze bowl, which she placed on the ground right in front of the iron gate. Then she took out a handful of herbs, a deep purple crystal, a dried chicken leg, and a piece of sea glass and placed it all inside the bowl.
She unsheathed her athame from her thigh and drew a circle and a five-point star around the bowl.
They waited for her to finish, looking around. Alecto wasn’t sure if it was a good sign that Galia was late to meet them.
“Hand me the vial,” Val said, reaching a palm to Rogue. He smirked, looking at her. “Now.”
From his pocket, he fished out a small glass vial with black liquid inside and handed it to Val. Alecto frowned.
“What is that?” Alecto asked. Val slipped the vial in her bra.
“Demon blood,” Val said. “Just in case.”
Smart.
“Okay, I am ready,” Jolene said. “Are we going to wait for Galia?”
Val jerked her chin at the circle. “Let’s not waste any time.”
They all took their spots around the circle and linked their hands.
