Risen (Haunted Series Book 22)

in that vein.
“Magic, island magic, can be used to escape the threat.  You have to be tricky.  Use things that have been given to you or you have taken.  The knowledge is within you.  The problem is, will you be strong enough to use it?”
A great shadow fell across them both.  Mia felt an unwelcoming chill.  She looked over her shoulder at Roumain.
“Mia, it’s time for you to leave.  I’ll have to put you on the role of parolees if you stay any longer,” Roumain said, walking up to them.
“Thank you for speaking to me,” she said to Guillaume.
“Save my daughter if you can,” he said, clasping her hand.
Mia felt a surge of energy move from him into her.  She wasn’t sure what just happened but knew it was something not to be discussed with Roumain.
“I’ll leave as soon as I can,” she promised.
Guillaume watched Mia disappear with the wave of Roumain’s hand.  He also observed a momentary weakness in the King of Purgatory’s aura.
“Are you alright, old friend?” Guillaume asked Roumain.
“She’s been through a great deal.  I can’t save her,” Roumain said sadly.
“Mia’s heart is weeping.  You could have saved her that,” Guillaume accused.
“How can her heart weep for me?” he asked, surprised.
“Just like I can love many women, Mia loves too.  She may not take you into her bed, but you are in her heart just the same.”
“It’s too crowded there for my tastes,” Roumain said.
“Who are you trying to convince, me or yourself?” Guillaume asked.
Roumain turned and looked at the man.  “Why are you still here?  Move on!” Roumain ordered.
“Alas, I cannot.  The one that binds you here has also demanded that I atone.  It’s hard to atone for things that have brought me so much pleasure.”
“Your daughter is putting Mia in danger.”
“Maybe so.”
“I can’t interfere,” Roumain said.  “I’m being watched.”
“As we all are,” Guillaume commiserated.  “Don’t worry, old friend. Mia is a complex being with a lot of experience.  She stands a chance.”
“What is the danger she will have to face?” Roumain asked.
“The demon-with-no-name.  He’s ready to leave the island on which he was exiled.”
“I had forgotten about him.”
“You lie,” Guillaume said.  “But we will talk no further of him.  Come, walk me back to the pool. I must release more sorrow.”
Roumain extended his hand to the magician, but Guillaume waved him away.
“I can do this. I still have enough strength,” the magician said.
It didn’t occur to Roumain why Guillaume didn’t want to touch him.  His mind was on other things.
~
Mia looked at the people congregated in the office and drew from their courage.  The PEEPs had come without question.  Nicholai filled the end of the room.  His presence there attested to the esteem the birdman had for Mia.  Orion and he greeted each other and shared a few private jokes, much to the annoyance of Audrey who sensed they had something to do with her.  Acting-Sheriff Tom Braverman leaned against the wall, deep in conversation with Murphy.  Jake eyed each human and entity with the same disdain he gave Burt.  They were all equal pains in the butt in his eyes.  Dieter and Mark had been allowed to be there. Mia told the others that the two teens may have a perspective that could be overlooked otherwise.
“As long as you don’t intend on taking them with you,” Ted said firmly.  “They will want to go, but this isn’t their fight.”
“I agree with you,” Mia said.  “What about Sariel or Altair?” she asked Ted.
“It may make this thing political,” he warned.  “There is a supposed demon involved.”
Mia nodded.  She grabbed his hands.  “I don’t know how I survived before I had your counsel,” she admitted.
“To quote my favorite professor, McGonagall, ‘By sheer dumb luck,’” Ted said, drawing her close.
The warmth of what came after still made Mia blush when she thought about it.  She forced the memory into her safe space and cleared her voice.  “Friends, I have asked you here for your help.  Just like many seek out sages to gain answers, I’m asking you all for your advice to gain understanding and, hopefully, an advantage in the situation our associate Sabine has found herself in.”  Mia went on to give a detailed description of the investigation, Whitney Martin’s contact, Angelo’s request, and the information Mia had gathered from Guillaume and Roumain.
“Mia, Whit can’t conscript you into helping him,” Tom pointed out.  “It is a tactic the Feds use, but in this case, it’s not legal.”
“Thank you, Tom,” Mia said.
“Since the treasure hunt originated with a PEEPs investigation,” Burt began, “I’d like to keep track of it.  I would be willing to go with you if you choose to go.”
Mia was gobsmacked but didn’t show it.  “Thank you, Burt.”
“This demon-with-no-name doesn’t ring any bells.  I’ve been around for a long time.  Orion, do you know anything about this?” Nicholai, Mia’s trainer, asked the scribe.
“No, but I’ll head over to the Dark Vault and see what I can find.  I have a suspicion that its identity has purposely been obscured.”
“How evil does a demon have to be for it to have no name?” Audrey asked.
Orion answered, “Before the fall, there were many creatures that existed far from the light of day.  When the angels who fell cracked the earth’s crust, they inadvertently let out things that should not have ever breathed oxygen.  These creatures transformed and, with them so did their appetites.  Flesh-eaters aren’t rare in the demon class, but rarely do they actively cannibalize each other.  It’s more of a rite than a food source.”
“Where are you going with this, dear?” Audrey asked, her hand on the middle of her stomach.
“Oh.  If it’s a cannibal, then the demons may have exiled it to a place