Page 73 of Cold Curses

“We get a pretty good accuracy rating using AI and machine learning to pull demon information from videos and news reports. That gives us a first draft, at least.”

“Hell of a time-saver,” Theo said with a nod. “And it’s appreciated.”

“Anything I can do, I’ll do,” Jeff said, then looked at me. “How’s Lulu?”

“Unconscious but stable.” I looked at Petra. “Your doctor cousin is in with her.”

“I know. She told me. Said Cadogan House is helping Lulu shed demon magic.” She tilted her head. “That why you look weird?”

“Part of it,” I said. “But I’ll do until margarita time.” If we had time for margaritas, what with the demon siege.

“Then let’s get to business,” Roger said.

At that, Petra shifted the screen to show demon statistics from the night before.

“They’re increasing,” Roger said. “More demons, more incidents. The vampires are assisting with ongoing incidents. Gwen, with the help of some surprisingly cooperative Feds, is working to process and hold the demons captured thus far.”

“Holding them?” I asked.

“They’ve built a containment facility and transport vehicles that have some sort of flux capacitor. Still in the testing stage.”

“I’m pretty sure that’s not what it’s called,” I said.

“Whatever it’s called, it has a membrane with a shifting magnetic field that absorbs magic. And we’re running out of cubes here, so…”

“You said they’re still testing it?” Theo asked.

“It apparently got too absorbent with a couple of deceased supernaturals they tested it on. Sucked the magic right out of their bodies.”

“Damn,” I said grimly, imagining supernatural husks on the floors of the cells. “That’s horrible. And I’m sure these will be used only for good, and not to attempt to turn other supernaturals into humans.” My voice was as dry as I could make it.

“Of course they will,” Petra said, her voice equally dry.

“The wards?” I asked.

“Nothing yet,” Theo said. “They’re trying alternate ways to reconnect the ley lines.”

“What about Dante?”

“The CPD is surveilling him,” Theo said. “He hasn’t done anything interesting. Still no word from Buckley.”

“Anything from the New York or mob angle?” I asked.

“I took that one,” Jeff said. “Found some online chatter about changes in the New York Mob’s leadership structure, but nothing I could link to Dante specifically or demons generally. If he was a higher-up, no one is talking about him online.”

I looked at Theo. “Any more incidents of the demon burning and copper ash? And sorry about the twenty questions. I’m playing catch-up.”

“It happened once during the day,” Theo said. “A couple of demons got into it. The survivor was turned to ash, and the incident was captured on a surveillance camera. We’re trying to get the video feed. The owner is demanding paperwork in triplicate before releasing it.”

“Do we know whose side the loser was on?” I wondered.

“Not yet,” Theo said.

“Before you ask,” Petra said, her voice tight, “there’s nothing on her yet either.”

I realized how tired she looked. Her face was wan, her dark hair was in a messy (for her) bun, and her eyes were a little puffy.

“Have you slept?” I asked her.