Page 99 of Cold Curses

“Wards are more important,” I said. “We can’t make a dent in the scourge until they close the doors. And the fewer supernaturals on that boat, the better. To demons, we’re weapons.”

* * *

Dante’s ship had embarked from Navy Pier, a tourist attraction that stretched into the Chicago River and held the famous Chicago Ferris wheel, in addition to restaurants and event venues. There wouldn’t be many humans out, so we waited there for the coast guard ship and to get our magical vaccinations.

Aunt Mallory didn’t spray us down with a hose, but the pesticide canister and sprayer didn’t seem much better.

“It was clean,” she said. “I promise.”

I nodded, closed my eyes as a cool mist that smelled like a day spa was sprayed on my face, clothes, hands, feet. The same was done to the seven others who would board the coast guard’s boat—me, Theo, Gwen, and four cops. More cops would follow in CPD boats, and the Feds would be waiting at the dock with their transport.

When we’d been spritzed, Aunt Mallory walked down the line,frowning as she surveyed us. “You’ll do. Don’t wash your hands until you’re done. The demon bane will wash off.”

“Demon bane sounds much cooler than demon marinade,” Gwen murmured. “But it doesn’t make me feel better.”

“You’ll be fine,” Theo promised. “Demons don’t seem to notice us much.”

“And now your medals of honor, so to speak,” Aunt Mallory said, pulling a folded piece of emerald fabric from her pocket. It looked like silk, and I wondered if she kept magical supplies in her vehicle. Like a charm caboodle.

She opened the fabric, pulled a chain from a small glass vial. “I’m told this one’s for you,” she said, slipping it over Gwen’s head.

“And for you,” she said, pulling out a second one and holding it up for me.

A silver disk gleamed in the streetlight, and I recognized it immediately. It was my mother’s Saint George medal. He was the patron saint of warriors; the medal had been given to her when she joined the Red Guard, a no-longer-secret organization that had been established as a check on Master vampires in the House system.

A small twig also hung from the chain. As far as I was aware, that wasn’t a gift from anyone.

“Something from your mom and Chicago to help boost the magic,” Aunt Mallory said, and I looked at my mom, nodded. She nodded back.

“Do we need to do anything?” Gwen asked. “I mean, to turn them on?”

“Nope. Just keep them on your person. They’re warded successfully,” Aunt Mallory said dourly, so I didn’t need to ask how the city ward repairs were going. “They will give you little umbrellas of protection. And like with the spritz, they may notcompletely block the big stuff. It depends on how powerful the demon taking the shot is. But they should significantly minimize the effects.”

“Thanks for the rush,” I said. “I know you have a lot on your mind.”

“Exactly why I prefer to think about other things,” Aunt Mallory said.

“Random question,” I said, as someone handed me a very bright orange life vest. “Have you been having weird dreams lately?”

Her brows lifted. “No more than usual. Why?”

“Never mind,” I said.

“All right,” Gwen called out, “let’s get started.” She waited a moment for quiet. “There are currently seven demons aboard,” she continued when she had everyone’s attention. “That includes Dante. You’ve all got the floor plan, and the host staff reports they’re sitting in a conversation area on the upper deck. There are couches and chairs facing the windows.”

“How often does the host go in?” Theo asked.

“Every fifteen minutes or so, unless someone calls her up. There’s a bar on that deck, but Dante didn’t pay to staff it.”

“Wanted the privacy?” I wondered.

“That would be my guess. I think you go in from the front and let him see you,” she said to me. “While he’s reacting to that, we’ll come in from the back.”

“He’ll probably try to use magic,” I said. “So, be prepared for it, but remember we’ve been treated. If he really wants to play businessman, he’ll come with us without incident.”

“And if he doesn’t?” a cop asked.

“Then use Tasers if you need to, and magic cuffs when they’re down,” Gwen said. “The minions, his people, shouldn’t be as much of a problem. But he’s strong, so keep him in your line ofsight as much as possible. We cuff them. We bring them downstairs. We get them into the boat and back to the dock. The Feds will take custody formally when we reach it.” She looked around. “Any questions?”