We ended up in an unmarked car with Mike, parked in the lot while he put an APB out on the guys. He told close to the truth – a horrible assault, severe burns, the young woman was traumatized and, yes, in the hospital. No, he didn’t know if sexual assault had happened yet.

I didn’t care, but Seb tensed at those words. I knew I had to find these people before he did. For his sake more than for theirs.

I’d happily watch them burn. Well, except that they were probably disguised fire giants and utterly immune to fire.

I’d think of something, though. Maybe I was worried about Seb because I knew, right now, exactly how he felt. Because I knew what anger like this could do to somebody.

Even to me. I might not have to worry about ending up in Hell, but I could still poison myself.

“Thanks,” I said once Mike hung up. “But I hope you warned the cops they’re very dangerous. I’m pretty sure they’re disguised fire giants.”

The fyrhund, incidentally, had climbed into the back seat, still looking exactly like beagle, except that his tan bits were rather orange.

“I got that, but we’ll never spot them ourselves. I can’t promise we’ll spot them at all.”
“Clara might be able to do some kind of tracking spell when she’s feeling better.” Seb sounded a little doubtful. “But…”

“It might be a while before she’s up to magic. I think if anyone’s going to be casting spells it should be Bruce.”

“Bruce didn’t see them, though.”

He had a point, but I was certain if we waited for Clara to recover… “Let’s talk to Clara’s teacher, then. She might know how a witch can recover faster from a power drain.”

“Where does she live?” Mike asked.

“Old Town, right now.”

At that point, Kanesha showed up with the extra copies of the sketch, sliding into the back seat next to Seb.

Mike put the car into gear and we drove off. I had shotgun, staring out into the streets. We still had to worry about what was going on in Africa, we still had…and now this. I didn’t feel overwhelmed, though.

I was more waiting for the third thing to happen. Like celebrity deaths. Everything happens in threes.