Valiant Light (Demon Trappers Book 6) by Jana Oliver

Author:Jana Oliver [Oliver, Jana]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Nevermore Books
Published: 2017-11-24T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Sixteen

Beck’s call to Trevor took longer than he’d expected, mostly because the senior grand master wanted every single detail. After he’d had laid out Riley’s argument regarding the Unbound demons, there was a lengthy silence on the other end of the line. It grew so noticeable that Beck checked the cell phone’s display, just in case he’d been cut off.

Trevor finally spoke. “Ya have ta respect a lassie who’s willin’ to stand up ta a cardinal while inside those walls. Especially one like Richter.”

“What I don’t understand is why we’re rehashin’ stuff they’ve known for months. Well, except for the Isra thing. Why not get on with it?”

“They’re not known for movin’ fast. Usually they don’t need ta. What’s goin’ on has shaken the foundations of the Church. My guess is that they were ensurin’ Riley was completely above board before they asked for her help.”

“Yeah, well, she didn’t pass muster. I’m not too upset about that, to be honest.”

“Aye. Let me know when yer boardin’ the plane. I’ll make sure someone is at the airport ta pick ya up.”

“Thanks, I will.”

“’Night, lad. Stay strong.”

“We got no other choice.”

*~*~*

After delivering Beck to his room, Albero had arranged for Riley to be driven to the Vatican Gardens, a sizable green space on the western side of the enclave. Curiously, she’d rated a young Swiss Guard as her escort this time. His uniform was the dead opposite of camo, with wide stripes of blue, red, orange, and yellow, which made him look like a garishly plumed bird. Despite that, the way he held himself and the focused intensity with which he watched over her said she was in safe hands. The Vatican might not know what to do with Blackthorne’s daughter, but they certainly wouldn’t allow any harm to befall her. At least, not unless it was their plan to inflict that harm.

After wandering around for a time, keenly aware that the guard was about thirty or so feet behind her, Riley finally chose a stone bench. It sat near a series of sculptured hedges, which filled the night air with a woodsy scent. The temperature was dropping, and she regretted not bringing a coat or sweater.

Closing her eyes, she laid her hands in her lap. Perhaps this quiet place could help calm all the chattering inside her mind. It was both distracting and annoying, as well as a promise that she wouldn’t sleep well tonight if she didn’t shut it down.

When just sitting quietly didn’t do the trick, Riley turned to a meditation technique Ayden had taught her. This one required her to create a brilliant sphere of golden light and have it float lightly in front of her. She’d usually vary the size of the sphere, or the density of it, efforts that made her focus her thoughts and shut down the mental noise.

But doing magic here, thumbing her nose at the Church? No, this was their patch of ground, their rules. Instead, Riley visualized that glowing sphere inside her head and let it float around, clearing out the confusing thoughts.

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