Read Online Raw Power: An Urban Fantasy Novel (Demon-Hearted Book 1) by Ambrose Ibsen - Free Book Online Page B

uh...”
    “Something terrible,” said Kubo, simply.
    My question had earned me curious looks from the other two. Joe smirked and shook his head, as if he were surprised at my ignorance. Isabella was looking at me, too, but her glassy eyes may just as well have been peering straight through me. Her head bobbed side to side and a few unintelligible words dribbled from her lips.
    “They're looking to summon up a powerful force of evil, a dark deity, to do their bidding,” continued Kubo. “And if they succeed, the Order is going to have a hell of a time. But never mind that. We aren't here to discuss what'll happen if they're successful. What's important is that we sense the threat and are moving to nullify it.” He turned back to the screen, the next slide showing a black, doubtful shape along a twilit street. It appeared hunched, humanoid, if only for its long limbs and the suggestion of a pale, leering face. The photograph was taken from a distance however, and was of rather poor quality. “Mater Agatha's coven is incredibly dangerous. The witches on her payroll are not rookies. They aren't your run-of-the-mill craft users who picked up some tricks on the street. They're ancient practitioners, all of them, and their insights into the craft are profound. We'll have to tread very carefully moving forward. The higher-ups have put this team together with the express purpose of hunting down these dangerous witches. They believe that our abilities make for good synergy, and I have to say that I agree with their choices. So long as we can get our acts together and follow directions, we should come out on top.”
    This last bit was evidently directed at yours truly, for the way Kubo appraised me, arching a bushy brow. He looked at me like I was a kid he had to babysit, a contemptible liability.
      Oh, come on. What do you want from me? I wanted to throw my hands up. The demon's heart had been in place for, what, a day? I wasn't exactly feeling like Superman in that conference room, wearing a tattered hospital gown and reeking of piss. It was true that I'd gotten into some trouble; I'd done some shit the night before, had jumped out of a window and had somehow made it all the way out to that abandoned house in Flint-- on foot, no less. But this demon's heart wasn't really living up to the hype. Were they expecting it to turn me into Bruce Lee? Did they want me to just wake up and know what to do? These three weren't exactly being patient with me.
    “The coven is thought to be comprised of ten to twelve members, plus numerous familiars. They're running a tight operation, and this late in the game they're going to be extra careful. We're going to have to force them into conflict or hope they mess up and give themselves away. We have many feelers searching them out, but there's a lot of talent in their corner.” For my benefit, Kubo went on. “Normally, we hunt small-timers, or lone wolves. A coven of this age and strength is not at all a common target.”
    “Ok,” I replied. “So, our talents compliment each other.” I looked at Joe. “I know what you do, with your little fire thing, but what about Isabella over there?”
      Joe crossed his arms, his greased up hair quivering as he shook his head. “ Little fire thing , he says. Maybe I'll ask the chief to let me take you out back to show you more of what I can do.”
      Isabella stared at me blankly, and didn't seem in any hurry to respond. Thankfully, Kubo chimed in. “ She's a magician.”
      A magician? What the hell was that supposed to mean? I'd faced that coven of witches as a plain old human, and they'd torn me to shreds. Was I supposed to believe that card tricks and disappearing coins were enough to keep the savage witches at bay? Need I remind you that one of them turned her hand into a frigging sword and murdered me with it? “OK, cool. So, we've got, uh... a yakuza, a pyromaniac and David Blaine on our side. Neat .” Canvassing the room, I returned to