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it.”
    â€œNo, exactly the same kind. He was one of my father’s students. Also a former priest and half-demon. Walter Alston takes a more active approach to the study, though.”
    â€œRaises demons, rather than just reading about it.”
    Adam nodded. His expression gave away nothing, and he had chosen his words with care. It was fascinating to watch, especially when I could remember a time when Adam had been just as forthright and volatile as me. In private, I’d still see that side, but put him into a council situation and it was like dumping a vat of ice water on his fire. He became the perfect diplomat, cool and calm. And it was a good thing he’d learned the knack, because I sure as hell hadn’t.
    â€œSo how bad is Alston?” I asked.
    â€œHe’s not bad at all,” Adam said. “He’s an expert in his field.”
    â€œHa-ha.”
    Holly cut in. “They call Walter the anti-Robert. Everything Robert Vasic stands for—understanding demons, treating them with cautious respect—Walter disagrees with. A typical student rebelling against his mentor’s teachings. If you want to make a deal with a high-ranking demon, he’s your man. He’ll summon it and negotiate a bargain . . . for a price. A very high price.”
    My heart sped. An expert in the art of summoning powerful demons? The kind of demon who could take away—and return—my powers?
    Adam glanced over. I tried for a poker face of my own, but knew I hadn’t managed it.
    â€œSo you think Walter is connected to this new movement?” Adam said. “From everything I’ve heard, he doesn’t sound the type.”
    â€œHe’s not. Apparently, two people came to him a week ago, wanting him to contact a lord demon. He named his price. They started preaching at him, going on about how supernaturals shouldn’t have to hide their powers, how the time is right, the stars are aligned, the omens are in place.” She fluttered her hands. “New Age crap. I can’t believe people fall for it.”
    I looked around the room, at the tarot cards and astrology charts and scrying bowls. “No, I’m pretty sure you can believe it.”
    She smiled. “Which makes me an expert in recognizing it. Walter, too. We’re old. We have no interest in such nonsense. We know how dangerous exposure could be. He wasn’t buying what they were selling, but if they wanted to buy what he was selling, they could do business. Apparently, though, they hoped he’d summon the demon as a donation to the cause. He sent them packing.”
    â€œWhat demon did they want to contact?” Adam asked.
    â€œI have no idea. That’s Walter for you. He’s a stickler about client confidentiality. Has to be, in his business. Though that doesn’t stop him from calling up his old friend, Holly, and bitching about it for an hour. No names. No details. Just general old geezer whining.”
    Adam looked at me again, then said, “Can we talk to him? See if he’ll tell us any details?”
    â€œI doubt he will. But I’ll give you his address. I’m sure he’d love a visit from his archenemy’s son. It’d give him something else to bitch about.”

eight
    H olly took us into her apartment for coffee. I was eager to pump her for leads on the witch-hunter, but one glance from
    Adam warned me to cool it. He was right. No one likes it when friends pop by for a visit, only to get what they came for and leave. That goes double for old people.
    So we had the coffee. Gingerbread spice. I’m not much for flavored brews, but it was a damned sight better than the candy cane one she poured the last time.
    â€œDo you remember Wanda Mayo?” I asked. “A witch friend of my mom’s?”
    â€œWitch acquaintance,” Holly said. “Your mother didn’t have friends.”
    â€œYou were her friend.”
    â€œPerhaps.” Her