Page 22 of Into the Fire

“Not for a very long time. Why?”

“A couple of people say they’ve seen a ‘flaming lizard’ in the fire before it vanishes,” Simon told her. “And I think there are some dark spirits drawn to the whole mess, not ghosts or demons, but bad news.”

“There’s never a dull moment with you, Simon,” Gabriella said.

“We’ll be back before closing,” Simon told Pete as he and Gabriella headed for his car. “What have you heard about the Ocean Visions?” he asked Gabriella.

“A mixed bag. Tourists who love haunted history or old buildings like the place. People who just wanted a nice room with a view complain that something feels off.” Gabriella gave Simon a knowing look as he drove. “I wish people would listen to their intuition. They know more than they give themselves credit for, and it would save a lot of clean-up work for people like you and me.”

“How about your ghosts? Are they noticing more activity?” Simon probed.

“Oh, yes. And they don’t like it, not one bit. I steer clear of the hotel as much as I can—bad vibes. But in the last week or so, that’s gone from creepy to downright evil. I don’t know what’s going on, but I’m counting on you to fill me in.”

Simon nodded and launched into his tale, recounting everything he had learned and who he had already talked with. “If the rumors are true and there’s a fire spirit behind the big blazes, that doesn’t explain some of the other things I’ve sensed. I’m starting to think there might be other spectral hangers-on drawn to the hotel’s energy, which is where my theory on the fire salamander and the dark ghosts come in.”

“That’s quite a story,” Gabriella said when he finished. “You’ve done your homework. But there are still pieces missing.”

“The regular ghosts told me that the fire spirit presence was bound, but not how to do the binding and make it stick,” Simon replied. “I’m hoping that we can figure it out, or we can reach the ghosts of some of the people who did the spell the last time.”

“That’s a tall order. And dangerous, because a consciousness like that isn’t going to want to be imprisoned again. The witches might have gotten the drop on it before, but it will be harder to capture this time,” Gabriella warned. “And quite possibly willing to kill to stay loose.”

“That’s just it, I’m afraid the longer the fires go on, the more likely it is that someone will die if it isn’t locked up again,” Simon told her. “We’ve got to stop it.”

“If we can rule out being a strong-but-regular ghost or some sort of demon, then that still leaves more supernatural presences than most people realize. I’m hoping I’ll know more after our visit.” She seemed deep in thought as they drove the short distance to the Ocean Visions. Simon parked a few blocks away, since emergency cones and sawhorses still blocked off the sidewalk and lane near the area most affected by the fire.

They got out of Simon’s car, and Gabriella stopped abruptly. “Can you feel that?” She sounded wary and surprised.

Simon stretched out his senses. He could sense an unfamiliar supernatural power clinging to the ruined section of the hotel, old and surprisingly strong. Simon recognized its vibration from his prior visit and the presence that had tried to breach the wards on the shop. He wrapped one hand around the silver medallion that hung from a strap around his neck.

“Yes, what are you picking up?” He wondered what someone with Gabriella’s experience and abilities might read differently.

Gabriella closed her eyes and lifted her face to the sky, as if scenting the wind. “It is very old, a force of nature like the wind and the waves.” Her voice was quiet. “It was here first. And like the storms and the oceans, people built where they pleased and believed they were in charge.” She took a deep breath and then looked at Simon. “The elements came before us, and they will exist after we are gone.”

“That’s all well and good, but what do we do in the meantime?” Simon asked. “We build walls and storm sewers and fire prevention systems. If the fire entity won’t coexist, we have to restrain it again.”

“Oh, I know that,” Gabriella agreed. “I just wanted to share what I picked up. The entity isn’t conscious in the way we think of it, but unlike minor storms, fires, and lightning strikes, it has enough presence to perceive self-protection and fight back against attackers. Like a shark: ancient, primeval, and focused only on survival.”

“Maybe sharks are a good comparison,” Simon mused. “If they leave us alone, we don’t go looking for trouble. But when they get a taste for eating people, we have to maintain boundaries.”

Simon stopped talking abruptly. He knew that the entity had become aware of them.

The wind kicked up, strong and sudden, buffeting them hard enough Simon changed his stance to keep his feet and moved closer to Gabriella protectively.

“Take my hand,” Gabriella said. “Hurry.” She held tight to Simon’s hand and stared up at the damaged hotel with a posture and expression that made it clear she wasn’t moving.

When she began to speak an incantation in Spanish, Simon sent energy through their link, supporting and protecting. He didn’t understand the words and didn’t need to. Simon sensed that Gabriella was placing a stopgap spell on the entity to limit its ability to do more damage. He willingly lent her everything he could to strengthen her as she wound her magic around the creature.

The entity raged, sending sparks flying from the charred section of the old hotel. Gabriella did not hesitate or slow down her chant, even though Simon sensed strong magic pushing back against the limits.

“Let it be so!” Gabriella ended her incantation, and the wind died immediately. Simon felt the creature’s presence recede, although its anger remained palpable.

“I bought us time.” Gabriella took a deep breath. “What I did won’t hold it for long, maybe a day or two. It will be even angrier when it gets loose, so we’d better figure out a long-term solution fast. And Simon, you should know there’s other magic here. I can’t tell much, it’s slippery as if it doesn’t want to be seen. Be careful.”

When they went back to Simon’s car, Gabriella reached into her large purse and withdrew a small thermos of strong-smelling tea and a packet of sugary biscuits. Her hand shook as she lifted the container to drink. Simon remained watchful, standing guard until she finished and gave him a nod.

“That took more out of me than I expected.” Gabriella passed the thermos to Simon, who took two large gulps of the tea and felt it banish his fatigue.

“I need that recipe.” He handed it back to her.