Later, when everyone had gathered for the big meeting, Sebastian wished he’d allowed himself a bit longer to soak in that moment from earlier. It was far too chaotic having everyone gathered this time around as they all tried to talk at once.

There was Michael and the two boys from before, Terance and Joel; they were subordinates of the Lorelei clan and had moved here with Michael, Kit and Elsie. And apparently the arguing from earlier wasn’t unusual. They’d been bickering with one another since they’d come in, and Sebastian honestly had no idea what it was about – Michael just ignored the pair, so there was no sense trying to stop them.

Obsidian was keeping to himself – as usual – though he did seem less menacing than usual. Emily and Nick were conversing with the elves. Well, Victoria seemed to be doing most of the talking, and they all looked too stiff.

Persephone, Hayden and Lydia were talking about the interviews they had done that afternoon. Garret was speaking to Luke and Daisy about their day – those three seemed to be the least stressed of everyone.

Finally, Edmund decided it was time to actually get into what they had called the meeting for, and got everyone’s attention by using an old hand bell that they’d found up in the attic.

“Okay, um, thanks for coming everyone. I have no idea how to start any of this off, so let’s just get into it. There’s a water demon possessing a river in town.”

That announcement sent the room into a mess as people started talking over each other, trying to ask questions all at once – prompting Edmund to ring the bell again for order.

“Right. It’s already caused some problems for the nearby houses. Dad, you said people have been complaining about their water being cut off?”

“Yes. Lots of folks have been calling the station in hopes of getting help with the plumbing companies. I guess they can’t do anything against this…”

Edmund shook his head no, and Garret sighed.

Persephone then asked. “What kind of a water demon is it, exactly? And how did it even get here?”

“Terence, Joel, fill everyone in, please.”

Sebastian looked over at the pair and frowned as he noted they’d been shoving each other. The amount of fighting these two had done in the short time since Seb had met them was almost as impressive as it was annoying.

Terence spoke up first. “The water demon is a vengeful spirit – specifically targeting this idiot.”

“You’re the idiot – demons aren't spirits. And she’s targeting the surrounding area.”

Lydia frowned. “Please don’t tell me one of you was dating this demon.”

“That would be the idiot,” Terrance answered at the same time that Joel replied, “I didn’t know she was a leviathan!”

“Oh, hell no.” Persephone groaned.

“Um, what’s a leviathan?” Garret asked.

“An abomination.” Obsidian spat.

Sebastian noted that the dragon seemed… uncomfortable. It wasn’t tense in the way he had been around Quiver. It was almost as if the mention of this demon… scared him. And that was certainly a frightening thought.

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“That’s rude, Sid.” Nick chastised.

“But not totally wrong.” Persephone grumbled. “They’re a crossbreed of demons and dragons that usually take the form of a large water snake thing. They’re rather rare, but overpowered and ruthless. They also tend to smell like dead fish.”

“That’s what she smelt like when we saw her down by the river.” Terrance declared.

“If you got away from her, then she must not be settled in just yet. That’s good.” Hayden thought.

“Well, it was more that she was too upset to smite us properly just then.” Joel explained.

Victoria raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”

“Uh, well…”

“Joel broke her heart and she burst out crying.”

“I didn’t mean to – but I broke up with her before we moved here, and then she surprised me by just showing up saying stuff about following wherever I went because she loved me. And I didn't want to lead her on, so I asked her to meet me by the river. And she thought I was breaking up with her because of Terrance which was just – no. Ew. Never, in a million, billion years –”

“Okay, we get it. Shut up.”

“You shut up!”

“Both of you can shut up.” Michael snapped at the pair before quickly schooling his features. “I’m quite sorry for our arrival bringing this problem into your territory. Unfortunately, we also are unable to do anything ourselves against the leviathan because our powers are water based. And using any water nearby could be as fatal as poison to us now.”

“That is not great. But fighting against a leviathan wouldn’t kill it anyway. At least not completely. They just revive themselves.” Persephone muttered.

Hayden nodded then added, “The only way to get rid of one, is an exorcism spell.”

“Will that be hard?” Seb inquired.

“The spell is rather… complex. It would take you and I both working in sync to completely [eject] the demon. But keeping the demon from killing us while we’re working is going to be the hard part.”

“You’ll need to be in a meditating sort of state during this spell – and at least close enough to see the river itself. So you’ll be vulnerable to physical attacks.” Persephone added. “I’ve fought a demon or two in my day, but it usually takes a group. Especially for one this big.”

“If we have to face this thing down, then I suppose I could join the fight.” Emily declared.

Sebastian looked over at her. “You can fight?”

“She’s a brilliant swordswoman.” Nick boasted.

“I haven’t picked up a sword in nearly two decades – so chances are I won’t be as good as I was.”

“But you can fight.” Edmund thought aloud. “This isn’t going to be an easy thing. Those of us who won’t be fighting or doing the spell should make sure no civilians get mixed up in all this.”

The group got so engrossed in planning, that they didn’t notice Obsidian slip away. Except of course for Sebastian. Something in his gut was telling him that he should talk with him – privately. With everyone else occupied, now seemed like the best time. So he took the chance to slip away too.

He caught Edmund’s eye as he was leaving and mouthed that he’d ‘be right back’. Ed nodded and focused back on the others.

It took several minutes to find Sid. But Seb eventually found them out on the back porch. He didn’t react to Sebastian’s presence. But he still looked stiff and nervous – leaning his back against one of the pillars and staring down at the floorboards.

“Hey. Why’d you sneak off?” Seb asked.

Obsidian didn’t look up. He was silent for a couple seconds before replying, “I can’t help you.”

“You can’t, or you won’t.”

Sid finally did look up, and for once, his expression wasn’t foreboding. In fact he looked… sad. It was a shock to see so much raw emotion on their face.

“I would if I could kid. But I can’t.”

“Why?”

“Because without Kerkenstar I have no power.”

Seb frowned in confusion. “Kerkenstar? The pocket dimension you lived in?”

Obsidian nodded. “I was born there, and my powers don’t… work right here. I have my usual heightened senses but… I can’t change out of this form.”

“You mean, you’re stuck as human?”

Sid nodded.

Sebastian recalled how threatening the dragon had been acting towards everyone since arriving. How pessimistic he’d been. The argument with Edmund about protecting everyone, and his reaction to Seb snapping at him.

If they had lost their power – their strength to defend themselves – it explained why they were such a jerk. Even if it didn’t justify it.

Sebastian wasn’t sure what to do with this new information. But before he could fully process it, Obsidian pushed himself away from the pillar, walked off the porch and disappeared into the woods.