Chapter 237 - Aftermath

"You restart the spell, and I will check on things," I said and concentrated on the auras around.

The first place I looked at was the one where we left JJ and Bob. To my relief and pride, JJ appeared to be unharmed, and so did Bob. From the heavy veil of glamour around JJ and the way his aura flickered around Bob's, I understood JJ was intentionally stalling the entire fight, while not letting Bob moving anywhere.

The other vampire was furious now, but as long as he stayed put, it was alright. In the main hall, though, the situation wasn't so optimistic. The damages… I didn't look too closely at them, but there was enough pain mixed with rising again fury to paint me a picture, and not a pretty one.

Then I searched other places. Who could evacuate, evacuated by now, and when I extended my focus a little wider, I found a lone witch laying on a floor just a few rooms away. I didn't know how bad she was feeling because of her well, but if it was still there, then she was at least alive. I suspected she was Eve's missing witch.

When the spell fell on us again, I felt it immediately. It was impossible to miss that weight on my shoulders. For a moment it pressed on me like a mountain, then lightened, but didn't disappear. It pushed the existing rage in the mansion to the ground, leaving people calm again.

"Done." Eve let out a long breath. "You can control the spell from anywhere in the grid, but this time I'm taking the array with me. Damn, Greta shouldn't have left this room!"

"Greta?"

"The one who was responsible for taking care of the spell. Then again… nothing in its places today." Eve clicked her tongue and lifted the obelisk. "Let's see if we at least have someone who can deal with the aftermath."

"I think I found her… or someone, at least. By the way, isn't that thing heavy?" I looked at the stone Eve carried effortlessly at her side with curiosity.

"I made it lighter with magic, just like I made it as indestructible as I could. Standard precautions. Where did you find and who?"

"There, in… bathroom?"

Eve paused in place for a moment, then nodded. "It might be her. Another place to visit."

We walked out of the room and were almost immediately met with JJ and Bob. JJ had a wide smiles of relief on his face. But as shiny as it was, his eyes were shinier when they fell on me.

Contrary to him, Bob had a cool and unconcerned expression on his face, with only some of the same relief visible in his eyes.

"I never doubted that you would succeed in your self-appointed task, but when I heard the fey intruder's voice from over there, I had to admit, a sliver of worry wormed its way into my heart. I'm glad to see that it wasn't worthy of my notice." JJ stepped to me, just a little closer than it would be appropriate for any random person, and leaned to whisper in my hear, "Outstanding job, my love."

I felt heat rising to my cheeks and my heart fluttering in my chest despite the entire surrounding situation. On the side, Eve threw a thoughtful look at me, and Bob raised his eyebrows. Unlike Eve, he must've heard what JJ just said!

My vampire love ignored everyone's reaction and moved away with another warm smile at me.

"I'm just glad this is over. The worst party in my life." Bob shook his head. "I hope Cornellio still has his head attached to his shoulders, because someone still has to clear up this mess, or we will end up with more people murdered, but now even without an excuse of instinctual anger."

"What a terrible, but awfully realistic perspective," JJ said. "Which means, we have no time to lose, once again."

"Staghead got hit by us badly, but with fey you never know what they can or can't do. He might reappear, and in case of that, I and the array seal need a guard, a powerful one, until everyone leaves." Eve declared and pointed at Bob. "I choose you. If you try to attack me in a murderous rage, my defensive seal will fry you faster than you can say 'sunlight'."

Bob grinned. "Women just become bossier and bossier with every passing decade, don't they, Jean? Alright, I'll guard you. Not my first time. But where will you go?"

"Not far. There's a witch who might need medical assistance." Eve explained, nodding in the direction of the witch I found.

"Then I shall go to the main hall and discover Cornellio's fate…" JJ frowned. "Ma chèrie, I don't think it would be a good place for you to see now."

I took in a deep breath. "Yeah, I think so too, but I know plenty about magic healing now." I raised my palms and wiggled my fingers. "Enough for some first aid, at least. I can't just have that knowledge and not apply it when help is needed, you know." I gave JJ a weak smile.

He smiled back with warmth and pride. "Of course. Then let's go."

The main hall looked like a battlefield in the aftermath of a massive and bloody fight… which it was, exactly. I saw a group of witches who barricaded with a barrier spell in a corner, together with a few servants, and weren't in a hurry to drop their spell even now. I also notice a woman lying in a pool of blood with a huge torn wound in her side.

I swallowed the lump that appeared in my throat and turned away. My hand reached for JJ's. When his cool, firm palm enveloped mine, I felt marginally better. Still, I couldn't bear to focus on anything in the hall, even as I searched it with my gaze until I spotted Cornellio. He kneeling next to something, and looked alive… but where was his owl?