“That’s right. I scried it, and I saw what it does.” Rory swallowed hard. “I’m willing to give anything to destroy it.”

Arthur rubbed his forehead.

Ling leaned toward Rory. “It’s more than just blood,” she said. “Blood magic is violation magic, but so is the pomander, and even a potion made with blood may not be strong enough to destroy it. If we really want to give the potion the best chance, we need your catalyst too.”

Rory furrowed his brow. “Catalyst?”

“The object that brought forth your magic,” said Zhang.

Rory took a very sharp breath. “I—” He bit his lip. “I don’t have it,” he said helplessly. “It’s not mine, it’s—it was my—it belonged to someone else. A church.”

And Arthur suddenly remembered the story Rory had once told him: his magic had been brought forward by an antique brass snuffer that Rory had picked up—from the altar at his father’s church.

“Can you get it?” Sasha asked.

Would it even still be there? Could Rory bear to go if it was? Christ. The fate of the non-magic world versus Pastor Westbrook.

“I’ll go with him,” Arthur said, and all the heads swiveled his way. “The church is between Syracuse and Ithaca. We played Cornell more than once back in my university days. I know the area.” He met Rory’s eyes, hoping his own conveyed his message loud and clear: you are not alone anymore.

Jade was watching the two of them. “I think that’s an excellent idea,” she said gently. She might not know the story, but she was sensitive enough to see that Rory was uncomfortable. “We’re happy to come too, if you want us.”

“Nah.” Rory had put on a very brave face that didn’t quite cover a heart-wrenching mix of trepidation and gratitude. “If Ace is coming, I’ll be good.”

“Then we’ll meet you in the mountains afterward,” said Zhang. “Because if we’re going to try to destroy that pomander again, better not to do it in the city.” He exchanged a look with Jade. “There’s one other thing. Could mean nothing, could be bad news.”

Jade’s face was grim as she sat back in her chair. “An unknown buyer has bought the warehouse in Philadelphia where Rory was exposed to the pomander.”

Arthur straightened. “I wasn’t aware it was for sale.”

“It wasn’t,” said Jade. “We’re digging into it, but all we have so far is the deal was done through an American brokerage with a lot of contacts overseas.”

Rory was frowning. “What good would that warehouse do anyone?”

“I think someone might be trying very hard to figure out what happened in Philadelphia in February,” Jade said softly. “Someone very interested in that pomander.”

“Or in Rory,” Arthur added tightly.