Pellini tensed, and I spoke quickly to forestall violence. “We’ve all thought it, but now it’s time to consider specifics. Idris, you’ve spent a lot of time with Katashi. What are we up against if we decide to take him out?”
His belligerence retreated. “Katashi is one of a kind,” Idris said. “He’s been a full-fledged summoner for over ninety years, and conducted the first summoning of modern times. He not only managed it without a mentor or any formal training, but he summoned the reyza Gestamar—hands down the hardest demon to summon.” Unabashed awe flashed across Idris’s face. Despite his hatred of Katashi, he respected the skill. “I don’t know any other summoner who could pull that off,” he continued, serious again. “He has techniques he doesn’t teach anyone, and even his inner circle isn’t privy to his methods and plans for the valves.” He pinned us each with a dark look as he spoke. “Don’t let his old man act fool you. Mzatal, Jesral, and possibly other lords trained him. The bastard is sharp and strong.”
In other words, Katashi was an enemy to be reckoned with. I masked a grimace. I, too, was guilty of thinking of him as just another summoner—one who happened to be iconic. I’d certainly never thought of him as a mastermind. Once again, I’d underestimated him. Stupid and dangerous.
“His stamp is on everything that has anything to do with summoning,” I said, pulse thudding as the implications sunk in. “All modern summoners—every single one of us—has either been a direct student of Katashi, or a student of one of his students.” Like my Aunt Tessa, I thought as a lump tightened my throat. Katashi had kept her on the sidelines for years before calling her into service. And though I didn’t believe for a minute that she was complicit in any of the nastiness, she dropped everything and went to him the instant he snapped his fingers.
“That’s right,” Idris said, leaning forward. “And it means Katashi has neutral-to-favorable connections with every summoner in the world.” He stabbed a finger toward me. “Except you,” he jerked his thumb at himself, “and me.”
Conversation died as the weight of what we faced settled over us. The sharp tang of gun oil wound through the room as we bent over our weapons and attended to issues that were easily dealt with. A spot of corrosion. A buildup of carbon.
Pellini reassembled and wiped down his gun, then rubbed a hand over the stubble on his chin, brows knitted in a frown. “There might be an advantage in this for us,” he said. “Katashi’s been the unopposed head honcho for all these years. If everyone has always been on his side, then he’s not used to being a target. He might not be at the top of the game when it comes to defense.”
Idris gave a reluctant nod. “He’s near untouchable when he knows trouble is imminent but, yeah, constant vigilance isn’t his specialty.”
Bryce slipped the pieces of the Sig back together, loaded it, chambered a round and holstered it. “If McDunn and Carter have a say in his security, he’ll be less vulnerable than before.”
Pellini shifted, uneasy. “Are we talking capturing or killing here?”
“Killing,” Idris said, even as I said, “Capturing.”
Idris leveled a defiant look at me. “Killing is a helluva lot less risky. There’s no advantage to capturing him.”
“Less risky?” I scoffed. “Maybe in the short term, but killing packs a mighty punch when it comes to consequences.” And didn’t I know it. “Look, Katashi is the eyes, ears, and hands of the Mraztur on Earth. I doubt any of them have a clue about his day-to-day operation.” Idris looked poised to interrupt, but I kept going. “You said that his people don’t know his plans and methods. If we kill him, and his flunkies don’t know what to do next with the valves, the Mraztur are screwed.” I narrowed my eyes. “But so are we, since we don’t know what he’s put in motion with the valve project.”
“Capture him, and nothing changes other than the risk,” Idris shot back. “He’s not going to volunteer the info, and the lords can’t read him.”
I shook my head. “Mzatal believes that three lords working together can read Katashi.” Sighing, I tugged a hand through my hair. “And, if they can’t, then they can take care of him as they see fit.”
Idris folded his arms and slouched back. “Okay. Fine.” It wasn’t a ringing endorsement, but I’d take it.
Bryce cleared his throat. “With capture on the agenda, I propose surveillance as a first step. Get a feel for their movement. We don’t have the manpower for a stakeout, but we can monitor the gate with a camera.”
“It’s a solid starting point,” I agreed.
“Idris and I can buy one of those weatherproof mini video cameras,” Bryce said. “We’ll get that set up tonight.”
Idris stood and yanked the messenger bag across his chest. “I’ll be by the car,” he growled and stalked out.
Bryce watched him go, exhaled. “I’ll deal with him. He wants Katashi’s blood, but he sees the bigger picture.”
“Thanks, Bryce,” I said. “You rock.”
“Yes, I believe I do.”