Elemental Light (Paranormal Public Book 9) by Maddy Edwards

didn’t like it one bit. “You want me to claim a spot on the paranormal council and refuse to vote for war? Don’t we need to fight? Isn’t Caid acting exactly the way we’ve wanted, instead of continuing to sit back and let Malle overrun towns, cities, paranormals?”
    “Not this way,” said Gargoile, his eyes bright. “They’re going to get all the paranormal police killed if they march on Public now. They aren’t strong enough to fight, not with all the Objects on the Wheel in the hands of the enemy and available to be used against them.”
    “Do they have all of them?” I asked breathlessly.
    Gargoile looked grim. “We haven’t heard anything about the Mirror Arcane. I know they’ve attacked Astra several times and been rebuffed. My understanding is that there’s a small group of rebels holed up there. A ghost and the personification of Public let them in and are carrying on the defense with their help, or at least that’s the rumor.”
    I smiled a little at the thought of some of Public’s more colorful characters. “Sigil and Martha, what a pair.”
    Sip clapped her hands. “I bet Dacer, Trafton, and the Duchess are with them. Bartholem too.”
    “I bet that’s an interesting household,” said Lough, shaking his head.
    “There’s a box in Astra that I need,” I said, chewing my lower lip. “It would strengthen my position.”
    “We might be able to help you there,” said Gargoile. “Like I said, an army marching on Public is a bad idea, but I think one paranormal could sneak in.”
    I didn’t tell him that I needed the Key of Light too. I would just have to find out where Dobrov was on my own and get it back from him. I took it as a good sign that he apparently hadn’t given it to his sister.
    “You mean you want Charlotte to sneak into Public?” Sip asked, aghast.
    Gargoile shook his head. “Way too dangerous for her. Let me explain.”
    I finally sat down, and Lough brought me a plate of food, bits of cheese and chicken with slices of bread and strawberries. I took it gratefully. I hadn’t eaten in two days.
    Once everyone was seated again, Gargoile sat forward and clasped his hands. His eyes were intense.
    “President Caid has done what he could under extraordinary circumstances. We do not fault him, just like we don’t fault him for not anticipating certain events, like your reappearance, the takeover o f Public, the gathering of the Objects on the Wheel, or the treason of Lisabelle Verlans.”
    Sip shifted a little, but didn’t interrupt.
    I kept my eyes on Gargoile, hungry for any information.
    “However, we have always known that Caid was governed by Paranormal Law and the paranormal council. There are serious constraints on the ways in which he can operate.”
    “You need something outside the law,” Lough supplied, as Gargoile took a sip of tea. The werewolf nodded.
    “Thus was born a secret organization. Unlike Ms. Quest, who sought to reform government regulations and actions, we always knew that wasn’t our bend. We don’t think that the government can be saved, or stopped. Instead, we have worked as a secret underground, helping paranormals in any way we can as we fight darkness.”
    “Illegally,” Sip sniffed. My friend had a deep love for law and the order it provided. She would never condone working in any other way, as Gargoile seemed to be advocating.
    Gargoile inclined his head. “If you wish. I’m not sure it will be a conciliation for you to know it, but both your parents, Helen and Hyder, are members of the resistance.”
    I saw her eyes go wide briefly, then she shook her head. “Hippies.”
    Gargoile smiled. “I’ve never met braver paranormals.”
    “Thank you,” said Sip. “I hope they’re well.”
    “They are,” he assured her. “They are busy clearing out a town that the demons are closing in on even now. After that they’re heading for the Circle.”
    “How many are in this resistance?” I asked, wondering if they could take on an