As my grandmother told me once, everything is a piece of a bigger puzzle. The smallest detail can lead to startling revelations and never rule out anything. That kind of mindset had serve me well these many years as my time of a Black Coat trying to figure out cases. She had more pieces of advice, naturally, but I don’t think any advice on how to properly prepare Prosciutto would be of use here.

As I charged up my card to perform my little spell I took the time to notice around the house. Lovely interior design, nice white walls stylish blue lamps and a partially broken couch arm. The fragrance of terror and rotted meat… and just a note of anguish. I believe this style is known as ‘Adu La Terror’, very popular among the criminally insane and rampagers. Alas I could never really keep up with the trends.

Though time to get to work I suppose, as I lifted my card up. The card had a blank face and a black back, traditional of course as several more float up as well forming a circle around me, faint tendrils of reddish purple energy flowing between them. With practiced ease I waved my arms in a circluar motion before crossing my index and middle fingers on both hands, crossed my arms, and chanted the mystic words: “Xel’na rua’na”

After that incantation the cards flared up even more brightly as the room became bathed in their mystic energy. Through my own mage eyes I could see it, traces of small magic and essence being transferred from the room into my cards imprinting onto them some rather special designs. I would normally take a more thorough investigation, but with only a few minutes before the White Coat comes back in I’ll just have to make due. When the spell was fully done the cards floated back to me as the energy field died off, the cards setting themselves neatly into my open hand.

Out of the many cards that were being channeled only three were imprinted, three clues. The first one was the symbol of a spiral winged butterfly and a lamp. I glanced back over to the lamp and noticed the pattern there, a popular brand. Fey Wings, the fae owned company that makes enchanted appliances and luxury items. I can probably safely cross this card off.

The second card was of more interest having a picture of a twisted grin and crossed hooks. The symbols were unsettlingly familiar to one such as I, and to most who took Advanced Demonology back in school. The symbol of a Butcher Demon, a rather powerful type of demon known for their fearsome skill in battle, blood lust, and unsettling grins. Straight from seventh hell itself. Though this one was rather… off to me. Despite their skills most Butcher Demons these days were peaceful. In fact Butcher Demons on a whole were rather docile demons only going into their infamous blood lust when roused by the scent of blood. A fact very few these days remember.

The third card however… well that one was a puzzle. A four point star with four dots on in the corners… the symbol of untapped magic and just beneath that a symbol of crossing moons… the symbol of a child. Now this is a rather interesting development, seems young Thomas has potential for magehood. And if that is so, then a theory comes to mind of why he was kidnapped. Young mages are impressionable, and able to be explode with raw magical power quickly, and able to adapt just as fast. For that reason most young mages are brought into the Grand Council mage schools to learn their powers safely… but if a child was stolen before than then any number of unsavory types can mold him into being a magical nuke.

As I have a moment to ponder I hear footsteps coming behind me and following chimes. The White Coat must be coming in to tell me my time is up. Quickly I flip the third card and slide into my sleeve for safe keeping before turning to face the White Coat Angel who looked at me rather crossed. “So Black Coat have you found anything useful that my boys didn’t?” he asked in an almost taunting manner.

I shook my head. “It’s as you said, a demon was here. Though perhaps later on you can go and take some time off and enjoy yourself. I heard Sugar Town has a good deal going on” I said slyly with a devious smirk leaving the angel sputtering. His face turned a rather lovely shade of red, but before he could reply I merely tipped my hat and breezed past him. Sugar Town, for those unaware as I’m sure a great deal of you are, is a demon ran club. Just the nice twist to make an upstart Angel get flustered so I can leave in peace.

If you wondering why I withheld information from him… it's because I rather doubt he’ll utilize it properly. I’ve met his type before, noses so close to the grindstone they can’t see the world changing around them. And any other info I give him will only fuel his fire… but then as a Black Coat I’m perfectly justified in my methods of not helping him. All that’s left now is to head back to my office and work.

Thankfully when I arrived back to my office Miss Moore was gone. Seems she made herself a bit at home though, an empty tea cup and lots of sugar packets ripped open. I’ll need to clean that up later, but for now I need help of my partner. Pulling out of my sleeve a dark red iron rod in the symbol of a smiling horned demon. Holding it aloft and casting my other hand downwards I chanted the incantation: “Gui Run Chu”

In a small reddish light beneath my hand emerged a small impish creature dressed in form fitting black pants with bands, a small light red crop top, a darker red scarf with a bead woven into it, bandages around his arms, and a headband. My familiar, Paleon the imp. He blinked looking around for a moment before nodding his head at me folding his arms over into a relaxed pose. “Hey boss, got another job for me?” he asked in a excited tone and a devious grin.