...and that one last guard, behind Sparrow, is just a cameo of Leif & Thorn's Birch again. Remember, from the "dead cormorant, do not eat" omake?

Yeah, it's that kind of chapter.

Miranda uses the First Pentacle of Saturn, her go-to "controlling Beings" one. She could use Third Jupiter or Fifth Mars, both of which are supposed to compel obedience from spirits without explicitly "striking terror into" them, but, well. She's gotten into a groove with this one.

Cohen: Can we all calm down? Nobody’s going to be shooting anybody.

Miranda: Dad, you’re white.

Cohen: I know, and I’m using that so it sounds more convincing.

After all, without us . . . she won’t be able to put Blake back together.

Walker: Will someone give me a visual on my Being’s status?

Guard: Right here, ma’am. Human form, looks fine.

Blake: I am, boss! Don’t let them scare —

Sparrow (thinking): If nobody does the thing in about thirty seconds, I’ll just go ahead and —

Miranda (Malchim): Hold in place, one who is called “Blake”.

Blake: Wha —