The empty space in the Courtyard rested still for the moment, Sitri and Druitte plotting among themselves what should be done.
"We're no longer demons of the Goetia Sitri, our only choice is to make sure they are taken to safety," Druitte jumped up onto one of the stone pillars.
"Yes… and it wasn't long we stood up here waiting, among our brother demons, for our own curse to be lifted. We owe it to them to help. So they remain condemned, but they stand behind Lord Dantalion and Master Rowan. They fight for freedom. And so should the second heaven," Sitri shook the snow from his long, dark hair, glancing at Lucia. "That girl there… she likes me… and I like her. We need to make a difference for them… and for our brother demons."
"You know how my brother Halphas feels about the third heaven," Druitte added, jumping from pillar to pillar in huge strides. "Ever since they sealed us up as demons, he never liked the angels much."
"He will get over it," Sitri mused. "Lord Dantalion balanced angels and demons effortlessly…must be a gift I suppose."
Lucia and Erin came closer. "So what are we gonna do?" Erin gave up shaking off snow from her hair and twisted it into a knot at the back of her neck.
"Yea, we should figure out how we can help," Lucia glanced up, staring at Sitri's eyes and equally dark hair.
"Do you two feel anything? You know, physically different?" Sitri asked.
Erin and Lucia looked around the Courtyard in disbelief, trying to see if there might be something they missed. "We don't feel poisoned yet, if that's what you mean," Lucia winked at Sitri. "It could be due to our practice with Laurel and the coven. She may still be protecting us somehow."
Sitri felt it beneath his feet. "They are below us… here in the Courtyard."
Druitte jumped down off the pillars, staring at the ground. Erin and Lucia paced around the stone pillars, moving toward the altar.
"Yes. The Summoning has begun," Druitte agreed.
The stone borders surrounding the Courtyard burst into flames, pitch clouding the veil of snow covering the trees. The center of the circle outside the altar ignited with crimson and indigo, burning high from the ground up, a sign this had nothing to do with heaven's tears.
Sitri and Druitte backed away from the altar, while Erin and Lucia froze, smoke filtering through the air.