A Family Stronger Than Steel

Chapter 15

"So, dis's where everythin' wen' down?" Constantine asked Dell as they surveyed the area. "Dere are traces o' somethin' not o' dis world 'ere." He looked over at the coven scouts cleaning up the remnants of the destroyed Belos statue, then turned to Dell. "Make yaself useful an' grab me a chunk o' dat, wouldya?"

Dell nodded and went over to retrieve a piece. None of the scouts seemed to notice as he pocketed it. Or if they did, they assumed he was part of the clean-up crew. Whatever spell Constantine used to disguise themselves was really beyond a simple illusion charm. Or even the Concealment Stone around his neck. It was a level of magic that Dell had never encountered before.

Dell walked back to Constantine and fished the piece out of his pocket. "What do you plan to do with this?" He asked, handing it over.

Constantine smirked. "Watch an' learn, Squire." With a flick of his wrist, Constantine cast a spell on the piece as he chanted incantations, "Ostende mihi viam quam cepisti. Ostende mihi ubi sis nunc." The piece began to glow, and a ghastly trail appeared, leading the way to their next destination. "Follow dat trail, an' we'll fin' our Poltahgeis'. Let's go." Constantine took the lead as they followed the glowing trail.

"I've never seen magic like this before," Dell marveled, keeping close behind Constantine. "You're not like other witches and demons here."

"Dat's righ'," Constantine chuckled. "I'm one o' a kin'. An' wot's yer secre'?"

"What are you talking about?" Dell asked.

"Yer aura's differen'. There's somethin' 'bou' ya I can't quite pu' me fingah on," Constantine replied. "Ya're no Witch undah dat Cocealmen' Stone."

Dell's eyes widened in surprise. "How did you know about the Concealment Stone?"

"I'm. One. O'. A. Kin'." Constantine repeated with emphasis on each word. "I can also tell dat ya're no' 'uman, eithah." He chuckled slightly. "Ya've a differen' enahgy 'bou' ya, somethin' powahful."

Dell felt a chill run down his spine, realizing Constantine could see through his disguise. If it was that easy for Constantine to see through his concealment, then who else could see his true identity? Dell decided that he should hold off being Superboy while around Constantine. And he felt that he had to be more careful in the future. He couldn't afford any slip-ups that his enemies could potentially exploit.

"Dell, wait!" The sound of Loisse's voice caught his and Constantine's attention. They turned around to see her running towards them.

"Loisse?" Dell called out, confused by her sudden appearance.

Constantine raised an eyebrow. "Someone ya know?"

Loisse finally reached them, out of breath. "What... are you... doing?" she asked, her eyes darting between Dell and Constantine.

"I... don't know what you mean?" Dell replied, confused.

"I saw you and this man investigating the scene at the cafe," Loisse pointed at Constantine, who looked surprised. "And none of the Coven Scouts tried to stop you."

"She saw pas' da illusion?" Constantine said, a small chuckle escaping his lips. "Looks like we've got a sharp one, 'ere."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Loisse asked.

"Da illusions I cas' conceal da usah from weak-minded, half-witted berks, like da Coven Scouts," Constantine explained. "Bu' ya're differen', lass. Ya seem t' 'ave a knack fo' seein' through bullshi'."

"Dell, who is he?" Loisse asked, turning to Dell for an explanation.

"This is John Constantine; he's an exorcist," Dell explained. "And I need his help to help the Blights."