The idea of a free toxic spirit deeply bothered Brian. A summoned or a bound spirit would follow orders. Yes, usually to the best of its ability, but there were still orders, beyond which the commitment of such a creature might be less. A free spirit, however, could not be cathegorized inside those boundaries. On the other hand, if a magician had one bound spirit, he probably had another as well.
And if they had to look for a toxic shaman cunningly hiding himself among the normal residents of the city... Well, things got better by the minute now. And what McLister said about their magical support, it didn't fill Brian with an overabundance of confidence and hope. "You know, what they say, MrMclister. We have to work with the tools we can lay our hands on, even if they are not the sharpest ones in the shed. And believe me, a situation like this, it tends to make men serious." Or dead, he added in his thoughts.
Turning back to Nick, he mentioned "I agree with Angeline. If the spirit appears, we probably only have a chance against it if we work together. And for that, you should know about something. There is a certain... animosity between me and toxic spirits. We have a history and that makes both sides hate the other with a vengeance. So, in case we are attacked, i will be a very probable first target, unless the spirit was given a very definite, different order. This might take some heat off of you for a short period, use it well."