Still tormenting us about Mac, still!
Intellectus (of more than just Demonreach or about the written word) is something we have only seen in the Mothers and Archangels. It does explain why Mac doesn’t need to speak, he already knows.
Exactly how much research has Harry done on the objects, when and how? He suddenly has all this knowledge, when ignorance has been his most enduring feature. So the Placard is a super threshold, which puts Macanally’s on par with the Carpenters supernaturally, which is powered by multiple Angels. Does this mean the bar can now withstand the eye of Balor? Is it just the bar, if Mac owns the entire building is that covered as well? That means they still have to defend against purely physical force, which is where Murphy comes in I suppose.
It’s original purpose on the crucifiction would have been to protect Christ on the cross from supernatural intervention, but from who? Christ owned the Cross?
Is that as Harry has the Placard this is how he gets the Castle?it can only be used by someone who owns the building it is part of, so to create the perfect supernatural bomb shelter Harry has to own it. Harry becomes Marcone’s Landlord? Will Harry make Marcon shoevel the paths in Winter, even though as Winter Knight he doesn’t need them shovelled?
Would have been wiser for Harry to use it on Demonreach- he can call on the island's defenses personally.
As to owning the Cross- it was a Jewish cross raised on Jewish land; as King yeah, it'd be his property.
Could have been an Outer Gates attack, if Butcher wants to fudge his 2000 year cycle.
As to the objects: Demonreach seems to have diagnostic capabilities, possibly related to its ability to take on and hold prisoners. Could be that the "armory" is another stasis crystal, just one they sit in passively, allowing Demonreach to "read" them as they enter.
EDIT: I figured Molly is still in mad-love with Harry, and so she's jealous of Lara- either from the illusion, or Harry giving her the elevator eyes.
Murphy is in great danger. She's between Lara and vengeance, and Molly and what she wants- if any mortal is allowed a pass with the Winter Lady's mantle, it's her "husband".