I learned that the pride in his eyes when I succeeded made me feel like I could take on anything and walk away.
I learned that the scent of him— cedar and citrus andmale–made my heart thump harder in my chest.
I learned that despite my every instinct warning me away from the demon, my body didn’t care.
He stepped closer, and I backed up, until I was leaning against one of the concrete slabs that protected the building from anyone who thought they could ram it with a car or truck.
“I missed you,” he breathed, leaning down until his head was almost buried in my neck. “Did you miss me?”
I didn’t miss him. Icravedhim.
“Absolutely not.”
“Ahh Danica, you wound me.”
“Blah blah. Get out of the way, Samael, I have places to be.”
“You’re going to talk to the gnome children.”
“Yes.”
“Would you like some help?”
I smiled sweetly. “When I need someone to be so scared they piss their pants, I may give you a call. When I want to talk to two traumatized kids, you can stay far away.”
Something I couldn’t catch flashed over his face.
“Very well. I’ll see you soon, Danica.”
“I don’t think so.”
He merely shook his head at me. The expression on his face said I was the most adorable thing he’d ever seen. I barely resisted the urge to punch him in the nose.
With a snap of invisible wings, he was gone.
4
Danica
Evie lived in Trinity Park— deep in witch territory. Most of the houses were old, huge, and steeped in history— all things witches were delighted by.
I was so tired I could barely see straight, but I managed a sloppy parallel park and made my way up the steps leading to the coven’s wide porch.
I’d once played on this porch with Evie. We’d swung on that porch swing and climbed the huge tree in the front yard.
The coven’s house was painted a cheerful buttercup yellow with white trim, it was large enough to house a solid third of the coven, with extra guest rooms for nights when they got together for meetings or to work on their spells.
Evie opened the door before I could knock.
“You’re okay.”
“Yeah.”
“What did the Mage Council do?”
“Threatened me with a truth spell.”
Her face turned white, and then she flushed. “Let them fucking try.”
