“One month,” he countered.
Yeah, that wasn’t happening. But time was running out.
The family was closing in and from the sounds of it, one of the kids was headed to the play equipment at a dead run.
I turned to Bathin and took hold of his arm.
A spark of something—not visible, but something real nonetheless—struck like a crack of lightning deep in my bones. It flipped my stomach, dried out my mouth, and suddenly all I could see was him.
He was warm, warmer than he had any right to be here in the cool, September air. I indulged in a moment to wonder what it would be like to touch his skin, to search out that warmth, to have him touching me.
Would his caress be gentle like the dream? Or would the fire in his eyes, the strength in his body overwhelm me, own me, swallow me whole?
He tipped his head just slightly, as if he could almost, but not quite, hear me thinking. Or maybe it was just the beat of my heart thundering so loudly he couldn’t miss it.
“Yes, Myra?” His voice was hot poured chocolate.
The kid shouted at his mom to hurry up.
“Three dates.” I had to clear my throat because that came out a little husky. “Tell me how to close the vortex to Hell, and you get three dates with me.”
The unicorn scoffed. “Like he’d let you get away with such a shitty deal.”
“Done.” He pressed his hand over mine. I was still touching him. His hand, warm and wide, cradling the back of my own was more intimate than a handshake.
His unwavering gaze made it more intimate than a kiss.
Blood rushed to warm my cheeks, my chest, but I cocked an eyebrow at him.
He winked and pulled his hand away.
“We’ll need a few things,” he said, all business now. “I don’t think we’ll find them before that family gets in range.”
The blobs each had six tentacles out on the ground and were heaving the rest of their bulk up out of the vortex. They were larger than I expected, about the size of VW Bugs. They jiggled and cackled, a weird mutant language that I knew meant they were very pleased to have found a hole into our world, and were even more pleased dinner was running this way with a shovel and pail.
“Hey, there,” Ryder called out from some distance behind me. “I’m Reserve Officer Ryder Bailey. Would you like to sit in a police car and try out the siren and lights? If that’s okay with your mom.”
I’d been caught up in negotiating the date with the demon and hadn’t noticed Ryder going back to intercept the kid and mom.
Good move. That would buy us some time.
“What kind of things do we need?” Delaney asked Bathin.
“A ring of candy, a lump of turnip, and a demon kiss.”
Delaney grinned and held up the turnip and ring. “Get over here and pucker up, Bathin, and tell me how to make this work.”
“I think Myra should do it. She’s the Reed who understands spellwork and arcane knowledge. You’re more of a…traffic light.”
“Traffic light.” Delaney shook her head. “I don’t even know what that means.”
“That Mother-May-I thing you make all the gods do before you allow them into the vacation towntheycreated?” he said. “All the Red Light/Green Light you pull on the supernaturals, making them hide what they really are just to make your job easier?” Hetsked. “If the traffic light fits…”
Delaney scoffed. “You can’t make me feel bad about doing the job my family has been entrusted with for centuries. Nice try, though, buddy. Now get your lips over here. Let’s close this thing.”
He frowned, glanced at me, glanced at the unicorn, then back at Delaney.
“I really think Myra would be more suited.”
