I shook my head.
“I do enjoy these talks, Myra. Shall we follow up on the stolen penguin, or dispose of the toilet art?”
“Toilet art. Then we’ll call in on the penguin.” I started the car and my phone rang.
“Myra Reed,” I answered on speaker.
“Myra,” Jean said, “We have a problem.”
“Where?” I scanned the houses surrounding us and tuned in on the tug in my chest. Almost. Almost time to leave. Almost time togo. Almost time to bethere.
Bathin walked up toward the cruiser with a determined stride.
Almost, almost, almost.
“Another vortex opened up.”
“Where?”
“Out on the flats.”
“I’ll be there in four minutes. Close it down from the public.”
“Do you know where Bathin is?”
“Yes. He’s with me.”
“Bring him. And hurry.”
Now.
I rolled down the window and gave a short whistle. Bathin stopped and stared at me. “Get in. We have a problem.”
For a minute, I didn’t think he was going to do it. Then he strode to the back door and jerked it open, dropping down inside. The car dipped under his weight. Even though he looked like he was hard muscled and lean, he was a massive mountain of a demon taking the shape of what he wanted to be. He was a lot heavier than he looked.
“You know, you say you don’t want to be around me,” he said, “but your actions make me think you might like me, Myra Reed.”
“There’s a vortex.”
“I know. In the park. I was there.”
“Not that one. A new one.” I flipped on the lights and headed off at speed. “Do you know why this is happening? Another vortex?”
“No.”
“Does it have something to do with your father?”
He frowned.
“Don’t hold out on me, Bathin.”
“I’m thinking. I haven’t been around him for a millennium.”
“Why?”
“Because he’s evil, and I got tired of that a long time ago.”
I glanced in the rearview mirror. It sounded like the truth, but demons weren’t really known for swearing on Bibles.
