“No, it’s fine,” I said.
“Delaney.”
“It’s fine, Myra. You’ll be right outside the door. It’s not like he hasn’t been surfing my subconscious for however long. What he wanted to do, he’s done.”
“You shouldn’t be here alone,” Bathin said. “Trust me on this, Delaney.”
“Hold on. I got it.” I pulled out my phone and dialed.
“Jean Reed.”
“Hey, can you pick up something at Ryder’s place? I’m out at my house dealing with a demon.”
“Xtelle? Did that little minx get out of the house?”
“You had her in the house?”
“Dude. Have you tried to keep her out of someplace she wants to be? She tried to climb through the window. The second story window.”
I cut a look to Xtelle who was suddenly very interested in sipping her coffee, her ears rotated slightly toward me.
“Okay, but we’ve got another one.”
“Window?”
“Demon.”
“Well, shit. I’ll be right there.”
“Wait, I need you to stop by Ryder’s house and pick up the dragon pig.”
Myra shook her head, but at least her scowl wasn’t as bad.
“Is everyone okay? Are you okay?” I could hear a door slam and an engine start.
“We’re stable at the moment. Myra, Bathin, and Xtelle are here with me. Plus the new guy, Amy.”
“Amy.”
“Avnas. Bathin’s uncle.”
“Uncle? What is he doing? Why didn’t I get a doom twinge? Holy shit, how did I miss it? Are you sure you’re okay? Is he forcing you to call me?”
Yeah, my run-ins with demons had shaken both my sisters. Maybe more than I realized.
“Jean, listen. We got this. He cast a spell to do a binding. No one’s been harmed. We’re at that part of the movie where the bad guy tells the hero his super brilliant secret plan and makes demands that probably include a lot of unmarked bills and a helicopter. But he wants to keep it private, just between him and me, when he reveals his evil machinations.
“Since we Reeds are the heroes here,” I said, “we’re going to be smart. Myra’s going to keep an eye on the other two demon folk, and you’re going to bring me a dragon pig, because I want a dragon under my arm for back up. A hungry, demon-hunting dragon.”
“Jesus, Vishnu, Zool,” she breathed. “Okay. Okay. I’ll be there. Hang on.”
“Not going anywhere. Promise.” I disconnected the call.
Amy was sipping out of one of my cups, it had carousel horses on it, and a tiny chip in the handle. I didn’t like that he’d just stepped into my life so easily. Didn’t like that he’d assumed I’d stand aside and do whatever he wanted.
“I got this,” I told Myra.
“Okay,” she said. “Xtelle, out. You wait outside.”
