Crow shrugged. “We get along well enough in general. I think he would have said something if he’d sensed a demon’s involvement. I don’t know why he would keep that a secret.”
“He said he sensed magic. Demon magic?”
Crow shook his head. “He would have specified. It’s distinct.”
“Anything else?” I asked.
He dropped his hands to the edge of the table, and messed with the grain in the wood. “What kind of magic can break into a god’s realm undetected?” he asked.
“I don’t know.”
He nodded. “Neither do I.”
I pushed the plate over to him. There was only one knot left, but I wasn’t hungry anymore.
If demons were behind the stolen weapons, if they had gotten their hands on a new kind of magic that even the gods couldn’t protect against, it didn’t bode well.
“Thanks, Crow. I’ll call you in if I need anything.” I gathered up my bowl and cup and stood.
He shoved the last knot in his mouth and slugged down the last of his root beer. “Where we going next?”
“Wearen’t going anywhere.I’mgoing to talk to some demons.”
“You aren’t getting rid of me that easily. I’m the one with the demon bullshit meter.”
“I can meter their bullshit just fine.”
“Sure. So I’ll come along to observe. As a concerned citizen. And a consultant on the case, appointed by your sister.”
“Not listening.” I dumped the paper bowl and tray liner in the trash on my way to the Jeep.
I unlocked the Jeep and swung behind the wheel as quickly as I could, hoping I could lock it before he wiggled his way in. But he was in his seat and buckled before I even finished opening my door.
“No fair using powers.” I glared at him.
“Not even the power of my amazing athleticism? Working out every morning is really starting to pay off. You and I should go running together some time.”
“You don’t run in the morning. I know. I see you up on your porch eating Lucky Charms and watching cartoons.”
“Of course I’m eating my Charms. They’re lucky aren’t they?”
I buckled my seatbelt and started the engine. There was no shaking him when he was like this. Though I hated to admit it, I did want a second witness there when I grilled Myra’s boyfriend within an inch of his life.
Chapter Eight
It didn’t take longto get to Bathin’s place because in a town as small as ours, it didn’t take long to get anywhere.
When he’d first come to town, Bathin had spent his nights in one of the stones in Ordinary that he, because of his power, could access.
But after some time, he’d stopped hiding out in those stones. A few months ago, he’d found a rental house. He paid for it by taking care of the house and yard while the owners were away (they’d been away for over a decade) and covered his other expenses with the money he brought home from his work with the veterinarian and animal shelter.
Three cats lazed out in the sunlight under the big rhodie bushes that hedged one side of the tiny, cedar shake cottage that had weathered down to a soft, dove gray.
“You don’t need to come in,” I said.
Crow just rolled his eyes and pushed open the Jeep door.
I sighed, shut the door, and followed after him.
