“We should listen.”I tipped my head toward Cupid.“We have some things to settle with him too.”
Things like, we’d found the spell book of the gods and didn’t want to hand it over to him as we’d promised.Things like we’d made a deal with a demon, and with Raven, to eventually take the book to Ordinary.
Lu opened the door.“A cup of tea sounds lovely.”She slid out of the truck, her movements smooth and graceful.She didn’t show any sign that she’d just faced down a god and buried her knives in his chest.
She looked calm and relaxed, like this was just a lazy late-summer day.
“Coming?”she asked.
As if she had to.Where she went, I went.
“So, this is fun.”Raven strolled over to Cupid.“Want to clue me in on what exactly you’re going to talk about?”
“Coffee first,” Cupid said.
I opened my door and Lorde jumped out onto the grass.She sniffed at Cupid’s boots and tipped her head up, panting happily.
Cupid scrubbed her head.“There’s a good girl.”He offered her a treat, which she took gently from his fingers before crunching and chewing.
“C’mon, Lorde!”Abbi called from the porch.“She has cake!”
Lorde woofed and galloped to catch Abbi, tail wagging.
Cupid started up the road after them, Raven matching his stride.
“You’re so magnificent,” Raven said.“Full battle armor.And those wings?Sparkle, sparkle.”
“Shut up, Crow.”Cupid punched him in the shoulder.Raven chortled.
“So manly and powerful.I think I’m inlove.”
Cupid took another swing but Raven, still laughing, sidestepped the blow.
I took Lu’s hand, and she leaned into me before we followed everyone.Yes, we were leaving the spell book in the witch’s box in the back of the truck.
So far, neither god had commented on it.I thought Hado might still be obscuring it from them.
“We said we’d give it to him,” I said.
“I know,” she whispered.“I don’t think we should.”
“I don’t think we should either.”
She looked up at me, and her eyes were golden, the sun drenching her heart-shaped face in soft light that made the freckles across her nose and cheeks stand out.I turned so I could cup her face with my other hand.
“I love you, Lula Gauge.”
She smiled, and my heart beat faster.“I love you too, Brogan Gauge.”
“We’re here!”Abbi yelled.“Eunice?We’re ready for cake!”
“Moon bunny!”Eunice’s voice was melodious and happy.“I hope you like carrot spice cake.I have one with your name all over it.”
“My name?”Abbi shouted in delight.“I love my name!Is there ice cream too?”
She darted into the house, Lorde on her heels.
Eunice, who I’d always thought of as the Owl Woman, looked much the same as the last time I’d seen her.
