“Oh,” I slapped my forehead. “I just brought in some virgin blood. And some shriveled hearts. Surely it’s—”
“Nope,” Samuel interrupted. “Nothing like that. Smells like a live one. You might have a spy in your shop.”
I fumbled in my cloak pockets, fingers running over packets and vials to try to give myself an idea of how to get out of this mess without escalating the situation. Crushed mandrake root. Ah, yes. I would need some ash from a witch’s pyre to complement it. A classic recipe from Mother’s grimoire.
I pointed abruptly to David. “The golem encounters children from town sometimes.”
Samuel turned to regard the stationary golem, and I took the moment’s distraction to pivot toward the corner Therese hid in. I threw the powders in her direction, making a quick symbol in the air and muttering a few words in Latin: “Involucro inter se.” A concealment spell should do the trick. It wasn’t perfect, but it would be better than nothing if Samuel became adamant about searching his surroundings.
“Nope,” Samuel said, rounding on me with his hands on his hips. “He doesn’t smell even a little like humans.”
I pretended to consider. “Then, it must be the hair I procured. Locks and locks of human hair. I bet they were from little human girls.”
Samuel didn’t look convinced and began to walk the room, rounding counters and pushing aside curtains. I moved to stand in front of the counter Therese hid behind, forcing a smile into place. When Samuel reached me, he stared down with narrowed eyes. Well, they were still bugged-out eyes, but they appeared more focused in my heightened state of alarm.
I asked, “Would you like to sample the—”
He pushed me out of the way and walked around the counter. He paused, as if seeing something, and my breath caught in my throat. But he turned around. “I suppose it must be that virgin blood, after all. Must have been rather fresh.”
I chuckled, relief flooding through me. Thank the Gods the spell had worked. I hated rushing spells. So many things could go wrong when one wasn’t precise. But desperate times … “You know how fragrant blood can be.”
“Enough small talk, Callum. The boss wants to see you. Has another job for you.”
I nodded. “Number 664. Only two to go after I complete this one.”
“Don’t go looking for sympathy from me. From what I can tell, you have a sweet deal. After you complete your 666 tasks, you’ll get your soul back. Most can’t claim that.”
“True. I should be more grateful,” I said tightly, my chest squeezing at the thought of the tasks I’d already completed. Would my soul even be worth it after all I’d endured? I shook off the thought. No matter what I wanted, I had to abide by the deal I’d struck with Lucifer. 666 tasks. I could finish this. I was nearly done. I looked back at the corner Therese was hiding in. “Summon the portal and give me a moment to collect some things?”
Samuel rolled his eyes. I was surprised they didn’t pop out from how measured the act was. But the demon turned his back to me to open another portal to Hell.
I wasted no time in leaping to the corner. A quick check to make sure Therese was all right, then I would be off.
The only problem was the spell seemed to work altogether too well. The concealment spell I’d cast should have wrapped the shadows around the girl, making her one with the shadows. But as I reached my hand along the shadowed wall, I felt nothing. Therese wasn’t there.
I frowned, unsure.
“Ribbit.”
I blinked, then glanced down at a low barrel. A frog sat expectantly on top, throat working as it stared up at me.
My mouth dropped open. No. It couldn’t be.
But as the frog croaked again, I knew it was true. Therese had been holding frog legs. The concealment spell should have made her one with shadows, and instead….
I closed my eyes briefly.
“Oh, my Gods, Therese,” I whispered. “I am so sorry. I’ll sort this out. I promise. As soon as I get back, I will….”
Narcissa nudged my leg. I stared down at the cat, then at Therese. My familiar’s eyes were glued to Therese. Of course. She would be more interested in a girl-turned-frog than the perfectly beautiful orchids I’d harvested for her. Ungrateful cat. But … Gods. She wouldn’t …eatTherese while I was gone, would she? I considered Narcissa’s hungry look and shook my head. I couldn’t very well take that chance, now could I?
Flames rose behind my back, sending shadows scattering before me.
I grabbed Therese, her slimy little frog body making me wince, and added her to my bag.
“You be good and stay in there,” I ordered, closing the clasp carefully behind her. Then I turned to face an expectant Samuel. I smiled at him, as if nothing was the matter. “Ready.”
CHAPTER TWO
