“I think we have to invite Death of Magic inside the outer ward,” Evan said, “and use his power to help bind the demon. Then we have to kick Death’s ass.”
I shook my head, not liking that idea at all. But not seeing any alternatives.
“Do we have time to draw up a contract?” Cia asked.
“Would a Death honor a contract?” Liz asked.
“Death can be cheated,” I whispered. “That’s what Angie said.”
“If a witch cheats on a contract, the threefold repercussions are bad. So instead of a contract, we plan on cheating Death and just fly it,” Evan whispered back, miming throwing a paper airplane.
“Good by me,” I muttered. Raising my voice, I called out, “Death of Magic, and Fear. If you come in peace, you are welcome inside the outer ward.”
“We come in peace,” Sally said. “Can I come in and use your powder room? That wind played havoc with my hairdo.”
“Hairdo?” Cia said. “What century is she from?”
“The eighties, from the looks of her,” Liz said. “Evan sent us pics.”
“She has an Hermès bag,” I said.
“Oh. My new best bud, then.”
I called back to Fear. “Pee in the woods. We’ll drop the outer ward and you’ll walk in. Leave the horses on the other side. “
Fear blew out a breath and pulled hobbles from her bag. She strapped each of the horses’ front legs together, leaving the mounts unable to travel far.
I contemplated the demon again. It had big teeth, gleaming talons, a long tail and scales, but without the dragon charm. And mad, mad eyes in a shade of burning purple tinged with emerald. There was no bargaining with demons. No negotiation. There was also no way to kill them. They were immortal. We’d bind it back to hell or die trying. Even a Death couldn’t kill a demon.
Sally and daffodil-blooming-Death stood at the edge of the outer ward, Sam staring at the demon, his brow covered with sweat, his hands trembling. The demon shifted, and a stench of burning sulfur trailed into the air.
Evan said, “I’ll handle the inner ward. Liz, Cia, when you get here, take over the temporary bindings on the demon. Molly, you figure out how to bind that thing.”
I nodded, the gesture shaky. My sisters agreed. I heard the hum of a Subaru climbing the hill and caught a flash of car lights through the trees.
“Offer them tea. Put the kettle on,” Evan said, giving me something to do to keep me from worrying as I tried to figure out how to save us. Busy hands and all that.
I went to the kitchen and started the electric kettle because it was faster than regular heat on the AGA stove. I heard them still talking as I worked, getting out a strainer for the teapot and a good strong black tea. There would be no nodding off tonight.
“A tea party,” Liz said, “with Death and Fear and a demon, oh my...”
“Alice in Wonderland meets the Wizard of Oz,” Cia said.
Liz said, “Evan, your house wards are sparking.”
“I see your car,” Evan said.
As I put tea together, I also gathered necessities from my kitchen: thesilver spoonworking I kept in the kitchen for emergencies, quickly powering it with the rosemary plant I’d killed and then brought back to life. Long story. But the important thing was that now the plant seemed to beable to store a lot more earth power than it should. And... the solution came to me. I broke off one needle-shaped leaf and tucked it into a pocket. “Thank you,” I murmured to the plant.
“Getting ready to drop the outer ward, ladies,” Evan said. “You drive straight in. On three. One. Two. Three.”
I felt the ward fall, the magics lashing back through the ground and through my bones. It stole my breath and froze my chest. The magics twisted and curled into the inner ward, reinforcing it. It was so heavy now that air and weather wouldn’t pass through. Once I got out of the house, there might be no getting back inside until Evan dropped the ward.
Putting a hand on my baby bump, I said aprotectionworking over my unborn child. Though I didn’t pray often, I added a prayer to seal the working and then whispered, “Hayyel, I could use some backup on this one.” Angie’s angel didn’t respond. I heard the Subaru rolling into the drive, over the lawn, and up to the door. My sisters had driven between the unwanted visitors and us. Smart. The car engine died and the doors opened. I forced myself to keep moving, keep thinking, and got out mugs.
Cia called, “Lasso is working, in place on tail end.”
Liz said, “Lasso on head. We need something stronger for its teeth and claws.” Louder she added, “Hey, Death. Get off your ass and lend a hand here.”
