He shoved a hand into one of his deep lab coat pockets and pulled out a toy gun. It was made of cheap green plastic, but a rosary was bound to it. It was a real exorcist’s weapon.
I’d never actually seen Hartford’s weapon before. Judging by Cygnet’s stare, I doubted he’d seen it either.
“You’re really gonna make me waste a bullet on this, huh, kid?” Hartford asked as he reached into his pocket again.
Chase whispered, “Is he about to shoot me with a plastic gun from the dollar store?”
“I don’t really know,” I admitted.
“I’m just saying,” Hartford went on. “Chase doesn’t seem very possessed to me. But if youreallywant me to waste an expensive, high-potency bullet on him...”
The doctor pulled out a single bullet from his pocket. He pinched the small obsidian shape between his forefinger andthumb. I expected its smooth sides to gleam in the sunlight, but it was perfectly matte, as if obliterating the rays upon contact.
Cygnet began to sweat. “Um...”
Hartford grinned as he brought the matte bullet closer to his plastic gun. “Seems a bit like overkill to waste one of these bad boys on a middling demon like Faust...”
I recalled Cygnet was unaware that Faust was not a middling demon at all, but actually a demon lord. Not that I was about to bring it up. But I almost felt bad that the doctor was teasing him so much.
Hartford put on a mock-serious expression. “But Iwilldo it, if you’re that concerned. Just know that a single bullet is worth more than five years of my salary—”
Cygnet’s face blanched. “Okay, enough. Put that thing away.”
“Ah, just what every man wants to hear.” Hartford pocketed the bullet and the plastic gun, then dusted off his hands. “Seems like we’ve reached a conclusion, eh? Chase is no longer possessed, the demon is gone, and we can all go back to our lives. Now, if you kids will excuse me, I need a smoke.”
After Hartford stalked away, Cygnet deflated. His shoulders slumped and his gaze fell listlessly to the ground. I could tell that my brother accepted the truth, and that he felt embarrassed for drawing so much attention to himself over a non-issue.
“Hey, man, it’s all good,” Chase said. “This is what you wanted, right?”
“Yes.” Cygnet’s reply was stiff, but he lifted his head and looked Chase in the eyes in an attempt to act professional. “I’m glad we could be of service to you.”
My chest tightened. Cygnet could be rude, and a bit of an asshole sometimes, but his sincere wish was to help others. Just because he didn’t like Chase didn’t mean he wanted him to suffer.
Although, now that Chase and I were officially boyfriends, I hoped that the two of them could get along some day.
“I’d better go, too,” Cygnet mumbled. “I’ve got work to do.”
He seemed in a rush to leave and escape this awkward situation, but I couldn’t just let him walk away. There was too much I needed to tell him.
I ran ahead to catch up with him. “Cygnet, wait. There’s something I want to give you.”
He paused, turning around. “What is it?” he asked, wary but intrigued.
I smiled wryly. “It’s a gift. Don’t be so scared.”
“I’m not scared,” Cygnet said, more attentive now. The look on his face reminded me of his younger self. He’d always been a curious kid, endlessly inquisitive and eager to learn.
“Hold out your hand,” I instructed.
With his brow furrowed, Cygnet opened his palm.
“Close your eyes.”
He did, despite scowling. “I swear, if you’re going to prank me...”
“Come on. When have I ever pranked you? Okay, you can look now.”
Cygnet peeked his eyes open. He looked down at the trans flag pin in the center of his palm. He inhaled a soft breath of air, then was quiet for a while.
