I was as excited as a kid on Christmas morning. Putting my hands against the stone rim, I peered into the amber water. When I saw a glimpse of shining blue scales, I gasped.
There, swimming gracefully past the plant roots, was the betta we’d rescued from the frat boys.
In my wild excitement, I dipped my fingers into the pond. It was warm; the perfect temperature for our fishy friend.
“Did... you set this up?” I asked Sagitta, my eyes wide with wonder.
Sagitta suddenly seemed a bit shy at the attention. He cleared his throat softly and shrugged. “Yes. I didn’t do much, really. This pond was empty, so I just added an underwater heater and plants.”
I stared at Sagitta like I was seeing him for the first time.Reallyseeing him. Not the strict exorcist, not the serious man who hunted demons, but a guy who liked fish.
Just like me.
“Oh, kiss him already,” Faust declared.
Faust’s voice took me so off guard that I started. Yelping, I nearly toppled into the pond. If Sagitta hadn’t caught my arm and yanked me back to solid ground, I would’ve been drenched in the same tannins I’d just been gawking over.
A growl rumbled in my throat. I thought I was used to Faust’s stupid, jarring interjections, but apparently not.
“What was that?” Sagitta asked.
“Nothing,” I muttered, ignoring the rush of heat to my cheeks. As much as I would’ve liked to un-hear it, I couldn’t get Faust’s comment—and the mental image of it—out of my head.
“Is the demon speaking to you again?” Sagitta asked.
I huffed a frustrated sigh. “Yeah.”
His eyes hardened before he stood up and dusted off his hands. It was clear our little moment was over and he was back to being a big, serious professional exorcist.
“Get some rest,” he ordered. “We start at dawn.”
6
Sagitta
I was toonervous to sleep. And even if I wasn’t, I didn’t have a bed.
Around five in the morning, I finally gave up guarding Chase’s door. I drank tea, grabbed my things and went to meditate in the courtyard garden. Purple light bathed the area, mild and rosy with the promise of the dawn. The summer air was warm, even before the sun rose over the city, and everything was quiet. It was the perfect time to soak in peace and calm.
Of which I felt neither.
My thumb cramped from fidgeting with my rosary. I was probably wearing a groove in the wooden beads.
Doubts crept up my back like marching ants. I still didn’t understand how my first exorcism failed. I’d done everything correctly. Was Faust too powerful for someone at my skill level? That was impossible. I was one of the most experienced exorcists at the temple. IfIcouldn’t handle him, who could?
Cygnet’s face flashed in my mind. I shook my head. No doubt he was waiting for me to screw up again so he could swoop in and seize the glory for himself.
But I wouldn’t let him. I’d do it right this time.
I closed my eyes. I breathed. And I waited for Chase to wake up.
An hour and a half later, when the sun was already cresting above the temple roof, it was clear that the asshole had slept in.
Scowling, I marched to his room and rapped harshly on the door. I heard him swear and fall out of bed before his footsteps thumped towards me. When he threw the door open, his blond hair was a mess and he was only dressed in a loose muscle shirt and boxers.
Boxers with cute swimming fish on them.
I was a bit charmed. But mostly infuriated.
