“Absolutely,” Gideon agreed. “While we’re on the subject, I’d like to add that we’re fine with whomever you eventually choose to love. Color, species, religion, or plumbing doesn’t matter to us. Just please do not bring an asshole home....” A sly grin tugged at his lips. “And maybe wait until you’ve been an adult for more than a year.”
“Agreed,” I said, then wondered if the Higher Powers were even allowed to have mates. Currently, Jennifer was dating Sheriff Dip Doody. She adored the man. After as many divorces as she’d had, she’d refused to marry him—said she loved him too much to mess it up with a legal piece of paper. Was she going to have to give him up? It was given that Shitty Ritchie hadn’t been in love or even in a relationship. He was a millions-of-years-old virgin. He’d been quite vocal about that.
Did the present Higher Power have a partner? I couldn’t imagine it.
Candy had said that destiny was set and fate was not. The Trinity could make their own choices. They could live where they wanted to and love who they wanted to.
At least I hoped they could. Only time would tell. But in that time, we needed to eliminate the present Higher Power so the future Higher Power could take Its rightful place.
“Should we get back to business?” I asked, not wanting this moment to end, but preparing Jennifer was equally as important.
“We should,” Alana Catherine said with a wistful smile. “This was really fun, though. I love all of you guys.”
“We love you more,” Gram told her.
She giggled. “Not possible.”
And on that note, we left the playground hand-in-hand. We had an eternity of adventures ahead. But first, we needed to defeat the foe for the adventures to truly begin.
And we would… because the alternative was unacceptable.
CHAPTER EIGHT
In the openfield not far from the house, under the noonday sun, we watched as Candy Vargo, Charlie and Gideon tested Jennifer. The rest of us were there as general backup, sparring partners and support. The fifteen Demons who guarded Alana Catherine, Jennifer and Shitty Ritchie were stationed nearby, while the other fifteen patrolled the perimeter of the property. Thankfully, there had been no zombie sightings. Obviously, the word hadn’t gotten back to the Higher Power yet. It bought us some necessary time.
“Okay, Jennifer,” Gideon said, standing beside her. “The goal of this exercise is to assess what you’re capable of. It’s fine if nothing happens today. All of this is new and can be unnerving. We just need to know if you can protect yourself.”
“Been through multiple divorces and I came out on top, my friend. I’ve got the property and cosmetic surgery to prove it!” She gave him a thumbs up with her right hand while pointing at her enhanced bosom with her left. “I’ve got this. No problemo!”
I was pretty sure a few of the Demons chuckled. Tim definitely giggled. I was working hard not to laugh out loud. This was serious business, but Jennifer had a style of her own.She looked at life with joy and loved every minute of it. Human or Immortal, it didn’t appear that she was going to change.
Gideon took a long pause and stared at Jennifer. He wasn’t sure how to respond, but he kept going anyway. “Right. Umm… outstanding, but that’s not exactly what I’m talking about.”
She slapped him on the back and cackled. “I was just joshing you! Everybody is so dang uptight. I’m just helping my peeps get their panties out of a wad! We’re testing my juju. Right?”
The Grim Reaper tilted his to the side and smiled. “That’s one way to put it. Do you have any questions before we begin?”
“Millions,” she told him. “I was wondering if it’s against the rules to use a wand?”
“Umm… no,” he said, a little perplexed. “But you won’t really need a wand.”
She nodded thoughtfully. “I didn’t really need my C-cup silicone knockers either,” she pointed out. “But they make me happy.”
Gideon was at a loss for words. This was going to be an interesting few hours. I stepped in to keep the ball rolling. I had a feeling Jennifer’s juju was going to be very different from anything we’d experienced.
“If a wand makes you feel more confident, then you can have one,” I said. “However, if you choose to use something tangible to do magic, you’ll have to keep it on you at all times.”
Jennifer wrinkled her nose. “Welp, that’s not gonna work then. I lose my phone at least three times a day. How about I do something like Samantha did?”
“Who is Samantha?” Gideon asked, bewildered.
Jennifer looked at him like he’d lost it. “FromBewitched! Adorable gal and a terrific TV show. She wiggled her cutie-patootie nose to do her magic. My nose is always with me,” she explained logically. “Granted, I got it done when I was forty, butit’s definitely mine since I paid for it! Never lost it once in my life. Do you think that would work?”
The Grim Reaper pressed his temples and sighed. “If it makes you happy to wiggle your nose, then by all means, please do so.”
She pondered for a beat, then shook her head. “Nope. Not gonna do the nose thing. It’s not original. I want something that’s totally me—like a signature move. I’ve seen you guys do your juju—the claps, the snaps, the waves, raising up your arms and slapping them down to your sides. Love all of it, but it’s not me.”
“Okay,” I said, wondering if we’d even get to the training part. “That mostly makes sense. How about we use the training session to figure out your signature juju move?”
