Page 15 of Fool Me Twice

But what if you’re wrong?

Roma fights back a wince. Those words in particular were Naomi’s constant refrain when Roma started working with more advanced spells, ruthlessly making her triple-check her work and consider the possible consequences of any mistakes every time.

Was it good practice? Of course. Did Roma despise the sentence every time it came out of Naomi’s mouth? Absolutely.

It was just like Naomi to focus on everything Roma could potentially do wrong rather than everything she did right.

But, much as Roma hates to admit it, just because Naomi said the words doesn’t mean they’re incorrect. Casting a spell without knowing its exact reversal can be a dangerousproposition,especiallysince Chester and Bryant will be the ones actually using this spell. Roma sighs in defeat. “All right. There are some intriguing rift-opening spells down here, but I don’t think any of them will work for our mission. Sorry to waste your time.”

Chester shakes his head, turning a page. “Not a waste. Actually, I think some of these books might be good for my own research.”

The words pique Roma’s interest. He’s mentioned his research project a few times recently, but he hasn’t offered many other details. “I’m glad. Also, I’ve been meaning to ask‍—what are you studying? New interrogation techniques?”

Chester hesitates. “The demon gods, actually. Mostly Nostringvadha.”

Roma almost starts with surprise. “What? Why?”

“Well‍—‍” He smiles unsurely. “Well, uh, we actually start most interrogations by asking the demons about their gods. Low-ball questions to soften them up, you know? I figured it might help to have a better working knowledge of The Fourteen.”

Slowly, Roma nods. “Sounds cool. Let me know if you find what you need, okay?”

“You’ll be the first to know,” Chester agrees, shooting her a crooked grin as he pushes himself to his feet. “Come on. Let’s get out of here.”

It only takes a few minutes for Roma and Chester to shelve the books back where they belong, making sure the library is as neat as they found it before heading towards the door. Just before Chester opens it, though, Roma puts her hand on his arm to stop him. “For the record,” she says quietly, “I don’t think the bloodlines system convinced JJ to defect.”

Chester’s arm twitches under Roma’s fingers. “Maybe not,” he says evenly, “but I know it isolated him. And that made himan easier target for Chin.” Before Roma can respond, he pulls open the door, decisively ending their conversation. “After you.”

Letting out a slow breath, Roma steps out into the prison hallway, and Chester makes sure the library door locks behind them before they retrace their steps back towards the exit. Hanging a right around the interrogation rooms this time, striding down the main hallway with the holding cells‍?—

Abruptly, a flash of blue catches Roma’s eye. She stops dead, her heart stuttering. “What the hell?”

Frowning, Chester backtracks to meet her. “What? What is it?”

Roma stares at the demon curled up in the corner of the cell, the gears in her head grinding together. Ten feet tall, eight spindly legs, two leathery wings‍?—

And averyfamiliar electric-blue stripe along its belly. “That‍—that looks like one of the demons from Lakeside a few weeks ago. The first one that was summoned through the rift, remember?”

Chester squints through the one-way glass. “Maybe? But we see a lot of giant spiders down here. A demon’s true form is based on its summoner’s worst nightmares, and very few humans think arachnids are cute and cuddly.”

Roma jabs a finger towards the demon. “But do you see a lot of giant spiders with bat wings and an abdominal stripe like that?”

Chester’s eyebrows furrow. “Huh,” he says, and he reaches into the wall-mounted container next to the door, pulling out a binder and flipping through it. “I see the similarities, but I don’t think itcanbe the same demon‍—the Chain got to that one first, remember? And it looks like this one was captured by an out-of-town hunter. Found it in the forest just past Lakeside.”

Roma frowns down at the signature. “‘G. Ricci,’ huh? Did you see them when they dropped it off?”

“Nope,” Chester says, tucking the binder back into its spot. “But that’s not uncommon. Spellcasters are usually in charge of unloading demons‍—interrogators only get assigned to them once they’re already in a cell.”

“Oh,” Roma says absently, and before she can stop herself, her gaze drifts back to the demon.

There’s no doubt about it‍—that’sdefinitelythe neophyte from Lakeside two weeks ago. Did it try to go on a rampage? That would be very unusual, honestly‍—neophyte demons tend to lie low for at least a few months after their summoners are killed, licking their wounds and adjusting to Earth. Did G. Ricci specifically track it down? But that doesn’t make sense, either‍—attacking a registered Chain demon without provocation could be considered a declaration of war, and both the Sanctum and the Chain try to avoid that.

So how did this neophyte end up in the Sanctum’s custody when it should’ve been under the Chain’s protection?

Chester is still frowning at her. “Roma? You good?”

Hastily, Roma shakes off the thread of unease winding down her spine. “Yeah. Yeah, I’m good. Just, uh. Just thinking that the Lakeside summoner’s rift-opening spell would probably be a good option for you and Bryant. I’ll see if I can find it in any of our spell books, yeah?”

“Cool.”

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