Page 20 of Cimmerian

A small smile crossed Mollie’s face. “We need an open space. A big one. Normally you can summon a demon wherever you want, but we’re going to need space for both Monica and the demon. Plus the wolves will need space too.”

“The backyard,” I said, walking through the kitchen. I so wanted to run my hand along the countertops, explore every square inch of my new home.Ournew home. But that was also on the Things to Do After We Destroyed a Demon list. “We’re still on the edge of the pack’s forest out here, so we should have enough privacy and space for you to do your witchy shit.”

Mollie laughed under her breath. “Witchy shit,” she muttered. “You know, I could say the same about your Venator stuff. Do you dress all in black, whipping knives at people’s heads?”

I waited for Mollie to follow me out to the small patio, closing the sliding door behind her. “All black yes, although I prefer not to throw my weapons.” I ran my hand down my back reassuringly. Jasper was always calling me out on touching my makhairas but it made me feel better to know they were there if I needed them. “Do you wear pointy hats and stir cauldrons?”

This time her laugh was full and true. “You’ve been watching too many movies. Definitely no pointy hats. They don’t suit my features.” Mollie pushed aside my hair, and I forced myself not to flinch away from her touch. “He marked you,” she whispered, running a finger lightly down the bite on my neck.

I shook my head. “We marked each other.” I spun around in a circle in the middle of our large backyard. “Will this do?” We were surrounded by trees, but the clearing was large, and the grass was recently trimmed. In the distance, the last smudges of daylight were dropping over the horizon, blush bleeding into night.

I glanced over at Mollie, who was already pacing out a large circle on the ground, her small feet leaving imprints in the damp grass. “This will be fine.”

“So, uh, what happens next?”

She paused, crossing back on her path to slice through the middle of her circle. “Next Jasper and Merrick bring us back the things I need for a summoning spell.”

“Jasper doesn’t like being apart since…” I trailed off, embarrassed.

Mollie tipped her head to the side, not understanding what I was saying.

“Jasp. He’s my mate. He doesn’t like it when we have to be apart for a long period of time.” The heat of a blush was spreading over my cheeks, but thankfully Mollie wouldn’t be able to see it in the dim light.

“No shit, Ava. Wolves are possessive. If you’re marked, he’s going to have a bit of separation anxiety.”

I frowned, irritated. What did she know about my relationship? “Thanks for the tip. I’ll keep it in mind next time I’m working as a Venator. For the wolves. That I happen to know fairly well.”

Mollie stopped, tripping over her feet. “Shit. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to sound like such a bitch. Of course you know all that.”

I crossed my arms against the chill of the night, already seeping into my bones. “What are you pacing out?”

“A pentagram. I need it to be just the right size to summon two different beings. They’re technically two different spells, and I’m going to have to try to perform them at the same time.” I could hear her counting under her breath as she crossed back and forth.

I nodded, acting like I understood what she was saying. “How do you know it’ll be the right demon you summon, and not some other random spirit?” Exactly what I needed right now -- another demon to track me around town.

“Different sacrifices summon different beings. Same thing with candles, and the incantation I’ll say…” she trailed off, counting once more.

My heart caught in my throat. “Sacrifice?”

Mollie stopped once more, staring at me with a look of fear. “Yes, Ava. I’ll require a blood sacrifice of someone close to the summoner, which in this case is me.”

I couldn’t breathe, and I stroked my back again to reassure myself that my knives hadn’t disappeared in the five minutes we had been out here. “Okay. Okay. Um. So what’s our plan there?”

Mollie burst out laughing. “Oh my God, you should’ve seen your face.” When I didn’t join in her laughter she bit her lip. “I’m sorry. I couldn’t help it. I don’t know how else to deal with this shit except humour.”

My heartbeat was slowly returning to its normal rate, and I tried to force a smile on my face. “So. No human sacrifices?”

She shook her head. “No. That used to be the way of things, but not anymore. Most of us understand that a blood sacrifice only requires a drop or two of blood to activate the summons. The only witches who still slice throats for their sacrifices are the super old school ones -- they like it messy.” She shuddered, and I could only imagine Mollie grimacing in her tidy, posh clothes as she tried to not get blood on her shoes.

It’s why Venators wore black.

“Lucy… she’s my friend. The one the demon is possessing. She’ll be okay, right?” Sweet Lucy. Duke was right, she didn’t deserve any of this. I needed to know she was going to be unharmed through this whole process.

Mollie gave me a soft smile. “I’ll do my best.”

I smiled back. I knew what that meant, because I had to say the same thing once or twice myself as well. But I was going to make sure Lucy was safe if it was the last thing I did. Before Mollie had come into the picture as a witch, I had been ready to sacrifice myself for the safety of the pack, and I was still willing to do that for the sake of my innocent friend. Whatever it took, Lucy would be okay.

“Where are you?” Jasper’s urgent voice carried over the bond.

---