Page 30 of Strike It Witch

There was one more issue, though, and it was a big one.

“I’d need to know the exact time so I could warn Ida.”

His lips creaked into a smile. “I swear on my honor the death walker has nothing to fear from me.”

Death walker. Hadn’t heard that term in a while.

Contrary to popular belief, necromancers didn’t use dark magic. Their magic was neutral and required no conjuring, chanting, or sacrifice. When Ida traveled the otherworld realms in spiritual form, her ability was thought of as “walking with Death,” which was why Sexton had called her that.

“Thank you,” I said.

“I appreciate what it is to be misunderstood when you mean no harm,” he replied. “I will arrive at the witching hour tonight. She will no doubt be sound asleep and miss the entire visit, more’s the pity.”

I wasn’t sure Ida would see it the same way.

“Bertrand Sexton, you have Lilibet Flores Lennox’s permission to speak to the soil under Siete Saguaros at the witching hour tonight,” I said carefully.

He tipped his head in a nod.

All this talk about death called another thought to mind. “May I ask you a question?”

“You may ask,” he said.

Which meant he might not answer. “The highway demon I cast into Limbo last night left a strange symbol in the air.”

“Demons often leave signatures,” he said.

“True, but this was … odd. I was hoping you might be able to give me an idea why he would do something like this.” I told him about the Mictlantecuhtli glyph.

“Odd indeed.”

“Right? It’s normal to see a death glyph, but not agodof the dead. Seems like a dangerous way to make yourself known to someone who could erase you from existence with a thought.”

“Draw the glyph,” Sexton said.

I took a pen from my purse and drew it on the back of a paper coaster.

He studied it for a while then slid it back to me. “The swallower of stars would be mortified if he knew one of his images was being co-opted by a low-caste demon.”

“Oneof his images?”

“The Aztec god of death was only one sacred form. Mictlantecuhtli, Anubis, Thanatos, The Morrigan and Shinigami, Ah Puch… All variations on the same god. The one we know as Death.”

I wanted to ask if he was also one of those variations but kept my mouth shut. I already knew a lot about his kind. He might not be pleased if I tried to find out more.

“The demon may have been using it to frighten you. So much of what the young ones do is theatrics and cheap magic.” His cosmic-black eyes rolled in their bony sockets.

These darn kids today…Apparently even cemetery demons weren’t immune from generational conflict.

He tapped one long finger against his chin. “I will contact you after I speak to your soil. If you require me sooner, you can reach me at this number.” He made a crosshatch sign with one long finger and my cell phone dinged.

“Thank you.”

“You are welcome. The balance of your payment is in your account. I look forward to your version of belladonna, earth witch Betty. If you find yourself in Limbo again in the intervening period, I will pay you well for any additional plants you can procure.”

And he knew I could use the money.

The demon’s gaze, so otherworldly and vast, settled on me with full focus. “Would you beinterestedin another job?” His voice lifted on the wordinterested, as if he were testing the waters.

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