Page 4 of Strike It Witch

“That does appear to be true, elder woman.” He tapped a green finger against his cheek. “You are advanced in years for a human.”

He thought Ida was human. Good. That meant he didn’t have control of her mind, only her body.

“Helpless humans, am I right?” She shook her head, mock-sadly. “Too bad we're not as strong as demons. I've heard stories about the way your kind manifest in our world. Explosions likean Independence Day celebration on steroids—I’ve heard the most powerful of you can even make it rain fire.”

The demon smiled with all his teeth. “I can do that.”

“Can you do thatthis is my name, and you will obey mething?" She gave him an assessing look. “I’m thinking you probably can’t. Probably don’t have that kind of power if you’re worried about an old lady breaking your hold.”

Old lady. Sure.

“I have power that could crumble mountains in your world.” His mouth turned down. “But I’m not supposed to draw attention?—”

“Supposedto? Oh, don’t worry about it then,” Ida said, her tone dismissive. “I thought you were in charge. I didn’t know you were a lackey. If your master won’t let you?—”

“Lackey?” The demon drew himself up to his full height of five foot nothing and snarled, “Elder woman, I am no demon’s servant, and I’ll prove it.”

A satisfied smile walked across my lips. I'd told her not to talk to him, and I'd meant it, but if she could find out his name before I trapped him in the circles it would help save time.

Speaking of…

“One,” I chanted, doing my best to sound like the wind whispering through the branches.

Fennel’s triangular ears perked up. He went to all fours on the narrow branch and crouched, tail up, front end low.

“Check this out.” The demon strode up to the shimmering gateway, keeping Ida in his line of sight. Another step, and I’d have the stinky little creature.

“Two,” I chanted, magic modulating my voice to sound like a train whistle in the distance to everyone except Fennel.

Cymbals crashed, the bottomless peal of a bell sounded, and the air in the tree-lined clearing thickened. Lightning flashed above our heads.

“I am Gnath, servant of iniquity, commander of the second brigade of malfeasance, demon of Highway 86.”

The demon’s voice sounded like a truckload of accordions being fed into an industrial woodchopper. My back teeth hurt. Fennel gave his head a sharp shake, which made the branch he was on jiggle until he was forced to back up into the tree to keep his balance.

“Is something in that tree?” Gnath asked.

“Probably a bird.” Ida sniffed. “So, where’s the fire rain? You said you were powerful, but I still don’t see any fire rain.”

Gnath tore his attention from the tree. Squeezed his hands into fists. Grunted.

“Look at this.” Ida held out a hand, palm up. “Not even a speck of ash.”

“I’m trying,” he snarled, his face suffused with sweat. “Give me a minute.”

Fennel crept out onto the branch again. I had a moment to second- and third-guess my plan.

What if I’d picked the wrong demon to attempt this with?

What if the information I’d gotten was wrong?

What if my magic wasn’t strong enough to protect him?

Fennel’s golden eyes shone green with magic. He stared at me, waiting for the signal. Trusting me.

The branch bobbed in a gust of wind. Fennel kept upright, but it had been a near thing. If I was going to do this, it had to be now.

“Three.”

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