Page 5 of Strike It Witch

Chapter

Two

“Rrreeooow!”

Fennel sprang off the branch and glided through the air like a flying squirrel. He landed on Gnath’s head, punching scythe-like claws into his scalp. The demon shrieked and tried to pull Fennel off but only managed to score several puncture wounds in his hand. Steaming black blood poured down the demon’s face.

“Whatisthis foul thing?” Gnath stumbled back two feet, tottering but not falling. Another step back, and I’d have him where I wanted him.

Fennel chomped down on his ear, and the demon jumped. Right into the center of the inner circle.

Gotcha.

I stepped out of the shadows.

“I bind you to this circle, Gnath, servant of iniquity, commander of the second brigade of malfeasance, demon of Highway 86. Here you will remain until released.”

The demon attempted to shake Fennel off. “Aww, come on.”

“I’ve got him,” I said, “go now. Be careful.”

Fennel meowed and launched himself like a furry little bullet off the demon’s forehead and streaked through the open gateway.

“Is he going to be okay?” Ida asked.

“Yes,” I said, doing everything I could to keep my voice steady.

I hated the way I was doubting myself, but my remaining confidence had followed Fennel through that gateway. I was terrified I’d made a mistake, and Fennel would pay the price.

“You brought a godsdamned witch with you?” Gnath shrieked at Ida.

“And a magic cat,” she said.

“Devil curse me, I have the worst luck.” The demon kicked a rock, which ricocheted off the walls of the containment circle and smacked him in the head. “See?”

“Maybe you should look into picking up one of those horseshoes people hang over their doors,” Ida said.

“Maybe I should look into ripping your heads from your bodies.” The demon rushed the confines of the salt circle but only succeeded in slamming his bloody face into the barrier. He gritted his sharp, triangular teeth. “You will regret this, witch.”

“For your sake, I’d better not.” I held up a silver chain with a pressed-glass pendant containing a specially calibrated herb mixture and dropped it over Ida’s head. “This should help with his hold on you until we get him banished. It’s adissonancecharm. It uses sound waves imperceptible to our hearing to cause magical interference.”

Ida let out a long sigh. “Whew. Thanks. That was a doozy of a compulsion.”

“I did tell you not to engage him in conversation,” I said.

“Where’s the fun in that?” She looked up from the necklace and gave me a wide smile. “Been a while since I’ve worked in the field. Felt good.”

“Glad to have your help.”

“Aww, it was nothing. Besides, I’m the one who told you to take this job in the first place.”

“You referred the city council to me because you know I need the work,” I said. “Because you care about me."

Gnath made gagging noises. “Howrevolting. Your repulsive human bonding session makes me want to vomit.”

We ignored him.

“How much time does Fennel need?” Ida asked.

---