Page 24 of Eight Embers

They’re not an overly helpful bunch, but we do manage to get what equates to a preschool’s worth of glitter, construction paper, markers, and the like. I really don’t know what exactly Saladriel thinks this is going to do to cure Delaney, but I guess I’m at least willing to give it a shot.

When we’re ready to check out, Rush has yet to find us again, so we go on a literal demon hunt through the store, only getting slightly sidetracked when we see all the lacy things that would look fantastic on our girl, ultimately deciding to wait until she knows who we all are again. Seems like it’d be less creepy that way.

“Ooh! Demon spotted! Aisle 15!”

We all chase after Wil as he starts to speedwalk through the store, catching sight of Rush semi-hiding behind an aisle and talking to somebody that looks suspiciously like a student I’ve seen on campus before. Can’t place his name, but they’re both looking around all shifty-like.

The student, who’s got a hoodie on, catches sight of us and blanches, hissing something at Rush, who spins and gives us a goofy wave. The other student says one last thing under his breath before running off, leaving Rush to make his way over to us with a basket full of potatoes in various forms.

If he’s paying for them, I have no business criticizing him.

“What the fuck is all that for?”

Okay, apparently Zac does have business criticizing him.

Rush turns his nose up and starts heading towards the front of the store where the registers are, calling over his shoulder, “I have a gargoyle to charm and a conduit to make sweet for me. These potatoes are going to get me very far, I think. The only onethat’ll be laughing when we’re through all of this is me when all of you realize how smart I am.”

???

“How do you know Spencer?” Wil asks Rush as we start loading everything into the car.

Rush freezes for a moment, holding one, single potato, petting it like it’s a kitten. “He’s a business associate.”

“Business associate?” Wil asks, clearly confused. “You’ve been a tree, though. How do you have business associates? And why him specifically? You know he’s hangs out with —”

“My sister,” Zac snaps. “That’s how I know him. He dated my sister for a long time.”

“Is he looking for a support group for that experience?” Wil asks and then immediately slaps a hand over his mouth as his eyes go wide. “Oh my goddess, I cannot believe I just said that.” He goes to open the car door, setting his hand purposely where the door will slam and I yank him out of space at the last moment.

“What the hell was that about? You lose your damn mind?”

“I must punish myself for speaking ill of a conduit.”

Zac snorts as he throws a random juice box for Wil to catch. He doesn’t seem mad about it though as he unwraps the straw.

“I highly doubt she’s worth putting yourself through pain for. I love her, but oh my gods is it a relief to have some distance right now. I thought it was going to kill me getting my secret out there, that I’d be under her thumb forever. I don’t love that she’s locked up in what’s essentially a dungeon cell, but she’s got to learn her lesson one way or another.”

“Wil’s got a point though,” I concede. “How do you have business associates if you’ve been cursed as long as Leo was?”

Zac returns the cart, and we all get buckled in, heading back towards campus. Just knowing I’m about to see Delaney again has my palms itching, my heart racing.

Pathetically adorable, I know.

Rush is only silent for a minute, holding his emotional support potato. “Remember I told you I could transport myself to hell if I needed a break? That had a few perks. I had access to a phone occasionally if I needed one, as well as other people that could work for me. Hell’s influence on earth doesn’t stop just because I’m a tree. I still had shit to do. Souls to damn. Glitter to incinerate,” he says with a stink eye to Saladriel.

Saladriel puts his hands in the air. “Hey, you asked what would help, and this is it. Not my fault glitter makes you squeal like a pig. Not such a tough demon, are you?”

“Children,” I chastise. And they stop.

We park without further incident, but before any of us get out of the car, Wil blurts a nervous, “Wait!”

He’s usually quiet unless he’s defending Delaney, so I’m curious about what he has to ask.

“I need advice. It would be less… embarrassing, I suppose, if Delaney were not around for me to seek it. I considered just taking you all one or two at a time into a separate room, but then I thought to myself no, maybe that would be suspicious, or she might get to thinking I’m—”

“Wil, what do you need?” I very much doubt his request has anything to do with his studies; he’s an excellent student.

“A few weeks ago, when Delaney informed me that…” his face has gone bright flaming red, and I feel like he’s about to shout, ‘never mind!’ and dart from the car. I help him out.

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