Page 121 of A Witch-ish Guide to Protectors and Pendulums

“Can you tone it down?” Luc asked the man and I watched the glow around him dim significantly. It hit me. A demon with his power. Love the bane of his existence. Asmodeus. It had to be.Oh, wow.Asmodeus. That man was everything I’d ever heard about him. From the top of his head, down down to the bottom of those cool, suede leather loafers he wore without socks, he oozed sexuality.

Given how I watched him play with my friends' emotions without a second thought, I couldn’t have been happier to turn my nose up at his supreme hotness. The demon of Lust didn’t hold a candle to my hellhound.

“I’ll talk to Bel,” Asmodeus said. “You know he’s not a part of this. We’ll hunt down Mon. There’s no way this crap would be good for business. He can’t be involved. I’ll contact you as soon as I know anything.”

“Thanks, man.” Luc held his hand out. Asmodeus gripped it, pulling Luc in close, giving him a hug and back pat.

“You know, I’ve been wanting to try you out forever. If you want to thank me…” He let his words trail off. I bit back my laughter.

“Sorry, man,” said Luc. “I keep clear of workplace entanglements.”

That was a diplomatic answer.

Asmodeus shrugged. “If you ever change your mind, we can bring in your chick there.” He gestured with his chin to Shafira.Her cheeks pinked. I’d like to note, Luc didn’t denyanything. Interesting. “You know I’m down for anything.”

Luc shot him a regal, angelic glare, the one that committed him to nothing. “Just let me know about Bel and Mon.”

Asmodeus nodded, blew a kiss to the room, and blinked out.

“I can’t believe they’ve been using your quadrant to hold these meetings,” Karro said.

Luc’s normal smile dropped into a frown. “I’ve been so busy helping Simone and Connor that I had no idea.” Anger rolled off the man in waves.

“It’s not their fault,” Shafira countered, defending us.

“Of course not. Connor’s my boy and Simone is cool. She’s a friend and a powerful ally. I’m glad to have her on the team. I’ve worked hard to create a space where humans can feel safe to be themselves and give them knowledge of how the world works. The last thing I need is a demon on a power trip trying to hack away at my baby.”

“‘Baby’?” Karro asked.

“The world,” Luc replied. “The world—this world—full of math and science, an inquisitive zest for learning, is what got me kicked out of heaven. I stand by the choices I’ve made and won’t let anyone ruin it.”

Luc wouldn’t let anyone ruin it. I wanted to kiss him but thought better of it. For one, a kiss without him knowing I was here might give the man a heart attack. Secondly, Connor would blow a gasket if he found out and we all knew that Luc wouldabsolutelykiss and tell.

So checking that impulse, I manifested them to see me. Shafira gasped. Karro shouted, “What the fuck?!”

Luc simply smiled at me. “I thought I felt a presence here. Did you hear what you needed to hear?”

“Hey—the evidence against you was pretty damning. You can’t blame me for not announcing my appearance here today. But it’s good to know we still have you.”

Luc waggled his eyebrows. “Oh, Simone… you can have me.”

“Shut it,” I warned and he laughed at me. “I need these two now.”

“Anything I can help with?”

“I have to bring them to the witches’ archives. But the archives won’t let you in.”

“If you’ve got them, then I have to bust some heads in my quadrant. We’ll meet up when I’m done.”

Then he popped out. Gone.

“I’ve never manifested people while in this spirit form before, but I’ve done money, so I’m fairly confident I can get you there safely.” Lies—all lies. I had no idea if I could get them to the archives safely.

Karro blanched. “Was it a lot of money?”

“Not necessarily.” I felt so stupid admitting that. But if I could manifest them to the archives now, then I could bring Sim and Madigan there, too, if necessary.And this boys and girls, is how I use my cousin and my friend as guinea pigs to make sure I don’t kill my brother and sister-in-law.Horrible person—party of one, your table’s ready. But with Luc gone, what choice did I have?

“I trust you, Simone,” Shafira said. “I’m ready to join you.”

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