Page 12 of I Accidentally Summoned A Demon
Kat skimmed the glossary of the Bible for the word “demon” and noted the pages listed.
“Honestly, why do you go? You believe all that? You’re a woman. Aren’t you offended by the teachings?”
Kat squared her jaw. “Not every church is oppressive to women.”
“Really? Do enlighten me, kitten. Because it seems as though your church has taught you enough to dress like this.” He tugged the hem of her dress. “I mean, who can make a dress lookboring?”
Kat ground her teeth. “Stop it. I dress like this because I want to, not because someone tells me to.”
“Bullshit.” Nex scoffed. “No onewantsto dress like this. Which part of the teaching is your favorite? When they tell you to keep yourself covered so you don’t make men sin? Or the part where they tell you to obey everything a man says? Gotta say, kitten, I think you’re missing the point because you’ve blatantly disobeyed me several times.”
“Shut up, Nex.” Kat wrote more notes and moved to the next page.
“Wait, I have a better one. Do you also agree that you have no free will?”
Kat shook her head and stayed silent, trying to keep her temper in check.
“You know, you’re being disobedient and disrespectful working on Sunday. What would your pastor say?”
“Seriously, cut it out.” Kat nearly tore the pages as she turned them.
“Come on, kitten. What do you think is so good about church?” Nex leaned one elbow on the counter. “Oh, maybe you enjoy going because you like being told what to do. You are rather spineless at times. Is that what it is? Easier to have someone else decide for you? Do you like letting others control your life? You’d make a wonderful submissive if that’s the case.”
Kat slammed the book shut and rounded on Nex, chest heaving. “Maybe I go not because I agree with everything but because I like being around the people, okay? Maybe they’re all I have left of my dead parents. Maybe they’re the closest thing I have to a family. Maybe it’s nice to be part of something since I spend the rest of my time by myself. Maybe it’s nice to have people check on me if I don’t show up for a service or choir. Maybe it’s nice to be part of a community thatcaresabout me.” Fighting back tears, she opened the Bible to a random page. “Maybe it’s nice to have somewhere to go on holidays, so I’m not alone.”
“Katherine—” Nex set his hands on her shoulders.
“Stop talking for five seconds!” Kat shoved away his hands. “Is that so hard? Do you have so much self-importance you need to fill every empty second? You know, my church is different, not that I need to explain myself to you. They teach that men and women are equal, they welcomeeveryone,and they don’t think you have no free will. So shut up. You don’t understand, and I don’t expect you to. Be quiet, so I can figure this out.” She huffed and leaned over the book.
Nex opened his mouth, then shut it. Kat tried to focus, but the words blurred in a haze of frustration. She slammed the Bible shut and braced her hands on the counter, glaring at it as if it was the counter’s fault she was in this mess.
Books pushed aside, she left the counter and reorganized the book display at the front. When she got back, he was gone. How he did so much unseen and unheard was a mystery, but she banished all thoughts of him so she could get through work.
Reading books on demon summoning creeped her out, so she gave it a rest by the end of the day and left with several new strategies. Almost home, she found a familiar, faded red sedan parked in front of her house. Frida’s car.Oh no, not with Nex here!She picked up the pace, hoping Nex hadn’t answered the door.
Frida was a successful blogger and Kat’s cousin on her dad’s side. The family lived on the other side of the country, but Frida’s job was to travel all over and find unknown stores and good food to write about online. She stopped in whenever she passed close by but never stayed for more than a day.
Inside, Kat considered turning around. Sitting on the couch were Frida and Nex. And Frida was showing him baby pictures of Kat.
“Kitty Kat!” Frida hung over the back of the couch and grinned. “You didn’t tell me you have a hot boyfriend. What the hell? Who keeps someone this fine a secret?”
Kat frowned. “Boyfriend . . .”
Nex stifled a laugh. He sidled up to Kat, pulling her into a hug and kissing her cheek. “Welcome home, Kitty Kat.”
“You,” she hissed, keeping her arms tight to her sides so she wouldn’t strangle him.
“Don’t I get a hug?” Frida asked. “I know you’ve got him, but I’m family.”
Kat disentangled from Nex, sending him a dirty look before approaching Frida. They hugged, and Frida whispered in her ear, “He’s so hot. Good for you. He filled me in about you guys. It’s so cute!”
Nex’s smirk told Kat he heard what Frida said. She glared at him over Frida’s shoulder, and he blew her a kiss.
“I didn’t know you were coming into town.” Kat pulled out of the hug, fighting to maintain a smile.
“I wanted to surprise you. But I’m the one who was surprised when that fine specimen opened the door in nothing but a towel.” She winked at Kat and fanned herself.
Kat buried her face in her hands. “Oh, God.”
