Page 41 of Curses & Cold Brew
“This is pointless.” I pinched the bridge of my nose. “Tell me what I need to do to get you to leave.”
“Entertain me,” Esme said with a delighted grin. “Play my little game of cat and mouse.”
This had always been her problem. She would make terrible choices just because she could, get us into terrible scrapes, and then I’d have to dig us out of trouble. She was the worst kind of friend. I should’ve known she’d come back to haunt me.
“You set up this senseless game of stealing my souls to what? Best me?” I glared at her. “How is that any fun for you?”
“Oh, I’m having a ball,” she purred. “You should’ve seen your face when you discovered old Saul. You didn’t even think to look around you before you left, storming out like a raincloud. I think that little witch of yours has distracted you for far longer than I’ve been back. How about you tell me all about her. Iris, right? Such a pretty little thing.”
“You donottouch her,” I growled, more feral than a werewolf now. “She ismine.”
Esme yawned, attempting to seem bored. “She won’t be for long. I know how to break your claim on her.” Her eyes panned down my body, sizing me up. “Do you think she’ll still be so enamored with you after your sigil is broken? She won’t owe you anything. Will she still follow you around like a lost puppy when she isn’t compelled to by your magic?”
A new wave of hatred filled my chest. Esme’s smile widened as her words struck true, just as she’d clearly planned. I was well versed in concealing my temper, but Esme had known me too well for too long.
“Why would someone as vibrant as she is want someone as dead inside as you?” She shook her head at me. “Look at you. Becoming blander by the day, turning into a sad, pathetic version of the demon you once were. You used to be mighty, Ramona. But this town has made you soft.”
“I like this town. I like who I am here. And so does Iris,” I said like I was trying to convince myself.
The way Iris had looked at me, the hurt in her eyes . . .
There was something there if I were only brave enough to grab it.
“You needed a reckoning, Ramona.” Esme clicked her tongue, pulling me from that thought. “I’m that reckoning.”
“Esme—”
She turned halfway toward the shadowy shop. “I’ll make you a deal.” She examined her ruby-red nails. “I’ll give you a few days to think it over to be a good sport. If you agree to come with me and give up this embarrassing, kitschy town, I’ll let the witch live.”
I didn’t have to think about it, but I did need time. We both knew I’d do anything, but still I said, “And if I don’t agree?”
“Then the game isn’t over.” Esme shrugged and the door magically shut in my face.
21
IRIS
Isat on the stoop of Ramona’s house, Jordyn and Harlow flanking me like guard dogs. I rubbed my arms, wishing I had brought a thicker coat. We’d hit the sudden temperature dip as late October approached. If we hadn’t been waiting for over an hour, I might’ve still had feeling in my toes. Though, we had confirmed that knocking on her door or ringing her doorbell wouldn’t summon her from thin air like we’d previously assumed.
When Ramona finally did return, she was so lost in her own thoughts that she didn’t even notice us waiting until she was halfway up the path to her front door. She wore a steely expression and looked pristine as ever, apart from one bloodied hand that hung limply by her side.
I sucked in a little breath at the sight of the blood, unsure if it was hers or someone else’s. The sound made Ramona lift her head, her eyes landing directly upon mine, and when they did, her rigid posture visibly crumpled in relief.
“You going to be okay?” Jordyn murmured as Ramona strode up the walkway toward me.
“Yeah.” I hugged my friend as I stood, my ass numb from sitting on the cold stone for so long.
Harlow gave me a quick hug, too, before turning toward Ramona and making an “I’m watching you” gesture. Then Harlow slung an arm around Jordyn’s shoulders and my friends walked into the night.
I chuckled at the boldness of my chivalrous human friend. There was no way that she could take on a powerful demon, but with her loyalty and stubbornness, I knew she’d try.
Ramona gave a bemused look at Harlow as they crossed paths before coming to a stop at the stoop.
“You came back,” she finally stated, her expression unreadable.
“I did,” I replied, nervously sweeping a lock of hair behind my ear. “You’re hurt.” I reached for her hand, and she indulged me as I inspected her split knuckles.
“You should see the other guy,” she said with a groan as I pressed a finger to the wound. “What are you?—”
