Page 10 of Minions and Magic
“I have,” Nash chimed in. “I see them when they’re collecting a soul I’m releasing. They’re tricky, but they abide by the rules of their contracts. Of course, it seems their contracts are often worded to allow them lots of flexibility in interpretation.”
“Well, I don’t have a contract or a bargain with this guy. I just wondered if I should give him a tentative green light in case I see him again.”
“Do you think you’ll see him again?” Cassie shot me a worried look.
I shrugged. “Maybe. He really liked that ginger cake. He might show up and ask me for the recipe.” I pursed my lips in thought. “What kind of bargain could I strike for that? Do you think I can get a demon soul for a recipe?”
Adrienne snorted. “Demons don’t have souls.”
Hadur scowled. “Yes we do. And I don’t think anyone would give up their soul for a recipe.”
“You clearly haven’t had Glenda’s ginger cake,” Cassie told him. “It’s totally worth selling your soul. Totally.”
“It is,” Lucien agreed.
“Heaven pales in comparison,” Eshu added. “And I should know because I’ve been there. Glenda’s ginger cake is one of the seven wonders of the world as far as I’m concerned.”
I blushed, but still felt a surge of pride. Of everything in my life, I was most proud of my cooking. Which was odd given that I could create magical potions that accelerated healing.
“Well, hopefully the cornbread passes everyone’s scrutiny.” I laughed and slid the pan onto the stovetop to stay warm while the enchiladas cooked.
Babylon showed up with two cases of beer and a container of guacamole that she said her neighbor had made. We all ate chips with salsa, queso, and guac, drank beer and laughed, reminiscing about our childhood. Even the demons chimed in with stories of hell. By the time we all sat down for enchiladas, black beans, and my cornbread, I was feeling a happy buzz that had nothing to do with the beer Babylon had brought.
My family. As much as I loved my solitude and my kitchen, these Sundays with my sisters were the highlight of my week. And the addition of four men to our weekly family event only made it better. I enjoyed watching them interact with everyone, as if they’d been part of our family forever. I loved seeing Cassie and Lucien’s public displays of affection, Bronwyn and Hadur exchanging adoring glances, Ophelia and Nash’s easy rapport, and the way Sylvie and Eshu bantered back and forth.
I wanted that. I want all that. It shocked me a little, because before yesterday I’d never thought twice about having another in my life. A long-term boyfriend. Love. Companionship. Maybe even marriage and kids. Suddenly that appealed to me and it scared me because I truly didn’t think that was at all feasible given the way I’d organized my life to date.
Somehow Hadur’s raccoon ended up inside the house, eating scraps as well as tortilla chips from Bronwyn’s hand. After dinner we all cleared the table, the guys shooing us out of the kitchen to relax and drink another beer while they washed up.
Before I could turn the conversation, Ophelia took charge and steered the topic where I had wanted it to go.
“Stanley’s doing well, by the way. He was released from the hospital this morning.”
I nodded. “I know. I stopped by and wheeled him downstairs. Bart was there to drive him home. He’s staying there a bit just to make sure he’s okay.”
“I was so pissed off that I nearly set my house on fire when I heard,” Cassie said. “Didn’t help that Sheriff Oakes told me this morning that Petunia found evidence of tampering with Stanley’s car.”
Bronwyn caught her breath at that. One of the werewolves had tampered with her truck and she’d gone off a cliff and nearly died. The parallels were disturbing.
“Does Sheriff Oakes think it’s the same werewolf that messed with Bronwyn’s truck?” I asked.
Cassie shook her head. “I doubt it. That werewolf knows he’s banished from Accident the next time he pulls something like that. No, the sheriff and I think this is someone who has a personal grudge against Stanley—or feels his betrayal of Dallas or Clinton was a crime worthy of severe injury or death.”
“He’s gotten threats,” I told the others. “The sort of threats that flat out say he needs to leave town or else.”
“He’s under our protection.” Ophelia’s eyes narrowed in anger. “Whoever is doing this is disrespecting our authority.”
“Respect our authority!” Babylon said in a weird voice that made me think she was quoting something or someone. Adrienne laughed, but the rest of us looked at her and Babylon cringed. “Sorry. I couldn’t help it.”
“He’s not just dissing us,” Adrienne added. “He’s going directly against the treaty that Sylvie brokered, against the treaty both alphas agreed to.”
“So a renegade,” Sylvie mused. “I’m thinking maybe one of the traditionalists Dallas spoke about that might not be happy about the treaty.”
“Whoever he is, he’s determined,” Bronwyn added. “Sheriff Oakes brought by that jack for me to look at, and someone had taken a rasp to it. They wanted it to fail, but clearly followed just in case it didn’t.”
I caught my breath. “We’ve got to stop whoever this is. Stanley did the right thing in blowing the whistle on what happened with Bronwyn’s car. We need to protect him and send a strong message that this kind of thing won’t be tolerated in Accident.”
“I’m thinking we need to work this at both ends.” Cassie took a swig of her beer and leaned forward. “Sheriff Oakes is investigating. I’m putting some additional protections around Stanley. Bronwyn is making an amulet. Ophelia is going to do a divination at midnight tonight. Sylvie is creating a luck charm. Adrienne is sending some of her animal friends to both watch over Stanley and to spy on the packs.”
