Page 16 of How To Summon A Memory
Florence’s eyes go wide. “No. No. I’m good now. I think I just needed to get rid of whatever was bothering me. I can keep watch.”
“I’ll do it.”
I scratch the back of my neck. The thought of being watched while I attempt to sleep creeps me out. “I’m awake now. I don’t need a watcher anymore.”
“I insist. What if it’s false hope?” Grandmother says.
“Fine, then I want Florence. Stay with me, Florry.” I pat the mattress. “There’s plenty of room, like always.”
Grandmother’s eyes light up. “Yes. That’s perfect.”
It’s not, but it’s better than me staying alone with my grandmother creepy watching me while I attempt not to squirm under her gaze.
My grandmother pushes up from her chair and Florence slides into bed next to me. We cuddle close.
“I’ll leave the two of you, then.” She turns off the light and shuts the door behind her.
“Holy fuck,” Florence breathes out. “Just holy fuck.”
“Tell me everything,” I whisper, just in case my grandmother can hear us.
Florence nods and we face each other.
“It was a lot. I’m not sure how to explain it all.”
“Try. Take your time. I need to know everything that happened between the time I disappeared and the time you got back.”
“I’ll do my best.” Florence sighs and flops to their back. “So many demons showed up. Apparently, our bartender alerted a bunch of people that you were there. Even the king of the crossroads demons showed up.”
“How does he know who I am?”
Florence snorts. “That demon from your dreams is the one that touched you, right? He’s a crossroads demon and he’s been talking about you to everyone he knows. I swear he broke my heart. The moment he realized you were gone, he screamed.”
“No,” I whisper, again pressing my hand to where he touched me.
“His name is Warwick. Wick or Wicky for short.”
“Wick.” The name feels right on my tongue like I’ve said it a thousand times. “If he knows who I am, who we are, why hasn’t he?—”
“He’s blocked, same as us. But his memories are intact. Now I’m sure Cordia put a memory lock on you about the demon. He knows way too much for the two of you not to know each other. And you’ve been dreaming about him. That has to mean something.”
“And you don’t know him?”
Florence laughs and smacks a hand to their mouth. We both watch the door and listen for grandmother’s heels, but nothing comes.
“Apparently, he knew about me, but said you never told me about him or your plan. Just in case it didn’t pan out, you didn’t want to disappoint me.”
Sounds like me. I squeeze their hand. “Whatwasthe plan?” I ask, even though I have the feeling I know.
“You wanted to trade your magic to get out of the marriage.”
“Sounds like something I’d do. But why didn’t we?”
“Had to wait until you were eighteen. According to Wick, you showed up for the first time when you were twelve.”
“Twelve?” I search my brain for any memory and all I can come up with is being angry about having to marry Florence or anyone.
“Yes, twelve. And apparently, neither of you planned on falling in love. Cordia caught wind of the plan and the second you turned eighteen, she pulled you through a portal before you could follow through. I think that’s when she put the memory lock on you. It’s been six years and you keep talking about the demon and patches of memory not being there.”
