Page 20 of How To Summon A Memory
“He just kept going on about ‘don’t touch my Ethan.’ I told him it was an accident. Someone set me up. But he just kept talking about his Ethan.”
“I’m sorry you went through that Tanner.” I really really am. “It’s… complicated.”
Courtney’s eyes light up. “Is he your lover? Is there a lover’s quarrel?”
I snort at her imagination. “No, nothing like that.”
Florence snorts. “More like—” They shut their mouth though they can’t stop grinning. “Hmmm…” They tap their lips. “How do we explain it?”
Courtney squints at Florence. “If the demon is Professor Speller’s lover, then shouldn’t you be upset about that?”
“Not in the least.” Florence smoothes out the front of their skirt before they take the seat behind the desk. “We’ll have an open marriage.Ifit even happens.”
Courtney squeals. “I want all the deets.”
“Absolutely not,” I say. “At least not anytime soon.” I wave towards the desks. “Take a seat and we’ll get the written exam started.” We’re still waiting for the last two of our remaining students. They’re always late and I’m not worried.
Darla and Phillip walk in, hands clasped together with the biggest smiles on their faces.
“Looks like those to are getting chummy,” Tanner says as he looks longingly to Courtney. She’s totally oblivious.
“Alright everyone, have a seat,” Florence says. And we start the first round of finals, the written exam.
Three hours of staring into space, wondering what the heck Wick might send with this Pike guy. What do I want to send back to him?
Of course, my phone number. Maybe… maybe something like a note, but what do I say? Sorry, I don’t remember who the fuck you are, but I see you in my dreams every night and you’re the most handsome person I’ve ever laid eyes on. That’s so dumb. But I grab a notebook and start scribbling words down, anyway.
When the timer goes off, I’m startled out of my thoughts. The pretty demon stares at me from my notebook. At some point I’d gone to drawing him. How I know every violet freckle on his blue face, I have no idea.
“Ethan?” Florence drops a hand on my shoulder and squeezes. “Want to go grab lunch?”
My stomach rumbles in answer. “Probably for the best. That way you can help me figure out what the hell to say to Wick.”
They give me a gentle smile and I realize all our students are gone. “You’ve been staring at that picture for twenty minutes.”
“Sorry.”
“It’s okay. We’re at the end of a long mystery.” Another squeeze to my shoulder. “I’m happy for you.”
I rub my cheek against their hand. “You’re the best, you know that?”
“Yep. We’ll get you your demon and I’ll get me my puppy. Oh! Maybe I can get a Hellhound! Wouldn’t that be exciting?”
“Can witches have Hellhounds?” I ask. “And how will Squid take it? He’s pretty territorial.”
Florence snorts. “Squid won’t mind. He wants a sibling to play with.”
“Vi likes being an only child.” As if right on cue, my familiar flitters right in my face as usual. She fills my head with everything she’s learned on crossroads demons. Which isn’t alot, but it’s enough. “Thank you, love. You’re amazing.” Her little wings shimmy as she preens at my praise. “I’ll get you your favorite treat tonight. Go rest.” She zig zags in front of me, then flies right back out the window she came.
“What’d she say?” Florence asks as we head towards the cafeteria.
“Not much, but it’s still solid. Like crossroads demons can travel anywhere they want, but when they’re summoned, they have to stay in the circle of salt they’re summoned with until either the deal is struck or they deny it.”
“Curious.”
“It’s a safety issue.” I go back to thinking about what I want to pass over to Wick. “I hate not knowing what I should know, you know?”
“I get it.”
