Page 35 of How To Summon A Memory
“Come on, we have to run,” Florence grabs my hand and yanks me to my feet. We follow Squid and Vi as we race around the mansion to the back.
There’s a scream from the house.
“She’s pissed,” I say as we push on harder.
“How fucking big is this house?” Florence says, but we stop dead in our tracks when a row of witches blocks our path.
Ethan: Gonna be a bit later than anticipated.
Wick: I’ll be waiting.
Chapter 17
Warwick
Rosco whimpersin my arms and squirms, but doesn’t try to get away from me.
“Sorry, little guy, I don’t know how to help.”
There’s a commotion ahead. What the hell is going on? I wave my hand over the barrier and it pushes me back, but not as hard as I expect.
“We’re trying this.”
Something isn’t right. I push against the barrier and something snaps, letting me inside. Rosco bounces from my hold and races ahead.
“Wait!” I shout, but stop short as soon as I find myself in the middle of a witch battle.
What appears to be balls of light fly across the yard and explode, sending grass and dirt into the air. I’m not sure if anyone is aiming to hurt, but they’re sure scary. It’s seven against two, with my little witch and Florence on the winning side, it seems.
“Wick!” Ethan cries out. Something wraps around my body and I go down. “Let him go!” he screams as he runs towards me. But he doesn’t make it before he disappears.
I wriggle on the ground like a snake, trying to loosen whatever magic is wrapped around me.
“Grab the demon!” Cordia screams.
Florence rushes to me, and their touch releases the restraints. “Take me away from here,” they whisper. “We can save Ethan. I have a plan.”
I take their hand and teleport us to my apartment in the demon realm. We both suck in a breath and I drop onto my couch.
“It’s like we’re playing keep away and Ethan’s the ball,” I say.
“That’s exactly what’s happening. I’m sure Cordia bets that if she keeps him away from you long enough, everything will go in her favor. And I promise you it won’t.” There’s fire in Florence’s eyes.
“What do we do?” I ask. “I’m not an idea guy.”
“Take me to a crossroads.” Florence holds out their hand. “I’m saving us both.”
“I can’t take you to mine. It’ll be a random one.”
“Don’t care, as long as they’ll make the deal.”
I nod, and in the next breath we’re standing at a crossroads. “I can’t be here. It’s forbidden to know who’s assigned where. Text me when you’re done?”
“Understood.” They nod and I pop back to my apartment.
I kind of wish I had the raccoon to keep me company. I’ll have to see if he’d like to come live with me. Being a rejected familiar, he might not want to live around Cordia anymore and I can take care of him.
Florence: It’s done. Come get me, please.
