Demons of Good and Evil by Kim Harrison

            Elyse was shouting at Lee, neither one of them giving an inch. Behind them, David was beginning to struggle as living vamps began to emerge into the dusk, feeling stronger as the sun crept to the horizon. “I’ll take Elyse,” I said, feeling the pinch of time. “You and Quen keep Lee and the rest off us. Elyse isn’t going to let this go. I’ll draw her into the street so Lee can organize the circle.”

            “You want to what?”

            I ducked, startled at the sharp crack of a breaking spell. Apparently Elyse didn’t like Lee trying to tell her what to do. “Keep the I.S. busy, but let them take the plaza,” I said as Lee and Elyse argued. “I need Lee to twist the curse.”

            “You want the demons cursed?” Trent’s face held a tinge of heartache, desperate as he looked from me to the advancing I.S. force. “We can beat this. I’m not going to let you be cursed to live in the ever-after.”

            I touched his jaw, loving him. “Make sure they do the curse,” I insisted. “The demons can take control of it mid-cast. Shift its focus. Bounce it back on them. Elyse wants me. I need you do to this.”

            He blinked, realizing what I was saying. “Bounce it back, and the witches will be exiled in reality. They won’t be able to cross to the ever-after by standing in a line anymore.” He tensed, a wicked delight making his mien devious. “Elyse is yours.”

            I pulled him to me, breathing him in one last time. My eyes closed, and I sent my thoughts back into the collective, even as Trent’s lips met mine. Dali! Talk to me, you short-horned, whiptail midnight flier of a dead earth!

            And then Trent started, our lips parting when a purple and red spell slammed into the Good Grounds truck. “Go,” I said as coffee beans rained down, and his arms slipped away.

            Nodding, he strode forward, breaking his protection circle as he passed through it. His lips moved in silent Latin as he joined Quen, little trills of power dripping from his fingers.

            Okay, Elyse. Lesson one. Don’t piss off the demon.





CHAPTER


            30

            “Morgan!” David called from across the plaza, and I spun, lips parting to see a ball of who knew what coming at me.

            Again I rolled, this time to the street to draw Elyse from Lee. Rhombus, I thought as I settled on the pavement, cowering under my hastily crafted circle. Her spell hit with a thump, popping and crackling as it bubbled against the asphalt to try to find a way in, expending itself as Elyse strode forward.

            Crouched, I blew the hair from my face as I waited for her spell to dissipate. There was a growing chance that I had underestimated her. She’d clearly had a heady will, and her long hair was a black halo of unfocused energy. Behind her, the I.S. was pushing into the square to keep Lee and the rest of the coven safe. David continued to funnel people out and maintain an eye on me, and Trent lobbed spell after spell, a light distraction as Lee organized whoever was left.

            Elyse wouldn’t be able to help them craft the curse, but all Lee needed was the will of enough of Cincy’s witches. They were the ones who would power the spell, and a thrill tinged with worry sparked through me. Dali! I shouted into the ether. I have an idea!

            But he ignored me, and I rose when Elyse’s spell finally spent itself. My circle’s energy cascaded over me like rain as I broke through it, and I toe-heeled to the street, never letting go of her gaze.

            “Elyse, keep Morgan off me!” Lee shouted. “Don’t listen to her. Everything she says is a lie.”

            “Way ahead of you, old man.” Elyse’s steps left glowing footprints as she followed me to the street, her young features twisted into anger. “Morgan, you murdered my teacher, and I will hold you accountable!”

            Behind her, the circle at Fountain Square rose up, thin at first, then stronger as the witches of Cincinnati returned. Encouraged by the promise of I.S. protection and the chance to expel the demons from their nightmares, they came from the shadows of alleys and storefronts.

            But it was easy to forgive them. I’d been afraid of demons, too, once. Still was.

            “Fight me!” Elyse exclaimed, and I gestured helplessly, my grip tight on the ley line.

            “I didn’t kill Vivian,” I said, stumbling as I found the curb. “She was my friend.”