Demons of Good and Evil by Kim Harrison

            June, I thought in relief. That was like forever. I had some time. “You sound just like her,” I said, wanting to sit, but until she did, I wouldn’t.

            And then my expression blanked as Elyse froze, blinking fast to ward off the tears.

            “Elyse, I am so sorry,” I said as I came forward, feeling like a jerk. “I can’t tell you how sorry I am. I should have—”

            Elyse lifted a hand, clearly not wanting me to touch her. “I came here tonight because I wanted to thank you.” Her head lifted, showing me her unshed tears. “For saving my life. For your patience when I tried to hurt you.” Her breath shook on her exhale. “For stopping Saladan. For opening our eyes. My eyes.”

            I slumped where I stood, feeling awkward. “You’re welcome. Is everyone okay?”

            Elyse nodded as she opened her purse. “Vivian had been my teacher since I was ten. She didn’t have any family except for me, which means I’m the one going through her things. I’m guessing this might mean more to you than me,” she said, holding out a shot glass with margaritaville emblazoned on it in a garish gold paint.

            I took it, a smile so wide on me it must have looked as if I didn’t care. But really, it was the opposite. “Thank you. It’s from our trip.”

            “I figured.” Elyse snapped her purse closed. “Vivian thought that having a witch-born demon in the coven would open up possibilities that have been closed to us for thousands of years. Clearly Saladan was a mistake. He was using us for his advantage, not furthering our standing or creating a safer environment.”

            I heard the back door shut, and it grew quiet in the kitchen. “That has nothing to do with his biology,” I said. “Lee is a bastard. You don’t have to be a demon to be a bastard.” Though it did seem that when push came to shove, most demons were.

            Jaw tight, Elyse stared at the circle stained into the floor. “Lee was supposed to forge a link to the demons, become a conduit for dialogue and the beginnings of understanding our heritage,” she said, but her tone was rising as if she was having trouble keeping it together. “And I find myself in a situation where I am tempted to make the same mistake twice,” she added, voice light and sort of weepy.

            “Uh . . .” I said, an entirely new worry trickling through me.

            Elyse’s smile was clearly forced. “As the acting lead member of the coven, I have the authority to invite candidates to be considered for the honor of wearing the Möbius strip. It’s usually a formality as active members tutor and mentor their replacements. Exceptions can be made. Were made.”

            She took a breath and I froze, feeling everything tighten.

            “Rachel, I intend to submit your name into the pool of potential candidates this June, provided the curse you used on Welroe checks out.”

            “Sweet mother of Tink,” came a tiny voice from the rafters, and I stared, not believing the words that had come out of her mouth. The honor was heady, but immediately my suspicious nature asked, Why?

            “Vivian was right,” she said, glancing at the faded pentagram. “We need a closer tie to the demons. They have a lot to teach us.”

            “Not really,” I said, wondering what they really wanted. “Lee about covered it.”

            “It would be beneficial to you as well,” she said, clearly sensing my lack of excitement. “Coven members have a license to curse. If you are chosen, your past indiscretions would be expunged and future issues would be covered—provided there was no loss of life.”

            I was glad now that we weren’t sitting companionably about my coffee table eating chocolate, and I shifted my weight to one foot. “Provided I give you free access to my demon books.”

            Jenks’s wings hummed, but not a glimmer of dust showed.

            “Lenny says they are unique,” Elyse said, and it was all I could do to not throw her out. They didn’t want me. They wanted what I knew. That wasn’t the same. No wonder Al is camped out in my backyard.

            “They are,” I said. “No.”

            “Atta girl” drifted down from the rafters, but Elyse stared, clearly shocked.

            “No?” she repeated.