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“Would you like to come to Hopper’s tonight?” The offer escapes before I can think better of it.
Lord Marius pauses and turns back to me. “What did you say?”
“Hopper’s Diner. Come with us to celebrate.” I fold my hands behind my back. “See for yourself how Merri and Ga’Vine are faring instead of coming to my shop under the pretense of having business with me.”
He hesitates before regret clouds his features. “This is Nickodemus’s territory. Stepping outside your door means having to bow to the Terror From Beneath, and my station will not allow it.”
His station stands in the way of reconnecting with his daughter. But he did not choose to be a High Lord, and the only way out of his position is for someone more powerful to take his place.
I gather the bolts of fabric. “Safe travels, Lord Marius.”
“Fortune be on your endeavors.” He raises his arm once more, and a portal shimmers into existence in the doorway to the dressing room.
He steps toward it but pauses with one foot back in the demon plane. “The dusky blue with onyx accents. I will leave the rest of the design up to your discretion.”
Surprise shoots through me, and I bow low. “Yes, my lord.”
When I straighten, my empty shop greets me.
end of day
- Marc -
Frustration from the day burns through me as I drive toward the Conservatory to collect Flint for dinner.
Despite the late hour, the sun still beats against my windshield, fighting against the air conditioner’s efforts to cool me down.
Cars fill the Conservatory’s parking lot when I pull in, and waves of heat rise from the asphalt around me as I climb out.
This hot summer can kindly fuck off.
Silence follows the thought, and it startles me for a moment before I shake off the loneliness. I don’t need Darius in my head to validate my annoyance. He would only make it worse by waxing poetic about the splendor of lava fields or some other bullshit.
I cross to the steps in long strides and jog up to the entrance. The tall door swings inward with the barest of touches, the balanced hinges ensuring anyone can enter.
Welcome coolness sweeps over me as I step inside.
At the end of the school day, kids loiter in the common areas, and a few call out greetings as I pass.
I lift a hand in acknowledgment without slowing. I have a witch to collect and my stomach to fill with greasy food.
At Flint’s office, I find the room empty and walk the short distance to the headmaster’s door, which stands open.
I knock on the frame as I poke in my head.
Xander lifts his head from his laptop. “Hey, what’s up?”
“I’m looking for Flint.” I lean against the door. “We’re supposed to meet for dinner.”
“He should be in the battle room.” His younger brother, Reese, sits at a desk on the other side of the large room. His familiar drapes around his shoulders like an ugly reptilian scarf. “I heard Savannah laughing about it on her way out.”
“Got it. Thanks.” I start to leave, then turn back. “Are you guys coming to Hopper’s tonight?”
Xander shakes his head. “We have too much planning to do for the upcoming ritual.”
That gives me pause. “Ritual?”
Xander nods as if this should be obvious. “For the eclipse.”
