Before I’ve finished the thought, the bouquet melts, transforming into something that looks less like a spring day and more like an eight-pound scorpion, which is arguably a thing that would cause both psychologicalandphysical damage, and very likely ruin a perfectly clean pair of undergarments, not to be indelicate.
Miss Bonnivarde gasps at her own creation.
I arch an eyebrow. “Sounds like our theoretical witch has already got someone in mind.”
“Fine, fine.” She sighs and rolls her pretty green eyes. “My ex. Literally the worst. He actually… Never mind. Not worth mentioning.”
I try not to tense up at the mention of an ex, but it’s no simple task. What ex? How long ago were they involved? Why hasn’t she mentioned him before?
Why is my outspoken, stubborn, audacious little witch suddenly mousy and embarrassed, leaving her thoughts unfinished?
“He actuallywhat, Miss Bonnivarde? What did you mean to say?”
“It… doesn’t matter.” Her cheeks turn a deeper shade of rose, eyes downcast, shoulders rolling inward. “I just wondered if it was possible to use demon magic that way. For, like, personal reasons. Or if that’s against the rules or whatever.”
I wait for her to elaborate, but she doesn’t, and the scorpion imp returns to its original formless blob.
I make a quick note in the journal; the imp energy isverymuch in sync with her emotions and thoughts, which indicates her witchcraft is growing even more powerful than I thought.
“Technically,” I reply, “yes. It is both possible and fair play in terms of the Accords. There are no rules against using magic for personal gain. In fact, many practitioners believe the entire point of magic is to make life richer and more fulfilling for yourself and the people you care for, thereby putting more love and creativity into the world at large. At the other end of the spectrum, curse work and hexing also have their place—and I’d categorize quote-unquote ‘siccing’ an imp on an ex-associate of any sort firmly in that camp—though such dealings should not be entered into frivolously. All magic comes with tradeoffs. Costs. Consequences. Never should it be wielded irresponsibly or treated as a parlor trick, especially when it comes to demonic magic.”
She contemplates this, then nods, the spark slowly returning to her eyes. Which is a relief, honestly. For a moment, I thought the memory of her ex had stolen her well-earned happiness over the successful summoning, and then I’d have to delay our lessons and track down this flaming cunt myself, rip out his lungs, and toss him into the sea.
But! The woman is smiling again, so the cunt gets to live another day. Lucky for him.
“I think it’s best if we hold off on the demon-siccing for now,” she says. “A good spell to keep in my back pocket, though. You never know!”
“No, I suppose you never do. Shall we wrap up the lesson?”
I walk her through the energetic unbinding process, which she performs beautifully. The imp is released back to Hell, the portal solidifying into cement once more.
“Nailed it!” She does a little twirl that brings another smile to my face. Getting to be quite the job hazard, that.
I must admit… The more time we spend together, the more I’m enjoying her company. Not just as an eager student, or an academic conquest, or even as the target of my assignment.
But as a person.
One with whom it’s becoming increasingly difficult to maintain my personal boundaries.
“…don’t you think?”
“What?” I pull myself back into the present. “I mean… of course. Yes, good call.”
“Do you really mean that?”
I have no bloody idea what she’s talking about. “Absolutely.”
“Great! I’ve just devised a spell to summon a fourteenth-level archdemon using a rusty ice skate, a quart of lamb’s blood, and The Devil card. It’s gonna be freakingepic!”
Satan save me.I raise my hands in surrender. “All right, you caught me. My attention drifted. But I’m back now.”
“Good. Because Idoactually have an idea. A real one.”
“No.”
“Not a hellbeast summoning, I promise.”
“The answer is still no.”
