She confirmed with a soft hum. “Sorry, I’ve been such a difficult client.”
“It’s easier now,” I assured.
“After I almost got choked less than forty-eight hours ago?” She smiled. “I’m sure.”
“That’s not what I meant.”
“I know,” she said. “It’s the kiss, isn’t it?”
I sighed. “Once we have the place warded, I’m going to need you to keep this energy up for a little while longer.”
She raised a brow. “Okay…”
“It’ll make anchoring easier for us.”
“I like when things are hard for you, though.” She gestured to my forehead. “There’s this tiny triangle that appears between your brows when you’re thinking too hard. I’d never guess your flawless skin would ever show signs of wrinkling back when I saw you on stage.”
“It’s all this country air,” I teased. “Cuts through armor rather efficiently.”
She sobered. “That’s one of my favorite things about beinghere.”
While her gaze settled on the land that stretched before us, mine settled on her. “I agree.”
We admired our respective views for a couple of seconds longer before getting back to work. It took three buckets, but we got the perimeter finished without incident. Nico, December, and Jonah were at the front of the house, done with their jobs before we finished ours.
“Well?” December asked when we were within earshot.
“We’re in one piece.” I dumped my bucket into the bed of Octavia’s truck.
“It seems like it’s holding.” Wilson’s gaze never left the house.
“We won’t know until we check it.” Nico came closer, stopping next to Octavia’s elbow. “I’ll go in first, you follow, Rae will bring up the rear.”
“Okay.” Her brow furrowed as she looked to me for guidance.
“Daylan says one way to learn about a demon is to coax it out.” I pressed my nails into my palm. This was going to be the most dangerous part.
“And I’m the coaxer,” she said.
“If it’s going to respond to anyone, it’s going to respond to you,” Nico said.
Octavia straightened, not showing any hint of reservation. “Let’s try it.”
“If something happens,” I whispered to December. “Don’t come in. Go straight to town, call Dawn; she’ll know what to do.”
“I’m not a child; I know the next steps,” December muttered, but the annoyance didn’t travel much further than her tone. “And nothing’s going to happen.”
I squeezed her hand. “See you in a second then?”
Before I could leave, she pulled me into a tight hug. Myarms automatically wrapped around her. She held on as if she’d never let go for a few seconds before practically shoving me away. December waved me off, not wanting to hear another word.
“Good luck,” Jonah said.
I shook my head and nudged my chin toward the house. “Save it for yourself. You’re shadowing. It’ll be good practice.”
He tried to smile, excitement and dread making his mouth pull into a thin line. Jonah raised his chin, determined as he followed me.
We met Nico and Octavia at the front steps.
