Page 60 of Hex You

Mercy forced herself not to laugh at Xena’s offended expression. “Okay, so maybe cats don’t soundexactlylike crying babies, but do you think you couldtryto sound enough like one to fool the demon into checking you out?”

Xena licked her fingers and smoothed back her hair. “I suppose if it would help my kittens I could try, though I was very much hoping my help involved my claws. Where shall I yowl?”

“From the Japanese tree,” said Mercy. “You’d be key in drawing the Nure-Onna to us,andyou’d be using your claws to climb the tree. The rest of us can hide in the cornfield with Khenti, who will be ready to jump out and cut its head off—whether it’s coming or going from the Underworld.”

“Yes,” Xena said. “I could do that.”

“Awesome, Xena! That sounds like it would work.” Mercy turned to Khenti. “What do you think?”

“I think it is a good plan,” said Khenti. “I look forward to cleaving its head from its body.”

“When do we leave?” Xena asked.

“Hunter said to give her an hour or so. She’ll text us when she’s on her way to the cherry tree, so—” Mercy’s words were cut off by a knock on the front door.

Khenti was up and moving in one breath—his hand lifted to summon his khopesh. He peered through the peephole and relaxed before opening the door.

“Oh. My. God.” Emily walked in, staring from the boarded-up window to the brick with the Bible verse that sat on the end table. She strode to the table and picked up the sheet of paper with the black wordsEXODUS 22:18—THOU SHALT NOT SUFFER A WITCH TO LIVEprinted on it. She shook her head. “Why do assholes like thisalways use the Bible to justify their crappy actions? Like, did they just skip the whole part about loving your neighbor as yourself? Not to mention the whole forgiveness part?”

Mercy snorted. “I’m not in a very forgiving mood today.”

“Emily, kitten, the Nure-Onna attacked me last night!” Xena said.

“What?! Are you okay?” Em rushed to the cat person and hugged her gently.

“I shall be just fine.” Xena patted Emily’s head before she licked her cheek affectionately. “I am already well enough to play a key role in the trapping of the Nure-Onna.”

Emily turned to look at Khenti and Mercy. “We’re killing a snake today?”

“We?” Mercy asked.

“Hell, yes,we!Technically, I know Khenti has to kill it, but we’ll be there to be his backup. Nothing messes with Xena and gets away with it,” Emily said firmly before she took the cat person’s face between her hands and licked her—right on her nose. “Did that make it all better?”

Xena smiled. “Indeed, kitten. Thank you ever so.”

“You’re welcome,” Emily said. “Now, tell me the plan and how I can help.”

TWENTY-FIVE

Hunter avoided Kylie’s hazel gaze and poked at the mound of cold fries, soggy with ketchup. She would be happy if she never again had to step foot in Shake It. The retro diner she used to visit for salty fries, dairy-free milkshakes, and friendly conversation had been bulldozed by the real world. She now came to the diner for huge helpings ofdoing the right thingchased withcleaning up her messes. It made her feel better and worse all at the same time. Kind of like exercising.

“You owe me a conversation,” Kylie said, crashing through Hunter’s internal pity party. “And, at the very least, a real apology.”

“Last time I apologized, you slapped me.” Hunter pressed her palm against her cheek with the memory.

Kylie crossed her arms over her chest. “You deserved it.”

“I know,” Hunter said, picking at her jagged thumbnail. “I am sorry, Kylie. Really. I—”

“We could have been friends,” Kylie blurted, her eyes welling with tears. “We could have been—” Grapefruit splashed against Hunter’s senses as Kylie shook her head. “You destroyed everything.”

Hunter was back where she’d been the last time she’d sat in this sticky booth—hoping that she was still a good person, still deserving of friendship—but this time… Her heart squeezed and a sob bubbled up her throat. There was a universe out there in which she hadn’t made such bad decisions. A time and place where she and Kylie were…something.

“We can still be friends,” she offered, a smile tugging on her lips.

“We can’t.” Kylie blinked, and her tears were gone for good. “You did this. You changed who I was. You made me a mess and then you just stood there while I begged you for help.”

I didn’t mean to.