Page 29 of Blood Magic

Chapter Eleven

“I’m afraid,” Lucy said.

I helped myself to another slice of chocolate cake. “Why?”

“I keep seeing that demon.”

I sucked a morsel of cake down my windpipe and when I could finally breathe again, I glared at her. “Where?”

She waved a hand impatiently. “In my memory.”

I nodded. She’d been particularly subdued after I’d gotten home, and I saw that she hadn’t gone out to find a date. She’d baked a couple of cakes, though, and three pies, and I was currently enjoying the fruits of her frustrated labor.

“I can’t shut out the way he felt inside me, Kait.” She put her plate in the dishwasher. “I’m afraid he’ll find me again. I mean, he’s after you—or that knife, or whatever—and I’m right here for him to use again.”

“He can’t get in this house.”

“I do go outside occasionally, you know. At least I do when you’re with me. Even when I walk to work, I’m thinking the entire time that he’s going to grab me again.” She sniffed and sat down across from me. She took a drink of her wine. “I’m afraid to have a guy in or go out to find one because what if he’s possessed?”

I reached across the little table to squeeze her arm. “Luce, I told you the demon can’t come into this house—not even if he’s inside someone else. At least when you’re here, you don’t have to worry.”

“I don’t want to be afraid. I want to walk Ash without freaking out. I want to have some fun. I haven’t even been to Jade’s since the demon. You have to help me, Kait.”

I put down my fork. “I’ll be right back.”

“Where are you going?”

“To see a man about a horse.”

“Huh?”

“I’ll be right back.” I went into my bedroom and called my favorite tat girl. “Hey, Kassandra. I have a girlfriend who needs you.”

“How soon?”

“Like three weeks ago.” I explained what she needed. “Do you have an opening?”

“Anytime for you. Bring her to the shop. Eight a.m.?”

“Ugh.”

“Three p.m.”

“Perfect.”

“Tenderfoot?”

“So much yes.”

“See you tomorrow, hon.”

I smiled and ended the call, then went to tell Lucy the news. She was less than thrilled. “Can’t I just get a necklace or a sticker or something? You know I don’t want a tattoo. I’m not a fan of pain, Kait.”

“You put it off long enough. You’ll be fine. Kass is incredible. You won’t feel a thing.”

She cocked an eyebrow, unconvinced. “I’ll probably pass out. I have this thing about needles.”

“You also have this thing about demons, and I promise you, the needles will hurt way less.” I grabbed my phone and sent Kass’s shop address to Lucy’s phone. “If by some chance I’m called out and not able to take you, make sure you go. You’ll feel so much better knowing you’re protected.”