Page 29 of When I Accidentally Summoned a Demon

I look to Vesper. “My Lady,” I say, because this requires addressing, “this man has not abided by the proper social customs. He walked past you without greeting. He has not introduced himself. And—” I study him with careful concern, “—what does he intend when he says irresponsibly? I require clarification on the nature of the irresponsibility being proposed, so I may assess the threat level.”

Vesper presses her fingers to her mouth. Her shoulders are shaking. “Manny,” she says, composing herself, “this is Vale. Vale, this is Manny. He watches Bethie so I can go to work.”

I arch one brow. “Yes. You have referenced work several times. I still do not know what your position is.”

Vesper lifts her fingers to her lips. The grin spreads slowly, like something she is trying very hard to contain and has already lost the battle with. A small sound escapes her, not quite a giggle but entirely incriminating.

“Oh,” she says pleasantly, “you know multiple positions now, Big Guy.”

Manny’s hand goes to his forehead. His knees appear to soften briefly in a controlled downward movement.

“Girrrl.” He slides half a step to his left in her direction. “You have got to warn a queen before you say something like that while I’m holding a child and wearing my good shirt. Dear sweet baby Jesus.”

Bethie, for her part, is unconcerned. She has found the ties of Manny’s lanyard and is chewing them with philosophical calm.

I consider this. “How is this unusual person a queen? Why does he invoke such a name, Ves?”

Manny’s head rotates toward me. Then toward Vesper. His eyes are wider than the mouth of the Pit on a Samhain equinox. As if he just received information and is deciding what to do with it. “He calls you Ves?!” His long, incredulous inhale fills the room.

Vesper kneads her brow with two fingers. “It’s a long story.” She exhales. “Oh, Manny, if you could please keep Bethie inside today. She had a little cough during the night. It seems to have cleared, but just in case.”

She keeps her voice light, her shoulders steady.

I watch her say it. I watch the careful, controlled neutrality of her face, the particular set of her jaw that I am learning to read as I am performing calm for the benefit of others. Her own glamour, as it were. After what she saw at the park with the man and the hound, I understand the implication.

Keep her close. Keep her safe.

Manny gives a neat salute with two fingers. “You got it. Like I said. Full day planned.” He bounces Bethie once on his hip and addresses her directly. “Right, Precious?”

The little beastie lifts her chin.

“Pwecious,” she announces melodically.

Manny’s head tilts back. “Well, now. You’ve never said that one before.” He regards her with fond bewilderment. “Where did that come from, Bethie Bean?”

Bethie turns. She looks directly at me. Her small arm extends, one pudgy finger outstretched, pointing…to me.

“Pwecious.” She holds her hand open toward me. Waiting.

Something in my chest does the thing I have not yet named. A warm flutter but a tightening at the same time.

I cross the room and take her hand. Her fingers close around one of mine, the grip so small and complete and entirely without reservation.

“Yes, little beastie,” I tell her. “You may call me this, if you wish.”

I hear Vesper make a sound, one I also can’t name, but it is full of emotion.

Manny inclines his head toward Vesper. “You have some ‘splaining to do, girlfriend.”

“I will when we get back.”

“We?” He looks at me. Then at Vesper.

“He’s coming with me today.” She reaches for her keys from the hook near the door. “Come on, Vale. Before Manny starts humping you or something.”

My jaw nearly drops. “That would be quite the opposite of any appropriate social customs.”

Manny splays one hand across his chest. He makes a sound of affront so theatrical that Bethie turns her head to examine his face.