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“He’s a demon, I think…”

I try to read her face as she fidgets. I can see the embarrassment, and the obvious discomfort. But clearly that’s as honest as she is willing to be with me.

“Remember back in the library when you got hit by the book and I said there was a problem I was trying to resolve?” she asks, not meeting my eyes.

“When you say you didn’t mean to summon him—” I cut myself off, trying to act casual. “So you’re… in a relationship with a poltergeist?”

“Yes. Basically…” Calli holds my gaze.

“You realize how fucked-up this is, right?” I take a step back.

“It’s also not for you to fucking judge! I spent the past few days terrified I might lose you, and he was there for me, even after what I saw between you and the ghost, which I do not judge you for, I just wish I didn’t know.”

I stare at her dumbfounded for a moment.

What exactly did she see?

“This conversation is not about me. I didn’t summon a fucking demon into our damn house!” I shake my head as I rake my fingers through my hair. “This is actually insane.”

The thought that he has been here, the whole fucking time playing house with my baby sister, disgusts me. Who knows how old he is? Fuck, that’s weird.

“You’re right, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to pry, I just wanted to know you were safe and… never mind that. I get you’re mad, and this is hard to process. I just want you to trust me here.”

I don’t answer. How the hell do I respond to this?

“Cade…” Calli’s voice is soft and she sighs, leaning in as she grips the base of my hoodie.

Goddamn it, she’s giving me that face like she’s asking to keep a fucking stray puppy.

“I know this is messed up, and I’m not asking for you to trust him, just give him an opportunity to gain it. Please.”

I pause.

My stomach tightens. My feelings won’t change, Calli knows that, but I may not be in a position to make demands of her—and I need to keep her close. But knowing what she can do… If she was able to pull him into our world, then maybe…

“What do you know about it?” My voice is low and calm.

“More than I care to… That’s why I have kept the grimoire away. Because of it, we are connected to beings we don’t understand. But please accept that my feelings are real and I don’t want to lie to you about that.”

Maybe she could bring you too.

“Could you… Is it possible to—”

Calli interrupts, as if knowing what I was going to say. “No… I still don’t even know what the ghost is, but I know they are different from Kai. The ghost could be a God for all we know.” She says it so casually. But I cringe at the thought.

She must have noticed my discomfort, since she walks up to hug me.

“Not all Gods are bad; your ghost has done nothing but help us.”

I brush her off and walk over to the window.

“Cade?” She speaks calmly, concern in her voice.

I hate that she had me hoping for a moment—no. I will not allow myself to dwell, I don’t need to. I vowed that I would find a way.

A way to you.

And I will.