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I looked at Kane. “Would you mind giving us a minute? There’s something I’d like to say to Bruce.”
The demon looked perplexed. “Isn’t that what you’ve been doing? Granted, I can only hear your side of the conversation, but it seems thorough.”
I stared at him until he beat a hasty retreat upstairs. Then I shifted my attention back to Bruce. “I order you to travel to The Corporation’s headquarters before you depart for the afterlife. Go in peace, friend.”
Bruce spun and reformed as a dragon. His wings spread wide, forcing me backward. I watched his serpentine body undulate as it flew through the ceiling and disappeared.
“I’m sorry I missed the full show,” Kane said, as I ascended the staircase. “His alternate form is quite powerful.”
“So is yours.”
He grinned. “Yes, it is. And I avoid using it the way you avoid using your powers. I know my reasons. What are yours?”
I groaned. “This again? Give it a rest already.”
He threw open the front door, inviting in the sunshine. “You can’t hide yourself forever, Miss Clay. Everybody shows their true colors eventually, even someone as desperate to remain as black and white as you.”
He had no idea how close to the truth his remark hit. “I’m not desperate. I prefer to keep to myself, that’s all. Live a quiet life.”
His mouth twitched. “In case you haven’t noticed, you’re failing miserably at it.”
“Are we finished here? I have a Jaws bath bomb at home with my name on it.”
He gestured to the house. “Spilling more blood, are we? This wasn’t enough for you?”
“What? No flirtatious offer to join me?” I clucked my tongue. “You’re off your game, Sullivan.”
“On the contrary. I’m playing exactly as I intend.”
I wasn’t sure what he meant and decided not to pursue it. The more he revealed, the more he’d expect me to reveal in return. He treated relationships like a game of strip poker, and I fully intended to keep my clothes on.
I adjusted the strap of my backpack over my shoulder. “I need a new throwing axe, preferably one that appears in my hand at will and bursts into flames.”
A deep rumble of laughter tumbled from the demon’s full lips. “Have I mentioned how glad I am to have met you, Miss Clay?”
“Lorelei,” I said. “Call me Lorelei.”
CHAPTER17
Ididn’t take the bath I’d promised myself. Not immediately anyway. I walked upstairs to the balcony that overlooked the town and rested a hip against the ledge. From this vantage point, I could see the river at the opposite end of town, a shining parallel line to the moat of the Castle. Lights twinkled below like fallen stars. I was tempted to make a wish, just in case one of them turned out to be more than an illusion. There was no sign of the blackbird on the gate. I wondered whether Kane would stop serving as sentry—or spy—now that I’d discovered his ruse. Tomorrow I’d return the pyxis to Skip and cross that task off my to-do list. It was the little things that kept me going during challenging times.Inch by inch, life’s a cinch, my grandmother would sing.
Ray appeared on the balcony beside me. “Technically, I’m outside,” he said, anticipating my objection.
“You’re fine.”
“Good. I just want to thank you for helping my Alicia.”
“I didn’t tell you so you could thank me. I only told you because I promised her I would.”
“Doesn’t matter why. You didn’t have to put yourself in harm’s way for her, but you did, and I’m grateful.”
“She’s a good kid who made a bad decision. She shouldn’t have to pay for it with her soul.”
Ray lingered on the balcony. “Do you think you could transcribe a message for me?”
I knew where this was headed. “I understand where you’re coming from, but I don’t want to get involved in family disputes. One of the few upsides of growing up in foster homes is that I didn’t have to take family drama into adulthood with me.”
Ray nodded. “I appreciate your point of view. It’s only that Alicia…” He tore away his gaze. “That little girl deserves better. I don’t know where I went wrong with her mom. All I know is I need to fix it.”
