exclaimed. "Let me go directly, you maggot-ridden piece of sheep liver, or you will suffer a powerful defeat. You're of no circumstance. A second-rate-"
Al flexed his arm, and Pierce choked. "I never managed to actually find this one before," Al said, regaining his usual supercilious air though Pierce dug at his fingers around his throat. "But I've heard of him, itchy witch. Everyone has heard of Gordian Nathaniel Pierce. He almost killed Newt, which is why I'm going to make enough money off him that you can keep my summoning name for the next decade. Someone will pay big for him." His voice lowered. "Even if they do nothing but poke at him."
Not a demon practitioner, but a demon killer, I thought with a weird sense of tense relief. Even Bis looked relieved. I looked at the church, but still, no movement. "Al, you can't take people talking to me," I said, and when Al laughed, I blurted, "Then I'll buy him!"
Bis turned to me with wide eyes, and even Pierce opened his mouth to protest, grunting when Al jerked him. "Not on your soul," the demon crooned, pulling Pierce close until the man's lips pressed together defiantly and his eyes gleamed in hate. "Well, maybe...," Al mused, then shook his head. "No, not even on your soul," he affirmed. "I won't sell him to you. Despite that witch-class ceiling he has, he's more dangerous than you right now. He's at his peak. Besides, how many nasty little men do you need for your familiars?" he said lightly, looking at Bis. "He's a bad man who likes to try to kill demons."
"I'm not a demon," I said, my voice trembling, and Al's eyes narrowed.
"I am," he intoned. "Consider your night off as a thank-you for luring him to me, itchy witch. Your lessons are canceled until further notice. I'm going to be busy for a while."
"Al!" I shouted as they started to go misty. "Don't you walk away from me!"
Smiling at me from over his glasses, Al shook his head. "You're not in control, Rachel. I am. Of everything."
Furious, I shouted, "You're abusing your right to check on me, and you know it! Give him back and stop abducting people I'm with, or so help me I'm going to...to..."
Al hesitated, and I started to shake. "Do what?" he asked, and Pierce closed his eyes in misery. "You can't draw on a line until your aura heals, and I'm not fixing it for you." Glancing at Bis, he edged forward until the gargoyle hissed. "You're helpless, Rachel Mariana Morgan."
I dropped back, stymied. Damn it, using all three of my names was a warning, probably the only one I'd ever get. If I summoned him I might get my way, but I'd lose what little respect he'd given me and be back to being treated like a demon summoner. And I liked the respect he'd been granting me, little as it was. I enjoyed not having to fear every time the air pressure shifted. Though the parties in the ever-after were a pain in the ass, Al's kitchen was peaceful. I didn't want that to end. But his abducting of people was going to stop.
"This is not over," I vowed, trembling from frustration. "We are going to settle this, and you're going to let him go!"
"How, itchy witch?" he scoffed.
My expression twisted as I searched for an answer that wasn't there.
Seeing me without words, Al jerked Pierce up, almost off his feet. "Don't call me. I'll call you," he said, and he and Pierce vanished.
Heart pounding, I stared where he had been. "Damn it back to the Turn!" I shouted. Frustrated, I spun to the church, but there was nothing to help me there. The lights were bright, spilling out over the silent snow. Snatching up my bag and scrying mirror, I stomped to the back door, grabbing the cookies at the last moment. Al was going to be busy with Pierce for a while, but until I settled this, everyone with me was a potential target.
This was so not what I needed.
Chapter Seventeen
Ignore me, huh?" I muttered, trying for anger, not fear, as I dropped my scrying mirror and cookies on the counter, then kicked my overnight bag under the table, out of the way. The canvas sack scraped across a thin layer of salt, leaving a smear of muddy snow, and I turned to the cupboards. Salt. I didn't know how to jump a line, but I was going to