the mortal realm,” Vika said. “Then the witch casts the spell and summons the demon. These demons weren’t planted in CJ via a familiar, Libby. They hitched a ride on his soul when he was tromping around the place of all demons. And I wish you would refrain from giving it its proper name. I don’t wish to accidentally invoke anything by speaking it.”
“Sorry, I’ll be more careful. So what if you do a little reverse engineering?”
“I’m not following.”
“Well.” Libby sidled up to the spell counter and toyed with a jar labeled For Use in Daylight Only. Inside, something luminescent fluttered about. It had been half price during a blowout sale at the witch’s bazaar. “Sex is a common means to summon a demon to this realm. What if, in turn—” Libby’s green eyes glittered and her smile fixed at the corner of her lips “—sex could be used to send one back? The sex part opens the familiar to be a conductor to the mortal realm. What if sex relaxed and opened CJ to enable you to go in and tear out those demons lurking inside?”
“Are you suggesting I have sex with the man in order to clean out his demons? Wait. You did say that. Libby, I’m sure Certainly Jones has had sex since he’s returned from—that place. As well, I suspect more is involved beyond getting one’s rocks off.”
“Yes, like having sex with a witch who knows an expulsion or exorcism spell. There must be something in one of these grimoires. And combined with grandmother’s magic?”
They touched the nails at their necks.
“There is, but...” Vika gave her sister the most incredible look. She didn’t care anymore her skirt was too short. “Seriously? You think I should— With the dark witch? No. I barely know the guy.”
“You’ve kissed him. That’s a lot more knowing than some of us have lately.”
She alluded to her crush on Reichardt. If the day ever came Libby afforded a kiss from the soul bringer, Vika would not only be startled speechless, but also have to check outside to ensure the sky had not fallen.
“I don’t mean jump his bones the moment you lay eyes on him again, but you know... It’s an idea. Something to keep in mind.” Libby winked and flounced around toward the door. “I’m going to do some shopping. I’m in the mood for some new shoes.”
“Put a skirt on!”
Libby tugged at the dress hem. “Really?”
Vika nodded. “You don’t want to flash anyone.”
“Fine. I’ve got a cute white knee-length number that should look good with this.”
“That’s perfect. And Libby? Sex? Seriously?”
“You know you want to.” With a wink, Libby skittered away.
And Vika caught her forehead in a palm. All focus on finding a spell vanished. Libby’s suggestion raised all sorts of images to mind. Kisses and sensual caresses. Clothing falling at their feet. Bare skin touching and rubbing in a symphony of discovery. And CJ’s interesting tattooed hand gliding over her skin. She sensed it would stain her indelibly with his darkness, and she shuddered at the thought. But it wasn’t an entirely horrified shudder, more so, one of anticipation.
Dashing out her tongue to lick her lips, she considered Libby’s suggestion. CJ had called her a purveyor of anticipation....
“No.” Vika sat up straight, dismissing the images of the dark witch’s hands skating over her skin. “It’s irrational. Nothing in the texts mentions sex will work to send a demon whence it came.”
At least, that she’d found so far. She hadn’t searched beyond the few volumes she and her sister owned. There was an incredible database of grimoires worldwide. The answer must be recorded somewhere.
“The archives.”
The Council kept copies of every grimoire ever written. Not to mention the Book of All Spells, which did the same, magically. Every time a spell was created—no matter where in the world, or by whom—it was magically recorded in that book. But she didn’t know Dezideriel Merovech, the witch who kept the Book of All Spells. CJ must have a means to contact her and look through the book. And if not, he did have the entire library at hand.
“I wonder if he’s gone through them?”
When had he the time?
“Would he let me take a look at the archived grimoires?”
Her spine straightened. The idea of getting to look over the Council’s collection of what should be all grimoires ever written was too exciting. Almost on line with the prospect of engaging in sex to see whether or not it could prove a useful tool in