that I needed it, I simply didn’t have the skill.
But I knew someone who did.
It was near one in the morning when I met Zane by the bay. The rain had slowed to a misty drizzle, like static through the fog slowly rolling in off the water. The world was soft and pale, and the cherry on Zane’s joint flared in the dark.
“I’m surprised you’re still here.” Zane let the smoke curl from his lips as he spoke. “I thought you’d bail out the moment you got the grimoire.”
“I’d planned to. Problem is, I don’t have the damn thing. It was stolen from her, from Raelynn.” Zane glanced over at me, wide-eyed. He knew how important that wretched book was, how all my freedom hinged on destroying my name from its pages. “But I know who’s got it, and I’m hoping you can help me find her. Something is hiding her scent.” I frowned. I didn’t like to admit I wasn’t the best hunter, but Zane already knew it. It wasn’t shame that made me avoid placing all the blame on myself.
Something was hiding the witch’s scent, making her harder to track, throwing it in all directions so I’d never know if it was east or west.
Zane shrugged, passing me the joint. “I’ll do what I can. Who has it? You got a name?”
“Everly Hadleigh. The young witch.”
“Aaahh.” Zane gave a slow groan. “The damn witch? No shit?”
“No shit.” I took a drag, wishing once again that the weed they had on Earth was anywhere close to the herb in Hell. Their stock had gotten better in recent years, but it was still nothing in comparison. And damn, I needed the high.
I was getting frustrated. And when I was frustrated, I got reckless.
I couldn’t afford to be reckless now. Not with the grimoire, and not with Rae.
Zane was shaking his head. “Leave it alone, Leon. Forget the grimoire, go back to Hell.” I could hardly believe what I was hearing. Zane, telling me to give up? “The witch won’t summon you, trust me.”
I frowned. “And why wouldn’t she? Why should I risk it?”
“She won’t,” he insisted, taking back the joint. “She’s already got an Archdemon.”
I nearly choked on the last of my exhale. Goosebumps prickled all the way down my arms and left my fingers cold. “How the hell do you know that?”
“Because he almost killed my girl,” Zane said grimly. “That’s how.”
I paused. “An Archdemon almost killed your...have you made a deal with a human?”
“Yeah.” Zane grinned proudly, but the expression soured. “And this woman has got one damn big bone to pick.” He gave me a quick look up and down. “I’ll do my best not to let her see you.”
“Why is that?”
“Because she’ll remember you.” He tapped a finger against the side of his head. “She can really hold a grudge.” Seeing the question on my face, he leaned over and said softly, “Juniper Kynes. Can’t say the whole situation of nearly being a sacrifice left her feeling very forgiving.”
“Ah, shit.”
“She’s out for the blood of anyone who’s wronged her. It’s been a fun ride but fuck.” He flicked away the joint, and it disappeared into the waters of the bay. “She might get me killed.”
“Juniper,” I murmured. There were few things I’d done for Kent that I could attach any kind of moralistic regret to. But the night Juniper had fled through the woods, high on acid and covered with sacrificial runes, counted among things I wished I hadn’t been involved in. “Of all the humans for you to take a fascination with, it had to be her. She gave you her soul?”
“She offered it,” he said. “I was already hunting her, but the deal was her idea.”
I wasn’t about to admit how jealous I was. “So now she’s your girl, eh? What happened to not falling for humans?”
“Never said I fell for her.” Zane frowned, shifting his stance. He was such an obvious liar. “But of course she’s mine. I claimed her.”
I chuckled, although I was a fucking hypocrite to taunt him for it while I was still pining over an absolutely hopeless situation.
“So, Everly,” I said. “You know where she is? And this Archdemon of hers, how strong is he?”
Zane sighed heavily. “In a fight to the death, the two of us together, against him…” He shrugged. “We’d hold out for a few minutes. Maybe.”
“Fuck.”
“I’m telling you not to go after her, Leon.”
“Noted. Where is she?”
“Goddamn stubborn bastard,” Zane scowled, hands shoved in his