should have swung his hand the other way and had him hit himself in the face with that fucking Gameboy.
I held him there, anger surging inside of me. The lights flickered above us, and the next thing I know, William Martin was standing above me, demanding I let his son go. And then he slapped me across the face.
I fell back out of my chair and hit the floor. Abby screamed, and Nancy ran over, scooping me up. I was still her daughter then, even though she was ashamed of me. She still cared then, and to this day, I don’t understand how she so easily threw me away.
“I’m…I’m fine,” she says.
“You look a little upset,” I say gently. “Which is understandable. Please sit?” I motion to the chair, and she nods. I can’t deny how cliché I look right now. Danielle almost misses her chair since she won’t take her eyes off me, but she sits down.
“So, your cousin’s roommate told you witches are peaceful and we don’t fight demons, right?”
“Right.”
“Why do you trust her over me? Did she save your life?” That might be a low blow, but fuck, I’m taking it.
“No, of course not. She wouldn’t tell me much, but she said witches don’t seek out demons. She said you’re warned to stay away from that sort of stuff.”
“We are. Demons are dangerous to witches and nonmagical people alike. They don’t see a witch as anything different than the way they’d see you. We’re all human, after all.” But I’m actually not.
“They why do you do it?” Her brows pinch together and she’s looking at me like she wants to turn and run out the door.
“Because I can.” I pull out a chair and sit across from Danielle. “Not all witches have the same powers, just like not all humans are good at math.” I shake my head at my poor analogy. “Some witches are really good with potions or reading tarot cards. I’m good at kicking demon ass. So I do. It’s not exactly the best way to spend a Friday night—though arguably not the worst, either—but for every life I save…it reminds me. Someone has to do it.”
“I think that make sense. And I’m sorry to sound like I don’t appreciate what you did. You saved me, Callie.” Her eyes fill with tears and—dammit—now I’m getting emotional. “I’m so confused.”
“I don’t blame you.” I reach out and put my hand on hers. “It’s scary, and you went through something really fucking traumatic, demons or no demons. You were kidnapped by someone who wanted to carve out your organs. That’s gonna leave a scar. Have you talked to anyone about it yet?”
She shakes her head. “My best friend keeps telling me to see a therapist, but how can I? They’ll think I’m crazy for saying demons kidnapped me.”
“I don’t know a solution to that,” I start, fully aware how terrible my own coping mechanisms are. “But maybe talk about it figuratively? Yeah, that guy was a real demon. Really, spawn of Hell. I don’t know.”
“I suppose you’re right.” She blinks and tears roll down her face. “I’m scared.”
“I know.” I give her hand a squeeze. “And I’m sorry you are. I’m sorry you had to go through any of this.”
She sniffles and pulls her hand back, wiping away her tears. “How do you do this? How do you fight demons and not have complete mental breakdowns?”
“Wine,” I say, and then we both laugh. “Witches are born with their powers. It’s just who I am.”
“You’re lucky. You have the power to fight back and I don’t.”
I shake my head. “You don’t need magic. We all have the power to fight back. You just have to find it inside you.”
“Is everything good at the store?” Lucas’s hands land on my butt, pushing my hips against his. I just got home and haven’t even had a chance to take my shoes off yet.
“Yes. The power came back on, so we were up and running again. I was able to input the few cash transactions we got during the power outage, so things are good.”
“Look at you,” he coos. “I like business-Callie.”
“Do you want me to put on some glasses and give you a progress report?”
“Fuck yes.” He bends his head down and kisses me, and with that one kiss, I’m lost in him and we move in a desperate tangle upstairs, stripping each other’s clothes off as we go up the stairs. I’m naked by the time we get