Eden felt a sliver of panic at the thought. Maybe the witch had lied for a chance to finish what she’d started with the demon. Eden had believed her completely. Darrak wasn’t so naïve, of course. She could see in his eyes right now, that hope mixing with distrust. He’d willingly opened himself up to the pain that would either lead to his ultimate freedom or complete destruction.
She watched, warily, her hands clenched into fists at her sides, and she could feel her own magic now at her fingertips—just as Selina said it would be. So easy to use she didn’t even need a training manual. Would it really be that simple? No more difficult than throwing a thought?
It was. That’s why it was so dangerous.
“Do it.” The pain in Darrak’s voice was already noticeable. “Finish this one way or the other.”
Selina smiled at Eden. “I know what you’re thinking.”
“You do?”
The witch nodded. “But don’t worry. I won’t hurt him more than I have to. And I will release him from this curse and the other spell I put on him. It’ll be a new beginning for all of us.”
She was telling the truth. Through their strange new bond, Eden knew it, and it was a huge relief. Despite being a black witch, Selina wasn’t evil. She’d fought against it. She tried to help others with her books—man-hating diatribes that they were. Eden knew the witch would be able to help her with her strange new magical ability—a molten lava pool of power it was disturbingly tempting to jump into headfirst.
“Now, let me finish this,” Selina said firmly.
That pesky lump of emotion came back to take up residence in Eden’s throat. The demon’s pain-filled gaze was heavy on her as the energy swept through the playground and around her and she knew any moment he would disappear completely.
Good-bye, Darrak, she thought.
There was an interruption in the flicker of energy around Eden. She felt it. The witch’s eyes were open again and her attention had shifted.
“Who the hell are you?” Selina asked sharply.
Eden turned to see that Malcolm was watching the proceedings, leaning his shoulder against a tree.
“Sorry. Am I interrupting something?” he asked.
Cold fear shot through her at the sight of him.
“Interrupting something?” Eden asked, forcing herself to laugh lightly at that. “Just three good friends hanging out in a children’s playground. Nothing strange about that, is there?”
Malcolm approached slowly and Eden’s gaze flicked to his hand where he held a palm-sized piece of rock salt. “I consulted with my mentor about what we discussed last night and I’m now ready to finish this.”
“You know where I live?”
“I’m here, aren’t I? Haven’t you been expecting me?” Malcolm looked confused. Of course, he would be. The last time he’d seen Eden she’d agree to have Darrak exorcised without further argument.
She tentatively approached the college-kid-turned-secret-society-demon-hunter. “Malcolm, no. I’ve changed my mind. Please go.”
“I can’t do that.”
“Eden,” Darrak said with warning. “Be careful.”
“That’s him, isn’t it?” Malcolm said, the tremor in his voice impossible to hide. “The archdemon. He’s powerful enough to take solid form.”
She swallowed nervously. “You need to go home. I spoke to your mother a little while ago. She says you have a scholarship. You need to go back to school. Have a real life.”
“I don’t care what my mother says. This is my life.” His gaze shifted over to Selina and he inhaled sharply. “She’s a witch. I can sense her power.”
Selina glared back at him. “Come any closer, kid, and I’ll give you something else to sense.”
His eyes returned to meet Eden’s and they widened a fraction. “You’re a witch now, too?”
She cringed. “I’ve been called many things in my life. That’s now on the list.”
Disappointment flooded his expression. “I wanted to help you. I failed. The darkness has claimed you.”
She took a step toward him but he staggered back a little, clutching his solid crystal of salt. He looked very young, uncertain, and suddenly in over his head. “There are exceptions to what you’ve been taught by the Malleus. There are demons and witches who don’t want to hurt anyone. And you can’t kill them.”
He shook his head, confused. “But my training, everything I’ve learned…”
“You’re smart enough to see what I’m saying is true. I know you’re afraid right now, but you don’t have to be. And I think you’re so brave for coming here and trying to do this on your own, but it’s not necessary. We’re here trying to fix this by ourselves and you need to go now so we can finish. Will you do that for me?”
The calm, soothing tone of her voice was not exactly what she was feeling inside, but she knew she had to keep her emotions in check. He could be made to see reason. It wasn’t too late.
“I can kill him,” Selina suggested.
“You’re not helping,” Eden said, shooting the witch a sharp look. “I thought you were a nice witch.”
“Why does everyone think I’m nice? I do what I must to survive. And I’m not risking my Oprah appearance for anyone.”
“He won’t tell anyone,” Eden said, even though she wasn’t positive that was true. She exchanged a concerned glance with Darrak, who otherwise kept very quiet, still bound to the spot where he stood by Selina’s use of his true name. His expression, however, was no longer pain-filled or even emotionless. His brow was furrowed with concern. Was it for himself or for Eden?
Malcolm’s hand curled around the piece of salt. “I can save you.”
She couldn’t help but smile at that. “I thought you’d want to kill me now, as well.”
“You’re not lost yet. We can help you. The Malleus—”
“They’re the same bastards who killed my innocent human sister,” Selina snapped. “Don’t let them anywhere near you.”
“Eden, be careful,” Darrak warned.
Malcolm swallowed, his expression registering shock from what Selina said. “I need to think.”
That was a very good sign. Eden felt she’d gotten through to him, even if it was just a little. The kid wanted to do the right thing, after all. Despite everything, that was his goal.
She heard a car pull into the parking lot only a few dozen feet away.
Selina sighed with annoyance. “I think we would have had more privacy at the coffee shop. I should have taken that fan-girl up on the blueberry scone offer when I had the chance.”
“Release me, Selina,” Darrak said.
“Fine,” she replied absently and flicked her wrist in his direction. “I release you.”
The demon moved from the spot he had been frozen in and came immediately to Eden’s side. “We’ll do this another time. It’s too dangerous right now.”
The thought was a surprising relief. He was right. This wasn’t a good time. Even if they had to wait a day, it would be worth it.
Malcolm’s gaze snapped to the demon and his grip increased on the salt. “It’s my duty to destroy you, demon.”
Darrak looked directly at him. “I respect your dedication to a job, but you’re a bit of a pain in the ass, you know that, kid?”
“Don’t call me kid.”
“Then stop acting like a spoiled child who thinks he knows what’s right in the world. You have no idea what’s really out there, do you? You’ve stamped out some nasties and consider yourself an expert. Your mind has been corrupted by this group you’re in. You need to learn to think for yourself.”
“I am thinking for myself. And it’s my duty to destroy evil things that enter this world.”
“Is that right?” Darrak’s eyes narrowed and flickered with an inner fire. “If I was truly as bad as you think I am, the only thing left of you right now would be your shoes.”
“Darrak, please,” Eden hissed. He wasn’t helping matters by baiting the kid. She’d seen Malcolm ea
sily destroy the drifter the previous day. She didn’t know if he’d also be able to trap an archdemon in that piece of salt, but she didn’t want to find out.
“Please what?” he said.
“Don’t set yourself up to get hurt.”
He looked at her. “I didn’t think you cared one way or the other what happens to me.”
“I don’t,” she lied.
“You shouldn’t.”
“Then that’s why I don’t. But that doesn’t mean I want you exorcised.”
His jaw was tense. “I just want this over with.”
“Me, too.”
“Then let me help you,” Malcolm said. “I can end this.”
“Say another word”—Selina’s fingertips sparked with visible magic—“and it will be your last.”
Her amulet darkened another shade.
Eden grabbed Malcolm’s hand that held the salt. She looked into his eyes. “Please don’t do anything. I don’t want you hurt, either.”
He frowned at her. “Really?”
She nodded. “Really.”
“Malcolm! There you are!” Rosa entered the clearing, hobbling along on her walking cane. Eden’s heart sank. It must have been her car she heard pull up.
She should have considered selling tickets to Darrak’s curse breaking. Maybe gotten some balloons and fruit punch. It was turning into a big party full of unwelcome guests.
Malcolm tensed. “Mother, please. I can handle this.”
“Sweetie, you shouldn’t be here right now, bothering these people. I told you to leave them alone.”
She did? Eden’s eyebrows went up.
But maybe this was a good thing. Having his mommy here might help to rein Malcolm in a bit. And Rosa had been very helpful earlier, both with the apology and the refund of the exorcism money.
Rosa moved closer, shaking her head. “I apologize for my son. He’s very… overzealous. He has much to learn still.”
Malcolm scowled at her and jerked away when she went to touch him.
“It’s fine,” Eden said tightly. “No harm done.”
“I can’t work like this,” Selina said with frustration. “We’ll have to do it another day. Eden, you have my phone number, right?”
“I do. But… Selina, please—”
“No,” Selina held up a hand. “I’m all stressed out now. I’m going to call myself a taxi and go back to my hotel. Besides, I have a phone interview scheduled in an hour that I don’t want to miss. I’ll have to meditate before it to calm myself down. We’ll talk later, okay?”
Eden didn’t answer because she was now studying Rosa. Something had caught her eye. The harmless-looking short, fat exorcist had the sleeves of her coat pushed up so a strange pinkish mark on her left forearm was visible.
Strange, but familiar.
“I remembered what they call you,” Rosa said as Selina was about to pass her on her way out of the playground. “It’s the Love Witch.”
“That’s right.”
“Your books are very popular.”
“Over five million in print.”
“Amazing what black magic will net you, isn’t it?”
Selina’s eyes narrowed. “I don’t use black magic to help my writing.”
“Sure you don’t.”
The mark. Eden blinked rapidly. It was the same as what Malcolm had shown her. The brand given to members of the Malleus. Only Rosa’s was much older, less red and raw and new.
“Selina, wait a minute…” she began, feeling suddenly very nervous.
Selina brushed past the woman. “Excuse me.”
“Oh, one last thing, dear,” Rosa said.
“What?” Selina turned, annoyance plain on her face, and Rosa plunged the sharp tip of a dagger—previously sheathed at the end of her walking cane—through the witch’s chest so quickly it was barely noticeable.
Selina gasped, her eyes widening. Magic crackled erratically through the clearing as the cool breeze blew some fall leaves from the trees. The witch touched her chest, only a small mark of red on her expensive white suit to show that she’d been injured.
“I…” she began, but then fell to her knees and collapsed. The magic that could be felt around them disappeared.
Eden’s eyes widened and she staggered back from where Selina now lay on the ground.
Witches were still essentially human, Eden remembered Darrak telling her. They could be hurt. They could easily be killed.
Selina was dead. Easy as that.
TWENTY-THREE
“You bitch,” Darrak moved forward, fury etched on his face. “Do you have any idea what you’ve done?”
“I killed a witch,” Rosa said matter-of-factly. “It’s part of my job. And don’t take another step closer, Darrakayiis.”
Darrak froze in place.
Eden turned to the woman and the pale shock must have been evident on her face.
“Yes,” Rosa said. “I found out his true name. Extensive research will net you many facts.”
“Mother—” Malcolm looked down at Selina with a strange expression on his face. It wasn’t joy. “She was leaving. You didn’t have to kill her.”
“Of course I did. She was a witch.”
Malcolm’s normally smooth forehead was furrowed. “Of course, you’re right.”
“I am. Now we must deal with the demon.”
Eden moved to stand in front of Darrak—currently frozen in place—and she held up her hands. She tried not to look at Selina’s unmoving body lying there on the ground. It had happened so fast it still hadn’t sunk in. She’d never seen anyone killed before. No, that wasn’t true, was it? The serial killer the other day. Ben had shot him dead. But he’d deserved it. He was going to kill her.
Selina was going to help her. And now she was gone. “You have the mark of the Malleus,” Darrak observed tensely. He could speak but not move.
Rosa touched her arm. “I do, indeed.”
“I thought that group was men-only.”
Rosa snorted. “My, you’ve been out of the loop for quite some time, haven’t you, archdemon? No, around the same time as women were granted the vote, we were also permitted to join the Malleus. By invitation only, of course.”
“It’s the same group who persecuted innocent women and burned them at the stake.”
“There were some true witches who were destroyed then as well. The collateral damage is to be expected.”
Darrak laughed humorlessly. “It’s nice that you can differentiate the evil that humans are responsible for from other types.”
“Yes it is, isn’t it?” She wiped the tip of her cane on the grass and put the wooden sheath over it again before turning it crystal side up again.
Eden took a shaky breath. “Let me guess, Malcolm. This is your Malleus elder? The one you had to speak to about Darrak?”
Malcolm nodded stiffly. “My mother has been with the Malleus for many years. She knows what to do with an archdemon.” He went to Rosa’s side. “I have the rock salt, Mother. We will exorcise his essence, trap it, and then smash it to send him to the void.”
She shook her head and leaned on her cane. “We won’t be needing that today.”
“What do you mean?”
Eden pressed back until she could feel Darrak’s tense body behind her. She turned to look at him.
“Go,” he whispered.
She shook her head. “I’m not leaving you. Besides, I can’t go that far away from you, remember?”
“Selina’s dead, and not by my hand. The curse can’t be broken, not by her, anyhow. Let them do whatever it is they want to do with me, but save yourself.”
She didn’t budge. Her brain was working overtime. She could talk to them. Convince them that Darrak wasn’t evil anymore. She’d seen something on Malcolm’s face earlier. He was ready to believe her. Just a little more time was all it would take. He hadn’t expected Rosa to kill Selina without any warning at all. Did he know what his mother was capable of before this? She seemed, on the sur
face, so harmless. But she wasn’t.
“Please, Eden,” Darrak said again.
“Just shut up, will you?”
“No, I won’t shut up. Why won’t you just let yourself hate me once and for all? It will make this easier.”
“Easier for you or for me?”
“For both of us.”
“I don’t hate you,” she said.
“Could have fooled me.”
“Yeah, that’s what I was trying to do.”
“Exorcise me,” he said loud enough to get Rosa’s attention. She’d been speaking quietly with her son over by the swing set. “Let Malcolm do it. I won’t resist.”
Eden glared at him and felt tears burn at her eyes. So much for being all self-protective. Now that Selina was gone, it was the only way she could be rid of him for sure. She’d seen what he’d been capable of as an archdemon. And if he wasn’t exorcised, she’d be putting her own life at risk even more.
Rosa turned to Eden. “I can feel your power. It’s so fresh and untapped. Being a member of the Malleus gives one the ability to sense such things. But your power is not yet as vast as this creature’s.” She nudged Selina’s body with her shoe. “You see she’s already starting to disintegrate? That’s what happens to black witches when they die.”
And she was. Eden watched in shock as the witch’s body disappeared little by little, leaving only her clothes and accessories behind.
“We have some witches who have offered their services to the Malleus in return for their lives,” Rosa continued. “You may be an excellent candidate for this.”
“That’s real generous,” Eden replied tightly.
“Yes, it is. Everyone is prone to make mistakes in their lives. Offer up their souls to evil demons for vast power as you’ve done.” She shook her head. “It’s very sad, but not all that unheard of.”
She seemed so sure of herself and everything she said. How many years had she been a member of this group, killing witches and demons as easily as swatting flies?
“Darrak’s not evil,” Eden said and she sounded incredibly sure of that. More sure than she even thought she was.