“As far as Dane said, the demon can’t get out, and won’t be able to unless someone removes his spells.” He shook his head. “Whatever the hell that means.” His gaze lost its glossy shock and he became engrossed. “Max said you can take as much time as you need, and while I agree with him, I do think we should get this dealt with.”
“Max actually said I could have time off?”
“He’s been worried about you and wanted to give you time to recoup. Besides, Dane said the demon wasn’t going anywhere. But I’m thinking we should get this demon out of here and I’ll do whatever I can to help you.”
Shame made me sick. Everyone was looking out for me and I was simply too stuck in my own despair to think of anyone else. Even if I hated to admit it, this all fell on my shoulders. “There’s nothing you can do. Though, it’s nice of you to offer, it’s me that has to deal with this.”
Caley’s eyes went huge. “You’re going to deal with that demon alone?”
I nodded, somewhat reluctantly. “Appears so.”
“But that’s crazy.” Her voice lifted in near hysterics. “We don’t know what it will do you, and frankly, I don’t want to know.” Her hands came to her hips. “I’m not letting this happen.”
Best friend to the rescue. Too bad, she didn’t have a choice in the matter. I focused on Zach. “Where’s Dane now?”
“Home.”
A relief to know he meant what he said, but yet, not so much of one to know I’d be facing this without him. As much as I hated him and I did certainly loathe him, not having him around worried me. But hell would freeze over before I picked up the phone to call him back. “All right. What’s done is done. And I want this to be over with, too.”
Caley was on her feet in two-point-two seconds and glared down at me. “Are you out of your fucking mind?”
“I’m thinking, yes,” I murmured.
“You’re not doing this, Tess Jennings.” She gave Zach the same glare she offered me. “You can’t allow this. Are you all crazy?” She waved her hands in pure dramatic Caley fashion. “This isn’t a ghost that wants to cross over and is looking to find their peace. This is a demon that wants nothing less than to destroy lives.”
I stood, took her hands in mine and squeezed. “Listen, I get that you’re worried and you know I love for you for it, but I’m protected. The spell I did last night will keep me safe. Besides, I have Michael to help me.”
“What spell did you do?” Her gaze darted around, as if looking for an answer. “And who the hell is Michael?”
“It’s a cream of sorts that Gretchen—this…um…witch—gave me that repels evil spirits.” I reached into my shirt and pulled out the medallion. “And this is Michael. I’ve got my own personal Archangel to watch over me. So, really, what could go wrong?”
“Everything,” she bit back. “You honestly think a necklace is going to protect you? Or some voodoo shit that seems ridiculous, at best.”
I pondered, surprised by my own thoughts. “Actually I do. I know how crazy that sounds. But the time with Dane wasn’t totally wasted. I see things now that I didn’t before and surprisingly enough believe in it.”
In part because I had cast a circle last night and it somehow seemed more natural than I expected, even if I felt ridiculous doing it. “I’m not going to bring Zach and the others into that house who don’t hold this type of protection. And there just isn’t enough cream for both of us.”
As much as I didn’t want to admit this, I did without hesitation. “I think going to Gretchen to make more of that lotion is just time wasted. We need to end this and I have the means to do it.” I cocked my head knowing exactly how to get her to see sense. “Do you want Zach to get hurt, or worse possessed by a demon?”
Her gaze shifted to Zach, adoration bore in the depths of her eyes before her focus returned to me. “No, I don’t want that. But I love you. And this really scares me. How can you trust Dane?”
I squeezed her hands again hoping to reassure her. “It scares me, too. And I don’t trust Dane. But I trust Gretchen, fully and completely.”
“But what if they’re lying to you?” she implored. “After everything Dane has done. How can you believe a damn word he’s said?”
Good point. And I only had one answer. “Because I have no other choice.”
She regarded me, for a long moment, then acceptance finally filled her gaze. “I want to demand you don’t do this. Lock you in your room and refuse that you take part in this.” She drew in a long breath through her nose, then blew it out. “But this is your life. So, I trust that you know what you’re doing.”
I smiled, this time more genuine. The day had come. “Wow, you’re actually compliant. I’m shocked.”
Her sigh came again and normally when she would have laughed, now her expression remained serious. “Just be safe.” Her palms were sweaty in mine, and I appreciated her worry, loved her for how she cared. “Whatever you have to do, whatever Dane and this Gretchen told you, make sure you do that.” Her fingers bit into mine. “And if he lied to you, if anything happens to you, I’m going to hunt the man down and cut off his balls.”
Most would think she was joking, but I knew better. The threat held strong in the air around us. “I’ll count on that.” I stepped into her arms and hugged her. Caley had always been my anchor in my crazy life, and I sure valued her now.
A knock on the door sounded before Max strode into my condominium. His expression stern, yet beneath it held that kindness that showed I wasn’t just a team member to him, and he thought of me as family. And it also displayed his concern. “Are you ready?”
I nodded, stepped out of Caley’s arms, and smiled at her. “I’ll be back before you know it and life can return to normal.”