Starfire (Grim Gate 2)

“Night, big guy.” I snap the last blanket strap into place and step out of his stall, closing the door.

“And you two fuzzballs are getting blankets tonight as well,” I say, a smile coming to my face when Ross and Rachel start braying at me, waiting for their treats. I take their blankets into their shared stall and give them treats before making sure they’re snug and warm for the night.

They came to live with the horses about a month ago, after being rescued from a bad situation. Tony, the owner of the local feed shop in Paradise Valley, heard about them and spread the word—hoping someone would have the heart, and the room, to take them. I had the space and the money to put into their rehab. Once my horses stopped being scared of them, the four got along well.

“Good night,” I tell everyone and turn off the lights, closing up the barn. Normally, Hunter is with me whenever I go outside. It feels weird to not have him with me. I keep expecting him to come running, tags on his collar jingling.

Breath clouding around me, I hurry into the quiet house, not letting myself feel unsettled. This house is safe and, to make myself feel better, I plan to cast an extra protection spell before going to bed tonight.

I turn on the TV in the parlor, which we use as our family room, and pull out leftover vegetable soup that Ethan made from scratch. Showoff, I know. My phone chimes with a text message, and I quickly grab it off the kitchen counter, hoping it’s Ethan telling me he’s on his way home.

But the text is from Laney, not Ethan. Though, I can’t say I’m disappointed. I haven’t talked to my best friend as much as usual. After she got kidnapped by demons and was used as bait to lure me into a ritual that would strip me of my powers, things got a little awkward between us. Laney said she doesn’t blame me because it wasn’t my fault, not directly at least. Though, she and my brother were only in danger because of who I am.

I open the text as I wait for my soup to heat up and nearly barf in my mouth at the picture of a moth Laney sent. It’s on her hand, and she’s holding it up near her face and beaming like crazy.

Laney: I thought you might like this little guy.

Me: That is disgusting. Get it away before you catch the plague.

Laney: Rats started the plague, not moths :-P

Me: A moth plague will be even worse.

She sends a bunch of laughing emojis.

Laney: Sorry not sorry! How are things? It’s been a while since we talked.

Me: It has, and I hate it. And things are good here! I’ve been busy with training and taking care of my little herd. How are you?

Laney: I need more donkey pictures! And I’m okay. Dying from working overtime this week. I still have two hours left before I can go home.

Me: I don’t miss work. At all.

Laney: Ugh, it’s not fair.

Me: Hah, it’s the one thing I can thank Aunt Estelle for…

Laney: So you’re saying I need a long-lost relative to die and leave me money and then start dating a demon hunter who used to teach martial arts in order to finally lose the ten pounds that just won’t go away?

Me: Yes! Easy-peasy.

Laney: My break is almost over. Miss you. Come visit soon?

I hesitate before answering. Ethan and I flew to New York for Thanksgiving, and my parents and Harrison came here for Christmas. Things have been calm since I vanquished Astaroth but the worry that another demon will come looking for Aunt Estelle and find me instead hangs heavy on me.

Me: Yeah, of course

I text Ethan, asking how things are going and then set my phone down, getting my soup and going into the parlor. I set my bowl on the coffee table and, at that exact moment, a loud bang sounded, as though someone dropped a large book onto the floor in the library. I freeze, listening, not quite sure if I imagined that or not, but I know setting a glass bowl of soup on the wooden coffee table doesn’t make that loud of a noise.

Closing my eyes, I try to sense any spirits that might be in the house. Saying the house isn’t haunted twice in one day is a sure-fire way to jinx myself, right? My lips part as I exhale and open my eyes. Nothing feels off. There’s no darkness lurking; yet, I’m starting to feel like I’m being watched, though I can’t pinpoint from where. It’s like there are eyes all over the house.

“Get it together,” I whisper to myself. I’m used to having Ethan and Hunter with me pretty much constantly. It’s only been a few hours since they left, and I’m not going to let it be my undoing. Picking my bowl back up, I stick the spoon in and bring it to my mouth. Another bang comes from the library, making me jump and spill the soup on my chest.