Savage Saints (Monsters of Saint Mark's)

She’s right. It is my job. And I could go ask Tarq, and he’d probably be fine with it. But he would ask what the spell is for and then I’d have to tell him it’s to get inside Pell’s bedroom. Because that’s basically what his tomb was before we started sleeping together in my cottage. And I don’t want to have that conversation.

“I’m sure you’re right. But I don’t want to mess up my debt repayment. So I’ll stay for a little longer.”

“Well, the girls are coming to pick me up early. We have pampering this afternoon and then book club.”

My eyebrows shoot up. “You have a book club here?” I wonder what monster fiction is like?

“Yep. You wanna join in?”

I would, actually. “What time does it run?”

“Four to six. Happy hour. We do talk about the book, but we do it in a bar.” She whispers that last part. And then we both laugh.

“Well, I can’t go this time. I didn’t read the book. And I have to do magic at home tonight.”

“Next week though, I’m holding you to it. I’ll get you a copy of the book. Then you can plan ahead for it.”

For only being here in this world for two days, I feel like I’m making an awful lot of after-work plans with my brand-new friends.

I like this world though. I like these people. I feel like I fit in. But I need to figure out how to open these freaking portals so Pell can come with me. And this easy portal spelling is my first step.

“Yeah,” I tell Talina. “I’ll plan for next week.”

I’m sure I will be able to come up with a portal spelling for Pell by next week.

Talina is busy for the rest of the morning. Like… incredibly busy. She’s running some tests that involve little glass trays, a bunch of chemistry shit, and lots of mumbling to herself. When I ask her about it, she wipes her brow and sighs out something science-y that I have no hope of understanding. So I leave her to it.

I try to write another version of my Invade Pell’s Bedroom spell, but I don’t get far. Nothing sounds as good. Nothing feels as right. And just as Talina is done cleaning up her space and getting ready to head out, she says, “You can’t rewrite them, Pie.”

“What?”

“The spells. Once they’re done, they’re done. The perfect version already exists. So you will spin your wheels if you keep trying.”

“But how do I know it’s the right version?”

“Because it’s perfect, isn’t it?” She winks at me. “Now. I hate to leave you like this, but the girls are meeting me downstairs. We’re getting our horns and hooves polished for the party tomorrow. Oh, and by the by. Tomorrow? I’ll only be in to check on my tests.” She points to the little glass trays, which are now resting comfortably in a small, glass-fronted refrigerator. “Then we’re off to get our hair done and get dressed for the gala.”

“This party sounds like a big deal.”

“The biggest.” She winks at me again. “Maybe you’ll change your mind and come with us?”

“Nope. I have things to do at home. And while they might not be glamorous and worthy of all this primping, I actually prefer it that way.”

“Very well. But you won’t back out of Zantha’s little ceremony on Charmday, right?”

“I’ll be there. Oh, hey.” I suddenly think of something. “Do you guys have phones here?”

“Phones?” Talina points to the phone on the lab bench.

“Yeah. I see that landline. But do you have cell phones? Is there a mobile way to communicate with each other?”

“Oh, you mean the Grapevine?” She holds up her left hand and pulls her lab coat sleeve down to reveal a thick cuff of a bracelet. “Yeah. Do you have one?”

“No. But if I’m going to spend half my life in this world, maybe I need one.”

“You do. We’ll sort that out on Charmday morning, if you like.”

“OK.”