“Oh, I’m not going to use the frankincense,” Starbright says. “I’m going to use sandalwood.”
“It’s not going to matter,” Jana warns, but seems resigned that her mom’s not going to listen to her.
“Really,” I tell Starbright, “I’m fine.”
“Have you ever studied demonology?” she asks, and I can’t begin to describe my relief when I hear the key entering the front door lock.
The door opens and Ash walks in, carrying five large grocery bags in her hands, saying, “Would you guys mind helping me bring the rest of this stuff in? There are like ten more bags out there.”
“I thought you were just going to the store to get hummus,” I say as I almost rush to Ash and throw my arms around her, causing her to drop a couple of the bags.
“Everything all right?” she asks quietly.
“Yeah,” I tell her. “You’re back, just don’t leave me alone with that woman again. She’s asking me if I’m into demons.”
“Demonology, actually,” Starbright corrects.
The woman has spectacular hearing.
“What’s the difference?” Jana asks.
“What time is it?” I mouth to Ash.
“Three,” she mouths back.
“Well,” Starbright says behind me, “demonology is the study of demons, rituals associated with them, how to banish and exorcise them—it’s a complete field of study.”
“Bed?” I mouth.
Ash smiles.
“Sure,” she says at her normal volume. “Help me get these bags in the house and everything put away and we can do whatever you want.”
I give Ash another squeeze, but start for the car when Starbright starts chanting in some ancient or made-up language. If I understand the context right, I think she’s calling upon the forces of the underworld to step in and take in her share of the groceries.
Then again, I could be wrong. I know exactly nothing about that sort of thing.
Chapter Ten
Pendulum
Ash
After waking up to the smell of burning cabbage, Mason and I made the immediate decision to spend the morning at his house. Now, alone again, things are finally back to the way they have been since he and I talked.
I sit, facing Ash at the breakfast table. Everything’s going so smoothly, everything’s so peaceful and then there’s a pounding on the front door.
“I’ll be right back,” he tells me quietly as he gets up from his seat.
He goes around the corner, through the living room and to the front door. I hear it unlock.
“Why’re you locking me outta my own house?” Chris yells as the door opens. “Hey, um, I decided to invest that money you gave me instead of just blowing it on liquor, only I think things aren’t going so well.”
“I gave you a hundred bucks, Chris,” Mason says. “How did you turn that into someone wanting to track you down?”
“People have this weird thing with me,” Chris says. “You going to get outta my way so I can come in or what?”
“I trusted you, Chris,” Mason tells him. “I knew it was stupid. I knew it was a mistake, but I trusted you. I gave you one last chance to prove that you’re not just everyone’s leech and you blew it.”