Rachel, Marshal said, and I looked up at the pure delight in his voice. Id forgotten how much fun you are to be around. That was a fairy, right? Why is she making Jenks clothes?
I swallowed back a heavy sigh before it came out, wondering how this new wrinkle was going to iron out. No one could take Matalinas place, but Belle had begun to see where there was a need and did what she could. Shes keeping an eye on me, I said. Shell murder me in my sleep if she thinks Im going to betray her or her surviving family, now living with Trent.
Still laughing, Marshal set his cup down. Slowly his smile faltered as he realized I was serious. Is this them? He looked at the charms, obvious on the counter between us.
I pushed myself from the counter, feeling more space fall between us. Yup. Let me get you a finger stick. I really appreciate this.
Not a problem. Marshal took the tiny blade as I held it out, and he broke the safety seal with his thumb in a practiced motion. How is Jenks doing? I talked to Glenn yesterday, and he said his wife died. Is that why Belle is here?
The scent of redwood blossomed as Marshal massaged his finger and three drops of blood soaked into the first disk. A feeling of relief swept over me, and a slight headache I hadnt realized I was fighting began to dissipate. Id spelled the charms right, and now I had something to use to find these bastards.
Jenks is doing okay, I said. He has his ups and downs, but he smiles a lot more.
Good. Marshal looked at me, then back down at the next amulet. How about you?
Me? The shunning? I said, flustered. Okay. Its been nice not having to go to the ever-after every week. Kind of weird. The demons think Im dead, and I want to keep it that way. I shook my arm to show off my charmed silver, adding, I dont even mind that I cant do ley-line magic. But I did, if I was honest.
Marshals eyes were outraged as he straightened from over the amulets. The coven of moral and ethical standards is making you wear that?
This? No. I put this on myself. You think I liked going to the ever-after every weekend? Al would friggin kill me if he knew I was alive. If the demon hated one thing, it was being broke.
Marshals eyes became worried, and he looked back at the amulets. He invoked two more, and I started putting them in my shoulder bag, one by one.
Thanks again, I said, not liking the silence. If Marshal was silent, Marshal was thinking, and that made me uneasy. I can still do earth magic. The higher spells can tell the difference in my blood and dont invoke, is all.
He looked up as he finished the last, his expression brightening with understanding. Oh! Thats why the ones you made last year . . .
I nodded. Yes. I thought Id done them wrong . . . but its my blood.
Marshal knew I wasnt a witchhe was there the week I figured it out for myselfbut I could tell by his suddenly sick expression that he hadnt really believed it. He thought that Id taken a label to get the coven to back off. Then you really are . . .
His words faltered, and I slumped, tired beyond belief. Im a demon, I said, looking away. A demon with no demon magic. Well, thanks, I said as understanding, and even worse, pity, cascaded over him. I dont know any other witches I could have asked to do this. Isnt that stupid? I tried to laugh, but it came out wrong, and the silence afterward was worse.
The amulets were invoked, and still he stood there, four feet and an entire chasm of unspoken thought between us. No, he said softly, and I looked up, seeing his pity, his fear, and his reluctance all wrapped up in one terrible expression. Rachel, Im sorry this happened. And Im glad you got your shunning removed. I didnt like the way things ended.
Me neither, I said, backing slowly away. My stomach hurt. This was such a bad idea. I couldnt go backthis proved itbut what hurt wasnt Marshal as much as it was me grieving, letting go of the hope that I could be the person Id always thought I was. It was going to be harder now that I couldnt pretend.
Thats why I came over today, he said, but I didnt know if I believed him. Not because I wanted to start dating again or anything. I just wanted to see that you were really okay and not just surviving.
I leaned against the sink, wishing he would go away. I hadnt invited him over here to see if he was available, but now I felt even more alone. Im doing okay, I said, wishing I could say it louder.
Youre doing great! he said, but it sounded flat. I jumped when he touched my elbow, and his hand fell away. Youre doing great, he said again, softer this time. Im glad that no one is telling me I cant talk to you anymore, because you are a very special woman.
My gut hurt, and I made a fist, jamming it into my side. Thanks. Youre not so bad yourself. I was not going to cry, damn it.
You deserve good things, Marshal said, but he was still wearing that damn pitying smile. Theres someone out there for you. I really believe that.
Me, too, I lied, then swallowed the pain down where it could fester. Im glad youre doing okay, too. And thanks again. For the amulets. I was never going to call him again.