To Gwen Gades, who opened the door Hell is empty and all the devils are here.

WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE Acknowledgments All the hard work omes down to this moment. !r"st me# this is the $"n part% &irst a 'i( h"( and a heart$elt thank)yo" to my dear $riend P. *. *ast# who kept m"rm"rin( +yo"n( ad"lt, in my ear when I was $irst thinkin( a'o"t this 'ook. Her da"(hter# Kristin# o$$ered sa(e advi e and made my teens so"nd their a(e# rather than like# well# old. All o$ this e$$ort wo"ld have 'een $or na"(ht i$ my savvy literary a(ent# Meredith -ernstein# hadn.t 'elieved in my stories and $o"nd them a home. /enni$er Weis# my editor# and her assistant# Anne -ensson# alon( with editor Hilary !eeman and prod" tion editor La"ren Ho"(en# de$tly herded this a"thor thro"(h her 0ew 1ork de'"t e2perien e and made this the 'est story possi'le. !hanks also (o to Ilona Andrews# who shared writin( tips# and 3ordon Andrews# who helped me esta'lish 4enver -e k.s military 'a k(ro"nd. William M Leod made Master An("s Stewart so"nd like a S otsman and 5akland *emetery provided the per$e t 'a kdrop $or my series. A ro"nd o$ appla"se 6and a sti$$ drink7 is needed $or my lon()s"$$erin( 'eta readers and riti8"e partners 0anette Littlestone# Aarti 0ayar# 4wain Herndon# and /eri Smith)Ready# alon( with /ean Marie Ward and Mi helle Roper# who s"pplied me with man"s ript advi e and all those +no# yo"r 'ook doesn.t s" k, pep talks. And $inally a moment o$ sin ere (ratit"de that the (reat ity o$ Atlanta hasn.t s"((ested I move to another state. At least not yet. Sin e the 'e(innin( I.ve had one man in my orner and that.s my h"s'and# Harold. I wo"ldn.t 'e here witho"t him. 4reams are always ri her when they.re shared. 50E 2018 Atlanta, Georgia Riley -la kthorne rolled her eyes. +Li'raries and demons#, she m"ttered. +Whatis the attra tion9, At the so"nd o$ her voi e the $iend hissed $rom its per h on top o$ the 'ook sta k. !hen it $lipped Riley o$$. !he li'rarian h" kled at its anti s. +It.s 'een doin( that ever sin e we $o"nd it., !hey were on the se ond $loor o$ the "niversity law li'rary# s"rro"nded 'y wei(hty 'ooks and ind"strio"s st"dents. Well# they.d 'een ind"strio"s "ntil Riley showed "p# and now most o$ them were wat hin( her every move.Trapping with an audience is what her dad alled it. It made her pain$"lly aware that her work lothesdenim :a ket# :eans# and pale 'l"e !)shirtlooked totally !hird World ompared to the li'rarian.s som'er navy pants"it. !he woman 'randished a laminated sheet; li'rarians were into atalo(in( thin(s# even Hellspawn.

She s r"tini<ed the demon and then ons"lted the sheet. +A'o"t three in hes tall# '"rnt)mo ha skin and peaked ears. 4e$initely a -i'lio)&iend. Sometimes I (et them on$"sed with the Klepto)&iends. We.ve had 'oth in here 'e$ore., Riley nodded her "nderstandin(. +-i'lios are into 'ooks. Rather than stealin( st"$$ they like to pee on thin(s. !hat.s the 'i( di$$eren e., As i$ on "e# the 5$$endin( Minion o$ Hell promptly sent an ar o$ phosphores ent (reen "rine in their dire tion. L" kily# demons o$ this si<e had e8"ally small e8"ipment# whi h meant limited ran(e# '"t they 'oth took a a"tio"s step 'a kward. !he sten h o$ old (ym shoes 'loomed aro"nd them. +S"pposed to do wonders $or a ne#, Riley :oked as she waved a hand to lear the smell. !he li'rarian (rinned. +!hat.s why yo"r $a e is so lear., =s"ally the lients 'it hed a'o"t how yo"n( Riley was and whether she was really 8"ali$ied to do the :o'# even a$ter she showed them her Apprenti e 4emon !rapper li ense. She.d hoped some o$ that wo"ld stop when she.d t"rned seventeen# '"t no s" h l" k. At least the li'rarian was takin( her serio"sly. +How lon( has it 'een here9, Riley asked. +0ot lon(. I alled ri(ht away# so it hasn.t done any real dama(e#, the li'rarian reported. +1o"r dad has removed them $or "s in the past. I.m (lad to see yo".re $ollowin( in his $ootsteps., Yeah, right. As i$ anyone o"ld $ill Pa"l -la kthorne.s shoes. Riley shoved a stray lo k o$ dark 'rown hair 'ehind an ear. It sw"n( $ree immediately. =ndoin( her hair lip# she rewo"nd her lon( hair and se "red it so the little demon wo"ldn.t tie it in knots. -esides# she needed time to think. It wasn.t as i$ she was a omplete noo'. She.d trapped -i'lio)&iends 'e$ore# :"st not in auniversity law li'rary $"ll o$ pro$essors and st"dents# in l"din( a o"ple o$ serio"sly "te ("ys. 5ne o$ them looked "p at her# and she re(retted 'ein( dressed $or the :o' rather than $or the s r"tiny. She nervo"sly twisted the strap o$ her denim messen(er 'a(. Her eyes $li ked toward a losed door a short distan e away. +Rare -ook Room., A demon o"ld do a lot o$ dama(e in there. +1o" see o"r on ern#, the li'rarian whispered. +S"re do., -i'lio)&iends hated 'ooks. !hey $o"nd immense :oy rampa(in( thro"(h the sta ks# peein(# rippin(# and shreddin(. !o 'e a'le to red" e a room $"ll o$ pri eless 'ooks and man"s ripts to ompost wo"ld 'e a demon.s wildest dream. Pro'a'ly even (et the $iend a promotion# i$ Hell had s" h a thin(. on!idence is everything. At least that.s what her dad always said. It worked a lot 'etter when he was standin( ne2t to her. +I an (et it o"t o$ here# no pro'lem#, she said. Another torrent o$ swear words ame her way. !he demon.s hi(h)pit hed voi e mimi ked a mo"se 'ein( slowly s8"ashed 'y an anvil. It always made her ears a he. I(norin( the $iend# Riley leared her s"ddenly dry throat and la"n hed into a list o$ potential onse8"en es o$ her a tions. It was the standard demon trapper 'oilerplate. She 'e(an with the "s"al dis laimers re8"ired 'e$ore e2tra tin( a Minion o$ Hell $rom a p"'li lo ation# in l"din( the la"ses a'o"t "nanti ipated str" t"ral dama(e and the threat o$ demoni possession. !he li'rarian a t"ally paid attention# "nlike most lients. +4oes that demoni possession thin( really happen9, she asked# her eyes widenin(. +5h# no# not with the little ones. -i((er demons# yeah., It was one o$ the reasons Riley liked trappin( the small d"des. !hey o"ld s rat h and 'ite and pee on yo"# '"t they o"ldn.t s" k o"t yo"r so"l and "se it as a ho key p" k $or eternity. I$ all the demons were like these ("ys# no 'i( deal. -"t they weren.t. !he 4emon !rappers 3"ild (raded Hell$iends a ordin( to "nnin( and lethality. !his demon was a 3rade 5ne> nasty# '"t not tr"ly dan(ero"s. !here were 3rade !hrees# arnivoro"s eatin( ma hines with wi ked laws and

teeth. And at the top end was a 3rade &ivea 3eo)&iend# whi h o"ld reate $reak windstorms in the middle o$ shoppin( malls and a"se earth8"akes with a $li k o$ a wrist. And that didn.t in l"de the Ar hdemons# whi h made yo"r worst ni(htmares look tame. Riley t"rned her mind to the :o' at hand. !he 'est way to render a -i'lio)&iend in apa'le o$ harm was to read to it. !he older and more dense the prose# the 'etter. Roman e novels :"st stirred them "p# so it was 'est to pi k somethin( really 'orin(. She d"( in her messen(er 'a( and e2tra ted her "ltimate weapon>"o#y$%ick. !he 'ook $ell open to a (reen)stained pa(e. !he li'rarian peered at the te2t. +Melville9, +1eah. 4ad pre$ers 4i kens or *ha" er. &or me it.s Herman Melville. He 'ored the ? rap o"t o$ me in lit lass. P"t me to sleep every time., She pointed "pward at the demon. +It.ll do the same to this one., +3rant thee 'oon# -la kthorne.s da"(hter%, the demon wheedled as it ast its eyes aro"nd# lookin( $or a pla e to hide. Riley knew how this worked> I$ she a epted a $avor she.d 'e o'li(ated to set the demon $ree. A eptin( $avors $rom $iends wasso a(ainst the r"les. Like potato hips# yo" o"ldn.t stop at :"st one# then yo".d $ind yo"rsel$ at Hell.s $ront door tryin( to e2plain why yo"r so"l had a 'i( 'rand on it that said +Property o$ L" i$er., +0o way#, Riley m"ttered. A$ter learin( her throat# she 'e(an readin(. + @*all me Ishmael.. , An a"di'le (roan ame $rom the sta k a'ove her. + @Some years a(onever mind how lon( pre isely havin( little or no money in my p"rse# and nothin( parti "lar to interest me on shore# I tho"(ht I wo"ld sail a'o"t a little and see the watery part o$ the world.. , She ontin"ed the tort"re# tryin( hard not to sni ker. !here was another moan# then a ry o$ an("ish. -y now the demon wo"ld 'e p"llin( o"t its hair# i$ it had any. + @It is a way I have o$ drivin( o$$ the spleen# o$ re("latin( the ir "lation. Whenever I $ind mysel$ (rowin( (rim a'o"t the mo"th; whenever it is a damp# dri<<ly 0ovem'er in my so"l?. , !here was a prono"n ed th"mp as the $iend keeled over in a dead $aint on the metal shel$. +!rapper s ores%, Riley rowed. A$ter a 8"i k (lan e toward a "te ("y at a near'y ta'le# Riley dropped the 'ook and p"lled a "p o"t o$ her 'a(. It had the pi t"re o$ a dan in( 'ear on the side o$ it. +Is that a sippy "p9, the li'rarian asked. +1"p. !hey.re (reat $or this kind o$ thin(. !here.re holes in the top so the demons an 'reathe and it.s very hard $or them to "ns rew the lids., She (rinned. +Most o$ all# they really hate them., Riley popped "p on her tiptoes and pi ked the demon "p 'y a lawed $oot# wat hin( it are$"lly. Sometimes they :"st pretended to 'e asleep in order to es ape. !his one was o"t old. +Well done. I.ll (o si(n the re8"isition $or yo"#, the li'rarian said and headed toward her desk. Riley allowed hersel$ a sel$)satis$ied (rin. !his had (one :"st $ine. Her dad wo"ld 'e really pro"d o$ her. As she positioned the demon over the top o$ the "p# she heard a la"(h# low and reepy. A se ond later a p"$$ o$ air hit her $a e# makin( her 'link. Papers r"$$led on ta'les. Remem'erin( her $ather.s advi e# Riley kept her attention on the demon. It wo"ld revive 8"i kly# and when it did the -i'lio wo"ld (o into a $ren<y. As she lowered it inside the ontainer# the demon 'e(an to twit h. +5h# no# yo" don.t#, she said. !he 'ree<e (rew stron(er. Papers no lon(er r"stled '"t were a"(ht "p and sp"n aro"nd the room like re tan("lar white leaves. +Hey# what.s (oin( on9, a st"dent demanded. !here was a "rio"s shi$tin( so"nd. Riley (ave a 8"i k look "pward and wat hed as 'ooks 'e(an to dislod(e themselves $rom the shelves one 'y one. !hey h"n( in the air like heli opters# then veered o$$ at sharp tan(ents. 5ne whi<<ed ri(ht over the head o$ a st"dent# and he 'an(ed his hin on the ta'le to avoid 'ein( hit.

!he 'ree<e (rew# swirlin( thro"(h the sta ks like the ni(ht wind in a $orest. !here were sho"ts and the m"$$led so"nd o$ r"nnin( $eet on arpet as st"dents s "rried $or the e2its. !he -i'lio stirred# spewin( o's enities# $lailin( its arms in all dire tions. /"st as Riley 'e(an to re ite the one Melville passa(e she.d memori<ed# the $ire alarm 'lared to li$e# drownin( her o"t. A heavy 'ook (lan ed o$$ her sho"lder# rammin( her into the sta k. 4a<ed# she shook her head to lear it. !he "p and the ap were on the $loor at her $eet. !he demon was (one. +0o% 4on.t do this%, Pani stri ken# she sear hed $or it. In a maelstrom o$ 'ooks# papers# and $lyin( note'ooks# she $inally spied the $iend navi(atin( its way toward a losed door# the one that led to the Rare -ook Room. 4" kin( to avoid a $li(ht o$ re$eren e 'ooks swoopin( down on her like a $lo k o$ enra(ed sea("lls# Riley (ra''ed the plasti "p and stashed it in her :a ket po ket. She had to (et that $iend into the ontainer. !o her horror# the Rare -ook Room door sw"n( open and a on$"sed st"dent peered o"tward into the melee. As i$ reali<in( nothin( stood in its way# the demon took on additional speed. It leapt onto a hair re ently va ated 'y a terri$ied o "pant and then onto the top o$ the re$eren e desk. Small $eet po"ndin(# it dove o$$ the desk# e2e "ted a roll# and lined itsel$ "p $or the $inal dash to the open door# a tiny $oot'all player headed $or a to" hdown. Riley 'arreled thro"(h everyone in her way# her eyes riveted on the small $i("re s "rryin( a ross the $loor. As she va"lted over the re$eren e desk somethin( slammed into her 'a k# kno kin( her o$$ 'alan e. She went down in a sea o$ pen ils# paper# and wire trays. !here was a rippin( so"nd> Her :eans had taken one $or the team. S ram'lin( on all $o"rs# she l"n(ed $orward# stret hin( as $ar as her arms o"ld possi'ly rea h. !he $in(ers o$ her ri(ht hand a"(ht the $iend 'y the waist# and she dra((ed it toward her. It s reamed and twisted and peed# '"t she didn.t loosen her (rip. Riley p"lled the "p $rom her po ket and :ammed the demon inside. Rammin( her palm over the top o$ the "p# she lay on her 'a k starin( "p at the eilin(. Aro"nd her li(hts $lashed and the alarm 'rayed. Her 'reath ame in (asps and her head a hed. -oth knees '"rned where she.d skinned them. !he alarm "t o"t a'r"ptly and she si(hed with relie$. !here was another hillin( la"(h. She h"nted $or the so"r e '"t o"ldn.t $ind it. A low (roanin( ame $rom the massive 'ookshelves to her ri(ht. 5n instin t# Riley rolled in the opposite dire tion# and kept rollin( "ntil she rammed into a ta'le le(. With a strained ry o$ metal the entire 'ookshel$ $ell in a per$e t ar and hit the arpeted $loor where she.d 'een se onds 'e$ore# sendin( 'ooks# pa(es# and 'roken spines o"tward in a wave. S"ddenly all the de'ris in the room 'e(an to settle# like someone had sh"t o$$ a (iant wind ma hine. A sharp pain in her palm a"sed her to shoot 'olt "pri(ht# onne tin( her head with the side o$ the ta'le. +4ammit%, she swore# (rima in(. !he demon had 'itten her. She shook the "p# disorientin( the thin(# then (in(erly (ot to her $eet. !he world sp"n as she leaned a(ainst the ta'le# tryin( to (et her 'earin(s. &a es 'e(an to appear aro"nd her $rom "nder desks and 'ehind sta ks o$ 'ooks. A $ew o$ the (irls were ryin(# and one o$ the h"nky 'oys held his head and moaned. Every eye was on her. !hen she reali<ed why they were starin(> her hands were spotted with (reen pee# and her $avorite !) shirt was splashed as well. !here was 'lood on her 'l"e :eans and she.d lost one o$ her tennis shoes. Her hair h"n( in a knotted mass over one sho"lder. Heat 'loomed in Riley.s heeks.Trapper !ails. When the demon tried to 'ite her a(ain# she an(rily shook the "p# takin( her $r"stration o"t on the $iend. It :"st la"(hed at her. !he li'rarian leared her throat. +1o" dropped this#, she said# o$$erin( the lid. !he woman.s hair looked like it had 'een styled 'y a wind t"nnel# and she had a yellow sti ky note plastered to her heek that said +4entist# AB>BB AM Monday.,

Riley took the lid in a shakin( hand and sealed the demon inside the "p. It sho"ted o's enities and "sed 'oth hands to $lip her o$$. &ame to you, 'erk. !he li'rarian s"rveyed the haos and si(hed. +And to think we "sed to worry a'o"t silver$ish., CCC (iley grimly watched the paramedi s ha"l two st"dents o"t on stret hers> 5ne had a ne k 'ra e and the other 'a''led in oherently a'o"t the end o$ the world. *ell phones periodi ally er"pted in a on$"sed hor"s o$ rin(tones as parents (ot wind o$ the disaster. Some kids were :a<<ed# tellin( Mom or 4ad :"st how ool it had 'een and that they were postin( videos on the Internet. 5thers were $ri(htened o"t o$ their minds. )ike me. It wasn.t $air. She.d done everythin( ri(ht. Well# not everythin(# '"t -i'lios weren.t s"pposed to 'e psy hokineti . 0o 3rade 5ne demon wo"ld have the power to a"se a windstorm# '"t somehow it had. !here o"ld have 'een another demon in the li'rary# '"t they never work as a team. &o who laughed at me* Her eyes slowly tra ked over the remainin( st"dents. 0o l"e. 5ne o$ the "te ("ys was st"$$in( 'ooks in his 'a kpa k. When she a"(ht his eye# he :"st shook his head in disapproval as i$ she were a na"(hty $ive)year)old. (ich creep. He had to 'e i$ he was still in olle(e. 4i((in( in her messen(er 'a(# she p"lled o"t a warm soda and took several lon( ("lps. It didn.t "t the taste o$ old paper in the 'a k o$ her throat. As she :ammed the 'ottle into her 'a( the demon 'ite $lared in pain. It was startin( to swell and made her arm thro' all the way to the el'ow. She knew she sho"ld treat it with Holy Water# '"t the ops had told her not to move and she didn.t think the li'rary wo"ld appre iate her (ettin( their arpet wet. At least the ops weren.t askin( her 8"estions anymore. 5ne o$ them had tried to '"lly her into makin( a statement# '"t that had only made her mad. !o sh"t him "p she.d alled her $ather. She.d told him that somethin( had (one wron( and handed the phone to the op. +Mr. -la kthorne9 We (ot a sit"ation here#, he h"$$ed. Riley sh"t her eyes. She tried not to listen to the onversation# '"t that proved impossi'le. When the op started with the attit"de# her $ather responded with his yo")don.t)want)to)(o)there voi e. He.d per$e ted it as a hi(h s hool tea her when $a in( down mo"thy teens. Apparently amp"s ops were also s"s epti'le tothe voice> !he o$$i er m"rm"red an apolo(y and handed her the phone. +4ad9 I.m so sorry.?, !ears 'e(an to '"ild. 0o way she.d ry in $ront o$ the op# so Riley t"rned her 'a k to him. +I don.t know what happened., !here was total silen e on the other end o$ the phone.+hy isn,t he saying anything* God, he must #e !urious. -,m so dead. +Riley?, Her $ather took in a lon( 'reath. +1o" s"re yo".re not h"rt9, +1eah., 0o point in tellin( him a'o"t the 'ite; he.d see that soon eno"(h. +As lon( as yo".re okay# that.s all that matters., Somehow Riley didn.t think the "niversity wo"ld 'e so $or(ivin(. +I an.t (et $ree here so I.ll send someone $or yo". I don.t want yo" takin( the '"s# not a$ter this., +5kay., More silen e as the moments ti ked 'y. She $elt her heart ti(hten. +Riley# no matter what happens# I love yo". Remem'er that., -linkin( her eyes to keep the tears in he k# Riley stowed the phone in her messen(er 'a(. She knew what her $ather was thinkin(> Her apprenti e li ense was history. .ut - didn,t do anything wrong. !he li'rarian knelt ne2t to her hair. Her hair was 'r"shed 'a k in pla e and her lothes tidied. Riley

envied her. !he world o"ld end and she.d always look neat. May'e it was a li'rarian thin(# somethin( they ta"(ht them in s hool. +Si(n this# will yo"9, the woman said. Riley e2pe ted a len(thy list o$ dama(es and how she.d 'e responsi'le $or payin( $or them. Instead# it was the re8"isition $or payment o$ demon removal. !he one a trapper si(ned when the :o' was done. +-"t, Riley 'e(an. +1o" a"(ht him#, the li'rarian said# pointin( toward the "p restin( on the ta'le. +-esides# I looked at the demon hart. !his wasn.t :"st one o$ the little ("ys# was it9, Riley shook her head and si(ned the $orm# tho"(h her $in(ers were n"m'. +3ood., !he li'rarian p"shed 'a k a strand o$ Riley.s tan(led hair and (ave her a tentative smile. +4on.t worry; it.ll 'e okay., !hen she was (one. Riley.s mom had said that ri(ht 'e$ore she died. So had her dad a$ter their ondo '"rned to the (ro"nd. Ad"lts always a ted like they o"ld $i2 everythin(. .ut they can,t. And they know it. !W5 &or ed to wait o"tside the li'rary# 4enver -e k (ave a len(thy si(h as he ran a hand thro"(h his short 'lond hair. His mentor.s kid had :"st topped the list $or -i((est Apprenti e S rew"p. !hat "pset him not only $or the ten kinds o$ (rie$ she.d (et $rom the !rappers 3"ild '"t the $a t that that had always 'eenhis honor. Who.d have tho"(ht she o"ld o"tdo his ni(htmare apt"re o$ a Pyro) &iend in a r"sh ho"r MAR!A station9 A disaster that had re8"ired not only the $ire department '"t a ha<mat team. +-"t somehow ya did it# (irl#, -e k m"m'led in his smooth 3eor(ia drawl. He shook his head in dismay. +4amn# there.s (onna 'e hell to pay $or this., He rolled his sho"lders in a $"tile e$$ort to rela2. He.d 'een wired ever sin e Pa"l phoned him to say that Riley was in tro"'le. -e k was on the way to the li'rary even 'e$ore the onversation ended. He owed Pa"l -la kthorne nothin( less. -arred $rom enterin( the li'rary 'y the ops# he.d ooled his heels and talked to some o$ the st"dents who.d 'een inside d"rin( the trappin(. It.d 'een easy to (et in$ormationhe was a'o"t the same a(e as most o$ them. A $ew reported they.d seen Riley apt"re a small demon# '"t none o$ them had 'een lear as to what had happened ne2t. +Somethin.s not ri(ht#, -e k m"ttered to himsel$. A -i'lio)&iend o"ld make a damned mess# '"t that "s"ally didn.t involve emer(en y personnel. A pair o$ olle(e (irls walked 'y# eyein( him. Apparently they liked what they saw. He ran a hand over the st"''le on his hin and smiled 'a k# tho"(h now was not the time to make plans alon( that line. At least not "ntil he knew Riley was okay. +Lookin. $ine#, he alled o"t# whi h earned him smiles. 5ne o$ them even winked at him. /h, yeah, mighty !ine. A amp"s op ame within ran(e# the one who.d told him he wasn.t to move. !hey.d traded words# '"t -e k had de ided not to p"sh the iss"e. He o"ldn.t olle t Pa"l.s da"(hter i$ he was hand "$$ed in the 'a k o$ a patrol ar. +*an I (o in now9, -e k alled o"t. +0ot yet#, the op replied (r"$$ly. +What a'o"t the demon trapper9 She okay9, +1eah. She.ll 'e o"t pretty soon. I an.t ima(ine why yo" ("ys wo"ld send a (irl a$ter those thin(s., !he op wasn.t the only one thinkin( alon( those lines. +It.s not le(al i$ she.s 'ein. 8"estioned witho"t a senior trapper there#, -e k warned.

+1eah# yeah. 1o"r r"les# not o"rs#, the man replied. +0othin( we are a'o"t., +0ot "ntil ya (et a demon "p yer ass# then yer all over "s., !he op snorted# hands on his hips. +I :"st don.t "nderstand why yo" don.t ap their asses# like those demon h"nters do. 1o" ("ys :"st look like a '"n h o$ sissies with all yo"r little spheres and plasti "ps., -e k 'ridled at the ins"lt. How many times had he tried to e2plain the di$$eren e 'etween a trapper and a h"nter9 !rappin( a demon took skill. !he Dati an.s 'oys didn.t 'other; they went $or $irepower. !o the h"nters# the only (ood demon was a dead demon. 0o talent needed. !here were other di$$eren es# '"t pretty m" h that was the dividin( line. !he avera(e /oe :"st didn.t (et it. -e k s"mmed it "p. +We (ot skills. !hey (ot weapons. We need talent. !hey don.t., +I don.t know. !hey look pretty damned (ood on that television show., -e k knew whi h one the op was talkin( a'o"t. It was alled%emonland and was s"pposedly all a'o"t the h"nters. +!he show.s (ot it all wron(. H"nters don.t have any (irls on their team. !hey live like monks and have a'o"t as m" h sense o$ h"mor as a :"nkyard do(., +/ealo"s9, the op hided. +as he* +0o way. When I (et done with my day.s work# I an (o have a 'eer and pi k "p a 'a'e. !hose ("ys an.t., +1o" kiddin( me9, -e k shook his head. +0othin. like that !D show., +4amn#, the op m"ttered. +Here I tho"(ht it was all hi ks and $lashy ars., +0ope. 0ow ya know why I.m a trapper., -e k.s :a ket po ket er"pted into son(> +3eor(ia on My Mind, $loated a ross the parkin( lot. !hat earned him a $ew stares. +Pa"l#, -e k said# not 'otherin( to look at the display. It had to 'e the (irl.s dad. +What happened9, the man asked# his voi e on ed(e. -e k (ave him a r"ndown o$ the sit"ation. +Let me know the moment.s she o"t#, Pa"l insisted. +Will do. 4id ya trap the Pyro9, +1eah. I wish I o"ld (et away# '"t I have to $inish "p here., +0o sweat. I.ll keep an eye on thin(s $or ya., +!hanks# 4en., -e k $lipped the phone sh"t and :ammed it in his :a ket po ket. He.d heard the worry in his $riend.s voi e. Pa"l was $anati a'o"t keepin( his apprenti es sa$e# and even more so when it ame to his da"(hter. It.s why he.d slowed her trainin( to a snail.s pa e# hopin( she.d han(e her mind and pi k a sa$er pro$ession. Like walkin( the hi(h wire $or a livin(. 0ot gonna work. He.d told Pa"l that o"ntless times# '"t he wo"ldn.t listen. Riley wo"ld 'e a trapper whether her $ather approved or not. She had that same st"''orn streak as her mother. -e k.s attention moved to the news rew positioned near the '"ildin(.s entran e. He knew the lead reporter# 3eor(e somethin( or other. He.d overed -e k.s atastrophe. !he media loved anythin( to do with demon trappin( as lon( as it went wron(. A 8"iet at h in an alley wo"ld never land on tape. A Hell$iend (oin( 'erserk in a train station or a law li'rary and they were all over it. A lone $i("re appeared o"t o$ the millin( rowd. It took -e k a moment to re o(ni<e her. Riley l"t hed her messen(er 'a( to her side with whitened kn" kles like it held the *rown /ewels. Her hestn"t 'rown hair was a mass o$ tan(les# and she walked with a sli(ht limp. Even overed 'y her :ean :a ket he o"ld see she.d $illed o"t in pla es that wo"ld make 'oys dream o$ her at ni(ht. She seemed taller now# may'e $ive in hes or so shorter than his si2 $eet. 0ot so m" h a kid anymore. More like a yo"n( woman. %amn girl, yer gonna #reak hearts.

When the newsho"nd headed $or her -e k went on alert# wonderin( i$ he wo"ld need to r"n inter$eren e. Riley shook her head at the reporter# p"shed the mi rophone o"t o$ her $a e# and kept walkin(. &mart girl. He o"ld tell the moment she spied him> Her e2pression went stony. 0o s"rprise there. When she was $i$teen she.d (otten a h"(e r"sh on him even tho"(h he was $ive years older than her. He.d :"st 'e("n his apprenti eship with her dad# so he.d done the smart thin(> He.d avoided the kid# hopin( she.d lat h on to someone else. She had# '"t that story didn.t have a happy endin(. Riley (ot over her p"ppy love '"t not the h"rt $eelin(s. It didn.t help that he spent more time with her $ather than she did. He $lipped open his phone and alled Pa"l. +She.s okay., +!hank 3od. !hey.ve alled an emer(en y 3"ild meetin(. Warn her what she.s in $or., +Will do., -e k stashed the phone in his :a ket po ket. Riley halted a $ew $eet away# her eyes narrowin( when she saw him. !here was a rip in the le( o$ her :eans# a 'ri(ht red mark on a heek# and streaks o$ (reen on her $a e# lothes# and hands where the demon had marked her. 5ne earrin( was missin(. -e k o"ld play this two wayssympathy or sar asm. She wo"ldn.t 'elieve the $irst# not $rom him# so that le$t the other. He ra ked a mo k (rin. +I.m in awe# kid. I$ ya an do that kind o$ dama(e (oin. a$ter a 5ne# I an.t wait to see what ya (ot in mind $or a &ive., Her deep 'rown eyes $lared. +I.m not a kid., +1a are 'y my alendar#, he said# (est"rin( toward his old &ord pi k"p. +3et in., +I don.t han( with (ee<ers#, she snapped 'a k. It took -e k a se ond to de ipher the ins"lt. +I.m not old., +!hen stop a tin( like it., Seein( she wasn.t (oin( to (ive an in h# he e2plained# +!here.s an emer(en y 3"ild meetin.., +So why aren.t yo" there9, +We 'oth will 'e# :"st as soon as ya (et in the damn tr" k., Reali<ation dawned in her eyes. +!he meetin(.s a'o"t me9, +4"h9 Who else9, +5h?, When she rea hed $or the door handle# she hesitated. -e k reali<ed the pro'lem 'y the way she held her hand. +4emon 'ite ya9, A rel" tant nod. +4id ya treat it9, +0o. And don.t 'it h at me. I don.t need it ri(ht now., 3r"m'lin( to himsel$# -e k d"( in his trappin( 'a( on the $ront seat. P"llin( o"t a pint 'ottle o$ Holy Water and a 'anda(e# he headed aro"nd the tr" k. Riley leaned a(ainst the door# weary# eyes not really $o "sin( on m" h. She was shiverin( now# more $rom the e2perien e than the old. +!his is (onna h"rt., He an(led his head toward the news van. +It wo"ld 'e 'est i$ ya not make too m" h noise. We don.t want them over here., She nodded and losed her eyes# preparin( hersel$. He (ently t"rned her hand over# st"dyin( the wo"nd. 4eep# '"t it didn.t need stit hes. !he demon.s teeth didn.t rip as m" h as sli e. !he Holy Water wo"ld do the tri k# and it wo"ld heal :"st $ine. Riley win ed and len hed her :aw as the san ti$ied li8"id to" hed the wo"nd. It '"''led and vapori<ed like some s"pernat"ral hydro(en pero2ide# removin( the demoni taint. When the li8"id had entirely evaporated# he shot a 8"i k look at her $a e. Her eyes were open now# waterin(# '"t she.d not "ttered a peep. Tough, 'ust like her daddy. A $ew 8"i k wraps o$ a 'anda(e# a little tape and it was done.

+!hat.ll do#, he said. +In ya (o., He tho"(ht he heard a rel" tant +!hanks, as she lim'ed inside the tr" k# still l"t hin( the messen(er 'a(. -e k hopped in# el'owed the door lo k# and then started the en(ine. He p"shed the heater ontrol to its hi(hest mark. He.d 'roil# '"t the (irl needed warmth. +4o yo" really "se that thin(9, she asked# pointin( a (reen)tipped $in(er at the steel pipe that poked o"t o$ the top o$ the d"$$el 'a( on the seat 'etween them. +S"re do. Handy $or !hrees when they (et rowdy. Really (ood i$ they sink a law in ya., +How9, she asked# $rownin(. +3ives ya levera(e to p"sh the $iend away. 5$ o"rse# that rips the law o"t# '"t that.s $or the 'est. Worst ase# the law 'reaks o$$ inside ya and yer 'ody starts to rot., He pa"sed $or e$$e t. +It.s this really (ross 'rown st"$$., He.d 'een (raphi on p"rpose# testin( her. I$ she was s8"eamish she mi(ht as well (ive it "p now. He waited $or her rea tion# '"t there was none. +So what happened 'a k there9, he asked. Riley t"rned toward the window# radlin( her in:"red hand. +5kay# don.t tell me. I :"st tho"(ht we o"ld talk it o"t# $i("re o"t where it went wron(. I.ve had my ass hewed eno"(h 'y the 3"ild# so I tho"(ht I o"ld (ive ya some pointers., Her sho"lders onv"lsed# and $or a moment he tho"(ht she wo"ld ry. +I did everythin( like I was s"pposed to#, she whispered hoarsely. +So tell me what happened., He listened intently as she told him how she.d trapped the -i'lio)&iend. !he (irl really had done almost everythin( ri(ht. +1er sayin. the 'ooks were $lyin. all over the pla e9, he 8"i<<ed. +1eah# and the 'ookshel$ tore itsel$ o"t o$ the wall. I tho"(ht it was (oin( to r"sh me., -e k.s ("t knotted. 0one o$ this was ri(ht. !o alm his worries# he tried to remem'er how Pa"l had handled him a$ter the MAR!A in ident when he was s"re his areer was over. +What wo"ld ya do di$$erent ne2t time9, Riley.s misty eyes sw"n( toward him. +0e2t time9 3et real. !hey.re (oin( to throw me o"t o$ the 3"ild and la"(h a'o"t this $or years. 4ad is so disappointed. I totally 'lew it. We won.t 'e a'le to pay the, She looked away# '"t not 'e$ore he a"(ht si(ht o$ a tear rollin( down an a'raded heek. "edical #ills. !he ones le$t 'ehind a$ter Riley.s mom died. &rom what Pa"l had told him they were 'arely (ettin( 'y. It was why they lived in a dinky)ass apartment that "sed to 'e a hotel room and why Riley p"shed hersel$ so hard to learn the '"siness. Why Pa"l had to take any trappin( :o' he o"ld $ind to make money# tho"(h it ost him time with his only hild. !ro"'led silen e $ell 'etween them as -e k on entrated on the tra$$i and what the evenin( mi(ht 'rin(. !he trappers weren.t easy a'o"t han(e# and havin( a (irl as one o$ their own made a lot o$ them :"st downri(ht pissy. Riley needed to talk it o"t# (et over the ("ilt 'e$ore the meetin(# or they.d eat her alive. A$ter honkin( at a r"sty MI0I *ooper that "t him o$$# he took the t"rn toward downtown. !he interse tion ahead o$ them was a tan(le o$ 'ikes and motor s ooters. 5ne ("y was p"shin( a shoppin( art $illed with old tires# another on Roller'lades# his hair streamin( 'ehind him# (lidin( thro"(h the tra$$i like a speed skater. 0owadays people "sed whatever it took to (et aro"nd the ity. With the ridi "lo"s ost o$ (as even horses made sense now. !he 'i((est pro'lem was the empty air a'ove the interse tion> the tra$$i li(hts were (one. +!hey keep this "p and there won.t 'e one damned li(ht le$t in the ity#, -e k omplained. Most o$ them had 'een stolen and sold $or s rap 'y metal thieves. It took some ("ts to lim' "p on those thin(s in the middle o$ the ni(ht and dismantle them. Every now and then a thie$ slipped and ended "p a (rease spot on the road# '"ried in a tan(le o$ metal. Like so many thin(s# the ity t"rned a 'lind eye to the thievery# sayin( they o"ldn.t a$$ord to

repla e every missin( li(ht. !oo many other thin(s to worry a'o"t in this 'ankr"pt apital o$ $ive million so"ls. -e k nearly lipped some idiot on a moped and then made it thro"(h the interse tion; his hands l"t hed the wheel ti(hter than was needed. Talk to me, kid. Ya can,t do this alone. Riley $lipped down the visor and stared into the ra ked mirror. +5mi(od#, she said. He wat hed o"t o$ the orner o$ his eye as she (in(erly to" hed the (reen areas where the demon pee had dyed her skin. +It.ll 'e (one in a o"ple days#, -e k said# tryin( to so"nd help$"l. +It has to 'e (one 'y tomorrow ni(ht. I.ve (ot s hool., +/"st tell .em yer a trapper. !hat sho"ld impress .em., +Wron(% !he tri k is to 'lend in# -e k# not (low like a radioa tive $ro(., He shr"((ed. He.d never 'lended in and didn.t see why it mattered that m" h. -"t may'e to a (irl it did. !"rnin( to the mirror# Riley 'e(an to dislod(e the tan(les. !ears $ormed as she p"lled a om' thro"(h her lon( hair. It took time to (et presenta'le. She p"t on some lip (loss '"t apparently de ided it didn.t work with the splot hy (reen and wiped it o$$ with a tiss"e. It was only then she looked over at him and took a deep 'reath. +I sho"ld have ? treated the doorway into the Rare -ook Room with Holy Water. !hat way i$ the demon (ot loose# he wo"ldn.t have 'een a'le to (et in there., +4ead ri(ht. 0ot prote tin. that room was the only mistake I see. -ein. a (ood trapper is :"st a matter o$ learnin. $rom yer mistakes., +-"tyou never learn#, she snapped. +May'e so# '"t I.m not the one who.s (onna (et reamed 'y the 3"ild toni(ht., +!hanks# I.dso $or(otten that#, she said. +Why were the 'ooks $lyin( all over the pla e9, +I.d say the -i'lio had 'a k"p., She shook her head. +4ad says demons don.t work to(ether# that the hi(her)level $iends think the little ones are n"isan es# like o kroa hes., +!hey do# '"t I.ll 'et there was another demon in that li'rary somewheres. 4id ya smell s"l$"r9, Riley shr"((ed. +See anyone wat hin. ya9, She (ave a 'ark o$ 'itter la"(hter. +All o$ them# -e k. Every sin(le one o$ them. I looked like a total moron., He.d 'een there o$ten eno"(h to know how that $elt# '"t ri(ht now that wasn.t the iss"e. Why wo"ld a senior demon play (ames with an apprenti e trapper9 What was the point9 She wasn.t a threat to Hell in any real sense. At least not yet. Riley sh"t down a$ter that# starin( o"t the passen(er)side window and $id(etin( with the strap on her 'a(. -e k had a lot o$ thin(s he wanted to saylike how he was pro"d o$ her $or holdin( "p as well as she did. Pa"l always said the mark o$ a (ood trapper is how he handled the 'ad st"$$# '"t tellin( Riley that wo"ldn.t work. She.d only 'elieve it i$ she heard it $rom her $ather# not someone she onsidered the enemy. !hey passed a lon( line o$ ra((ed $olks waitin( their t"rn to (et a meal at the so"p kit hen on the (ro"nds o$ the /immy *arter Li'rary. !he line.s len(th hadn.t shortened $rom last month# whi h meant the e onomy wasn.t any 'etter. Some 'lamed the demons and their devio"s master $or the ity.s $inan ial pro'lems. -e k 'lamed the politi ians $or 'ein( too '"sy takin( ki k'a ks and not payin( attention to their :o'. In most ways# Atlanta was slowly (oin( to Hell. Somehow he didn.t $i("re L" i$er wo"ld o':e t. A $ew min"tes later he parked in a :"nk)strewn lot a ross $rom the !a'erna le and t"rned o$$ the en(ine. He was "sed to ass hewin(# '"t the (irl wasn.t. I$ there were any way he o"ld take her

pla e toni(ht# he.d do it witho"t thinkin( twi e. -"t that wasn.t the way thin(s worked when yo" were a trapper. +Leave the demon here#, he advised. +P"t him "nder the seat., +Why9 I don.t want to lose him#, she said# $rownin(. +!hey.ll have the meetin. warded with Holy Water. He.ll tear himsel$ apart i$ ya try to ross that line with him in yer 'a(., +5h., -e$ore every 3"ild meetin( an apprenti e wo"ld reate a lar(e ir le o$ Holy Water# the ward as it was alled# whi h wo"ld serve as a sa red 'arrier a(ainst all thin(s demoni . !he trappers held their meetin( inside that ir le. -e k was ri(ht# the -i'lio wo"ldn.t ross the ward. She p"lled o"t the "p# ti(htened the lid# and did as he asked. +5ne pie e o$ advi e> 4on.t piss .em o$$., Riley (lared at him. +1o" always do., +!he r"les are di$$erent $or me., +-e a"se I.m a (irl# is that it9, When he didn.t answer# she demanded# +Is. !hat. It9, +1eah#, he admitted. +As lon( ya know that (oin. in., She hopped o"t o$ the ar# hammered down the lo k with her "nin:"red $ist# then slammed the door hard eno"(h to make his teeth rattle. A (reen $in(er :a''ed in his dire tion the moment he stepped o"t. +I.m not 'a kin( down. I.m Pa"l -la kthorne.s da"(hter. Even the demons know who I am. Someday I.m (oin( to 'e as (ood as my dad# and the trappers will :"st have to deal. !hat in l"des yo"# '"ddy., +!he $iends know yer name9, -e k asked# taken a'a k. +Hello% !hat.s what I said., She s8"ared her sho"lders. +0ow let.s (et this over with. I.ve (ot homework to do., !HREE Riley pa"sed on the sidewalk# shakin( inside. Her o"t'"rst had ost her what little ener(y she had le$t. She needed $ood and a lon( nap# '"t $irst there was the 3"ild to deal with. She o"ld already ima(ine their smirks# hear the (ood ol. 'oy la"(hter. !hen there.d 'e the r"de :okes. !hey were really (ood at those. - don,t deserve this. !he other apprenti es made mistakes '"t they.d never rated an emer(en y 3"ild meetin(. !he s"n was settin(# and $or a moment she o"ld 'elieve there was no disappointed $ather waitin( $or her inside that old '"ildin(. Her nose a"(ht the tantali<in( s ent o$ roasted meat. Smoke rose in thin# trailin( ol"mns $rom m"ltiple wood $ires a ross the street at *entennial Park. !he (ro"nds were dotted with m"lti olored tents# like some modern)day Renaissan e &aire. A tan(le o$ people wandered the (ro"nds as vendors alled to them $rom ta'les piled hi(h with (oods. She o"ld hear a 'aritone voi e anno"n in( that he had $resh 'read $or sale. !hey alled it the !ermin"s Market# a$ter the ity.s ori(inal name. At $irst it.d :"st 'een open on the weekends# '"t now it was a permanent thin(. As the e onomy (ot worse the market 'lossomed# $illin( the missin( holes as re("lar '"sinesses went "nder. 1o" o"ld '"y or 'arter almost anythin(# $rom live hi kens to ma(i al s"pplies like the spheres the trappers "sed. I$ the vendor didn.t have what yo" wanted# 'y the ne2t ni(ht he wo"ld# no 8"estions asked. +Si(n o$ the times#, -e k said "nder his 'reath. +0ot that it.s ri(ht., *a"(ht 'y the deep $rown on his $a e# her (a<e $ollowed his. 5n the sidewalk was a dead ("y# loaded down with pa ka(es $rom the market. He wore lean lothes and his hair was om'ed# '"t yo" o"ld tell he was dead. !he pasty (ray omple2ion and the <oned)o"t e2pression (ave it away every time. He stood a $ew steps 'ehind his +owner#, a thirty)somethin( woman with straw'erry

'lond hair and desi(ner :eans with the words +Smart -it h, in se8"ins on the '"tt. Everythin( a'o"t her sho"ted money# in l"din( the ar. 0o solar panel on the top# so she wasn.t on erned how m" h a (allon o$ (as mi(ht ost. 0o dents# no r"st# :"st lean and new. 1ro#a#ly has the dead guy wash it. &rom what Riley had heard# a 4eader wasn.t like a <om'ie in the movies# :"st a sad reminder o$ a past li$e. &or people with money they were the per$e t servants. !hey never asked $or va ation and they weren.t entitled to wa(es. 5n e a ne roman er p"lled a orpse $rom the (rave it was (ood $or nearly a year# the downside o$ 'etter em'almin( te hni8"es. When it eased 'ein( "se$"l it was '"ried a(ain# i$ the owner was ompassionate. I$ not# the 4eader wo"ld 'e $o"nd a'andoned in a d"mpster. +!hey.re :"st slaves#, she said. +5n e yo".re dead yo" sho"ld 'e le$t alone., +Amen to that., -e k leared his throat. +Well# ya won.t have to worry. I$ a trapper (ets hewed "p 'y a demon# the ne ros don.t want .em., 0ow that,s great news. Riley wat hed as the 4eader piled the pa ka(es into the tr"nk o$ a ar. When he was $inished he lim'ed into the 'a kseat. !hey were (ood $or simple tasks# '"t drivin( wasn.t one o$ them. Riley t"rned 'a k toward their destination. -"ilt o$ red 'ri k# the !a'erna le had lo ked over a ent"ry o$ "se. It.d 'een a -aptist h"r h# then a on ert hall. She.d ome here $or an Alter -rid(e on ert to ele'rate her dad.s thirty)$i$th 'irthday when they.d lived in -" khead and her mom was still alive. -a k when her parents were tea hers at a real s hool and everythin( was (ood. -e k pa"sed at the entran e# leanin( a(ainst a rope that served as a handrail. !he metal ones were lon( (one. Still holdin( his d"$$el 'a( in one hand# he t"rned toward her# his $a e "n"s"ally solemn. +It.s not :"st 'e a"se yer a (irl#, he said in a lowered voi e# his mind still on their earlier onversation. +A lot o$ these ("ys are (ettin. older# and they.re not happy ompetin. with yo"n(er trappers., +Like yo"9, He nodded. +4on.t e2pe t a (ood time# okay9 -"t don.t let .em p"sh ya aro"nd. It was a (ood trappin. (one wron(. !hat.s happened to every one o$ "s. 4on.t let them laim anythin. di$$erent., !hen he le$t her on the street# p"ttin( distan e 'etween them like he didn.t want to 'e seen with her. reep. Her dad was waitin( inside that '"ildin(. What wo"ld he say9 Wo"ld he tell the 3"ild he.d made a mistake# that she wasn.t trapper material9 5r wo"ld he try to de$end her9 -! he does, they,ll roast him. !hat tho"(ht p"shed her $orward. Her $ather wasn.t (oin( to $a e this alone. !his washer mistake# not his. Riley limped "p the steps and entered the '"ildin(# losin( the street door 'ehind her. 0othin( m" h had han(ed sin e the last 3"ild meetin(> *o'we's still h"n( $rom the eilin(# and the $loors were la ed with d"st and dis arded $oam "ps. A snee<e overtook her. !hen another. P"llin( a tiss"e o"t o$ a po ket# she 'lew her nose as she wandered into the h"(e a"ditori"m. It was a vast spa e with "n om$orta'le wooden 'en hes in three se tions that rose to the rear o$ the '"ildin(# most o$ it in the dark now. !here "sed to 'e a pipe or(an '"t it was lon( (one. Metal was too val"a'le. 5n the $loor in $ront o$ her was a wet line in the d"st that en ir led the area where the meetin( was 'ein( held. Why the trappers 'othered to have a Holy Water ward never made sense to Riley. 0o demon wo"ld wander into a room$"l o$ trappers. It.d 'e a way)d"m' move. Still# it was tradition# and it $ell to an apprenti e to ens"re the ward was properly applied. 5ne day it wo"ld 'e her t"rn. !his was only the se ond time she.d 'een in $ront o$ the 3"ild. !he $irst hadn.t 'een a 'last# with lots o$ ar("ment over whether to iss"e her an apprenti e li ense. Most o$ the trappers hadn.t ared either way# '"t a $ew learly resented her. 0ot 'e a"se o$ her dad# '"t 'e a"se she wasn.t male. !hey.d 'e her $oes toni(ht.

And - gave them all the ammunition they need. 5nly the (ro"nd)$loor 3eneral Admission Se tion was ill"minated. A'ove her# d"st hovered in the 'ri(ht streams o$ li(ht po"rin( down $rom the $loods. !he li(hts do"'led as a heat so"r e# whi h le$t the rest o$ the '"ildin( "n om$orta'ly hilly. !he meetin( had already started# and her dad was at one o$ the ro"nd 'an8"et ta'les# arms rossed. It was his yo".re)standin()on)my)last)nerve pose. He was wearin( his 3eor(ia !e h :a ket and sweatshirt and $aded 'l"e :eans. His 'rown hair really needed a trim. /"st like an avera(e dad e2 ept he trapped demons $or a livin(. +How.d this simple :o' (o so $ar o$$ the rails# -la kthorne9, an older man asked. He was (ray at the temples and had a deep res ent)shaped s ar that ran down one side o$ his $a e. His nose had 'een 'roken and hadn.t healed ri(ht. It made him look like a ross 'etween a pirate and a onvi t. 2arper. !he most senior o$ the three master trappers in the Atlanta 3"ild. +!hat.s what we.re here to $ind o"t#, her dad replied# his voi e lipped. +Riley sho"ld 'e here soon; then we an hear the $"ll story., +4on.t are i$ she.s here or not. She.s done as $ar as I.m on erned#, Harper replied. !he sneer on his $a e p"lled the s ar o"t o$ ali(nment. +We.ve all made mistakes., Her dad pointed toward a 'ee$y 'la k man at a near'y ta'le. +Morton destroyed a o"rtroom tryin( to trap a &o"r ri(ht a$ter he 'e ame a :o"rneyman. !hin(s happen., +What did I know9, Morton said# spreadin( his hands. 5ne o$ the $ew A$ri an Ameri ans in the 3"ild# he looked like he sho"ld 'e sellin( ho"ses rather than trappin( $iends. +!he de$ense lawyer a ted :"st like a demon. I.m still (ettin( s"ed over that one., !here was m"ted la"(hter. Her dad nodded. +My point is that Riley is smart and she listens to instr" tions. She.ll learn $rom this# and the ne2t trappin( will 'e pi t"re per$e t., +!hat.s 'etter than yo"r last apprenti e#, someone :oked. +He never did listen., -e k stepped into the ir le o$ li(ht. +Evenin. all#, he said. +Speak o$ the devil#, the same trapper alled o"t. +What do yo" say a'o"t this# Mile Hi(h9, &rom the way -e k tensed# Riley o"ld tell he didn.t like the ni kname. He :"st shr"((ed and parked himsel$ at her $ather.s ta'le# then p"lled two 'eer 'ottles o"t o$ his d"$$el 'a( and set them in $ront o$ him. !wistin( the top o$$ one# he took a lon( swi( and settled 'a k like he was there to wat h a sta(e show. You sel!ish 'erk. He wasn.t (oin( to stand "p $or her. How many times had her $ather saved his '"tt9 &o much !or gratitude. 3nawin( on the inside o$ her 'ottom lip "ntil she drew 'lood# Riley stepped into the li(ht# 'linkin( to lear her vision. When they spied her# some o$ the trappers sni kered. She held her (ro"nd# hands knotted at her side. +!here.s Little Miss &" k"p now#, Harper said. Riley.s $ather (lared. +Keep it lean# Harper., +I$ she an.t take it# she sho"ldn.t 'e here., +!here.s no need to 'e r"de#, another trapper insisted. It was /a kson# the 3"ild treas"rer. He was a tall# thin man with a (oatee and ponytail. He.d worked $or the ity 'e$ore the $irst ro"nd o$ layo$$s a $ew years 'a k. In lie" o$ a response# Harper spat on the $loor then d"( o"t another wad o$ hew. !ho"(h Riley really wanted to r"n into her $ather.s arms# she took her time rossin( to him. She re$"sed to a t like a s ared little (irl in $ront o$ these :erks# tho"(h deep inside she was $reakin( o"t. Her dad stood and p"t his hands on her sho"lders# lookin( deeply in her eyes. When he saw the dama(e to her $a e# he win ed. +1o" okay9, She nodded. He s8"ee<ed her sho"lders $or s"pport. +!hen tell them what happened., He.d treated her like an ad"lt# not a $ri(htened kid. !hat simple (est"re (ave her the o"ra(e to $a e this.

She s anned the ir le o$ men aro"nd her. !here were a'o"t thirty o$ them. Most were middle)a(ed# like her dad. !hey.d 'e ome trappers when their other areers had ended# destroyed 'y an e onomy that had never $o"nd anythin( '"t the 'ottom. -itterness h"n( on them like a heavy winter oat. Riley leared her throat# preparin( hersel$. Harper snapped his $in(ers impatiently. +*ome on# spill it. We don.t have all damned ni(ht., +4on.t let him (oad yo"#, her $ather m"rm"red. Hopin( her voi e wo"ldn.t 8"aver# she (ave her report. Her words so"nded so insi(ni$i ant inside the averno"s '"ildin(# a mo"se s8"eakin( to a pa k o$ lions. When she $inished Harper h"$$ed and rossed his arms over his hest# revealin( a 'lood)red tattoo on his $orearm. It was a sk"ll with a writhin( $iend in its mo"th. +4emons don.t work to(ether#, he said. +Every apprenti e knows that. .*ept may'e yo"., He made it so"nd like she was lyin(. +How else wo"ld yo" e2plain all the dama(e9, Morton asked. +4on.t know# don.t are#, Harper said. +All that matters is that we.re the la"(hin(sto k o$ the ity# and we know who.s to 'lame., M"rm"rin( 'roke o"t amon( the men. +It.s not as easy as that#, her dad 'e(an. +I$ the demons are 'andin( to(ether# we need to know why they.ve han(ed ta ti s., +1o".re :"st tryin( to save yo"r 'rat.s ass# -la kthorne. She wo"ld never have 'een (iven a li ense in the $irst pla e i$ she wasn.t yo"r da"(hter., -e k stirred and set his 'eer 'ottle down on the ta'le with a l"nk. +Why not9 She met all the re8"irements., Harper sw"n( his dark (a<e toward him. +Why do yo" (ive a shit9 Lookin( to (et a pie e o$ that# are yo"9, Riley.s dad shi$ted in his hair# his $a e (rowin( red with an(er. -e k# on the other hand# was i y alm. It wasn.t what she.d e2pe ted o$ him. He popped open the top o$ the se ond 'ottle# took a lon( swi(# then sma ked his lips. +0ah# she.s too yo"n(. She an.t '"y me 'eer., +4amned strai(ht#, someone alled o"t. +0othin. more than :ail'ait., Her $ather.s $rown deepened. +I say we eye'all the li'rary.s se "rity tapes#, -e k said in a thi k drawl# heavier than "s"al. +!hat.ll tell "s i$ there was another demon there., +!ake too lon( to (et them. We need to vote on this#, Harper ar("ed. +We don.t need the tapes# Master., !hat was Simon Adler# Harper.s apprenti e. He was tall and 'l"e)eyed with 'ri(ht 'lond hair that swirled in waves. When Riley was small# her mom 'o"(ht an an(el $or the top o$ the *hristmas tree; Simon.s hair was the same olor. A o"ple o$ years older than her# he wore :eans and a -lessid =nion o$ So"ls !)shirt. A wooden ross h"n( $rom a thi k leather ord aro"nd his ne k. +!here.s already a video o$ it on the Internet#, he said# (est"rin( toward a laptop on the ta'le in $ront o$ him. She was s"rprised he.d 'rin( it into this d"st'owl. Harper threw him a $"rio"s look. +Who the hell asked yo"9, +Sorry#, Simon replied# +'"t I tho"(ht we.d want to know the tr"th., +1o" keep yo"r (oddamned mo"th sh"t "nless I say otherwise# (ot it9, !he apprenti e win ed at the 'lasphemy. -e k "t in. +*ome on now# Simon.s doin. what anygood trapper wo"ld dokeepin. ta's on the demons. !hat.s what yer tea hin. him# isn.t it9, Harper.s $a e t"rned dark with an(er# makin( the s ar stand o"t. +Let.s see it#, /a kson alled o"t. +May'e it.ll make o"r report to the *h"r h easier., The hurch. !he trappers only apt"red the demons; the *h"r h was responsi'le $or dealin( with

them a$ter that. It was a omple2 arran(ement# '"t it had held to(ether $or ent"ries. !he 3"ild always went o"t o$ its way not to piss o$$ the *h"r h. Simon tapped away on the key'oard as men rowded aro"nd. !here were too many trappers# so it looked like they.d have to take t"rns wat hin( the s reen. A r"nnin( ommentary 'e(an at the same time as the video. +4amn# look at that $lyin( ta kle#, Morton said. +!hat had to h"rt., -t had. +She (ot him%, one o$ them alled o"t. +5h# my 3od# look at the, .ookshelves. A tremendo"s rash ame $rom the omp"ter speakers. E2ha"sted and shakin(# Riley sank into the losest hair. Her dad p"shed a 'ottle o$ water her way. She twisted o$$ the plasti ap and s" ked the ool li8"id down# ("lp a$ter ("lp. Her stoma h r"m'led# a reminder she.d not eaten sin e 'reak$ast. Her dad hadn.t h"rried over to wat h the video. !here was only one reason $or that.2e thinks screwed up. !hat h"rt more than the '"rnin( demon 'ite. &inally# Simon set the omp"ter in $ront o$ her $ather. +/"st press this key and it.ll play#, he said. He (ave Riley a 8"i k smile and retreated. !rappers moved in 'ehind her# talkin( amon( themselves. 5ne o$ them was -e k. She (ritted her teeth at what was to ome. +1o" ready9, her dad asked. She nodded. It was worse the se ond time aro"nd. Like wat hin( one o$ the%emonland episodes on television# only this time she was the star and there was no st"nt do"'le. Whoever apt"red the video did a pretty (ood :o'# tho"(h the pi t"re wo"ld swin( wildly every now then. This is all over the -nternet. People in $orei(n o"ntries wo"ld wat h it and la"(h at her. Mo k her. !here wo"ld 'e no hidin( $rom this. +Look at all that st"$$ 'lowin( aro"nd#, someone e2 laimed. -e k s" ked in a sharp 'reath as the 'ookshelves ommitted s"i ide. !he $inal portion o$ the video showed Riley limpin( o"t o$ the li'rary# 'loody and 'attered. +My 3od#, her $ather whispered# p"llin( her into an em'ra e so ti(ht she o"ldn.t 'reathe. He wasn.t mad at her or disappointed. He only h"((ed that hard when he was s ared. When they 'roke apart# she saw it on his $a e# tho"(h he tried to over it. !hen he smiled# so$t rinkles appearin( at the orners o$ his 'rown eyes. +1o" did very well# Riley. I.m so pro"d o$ yo"., Her mo"th $ell open as the threat o$ tears ret"rned. +4itto#, -e k said as he ret"rned to his 'eer. When she looked "p# all eyes were on her. A o"ple o$ trappers (ave her a nod o$ respe t. /a kson looked over at Harper# then 'a k at her. +!hat s"re as hell wasn.t :"st a 3rade 5ne#, he said. +I a(ree. !hat.s a 3eo)&iend $or s"re#, another said. Harper strai(htened "p. +4oesn.t matter. We an.t (ive this one a pass. Makes "s look 'ad., +5h# (o s rew yo"rsel$# Harper#, /a kson (rowled. +1o".ve hated every apprenti e we.ve had. !hose yo" train yo" treat like dirt. I sho"ld know., +I$ yo" weren.t s" h a :erk)o$$# /a kson#, the master 'e(an. Her dad t"((ed on her sleeve. +Why don.t yo" (o o"tside9 It.s (oin( to (et nasty# and I.d rather not have yo" hear it., +-"t what a'o"t my li ense9, she asked. +!hat.s why it.s (oin( to (et nasty., /h.

-e k tossed his keys on the ta'le in $ront o$ her. +Keep the demon ompany# will ya9 He.s pro'a'ly missin. ya 'y now., She (lowered at him. Her $ather intervened. +Wait in the tr" k and lo k the doors. I.ll 'e o"t soon. 3o on. It.ll 'e okay., -t,ll #e okay. It so"nded like a "rse. &5=R !he moment Riley rea hed the tr" k she ki ked the losest tire# ima(inin( it to 'e -e k.s head. It was a st"pid thin( to do 'e a"se now her $oot a hed like the rest o$ her. Her an(er wo"ldn.t make a 'it o$ di$$eren e. I$ Harper '"llied the others lon( eno"(h they.d revoke her apprenti e li ense. 5n e they voted her o"t# she was done. !here was no (oin( 'a k. Then what* She.d have to (et a :o' waitin( ta'les or somethin(.That,s so not me. A hitterin( so"nd 'ro"(ht her eyes "pward as a whirl o$ 'ats e2ploded $rom "nder one o$ the !a'erna le.s eaves. She wat hed them skitter away into the d"sk# envyin( their $reedom. In the distan e a thin hor"s o$ howls e hoed in the streets. *oyotes. !hey h"nted every ni(ht# slinkin( aro"nd in pa ks lookin( $or a stray meal to wander their way. !he ity slowly reverted to nat"re.s laws. She eyed -e k.s ride. It was so him. Who else wo"ld drive aro"nd in a 'attered r"st)red &ord &)EFB with a 3eor(ia state $la( de al in the rear window9 0e2t to that was the o$$i ial !rappers 3"ild em'lem and "nderneath# the "no$$i ial slo(an+Ki kin( Hell.s Ass 5ne 4emon at a !ime., A mass o$ 'eer 'ottles in the tr" k 'ed rolled aro"nd like 'owlin( pins every time -e k took a orner. He.d 'e addin( more to the pile soon eno"(h. She "nlo ked the door and lim'ed in# ea(er to (et o"t o$ the old. !he interior smelled like the owner.s leather :a ket. 4i((in( "nder the seat# she retrieved her demon and st" k it in her 'a(. She i(nored its o$$er o$ a $avor to $ree it and then the "pt"rned middle $in(er. Sometimes the sippy "p.s transparent sides weren.t a 'lessin(. 2ow long will this take* +/"st vote me o$$ the island and move on#, she (ro"sed. I$ it took too lon( she.d have to start the tr" k to (et some heat# '"t that wo"ld 'e wastin( (as. !o try to keep her mind o$$ all the drama# Riley raided the (love ompartment. It was a lot like snoopin( in someone.s medi ine a'inets> 1o" learned a lot a'o"t a person that way. !he $irst thin( she $o"nd was the ("n. !hat didn.t s"rprise her. !rappers went into ro"(h nei(h'orhoods. She a"tio"sly p"shed it o"t o$ the way. 0e2t "p was a $lashli(ht. She $li ked it on and spied the ondoms. !here were three o$ them and they were marked +e2tra lar(e., Riley snorted. +In yo"r dreams., !hen she hit pay dirtthe horndo(.s !rappers Man"al. Apprenti es re eived their man"als in se tions as they pro(ressed thro"(h their trainin( to prevent them $rom (oin( a$ter 'i((er demons 'e$ore they were ready. All she had was the se tion a'o"t 3rade 5nes# like the -i'lio)&iends. 4enver -e k was a :o"rneyman trapper# one step 'elow a master. !his man"al had almost all o$ the (ood st"$$# e2 ept the parts on the hi(her)rankin( $iends and Ar hdemons. Riley hesitated. !hey were (oin( to ki k her o"t# so why 'other9 .ut i! they don,t 3 She.d never (et an opport"nity like this a(ain. She did a mental oin $lip and "riosity won. It always did with her. Riley made s"re the doors were lo ked# then she an(led her 'ody so the $lashli(ht hit the pa(es and 'e(an to read# l"red like the time she.d $o"nd her mom.s stash o$ sm"tty roman e novels. +3rade !hree demons are territorial and are 'est known $or their a'ility to ompletely ("t and eat a h"man in as little as $i$teen min"tes., "ay#e this isn,t such a good idea.

She.d :"st started on the se tion on how to trap !hrees when a kno k ame at the window. Riley :"mped. A$ter $ranti ally :ammin( the 'ook and the $lashli(ht into the (love ompartment# she looked "p. It was Simon# Harper.s apprenti e. Em'arrassed at 'ein( a"(ht# she sheepishly lim'ed o"t o$ the tr" k. +Sorry I s ared yo"#, he said# steppin( 'a k a $ew pa es# seemin( to "nderstand she needed her spa e. 0ot all ("ys did that. +I tho"(ht I.d he k and see how yo".re doin(., 2ere - am with a seriously hunky guy and -,m covered in demon pee. +hy does the universe hate me* She tried to r"n a hand thro"(h her hair# '"t the 'anda(e pretty m" h ended that e$$ort. &eelin( she sho"ld say somethin(# Riley stammered# +I was ? was readin(?, A slow (rin rawled onto Simon.s $a e as he ad:"sted the omp"ter 'a( on his sho"lder. +? !he man"al. I saw that. -"t it wasn.t yo"rs. !oo thi k., .usted. She sl"mped a(ainst the tr" k. +It.s -e k.s. 1o" won.t say anythin(# will yo"9, Simon shook his head. +I p"lled the same st"nt with Harper.s man"al# e2 ept he was the one that a"(ht me., His $a e darkened at the memory. +4ad doesn.t tell me anythin(. I hate it., A moment a$ter she vented# she wondered i$ that was a (ood thin(. *o"ld she tr"st Simon9 +Harper.s the same way# and then he yells at me when I don.t know somethin( he thinks I sho"ld., Simon $rowned. +I.ll make :o"rneyman yet# :"st to prove him wron(., +I won.t. !hey.re (oin( to throw me o"t., +1o" never know#, he said. +Some o$ them were pretty impressed., He pa"sed and then added# +I think yo" were awesome., !hat a"(ht her o$$ ("ard.2e thinks -,m awesome* +Ah ? thanks%, Simon smiled# and s"ddenly she didn.t $eel so old anymore. !hey heard voi es> -e k and her dad were headed in their dire tion# talkin( animatedly. 0either o$ them looked happy. -e k was (est"rin(# and she tho"(ht she heard a "rse word or two. Simon 'e(an to ed(e away. +-etter (o. 0i e to meet yo"# Riley#, he said. +1o" too# Simon., Ri(ht 'e$ore he rossed the street# he looked 'a k at her. She waved. !hat made his smile widen. 2e,s really cute. Riley hopped into the tr" k to (et the -i'lio that had a"sed all the pro'lems. !he $lashli(ht was still on inside the (love ompartment# iss"in( a (low aro"nd the ed(es o$ the door. She h"rriedly $i2ed that pro'lem# then (ra''ed her messen(er 'a(. +I see Simon was keepin( yo" ompany#, her $ather said as he walked "p. +I.m (lad he he ked on yo"., !hat made her $eel even 'etter. I$ her dad liked the apprenti e# then he was pro'a'ly okay. +So9 What.s the verdi t9, she asked# len hin( her hands into $ists to prepare $or the 'ad news. !he one with the demon 'ite promptly thro''ed in response. +!hey tossed me o"t# didn.t they9, +1o".re still an apprenti e# $or the time 'ein(#, her dad anno"n ed. +!he video onvin ed them there was another demon present# one that yo" weren.t 8"ali$ied to trap. !he ne2t time there.s a pro'lem# yo".re o"t., !hey weren.t tellin( her everythin(. +And9, she pressed. Her dad and -e k traded looks. +!here.re also san tions a(ainst me#, her dad replied. +I$ yo" lose yo"r li ense I won.t 'e a'le to take on another apprenti e $or another year., +!hat was Harper.s little roadside 'om'#, -e k (r"m'led. +Misera'le 'astard., Riley was st"nned. Her dad was a 'orn tea her# whether it was history lasses in hi(h s hool or 'rin(in( a new trapper "p thro"(h the ranks. 0ot only wo"ld he lose his one :oy in li$e '"t the stipend they paid to train new mem'ers. !hat money 'o"(ht their (ro eries. 0o apprenti e# no $ood.

It was that simple. +-ottom line# yo".re still in the 3"ild. We.ll worry a'o"t the rest later., Her dad p"t his arm aro"nd her. +*ome on# let.s (et yo" home., +1eah# I hear she.s (ot homework to do#, -e k hided. She threw him a (lare '"t didn.t 'other to reply. He was the least o$ her hassles. CCC As they pulled o"t o$ the 3ro"nds Gero drive)thr"# Riley.s hot ho olate steamed "p the side window and made her $eel (ood $or the $irst time all day. She had to admit it wasn.t only the hot 'evera(e. She was with her dad# and that always made her $eel 'etter. !he $eelin( wasn.t (oin( to last. 5n e they (ot home he.d take o$$ with -e k $or another ni(ht o$ trappin(. !hey.d 'een tryin( to apt"re a 3rade !hree demon down in &ive Points and it kept (ettin( away. 0ow it was a matter o$ pride $or 'oth o$ them. Riley knew it was sel$ish to 'e "pset that he was (one all the time. She knew they needed the money# '"t sometimes she raved spendin( more time to(ether# even i$ it was trappin( demons. -"t that wasn.t (oin( to happen "ntil she learned to trap a !hree. !hen she and her dad o"ld work as a team and -e k wo"ld have to $ind someone else to trap with. She wondered i$ -a kwoods -oy had $i("red that o"t yet. Riley poked a'sentmindedly at the rip in her :eans. She wo"ldn.t 'other to mend it; ripped :eans were okay# '"t the (reen demon pee was another matter. It 'lea hed o"t the denim. !here was no way she o"ld a$$ord a new pair. When she set her hot ho olate in the enter onsole# she spied a omp"ter disk ne2t to a pile o$ r"mpled ("m wrappers. Pro'a'ly some o$ her dad.s *ivil War resear h. When he had $ree time# whi h wasn.t very o$ten# he.d (o to the li'rary and "se one o$ their omp"ters. &aster than the one they had at home# that was $or s"re. +So what is it this time9, she asked# pointin( at the disk. +Antietam or -attle o$ Kennesaw9, He seemed startled at the 8"estion and 8"i kly t" ked the disk into his po ket. +How.s this $or a deal9 A$ter I make the rent money I.ll take a ni(ht o$$. We.ll (et some pi<<a# may'e wat h a movie., She nodded enth"siasti ally. +So"nds (ood% I.d love that.,4very night. !hen a tho"(ht ame to her. +/"st "s. 0o -e k., +1o" really don.t like him# do yo"9, +0o# I don.t. 5n the way to the meetin( he said he wanted to help me# '"t he didn.t do a thin(. He.s a reeper., Her dad shook his head. +1o".re not seein( the 'i((er pi t"re., +Really9 He sat there drinkin( his 'eer# a tin( like it was some pi ni . 1o" said his mom.s a dr"nk# and the way he.s (oin(# he.s (oin( to end "p the same. I don.t know why yo" 'other with him., Her dad didn.t answer# his 'row $"rrowed in tho"(ht. Riley "rsed to hersel$. Why did they always ar("e a'o"thim9 &eelin( ("ilty# she 'l"rted# +What do yo" think o$ Simon9, Her $ather appeared pleased at the han(e o$ topi . +H"iet kid. A lot (oin( on in that 'rain. He.s a methodi al trapper. He.ll do well in the '"siness i$ Harper ever si(ns his :o"rneyman.s ard., +I like him., +And I think he likes yo". /"st 'e are$"l o$ Harper. He.s really hard on the 'oy., Riley.s phone emitted a hor"s o$ ri ket hirps. She st"died the display and smiled. It was her 'est $riend. +Hey# Peter. How.s it (oin(9, +Hey# Riley. I saw yo"r video. 1o" ro k% !he stats are o$$ the hart. 1o".re (oin( viral%, Riley (roaned. /"st what she always wantedtho"sands# millions o$ people la"(hin( at her. She o"ld hear the so"nd o$ a key'oard. Peter was into m"ltitaskin(# so he was pro'a'ly IM)in(

with a o"ple o$ his '"ds while talkin( to her on the phone. +It wasn.t that m" h $"n in person#, she admitted. +1eah# '"t yo" nailed that little ("y. All that st"$$ $lyin( thro"(h the air looked like somethin( o"t o$ Harry Potter%, Peter wo"ld love that kind o$ thin(. He.d olle ted all the 'ooks and the movies. +Hold on#, he said. She heard a voi e in the 'a k(ro"nd. !hat wo"ld 'e Peter.s mom $indin( o"t who he was talkin( to. +5kay# I.m 'a k#, he said. +It was the warden makin( s"re I hadn.t es aped., Riley looked over at her $ather and then si(hed. She liked talkin( to Peter# '"t her dad wasn.t (oin( to 'e aro"nd all evenin(. +Ah# Pete# an I all yo" later9 I.m with 4ad ri(ht now# and he.s (oin( to have to leave pretty soon and?, +=nderstood. *all me when yo" (et a han e# okay9, her $riend said. +1o" still ro k# 'y the way., !hen he was (one. Her $ather halted at a stop si(n as an old man p"ttered a ross the interse tion. !ied to his shoppin( art was a s r"$$y do( totin( somethin( in its mo"th. +1o" see that9, her dad asked. +1o" mean the old ("y9, +1o" don.t see the white o"tline aro"nd him9, All she saw was an old ("y with a do(. +He.s an an(el#, her $ather e2plained. +0o way%, Riley stared at the man. He looked like any one o$ the other homeless d"des in the ity. +I always tho"(ht an(els wo"ld have win(s and wear ro'es or somethin(., +!hey do. !he ministerin( kind an look like "s# "nless they want to reveal their tr"e $orm., !he manIan(el rea hed the sidewalk# petted the do(# and set o$$ a(ain. +!here are more o$ them in Atlanta now#, her dad o'served. Somethin( in his tone a"(ht Riley.s noti e. +Keepin( an eye on the demons. !hat.s (ood# ri(ht9, Her $ather shr"((ed. +0ot s"re., +4o they really do an(el sorta thin(s# like mira les and s" h9, +So it.s said., He was silent $or a while# on entratin( on his drivin(. !hen o"t o$ the 'l"e he asked# +1o" and Peter ever (oin( to date9, She 'linked in s"rprise at the 8"estion.+here did that come !rom* +Ah ? no., +Why not9 He.s a ni e kid., +He.s ? Peter. I mean?, She str"((led to ome "p with the 'est e2planation $or what seemed o'vio"s to her. +He.s :"st a $riend., Her dad smiled knowin(ly. +3ot it. I knew a (irl like yo" when I was in hi(h s hool. 0ever on e tho"(ht I mi(ht have a thin( $or her., 4ad rarely talked a'o"t his past. She o"ldn.t resist. +Who was she9, +1o"r mom., He wa((led his eye'rows at her (roan. +He :"st alls me 'e a"se he.s lonely#, she e2plained. +5r 'e a"se he really likes yo"., +1eah# yeah. 0i e try. He.d (ot his eye on Simi., +!he p"nk 'arista at the o$$ee shop9, her dad 8"i<<ed. +!he one with neon hair9, Riley nodded. +1o" sho"ld have seen her last month. She had 'la k and white stripes with p"rple tips. Serio"sly 'reathtakin(., +4on.t even think it#, her dad replied# li$tin( a warnin( eye'row. +As i$., She had eno"(h pro'lems as an apprenti e witho"t lookin( like a Halloween ost"me (one wron(.

+How.s s hool (oin(9 !hey still have yo" :"niors sit near the dairy ase9, he 8"i<<ed. Riley wrinkled her nose. +It.s okay. !he store smells like moldy heese and has all the old si(ns han(in( $rom the eilin(. It.s y" ky in there. !here are mi e reepin( aro"nd and dead roa hes., She wi((led her $in(ers in dis("st. -e$ore her $ather lost his :o' and started trappin( demons# she and Peter had attended a real s hool. 0ow# 'e a"se o$ '"d(et "ts# they went to ni(ht s hool three times a week in an a'andoned (ro ery store. Most o$ the tea hers had other :o's ha"lin( (ar'a(e or sellin( hot do(s at onvenien e stores. +Some o$ my tea her '"ddies are sayin( there are plans to reor(ani<e the lasses a(ain#, her dad warned. +1o" mi(ht 'e movin( lo ations., !hat wasn.t (ood news. +/"st as lon( as Peter (oes with me# I don.t are where they sti k "s., +At least yo" (ot a (ro ery store this time. It o"ld have 'een an old Me2i an :oint# and yo".d ome home smellin( like stale 'ean '"rritos., +E""""?, she said. +I always $i("red I.d have a tea hin( :o' $or li$e#, her dad admitted. +I even tho"(ht it was a (ood deal when the ity sold the s hools to -artwell# $i("red it wo"ld (et "s more money $or ed" ation., He shook his head. +I was so wron(., Riley knew this story well. -artwell Ind"stries had leased the s hool '"ildin(s to the ity and kept raisin( the rent. In the midst o$ a '"d(et risis and "na'le to handle the in reased e2pense# Atlanta $armed o"t their lassrooms to "ninha'ited '"sinesses# hopin( to press"re their landlord to lower their rates. -artwell promptly went 'ankr"pt. !he res"lt was dilapidated s hool '"ildin(s# lasses held in de$"n t (ro ery stores# and a lot o$ "nemployed tea hers. +At least I an trap#, he said r"e$"lly. +We 'oth an., He nodded# '"t she o"ld see he wasn.t ea(er to a(ree. Her $ather was "s"ally in a h"rry to leave# keen $or the h"nt# '"t they took their time walkin( $rom the parkin( lot to the apartment omple2. +I don.t e2pe t yo" to 'e ome a trapper :"st 'e a"se I am#, he said# his tone pensive. Riley tho"(ht a'o"t that as they wove their way thro"(h the r"sty 'ikes and the s ooters. +I want to do this# 4ad., She a"(ht his hand and s8"ee<ed it. +I don.t want to work 'ehind a o"nter somewhere. !hat.s :"st not me., A resi(ned e2pression settled on his $a e. +I.d hoped yo".d han(e yo"r mind# '"t toni(ht I knew it wasn.t (oin( to happen. 1o" stood "p to Harper# and that takes ("ts., +Why is he s" h a di k9, she asked. +He a ts like he hates everyone., +He.s had a lot o$ losses. Everyone has a 'reakin( point# Riley. He hit his a lon( time a(o., +-"t yo" didn.t., He smiled and s8"ee<ed her hand. +-e a"se o$ yo"., Weavin( his arm aro"nd her waist# they walked "p the stairs in tandem. &omeday he,ll #e home all the time. Then it,ll #e good again. &IDE 5n e her dad had departed# Riley spent a lon( time in the shower. !o her relie$ it took most o$ the (reen o$$ o$ her skin. With some reative make"p appli ation she mi(ht pass $or h"man 'y tomorrow ni(ht. She hoped none o$ her lassmates had seen the video. -esides Peter# that is. (ight. %ream on. Every evenin( she tidied the apartment. !oni(ht wasn.t any di$$erent# despite the $a t that she $elt she.d 'een 'ody)slammed 'y a s"mo wrestler. *leanin( never took very lon( as the pla e was -ar'ie)si<ed# two hotel rooms :oined to(ether# the walls an ind"strial 'ei(e. !he e2tra 'athroom had 'een divided in hal$ and onverted into a loset. !here were three rooms totala twelve)'y)$i$teen)

$oot livin( room and kit henette# a 'athroom# and a tiny 'edroom. A de repit wall "nit o$$ered minimal heat and air) onditionin(. !hey didn.t r"n it very o$ten 'e a"se it was too noisy. +hen -,m a 'ourneyman, Riley m"sed#we,ll move into a nice apartment. She knew what it wo"ld look likeshe.d $o"nd a pi t"re in a ma(a<ineall wood $loors and 'i( windows and (leamin( stainless steel applian es. !he pi t"re was st" k to the an ient re$ri(erator. Her dad kidded her a'o"t it# '"t he hadn.t taken it down. He had dreams# too. Riley plopped onto the o" h and dialed her $riend. Peter answered on the $irst rin(. +Hey# Riley#, he said. !here was the so"nd o$ r"stlin( paper. +5"r term papers are d"e tomorrow., +1eah# I.ll work on it toni(ht., +Mine.s done#, he 'oasted. She heard a sl"rpin( so"nd like he.d taken a drink thro"(h a lon( straw. +I tore apart the So"th.s assertion that slavery was ne essary $or their s"rvival., Peter wasn.t really a nerd# '"t he a ted like one. He.d 'een that way sin e they.d met in $o"rth (rade. With his ro"nd $a e# mo"se)'rown hair# and (lasses he looked like an a o"ntant or a omp"ter pro(rammer. +So"nds deep#, she said. +1o" think Mr. Ho"ston.s (oin( to like it9, +It.s solid. He.ll a ept it., 0o way. Ho"ston had a 4i2ie a ent as thi k as Atlanta.s smo( and was always talkin( a'o"t the +War o$ 0orthern A((ression., Peter.s paper wo"ld not 'e met with appla"se# or an A. +What.s yo"rs a'o"t9, her $riend asked# $ollowed 'y more sl"rpin(. It made her thirsty# so she h"((ed down the last o$ the hot ho olate 'e$ore answerin(. +3eneral Sherman and why he was a t"ally a terrorist., !here was a sharp intake o$ 'reath a ross the line. +Wow% I wo"ld never have made that onne tion., +!ho"(ht I.d try it on $or si<e. *an I "se yo"r printer tomorrow9, she 8"i<<ed. +S"re. I.m (ettin( drilled and $illed in the mornin(# so make it a$ter $o"r. May'e the (ho"ls will 'e o"t., !he (ho"ls were the twins# Peter.s yo"n(er 'rothers. He.d alled them that ever sin e they.d started to walk. Somethin( to do with the $a t that they $ollowed him everywhere# even into the 'athroom. +4entist in the mornin(. 3ot it#, she said# (rinnin(. +-etter yet# send the $ile over toni(ht and I.ll have it all ready $or yo"., +*ool% 5kay# see yo" tomorrow ni(ht# Peter., +Later# Riley., She settled at the ard ta'le that served as a makeshi$t desk and p"lled "p the omp"ter $ile entitled +3eneral ShermanWar Hero or 4omesti !errorist9, !ypin( proved harder than she.d e2pe ted the 'ite on her ri(ht palm wasn.t ooperatin(. !hen the0 key popped o$$ the key'oard and $lew toward the stained arpet. +Ah# ome on%, she (ro"sed. +Why does everythin( $i(ht me9, 4i((in( "nder the ard ta'le yielded the key# whi h she are$"lly reatta hed# leavin( a trail o$n.s a ross the s reen. At least the (old star she.d st" k on it made it easier to $ind when the thin( went AW5L. It was times like this she lon(ed $or the omp"ter system she.d owned 'e$ore the ondo $irea Ma with speakers and everythin(. 0ow all she had was le$tovers 'e a"se the ins"ran e ompany only paid eno"(h $or the ondo mort(a(e and to '"y some se ondhand $"rnit"re '"t not a new omp"ter. Her dad had $o"nd this one at a se ondhand store# and they.d s aven(ed the key'oard $rom the trash 'in 'ehind a s"' shop. It.d taken a lot o$ time to lean it "p# and it still smelled like r"''in( al ohol and onions. A s rat hin( so"nd ame at the door. She i(nored it# st"dyin( Sherman.s 'io. He.d warmed "p with the Seminoles and then moved on to s or hin( lar(e parts o$ the So"th# in l"din( Atlanta in AJKL. +Pyromania . I.m :"st sayin(.,

An e)mail $rom Peter popped "p. heck this out5 the s"':e t line read. It was a hyperlink to another one o$ her videos. !here were over a h"ndred tho"sand hits on it already. +I.m so viral#, she said# (roanin(. 0o way she was (oin( to wat h it. She li ked the pa(e losed and went 'a k to Sherman. More s rat hin(. !hat had to 'e Ma2# Mrs. Litinsky.s Maine *oon. He was a (iant o$ a at with a pat hwork o$ thi k white# 'rown# (ray# and 'la k $"r. His sensitive $eline nose wo"ld 'e tellin( him there were demons inside the apartment. 5penin( the door# she $o"nd the at di((in( at the threshold. Riley knelt# petted him# and she (ot a throaty p"rr in response. Some ni(hts she let him in and he.d keep her ompany. -"t not toni(ht. +Sorry. 1o".ll tear the kit hen apart tryin( to (et to o"r stash#, she said. 0ot that the three -i'lios "rrently ho"sed inside the "p'oard with the anned (reen 'eans a t"ally onstit"ted a stash. !omorrow her dad wo"ld make a r"n to one o$ the lo al demon tra$$i kers# who wo"ld relieve him o$ the $iends in e2 han(e $or old hard ash. !hen Ma2 wo"ld 'e wel ome in the apartment on e more. Riley (ave the at a $ew more "ddles# shooed him o"t# and sh"t the door# makin( s"re to lo k it. Sinkin( into the reaky o$$i e hair# she yawned and a"tio"sly stret hed. Somethin( popped in her 'a k and the a he diminished. *onsiderin( how hard she.d landed on the li'rary $loor it was ama<in( she wasn.t one solid 'r"ise. When she p"t her hands on the key'oard the0 was missin( a(ain. She made a 8"i k he k o$ the $loor. 0ot there. +0ow that.s weird., Another he k o$ the $loor t"rned "p a r"sty paper lip and an e2pired roa h# '"t nothin( else. Riley leaned 'a k in the hair# tryin( to work o"t what was (oin( on. !he missin( key.s (old star (ave her a l"e. an,t #e. !o test her theory# she he ked the top o$ the 'attered dresser in the 'edroom. !he silver seashell earrin( she.d $o"nd in *entennial Park last s"mmer was missin(# too. Riley (rinned. 0o other e2planationthere was a demon in their apartment. May'e she o"ld redeem hersel$ 'y at hin( it. -esides# the $iend was worth seventy)$ive '" ks# and that wo"ld take them one step loser to their pi<<a and movie ni(ht. She ret"rned to the $ront room# retrieved her !rappers Man"al $rom the 'ookshel$ and th"m'ed to the se ond se tion# the one that dealt with types o$ Hellspawn. R"nnin( a (reenish $in(er down the list she $o"nd> 6lepto$7iend 8"agpie, 2ell,s at .urglar9: Three inches tall, light #rown skin, pointed ears. /!ten seen in nin'a gar# toting a small #ag o! loot. annot resist 'ewelry, coins, or shiny o#'ects. Sho"ld 'e easy to trap. 5r not. At least these $iends didn.t "rse or pee on yo". !heir demoni a tivity was on$ined to stealin( 'ri(ht and shiny st"$$. .ut why is it in our apartment* !hat wo"ld seem to 'e the last pla e a demon wo"ld want to 'e dis overed. Riley sl"mped on the worn '"r("ndy o" h and ond" ted a vis"al sear h aro"nd the tiny room. !he demon o"ld 'e anywhere# tho"(h most likely it wo"ld 'e h"ntin( somethin( shiny. 0othin( near the makeshi$t 'ookshel$ they.d onstr" ted $rom salva(ed two)'y)$o"rs. 0othin( near the $amily pi t"res on the top shel$ o$ the 'ookshel$. 5ne o$ those $rames had sparkles on it# '"t it was pro'a'ly too 'i( $or the tiny $iend to art o$$. +Where are yo"9, she alled o"t in a sin(son( voi e. 0othin( moved. Well# she was a trapper# a$ter all. &lippin( $arther into the man"al she $o"nd the se tion that told her how to trap a Ma(pie. She s anned the te2t to re$resh her memory. She really had to $ind him; it.d 'e hard to $inish the paper witho"t the $"ll key'oard# espe ially sin e the name o$ the term paper.s s"':e t ended in ann. A sharp hiss ame $rom the hallway. !hen a (rowl. Had the demon slipped o"t o$ the apartment9

Riley (ra''ed a sippy "p $rom the "p'oard# one her $ather had spe ially prepared with a layer o$ (litter on the 'ottom. When she slowly ed(ed open the door# she $o"nd Ma2 a $ew $eet down the hallway# his $"r on end and his 'a k h"mped. Every whisker 'ristled at attention. !he reason ro" hed near the $loor re(ister. It was one o$ Hell.s at '"r(lars. Similar in stat"re to a -i'lio)&iend# the Ma(pie was the same si<e with h"manlike hands and a $orked tail. Its eyes were red# '"t not that Hell$ire 'ri(ht that 'othered her. /"st like the man"al said# this one was lad in nin:a 'la k# and even wore 'oots. It was $"rio"sly tryin( to :am its anvas 'a( thro"(h the $ins o$ the $loor re(ister. Even Riley o"ld tell it wasn.t (oin( to $it. !he demon wo"ldn.t leave the 'a( 'ehind; the +pretties, were everythin( to them. Ma2 took another step loser# his (rowl deepenin( now. I$ this had 'een a -i'lio# the demon wo"ld have slammed a $ist into the at.s nose or peed in his eyes then made a r"n $or it. Ma(pies s"rvived 'y stealth. =n$ort"nately# this one had nowhere to r"n. +Ma29, !he at.s 'a k r"mpled in irritation at her voi e# '"t he didn.t 'reak his vi(il. +1o" an.t eat it. It.ll make yo" si k. All yo"r hair will $all o"t# then yo".ll (o into onv"lsions. 4ead at# (et it9, !he $eline (rowled in response. It was mat hed in vol"me 'y the demon.s warnin( hiss. +*ome on# Ma2. Let it 'e#, she oa2ed. In e2a((erated slow motion# he took one more step toward the Ma(pie. A door slammed on a $loor 'elow and Ma2 :"mped at the so"nd# momentarily losin( eye onta t. It (ave Riley the diversion she needed. With a 8"i k sweep o$ her $oot she shoved the h"nter down the hall. &lailin( her arms in the air# she sho"ted nonsense at him. !he $eline took o$$. When she t"rned 'a k# the demon was still tryin( to ram its loot thro"(h the vent. She knelt# tipped open the "p# and dropped a $ew pie es o$ (litter on the $loor. Ma(pies were wired $or 'lin(. All she needed to do was provide the 'ait. !he demon stopped its $ranti attempts to es ape. It stared at the (litter and 'e(an to pant# $in(ers twit hin( in anti ipation. More twit hin(. &aster than she.d e2pe ted# it <oomed "p to the sparkles# despite the dan(er. She sna((ed the $iend ri(ht 'e$ore it pi ked "p the last one# and dropped the Ma(pie into the "p. Instead o$ a $lood o$ swear words or the o$$er o$ a $avor# she heard a lon(# tort"red si(h. !hen it sat# sortin( the (litter into piles#y color. 0ow she.d seen everythin(. She s rewed on the lid# (ra''ed "p its 'a(# and h"rried into the apartment 'e$ore Ma2 had the o"ra(e to ret"rn. -e$ore (ettin( 'a k to work on her assi(nment# Riley sorted thro"(h the demon.s horde# re laimin( the earrin( and the0 key. It rapped on the side o$ the ontainer and pointed at the 'a( with a on erned e2pression. She "nderstood. It wo"ld 'e like someone makin( o$$ with her $avorite lip (loss. +5kay# &lash# here yo" (o., =ns rewin( the top# she are$"lly dropped the 'a( inside# then ti(htly resealed the lid. !he Ma(pie promptly p"lled o"t a shiny penny and someone.s tie ta k. !hose earned her a (rate$"l demon smile. It "rled aro"nd the treas"re and $ell asleep. Pleased at how thin(s t"rned o"t# she sent a te2t to her dad. - caught a "agpie in our apartment5 &core one !or me5 Riley waited# '"t there was no response. Pro'a'ly '"sy trappin( that !hree. When she $inally sh"t down the omp"ter a o"ple o$ ho"rs later# there was still no reply. +1o" (o# 4ad% Movie ni(ht# here we ome., SIM Whistlin( +3od Rest 1e Merry 3entlemen, lo"der than was ne essary# -e k waited in the middle o$ Ala'ama Street as ni(ht settled in $or keeps. !he steel pipe st" k in the 'a k o$ his :eans was "n om$orta'le# '"t he le$t it in pla e. I$ they were l" ky it wo"ldn.t 'e there m" h lon(er. !o his ri(ht# Pa"l was hidden 'ehind a d"mpster# armed and waitin( $or their prey.

-e k had to admit that &ive Points was one o$ his $avorite trappin( lo ations. +4emon *entral#, as the trappers alled it# per$e t $or 3rade !hree $iends. !hrees loved the tan(led warren o$ ("tted '"ildin(s# seemin(ly 'ottomless holes# '"sted on rete# and over$lowin( d"mpsters. !hose $ew '"ildin(s still inta t had metal (ates over every window and door to keep Hell.s evil o"tside. It was the only part o$ the ity that had m" h metal le$t. It was too dan(ero"s to try to s aven(e down here# tho"(h some $olks tried. All o$ them re(retted it. Any e2posed on rete sported lon( law marks startin( at $o"r $eet "p# the way !hrees marked their territory. !hat and stinkin( piles o$ demon rap a idi eno"(h to melt asphalt. At least the old weather had "t the sten h a not h. -e k was s"mmonin( their prey on a o"ple o$ levels. !hrees detested *hristmas m"si and o"ldn.t resist ra''it entrails# espe ially i$ they were a 'it ripe. !hey had one)tra k minds> I$ somethin( moved# they ate it. I$ it didn.t move# they ate it anyway :"st to 'e sa$e. While on the h"nt# whi h was pretty m" h on e it (ot dark# they ripped apart anythin( that (ot in their way. !hey.d (rown so $ero io"s that most trappers had a '"ddy alon( as 'a k"p. -e k a"(ht movement near one o$ the o"ntless holes that littered the street. It was a sk"lkin( rat# pro'a'ly the only one within a s8"are mile. !hat was a side 'ene$it o$ a !hree in$estation> !he rat and pi(eon pop"lation dropped dramati ally. Even tho"(h he was (rowin( impatient# -e k $or ed himsel$ to hold his position. P"llin( o$$ his -raves ap# he smoothed his hair. It was (ettin( sha((y 'y his standards# '"t he didn.t have the time $or a hair "t. !he last two (irl$riends had liked the look. 0ot that they h"n( aro"nd lon(# '"t there was always another one (ivin( him the eye. As -e k waited he swore he o"ld $eel the (ro"nd settlin( all aro"nd him. -"ilt on top o$ what "sed to 'e street)level Atlanta in the nineteenth ent"ry# this part o$ town had 'een sinkin( $or the last de ade. Holes developed over the old steam va"lts. !hen the holes (ot 'i((er. And 'i((er. !he last ave)in had 'een near the &ive Points MAR!A Station. With the ity 'ankr"pt# the holes kept enlar(in(. 5nly the demons $o"nd that a 'lessin(. -e k shi$ted his eyes sideways toward the 'attle)s arred d"mpster $i$teen $eet away. Even in the dim (low o$ a sin(le streetli(ht he o"ld see the serene e2pression Pa"l wore when on the h"nt. How he mana(ed that# -e k never "nderstood. It was pro'a'ly why his partner had o"tlived his en o"nter with an Ar h$iend. - sure as hell won,t. !here was a so"nd near one o$ the holes as a !hree lim'ed o"t o$ whatever lay 'elow. +4emon at one o. lo k#, -e k m"rm"red. Pa"l nodded# holdin( his silen e. !he 'east sho"ld have 'een solid 'la k# '"t this one had 'i( white splot hes like a lethal Holstein ow. Repeated appli ations o$ Holy Water did that to a !hree# like a 'ad 'lea h :o'. !his one had seen a lot o$ it and was still (oin( stron(. !he slaverin( 'east h"nkered down ne2t to the '"nny 'ait and (o''led the o$$erin( in one ("lp. !hen it looked "p# those laser)red eyes s annin( the terrain $or the real 'ait-e k. +!rappperrr#, it hissed. +4eemonn#, -e k hissed 'a k. He waited $or it to har(e. !hey always har(ed# howlin( and wavin( those s imitar laws. Instead the thin(.s paw losed aro"nd a 'eer 'ottle# armin( itsel$. !hat was a new ta ti . =s"ally they leapt on yo" and kept sli in( "ntil they had yo" on the (ro"nd. +In omin.%, -e k ta"nted. He d" ked as the 'ottle $lew 'y him. +Ha% 1a o"ldn.t hit yer own $at) assed mama with a throw like that%, +*hew yo"rrr 'ones%, the demon ried# wavin( its $"rry arms a'ove its head like a demented oran("tan. -e k mirrored the (est"re and then sneered. +1eah# yeah. I$ yer the 'est Hell an do# no wonder yer 'oss (ot ki ked o"tta Heaven., +0ame not He%, the demon sho"ted# rin(in(.

!hat was a sore point $or those who were on L" i$er.s leash> !hey didn.t like to 'e reminded. -e k (ot an idea. +Let.s see now# what.s his name9, He tapped his $orehead in tho"(ht. +1eah# that.s it%, He (rinned and then started hantin(# +3ive me an L. L% 3ive me a =. =% 3ive me a *?, Enra(ed# the demon sent a volley o$ 'eer 'ottles his way. 5nly one ame lose. -e k e2e "ted an e2a((erated yawn# whi h only in$"riated the $iend $"rther. He o"ld sense Pa"l.s disapproval $rom the dire tion o$ the d"mpster. !he master was never happy when his $ormer st"dent show'oated# as he alled it. .ut damn, this is !un. !he telltale s rape o$ laws a ross the 'roken pavement 'ro"(ht -e k 'a k to reality. He kept his eyes on the thin( as it s ram'led toward him. !wenty $eet. &i$teen. !en. Sweat 'roke o"t on his $orehead. -e k remem'ered how those laws $elt when they.d d"( into him. !he smell o$ ran id 'reath in his $a e. !he li k o$ in isors as they went $or his ne k. +0ow%, he sho"ted# 'randishin( the steel pipe. A lear (lo'e ar ed thro"(h the air and impa ted dire tly on top o$ the reat"re.s head. 3lass shattered and Holy Water dren hed the $iend.s $"r) overed $a e. !he demon 'e(an to dan e aro"nd like it was on $ire# swipin( at "nseen enemies. !hen it r"mpled. Pa"l stepped o"t $rom 'ehind the d"mpster# st"dyin( the monster $rom a respe t$"l distan e# another sphere already in hand. +4amn# yer (ood#, -e k said# ed(in( loser. +I an never hit .em when they.re r"nnin. like that., +!akes pra ti e. 1o" 'e are$"l#, his mentor "r(ed. +0o pro'lem. I learnt my lesson a'o"t these thin(s., -e k (in(erly prodded the steel into the side o$ the demon. It wasn.t 'reathin(. Whi h meant it was (ettin( ready to strike. +Heads "p%, he sho"ted. !he $iend was on its $eet in an instant# movin( $aster than he.d e2pe ted. 5ne o$ its paws lamped onto the pipe. -e k knew 'etter than to keep hold o$ it. He.d made that mistake 'e$ore and 'een p"lled into the other set o$ laws. He s"rrendered the pipe# '"t 'y that time the demon was already l"n(in( $or him# Hell$ire eyes (lowin(. He ki ked with his steel)toed 'oot and a"(ht the thin( on the sho"lder. As it sp"n aro"nd# one o$ the laws ripped the hem o$ his :eans# p"llin( him o$$ 'alan e. I$ he hit the (ro"nd he was dead. As it t"rned# another sphere smashed into the !hree.s 'a k $"ll on# a"sin( it to shriek and 'at wildly at the soaked $"r. -e$ore either trapper o"ld rea t# it ra ed toward the losest hole# dove into the darkness# and disappeared. +Ah# shit%, -e k spat. Pa"l :oined him# slippin( the strap o$ the d"$$el 'a( onto his sho"lder# his $a e radiatin( disapproval. +3o on# say it., +What.s the point9 1o" never listened when yo" were an apprenti e; yo".re not (oin( to now., -e k waited him o"t. !here was always more. Pa"l shook his head. +1o" an.t do it strai(ht# an yo"9 Always a hotdo(. It.s (oin( to (et yo" dead# 4en., -e k was "sed to this le t"re. He.d heard it o$ten eno"(h. +It.s :"st ? never mind., Skatin( on the ed(e made him $eel alive# kept thin(s interestin(. -"t he knew 'etter than to try to e2plain. +!he Holy Water hardly to" hed the thin(. It sho"lda 'een o"t $or at least a o"ple min"tes., +It.s happenin( more o$ten now., -e k ar hed an eye'row. +Any idea why9, His ompanion shook his head. +0o# '"t I.m workin( on that., Pa"l st"died the alley. +We need to rethink o"r strate(y# at least $or this demon., -e k re laimed his pipe. It had $o"r new law marks on it. +1eah# 'i()time., !hey t"rned and 'e(an to walk to the tr" k# 'oth o$ them on ed(e. It reminded -e k o$ when he was

in the Army# o"t on patrol. Waitin( $or that $irst '"rst o$ ("n$ire or a th"nderin( e2plosion alon( the roadside. Here it was teeth and laws# '"t the e$$e t was the same. I$ a trapper didn.t pay attention# he (ot in:"red or he (ot dead. +!hat &ive at the li'rary today#, Pa"l said o"t o$ nowhere. -e k had wondered when that s"':e t wo"ld ome "p. +Why did it ome a$termy da"(hter9, +0o l"e. Anyway ya an keep her $rom trappin. $or a while9, +Pro'a'ly not# '"t I an restri t her to 'ein( with one o$ "s. !hat.ll keep her sa$e "ntil we (et this sorted o"t., +-etter not send her o"t with me. She.ll $eed me to the $irst !hree she sees#, -e k said# tryin( to li(hten the moment. +She.s not (ot a r"sh on yo" anymore# 4en# i$ that.s what yo".re worried a'o"t., +5h# I know that. 0ow she :"st hates me. I don.t know whi h is worse., A (r"nt o$ a(reement ame $rom his partner. +1a think the &ive made itsel$ look like one o$ the st"dents9, +!hat.s my ("ess. !hey don.t han(e $orms very o$ten# '"t it.s possi'le. As lon( as it kept its $eet $rom to" hin( the (ro"nd# it o"ld work its evil., A 'ree<e stirred# ki kin( "p p"$$s o$ on rete d"st. !he hair on -e k.s ne k r"$$led. He shot a on erned look at his ompanion. +/"st the wind#, Pa"l said. +A &ive.s not (oin( to mess with two o$ "s., +!ell him that#, -e k said# pointin( down the alley. A 3rade &ive 3eo)&iend materiali<ed thirty $eet in $ront o$ them# hoverin( a $oot or so a'ove the road. -e k estimated it was at least seven $eet tall; its oal)'la k $a e was dominated 'y "rved anines and twin horns that spro"ted $rom the side o$ its head# "rvin( "pward like a '"ll. It had a massive hest# like an 5lympi wei(htli$ter who.d overdone the steroids. -rilliant red eyes (lared at them# $li kerin( in the dim li(ht. !his was one o$ the 'i( 'oys. =nless they were very are$"l# it.d t"rn them into s"shi. +!hat.s one damned "(ly demon#, -e k m"ttered. Pa"l palmed a Holy Water sphere. +Hey# d"m'ass#, -e k sho"ted. +!rash any 'ooks today9, !he res"ltin( la"(h "t like ra<or 'lades. +-la kthorne.s da"(hter nearly mine., Pa"l.s le(endary ompos"re $led. His voi e went low# "r(ent. +*ir le aro"nd to the tr" k# 4en. I.ll handle this., +Kiss my ass# -la kthorne., It was e2a tly what he.d said the $irst time they.d met in history lass. A$ter a worried $rown# Pa"l alled o"t# +4emon# this is yo"r only warnin(., +arning* !rappers never warned demons.+hat,s he doing* In response# the 3eo)&iend made sli(ht hand movements like it was $li kin( lint o$$ its lothes. -l"e)'la k lo"ds 'e(an to $orm# the warm)"p to a $"ll meteorolo(i al assa"lt. !he $iend la"(hed a(ain# its eyes (lowin( 'ri(ht in anti ipation. +So what.s the plan9, -e k asked# his throat t"rnin( dry. +-a k "p slowly., A snarl ame $rom 'ehind them. -e k looked over a sho"lder. !he !hree had ret"rned# droolin( and li kin( its laws to(ether. +0ot happenin.., Pa"l shook his head. +!his is so wron(., +Like they are#, -e k said# slowly rotatin( "ntil his 'a k was a(ainst Pa"l.s# his eyes on the $"rry omnivore 'rin(in( "p the rear. +3ot another plan9, he asked# testin( the wei(ht o$ the steel pipe in his hand. +0o#, Pa"l replied. He h"rled the sphere# '"t a $"ll 'last o$ wind hit them a se ond later# like a s"mmer s8"all# a"sin( the or' to disinte(rate in midair. Stin(in( rain and hail pelted them as a

th"nder lap shook the air# makin( their ears pop. -e k yelped and dropped the steel pipe# "rsin( as li(htnin( sparked o$$ it. Slowly they were p"shed toward the slo''erin( demon. It held its position# its meal 'ein( atered. Pa"l d"( in his d"$$el 'a( and handed a 'l"e (ro"ndin( sphere to -e k. !hen he p"lled one o"t $or himsel$. +1o" (o le$t#, he ordered. +*o"nt it down., -e k took a deep 'reath# his ("t twistin( in $ear. +!hree ? two ? one%, He h"rled the sphere to his le$t as Pa"l sl"n( his in the opposite dire tion. 3lass smashed and the spheres. ontents er"pted in a 'la<e o$ 'rilliant 'l"e li(ht. !he (ro"ndin( ma(i 'e(an its r"n a ross anythin( metal# makin( it look molten. It shot alon( a se tion o$ r"sty $en e# leapt to the 'attered d"mpster# then to a man(led 'i y le. I$ the two portions met and $ormed a ir le it wo"ld (ro"nd the 3eo)&iend into the earth. 5n e (ro"nded the $iend lost its a'ility to "se the $or es o$ nat"re a(ainst them. !he &ive hesitated# seein( their plan# and then moved hi(her into the air. It swept its hands "pward reatin( two new whirlwinds. Pie es o$ de'ris s" ked into the vorte2# like iron $ilin(s to a power$"l ma(net. 0ails# shards o$ (lass# slivers o$ wood# and pie es o$ 'ri k all whirled in a h"(e ir le. -e k pi ked "p a 'roken two)'y)$o"r# (rittin( his teeth as the slivers drove themselves into his s or hed palm. +Eyes%, Pa"l sho"ted# smashin( a shield sphere to the (ro"nd. Even tho"(h his were losed# -e k o"ld see the sheet o$ white li(ht as it 'loomed aro"nd them. 5n e he $elt the 'ri(htness s"'side# he pried them open. A white veil h"n( in the air aro"nd him and his $riend# a de$ense a(ainst the storm. It wo"ldn.t last lon(. !he twin whirlwinds str" k hard a(ainst the ma(i al wall# de'ris atta kin( $rom every 8"arter. It so"nded like a hail storm a(ainst the ma(i al shield. As the storm intensi$ied# ripples o$ ma(i # like lon( 'l"e tenta les# stret hed "pward to the 3eo)&iend. It $o"(ht the (ro"ndin(# h"rlin( wind# snow# and li(htnin( like a ven(e$"l (od. !he white prote tive shield evaporated. A se ond later Pa"l ried o"t and slammed into -e k# a"sin( the yo"n(er trapper to t"m'le to the (ro"nd. Rollin( to the side# -e k ame to his $eet# ro" hed and ready $or 'attle. Adrenaline p"mped thro"(h him with every sta ato heart'eat. It made his vision lear# ea h 'reath deeper. It made him $eel alive. !here was a $inal wail as the weather demon sank into the earth 'ehind them. !he (ro"ndin( spheres had saved their asses. As the wind died there was the patter o$ "r'an de'ris hittin( the (ro"nd. +Sweet /es"s#, -e k m"rm"red# his 'reath omin( in sharp (asps. Ed(in( sideways# he pi ked "p the pipe in his sweaty hand# droppin( the two)'y)$o"r. Keepin( a wary eye on the !hree# he moved 'a kward# step 'y step# "ntil he was even with his $riend. His $ellow trapper was on his knees# 'ent over like he was in prayer. +Pa"l9, 0o reply. +1a okay9, His mentor slowly raised his head# his $a e a 'l"ish (ray. In the $adin( (low o$ the (ro"ndin( sphere.s ma(i -e k saw a 8"arter)si<ed dot o$ 'lood over his $riend.s le$t 'reast. Pa"l took a tort"red# s" kin( 'reath# one that made his whole 'ody shake. +Lies?, !error $illed his eyes. +Riley ? 5h# 3od# Riley?, As his mentor r"mpled into -e k.s arms# the remainin( demon har(ed. SEDE0 -e k 'e(an his slow as ent. Ri(ht le(. Le$t le(. Ri(ht. Le$t. He on entrated on the movement "p the two $li(hts o$ stairs# si2teen steps total to the se ond $loor and the apartment where Riley -la kthorne slept. !here was one step $or ea h year o$ his li$e 'e$ore it.d 'een $orever altered 'y the (irl.s $ather. -e k didn.t remem'er m" h a'o"t his $irst two yearspro'a'ly $or the 'est. &rom a(e three on he

remem'ered too m" h. 0i(hts alone in a old room# his mom (one. When she did ome home she was too dr"nk to know who he was. 0o $ood# not even a h"(. 0i(ht a$ter ni(ht he "rled on the $loor in a makeshi$t 'ed o$ dirty lothes# thinkin( he.d done somethin( to make her hate him. 5n his $i$th 'irthday# he remem'ered# his mom had 'een passed o"t on the worn plaid o" h in their livin( room# the man who.d ome home with her <ippin( "p his pants. When -e k had told him it was his 'irthday# the ("y had la"(hed# to"sled his hair# and (ave him a dollar 'ill. -e k had ried himsel$ to sleep that ni(ht# wonderin( why he hadn.t (otten real presents like the other kids. At ten he knew his $ather was a phantom# someone who had pi ked "p Sadie.s 'ar ta' the ni(ht he.d 'een on eived. Pro'a'ly on that damned plaid o" h. He also knew what his mother wasan al oholi whore. 0o# that wasn.t ri(ht. Whores sold themselves to make ends meet. His mother :"st (ot dr"nk and didn.t are who $" ked her. -y the time he t"rned eleven# -e k knew she wanted him to r"n away. He re$"sed. !hat wo"ld have 'een too easy $or her. As he rea hed the thirteenth step he re alled the 'eatin(s. 5ne o$ the men who.d moved in had ta"(ht him $ists were a (reat weapon. -e k learned that lesson well and "sed it on other kids. 5n anyone who hallen(ed him. He.d spent his ne2t two 'irthdays in :"venile detention. In his si2teenth year he.d met Pa"l -la kthorne. !he history tea her hadn.t treated him like some o$ the others at s hool. Hadn.t told him he was a loser headed $or prison or an early (rave. Instead# -la kthorne talked a'o"t the $"t"re. In his own way Pa"l had seeded -e k.s desire $or reven(ethe "ltimate reven(et"rnin( o"t 'etter than his al ohol)soaked 'it h o$ a mother. When -e k rea hed the seventeenth step he moved onto the landin(# like his own li$e at the same a(e. He.d 'ailed o"t o$ hi(h s hool early# 'arely (ettin( his diploma. &or three years in the Army he took on an enemy he never "nderstood# wat hin( $riends die while they ried o"t to 3od and to their mothers. -e k didn.t 'elieve in either. At twenty he was 'a k in Atlanta. -a k with Pa"lthe only person in the world who ever (ave a damn a'o"t 4enver -e k. In the end he.d proved his tea her wron(. !he smart)mo"thed kid with no $"t"re wasn.t any 'etter than his mother or the 'astard who.d kno ked her "p. He halted in $ront o$ the apartment door $eelin( the 'lood ra kin( on his $a e# the p"lsin( '"rn on his ri(ht hand# the pri k o$ (lass in his le$t knee. Raisin( his $ist# he let it han( in the air# not wantin( to take that $inal step. &inally he hammered on the door. A de ade passed. Riley.s sleepy voi e asked who it was. He told her. +4ad9, she alled o"t. +Are yo" there9, When he didn.t answer# she 'e(an to $ranti ally "ndo the lo ks. +4ad9, As she wren hed the door open# their eyes met. -e k.s heart t"rned to ashes. CCC ;+hat do you want*< Riley asked. When he didn.t reply# she shoved past him# not arin( that she was in her ni(ht lothes. +4ad9, she alled o"t. !here was no one else in the hallway. She whirled aro"nd. +Where.s is he9 Is he h"rt9, A sh"dder o"rsed thro"(h -e k.s 'ody. +3one#, he m"rm"red# then looked down at the $loor. +What do yo" mean (one9, +I.m so sorry# (irl., *on$"sion (ave way to an(er. +Is this some si k (ame9, she asked# :ammin( a $in(er at him. +Why are yo" doin( this to me9, +I tried# '"t there were two o$ them and ? He.s (one# Riley., Her hand was in motion 'e$ore she reali<ed. He made no e$$ort to 'lo k the 'low# and the slap

landed so"ndly on his heek. -e$ore she o"ld strike him a(ain# -e k sna((ed her arm and p"lled her "p a(ainst him. !ho"(h she str"((led and swore# she o"ldn.t 'reak $ree. +3oddammit#, she heard him whisper. He h"((ed her so ti(htly she o"ldn.t 'reathe# then 'roke his em'ra e. =na'le to think o$ what this meant# she shoved him away. Her hands ame away sti ky# imprinted with 'lood. It was only then she saw the (o"(es on -e k.s $a e and hands# the lon( strips o$ leather missin( $rom his :a ket that revealed a shredded !)shirt "nderneath. -oth le(s o$ his :eans were ripped and sti$$ with dried 'lood. !he rational part o$ her e2amined those in:"ries# atalo(ed them and told her that i$ -e k was that 'adly h"rt# her dad wasn.t omin( home. Her heart re$"sed to a ept it. 0o. 2e,s alive. 2e,ll #e here in the morning and 3 With ea h passin( se ond the press"re '"ilt inside her. It oiled aro"nd Riley.s hest# $or in( itsel$ "p into her throat. She wren hed hersel$ away and $led into the apartment# st"m'lin( into the 'edroom. 5nly then did she let the s ream loose into the depths o$ her pillow# let it rend her throat "ntil she had no more 'reath. !hen the tears ame# streamin( hot# salty. She tried not to let them overwhelm her# '"t it was no "se. She hoked on her so's# hammerin( the 'ed with her $ists. Ima(es o$ her $ather ame to mindtea hin( her how to ride her $irst 'i y le# om$ortin( her a$ter she took a headlon( t"m'le down a $li(ht o$ stairs when she was $ive# holdin( her hand at her mother.s $"neral. 0ot this. 1lease, not him. How lon( she ried she o"ldn.t tell; her sense o$ time stripped away. When Riley o"ld $inally at h her 'reath# she wiped her eyes and 'lew her nose with a wad o$ tiss"es $rom the 'o2 on the ni(htstand. !here was the so"nd o$ r"nnin( water in the 'athroom. When it sh"t o$$ she heard thi k so's thro"(h the thin wall. .eck. Her $ather was really (one. Later# when she rolled over in the 'ed she $o"nd -e k sittin( on the hair near the door. His eyes were swollen# dark red# and he stared at nothin(# "naware that the wo"nds on his $a e were still oo<in(. He only ro"sed when she p"lled hersel$ "p a(ainst the head'oard. -e k hoarsely leared his throat. +We tried to at h ? that !hree. It (ot away. We were walkin.? to the tr" k when, He 'roke o$$ and looked down at the $loor a(ain# his el'ows on his knees. His :a ket was o$$ and there were law marks on his hest. +A &ive popped o"t o$ nowhere. !hen the !hree ame 'a k. !hey were workin. to(ether., !hat wasn.t what she wanted to know. +How did he?9, +A pie e o$ (lass (ot thro"(h the shield. 4o said it hit his heart., 0ow she knew. It didn.t help. +Where is he9, He looked "p at her. +5akland *emetery. 0one o$ the mort"aries will have anythin. to do with a trapper., +I want to see him#, she said# shi$tin( her $eet to the ed(e o$ the 'ed. +0ot .til mornin.., +I don.t want him alone., She 'ent over to try to $ind her so ks. +He won.t 'e. Simon.s with him., She i(nored him. +Riley# please. Simon will wat h over him. 1a need to stay here., -e k was ri(ht# '"t it ro''ed her o$ somethin( to do when every min"te promised "n'elieva'le heart'reak.

Riley sank onto the 'ed. +I have no one le$t now#, she said. +0o one., +1a have me., She (lared him. How o"ld he possi'ly think he was inter han(ea'le with her $ather9 +I don.t want yo"%, she snarled. +I$ yo" really ared $or him# he.d 'e alive and yo".d 'e the one who, -e k took a sharp intake o$ 'reath like she.d 'roken somethin( inside o$ him. She t"rned her 'a k on him and let the tears $all. A door losed# and then there was silen e. A $ew min"tes later somethin( to" hed Riley.s knee and she :"mped. It was Ma2. He settled ne2t to her# leanin( into her 'ody# p"rrin( as lo"d as she.d ever heard him. At $irst she resented his presen e# '"t he kept r"''in( "p a(ainst her. &inally she (ave in and h"((ed him ti(ht. His thi k $"r soaked "p her tears. +Riley9 I have tea $or yo"# hild#, Mrs. Litinsky o$$ered. Riley pried her $a e o"t o$ the at.s $"r. Her elderly nei(h'or stood in the doorway# a "p in hand. +0o ? thanks., +It is hamomile. It will help yo" rest. !hat is what yo" need ri(ht now., Knowin( Mrs. Litinsky wasn.t easily p"t o$$# Riley sat "p and took the "p. !he her's smelled $resh and they helped "nst"$$ her nose. !he old woman settled on the side o$ the 'ed in a ro'e# her p"re white hair in a 'raid that nearly rea hed her waist. She seemed almost ethereal# like a $airy. +Mr. -e k has le$t. I "r(ed him to (et his wo"nds treated. !hey look 'ad., Then what does %ad look like* Riley nearly hoked at the tho"(ht. She $or ed hersel$ to take a sip. It was hot and tasted sweet# like there was honey in it. She took another lon( drink# a ompanied 'y the old woman.s approvin( nod. +Mr. -e k said to tell yo" he took the demons with him. !hey were makin( onsidera'le noise., +What9, +!he small ones in the "p'oard#, the woman e2plained. +5h., Whi h was why Ma2 was lo"n(in( on the 'ed rather than tryin( to tear the kit hen apart. She rea hed o"t and stroked his thi k $"r. +He will stay with yo" toni(ht# keep yo" sa$e#, Mrs. Litinsky said. !hat seemed silly. What o"ld a at do9 !he yawn a"(ht Riley "nawares. She $inished the drink and handed the empty "p to her nei(h'or# her hands 8"akin(. +I.ll 'e o"t on the o" h#, the woman anno"n ed. +*all i$ yo" need me., -e$ore Riley o"ld protest# there was the so$t sh"$$le o$ slippers and then the door losed. She $"m'led $or a photo on the ni(htstand. It was one o$ her and 4ad $rom last s"mmer mo"nted in a pi t"re $rame they.d 'o"(ht at a dollar store. It had oran(e kittens r"nnin( aro"nd the ed(e. 4orky# '"t heap. !hey.d (one on a pi ni that day# :"st the two o$ them. She.d made sandwi hes and "p akes and lemonade. She o"ld almost smell the $resh lemons and see the 'l"e sky draped like a anopy a'ove them. !he pi t"re had 'een taken 'y a yo"n( man who was there with his new wi$e. !hey.d 'een all over ea h other. Her dad was em'arrassed# '"t she.d tho"(ht it was "te. Her $ather looked yo"n(er in the pi t"re# ontent# like all the 'ills and worries didn.t e2ist. She h"((ed the $rame lose to her 'ody# wishin( time had stopped that day in the park. !hen she and her dad wo"ld 'e to(ether a(ain. Ma2 moved loser to her# wed(in( himsel$ "p a(ainst her stoma h# his ri h p"rr rever'eratin( thro"(ho"t her 'ody. She "rled aro"nd him# l"t hin( the photo to her hest. !he last thin( she o"ld remem'er was him li kin( her hand and her $ather.s reass"rin( voi e sayin( that everythin( wo"ld 'e okay. EI3H!

Riley woke to ho"sehold noises# the so"nd o$ lankin( pans and water r"nnin( in the sink. Her dad was makin( her 'reak$ast. He o$ten did that# even tho"(h he was e2ha"sted $rom 'ein( "p all ni(ht. She r"''ed the sleep o"t o$ her eyes# p"<<led why she was so tired. !here was a th"mp as somethin( t"m'led to the $loor. -endin( over# she saw the $ramed pi t"re. She stared at it# her heart ti(htenin(. +4ad9, she alled o"t. +4ad9%, !he noises eased in the kit hen# $ollowed 'y heavy $ootsteps in the hall# the same solidclomp, clomp her $ather.s work 'oots made on the wood. +It was a ni(htmare#, she whispered. And an "(ly one at that..ut how could it have !elt so real* When -e k.s "nshaven and s ored $a e appeared in the 'edroom doorway# Riley shoved hersel$ "p in 'ed# 'itin( 'a k a so'. Witho"t sayin( a word he ret"rned to the kit hen. She :ammed a hand over her mo"th# $eelin( the tears pri klin( on her heeks. It hadn.t 'een a ni(htmare or -e k wo"ldn.t 'e here. Her dad was dead. !he tears '"rst $ree# s or hin( her throat raw# makin( her nose drip and her ne k wet. When she $inally ha"led hersel$ to the 'athroom# the $a e in the mirror seemed alien. Hollow# p"$$y# red) rimmed eyes stared 'a k at her. She do"sed her heeks with old water# 'lew her nose a(ain# and then :ammed her hair in a lip# not arin( that it st" k o"t like a por "pine. !"((in( on $resh "nderwear and her last pair o$ lean :eans# she d"( in the lean lothes 'asket "ntil she $o"nd a !) shirt. It had a tom'stone on the $ront. With a sharp ry# she sl"n( it away in rev"lsion. More di((in( "nearthed a plain one. It had 'een her dad.s. She slipped it on# the thin otton 'r"shin( a(ainst her skin like a whisper. 0ow amethe !irsts. !he $irst mornin( witho"t her $ather. !he $irst 'reak$ast# the $irst day# week# month. She.d (one thro"(h this pain$"l a o"ntin( a$ter her mom died. A$ter a $ew months she.d eased the mental math# '"t this mornin( there was no way to sh"t it o$$. Her visitor had his 'a k to her. He was 'ein( domesti # ookin( somethin( on the (as stove despite his 'anda(ed hand. &or a moment she wanted to 'elieve it was her $ather# tho"(h he wasn.t the same hei(ht and his hair was the wron( olor. -e k looked over his sho"lder# r"inin( her del"sion. +I.ve (ot some 'reak$ast $or ya., +1o".re not my dad#, she said de$iantly. +I an.t 'e i$ I tried., He pointed toward the ta'le. When she didn.t move# he p"t the oatmeal in a 'owl and set it down# alon( with a plate o$ s ram'led e((s and some sa"sa(e. Mismat hed silverware $ollowed. +*ome on# (irl# ya (otta eat., She stared at the $ood# wishin( it wo"ld disappear with the ("y who.d made it. When -e k p"lled o"t her dad.s hair to :oin her# she snapped# +4on.t sit there%, He looked p"<<led $or a se ond# then nodded like he "nderstood it meant more than :"st a pla e at the ta'le. +Keep the doors lo ked. I$ ya need me# all#, he advised. +I.ll 'e 'a k at $o"r. !he servi e is at $o"r) thirty. Pa k a 'a( $or the emetery. 1o".ll 'e stayin. there toni(ht., +Why wo"ld I stay, -"t he was already o"t the door. Riley waited "ntil she heard his $ootsteps on the stairs 'e$ore she t"rned the lo ks. !hen she ki ked the door $or (ood meas"re# makin( her toes a he. He.d planned the $"neral witho"t her. How o"ld he do that9 M"tterin( "nder her 'reath she retreated to the kit hen. Her dad.s empty hair mo ked her. She p"shed it all the way "nder the ta'le so no one wo"ld ever sit there a(ain. 1esterday her $ather had 'een so tired a$ter the ni(ht.s trappin(# '"t he.d sat and talked to her over a "p o$ o$$ee as she.d eaten her 'reak$ast. His hair had 'een wet $rom his shower and he.d smelled o$ heap shampoo. She.d wasted their last mornin( to(ether. She.d hirped on a'o"t Peter.s latest r"n)in with his di tatorial mom and the d"m'%emonland television show. He.d listened so patiently# like everythin(

she said was really important. When his eyes 'e(an to droop# he.d (iven her a kiss on the $orehead and (one to 'ed. +Sleepin( in shi$ts, as he alled it. He was a so"nd sleeper# so yesterday she.d tried to $ind where he.d on ealed his man"al. He always hid it too well. 0ow she wondered i$ she.d ever $ind it. !heir last mornin( to(ether. And neither o$ them had known it. When Riley looked down the $ood was old. 3rease on(ealed on the plate. Somethin( 'eeped and the noise dra((ed her eyes to her $ather.s ell phone t" ked "p ne2t to the salt and pepper shakers. -e k m"st have le$t it $or her. !he low 'attery li(ht was 'linkin( alon( with an o asional warnin( so"nd. &lippin( it open she st"died the messa(es. !he te2t she.d sent him a'o"t the Ma(pie sat at the top o$ the list. He.d never had a han e to read it. CCC -t was close to two in the a$ternoon when her other visitor arrived. !he woman was a tall 'r"nette# totin( a 'a kpa k with the 3"ild lo(o. Her hair was p"lled into a ti(ht 'raid# and her 'rown eyes were rimmed with red. She was wearin( 'la k sla ks and a t"rtlene k and one o$ those thi k red ins"lated vests. +Riley# I.m *armela Wilson#, the woman said. +I.m the 3"ild.s do tor. I was a ? $riend o$ yo"r dad., When Riley didn.t respond# she added# +4en asked me to he k in on yo"., It took Riley a moment to reali<e she meant -e k. +I.m okay#, Riley said re$le2ively. It was easier to say that so everyone didn.t $reak. She started to lose the door# '"t *armela wed(ed a 'ooted $oot so it wo"ldn.t sh"t. +5ther people mi(ht '"y the @I.m okay. line# '"t I.d say that.s '"llshit. I.m not okay with Pa"l.s death# so I $i("re yo".re pretty m" h torn to hell. Am I ri(ht9, Riley nodded 'e$ore she o"ld stop hersel$. +/"st as I tho"(ht., Riley stepped 'a k and the woman strode into the apartment# did a vis"al inventory o$ the rowded spa e# and then headed $or the kit hen where she d"mped her medi al 'a( on the ta'le. She sank in the losest hair; it was Riley.s. +&irst o$$# I want to see that demon 'ite yo" (ot yesterday#, she said# her voi e not allowin( $or ar("ment. - don,t need this. 0ot now. Riley 'e(an to 'a k away toward the 'edroom. +I lost my dad when I was ten#, *armela e2plained# her eyes meetin( Riley.s. +I.ve 'een there# so I.m not playin( head (ames with yo"., Riley $ro<e# a"(ht 'etween the need to $ill the va ""m inside her and the overwhelmin( "r(e to '"ry hersel$ in the pillow a(ain. Her visitor shi$ted "neasily. +*ome on# let me look at the wo"nd. I promise it won.t h"rt that m" h., Riley rel" tantly sank into her dad.s hair. !he do immediately went to work# p"llin( o"t a $resh 'anda(e# a 'ottle o$ Holy Water# and some medi al tape. A$ter removin( the old 'anda(e# she poked# prodded# and pin hed the area aro"nd the 'ite. Riley (ro"nd her teeth a(ainst the dis om$ort. +Looks (ood#, she said. +4en was s"re yo"r hand wo"ld 'e rottin( o$$ 'y now., +He o"ld have asked me#, Riley retorted. +Wo"ld yo" have told him the tr"th9, +Pro'a'ly not., *armela nodded her "nderstandin(. +-esides# we an talk (irl to (irl. 3"ys don.t (et hal$ o$ what we say even when we say it reaallllly slow., Riley s r"tini<ed the woman more losely now. +1o" don.t let him r"n over yo"# do yo"9,

+0o way. 1o".re (oin( to 'e the same. He.ll 'it h and moan# '"t he.ll respe t yo" $or it., +Ri(ht. 4on.t see that happenin(.,0ot in this li!etime. *armela 'roke the seal on the pint 'ottle o$ Holy Water and handed it over. +!his.ll stin(. !he st"$$.s only a day old., Riley took hersel$ and the 'ottle to the sink and leaned the wo"nd. !he do was ri(ht# the st"$$ was stron( and it made her win e. !he tri kle o$ the water down the drain 'ro"(ht 'a k memories. How many times had she treated her dad.s wo"nds9 0one o$ them had 'een that 'ad# e2 ept when he.d $irst started trappin( and her mom had taken are o$ those. He.d always :oke that no demon wo"ld ever 'est him. .ut one did. When the plasti 'ottle was empty# Riley ret"rned to the ta'le. !here was more pokin( "ntil the do was satis$ied with the ondition o$ the wo"nd. &rom what she o"ld tell# it was already losed# only a thin red ir le le$t where the demon.s teeth had met $lesh. .ut what does %ad look like* +1o" saw him a$ter?, she 'e(an# than $altered. *armela.s e2pression $lattened. +4en alled me so I o"ld erti$y Pa"l.s death., She let loose a lon( si(h and 'linked her eyes rapidly like she was tryin( to hold 'a k tears. +A (lass shard em'edded in his heart# that.s what killed him. It wo"ld have 'een very 8"i k., !he woman.s hands $"m'led with the 'anda(e. +Pa"l looks asleep# not?, %ead. +What a'o"t the demons9 4id -e k at h them9,6ill them* *armela tidied "p the ta'le 'e$ore she answered# '"yin( time. +0o. !hey only (ro"nded the &ive. !he !hree ripped the hell o"t o$ 4en# '"t he wo"ldn.t let it (et near yo"r dad.s 'ody. Whi h means yo" have a de ision to make., +What de ision9, Riley asked# p"<<led. When the woman looked "p# there was pity in her eyes. +1o"r dad.s 'ody is in (ood shape. In s" h (ood shape that he.s prime $odder $or the ne roman ers., Riley.s stoma h heaved. She 'arely made it the 'athroom 'e$ore the so"p $rom l"n h va"lted into the toilet. She kept ret hin( "ntil there was nothin( more to o$$)load. A ool hand to" hed her $orehead# a"sin( her to :"mp. +Ah# damn. I.m sorry. I sho"ld have said that 'etter#, *armela m"rm"red. Riley $l"shed the toilet# dropped the lid# and then $lopped down. Her throat '"rned $rom the a idi taste o$ vomit. *armela handed her a wet loth# and she mopped her $a e. +Why didn.t -e k tell me this9, Riley demanded. +He was 4ad.s partner., +He o"ldn.t. !his is h"rtin( him as m" h as it is yo"., )ike hell. +What.s this de ision I have to make9, !he do sat on the side o$ the t"'# r"''in( her arms like she was old. Her eyes were pointedly $i2ed on her 'oots. +I$ yo"r dad.s 'ody remains the way it is#, she said# her voi e 'arely a"di'le# +the ne ros will try to steal it. !hat is# "nless yo" de ide to sell him to them., +Sell him9 0o way%, Riley (rowled. +0ot happenin(., Her stoma h t"m'led and she swallowed hard. *armela.s eyes met hers. +In that ase# yo".ll have to sit vi(il every ni(ht "ntil the ne2t $"ll moon to keep him sa$e., +What do yo" mean9, +1o" ast a ma(i al ir le# and it keeps the ne roman ers $rom s"mmonin( yo"r $ather. A$ter the $"ll moon# they an.t to" h him., *armela pa"sed. +5r there.s another way., Riley waited her o"t. +1o" have one o$ the trappers?, !he woman took a deep 'reath# +make yo"r $ather.s 'ody less whole. I$ he.s no lon(er in one pie e# the ne ros won.t ome a$ter him.,

Riley stared# horri$ied. +1o" mean have -e k sli e "p my dad9, +It won.t 'e 4en#, *armela replied# her voi e ta"t. +4oesn.t matter who it is%, Riley $rowned. +*an.t we remate him or somethin(9, +State law doesn.t allow trappers that option i$ they.ve 'een killed 'y a demon. Some nonsense a'o"t ontamination or somethin(., !his was a ni(htmare. +So either I sit vi(il or have my $ather ? dismem'ered9, Riley asked. +!hat.sso medieval., +0o ar("ment there#, *armela said. +It.s yo"r all. !here are onse8"en es no matter what yo" do., !here was only one answer. +He (oes in the (ro"nd like he died. I swear to 3od i$ anyone to" hes him, !here was a low si(h o$ relie$ $rom her visitor. +!hat.d 'e my all. /"st reali<e it.s (oin( to 'e a 'it h $or the ne2t $ew weeks., +*an.t 'e any worse than now., !he do (ently smoothed away a strand o$ hair $rom Riley.s $a e. +1o" mi(ht 'e s"rprised# hon., 0I0E Riley d"( o"t the 'la k dress and held it to her 'ody. She hadn.t to" hed it sin e her mother.s $"neral. It rea hed :"st a'ove her knees now. She remem'ered her $ather 'rin(in( it home $or her# thinkin( at the time how plain it was. He hadn.t had a l"e a'o"t her si<e and 'o"(ht it too 'i(. 0ow it wo"ld pro'a'ly $it per$e tly# as i$ he.d $oreseen she.d have to wear it a(ain. A shiver la"n hed "p her spine and wed(ed at the 'ase o$ her sk"ll. 0o way. 2e couldn,t have known this would happen. !ho"(h she really wanted to "rl "p on the o" h and '"ry hersel$ inside the heavy om$orter to $or(et what this evenin( wo"ld 'rin(# Riley $or ed hersel$ to (et ready. -la k ti(hts. -la k dress. -la k 'oots. She reaked open the lid o$ the tiny 'allerina :ewelry 'o2 and $o"nd the heart lo ket her dad had (iven her on her si2teenth 'irthday. It had a pi t"re o$ her parents inside. She kissed the old metal. +!hanks# 4addy#, she m"rm"red# her tears wi kin( into the dress# "nseen. May'e that was why people wore 'la k when someone died. A kno k ame at the door. It was -e k. !hey (ravely st"died ea h $or a $ew moments like they were a$raid o$ what the other mi(ht say. She.d never seen him in a s"it 'e$ore. He.d 'een on leave when her mother died# and he.d worn his dress 'l"es to the $"neral. His $a e was shaved; it m"st have 'een to"(h to work aro"nd the "ts. !he dark ir les "nder his eyes told her he hadn.t slept any 'etter than she had. !here was the hint o$ a$tershave# somethin( like pine trees# she tho"(ht. +It.s time#, he said# voi e low and raspy. She pi ked "p her mother.s wool dress oat# and -e k helped her p"t it on# tho"(h she o"ld tell his sho"lder h"rt him. He took possession o$ the 'a( she.d pa ked $or the (raveyard. As she sh"t the apartment door# she swore she o"ld hear her $ather.s voi e allin( o"t his (ood)'ye. CCC .eck,s truck didn,t look the same as the ni(ht 'e$ore> It had 'een washed# and all the 'eer 'ottles in the 'ed were (one# the inside swept# and the onsole leaned. It smelled like the new pea h air $reshener han(in( $rom the rearview mirror. +hy did he do all this* It wasn.t like her dad wo"ld are. She solemnly '" kled hersel$ in and then stared o"t the side window.

+Riley?, he 'e(an. She shook her head. !here was nothin( he o"ld say that wo"ld make it 'etter. I$ anythin(# he.d only make it worse. -e k took the hint and $ell silent. As he drove# the only so"nds were the tires on the pavement and the o asionalclick$click$click o$ the t"rn si(nal. 0ot m" h di$$erent than when they.d driven her to the emetery $or her mom.s $"neral. 5n that trip -e k sat in the 'a kseat o$ the ar# his hair so short it made him look 'ald. Every time he.d moved# she.d heard the sti$$ $a'ri o$ his "ni$orm. !hey parked o"tside 5akland *emetery.s main (ate# :oinin( other ars and tr" ks in the parkin( lot. Most o$ the vehi les sported the 3"ild em'lem in their rear windows. Riley (ot o"t o$ the tr" k and t"((ed her dress into pla e. She knew the area $airly well. Sit"ated east o$ the state apitol '"ildin(# the (raveyard was 'ordered on the so"th 'y Memorial 4rive and on the north 'y the MAR!A tra ks. Every $ew min"tes a train wo"ld roll in or o"t o$ the station with a pe "liar whirrin( so"nd. !hey rossed "nderneath the 'ri k ar hway and onto the asphalt road that led alon( the oldest se tion o$ the (raveyard. It.d 'een here sin e the AJFBs. Some o$ Atlanta.s most $amo"s people were '"ried here# like the lady who wroteGone with the +ind. And now my dad. -e k leared his throat. +!here.ll 'e a short servi e and then the '"rial#, he e2plained. +A$ter that# ya han(e lothes and we.ll set the ir le., +We9, +Simon and me. He o$$ered to stay with ya toni(ht# keep ya sa$e., !hat she hadn.t e2pe ted. Rather than dwell on that# she asked# +How does this ir le thin( work9, +4on.t really know#, he said# shakin( his head. +!he ma(i keeps the ne ros $rom s"mmonin. yer daddy# that.s all that matters., As they walked past the red'ri k Wat h Ho"se# she asked# +Why didn.t yo" tell me a'o"t the ne ros9, He stopped in the middle o$ the road. +I o"ldn.t#, he said. +!hat.s why I asked *armela to do it. I$ ya.d wanted him "t "p, +1o" know I wo"ldn.t#, she said# st"nned that he.d think she.d have her own $ather m"tilated to save a $ew "n om$orta'le ni(hts in a emetery. +I didn.t know#, he admitted. +I$ ya.d asked me to do it?, -e k shook his head. +0ot possi'le., +&or either o$ "s., !hey started walkin( a(ain# the tension 'etween them drainin( away like they.d rossed some "nseen 'arrier. Aro"nd them# 'irds settled into the trees# and dried leaves r"stled as a s8"irrel 'o"n ed its way past a row o$ (raves. +1er daddy had a li$e ins"ran e poli y#, -e k said as they $ollowed the road to the le$t. +It.ll take a while $or the money to ome thro"(h. It.s not m" h# '"t it.ll '"ry him and (ive ya some to live on., He pa"sed and then added# +5h# and the others took "p a olle tion# 'o"(ht some $lowers $or the $"neral., Riley.s throat ti(htened. +!hanks. I didn.t think o$ that., He (ave her a sad smile. +Me neither., !he -ell !ower# a two)story '"ildin( that held the emetery o$$i e# was stark white in its simpli ity. As they approa hed# she saw Simon waitin( $or them. Like -e k# he was in a s"it. A$ter a 8"i k look at the other trapper# almost like he was seekin( permission# Simon stepped $orward. +Riley#, he said 8"ietly. Witho"t hesitation# he em'ra ed her. It $elt (ood. +!hanks $or wat hin( over my dad#, she m"rm"red. She $elt a nod a(ainst her heek. +He.s down here#, -e k said# (est"rin( to a set o$ stairs that led to a lower level. A$ter a deep 'reath# Riley $ollowed him# her hands knotted aro"nd a '"n h o$ tiss"es she.d p"lled $rom her oat po ket. !he sten h o$ the Easter lilies hit her nose the moment she rea hed the door. !here was a 'i( vase o$

them :"st inside the room. She hated them. !o some they spoke o$ res"rre tion. !o her they meant nothin( '"t death and loss. At the $ar end o$ the room sat a plain pine o$$in on a raised stand. !he lid was losed. %ad. Riley remained rooted in pla e. She o"ld lie to hersel$ "ntil she saw him in the asket# then all those lies '"rned away. -e k leared his throat. +Riley9, +3ive me a min"te#, she said# tho"(h no amo"nt o$ time was (oin( to make this 'eara'le. +It never (ets any easier., She looked over at him# a"(ht 'y the emotion in his voi e. +I still remem'er my (randdaddy.s $"neral#, he said. +I was ten and my "n le ame down to Way ross to pi k me "p. Ha"led me all the way to 0orth 3eor(ia so I o"ld 'e there. I ried like a 'a'y., +What was yo"r (randdad like9, she asked# "rio"s. -e k never talked a'o"t his $amily. His $a e t"rned tho"(ht$"l. +Elmore was a antankero"s old "ss. Lived "p in the hills and made moonshine., He looked over at her. +!a"(ht me how to trap s8"irrels and roll i(arettes., +Skills every ten)year)old sho"ld know., He shr"((ed. +Some mi(ht not see it thatta way# '"t he was a (ood man. He.d tell me I o"ld 'e anythin. I wanted., He looked over at the o$$in. +Like yer daddy., !he thro''in( a he in her heart (rew. +4ad ? really liked yo"., Her ompanion.s eyes misted. He swiped at the tears like they were a weakness. +I never wanted anythin. '"t to make him pro"d., Witho"t thinkin(# she took hold o$ his hand and are$"lly s8"ee<ed it# mind$"l o$ his wo"nds. +4id he ? say anythin( when he?9, +1o"r name., /h, God. Riley.s sho"lders hit hed# and the so's er"pted 'e$ore she o"ld stop them. !ears $ollowed. -e k let (o o$ her hand and pla ed his arm aro"nd her sho"lder# holdin( her lose. Her tears soaked his s"it oat. When she $inally p"lled away# they took slow steps toward the o$$in. !he room losed in on her# hokin( her in the sten h o$ those damned lilies. She pressed the tiss"e to her nose. 5n the o$$in lid was a 'rass pla8"e. !he s ript was $an ier than she.d e2pe ted# '"t it was easy to read. PA=L A. -LA*K!H5R0E MAS!ER !RAPPER# A!LA0!A 3=IL4 He was more than that# '"t she knew there wasn.t eno"(h room on that pie e o$ metal to tell the world everythin( he.d 'een. +Ready9, -e k asked. 0o. 0ever. -"t she nodded anyway# and he slowly opened the lid. 0ow she knew why -e k had 'een r"mma(in( thro"(h the loset when she was in the 'athroom. He.d pi ked o"t her $ather.s '"rial lothes. Her dad was in his 'est s"it and his $avorite red tie# the one she.d 'o"(ht him $or *hristmas a $ew years 'a k. He looked like he was asleep# like *armela said. Riley 'ent over and kissed his pale heek. It was so old# like kissin( stone. She smoothed 'a k a lo k o$ 'rown hair# the one that always $ell into his eyes. +He.s with Mom now#, she said# with stin(in( tears slippin( down her heeks. +-"((in( her a'o"t her ookin( and those d"m' soap operas she "sed to wat h.,The ones %ad liked, too, #ut he,d never admit it. -e k s" ked in a :a((ed 'reath. His eyes were losed and his heeks wet. His whole 'ody shook with (rie$.

0o matter what she tho"(ht o$ him# her dad had always ared $or 4enver -e k. It looked like that love went 'oth ways. CCC (iley headed up the asphalt path toward her $amily.s ma"sole"m. It was desi(ned like a miniat"re athedral with a tall spire at the top# and '"ilt o$ reddish stone. !he two 'ron<e doors had lion.s head door p"lls. !he rear o$ the '"ildin( was "rved and held $ive stained)(lass windows# ea h with a verse $rom the -i'le. -a k in the late AJJBs her $amily had money# and the ma"sole"m was ample proo$ o$ it. 5ne o$ the -la kthornes had 'een a 'anker and made his $ort"ne 'e$ore the *ivil War# and his wealth had le$t the str" t"re $or his des endants. !he ma"sole"m was $"ll# so her $ather wo"ld 'e pla ed ri(ht ne2t her mother on the west side o$ the '"ildin( where they o"ld wat h the s"nsets to(ether. !hat.d 'een her mother.s hoi e. Riley t"rned at the so"nd o$ 'oots s "$$in( on asphalt. Si2 trappers are$"lly mane"vered the asket toward the (rave. It was di$$i "lt work and they went slowly. 4espite his wo"nds# -e k was at the head o$ the o$$in# Simon on the other side. 5ne o$ the men 'e(an to sin(# and his tenor voi e arried thro"(ho"t the (raveyard. &wing low, sweet chariot, oming !or to carry me home 3 Her dad had always liked that son(# espe ially the part a'o"t the 'and o$ an(els. !here were no an(els here toni(ht# at least not that she o"ld see# '"t he wasn.t alone. !rappers stood in di(ni$ied rows# hands lasped in $ront o$ them; the two remainin( masters were in the $ront row. Harper wo"ldn.t meet her eyes# '"t Master Stewart did. He was in $"ll S ottish re(alia and radled a 'a(pipe in his arms. Another knot o$ men stood a short distan e away# '"t none o$ them looked $amiliar. *armela leaned lose to her# apparently noti in( her on$"sion. +4emon tra$$i kers. &ireman /a k is the one in the dark 'l"e s"it. He and yo"r dad were (ood $riends., Riley $o"nd her eyes dri$tin( to the man *armela had indi ated. He nodded to her in response. 0ow that she knew who he was# she remem'ered her dad sayin( that /a k always wore 'ar'er)pole s"spenders# like his trademark. She o"ldn.t see them now# apparently hidden 'y his s"it oat. A hand to" hed her el'owit was Mrs. Litinsky. She was in a royal 'l"e oat# her hair 'raided and t" ked "p on her head in a thi k '"n. Riley (ave her a wan smile. At 'est there were thirty or $orty people here. She.d trade them all to hear her $ather.s voi e one more time. 5n e the o$$in was sit"ated# -e k stood ne2t to her. He awkwardly o$$ered his hand and she took it. His emotions were sh"ttered a(ain. Riley didn.t know how he o"ld do that so easily. !he 3"ild.s priest# &ather Harrison# took his pla e in $ront o$ the o$$in. He was yo"n(# almost 'oyish in his looks# with dark 'rown hair and eyes. It was tradition $or a priest to handle the servi es# even i$ the trapper wasn.t *atholi . He 'e(an 'y talkin( a'o"t her $ather# how he was always ea(er to tea h the newer trappers and how he possessed that 8"iet sense o$ destiny. +!o lose s" h a man mi(ht make "s 8"estion 3od.s mer y. I 'elieve that Pa"l was alled home 'e a"se his work was done. He had $o"(ht the amy o$ darkness and $allen in 'attle '"t will always remain in o"r hearts. 5 Lord# in yo"r mer y# (rant him eternal rest., +Amen#, Riley m"rm"red alon( with the others. &ather Harrison looked over at -e k. +We also (ive thanks# 5 Lord# that we are not mo"rnin( the loss o$ another this ni(ht., -e k lowered his eyes as i$ em'arrassed he was still 'reathin(. +hat i! he had died, too*

Riley shivered at the tho"(ht. In response# -e k p"t his arm aro"nd her sho"lder# thinkin( she was old. It was deeper than that. Harrison t"rned toward her. +5 Lord# $ather o$ "s all# please wat h over Riley# as she takes "p the $i(ht a(ainst all that is evil in this world., +Amen., As the priest spoke o$ res"rre tion and heaven# they lowered her $ather into the (ro"nd. 4"rin( the $inal prayer she didn.t look down into the (rave# '"t "p at the sky. 4ad was "p there somewhere# wat hin( over her. 0o demon o"ld ever h"rt him now. 5n e the $"ll moon ame# no ne ro o"ld either. He.d kept her sa$e all these years# she.d do the same $or him. - promise. -e k and Simon stripped o$$ their s"it oats and handed them to another trapper. !hen they 'e(an to shovel the dirt into the (rave. +It.s tradition#, *armela e2plained. +!rappers have a lot o$ them. Some o$ them even make sense., -e k didn.t (o $or very lon(# his $a e radiatin( pain. /a kson took over as Simon handed his shovel to Morton. And so it went# trapper a$ter trapper# "ntil the entire o$$in was overed in red 3eor(ia lay. !hen the (ravedi((ers took over. As they ompleted the :o'# the trappers departed in reverse order o$ seniority. Another tradition# apparently. Stewart.s 'a(pipe stirred to li$e# and the strains o$ +Ama<in( 3ra e, $illed the air. Riley 'owed her head. When the $inal note $aded# the remainin( mo"rners dri$ted toward her. 5ne 'y one they introd" ed themselves> Some were tea hers who.d known her $ather $rom years 'e$ore; others were $ormer lients. !hey ea h had a story to tell. Her dad had removed a demon $rom their 'asement# saved their 'eloved 4o'erman $rom a raveno"s !hree# apt"red an in "'"s that had terrori<ed a private (irls. s hool. Her $ather had done so m" h# and yet his da"(hter $elt she knew so little a'o"t him. +Riley9, She t"rned to $ind Peter wat hin( her with the saddest e2pression. His eyes were red# and he was wearin( a s"it that seemed a si<e too 'i(. +Peter9, !hey h"((ed awkwardly and he stammered how sorry he was. +Son?, a woman standin( 'ehind him n"d(ed. +Sorry. Riley# this is my mother#, he said# lookin( em'arrassed. &o this is the warden. Riley had never a t"ally met the woman# whi h she.d o"nted as a (ood thin(. Keen to make a $avora'le impression# at least $or her $riend.s sake# Riley politely shook hands. +1o" have my ondolen es#, Mrs. Kin( said. +Who will yo" 'e stayin( with now9, +hat* !hat was a very dire t 8"estion. +Haven.t worked that o"t yet., +1o" an.t stay on yo"r own#, the woman a"tioned. +4o yo" have any other $amily9, Peter shi$ted# learly not pleased 'y his mother.s in8"isition. Her tone r"''ed a(ainst Riley.s raw nerves# tho"(h Mrs. Kin( pro'a'ly tho"(ht she was 'ein( help$"l. +I have an a"nt in &ar(o.,+ho hates me. +!hen I s"spe t yo".ll 'e movin(# won.t yo"9, +0o%, Peter e2 laimed. +1o" an.t leave Atlanta., Riley took her $riend.s hand and (ave it a s8"ee<e. +4on.t know yet. !oo m" h to think a'o"t ri(ht now., !hat seemed to settle him down. When Mrs. Kin( anno"n ed they had to leave# he protested# '"t it (ot him nowhere. He (ave Riley another h"( and then was (one. -e k :oined her. +His momma doesn.t like ya., +0ever has. !hinks I.m a wild hild or somethin(., -e k snorted. +0ot even lose., He looked over at the mo"nded (rave. +1er daddy (ot a (ood send) o$$. I think he.d 'e pleased., When she didn.t reply# he handed her the 'a( she.d pa ked $or the

vi(il. +-est (et han(ed. We need to (et the ir le in pla e 'e$ore s"ndown., And then it #egins. !E0 As Riley peered thro"(h the (rill on one o$ the 'ron<e doors# her $in(ers tra ed the old metal o$ a lion.s head. !hose had always $as inated her# "nlike the (ar(oyles hi(h on the ma"sole"m.s roo$. !hey had the same lion $a es# '"t she.d always tho"(ht the (ar(oyles were reepy. Her dad said they ("arded the dead. 0ow they,ll watch over you. When she was yo"n(er her $amily wo"ld o$ten ome to the ma"sole"m and visit the dead relatives. Her mom wo"ld lean the stained)(lass windows then sweep the $loor. Her $ather wo"ld tell her stories a'o"t some o$ the people '"ried there. !hen they.d have a pi ni on the (rass# :"st like the Di torians who '"ilt the emetery. 0ow as she peered inside the str" t"re# the s"n.s $inal rays po"red thro"(h a o"ple o$ the stained) (lass windows# pro:e tin( a mosai o$ primary olors onto the stone $loor. Riley "nlo ked the doors and p"lled them open with a noisy s rape. As she walked inside she ran a hand alon( one o$ the va"lts. /5H0 HARDE1 -LA*K!H5R0E -5R0 AN A=3=S! AJEO 4IE4 L /A0=AR1 AJJJ - will not cease !rom mental !light, 0or shall my sword sleep in my hand 3 Her mom had said the verse ame $rom an old poem. It seemed an odd thin( to p"t on the tom' o$ a 'anker. In the rear o$ the '"ildin( was a raised plat$orm overed in a thin stone veneer whi h leverly on ealed a stora(e 'in. She levered open the lid with onsidera'le e$$ort. A tiny spider rawled o"t and vanished over the side# its rest dist"r'ed. !he interior looked like her $ather had le$t it a $ew weeks 'e$ore. She took the sleepin( 'a(s o"t o$ their ases and shook them o"t one 'y one. She.d need them toni(ht. +3ood hoi e $or a 'olt hole#, -e k o'served $rom the doorway. !rappers alled them di$$erent names'olt hole# san t"ary# '"nker. Most had one in ase o$ a demon "prisin(. !hey were always lo ated on hallowed (ro"nd and in l"ded stores o$ dried $ood# spare lothin(# water# and medi al s"pplies. Some had a weapons stash. Her $ather had instr" ted Riley and her mom what to do i$ the demons ever wa(ed war. 0ow it wo"ld 'e "p to her to keep it sto ked and ready. +Mine.s in a h"r h 'asement#, -e k added. When she didn.t reply# he str"((led on. +It.s 8"iet here. I like that. Mine isn.t. It.s ne2t door to the $"rna e room., It was lear he was (oin( to keep talkin( no matter what. May'e it was nervo"s ener(y. Whatever the reason# it was '"((in( her. +It.s too 'ad yer daddy.s not in here#, -e k said. +It.d 'e easier to sit vi(il., She shoved the sleepin( 'a(s and e2tra 'lankets in his arms. +I.m han(in( now# so yo" need to (o., +5h# sorry., Riley sw"n( the 'ron<e doors losed 'ehind him and stripped o"t o$ her dress and 'oots. !he 'are stones $elt hilly 'eneath her $eet. She p"lled on the 'l"e :eans# leavin( the ti(hts "nderneath $or warmth# then added a heavy sweater. !hen the 'oots# hoppin( $rom one $oot to the other as she <ipped them. &inally a heavy oat# 'e a"se her mom.s wasn.t (oin( to 'e warm eno"(h. As she stepped o"tside# the s"n 'a klit the apitol.s (olden dome. +It.s time#, Simon alled o"t. He.d han(ed too# in :eans and sweatshirt now. He stood inside a lar(e ir le o$ andles that rin(ed 'oth her dad and mom.s (raves. Ea h andle was a'o"t twelve in hes

$rom its nei(h'or. When Riley drew lose# 'oth o$ the trappers looked over at her. -e k.s $a e was set in a determined e2pression. Simon.s was $"ll o$ ompassion. +1o" really think they.ll ome $or him9, she asked. +!hey read the papers :"st like everyone else#, -e k replied. She hadn.t even tho"(ht a'o"t that. How 'i( o$ an arti le wo"ld her dad have rated9 &ront pa(e90o way. Inside the paper somewhere# pro'a'ly '"ried "nderneath noti es $or lost pets. !rappers only made the $ront pa(e i$ they trashed law li'raries. -elatedly# Riley 'e(an to think o$ what this lon( ni(ht mi(ht 'e like. She wasn.t that (ood with 'ein( old and sittin( still. 0ever o"ld stand ampin(. !hen there was Simon. She really didn.t know him. What i$ he was reepy or somethin(9 She shoved that tho"(ht aside instantly. Her dad had tho"(ht he was okay. !hen another worry a"(ht "p with her. +What i$ I?, She si(hed. +What i$ I need to (o to the 'athroom9, -e k didn.t smirk like she $i("red he wo"ld. +!here.s a toilet in the 'asement o$ the emetery o$$i e. !he door.s lo ked. !he ode.s in there#, he said# pointin( at a 'ooklet in Simon.s hand. /h. -e k took a deep 'reath. +Whatever ya do# don.t 'reak the ir le. I$ ya ki k over a andle or walk thro"(h the ir le witho"t doin. it proper# it.s history. 1a "nderstand9, She nodded. +4o ya really "nderstand9, he pressed. She (lowered. +I.m not slow., Simon.s (rin 8"i kly vanished when the other trapper noti ed it. +It.s not that easy. !he ne ros play all sorts o$ head (ames., -e k looked over at Simon. +1o".re in har(e., Riley (ro"nd her teeth. +I.ll keep them 'oth sa$e# I promise#, Simon said diplomati ally. +-e s"re ya do., -e k t"rned on his heels and mar hed o$$ toward the tr" k# $"eled 'y some emotion Riley o"ldn.t $athom. +/erk#, she m"ttered. +He.s okay#, Simon replied. +He.s :"st worried a'o"t yo" and yo"r dad., !he yo"n( trapper lit a kerosene lantern and set it on a $lat pie e o$ (ro"nd. +He says yo".ve never done this 'e$ore. Is that ri(ht9, She nodded. +Mom died o$ an er. It wasn.t pretty., His eyes so$tened. +I.m sorry., She shr"((ed like it wasn.t a 'i( deal# '"t she was lyin(. +Everythin( yo" need is in here#, he said# (est"rin( at the 'ooklet. +!here are sample invo ations# or yo" an "se one that has spe ial meanin( to yo"., +Like9, +Some people all the ir le into e2isten e 'y invokin( the names o$ the Ar han(els# others "se $oot'all teams. It.s the intention that o"nts., -ntention. +5hhkay., +A ne ro.s power is stron(est at ni(ht# so yo" have to reset the ir le ea h s"ndown. 4oesn.t matter i$ it.s rainin( or whatever., +What happens d"rin( the day9, she asked. +!he emetery has vol"nteers who sit vi(il d"rin( the dayli(ht ho"rs., +Ah# does that ost anythin(9, she asked. Money was more o$ an iss"e than ever 'e$ore. +!he 3"ild pays $or it. !hey don.t have eno"(h $"nds to over twenty)$o"rIseven. !hey $i("re the $amily will 'e here at ni(ht., +3ot it., She p"<<led $or moment. +Why didn.t a ne ro ome $or 4ad 'e$ore he was '"ried9, +&rom what I "nderstand# i$ a ne roman er s"mmons the de eased 'e$ore the $irst s"ndown# the

spell doesn.t work ri(ht., +5h. So# how does this all work9, she asked# (rowin( more nervo"s 'y the min"te. What i$ she s rewed somethin( "p9 Simon looked down at the 'ooklet and then pointed at a (allon plasti :"(. +R"n a line o$ Holy Water :"st inside the andles., Riley 'roke the seal# twisted o$$ the ap# and dri''led the water as instr" ted. H"n hed over like a (nome wasn.t a om$orta'le position# so 'y the time she.d made the entire ir le her 'a k was 'e(innin( to ramp. +0ow yo" do it a(ain in the other dire tion., Riley (roaned and did as he asked. +!hese aren.t ordinary andles#, she said# st"dyin( one. !he wi k looked more like a oiled metal rope than twisted $i'er. !he andle was short# like a votive. +0o# they.re spe ial. !he emetery has more o$ them i$ yo" want to e2pand the ir le. !hey don.t har(e $or them# '"t they wo"ld appre iate a donation., He went 'a k to the instr" tions. +Move the andles onto the ir le o$ Holy Water. Make s"re they.re the same distan e apart., More 'endin(. When she stopped to rest# Simon "r(ed her on. !he s"n was almost (one. +Per$e t%, he said. +0ow li(ht every other andle#clockwise, while I re ite the invo ation. 5n e yo".re done# li(ht the remainin( andles in the opposite dire tion. 4on.t pa"se in 'etween. And whatever yo" do# don.t say a word "ntil I.ve ompleted the invo ation., Riley sort o$ $reaked# tryin( to remem'er all the instr" tions. He (ave her a reass"rin( smile. +4on.t worry# yo".ll do okay., +What are yo" (oin( to say9, +!he Lord.s Prayer., She took a deep 'reath and 'e(an to li(ht every other andle. Her hand kept shakin(# the demon 'ite a"sin( her $in(ers to ramp. !he wi ks $lamed in a s"dden '"rst# then settled into a lear white li(ht. -ehind her# Simon.s stron( voi e $illed the ni(ht air# slowly intonin( !he Lord.s Prayer in En(lish and Latin. 1ater noster, =ui es in caelis, 5"r &ather# whi h art in heaven# &anti!icetur nomen tuum 3 Hallowed 'e !hy name ? He didn.t st"m'le over the Latin# '"t so"nded like he was 'orn to it. A$ter she.d lit all the andles Riley went still# a$raid o$ doin( somethin( st"pid and r"inin( everythin(. Simon raised his arms to the heavens. +-y the 'lessin( o$ 3od# His 5nly Son# and His holy an(els# let all inside this san ti$ied ir le 'e sa$e $rom harm. Amen., +Amen#, she whispered and then (rima ed. She wasn.t s"pposed to talk. Had she messed it "p9 !o her relie$# a 'rilliant $lash o$ li(ht leapt $rom andle to andle "ntil the entire ir le was 'la<in(. !he $lames shot hi(h in the air like tor hes# then sent $iery tendrils a'ove her# reatin( a (lowin( sphere aro"nd them. She $elt a stran(e ti(htness# and her ears popped. !he sphere shimmered $or a $ew se onds# then the $lames sank to (ro"nd level# dimmin( to a so$t ethereal (low. +Wow% It.s like ma(i %, she e2 laimed. Simon shook his head. +It.s 3od.s love. !hat.s stron(er than any ma(i . As lon( as it $lashes like that yo" know yo".ve set the ir le. I$ it doesn.t# yo" redo the invo ation., +How do I (et o"tside the ir le witho"t 'reakin( it9, +Ah# (ood 8"estion#, Simon replied. +1o" walk "p to the andles# lear yo"r mind# and vis"ali<e yo"rsel$ walkin( thro"(h the 'arrier witho"t dist"r'in( it., 2uh* +-"t what i$ I ki k over a andle9, she said. +!hat wo"ld 'e 'ad. Here# I.ll show yo".,

Simon rose# walked to the ir le.s 'o"ndary# m"rm"red somethin( "nder his 'reath# and stepped over the andles. +5kay. So how do yo" (et 'a k in9, +1o" have to (ive me permission to enter., -e$ore she o"ld ask how# he pointed at the 'ooklet. +Pa(e $ive# last para(raph., Riley $o"nd the passa(e and read# +I$ yo" mean no harm# then pass within., Simon stepped a ross the andles and ret"rned to his pla e on the sleepin( 'a(. +And i$ yo" were a 'ad ("y?, +!he ir le wo"ld not let me in., +How does it know who.s a 'ad ("y9, He shr"((ed. +It.s a lot like a Holy Water ward. Evil thin(s stay away., &ounds really i!!y to me. .ut i! &imon and .eck #elieve in this circle thing, there must #e something to it. +What i$ I a identally 'reak it9, +!hen yo" start all over# ri(ht a$ter yo" set the andles. 5h# and every ni(ht yo" have to move the andles away $rom the ori(inal ir le o$ Holy Water. Most $olks make it a 'it smaller., So many thin(s to remem'er. +What i$ it rains9, she 8"i<<ed. +Rain won.t 'reak the ir le# neither will wind# $or that matter# tho"(h yo" will $eel it. What.s important is that the ir le remains inta t and that yo" state its p"rpose learly., He sat on the sleepin( 'a(# poppin( his kn" kles one 'y one# learly pleased with himsel$. +0ow we wait "ntil s"nrise., +!hat was a lot more work than I reali<ed#, she said# ploppin( down ne2t to him. !his wo"ld have 'een way hard i$ he hadn.t 'een here. +5n e yo".ve done it a $ew times it.s no 'i( deal. It.s harder when yo".re on yo"r own., She looked over at him. +How did yo" learn all this9, +I ome $rom a 'i( $amily. Someone.s always dyin(# so my "n le ta"(ht me how to do the invo ation. He.s a priest., A #ig !amily. What wo"ld that 'e like9 !here.d only 'een her. Her mom had always :oked that a$ter yo" a hieved per$e tion# why try a(ain9 Riley had always $i("red there was somethin( more to it. +I.m an only#, she said# then (rima ed. He knew that. Simon didn.t a t like she.d said somethin( st"pid. +I wanted to 'e sometimes. I have $o"r sisters and three 'rothers., +What.s it like with that many 'odies in one ho"se9, +Like livin( in a 'eehive. We had a s hed"le posted on the two 'athrooms. My sisters were the worst., Riley h" kled# wonderin( i$ that was tr"e. His hair looked too (ood $or a 8"i k shampoo and 'low) dry. She rearran(ed her oat so it wo"ld over her le(s. L" kily there was no wind. 5r rain. Wo"ldn.t h"rt the andles '"t it wo"ld 'e way "(ly $or the person st" k in the ir le. In the distan e a pale ha<e h"n( over the ity. She o"ld see the skys rapers in downtown Atlanta# at least the $ew still lit at ni(ht. !he hi(h)pit hed whine o$ the MAR!A train headin( east e hoed aro"nd them. She waited $or Simon to say somethin(. He :"st stared o"t into nothin(ness. It was (oin( to 'e lon( ni(ht i$ he wasn.t (oin( to talk. +How old are yo"9, she asked# desperate to avoid the silen e. +/"st t"rned twenty. 1o"9, +Seventeen., +1o".re a little yo"n(er than my sister Amy. She (ot married last s"mmer., He pa"sed and (ave her a 8"i<<i al look. +So what are yo" (oin( to do now that yo".re on yo"r own9, /n my own. +4on.t know. !here.s only my mom.s sister le$t. She lives in &ar(o., +1o" o"ld ontin"e yo"r apprenti eship there.,

+She wo"ldn.t (o $or that. She 'lames my dad $or Mom.s death# like he personally planted the an er in her or somethin(. 0asty woman. I an.t live with her. 0o way., +!hen who will yo" stay with9, Simon prodded. +I don.t know. !here is no one else., +Well# I.m s"re -e k will help as 'est he an., !here was the so"nd o$ $ootsteps. !he man approa hin( them was as short as he was wide. His tren h oat almost rea hed the (ro"nd# and he wore a $edora. +Is he a ne ro9, Riley whispered. +I.d say it.s a (ood 'et#, Simon replied. +-e on yo"r ("ard. !hey an 'e tri ky., !he man stopped :"st o"tside the ir le o$ andles and tipped his hat. +3ood evenin( to yo"#, he said. +3ood evenin(#, Simon replied. He was polite to everyone# even someone who sold orpses $or a livin(. +My name is Mortimer Ale2ander and I am a li ensed s"mmoner#, the new omer anno"n ed pro"dly. +4arn. I.d hoped yo" were the pi<<a delivery ("y#, Riley 8"ipped. A ski$$ o$ a smile rossed the man.s $a e. +0o s" h l" k., He so'ered instantly. +&irst# I wish to o$$er my sin ere ondolen es $or yo"r re ent loss., +Ah# thanks., +However# now is the time to 'e pra ti al. 1o"r loved one resides in a 'etter pla e#, the ne roman er ontin"ed# va("ely wavin( toward the sky. +His earthly shell# however# an 'e p"t to "se $or a 'etter so iety., He d"( in his po ket and ons"lted a pie e o$ paper. +I see that Mr. -la kthorne wo"ld o asionally donate to harity. Perhaps we an rea h an arran(ement where I will ontri'"te a s"m in his name and in trade he will a t as a paid domesti $or a spe i$ied period o$ time., +Ah# well#, Riley 'e(an. Why had she 'een warned a(ainst these ("ys9 !his one so"nded so reasona'le. Her dad was always $or the "nderdo(. Wo"ldn.t he want to help o"t even now9 +Riley9, When she didn.t respond# Simon :o((led her el'ow. !hen he shook it. +Riley%, +What9, she snapped. +He.s "sin( pers"asion ma(i . !hey.ll do anythin( to (et to yo"r $ather., +3ot it#, she said. Simon rela2ed and his hand retreated. She wished he.d le$t it there. !he ne ro sh"$$led papers. +I "nderstand yo"r sa ri$i e and am prepared to make monthly payments into an a o"nt to over the ? in onvenien e o$ havin( yo"r loved one e2h"med. At the end o$ a year# we a(ree to inh"me him in a di(ni$ied eremony and pay all e2penses re8"ired to do so., Riley remem'ered the 4eader on the street totin( pa ka(es $or the ri h lady. What i$ that had 'een her dad9 She sh"ddered. +0o way#, she said# rossin( her hands over her hest in de$ian e. +Ah# I see that yo" have some reservations#, the ne roman er ontin"ed. +!hat is e2pe ted. It is a 'i( step and, +0ot happenin(. 0ow (o away., +Please#, Simon added. She wondered i$ he was that ni e to the demons when he trapped them. Mortimer looked rest$allen. +I "nderstand. 1o" sho"ld 'e aware that I.m the most ethi al o$ the s"mmoners yo".ll meet 'e$ore the $"ll moon. It earns me no end o$ (rie$ $rom the others# '"t I $eel honesty is important., He pla ed a '"siness ard at the ed(e o$ the '"rnin( ir le. +In ase yo" wish to onta t me., +0ot likely#, Riley replied. +I "nderstand. !hank yo" $or yo"r time. A(ain# my sin ere ondolen es., !hen he was (one# walkin( slowly "p the path while ons"ltin( his pile o$ papers. When he passed the emetery o$$i e# he "t west toward the parkin( lot.

Riley si(hed in relie$. +Well# that.s over., Simon shook his head. +Like he said# he.s the $irst o$ many., +Why9, she asked# s"rprised. +Ri h $olks like to olle t "ni8"e thin(s. In this ase# it.d 'e a $amo"s master trapper as their servant. 0o one else wo"ld have one# so that wo"ld make him very spe ial., %amn. +0o wonder people have the orpses "t "p., Simon shot her a horri$ied look. +0o% What yo" did was ri(ht. M"tilation is "nholy#, he retorted# then appeared ha(rined at his o"t'"rst. +Sorry# it.s a hot '"tton $or me., +Really9, she :ested. +1eah#, he admitted. +At least yo".ve only (ot twelve more ni(hts o$ this., Riley rolled her eyes at the tho"(ht. !welve loooon( ni(hts $illed with lyin( ne roman ers# a old '"tt# and no sleep. Thanks a #unch, %ad. ELEDE0 +What ha want9, the 'artender asked# his tattooed 'i ep anno"n in( to the world he was +5ne o$ !he &ew. !he Pro"d., A "arine. -e k had never really liked the&emper 7i rowd# '"t at least he knew how they.d a t. +Shiner -o k#, he replied. +Start a ta'., +0eed to see some I4., -e k $rowned. +I.m le(al., +4on.t do"'t it# '"t it.s the law now#, the man replied. +3otta ard everyone# even i$ they ome in here "sin( a (oddamn walker., -e k $ished o"t his driver.s li ense and tossed it to the 'artender. !he ("y (ave it a 8"i k look and handed it 'a k. +1o" look older. I.d have $i("red yo" $or thirty., +1a an 'lame the Army $or that., +Where.d yo" serve9, +A$(hanistan., +Shit#, the man replied# (rinnin( now. +0o har(e $or the $irst 'eer. I was over there# too., !he 'artender pla ed a 'ottle o$ Shiner -o k on the 'ar. He rea hed $or a (lass# then han(ed his mind. +3ood all#, -e k m"ttered. He raised the 'eer in the air. +!o those who didn.t make it home., He took a swi( and then raised the 'ottle a(ain. +And to Pa"l -la kthorne. Rest in pea e., !hen he downed hal$ o$ it in one lon( ("lp to ease the a he. +!hat the ("y who died down in &ive Points9, the 'artender asked. +1eah. He was (ood people.,Good people always die sooner than the assholes. +1o" a trapper9, the man asked# eyein( him. 0o reason to deny it. +1eah., +I don.t hold m" h with trappers., +I.m not $ond o$ :arheads# so we.re even#, -e k replied. !he 'artender snorted. He pi ked "p a (lass o$ S ot h $rom the 'a k 'ar and raised it hi(h. +!o those who made it home., +Amen#, -e k said# raisin( the 'ottle a(ain# then downed the rest. +0o tro"'le# yo" hear9, +0one planned. /"st wanna (et dr"nk# may'e (et laid. In that order., +So"nds (ood#, the 'artender replied. +1o" want another9, +Hell# yes., !his was his se ond 'ar. -e k had started the evenin( at the Si2 &eet =nder P"' P &ish Ho"se# the

trappers. $avorite waterin( hole. He.d stayed there $or a o"ple o$ drinks to honor Pa"l# as was "stom# then de ided he didn.t want 'e there anymore. 4idn.t want to 'e aro"nd i$ anyone a "sed him o$ not doin( ri(ht 'y his $riend. 0ot that any o$ them had. !hey all knew 'etter# '"t that didn.t mean they weren.t thinkin( it. He was# so why wo"ldn.t they 'e doin( the same9 !his 'ar wasn.t one o$ his "s"al ha"nts '"t they had his $avorite 'eer. -y the time he was on his si2th 'ottle# there were two voi es ompetin( $or his attention> Pa"l.s was na((in( a'o"t how he sho"ld 'e workin(# not drinkin(. How he had responsi'ilities now# at least when it ame to Riley. Responsi'ility wasn.t as stron( a messa(e as the anore2i redhead sittin( ne2t him# talkin( dirty. Real dirty. It was $irin( him "p# and that he didn.t mind. It kept him $rom thinkin( a'o"t anythin( that h"rt deep down. +*ome on# let.s (et o"t o$ here. !ake me to yo"r pla e#, she "r(ed# movin( her hand a 'it loser to where it o"nted. Her hair was a mi2 o$ 'rassy olors# and her eyes (lassy $rom too m" h 'oo<e. 0ot that he ared. -e k.s R"le 0"m'er 5ne> he didn.t take any (irl to his pla e. At least not one like this. I$ she was real $"ssy# they.d (et a room at one o$ the heap hotels. I$ not# his tr" k did :"st $ine. +So what.s yer name9, he asked# $eelin( he sho"ld know somethin( a'o"t her 'e$ore he s rewed her. +4oes it matter9, she said# la"(hin(. +1eah.,&orta. ; /amie., +What ha do $or a livin.9, +0othin( m" h., She (rinned as i$ that wasn.t a 'i( deal. +I meet ni e ("ys who '"y me drinks., +And?, +!hen we (o somewhere and $" k., -e k.s ha kles rose. +1a p"t o"t $or drinks#, he said $latly. She (i((led. +4on.t we all9, It was the wron( answer. !his o"ld have 'een Sadie a o"ple o$ de ades earlier# workin( some ("y $or drinks and a ni(ht in the sa k. -e k had 'een the prod" t o$ one o$ those ni(hts. 0o way he o"ld (o with this one now# not witho"t on:"rin( "p a lot o$ really 'ad shit. He l"r hed o$$ the 'ar stool# ea(er to 'e away $rom her. !oo many memories were $loatin( thro"(h his head# the kind that made him want to hit somethin( or someone. +What.s wron(9, she asked# t"((in( on his arm. It was the in:"red one# and the pain leared his mind. +!he damned whole thin(#, he (rowled. He threw money on the 'ar to over their ta' and headed $or the door. !he (irl alled o"t to him '"t he i(nored her. As he rea hed the e2it# he t"rned# hopin( she wasn.t $ollowin( him. It wasn.t a pro'lem. She was already pawin( another ("y# one who didn.t look like he was (oin( to say no. CCC /n a scale o! one to ten -e k knew he was a'o"t a seven when it ame to 'ein( dr"nk. 4e ent '"<<# '"t not too loaded. He.d learned how to handle the 'oo<e in the Army. 1o" wanted to 'e into2i ated eno"(h to $eel (ood# '"t not too trashed to show "p $or roll all. E2 ept ri(ht now the $eel)(ood thin( wasn.t workin( o"t so well# not with that $lash'a k to the 'it h everyone else alled his mother. He slammed the tr" k door and t"rned the key. !he radio 'lared. He t"rned it o$$. A moment 'e$ore he p"t the tr" k in (ear he spied an Atlanta op sittin( at the orner in his patrol ar# s opin( the street. +Shit., He didn.t dare drive# not in his ondition. !he pi(s ame down hard on dr"nk drivin(> It was

a l" rative '"st# what with that new law. 0ot only did they toss yo" in :ail '"t they took yo"r vehi le and sold it to pay the towin( and o"rt osts. A tho"sand)dollar $ine and a $ive)tho"sand)dollar tr" k9 Somehow the 'ankr"pt ity never 'othered to pay yo" the di$$eren e. A $ew years a(o he wo"ld have risked it# wo"ldn.t have (iven a damn# '"t now he had Riley to worry a'o"t. -e k (roaned. +4ammit# how.d I (et into this mess9, .y not saving 1aul. It all ame down to that. 0ow Riley was his responsi'ility# at least "ntil she was ei(hteen or one o$ her $amily stepped "p and took har(e o$ her. Like he knew anythin( a'o"t playin( 'i( 'rother to some (irl. -e k p"lled himsel$ o"t o$ the tr" k# lo ked the door# and headed $or the nearest Stop .n. Ro' on $oot. 5n e there he s o"red the aisles# steerin( lear o$ the old ("ys '"yin( i(arettes. He didn.t know how they a$$orded them# not at a h"ndred a arton. !hat had made it easy $or him to ki k the ha'it. He needed to (et 'a k in the (ame toni(ht# '"t trappin( while '"<<ed was a s"re ti ket to :oinin( Pa"l in the dirt. He (ra''ed a si2)pa k o$ ener(y drinks and a lar(e 'a( o$ pean"tssalty ones. !he pean"ts wo"ld make him thirsty# and all the $l"id he.d have to h"( wo"ld dil"te the 'oo<e. +Pa k o$ r"''ers#, he said to the lerk. +E2tra lar(e., Why they kept them 'ehind the o"nter he had no idea. !he lerk# a yo"n( 'la k woman# (ave him the on e)over. He smiled in ret"rn. !ho"(h some tho"(ht it sa rile(io"s# the ondoms were $or Holy Water. He "sed them in pla es where the (lass spheres weren.t wel ome. Like swimmin( pools and shoppin( malls. 5$ o"rse# he wasn.t (oin( to tell the lerk that and r"in her daydream. 5n e he was in his tr" k he started in on the $ood# alternatin( ener(y drinks and pean"ts. He o"ld remem'er when the drinks ame in al"min"m ans. 0ow they "sed thin plasti that ra ked too easily# :"st one o$ the reasons he "s"ally p"t the st"$$ in an empty whiskey 'ottle. As he drank# the a he "nder his 'reast'one ki ked in a(ain. He.d like to 'elieve it was sore m"s les# '"t it wasn.t. It was the same $eelin( he had when his (randdaddy died. Every time he lost someone he ared $or a 'it more o$ him went with them. In time# there wo"ldn.t 'e m" h o$ him le$t. 0ow that Pa"l was dead he.d have to trap every ni(ht to keep 'oth him and Riley in (ood shape# at least "ntil her a"nt ame $or her. &rom what Pa"l had said# the woman was like a '"<< saw. Still# she was a relation and that was important. +0o more playin. pool#, he said# shakin( his head. 0o more doin( what other ("ys his a(e liked to do. He.d lost his hildhood to Sadie.s drinkin(# and now he was (oin( to lose even more o$ his li$e to takin( are o$ Pa"l.s kid. He twisted o$$ the top o$ another 'ottle and took a lon( swi(# $ollowed 'y a hand$"l o$ n"ts. His stoma h r"m'led# omplainin( a'o"t the a'"se. -y the time the $irst three 'ottles o$ ener(y drink were (one# he.d tho"(ht o"t a plan. It was a simple one> &ind the $" kin( demon who.d killed his $riend and waste the thin(. It was an insane plan# '"t -e k didn.t are. +I.m (onna arve ya "p# ya 'astard. Send a messa(e to Hell., !o do that he.d have to work the lower ranks o$ demons "ntil one o$ them s8"ealed on the &ive# (ave him an idea where to $ind it. He knew Pa"l wo"ldn.t want him :onesin( $or reven(e# '"t he didn.t are. -e k wanted pay'a k. And not 'ust !or the kid. CCC -n a !ew short ho"rs Riley knew one thin( $or s"reshe needed earpl"(s. &rom what she o"ld tell ea h ne ro had a di$$erent sales pit h# like in$omer ials. As predi ted# Mortimer was the ni est. !he ne2t $o"r had (rown in reasin(ly mali io"s. All '"t Mortimer tried to 'rea h the ir le and went

away with s or hed shoes and a 'ad attit"de. -y the $inal visitor she was so 'it hy# so sleep deprived# she.d told him o$$ even 'e$ore he.d opened his mo"th. !hat had earned her a pro$anity)la ed rant that wo"ld have impressed a rapper. Simon s"r(ed to his $eet and told the ("y to 'low o$$# witho"t "sin( "rse words. !o her s"rprise# the ne ro had done :"st that. A$ter his rare $lash o$ an(er# her ompanion went to sleep# "rled "p in a sleepin( 'a(# his hand thrown over his $a e like a at. Every now and then he m"rm"red to himsel$# tho"(h she o"ldn.t make o"t the words. M" h to Riley.s annoyan e# she had to wake him a $ew ho"rs later. It was either that or she.d wet hersel$. +I.ll stay awake "ntil yo" ret"rn#, he said# still hal$ asleep. +-e are$"l., She took a deep 'reath and did e2a tly as he.d said# win in( as she stepped over the (lowin( line. 0othin( happened '"t a 'rie$ $li ker and that stran(e poppin( so"nd in her ears# like she.d rossed some "nseen 'arrier. Riley tr"d(ed o$$ to the emetery o$$i e. It was spooky. !he Di torians were 'i( into sym'ols# like weepin( an(els and o'elisks to represent res"rre tion and eternal li$e. !hat only added to the reep $a tor. It was really dark with no moon. !he $aint r"stle o$ leaves made her t"rn aro"nd more than on e. All that was needed was a thi k $o( and a 'ayin( wol$ and it.d 'e the st"$$ o$ slasher $ilms. A$ter she ret"rned and Simon allowed her entran e# he slipped aro"nd the rear o$ the ma"sole"m $or a 8"i k pee. Guys have it so easy. When he ret"rned he 'e(an to talk a(ain. +-e are$"l when yo".re here on yo"r own. 0e roman ers an pretend to 'e emetery employees# ops# yo" name it. !hey try to on yo" into 'reakin( the ir le or invitin( them inside. 0ot everyone in the emetery is a$ter yo"r dad.s 'ody. -"t I.ve heard tales# yo" know9, She sti$led the shiver. His warnin(s delivered# Simon "rled "p and $ell asleep. She wished she o"ld. Instead# Riley sn"((led in the sleepin( 'a( and stared "p at the ni(ht sky. A h"ntin( owl win(ed 'y a $ew times# then per hed in a near'y tree to anno"n e his territory. She wat hed him $or a lon( time. He seemed to 'e doin( the same o$ her. When a mo"se skittered a ross the path# he was all '"siness. With an e2pert (lide and lethal talons# he olle ted his startled meal. Her 'a k 'e(an to ramp# so she rose and walked to her mom.s (rave. !he $lowers they.d le$t a o"ple o$ weeks a(o were withered now# vi tims o$ the ni(ht $rosts. Riley knelt and 'r"shed away the dried leaves that overed the plain (ranite headstone. It was nearly three years sin e Miriam Henley -la kthorne had le$t them. !here wasn.t a day she.d not 'een missed. Riley moved to her dad.s (rave# the smell o$ $resh earth $illin( the air aro"nd her. !he $lowers on top o$ the mo"nded earth were tipped with a thin layer o$ $rost. Mom was pro'a'ly waitin( $or him on the other side. Riley rinkled "p her $a e. !hat won.t 'e a (ood meetin(. As her mother lay dyin(# she.d made her dad promise to keep Riley sa$e. 0ow their da"(hter was on her own. Yeah, "om is going to #e severely pissed. She to" hed the old dirt# thinkin( o$ her $ather lyin( "nderneath it. They,re together now. It didn.t help. !hey were to(ether and she was all alone. 0o one le$t to la"(h at her :okes# hold her. Love her. A 'ottomless pit opened in $ront o$ her# and a hoked so' es aped her throat# then another as warm tears o"rsed down her heeks. She 'ent almost do"'le# ryin( $or hersel$ more than her parents. Someone to" hed her and she :"mped. It was Simon. He didn.t say a word# '"t opened his arms to her. She $ell into them and ontin"ed to weep. He m"rm"red om$ortin( words# '"t she didn.t "nderstand them. What mattered most was that he was holdin( her. When she o"ld no lon(er o$$er

"p any tears# she p"lled away $rom him and 'lew her nose# em'arrassed she.d lost it in $ront o$ him. +Sorry ? I?, +!hey know yo" love them and that yo" miss them. !hat.s what.s important., +I don.t know what I.m (oin( to do#, she admitted. +1o".ll $ind yo"r way. I know yo" will., Simon took her hand and led her to the sleepin( 'a(s. He t" ked her in. He lim'ed into his own 'a( and wi((le)wormed over "ntil their sides to" hed. P"llin( his arm o"t# he had her rest her head on his sho"lder. She sn"((led in# (rate$"l $or his kindness. +1o"r arm is (oin( to $ree<e o$$#, she said in 'etween sni$$les. +1o".re ri(ht., He took one o$ the 'lankets# overed himsel$# and settled 'a k in pla e. She sn"((led lose# $eelin( warm and se "re $or the $irst time sin e her $ather.s death. !hat she o"ld $eel that way said a lot a'o"t Simon. +!hanks. 1o".re ? really sweet., +It.s easy with someone like yo". 0ow (et some sleep. 4awn is in a $ew ho"rs#, he whispered. Knowin( he was there to wat h over her# Riley dri$ted into an "neasy dream $illed with leerin( ne ros# thievin( Ma(pies# and dark la"(hter. CCC Simon.s wristwat h 'eeped and he sat "p and stret hed. +3ood mornin(#, he said. Riley 'linked her eyes open# then wiped the sleep o"t o$ them. When she sat "p# her hair moved weird. She ran a hand thro"(h it. !o her relie$ there were no i i les. &leeping outside sucks. +It.ll (et easier ea h ni(ht#, Simon said. +/"st 'e s"re yo" don.t sleepwalk., He made another trip aro"nd the 'a k o$ the ma"sole"m to water the (rass. &o un!air. When he ret"rned he sat Indian style# $in(ered his rosary 'eads# and 'e(an to pray. 4e$initely an 0*-a 0i e *atholi -oy# as her mom alled them. Polite and so not a slea<e. 0o wonder her dad liked him. A$ter a $ew min"tes o$ prayer he t" ked the rosary away. +3ood mornin(#, he said a(ain# more heer$"lly this time. +1eah# ri(ht ? mornin(#, she said# str"((lin( into a sittin( position. +1o" "s"ally this (ro" hy9, he asked# as i$ takin( notes $or $"t"re re$eren e. +I.ve earned the ri(ht. My '"tt h"rts# I.m tired# I.m old# and I want to (o home. !his has 'een one o$ the worst ni(hts o$ my li$e., +5h., !here was h"rt in his voi e. Riley slapped her $orehead. +Sorry% !hat was d"m'. !hanks $or stayin( with me toni(ht. I wo"ld have 'een $reaked on my own., Simon re overed instantly# smilin( at her like she hadn.t 'een a ompletely "n(rate$"l dork. +3lad I o"ld help., an this guy #e !or real* I$ he was# he had to have a (irl$riend with si2 more waitin( in line. +4id yo" (et any sleep9, he asked. +A little. I had weird dreams a'o"t demons who a ted like an(els. *on$"sin(., She tho"(ht $or a moment. +Have yo" ever seen them ? an(els I mean9, +5ne or two. !hey only reveal themselves when they want to., He so"nded disappointed. +4ad said there.s this (lowy sort o$ li(ht aro"nd them# '"t to me they look like everyday people., +May'e someday we.ll see them learly#, Simon replied wist$"lly. +I.d like that., A voi e alled o"t. It was ri(ht 'e$ore dawn# so it sho"ld 'e the emetery ("y. At least she hoped it

was. A man walked "p to the line o$ andles and (ave a toothy smile. +3ood mornin(. My name.s Rod. I.m here $or the day shi$t. 1o" Miss -la kthorne9, +=h)h"h., +3lad to meet yo". 4on.t worry# I.ve 'een doin( this $or years. 0o 'ody.s 'een stolen on my wat h., +!hat.s (ood to hear.,(eally good to hear. !he vol"nteer waited "ntil Simon iss"ed the invitation# then he stepped over the andles. !hey $li kered and ret"rned to normal. Riley let o"t a si(h o$ relie$. !he new omer h" ked o$$ his oat# revealin( a heavy sweatshirt. He set "p a amp hair and dropped a 'a( marked +Di(il S"pplies, ne2t to it. +!hose are $or toni(ht when yo" reset the ir le., +!hanks#, she said. She hadn.t even tho"(ht that $ar. 5"t o$ his 'a kpa k ame a newspaper opened to the s"dok" pa(e# $ollowed 'y a pen il and a 'i( (reen thermos. Thermos e=uals hot chocolate. She made a note to 'rin( one. While he was settlin( in# Riley rolled "p the sleepin( 'a(s as her ompanion $olded the 'lanket. -y the time she was ready to leave the vol"nteer was already in his hair# paper on his lap. +So who showed "p last ni(ht9, he asked heer$"lly. +5ne ("y named Mortimer and some others who didn.t say who they were. !hey swore at me a lot., !he vol"nteer 'roke o"t in a smile. +&i("red Mort wo"ld stop 'y. -est o$ a 'ad lot., +So I noti ed., +/"st make s"re yo".re here 'e$ore s"ndown. I$ there.s an emer(en y# all the o$$i e and let them know., +3ot it., Riley (in(erly rossed the ir le# ears poppin( on e a(ain. She do"'ted she.d ever (et "sed to that. A$ter she.d stashed the sleepin( 'a(s and 'lanket in the ma"sole"m# she lo ked the door. 5"t o$ ha'it she (ave them a $irm rattle to make s"re they were se "re. Simon $ell in step with her as she headed $or the parkin( lot. +*on(rat"lations. 1o".ve s"rvived yo"r $irst ni(ht., He so"nded (en"inely pro"d o$ her. +1eah# I did., !hen it dawned on her. +4o yo" have wheels9, A nod. +-e k asked me to drop yo" at home. Said he.d 'e too tired this mornin( to do it., Tired* 0o way. 2e,ll #e hung over. You can #et on that. In a $ew short min"tes she was headed toward her apartment in a ar with a St. *hristopher.s medal han(in( $rom the rearview mirror and a stat"e o$ St. /"de on the dash. A$ter she (ave him dire tions# he went 8"iet. She was (ettin( a "stomed to her es ort.s len(thy silen es# so it didn.t tro"'le her. It was only when he p"lled into a parkin( lot near the $ront o$ the apartment '"ildin( that he spoke "p. +Looks like an old hotel., +It was. !hey onverted it to apartments a $ew years 'a k. It.s nothin( $an y., +At least it.s a home#, he said. +I$ yo" need help toni(ht# all -e k., !hat so"nded like he was happy to 'e rid o$ her. +!ired o$ me already9, she asked# h"rt. +5h# no# I.m sorry#, he said# em'arrassed. +!hat ame o"t wron(. I have to trap with Master Harper toni(ht# so -e k said he.d 'e a'le to help yo"., .ackwoods .oy* 0o way. +I.ll 'e okay on my own. !hanks $or showin( me what to do., She p"lled hersel$ o"t o$ the ar. It took a lot o$ e$$ort. Sleepin( on the (ro"nd was $or little kids. Simon rolled down the window. +/"st don.t listen to the ne ros. !hey.re as 'ad as the demons., She p"t her hand on his arm. +!hanks $or everythin(. I mean it., +0o pro'lem.,

Ri(ht 'e$ore he t"rned onto the street# he (ave a wave. She ret"rned it. +hat a cool guy. Riley $or ed hersel$ a ross the parkin( lot and "p the stairs. She o"ld still remem'er when they.d moved into the apartment. It.d 'een a 'la<in( hot Atlanta day. A$ter they.d $inished# they.d (one $or i e ream. Her dad had 'o"(ht her a s"ndae and la"(hed when some o$ it had ended "p on her nose. -y the time Riley rea hed her $loor# her hand was shakin(# makin( the keys rattle. &or one last time she o"ld 'elieve that everythin( was alri(ht. Her dad wo"ld 'e sittin( on the o" h# or(ani<in( his paperwork# a "p o$ o$$ee in his hand. He.d look "p and smile at her when she ame in. He.d make room on the o" h and ask how her day went. He always did that. Always made time $or her. Always loved her. !he door sw"n( open on r"sty hin(es. !he o" h was empty. She o"ld hear the so$tplink, plink o$ water drippin( into the oatmeal pan $rom yesterday.s 'reak$ast# the $aint h"m o$ the re$ri(erator. A $l"$$ o$ Ma2 $"r sat "nderneath the kit hen ta'le. !he li(ht on the phone answerin( ma hine was 'linkin( $ranti ally. Pro'a'ly ne roman ers too la<y to make the trek to the (raveyard. Her dad had said he was l" ky that he had her to ome home to# how some $olks had no one. )ike me. Riley sw"n( the door losed and methodi ally en(a(ed all the lo ks# sh"ttin( o"t the world that had made her an orphan. +It.s not $air%, she hissed# slammin( her $ist into the wood. +Why 'oth o$ them9 1o" took Mom. Wasn.t that eno"(h9, 0o answer. 0o osmi +Sorry a'o"t that., /"st emptiness. !he tears ame a(ain and she let them $all. When she.d ried hersel$ o"t and 'lown her nose# Riley took a marker and $o"nd the date o$ the $"ll moon on the alendar. She ir led it and marked it with a 'i(%. !hat wo"ld 'e the day her dad was tr"ly $ree. - won,t let them get you. - swear it. !WELDE -e k peeled open his eyes and did a slow s an o$ the terrain. !he parkin( lot was deserted# "nless yo" o"nted a pair o$ r"sty shoppin( arts and a pile o$ old tires. H"iet# open spa e. !hat was the way he liked it. 0ot that a trapper o"ld park anywhere else sin e the pair o$ demons in the tr" k 'ed limited his hoi es. Mornin( wasn.t his $avorite time# espe ially when -e k.s head $elt like it was 'ein( torn apart 'y ra'id weasels. Ener(y drinks and 'oo<e were a to2i om'ination# at least $or him. 5n e he.d so'ered "p eno"(h to trap he.d (one a$ter the $irst !hree he o"ld $ind. It hadn.t 'een hard# as the thin( was sn"$$lin( aro"nd the d"mpster 'ehind a '"t her shop. !oo '"sy s orin( ast)o$$ 'its o$ $at and ran id 'ee$ to reali<e it had a trapper losin( in# the thin( was 'a((ed 'y -e k witho"t a hit h. -"t it wo"ldn.t s8"eal on the &ive that had killed Pa"l. Pissed# -e k kept h"ntin( "ntil he $o"nd another !hree. Same deallots o$ swearin(# lots o$ threats to tear him apart# '"t no in$ormation. +Honor amon( demons#, he (r"m'led. +!hat.s so wron(., At least the !hrees didn.t o$$er 'oons $or their $reedom. !hat wo"ld have 'een hard to pass "p i$ the 'oon was how to $ind Pa"l.s killer. 3roanin( at his th"mpin( head he $lipped the radio o$$# po"red three more aspirin into his palm# and ("lped them down with some water. !he previo"s dose hadn.t done a thin( and he $i("red these wo"ldn.t either. &leep. !hat.s what he needed# '"t that was (oin( to 'e to"(h with all the a$$eine sk"lkin( in his 'ody. I$ he was l" ky he.d $lame o"t sometime this a$ternoon. I$ not# it o"ld easily 'e tomorrow. His phone ran( and he d"( it o"t o$ his :a ket po ket. +-e k.,

+Simon. She.s home sa$e., He si(hed in relie$. +!hanks# man# I owe ya., +I didn.t mind it a 'it., -e k $lipped the phone losed and $rowned. +-et ya didn.t., He wasn.t 8"ite s"re what he tho"(ht o$ Simon Adler. /"st 'e a"se he was reli(io"s didn.t mean he mi(ht not hit on Riley. Any ("y wo"ld. She was real pretty. 0o i(norin( that $a t. +I$ thin(s were di$$erent# I mi(ht have asked her o"t mysel$., .ut not now. -e k settled 'a k a(ainst the seat and losed his eyes# i$ nothin( more than to keep the in reasin( s"nli(ht o"t o$ them. In the distan e he heard a (ar'a(e tr" k pi k "p one o$ those 'i( d"mpsters and 'an( the hell o"t it. A$ter a lon( yawn# he did the perimeter s an a(ain. !his time the lot wasn.t empty. +4"des at ten o. lo k#, he said# shi$tin( his position. He moved his steel pipe loser to him on the seat and then did the same with his SI3 Qmm. !he pipe was the $irst resort# the ("n the very last. He was in a part o$ town where people ame in two kindspredator and prey. He knew where he stood# '"t some o$ the lo als mi(ht not have (otten the memo. Like the three (an('an(ers who were sa"nterin( toward the tr" k. +=r'an yo"th#, as Pa"l alled them. !hey o"ld 'e poster kids $or m"ltiethni Atlantaone white# one 'la k# and one 'rown. All stupid. He o"ld ("ess that m" h $rom their swa((ers. !hey were wearin( the latest $ashion# their :eans p"lled down over their hi(h)tops with lon( red la es woven "p the le( and tied 'elow the knee. !he olor o$ the la es was s"pposed to tell yo" what (an( they 'elon(ed to. -e k didn.t are. !hey were all losers to him. !hey started la"(hin( amon( themselves and pointin( in his dire tion. Pro'a'ly $i("red he was a dr"nk# snoo<in( o$$ the '"<<. !hey o"ld s ore some ash# a tr" k# and (ive him a (ood ass ki kin( :"st $or $"n. +3ot no sense#, he said# shakin( his head. When they were within twenty $eet# he hopped o"t o$ the tr" k# leavin( the steel pipe on the seat :"st 'ehind him. I$ he was l" ky he wo"ldn.t have to (o all medieval on these ("ys. +Mornin.%, he alled. 5ne o$ them $lipped him o$$. -e k.s $in(ers "rved aro"nd the pipe. He ad:"sted his (rip# keepin( it hidden 'ehind the door. +0ow that.s not polite. 4idn.t yer momma tea h ya manners9, +What yo" doin. here# asshole9, the kid demanded. He p"lled a kni$e and the others $ollowed his lead. +Waitin. $or 'reak$ast. 1a (ot some9, !he kid sneered. +We ain.t no $" kin. M 4onald.s., !hey 'e(an to $an o"t# (ettin( into position# wat hin( $or a han e to :"mp him. +-reak$ast isn.t $or me# d"m'ass. It.s $or them., -e k hammered on the side o$ the tr" k with his $ist. +*how time# ("ys%, !he demons er"pted into snarls as they thrashed aro"nd in their steel 'a(s. !he noise was impressive in the still mornin( air. 5ne reared "p :"st hi(h eno"(h $or the losers to see him# laws and all. +5h# shit# man# those are, +4emons#, -e k said. +And 'oy# are they h"n(ry. *an y.all step a little loser# make it ni e .n. easy $or .em9, he asked# all serio"s. !he trio took o$$ in a pani ked retreat. 5ne $ell# rolled# and was 'a k "p on his $eet witho"t takin( a 'reath. I$ it had 'een an 5lympi event# -e k wo"ld have (iven him a Q.J or a Q.Q# '"t the kid lost points $or droppin( his weapon. He peered down at the demons. +Sorry# ("ys. Looks like yer 'reak$ast made a r"n $or it., More snarlin(. !he $iends were "rsin( a(ain.

-e k strolled "p to where the swit h'lade rested on the on rete. He pi ked it "p. +Sweeeet#, he said# (rinnin(. +And it.s all mine., CCC lose to nine in the mornin( -e k wearily lim'ed the stairs to &ireman /a k.s o$$i e in the old $ire station. !he demon tra$$i ker was 'ehind his desk# a steamin( m"( o$ o$$ee in $ront o$ him. His 'ar'er)pole s"spenders made a ni e ontrast to the 'la k hamois shirt and 'l"e :eans. A thi k sta k o$ papers sat in $ront him. When he wasn.t '"yin( demons# he wore his lawyer hat and handled the 3"ild.s le(al work. +-e k%, he alled o"t. +How yo" doin(9, +/a k., He sl"mped in the losest hair and r"''ed his eyes in e2ha"stion. +1o" look like rap#, his host o'served. +&eel like it. -een "p too lon(# I think., +*o$$ee9, +3od# no more a$$eine., He leaned 'a k in the hair and it reaked in protest. /a k rea hed into the mini $rid(e near his desk# then o$$ered -e k a old 'ottle o$ water. +!hanks. May'e that.ll help., -e k drained hal$ o$ it witho"t pa"sin( $or 'reath. +What have yo" (ot $or me this $ine mornin(9, +!wo 3astros., +!wo9 1o".ve 'een a '"sy 'oy#, /a k said# smilin(. +Who are yo" trappin( with now9, +0o one., +1o" took those down on yo"r own9, /a k asked# s"rprised. +1eah. I know# it wasn.t smart. 4on.t wanna split the money with another trapper. =ntil Pa"l.s li$e ins"ran e omes in# his kid.s (onna need ash to live on., /a k rose# opened his sa$e# and o"nted o"t the money. He pla ed it in $ront o$ -e k# who stashed it away in his :eans po ket. A$ter si(nin( the paperwork# he p"shed it a ross to /a k to $inali<e the deal. +Who.ll 'e her new master9, /a k asked# settlin( 'a k into his hair. +I.m hopin. it.s Stewart#, -e k said# t" kin( away his opy o$ the paperwork. +He.d 'e (ood $or her. He doesn.t yell at everythin. that moves# not like Harper., +I.d love to $ind o"t what idiot p"t a '"rr "p Harper.s ass all those years a(o. I.d personally $eed the $ool to the $irst demon I saw., +1a.d have to stand in line#, -e k said. +How.s Riley doin(9, -e k shook his head. +Lost. 1a an see it in her eyes. She.s tryin. to 'e to"(h# '"t it.s killin. her., +*an.t ima(ine what it.s like losin( 'oth yo"r parents., +S" ks# that.s what it.s like., -e$ore /a k o"ld reply# -e k.s phone er"pted in m"si . He $lipped it open witho"t lookin( at the *aller I4. +1eah9, +5h# my 3od# they.re (oin( to di( him "p%, +H"h9 Riley9, he asked. +What.s wron(9, +5ne o$ the de't ("ys was here and he said they.re (oin( to take 4ad and sell him., It took a moment $or -e k to reali<e what she was sayin(. +What de't ("y9, +!he one $or Mom.s medi al 'ills. *onsolidated 4e't *olle tors. He was really mean., -e k.s an(er i(nited. !he kid had :"st '"ried her only s"rvivin( parent# and some parasite was harassin( her a'o"t money. +4id ya si(n anythin.9, he demanded. +5$ o"rse not%, she retorted. +I.m not st"pid.,

+5kay# alm down. I.ll ask /a k what we sho"ld do., +&ireman /a k9, +1eah# he.s the 3"ild.s lawyer. /"st hold on., He m"ted the phone and laid o"t the sit"ation. /a k listened witho"t interr"ption# pen ilin( notes on a le(al pad# his 'row $"rrowed. 5n e -e k was $inished he leaned $orward and tented his $in(ers. +&irst thin(# she.s a minor# so she.s not responsi'le $or any o$ her parents. de'ts. 4on.t let them ("ilt her into payin( a ent., +!hat.s (ood# '"t what a'o"t di((in. him "p9 *an they do that9, -e k pressed. +I$ Pa"l.s loan a(reement had that option# they an. !hey :"st need to present the proper paperwork to the emetery and he.s theirs., -e k shook his head. +I an.t ima(ine he.d (o $or somethin. like that., +Pro'a'ly $i("red he was (oin( to 'e in too many pie es $or a ne roman er to mess with. =n$ort"nately# that.s not the ase., +So what do we do9, -e k asked. +I.ll re8"est a opy o$ the ontra t $rom the de't ompany and see i$ they le$t "s any wi((le room. I$ not# Pa"l o"ld 'e o"t o$ the (ro"nd in short order and his da"(hter won.t see a penny o$ that money., +!hat.s the 'est ya an do9, He (ot a "rt nod in response. +0o wonder every'ody hates lawyers., +!ell me a'o"t it., -e k relayed the news to Riley. He o"ld ima(ine her pa in( aro"nd the dinky apartment# s ared she.d lose her dad. A(ain. +Sorry# I kinda $reaked#, she admitted. +I :"st (ot to sleep and he s ared me., -e k knew how m" h it took her to admit that# at least to him. That #astard,s lucky - wasn,t there. +4on.t worry# yer daddy stays in the (ro"nd no matter what., -rave words that he mi(ht not 'e a'le to 'a k "p# '"t she needed some hope ri(ht now. He heard a weak +!hanks, and then she h"n( "p. +/"st keeps (ettin. worse#, he (r"m'led# and dropped his phone into a po ket. +I$ they have the le(al ri(ht to reanimate him# what are yo" (oin( to do9, /a k asked. +!oo (od)aw$"l to think a'o"t., !heir eyes met. +I$ yo" really want to keep Pa"l $rom 'ein( sold# it may ome to that. !hey won.t to" h him i$ he.s not whole., -e k swallowed# his stoma h e2e "tin( a warnin( l"r h. +/"st do what ya an. Send me the 'ill. I don.t are what it osts., +It.s 3"ild '"siness# so I.ll 'ill them., -e k heaved a lon( si(h o$ relie$. +!hanks., +Let.s (et those demons "nloaded. !hen yo" (o (et some sleep. I do not want to attend another $riend.s $"neral anytime soon# yo" (ot that9, +1eah# I hear ya., !HIR!EE0 Peter.s voi e rose in indi(nation. +1o".re# like# kiddin( me# ri(ht9 !hey want tosell yo"r $ather.s orpse9, +1eah# that.s the plan#, Riley said# radlin( her phone a(ainst her sho"lder as she waited $or her omp"ter to 'oot "p. +!he ("y said 4ad was a $"n( ? a somethin( asset., +&"n(i'le#, Peter orre ted. +It means inter han(ea'le. In this ase he.ll a t as payment a(ainst the money yo" owe them., +Whatever. -e k talked to the 3"ild.s lawyer. He.s (oin( to try to stop them.,

+3od# Riley# that s" ks., +Wel ome to my new li$e. 5ne lon( moment o$ s" ka(e., !here was an awkward pa"se. +What.s it like now9, Riley tho"(ht a moment 'e$ore answerin(. +!oo 8"iet. I always knew 4ad wo"ld 'e home every mornin(# so the 8"iet didn.t 'other me. 0ow it.s ? $orever., +0ot $orever#, Peter said. +May'e yo" o"ld (et a roommate or somethin(., +How many people want to live with someone who stores demons in their kit hen "p'oard9, +3ood point., More silen e. +So what are yo" workin( on9, he asked# so"ndin( ea(er to han(e the s"':e t. +My omp"ter is (ettin( weird a(ain# so I tho"(ht I 'etter do a 'a k"p., +Weird how9, +It lo ks "p all the time and I lose st"$$., +1eah# de$inite 'a k"p time. I.ll see i$ I an (et over there this weekend and work on it $or yo"., You,ll come here* Peter had never 'een to the apartment.+hat would he think o! it* +Will the warden let yo" loose9, she asked. A tort"red si(h ame thro"(h the phone. +I don.t know. She.s :"st not that into yo"# Riley., +I noti ed. Why doesn.t yo"r mom like me9, +-e a"se I do., Riley 'linked a o"ple o$ times. +Wow# that.s radi al., +/"st the tr"th. All o$ "s are on short leashes a$ter what happened to Matt., Peter.s oldest 'rotherthe one who.d mi2ed a $atal om'o o$ al ohol and a"tomo'ile. His (irl$riend had s"pplied the 'rew and walked away $rom the rash with a $ew "ts. Pete.s mom never $or(ave her. +-"t we.re :"st $riends# not like Matt and Sarah., +She doesn.t see the di$$eren e. In her mind any (irl is a threat to her sons. It.s how she opes., +Sorry# Peter. !hat has to 'e 'r"tal., +It is. -"t don.t worry# I.ll $ind a way to (et over to see yo"., +*ool.,&omething to look !orward to. May'e she.d make pi<<a. Riley spied the yellow omp"ter disk near the key'oard. Apparently her dad had dropped it o$$ 'e$ore he went trappin(..e!ore he 3 She shoved that tho"(ht away# p"shin( it 'ehind that opa8"e "rtain. It was that or she.d 'e 'l"''in( tears onto the key'oard. She p"shed the disk into the slot# and its ontents appeared on her monitor. !here was only one $ile# and it was la'eled +Resear h., +Password9 What.s this9, she m"m'led. +Riley9, Peter asked. +!alk to me. What.s (oin( on9, +!his is weird. 4ad never lo ked any o$ his $iles. I mean# who wo"ld want to read a'o"t the -attle o$ Shiloh9, +So what.s his password9, Peter prompted. Riley tried a o"pleher name# her mom.s. 0othin( happened. +0o l"e. 4amn# now he.s (ot me wonderin( what.s on this thin(., +-rin( it to s hool. I.ll ha k it $or yo". I.ll need yo"r 'irthdates# ommon st"$$ like that. People "se those rather than somethin( harder., +Will do., She popped o"t the yellow disk# d"( in a shoe'o2 ne2t to the omp"ter# and inserted a 'l"e one. !hat one wasn.t password lo ked. !he omp"ter whirled and the 'a k"p ommen ed. Riley noted the time on the monitor. +3otta (o. It.s (oin( to take a while to pa k $or the emetery. I needmuch warmer lothes., !oni(ht there wo"ld 'e no 0i e *atholi -oy to sn"((le "p ne2t to.%rat. +Wat h o"t $or the 'i(# 'ad ne roman ers#, Peter said# :okin(ly. +I will.,-,ll ignore them and they,ll all go away.

CCC Rather than drive the ar "p to the ma"sole"m# Riley parked in the lot and pro eeded to load hersel$ "p like a '"rro. As she hiked her 'reath p"$$ed o"t in the hilly air. !he e2er ise $elt (ood# '"t it reminded her that she was still sore $rom playin( ta( with li'rary demons. !he emetery ("y $rom this mornin( was (one# repla ed 'y a woman sittin( in a haise lon("e. She was wearin( a heavy 'la k dress that ame to her ankles and pair o$ orthopedi shoes with really thi k soles. 5n top was a thi k 'la k oat. Her 'ri(ht silver hair pe((ed her at a'o"t seventy# may'e older. +Hello%, the vol"nteer alled o"t 'ri(htly. +hat is it with these people* %o they, like, give them happy pills or something* +I.m Martha# 'y the way#, the woman e2plained. -e$ore Riley o"ld reply# the lady rattled on. +It mi(ht rain. 4id yo" 'rin( an "m'rella9, Riley waved at the pile at her side. +It.s in there somewhere# I think., +3ood. 1o" sho"ld (et some plasti tarps. !hey work (reat $or keepin( yo" dry# and yo" won.t have to sit on the wet (ro"nd., +!hanks#, Riley said# meanin( it. !he old woman.s eyes twinkled. +1o" learn a $ew tri ks over the years. I$ the weather really (ets 'ad# :"st make the ir le 'i((er and sit vi(il inside the ma"sole"m., Riley made a note o$ that one. +4o yo" really en:oy doin( this9, +1es# I do% I.m in the $resh air and I help people#, Martha replied. +I love this old emetery. 0o 'etter pla e in this world., Riley de ided not to ar("e that point. Martha drew hersel$ "p. +I$ yo" mean no harm# then pass within., Riley a"tio"sly li$ted her (ear over the andles and walked inside. +1o" need help settin( "p the new ir le9, the vol"nteer asked. Riley almost said yes '"t han(ed her mind. She.d have to do this on her own event"ally. +I.ll 'e okay., +!hen have a sa$e ni(ht# dear., !he woman mar hed "p the path like she was hal$ her a(e# with a $olded hair in one hand and a paisley knittin( 'a( in the other. +5kay#, Riley m"ttered. 0ow it was "p to her. +!his is doa'le#, she said# altho"(h it $elt like there were a swarm o$ monar h '"tter$lies in her stoma h tryin( to mi(rate in all dire tions at on e. +How hard an it 'e9 I lay o"t the ir le# do the invo ation# and I.m (ood., It so"nded too easy. Riley d"( thro"(h the anvas 'a( marked +Di(il S"pplies., +How many andles do I need9, She did a 8"i k o"nt o$ the ones "rrently in pla e and added a $ew more :"st in ase. A$ter a nervo"s (lan e at the 'ooklet she 'e(an the rit"al. Holy Water in one dire tion# then the other. She are$"lly set a new line o$ andles on top o$ the moistened (ro"nd# :"st inside the e2istin( ir le# tryin( hard to keep the e2a t distan e 'etween them. *arryin( the pamphlet and the $irepla e li(hter she.d 'orrowed $rom Mrs. Litinsky# she 'e(an i(nitin( the andles while sayin( the Lord.s Prayer in En(lish. She added# +Keep "s sa$e# please#, and waited. All the andles went o"t at on e# in l"din( the ones in the old ir le. +5mi(od% 0o# don.t do that%, Her dad was totally "nprote ted. Riley pani ked. It was too lose to s"nset $or mistakes. -,ll call &imon. 0o, he,s trapping. .eck* 0o way -,m calling him. 2e,ll think - can,t do anything on my own. She took two deep 'reaths to steady hersel$ and opened the 'ook.

+5h# :ee<%, Serio"s Simon hadn.t told her one vital 'it o$ in$ormation. I$ there was only one person settin( the ir le yo" lit the andles $irst then did the invo ation and the intention. &rom what she o"ld tell# the invo ation wasn.t mandatory# '"t ens"rin( that the ir le knew whom to repel was the most important part. She relit the andles and then pa"sed. !he Lord.s Prayer was okay# '"t it didn.t $eel ri(ht $or her. -"t what to "se9 She heard a ar door slam and :"mped. May'e now was not the time to 'e pi ky. +Ah# 3od# sorry to 'other yo"# '"t this is Riley ? -la kthorne. *o"ld yo" keep my dad sa$e inside this ir le9 I mean# don.t let the ne roman ers take him away. I.d really appre iate it i$ yo" o"ld., !he andles didn.t $lare like they were s"pposed to. May'e she hadn.t 'een spe i$i eno"(h. 5r p"t eno"(h $or e o$ will 'ehind the words. !akin( a deep 'reath# she alled o"t# +I$ someone wants to harm "s# do not let them inside this ir le%, !he andles $lamed hi(h in a deep whooshin( so"nd# then died down# makin( her ears snap $rom the press"re. +*ool., It was only then she reali<ed she was sweatin( despite the hilly ni(ht air. Riley (i((led nervo"sly. +See# 4ad9 I did it on my own. 1ay me%, !he sel$)satis$ied (low was still '"''lin( aro"nd inside her when Mortimer appeared. He politely tipped his hat and 'e(an his sales spiel in the same monotone he.d "sed the ni(ht 'e$ore. Riley listened# takin( time to st"dy him. He was pro'a'ly in his mid)thirties and the kind o$ ("y who still lived at home with his widowed mom and olle ted stamps $or $"n. When he.d $inished his spiel# she shook her head. Mortimer took the re:e tion (ra io"sly. +Well# thank yo" $or yo"r time#, he said# pla in( his '"siness ard in $ront o$ the ir le like the ni(ht 'e$ore. +So do yo" work $or de't olle tors9, she asked# her eyes narrowin(. +0o#, he said# shakin( his head in dis("st. +I won.t reanimate $or anyone '"t the de eased.s $amily., A ne ro with ons ien e. 0ow that was re$reshin(. +I think I.m startin( to like yo"# Mortimer#, she said. He looked em'arrassed. +-e are$"l# will yo"9 4on.t tr"st any o$ "s., +0ot even yo"9, +I have s r"ples#, he replied pro"dly. +As I see it# I am treadin( $ar eno"(h o$$ the path 'y s"mmonin( the dead., +!hen why do yo" ? s"mmon the dead9, +It.s pretty m" h the only thin( I.m (ood at., Another tip o$ the hat and he le$t her alone inside the rin( o$ andles. +I$ all the s"mmoners were like yo" this wo"ld 'e easy., Riley knew 'etter. !his was the se ond time Mortimer had warned her a'o"t the others. May'e it wasn.t so smart 'ein( o"t here on her own. &5=R!EE0 A sharp# sparkin( noise a"sed Riley to sit 'olt "pri(ht in the sleepin( 'a(# her heart hammerin(. &or a se ond she tho"(ht it.d 'een a dream# '"t the andles told her otherwise. !he $lames were hi(her now# some twenty $eet o$$ the (ro"nd# like a $or e $ield that had repelled somethin( nasty. Slowly the li(ht dimmed to its "s"al level. 1ro#a#ly a lea!. -"t there was no wind. Riley d"( $or her ell phone# then shook her head. Even i$ she alled someone it wo"ld take too lon( $or them to (et here. !his was her vi(il and she had to 'rave it o"t. As her eyes ad:"sted to the darkness she saw the $i("re. It was :"st o"tside the ir le# lad in a lon(

'la k loak like yo".d e2pe t a wi<ard to wear. 2e,s 'ust trying to scare me. +*ool loak#, she said# p"mpin( on$iden e into her voi e tho"(h there was none. +Is there like a 0e roman ers@R.=s shop or somethin(9, A weird la"(h ame $rom 'ehind the hood. It reminded her o$ one o$ those wraiths inThe )ord o! the (ings. She o"ldn.t see the $i("re.s $a e# '"t the i e that ran down her spine told her this one wasn.t anythin( like Mortimer. +Pa"l -la kthorne.s da"(hter#, the voi e said. +-reak the ir le. 4o it now., +0o., +-reak the ir le#, he repeated# this time with more intensity. Her mind 'e(an to whisper that she sho"ld do it. What wo"ld 'e the harm9 A$ter all# her dad was dead. He wo"ldn.t are. She wo"ld 'e a'le to sleep in her own 'ed every ni(ht. 0o one wo"ld $a"lt her $or wantin( that. +!hat.s ri(ht#, the dry voi e soothed. +1o" keep the money $or yo"rsel$., +How m" h9, she asked 'e$ore she o"ld stop hersel$. +&ive tho"sand dollars. !hat will 'e a om$ort to yo"# wo"ldn.t it9, 7ive 3 thousand. !hat was a lot o$ ash. She o"ld live on that $or a lon( time. +1o"r $ather wo"ld want this. 4rop the ir le and everythin( will 'e (ood a(ain. 1o" know yo" want to., Witho"t reali<in( what she was doin(# she opened the lo ket her $ather had (iven her. Inside was a pi t"re o$ her mom and dad in Lin oln Park. It was s"mmer# and sittin( 'etween them was Riley# still a 'a'y. !heir lovin( $a es leared her mind instantly. +0ot happenin(#, she said. +-a k o$$., +1o" will 'reak the ir le#, the ne roman er ommanded. +1o".re wastin( yo"r time. 4ad stays p"t., She snapped the lo ket losed# l"t hin( it ti(htly in the hope her parents. memories were stron(er than the s"mmoner.s pers"asive ma(i . +1o" are not listenin( to me#, the voi e said# deeper now. +!hat.s a mistake., +0ot my $irst., -! that circle doesn,t hold, he,s going to toast me. !he $i("re o ked its head# like he was wei(hin( a n"m'er o$ e2tremely "npleasant options. +Perhaps 'lood ma(i will do the tri k., He rea hed inside his loak and p"lled o"t somethin( small. Somethin( that hissed and wri((led. It was a kitten# all "te and ream olored with 'la k splot hes. +3et real. I.m not into 'ri'es#, she replied. +/"st (o away so I an (et some sleep., !here was a (lint o$ a 'lade# tho"(h there was no moon. It seemed to (enerate it own li(ht. It wasn.t like one o$ those yo" $ind in a kit hen drawer. !his was a rit"al kni$e# the kind in horror movies. !he kind o$ 'lade "sed $or serio"s ma(i . 2e wouldn,t.3 !he ne roman er poised the 'lade an in h $rom the kitten.s ne k. Riley leapt to her $eet. +What the hell are yo" doin(9, +-reak the ir le or I "t its little throat. 1o"r hoi e. 1o"r $ather is too val"a'le to leave in the (ro"nd# hild., +1o" an.t do that%, +5$ o"rse I an., !he kitten ried piteo"sly# twistin( in vain to sink a law in its aptor.s hand. %ad !or a cat* He didn.t even like them that m" h. She o"ldn.t let him h"rt it. *o"ld she9 I$ he killed the poor reat"re# what wo"ld he do ne2t9 Kill her9

When Riley didn.t move# the kni$e shi$ted loser. +Last han e. -reak the ir le or it dies. 1o" wo"ldn.t want its 'lood on yo"r hands# wo"ld yo"9, +1o" 'astard%, she sho"ted. He responded with that reepy la"(h# like it was a ompliment. Riley.s toe s raped a ross the (ro"nd# then stopped the moment 'e$ore it rea hed the ir le. She looked over her sho"lder at her $ather.s (rave and then 'a k a(ain. *len hin( her $ists# she teetered on the ed(e. !he kitten looked "p at her# helpless. 5nly she o"ld save it. !here was a $lash o$ (reen $ire in its eyes. +0o., !hen she :ammed her own eyes losed# $eelin( like a monster. !here was a hissin( snarl $ollowed 'y a shrill s ree h o$ pain. +Heartless 'it h#, the ne ro alled o"t. It so"nded like praise. +I.m impressed., Riley pried open her eyes in time to see him toss the kitten on the (ro"nd in $ront o$ the ir le. It was still alive. She heaved a thi k si(h o$ relie$. +1o"r dad.s orpse is mine# hild. It.s only a matter o$ time., With a swirl o$ the loak worthy o$ any movie villain# he strode away. Partway "p the path he disappeared into a whirl o$ dried leaves. /h, now that,s 'ust creepy. !he kitten trem'led at the ed(e o$ the ir le and 'e(an to keen. +Ah# yo" poor thin(#, she said# steppin( loser. May'e she.d 'een wron( a'o"t its eyes. A tri k o$ the li(ht# not that there was m" h toni(ht. +It.s okay. He.s (one. He an.t h"rt yo" anymore., All it needed was "ddlin(. She o"ld do that at least. It.d 'e ni e to have the ompany so she wo"ldn.t $eel so alone. Simon.s voi e $illed her mind.They,ll do anything to get to your !ather. Somethin( $elt wron(. !he kitten sho"ld have taken o$$ the moment it was dropped# $o"nd somewhere to hide. Instead it was o"tside the ir le# like it was waitin(. +aiting !or me. !hose eyes a(ain. 0ow they were $iery 'l"e# (lowin( in the ni(ht. Riley took slow steps 'a kward. +I don.t think so., !he 'east hissed at a vol"me ten times its si<e and shot a law at the nearest andle. !he ir le responded instantly# leapin( do<ens o$ $eet into the air# (lowin( 'rilliant white. !he kitten yelped and disappeared in a reso"ndin( snap o$ ener(y. !he wind (rew# slin(in( 'ran hes and leaves a(ainst the 'arrier. !hen it (rew deathly still. !he andles ret"rned to the "s"al hei(ht. +0i e try# :erk%, she sho"ted# retreatin( to her sleepin( 'a(. !he shakes a"(ht "p with her almost immediately# and she h"((ed hersel$ to try to stop them. !hat hadn.t 'een some $o"l)mo"thed d"de tryin( to talk her into some st"pid deal $or her dad.s orpse. !hat had 'een dark ma(i . And - almost !ell !or it. CCC .y !our in the mornin( she.d had the same n"m'er o$ visitations as S roo(e on *hristmas Eve# i$ yo" o"nted -e k in the total. He moved slowly# deli'erately# like he.d e2 eeded tired and moved ri(ht on to totally wiped. As "s"al# he was totin( his d"$$el 'a(. 1ro#a#ly sleeps with the thing. Wary o$ ne ro (ames she wat hed him approa h# $earin( this was yet another tri k. +Riley#, he said. When she didn.t answer# he added# +How 'ad has it 'een9, +/"st $a'"lo"s. !he demoni kitten really made my ni(ht., He didn.t a t s"rprised. She intoned the invitation and he mar hed thro"(h the ir le witho"t e$$ort. His timin( was e2 ellent. A pee 'reak was serio"sly needed. +I.ll 'e 'a k#, she said# headin( toward the andles. +1a (ot somethin( with ya9 A weapon9, +0o. /"st (oin( to the 'athroom.,

He d"( into his d"$$el 'a( and handed her the steel pipe. +!ake this., Riley rolled her eyes '"t took it nonetheless. As she h"rried o$$ into the darkness# she heard him $lop down on the sleepin( 'a( and yawn. 0ow he.d spooked her a'o"t takin( a pee. Thanks a lot !or that. *li kin( on the li(ht in the 'athroom# she he ked 'oth stalls 'e$ore $indin( relie$. When she stepped o"tside# a moth streaked 'y her $a e a"sin( her to e2e "te a s8"eak o$ pani . !hen she $elt d"m'. L" kily -e k o"ldn.t see her or she.d never hear the end o$ it. -e k wasn.t alone now. A heavyset man stood a respe t$"l distan e $rom the ir le. He was dressed rather $lashy $or a (raveyard'l"e s"it# pink shirt# and a (litterin( phalan2 o$ rin(s. More like a pimp than a ne ro. Riley s ooted to the other side o$ the ir le and waited "ntil -e k invited her in. !he moment she rossed the line o$ andles she $elt it $lash 'ehind her# shovin( her inside. +Lenny#, -e k s olded. Apparently the ne ro had tried to ross over the ir le at the same time# '"t had $ailed the +no harm, test. !he ne ro shr"((ed. +Had to try., +1eah# ri(ht., -e k retrieved his pipe and dropped it near his pa k. +1o" two know ea h other9, she asked# s"rprised. +S"re#, -e k responded# like she was 'ein( silly. +We play pool to(ether at the Arma(eddon Lo"n(e. Lenny.s pretty (ood., !he ne roman er 'eamed. +!hanks. !hat.s a ompliment omin( $rom yo"., He t"rned toward her# polishin( the (litterin( rin(s on his ri(ht hand a(ainst a oat sleeve. +I was e2plainin( to -e k that yo"r $ather needs to earn his keep. -est way to do that is a'ove(ro"nd. So how a'o"t it9, +0ope., +Pity. A $ew more ni(hts in the old and yo".ll see thin(s in a di$$erent li(ht., He looked over at her ompanion. +Later# ("y., +See ya# Lenny., Riley settled on the sleepin( 'a( as $ar away $rom -e k as she o"ld. He may have 'een her dad.s $avorite trappin( partner# '"t somethin( a'o"t him made her "n om$orta'le. 0ot reepy "n om$orta'le# like he.d :"mp her or anythin(. More like she never knew where his mind was at any (iven moment. +1o" han( with ne ros9, she asked. +!hey.re like ? pond s "m., +Some $olks think the same o$ trappers., He lowered himsel$ onto the 'lanket. +So what happened toni(ht9, She i(nored him# di((in( o"t a 'ottle o$ water and takin( a lon( swi(. +*ome on# I.m not the enemy. I know ya have a pro'lem with me# '"t I owe it to yer daddy to look a$ter ya., +4on.t need yo" helpin( me#, she shot 'a k. +I.m $ine., +Ri(ht# kid#, he said. She (lared at him. +Why do yo" always all me that9, +What9, +Kid. I.m not twelve., +I know. It.s :"st easier#, he m"m'led. +H"h9, !hat didn.t make m" h sense. A $rown $litted a ross his $a e. +1a remem'er when I $irst (ot 'a k $rom over there# how (oo$y ya (ot9, Goo!y* Riley.s temper stirred. +I wasn.t like that., +Well# ya had yer eyes on me# that.s $or s"re., She (ave him stony silen e# 'e a"se he was ri(ht. His time in the Army had le$t him tanned# m"s led# and way "ter than when he.d le$t. A total h"nk# and she.d $allen hard.

Then you shot me down like - was nothing. +So why the kid thin(9, she asked# still savorin( the an(er. He (lowered at her. +1a know I o"ldn.t (o there# not with yer daddy and me workin. to(ether and ya only 'ein. $i$teen and lookin. so $ine and?, He $aded o"t# his eyes riveted on the (ro"nd. Riley hid the (rin. She.d mana(ed to p"sh one o$ his '"ttons# or that e2planation wo"ldn.t have 'een so lon(. +5kay# I (ot it#, she said. I$ he a ted like she was a kid he didn.t have to work thro"(h all the emotional st"$$# whi h s"ited her :"st $ine. !he idea he tho"(ht she was!ine wasn.t somethin( she o"ld handle ri(ht now. +/"st don.t all me kid anymore# okay9, +5r9, he hallen(ed# 'a k in ontrol in a heart'eat. +I.ll (o allgoo!y on yo" a(ain# whatever that means., -e k seemed to wei(h the option and then m"ttered# +4eal., He d"( a 'ottle o"t o$ his d"$$el 'a(. !he la'el said /ohnnie Walker. A$ter a lon( swi(# he sma ked his lips. +What.re yo" doin(9, she demanded. +1o" keep it "p and yo".ll 'e a dr"nk like yo"r mom., He snarled at her and her 'lood ran old. !he $lames were taller now# may'e a $oot o$$ the (ro"nd# re(isterin( his an(er. Was that even possi'le9 S"ddenly it didn.t seem so sa$e with himinside. +1a leave that ?her o"t o$ it#, he spo"ted# :ammin( the 'ottle into his 'a(. +!hat.s none o$ yer damned '"siness., Riley "rled "p in the sleepin( 'a(# $eelin( si k to her stoma h. She sho"ldn.t have said that to him. He o"ldn.t help what his mom was like. >ust apologi?e. +-e k?, +What9, he said# his voi e m"$$led. Even in the dark she o"ld see the lines et hed into his $a e. !hey made him look so m" h older# like he.d e2perien ed everythin( 'ad the world o"ld throw at him. +I.m sorry#, she admitted. +It wasn.t ri(ht $or me to say that., His sho"lders twit hed $or a se ond. +3o to sleep., +I an.t., Riley t"((ed the 'lanket aro"nd her. +/"st 'e a"se she.s a dr"nk doesn.t mean I am#, he (rowled. +3ot it. Won.t make that mistake a(ain., He t"rned toward her. +It.s an ener(y drink#, he e2plained. A lon( yawn $ollowed. +S"pposed to keep me (oin. when I don.t have time to sleep. It.s not workin.., 0ow she really $elt like a dork. +Why p"t it in a whiskey 'ottle9, +/"st do., It wasn.t that simple and they 'oth knew it. +What.s it taste like9, she asked. He handed it over and Riley took a tentative ("lp ? and nearly (a((ed. !he st"$$ was a 'lend o$ s"per stron( o$$ee la ed with raw kerosene. +1" k., +1a (et "sed to it., +0ot me. When was the last time yo" slept9, +4oesn.t matter#, he said. +!ired trapper e8"als demon 'ait. 4ad told me that., -e k looked over at her. +!old me the same., +!hen (et some sleep# will yo"9, she "r(ed. +1a need it more than I do., He took another swi(. +I sold yer demons# the ones in the "p'oard. !he money.s "nder the mi rowave. /"st $or(ot to tell ya., +!hanks#, she said (r"d(in(ly. She.d miss the Ma(pie# '"t the money was vital. +Who.s (oin( to take over my trainin( now9, +4on.t know yet., He yawned a(ain. +I.ll try to help ya when I an# '"t I have to trap or I an.t pay

my own 'ills. We need to $i("re o"t where ya an live., +What9, she said# a"(ht o$$ ("ard. +1a an.t stay on yer own# and ya s"re as hell an.t move in with me., Got that right. She o"ld ima(ine what his ho"se was likepro'a'ly ankle deep in (r"''y old pi<<a 'o2es and empty 'eer 'ottles. !hen the $irst part o$ his statement a"(ht "p with her. +I.m not movin(. !hat.s my home#, she protested. It wasn.t m" h# '"t she o"ldn.t lose the last onne tion with her dad. +It.ll take time $or the 3"ild to pay the li$e ins"ran e# and I an.t a$$ord to over 'oth pla es. *all yer a"nt# see i$ she.ll take ya in $or a while., rap. He.d overheard her talkin( to Peter. +I.m not movin(#, she repeated# stron(er this time. -e k kept ram'lin(# a"(ht in his own personal mine$ield a'o"t how she.d need lothes and $ood and how she had to keep (oin( to s hool. You,re not listening, .ackwoods .oy. - #elong here. !he power str"((le had 'e("n. &I&!EE0 Mornin( 'ro"(ht Ma2 to Riley.s door and more 'ills in the mail'o2. She wel omed the at '"t not the sta k o$ windowed envelopes. At least none o$ them was marked +5verd"e., 0ot yet. Ma2 promptly sprawled on the o" h# li ked a paw# and then t" ked himsel$ into a massive 'all like a $"rry armadillo. He a ted like sleep was the answer to all the world.s pro'lems. /nly i! you don,t dream. Riley (rimly st"died the pile o$ envelopes on the kit hen ta'le. +Wel ome to yo"r new li$e., &rom what she o"ld see it was way worse than the old one. At least her old li$e had a parent in it. 0ow there was no dad# no dad in ome. !he $irst h"rt really 'ad. !he se ond :"st amped "p the hearta he. Ma2 made a snorkin( noise in his sleep and twit hed. At least one o$ them was happy. In the 'a k(ro"nd the television droned on. It was one o$ those lo al talk shows dis "ssin( the rise in teen s"i ides# how the e onomy was a"sin( kids to hit the wall. Most didn.t s"rvive the impa t. Riley had hit the wall and 'o"n ed so many times she didn.t know any other way. Her mother.s death# then the ondo $ire. 0ow her dad. With a tort"red si(h# she started with the $irst 'illthe rent. !hat wasn.t optional "nless she wanted to move into a dra$ty re$ri(erator 'o2 "nder one o$ the ity.s leaky 'rid(es. It went into the li$e) really)s" ks)i$)this)isn.t)paid pile. Ele tri # (as# and water. 4itto. She ontin"ed on thro"(h the rest o$ themmonthly d"es to the 3"ild &"nd# 'oth national and lo al; a'le and ell phone 'ills. !he $inal one was the 'i((esther mom.s medi al are. +RFL#OLL.NF9, she said# 'o((lin( at the amo"nt. She knew it was o"tra(eo"s# '"t not the e2a t amo"nt. 5ver the last three years her $ather painstakin(ly whittled it down $rom a hi(h o$ RKF#BBB. !he interest was takin( a massive 'ite o"t o$ the payment# and there was still another seven years on the loan. She.d 'e twenty)$o"r 'y the time this was paid o$$. -y then she.d 'e a master trapper. It seemed so $ar o$$. Riley st" k the 'ill in the when)everythin()else)is)paid pile. +Sorry# 4ad# '"t that.s the way it has to 'e., =sin( her ell phone to do the math she reali<ed that even i$ she i(nored the medi al 'ill# she was (oin( to 'e in real tro"'le in $ive days when the rent was d"e. May'e the li$e ins"ran e payment wo"ld ome in really 8"i kly and ?

)i!e doesn,t work that way. Riley had learned that m" h $rom wat hin( her dad strain to 'alan e the $inan es month a$ter month. !he "r(e to 'in(e on ho olate reared its head. A$ter a 8"i k h"nt thro"(h the apartment she didn.t lo ate any. She ate a 'anana instead. 0o omparison. While she was r"mma(in(# she $o"nd the demon money ri(ht where -e k said it wo"ld 'e# another REEF# alon( with paperwork that said he.d sold the demons to a tra$$i ker named Ros oe *lement. Riley had heard o$ the ("y. Her dad had des ri'ed him in two words and those were +total slea<e., .et .eck shoots pool with him, too. Sl"mpin( into the hair# she o"nted the pile o$ ash she.d d"( o"t o$ their makeshi$t +'ank, inside one o$ the throw pillows. Her dad had always :oked that they looked like dr"( dealers with the sta ks o$ $ives# tens# and twenties on the kit hen ta'le. Keepin( money inside a pillow wasn.t really a smart idea# '"t they.d had little hoi e. I$ they p"t anythin( in the 'ank the medi al 'ill di kheads wo"ld siphon it ri(ht o"t as part o$ the laim. !hey.d learned that the hard way and lived on ramen noodles $or a month 'e a"se o$ it. Riley repeated the math. +-etter# '"t I still need three h"ndred dollars#, she said. I$ she o"ld $ind that somehow# she o"ld pay the rent# the "tilities# and leave a 'it $or $ood. She.d worry a'o"t the rest o$ the 'ills when their time ame. Her dad had $a ed this every day# every week# month a$ter month. He.d remained heer$"l# at least aro"nd her# '"t she knew it.d dra((ed him down. She (a<ed at the hair. Empty. 0o smile# no la"(h. !hat emptiness spread thro"(ho"t the entire apartment# an invisi'le hokin( $o(. Riley sprawled on the o" h ne2t to Ma2. !he pa kin( 'o2 o$$ee ta'le re eived a so"nd ki k# startlin( the at. +Where am I (oin( to (et three h"ndred '" ks9, she (roaned. Ma2.s answer was to yawn# e2posin( a lon( pinkish ton("e. He "rled "p a(ain. +-orrow it $rom -e k9, she pondered. Riley shook her head even 'e$ore she $inished the 8"estion. He was already tryin( to take ontrol o$ her li$e# and owin( him money wo"ld only (ive him more power. She had to $ind a way to live on her own or -e k wo"ld drive her ra<y. Riley.s eyes lit on her $ather.s trappin( 'a( near the door. -e k had 'ro"(ht it home $or her. She retrieved it and ret"rned to the o" h. !he sides o$ it had small tears# and there was dried 'lood on it. Gippin( the 'a( open# she st"died the interior. Her dad always repa ked it every ni(ht# repla in( any s"pplies he.d "sed. Sin e he wasn.t here# the :o' $ell to her. A plan slowly $ormed. It was pretty 'old# ra<y even# '"t i$ she o"ld p"ll it o$$ ? Pa"l -la kthorne o"ldn.t trap anymore. +-"t his da"(hter an., CCC (iley parked underneath one o$ the $ew workin( se "rity li(hts near the old (ro ery store. !he li(ht was on li$e s"pport# 'linkin( on and o$$ at random intervals. &arther away $rom the '"ildin( were other ars with windows steamed opa8"e 'e a"se the o "pants were '"sy makin( o"t. !oni(ht was (oin( to 'e a 'it h. -y now her lassmates wo"ld have heard what happened at the li'rary# may'e even a'o"t her dad. She didn.t think she o"ld handle $alse pity ri(ht now. 5r ins"lts. Some'ody wo"ld (et h"rt. Riley sat in the ar $or a $ew min"tes# leavin( the motor r"nnin(. It wo"ld 'e so easy to dit h lass. -e k wo"ld never know. She o"ld 'e in &ive Points h"ntin( demons rather than han(in( aro"nd here. She spied Peter 'y the $ront door. He was wat hin( $or her# like he did every ni(ht they had lass. He was holdin( somethin(her report. She o"ldn.t 'low him o$$ when he.d (one to all that work.

And then there was the omp"ter disk mystery. !he lon(er she.d tho"(ht a'o"t it# the more it had '"((ed her. Like tryin( to ("ess what was inside a *hristmas present# e2 ept rattlin( a disk didn.t tell yo" m" h. As she stepped o"t o$ the ar Peter saw her and waved. Sho"lderin( her messen(er 'a(# she headed toward him. 2e,ll help me get through this. +Hey# Riley#, Peter said as soon as she drew near. She noti ed he kept his voi e m"ted so it didn.t arry a ross the parkin( lot. +3lad yo".re here., +0o hoi e#, she said# then $elt 'ad. +How.re yo"9, His smile thinned. +Worried a'o"t yo"., She didn.t even think twi e when he (ave her a h"(. Peter stepped 'a k and opened his mo"th. !hen he shook his head like he knew nothin( he o"ld say wo"ld help her heal. +Here yo" (o#, he said# and handed over the neat sta k o$ paper. +1o"r report., +1o".re a (reat ("y# yo" know that9, she said# all serio"s. +S"re am. 4estined $or $ame and $ort"ne#, he :oked. +I still think my paper.s 'etter., +1o" wo"ld., +Hey# -la kthorne#, one o$ the other st"dents alled o"t. +!rashed any li'raries today9, -e$ore she o"ld respond# a lassmate el'owed the ass# then whispered in his ear. !he ("y.s eyes (rew lar(e. +Sorry# I didn.t know a'o"t yo"r dad#, he m"m'led. Aro"nd them# other kids wat hed nervo"sly# wonderin( i$ she was (oin( to lose it. Riley t"rned her 'a k on him. 0o tears. 0ot here. She $elt Peter.s hand on her el'ow# then a (entle s8"ee<e o$ reass"ran e. +Ah# did yo" 'rin( that omp"ter disk9, he asked. He was tryin( to distra t her# and she loved him $or it. Riley "nearthed the disk $rom the 'ottom o$ her messen(er 'a( and delivered it into his ea(er hands# alon( with a list o$ 'irthdays and other personal in$ormation. +*ool. 0ow I an ha k yo"r 'ank a o"nt#, he said# winkin(. +Ha k away. We ? I don.t have any money., Peter o ked his head. +How 'ad is it9 4o yo"# like# have eno"(h $or $ood9, +I.m three h"ndred short $or the rent#, she admitted. +I o"ld ask -e k# '"t he.s?, She shook her head. +0ot (oin( there., +I.ve (ot almost a h"ndred I o"ld loan yo"., She st"died Peter anew. He was serio"s. She knew he.d 'een layin( aside ash $or a new hard drive# '"t he was willin( to help her witho"t even thinkin( a'o"t it. +0o#, she said# shakin( her head.- have to do this on my own. - can,t sponge o!! my !riends. +!hanks# '"t I.ll work it o"t., !he worried e2pression on Peter.s $a e didn.t '"d(e. +What do yo" have in mind9, A !ield trip to %emon entral. Instead she said# +I.m thinkin( o$ (ettin( a part)time :o'., !hat wasn.t really lyin(# was it9 Peter wo"ld never a(ree to her trappin( on her own. 0either wo"ld -e k. &o - won,t tell them. At least "ntil she a"(ht her very $irst !hree. When Riley dropped the report on Mr. Ho"ston.s desk# the older man looked "p# his pale 'l"e eyes 'arely $o "sin( on her. He m"rm"red his sympathies then ret"rned to his paperwork. !hat an(ered her. She didn.t want sympathy# '"t her dad was more important than a $ew words that didn.t mean anythin(. Riley took her hair and $ell into tort"red silen e despite Peter.s attempts to heer her "p. !he new "rri "l"m re8"ired tea hers to tea h m"ltiple s"':e ts# even i$ they didn.t really "nderstand them.

Mr. Ho"ston was a (ood e2ample. He was (reat with En(lish# '"t not so hot with the other lasswork. )ike math. As he droned on a'o"t the $iner points o$ al "latin( the vol"me o$ a ylinder# she was li(ht)years away $rom the here and now. Almost everythin( tri((ered memories o$ her dad; like 'ein( in lass. She.d sat in on some o$ his history lasses when she was a kid. He was a (reat tea her# not like Ho"ston# who o"ld p"t stones to sleep. She.d met -e k in one o$ those lasses. He.d he ked her o"t# then la"(hed# makin( $"n o$ her 'raids and kno''y knees# not reali<in( she was the tea her.s da"(hter. +1o".re kiddin(%, Peter e2 laimed. Riley p"lled hersel$ 'a k to the present. +What9, she asked# wonderin( what she.d missed. Peter was never that emphati a'o"t math. +!hey.re losin( this s hool#, he said# an(lin( his head toward the tea her. Ho"ston had a pile o$ envelopes in his arthriti hands. +!hese are yo"r assi(nments. 1o"r ne2t lass will meet in the new lo ations., +Why are they losin( this one9, one o$ the kids asked. +/"st are#, Ho"ston said. He looked aro"nd at the dead '"(s and the ma<e o$ m"lti olored wires protr"din( $rom the dairy ase. +Any pla e will 'e 'etter than this# ("ys., +3ot that ri(ht#, Peter whispered. An envelope landed on her desk. 5$$i ial news always ame in white envelopes with neatly typed la'els. !his one was no di$$erent. -LA*K!H5R0E# RILE1 A. 6/"nior7 She looked over at Peter# and they ripped open their envelopes sim"ltaneo"sly. +I.ve (ot an a$ternoon lass now#, she said.2ow had that happened* It.d always 'een at ni(ht. +Where9, Peter asked# leanin( over to look at her paper. +&o"rteenth Street. An old Star'" ks., Silen e. +Peter9, His $a e $ell. +4amn#, he m"ttered and handed over his letter. !he day (ot worse. Peter wasn.t in her lass anymore. Instead# he was (oin( to 'e somewhere on Pon e de Leon Aven"e at a pla e named Kids 3alore% Riley ret"rned the letter# tryin( not to let this news 'ody)slam her. She $ailed. +We.ve always 'een to(ether# ever sin e elementary s hool#, she said. +May'e i$ I ask them to han(e it?, he 'e(an. !hen he shook his head. +I 'et Mom.s 'ehind this., I$ so# Mrs. Kin( had dis overed a tr"ly r"el way to separate them. Peter adopted his (ame $a e. +We.ll talk every ni(ht a$ter lass#, he said# tryin( hard to p"t some positive spin on this disaster. +We.ll have twi e the stories# yo".ll see., +1eah., He was doin( the happy)talk thin(# '"t it wasn.t workin(. +Riley9, he said. She looked over at him. +0o matter what# I.ve (ot yo"r 'a k., 0ot i! you,re on the other side o! the city. SIM!EE0 Serio"s nerves kept Riley rooted to the ar seat. She sat :"st inside 4emon *entral# near =nder(ro"nd Atlanta. Her dad said it was a r"n)down area# '"t he.d 'een too kind. It hadn.t always 'een that way. When her mom was alive# they.d ome down $or the 0ew 1ear.s Pea h 4rop. It.d 'een ool 'a k then. 0ow it was a d"mp. I$ she was (oin( to $ind a demon# it wo"ld 'e here. Riley had everythin( she neededher dad.s trappin( (ear and the spe ial steel mesh 'a( to hold the !hree a$ter she.d a"(ht it. She.d spent nearly $orty)ei(ht dollars $or a pint o$ Holy Water and three

spheres $rom a ("n shop on !rinity Aven"e. 5nly one thin( was missin(("ts. - can do this. She.d 'een sayin( the same thin( to hersel$ $or the last ten min"tes# ever sin e she.d alled -e k and lied to him. 0ot a lie. - am tired. -"t she had lied# at least a'o"t lass r"nnin( late and that she needed to (et some sleep and o"ld he wat h her $ather.s (rave "ntil midni(ht9 He.d a(reed witho"t (ivin( her any hassle. It wo"ld have 'een easier on her ons ien e i$ he.d 'een a :erk. Instead# he.d so"nded really on erned# and that made the lie t"rn to ro k in her stoma h. Wo"ld 'orrowin( money $rom him 'e the end o$ the world9 Yes. !ime was passin(. Riley tapped her $in(ers on the steerin( wheel. I$ she was tr"ly Pa"l -la kthorne.s da"(hter she.d 'e o"t there h"ntin( a !hree rather than worryin( hersel$ si k in the ar. She.d 'e takin( are o$ hersel$ rather than waitin( $or someone else to do it $or her. Her hand shook as she rea hed $or the door handle. +I.ll :"st see what it looks like# then de ide#, Riley said# tryin( to $ind some middle (ro"nd that didn.t allow the stone in her stoma h to (row any heavier. A$ter the tr"nk lid popped open# she slipped the straps o$ her $ather.s trappin( 'a( on her sho"lder. It seemed heavier than when she.d ha"led it o"t o$ the apartment. +0o wonder he li$ted wei(hts#, she (r"m'led# droppin( it to the (ro"nd. !here was the so"nd o$ 'reakin( (lass. +Ah# rap%, She.d 'roken one o$ the spheres. !hey were desi(ned to ra k easily# and she only had three. S8"attin( down# she r"mma(ed in the 'a(. 5ne o$ them had split open and a sea o$ Holy Water $looded the interior. She (in(erly $ished o"t the 'roken (lass# tryin( not to sli e her $in(ers# and tossed the shards into the ("tter. A$ter removin( the 'a(.s other ontents# she drained the water onto the (ro"nd. It splashed on her tennis shoes and her $eet 'e(an to tin(le. 0ow she.d have old and holy $eet all ni(ht. Her ham sandwi h was soaked. !hat was okay. When she a"(ht a demon she.d ha"l it over to &ireman /a k and olle t her money. !hen there.d 'e a ele'ratory trip to M 4onald.s $or s"pper on the way to the (raveyard. She mi(ht even s"persi<e the $ries. An odd# sh"$$lin( noise a"(ht her noti e. She leaned aro"nd the tr" k lid. An old 'la k man made his way "p the 'roken sidewalk# dwar$ed 'y layers o$ lothes like he was wearin( everythin( he owned. He h"n hed a(ainst the old# shootin( (lan es over his sho"lder every $ew steps as i$ he e2pe ted tro"'le. 5n e he was (one# Riley repa ked only what she needed into her messen(er 'a( and slipped the strap onto her sho"lder..etter. A$ter slammin( the door and po ketin( the keys# she set o$$ into the heart o$ 4emon *entral# her heart th"ddin( in her ears. &i$ty $eet down the a'andoned street she ame to a stop. +!here :"st had to 'e holes#, Riley m"ttered. She hated them. !hin(s lived down in those holes. !hin(s that wo"ld love to eat her. She pa"sed and st"died the losest a'yss. It was :a((ed and deep# with pie es o$ metal sti kin( o"t $rom the ed(es like por "pine 8"ills. She tho"(ht she heard water r"nnin( somewhere "nder(ro"nd. !his pla e was a !hree.s dream homeloads o$ trash strewn aro"nd and hardly any li(ht. What li(ht there was seemed to 'e timid# 'arely ill"minatin( the enter o$ the street and avoidin( the orners entirely. She strained to see into one orner# '"t it was impossi'le. Anythin( o"ld 'e wat hin( her# waitin(# hoosin( the moment to 'rin( her down. A $ew streets over a oyote howled# hi(h and throaty. !he howl was pi ked "p and ampli$ied into a wild and ener(eti hor"s. Riley 'e(an to shiver.

+as .eck this a!raid when he trapped his !irst Three* She wasn.t s"re. He didn.t seem to 'e s ared o$ anythin(# '"t then her dad had 'een with him# and that wo"ld have made all the di$$eren e. As Riley ed(ed $orward her shoes r"n hed on somethin(. -roken (lass and white powder spread in a wide ar on the rippled asphalt. 4e'ris had swirled aro"nd that ir le# like a h"rri ane does its eye. Ed(in( loser# she $o"nd tra ks thro"(h the powder. She knelt. !he powder ame $rom a shield sphere# and the tra ks were $rom work 'oots. Like the kind trappers wore. 4ry# r"st)'rown stains were splattered like someone had shaken o"t a paint'r"sh. She pi ked "p a strip o$ ripped 'rown leather r"sted with dried 'lood and e2amined it. It was $rom -e k.s oat# the one he.d 'een wearin( the ni(ht her $ather died. She o"ld remem'er what it had looked like in the hallway# slashed and shredded# oated with his 'lood. Riley l"r hed to her $eet# st"m'lin( 'a kward. She 'arely sti$led a ry o$ an("ish. !his is where her dad had died. +hat am - doing here* Her dad and -e k trapped as a team. !hat wasn.t to keep ea h other ompany. Apprenti es didn.t start trappin( 3rade !hrees "ntil almost si2 months in# and then only with a master at their side. Even then# they still died. Get the hell out o! here5 It was her $ather.s voi e# e hoin( deep inside her head. Riley e2e "ted the t"rn as slowly as possi'le# eyes dartin( $rom hole to hole# e2pe tin( a $"rry 'ody to 'e rawlin( o"t o$ every one. She wanted to r"n# '"t she kept her movements steady. 4emons hased their vi tims. I$ she a ted as i$ she were in ontrol# may'e nothin( wo"ld ome a$ter her. &o"r steps later she heard the so"nd. +/"st a rat#, she whispered. 0ot that she.d seen any# '"t they had to 'e down here# ri(ht9 !he so"nd (rew lo"der. A sort o$ sloppy snarl. M"s les tensin( and heart :itterin(# Riley looked over her sho"lder. *ro" hed in $ront o$ one o$ the holes was a 3rade !hree demon. !he thin( looked like some monster o"t o$ a s ien e $i tion movie$o"r $eet tall# a pat hwork o$ 'la k)and)white spiked $"r with s imitar laws and horri$i ally sharp teeth that protr"ded 'eyond the lower :aw. !he reat"re rose# stret hin( like it was lim'erin( "p $or (ym lass. It e2amined her with mena in( red eyes. +5h ? my ? 3od., +-la kthorne.s da"(hter#, it 'ayed. It sli ked its thi k ton("e a ross its lips. 4rool rolled down its hin. +0iii e demon ? !hat.s it. /"st stay there., Riley $"m'led in the 'a( and p"lled o"t the ow entrails she.d retrieved $rom the $ree<er. Slin(in( the pa ka(e as hard as she o"ld# it landed with a plop on the asphalt. Lo"der snarls ame $rom the 'east. In a move that seemed impossi'le $or its '"lk# it leapt on the $ood and swallowed the entrails and the plasti wrapper in one 'i( ("lp. +Ah# 3od#, she said# st"m'lin( 'a kward. !hat had 'een her only diversion and it was lon( (one. Her hand losed on one o$ the spheres. +I.m leavin( now. 0o need to (et "pset# Mr. 4emon., +*hew yo"rrr 'ones%, it ried# wavin( its arms in the air. A se ond later# all Riley o"ld see was a whir o$ 'la k and white# all teeth and laws# movin( toward her at $ri(htenin( speed. She st"m'led# nearly $allin(. *"rsin(# she tossed one o$ the spheres at the on omin( $iend. It missed and smashed to 'its on the "neven (ro"nd lose to where her $ather had 'reathed his last. Riley ran# the messen(er 'a( 'an(in( into her side. 5n e she (ot to the ar the thin( wo"ldn.t $ollow her# wo"ld it9 !he 'east had other ideas# (rowin( loser# allin( o"t her name. It snarled and lawed the 'a k o$ her :a ket# spinnin( her aro"nd like a top. &allin( hard# the wind kno ked o"t o$ her# Riley rolled to prote t her $inal sphere. She shrieked as the demon dove at her# laws rakin( a ross the asphalt in a

trail o$ sparks :"st in hes $rom her $a e. It yowled in $r"stration when it missed. Riley re(ained her $eet only a se ond 'e$ore it dod(ed sideways# sendin( its (listenin( e'ony spikes at her 'elly. She $or ed the 'a( $orward# tryin( to 'lo k its lethal rea h. It (nawed on the anvas# snarlin( and (rowlin( as she $"m'led $or the last sphere. A thi k paw ar ed aro"nd the 'a( and d"( into her le$t thi(h# '"ryin( the laws deep into her $lesh. Riley s reamed in a(ony and slammed the sphere into the $iend.s open maw# im'eddin( the (lass into the 'east and deep into her palm. In slow motion# the !hree ripped its laws o"t o$ her le( and sank to the (ro"nd# 'loody and "nmovin(. Riley $ell to her knees and 'e(an to ret h# the adrenaline makin( her heart th"d so $ast she tho"(ht she.d $aint. Pri kles o$ li(ht dan ed at the orner o$ her eyes. She $or ed hersel$ to slow her 'reathin(# st"dyin( the still $orm. !he demon was takin( 8"i k p"$$s o$ air thro"(h its mo"th# its laser red eyes starin( "p at nothin(. -la k 'lood dripped $rom its ton("e onto its ne k. Riley $or ed hersel$ to her $eet and# with $"m'lin( hands# 'roke open the seal on the steel 'a(. 2ow do - get this thing inside* In the end# she kept :ammin( the $iend.s le(s# 'ody# and arms into the 'a(# like st"$$in( a pillow ase with $o"l)smellin( $"r. !he thin( stank like s"l$"r and rotten meat# makin( her stoma h roil and a id sin(e her throat. She worked le$t)handed as the ri(ht was 'leedin(# waves o$ pain tele(raphin( "p her arm. With in redi'le e$$ort# she lo ked down the two lamps that se "red the demon inside the 'a(. She.d a t"ally done it a"(ht her $irst 3rade !hree Hellspawn. Risin( to her $eet# Riley wo''led $or a $ew se onds. !he adrenaline was (one# leavin( a so"r stoma h and a si k# po"ndin( heada he. It was only then she dared look at her thi(h. !hi k red 'lood '"''led o"t $rom the si2 holes in her slashed :eans# one $or ea h law. !he le( $elt n"m'# whi h was weird. It sho"ld 'e h"rtin( like hell. +!rapper ? s ores#, she said weakly.&orta. &oldin( o"t the steel 'a(.s handle# she dra((ed the dead wei(ht "p the street one)handed. It was slow (oin(; the $iend was m" h heavier than she.d e2pe ted. 2ow am - going to get this thing in the trunk* It ertainly wasn.t ridin( "p $ront with her. +5ne pro'lem at a time#, she said# re$"sin( to admit this was more than she o"ld handle. Riley looked down at her at h. She o"ldn.t wait to see -e k.s $a e. 2ey, .ackwoods .oy5 Guess what - did tonight* It was (oin( to 'esooo sweet. She heard la"(hter. &or a moment it didn.t re(ister as a threat. +Hey# (irlie%, someone alled o"t. Riley whirled aro"nd to $ind two ("ys $ollowin( her. 5ne o$ them was h"nky# like a -e k (one to seed with a roll o$ $la' aro"nd his middle. He was wearin( a $aded 'all ap# and his lon( hair needed washin(. +She looks tasty $or a trapper#, the se ond said. He was short and wiry# with an "nlit i(arette dan(lin( o"t o$ his mo"th. >ust a couple o! 'erks !rom the Guild trying to psyche me. Riley $ired "p the attit"de. +I.m with -e k#, she $i''ed. +He.s not (oin( to 'e happy yo".re messin( with me., +So where.s this ("y9, the $irst one asked. He had a load o$ hew in his mo"th and he kept workin( it. +4own there#, she lied# pointin( toward the end o$ the street. !he 'i( man spit. +Ain.t no one down there. 1o".re on yo"r own., +/"st the way we like .em#, the se ond added. !his was 'ad. !hese ("ys weren.t trappers. !hey were too sha''y# and neither o$ them had any trappin( e8"ipment with them. +What do yo" want9, Riley asked# ti(htenin( her (rip on the steel 'a(.

!he si k leer that $ormed on the 'i( man.s $a e sent a $ri(id shiver to her toes. +!he demon ? to start with., Riley shook her head. +0o way. 3o at h yo"r own., +Seems we :"st did. !hat thin(.s worth a lot o$ money., +1o" an.t sell a demon#, she protested. +1o" have to 'e a trapper., +Hear that# 4od(er9 She says we an.t sell it., He h"$$ed. +0ever stopped "s 'e$ore. It.ll (et "s $ive h"ndred# no sweat., 7ive hundred* +ho,s paying that much !or a Three* !he wiry ("y 'e(an to ir le aro"nd her. +How.s a'o"t we share# (irlie9, +1eah#, the 'i( man a(reed. +3et some 'oo<e# some 'low# and have a party# :"st the three o$ "s., /h, God. +I (et $irst ra k#, the man added. +I like 'reakin. .em in., Ra(e)la ed pani e2ploded inside her. She o"ldn.t es ape with the demon. It was too heavy to move 8"i kly. Even i$ she dialed QAA it.d take the ops too lon( to (et here# even i$ they o"ld 'e onvin ed to ome to 4emon *entral. -y then ? !he demon or these si k perverts9 Slin(in( a torrent o$ hellish "rse words at them# Riley dropped the 'a( and limped o$$ as $ast as her in:"red thi(h wo"ld let her. !he wo"nds $ired to li$e# sendin( :olts o$ pain into her le(. I$ she only had a steel pipe# anythin( that wo"ld keep them away $rom her. Keep them $rom to" hin( her and ? +R"n# (irlie%, 4od(er ta"nted as he started a$ter her. His heavy 'oots r"n hed a ross the pavement# movin( loser with ea h step. He was :"st playin( with her. !here was no way she o"ld o"tr"n either o$ them. A stran(e so"nd $illed the street# a om'ination o$ a throaty howl and a deep# raspy snarl. +5h# shit#, the 'i( man sho"ted. +!he thin(.s awake. Help me with it%, Riley risked a (lan e over her sho"lder. !he small ("y was still (ainin( on her. -ehind him# the demon lawed and 'it at its steel prison like a ra'id do(# thrashin( so the metal 'a( rolled aro"nd the pavement. !he smaller man was at hin( "p. She s ooped "p a harred pie e wood# holdin( it like a l"'# and t"rned to $a e him. A h"ndred words ame to the tip o$ her ton("e# '"t she was too s ared to say any o$ them. !he 'i( man was losin( his 'attle. +4ammit# 4od(er# $or(et her% She.s not worth the $ive h"ndred., With a snarl that wo"ld have impressed any $iend# 4od(er whirled and ran at top speed to help his partner. Riley limped away# p"shin( as $ast as she dared. As she t"rned the orner she saw the two men wrestlin( with the 'a( as the !hree tried to tear it apart. +3o# demon#, she "r(ed# 'linkin( away tears o$ an(er. May'e it.d (et $ree and rip those losers apart. Eat them 'oth. +!hat.d 'e so ri(hteo"s., -y the time Riley rea hed the ar# she shook like a do( in a th"nderstorm. Her thi(h $elt as i$ it were 'oilin( $rom within# shootin( pain into her (roin and all the way down to her toes. Poppin( open the tr"nk# she (ra''ed the pint 'ottle o$ Holy Water# 'roke open the seal# and soaked her thi(h# :eans and all# makin( it look like she.d wet hersel$. Instead o$ the '"rnin( pain she.d e2pe ted# it only st"n( a little then eased o$$. "ay#e the wounds aren,t that #ad. Riley swallowed# twi e# and took some deep 'reaths. Her heart still dr"mmed in her ears and her stoma h $elt se onds away $rom er"ptin(. At least the law marks wo"ldn.t in$e t# tho"(h she.d still $eel like rap $or a o"ple o$ a days. Like a 'ad ase o$ the $l" is how her dad des ri'ed it. +I have nothin( to show $or it#, she (rowled. !ossin( the empty 'ottle in the tr"nk with more $or e than was ne essary# she slammed the lid. !here.d 'een no hoi e. I$ she tried to $i(ht them# they

wo"ld have :"mped her and ? +1o" asshats%, she sho"ted# th"mpin( her "nin:"red $ist on the tr"nk lid. She.d 'a((ed her very $irst !hree and they.d taken it away $rom her like a '"lly steals a kid.s l"n h money. -! %ad had #een here 3 !ears welled in her eyes a(ain. I$ her dad had 'een here# they.d have that demon in the tr"nk and those two losers wo"ld have learned what it meant to tan(le with a master trapper. Instead they.d tan(led with her# and won. 4pic !ail. +-e k is so (oin( to kill me., !he !hree had 'een her 'est de$ense a(ainst his an(er. He.d have 'it hed at her# '"t in the end he wo"ld have respe ted her. 0ot now. 2e,s never going to trust me again. 2e,ll 'ust tighten up his leash. Instead o$ headin( $or the (raveyard# she drove home one)handed# tears o"rsin( down her $a e. !hey $elt i y a(ainst her skin as a $"ll 'ody shiver ramped her m"s les and her teeth 'e(an to hatter. She t"rned o$$ the heater. Sweat 'loomed on her $orehead despite the hilly ni(ht air. 5n e she (ot home# she.d all -e k# tell him what happened. !hen it wo"ld (et really 'ad. +Someday#, she m"ttered in 'etween intense shiverin( sessions. Someday she.d at h "p with those ("ys and make them pay. Someday they.d know what a mistake it was to mess with Riley -la kthorne. .ut not today. SEDE0!EE0 !he dial on -e k.s wat h (lowed 'l"e in the (rowin( li(ht. It was a hal$ ho"r "ntil dawn. With ea h passin( ho"r he.d talked himsel$ o"t o$ dialin( Riley.s ell phone and ro"stin( her o"t o$ her 'ed. !he kid had to 'e worn o"t# the sho k o$ her dad.s death hittin( home a'o"t now. He knew how that $elt. !here.d always 'e sadness whenever he tho"(ht o$ Pa"l. !he man o"ld have easily 'lown him o$$# treated him like everyone else# '"t Pa"l told him he.d seen that spark in -e k.s eyes# that drive to 'e somethin( 'etter. -e k had never tho"(ht to ar("e the s"':e t. His tea her had s" h a reasoned way o$ e2plainin( thin(s# it so"nded like (ospel. -e k si(hed# $eelin( that d"ll a he deep in his hest a(ain. He still e2pe ted to see his phone li(ht "p and it wo"ld 'e Pa"l# he kin( in on him# :"st wantin( to talk. !hat wo"ld never happen a(ain. He was tr"ly on his own now.>ust like (iley. It was a still ni(ht and the swirl o$ dead leaves immediately a"(ht his attention. Mortimer had already visited# polite as ever. Lenny had dropped 'y a little a$ter two# and another ne ro named *hristian at three. It was as i$ they had assi(ned times. !he leaves oales ed into a $orm o"tside the ir le# a"sin( the andles to $lare. It reminded -e k more o$ a hi(h)level demon than a s"mmoner o$ the dead. +Wastin. yo"r time#, he alled o"t. !he $orm wavered $or a moment and then took a more de$ined shape. -la k loak# arved oak sta$$# all the theatri al props. +I an (ive yo" what yo" most want in li$e#, the voi e within the hood said in a si'ilant whisper. +!he hell ya say#, -e k replied# too tired to 'e polite. +1a an (ive me a ni(ht in *arrie =nderwood.s 'ed9 4amn# that woman.s $ine# and she an sin( too. 5r may'e a new tr" k. !hat.d 'e ni e., +0othin( so m"ndane., A dramati pa"se. +I an deliver the demon who killed Pa"l -la kthorne., -e k.s heart do"'le)'eat# his h"mor (one. +1er kind only messes with dead $olks# not Hellspawn., +I am prepared to make an e2 eption in this ase., +Why is -la kthorne so important to ya9,

!he $i("re leaned on the sta$$ in a pensive pose. +/"st a ept that he is. It.s not like Mr. -la kthorne will 'e in servi e $orever., !he ne ro did have a point. Pa"l wo"ld 'e ret"rned to his (rave in a year at the latest# and the demon wo"ld 'e dead. !here were ways to hide the tr"th $rom Riley# espe ially i$ she went to live with her a"nt. With the (rave so $resh# on e the 'ody was e2h"med and reanimated# -e k o"ld smooth over the dirt and she.d never know. +*ertainly yo" want to see :"sti e done#, the $i("re soothed# +and prevent the han e the $iend will ome a$ter the one remainin( -la kthorne., He played to -e k.s (reatest $ear. !he only way to keep Riley sa$e was to kill that &ive and send a messa(e to L" i$er to 'a k o$$. -e k wanted that more than anythin( else in the world# even sleepin( with his $avorite o"ntry m"si sin(er. He rose# takin( a $ew tentative steps toward the (lowin( ir le. !he $i("re $ell silent# drawin( him loser. -e k slowly t"rned to look at the mo"nd o$ dirt. What wo"ld Pa"l think o$ him i$ he dist"r'ed his rest9 What wo"ld Riley say i$ she knew he.d 'etrayed her9 +All $or a (ood a"se#, the ne roman er insisted. +1o" m"st keep her sa$e. She has a will o$ her own# and it has p"t her in dan(er toni(ht., -e k whipped aro"nd. +Whadda ya mean9, +She went h"ntin( in &ive Points. Alone. I hear it went very 'adly., +1er lyin.#, -e k retorted. +And i$ I.m not9, the ne roman er replied# his tone too s"re $or -e k.s om$ort. +What i$ she.s dyin( ri(ht now9 Wo"ld it make sense to ("ard this (rave when she.s headin( toward one o$ her own9, +0o way she.d (o to &ive Points alone., !he moment -e k "ttered the words# he knew he was wron(. %amn, girl, ya wouldn,t. He $rowned# the tr"th hittin( as hard as a sl"( to the ("t.Yeah, ya would, 'ust to spite me. &irst the ne ro had said the demon mi(ht h"rt her. 0ow he laimed she was already h"rt# may'e dyin(. )ies. -e k $or ed himsel$ 'a k to the 'lanket. +I.m not '"yin. it., !he loak shi$ted in what passed as a shr"(. +!hen it.s on yo"r head#, the s"mmoner replied# no hint o$ disappointment in his voi e. +-y the $"ll moon this man.s 'ody will 'e mine. 4o not do"'t it., !he $orm reverted to leaves and s attered in a li(ht wind. Riley.s ell phone went "nanswered# rollin( over to voi e mail a(ain and a(ain. When the emetery.s vol"nteer arrived a $ew min"tes later# -e k 'olted $or his tr" k. CCC (iley pried open her eyes to $ind s"nli(ht on the 'edroom eilin( whirlin( like a kaleidos ope. All sorts o$ olors. It was really pretty. With onsidera'le e$$ort# she p"lled hersel$ "pri(ht on the 'ed# wonderin( what time it was. She hi "ped# and the shiverin( 'e(an a(ain as her $ever rose. !he le$t thi(h was the pro'lem. It was swollen# the denim soaked with somethin( 'rown. !he entire le( p"lsated with ea h heart'eat. !he Holy Water was s"pposed to ne"trali<e the poison. +0ot so m" h#, she said# $allin( 'a k onto the pillow. !ime slowed. Riley knew what was happenin(. She.d heard her dad talkin( to her mom a'o"t this when he tho"(ht she wasn.t listenin(. Her le( wo"ld (o septi in a $ew ho"rs and the poison wo"ld spread thro"(ho"t her 'ody. It wo"ld kill her.

"ay#e that,s #est. She o"ld 'e with her parents. 4o whatever an(els did all day. 0o worries a'o"t money or s hool or demons. An annoyin( noise p"lled her o"t o$ her $evered ima(inin(s. It was her ell phone. She $aded o"t "ntil it started makin( noise a(ain. With sweaty hands Riley $lipped it open. Someone alled o"t to her in a $ranti voi e. +Riley9 Are yo" okay9, +Si k?, +What happened9, the voi e asked. +!hey ? stole it., +Stole what9, +4emon (ot me.? Sorry. 1o" were ? ri(ht., She $lipped it losed and let the phone $all ne2t to her on the 'ed# knowin( that -e k wo"ld $ind her 'ody and '"ry her ne2t to her parents. 0o vigil needed. CCC @iolating scores o! tra!!ic laws on the way to the apartment# -e k worked his ell# allin( in $avors. He started with *armela# ro"sin( the do o"t o$ 'ed and earnin( him an ear$"l "ntil he e2plained the sit"ation. !hen he alled the 3"ild.s priest. &ather Harrison had :"st stepped o"t o$ the shower '"t promised to ome over as 8"i kly as possi'le. A$ter makin( a parkin( pla e where there wasn.t one# -e k leapt o"t o$ the tr" k and took the stairs# two at a time. Hammerin( on Riley.s door (ot no response. He alled o"t. 0othin(. He tried Mrs. Litinsky.s# then he remem'ered somethin( a'o"t her (oin( to visit her $amily in *harleston. &or hal$ a se ond he tho"(ht o$ ki kin( in the door '"t dis arded the idea. Pa"l had spent a lot o$ time rein$or in( it# worried a'o"t Riley stayin( home alone at ni(ht. He had to $ind a key. Swearin( "nder his 'reath# he ran down two $loors to the door marked +S"perintendent., He 'an(ed on it. !ime rawled 'y "ntil a s rawny# "nshaven $a e appeared at the door. -e k physi ally '"llied the ("y "p the stairs# then (lowered mena in(ly while the s"per $"m'led with the keys. !o his relie$ Riley hadn.t en(a(ed the hain lo k. !he instant the door opened he shoved past the s"per allin( o"t her name. She wasn.t in the livin( room or the kit hen. He $o"nd her in the 'edroom# a tan(led mass o$ sweat and deliri"m. It was worse than he.d $eared. She was $"lly lothed# her hair matted on the pillow and her $a e deep rimson. !he 'rown sl"d(e oo<in( o"t o$ her thi(h was the reason. !he ne ro had 'een ri(ht> She.d tan(led with a !hree. !hey loved to hook their prey# dra( them in so they o"ld (naw on them. !heir laws were lethal. H"(e sweat rin(s soaked her !)shirt. Her eyes were losed and she moaned with ea h 'reath. !he sweet# loyin( smell o$ in$e tion lo"ded the room. -"t it was her le( that made -e k na"seo"s# swollen twi e its "s"al si<e. He knew all a'o"t that. His $irst !hree had lawed him. He.d (otten si k# '"t not this 'ad. Pa"l had made s"re o$ that. !he s"per took one look at the $everish 'ody and $led. -e k threw his :a ket in the orner and $l"n( open the r"sty window to (ain some $resh air. He ("lped it in to keep $rom throwin( "p. He knew what the sweet smell meant. She was rottin( $rom the inside o"t. He heard someone all his name. +-a k here%, he said. *armela pa"sed in the doorway. +4en9, Her eyes went $rom him to Riley. +Holy shit., +1eah# 'i()time#, -e k said. *armela pa"sed to hit the li(ht swit h 'y the door# then he$ted an oran(e s"it ase onto the end o$ the 'ed. &lippin( it open# she tossed o"t medi al s"pplies like a s8"irrel "nearthin( a orns. -anda(es# s issors# empty trash 'a(s# ID sol"tion# and t"'in( all $ell in a disor(ani<ed heap on the overs.

+!he Holy Water I have is a $ew days old. We need $resher than that#, she said. +Harrison.s on his way#, -e k replied. He (ra''ed a pair o$ s"r(i al s issors and applied the '"siness end to the le$t 'l"e :ean le(# tryin( to keep his ool. He.d treated soldiers on the 'attle$ield. 1o" worked on what wo"ld kill them $irst. In this ase# it was the poison in Riley.s system. -"t this wasn.t some yo"n( private $rom 5hio. !his was Pa"l.s da"(hter# the little (irl who "sed to $ollow him aro"nd like a heartsi k p"ppy. +Hey# don.t 'e st"pid#, *armela said. She tossed him a pair o$ late2 (loves. +1o" don.t want that rap in yo"r system. All it takes is a paper "t., +!hanks., Why had he $or(otten that9 His hands shook as he t"((ed on the (loves# makin( the :o' twi e as hard. Get your head in the game5 It was Pa"l.s voi e and it had the desired e$$e t. He 'ent down and 'e(an to work on the denim. !he pants le( ame $ree# leavin( only an in h or so $or modesty at the top. He e2amined the thi(hsi2 individ"al law marks# all o$ them swollen and drainin( 'rown p"s. +0ow that.s serio"sly (ross#, the do said. She (ently pla ed an ele troni thermometer in Riley.s ear and then whistled the moment the n"m'ers appeared on the di(ital reado"t. +ABL.O. I.d e2pe t ABO# tops. Somethin( else is (oin( on., *armela took hold o$ Riley.s ankle# are$"lly li$tin( the le(. !he (irl moaned in response. +Lay down a plasti 'arrier# then a '"n h o$ those disposa'le towels. -y the time we (et done this pla e is (oin( to look like an oil sli k., -e k did as he was told# tryin( not to win e every time Riley moaned. +What happened9, the do asked. +She went trappin. on her own., +Why the hell didn.t she treat it9, He had no answer. +-e k9, !hey t"rned to $ind &ather Harrison in the doorway. He was in his "s"al 'la k s"it and leri al ollar# a lar(e 'a kpa k in hand. +&ather#, -e k said. +!hanks $or omin. so 8"i kly., He o"ld tell the moment the priest saw Riley> Harrison.s $a e so'ered and he made the si(n o$ the ross. +How m" h do yo" need9, the priest asked. +At least a hal$ (allon to start with#, *armela replied# her 'a k to him. It took three attempts 'e$ore the do tor $o"nd a de ent vein in Riley.s ri(ht arm. 5n e the ID was se "red# she $lipped it wide open# then applied a sn"( 'anda(e. +May'e that.ll keep her $rom tearin( the thin( o"t. !his is (oin( to (et ro"(h., +1eah., !he $resher the Holy Water# the more it h"rt when it ame in onta t with anythin( demoni . !he treatment was (oin( to rip the (irl apart. *armela st"died him. +I know what yo".re thinkin(. !r"st me# it 'eats 'ein( dead., +May'e that.s what she wanted#, he replied. +=(ly way to (o., -e k a"(ht her tone o$ voi e. +1a don.t think she.ll make it# do ya9, +0ot s"re. !he one thin( she.s (ot (oin( $or her is her a(e., +And 3od#, &ather Harrison added $rom his position near the door. He o$$ered "p two 8"art :"(s o$ Holy Water. +Him# too#, *armela replied. She took the :"(s $rom Harrison and then handed him a pair o$ (loves. At the priest.s 8"i<<i al look# she e2plained# +Hold down her le(s. 1o" try to keep her on the 'ed# 4en. I.ll do the honors., As he 'ent over to pin Riley.s sho"lders down# -e k whispered in her ear# +Sorry# (irl. !his is (onna to h"rt like a sonova'it h., &ather Harrison losed his eyes and 'e(an to pray# his steady voi e $illin( the room with ver'al hope. -e k wondered i$ it wo"ld 'e eno"(h.

-e k heard the do tor m"m'le somethin( as she spread wide the $irst law mark. !he priest han(ed tone# speakin( lo"der now. +In the name o$ the &ather# the Son# and the Holy 3host# we h"m'ly implore yo" to heal yo"r servant who has valiantly $o"(ht the le(ions o$ darkness. 4rive o"t the poison that a$$li ts her 'ody and p"ri$y her so"l.?, -e k swallowed hard as the sa red li8"id sank inside the wo"nd. !he rea tion was immediate. Riley.s shriek nearly dea$ened him as she shot strai(ht "p o$$ the mattress. He $or ed her down as she s reamed and ried# her $in(ernails di((in( into the $lesh on 'oth his arms. He win ed at the r"sh o$ pain as she $o"nd his healin( wo"nds. 0o matter how 'ad it h"rt# it was nothin( ompared to what she was $eelin(. ome on girl, pass out, will ya* -"t she didn.t and ontin"ed to tear at him. *armela moved to the ne2t wo"nd# then the ne2t. !he Holy Water '"''led and hissed# sendin( "p a thi k vapor that hovered in the air $or a moment then evaporated. &ather Harrison ontin"ed to pray# his $a e as white as his ollar. +0o% 0o%, Riley s reamed. As she twisted and ried# -e k knew how it $eltlike someone was '"rnin( her 'ones $rom the inside o"t. +!here.s the pro'lem#, *armela said# so"ndin( relieved. +A 'roken law. 0o wonder she.s like this., !he do pl" ked a set o$ $or eps $rom the 'a( and t"rned her attention to the wo"nd. As the do removed the hooked law# Riley painted the room with an earsplittin( s ream. !hen the darkness p"lled her "nder. CCC 2is muscles aching $rom the e$$ort# -e k sl"mped a(ainst the wall# his stoma h t"m'lin(. He swallowed repeatedly to keep $rom heavin(. Riley had looked ri(ht at him# "rsin( him. She wo"ld never $or(ive him. +Sweet /es"s#, he whispered. +1eah#, *armela m"ttered. &ather Harrison slowly made the si(n o$ the ross and $inished his prayer. +Hands o$ 3od and all that9, *armela asked# re(ro"pin( with that parti "lar resilien e that do tors seemed to possess. +It always is#, the priest replied. His $orehead remained $"rrowed. +4o yo" need more Holy Water9, +I think we.ve (ot eno"(h. At least the ne2t time it won.t '"rn so 'ad., Strippin( o$$ his (loves and throwin( them on the 'ed# -e k rossed to the window and s" ked in deep ("lps o$ air to lear his head. When he t"rned aro"nd# *armela was sittin( on the wooden hair near the 'ed# her mo"th a (rim line. +!ell me that was worth it#, -e k said. She ar hed an eye'row. +!oo soon to tell., Someone po"nded on the apartment door and the priest headed in that dire tion. Words were e2 han(ed and then the priest reappeared. +!enants $rom downstairs. !hey were "pset that we woke them "p. I reass"red them that we.d 'e 8"iet $rom now on., -e k snorted. He t"rned and stared o"t the window $or a lon( time# listenin( to the whimpers omin( $rom the 'ed 'ehind him. +hat i! she dies* !he very tho"(ht $elt like i e in his veins. +4en9, +H"h9, He $o"nd *armela pa kin( her 'a(. !he 'ed was lean and she had a trash 'a( on the $loor 'y the door. +1er leavin.9, he asked# $eelin( an "n hara teristi pani .

+5nly $or a $ew ho"rs. I.ve (ot some other $olks to he k on., When he didn.t reply# *armela o ked her head. +1o" okay9, He waved her o$$. 0o way he o"ld admit what he was $eelin( at this moment. +1o" know how to han(e the ID# so I an skip that le t"re#, *armela said. +I 'anda(ed her hand. Looks like she sli ed it on somethin(. It sho"ld heal :"st $ine., +I didn.t even see that#, he admitted. +Easy to miss with the thi(h 'ein( as 'ad as it is. I.ve p"t one liter o$ $l"id thro"(h her and I.ve set the rate at one)$i$ty an ho"r. I$ she starts to pee# t"rn it down# tho"(h I do"'t yo".ll have that pro'lem to ontend with., She s rat hed her hin. +I.ll $ile the ta2 paperwork $or the Holy Water., +1eah# an.t have the ity not (et their ta2 money#, -e k replied 'itterly. +I.ll 'e here at noon and we.ll do it all over a(ain., +0oon. 5kay., He o"ld make it "ntil them. +Harrison still here9, +3one. He.s (ot mass this mornin(# so he had to s oot., *armela <ipped the s"it ase losed# wat hin( him more losely than he liked. +!hanks. I owe ya#, he said. !he do tor nodded. +1o" do., She (lan ed over at Riley. +I$ the Holy Water works# she.ll live. I$ not?, !he words h"n( in the air# like a sword p"lled $rom a sheath. When -e k heard the apartment door th"d losed# he ollapsed into a hair near the 'ed. His eyes sh"t immediately# the stress and e2ha"stion p"llin( him down toward needed o'livion. Riley alled o"t $or her dad. !hen her mother. It tore his heart to hear her like that. He took her sweaty hand# holdin( it as (ently as possi'le. +Sorry# (irl# they.re (one., All ya got is me. EI3H!EE0 Riley awoke in semidarkness. She wasn.t 'oilin( hot now. !hat was (ood. Her mind $elt ha<y $rom the $ever# and all her m"s les a hed like she.d r"n a marathon. It took a while to reali<e she was in her own 'ed. !here was a reak o$ wood; someone was sittin( in the hair# readin( 'y the li(ht o$ a dim lamp. +4ad9, +0o honey# it.s *armela., +*armela9, !he 'rain wasn.t ooperatin(. It $elt like it was $"ll o$ week)old p"ddin(. When she didn.t reply# the woman added# +!he 3"ild.s do tor9, +5h# yeah# sorry#, Riley said# tryin( to sit "p. +Where.s my dad9, !he do tor didn.t answer# '"t Riley.s memory did# slittin( thro"(h the $o( with $ri(htenin( larity. %ad,s gone. !he tears wo"ldn.t ome. +hy didn,t - die* -,d have #een okay with that. More 'ad memories trooped in like an aven(in( army> She.d a"(ht a demon and lost it# '"t not 'e$ore it had ripped her to shreds. Riley tried shi$tin( her le$t le(# '"t she o"ldn.t $eel it. May'e they.d sli ed it o$$. !hey.d pro'a'ly (ive her one o$ those hi(h)te h titani"m le(s# like some o$ the soldiers "sed. -,ll never !ind shoes to !it. +My le(# is it, +It.s still here. !he Holy Water makes it n"m'. !r"st me# it.s $or the 'est., A pa"se. +Why didn.t yo" treat yo"r wo"nds# Riley9, +I did. It hardly h"rt at all. When yo" ("ys did it?, She sh"ddered. +1o" m"st have "sed older Holy Water. &ather Harrison was here# so o"rs was really sto"t. He.d

onse rated it that mornin(., They called in a priest* !hat was so'erin(. Riley p"lled hersel$ "p a(ain. It was hard to move when her le( a ted like it wasn.t there. +Here., *armela handed her a (lass o$ lear soda# and she took a len(thy sip. !he old $l"id $elt (ood (oin( down and rinsed away the y" ky $ilm in her throat. +So what happened9, the do asked as she settled on the ed(e o$ the 'ed. Her hair was in a '"n at the 'a k o$ her head# and she was wearin( a li(ht oran(e shirt and 'l"e :eans. Riley didn.t think a le t"re was in the works# so she laid it all o"t. +I a"(ht a !hree all 'y mysel$ and it# like# (ot me. !hen they took it away $rom me., +!hey9, *armela asked# 'rows $"rrowed. +A o"ple o$ ("ys. I tho"(ht they were trappers at $irst# '"t they weren.t., +!hey stole yo"r demon9, !here was sho k in the woman.s voi e. +1eah. I told them I was with -e k# '"t they didn.t 'elieve me. !hey wanted to party., She 'it her lip at the memory o$ the pair o$ them leerin( at her. +*ome on# tell me#, *armela "r(ed. +4id they h"rt yo"9, Riley shook her head. +0o., She strai(htened the sheet on her lap. +I had no hoi e. I had to leave the !hree 'ehind or they wo"ld have?, !he do tor li(htly to" hed her arm. +3ot it. What did they look like9, Riley (ave her the des riptions# in l"din( that one o$ them was named 4od(er. +I.ll tell 4en., Riley $rowned.+hy does everyone think .eck,s my #a#ysitter* +I don.t need his help#, she snapped. +I a"(ht the demon# didn.t I9, *armela $rowned 'a k. +0ot askin( $or help 'o"(ht yo" si2 law marks in yo"r le(. 4en will handle it. He.ll make s"re they learn some respe t., +Why wo"ld he even are9, Riley asked. +He doesn.t owe me anythin(., *armela.s $rown $aded. She leaned loser# pensive. +4en never had a $ather. !he losest man to $ill that role was yo"r dad. I think he sees yo" as his little sis# and he.s not (oin( to let anyone :a k with yo"., +He a ts like he knows everythin(., *armela h" kled. +Honey# that.s what all ("ys are like. 1o" sho"ld know that 'y now., Riley mana(ed a weak smile# a"sin( her lips to ra k. +How mad is he9, +In) an)des ent. Prepare to have yo"r '"tt hewed. Ma:or lea("e. 1o" s ared the hell o"t o$ him. I.ve never seen him that worried., +I$ yo" say so., !he do wasn.t readin( him ri(ht. -e k 'elieved the world sho"ld do whatever he said# :"st 'e a"se he said it. He was only "pset 'e a"se Riley wasn.t playin( his (ame. *armela took the (lass to the kit hen# re$illed it# and ret"rned. Riley s" ked down hal$ o$ it in one lon( ("lp. +So# yo" (ot a 'oy$riend9, the do tor asked# proppin( her $eet on the 'ed. !hen she (rinned. +In8"irin( minds want to know., Peter ame to mind. +/"st a $riend who.s a 'oy.,.ut then there,s &imon. Riley o"ldn.t hide the smile. +I know that look. 1o" have yo"r eye on someone. 3ood $or yo"., Riley wasn.t so s"re. +I don.t think it.ll (o anywhere. He.s Harper.s apprenti e., +Simon Adler9, the do ("essed. Riley nodded. +*"te. 1o".ve (ot (ood taste., +He.s way ti(htly wrapped#, Riley admitted. +Well# yo" won.t have to worry he.ll paw all over yo"# that.s $or s"re. Some o$ those ("ys?, *armela shook her head in dis("st. Riley.s 'ladder ki ked in# sendin( an "r(ent messa(e to her 'rain.

+Ah# an I (et "p and pee and take a shower9 I smell#, she said# wrinklin( her nose. +1es on the toilet# no on the shower., *armela rose. +!hat le(.s (oin( to $eel like dead wood# and I don.t want yo"r ID to (et s rewed "p. 1o" an wash at the sink i$ yo" want# sittin( in a hair., +How soon will it 'e o"t9, Riley 8"i<<ed# peerin( at the lear t"'in( in her arm. +Sin e yo".re peein(# tomorrow mornin(. !he wo"nds look tons 'etter., +*an I see it9, *armela rea hed over to "n over Riley.s le(. +1o" ready9, +Is it really (ross9, she asked# s r"n hin( her $a e. +Sorta. 0ot as 'ad as two days a(o., +!wo days9, Riley (asped. +I.ve 'een si k that lon(9, *armela nodded. She p"lled o$$ the (a"<e. +!a da%, Riley (asped. It looked like a moons ape. !he law marks were en ir led 'y red# p"$$y skin# '"t at least there was no 'rown ("nk now. +0o shorts in my $"t"re., +Hey# I.d show o$$ those s ars. How many (irls an say they a"(ht a demon9, +-"t I didn.t (et to keep him#, Riley omplained. +!hat.s not the point. 1o"caught a !hree. !hat takes h"t<pah. 0e2t time have 4en waitin( in the win(s. He.ll tea h those thieves some manners., !hat so"nded like a plan# despite the $a t that it involved -e k. She o"ld only ima(ine what -a kwoods -oy and his steel pipe o"ld do to 4od(er and his $at '"ddy. +It.s healin( so $ast#, she said# peerin( down at the sli es. +!he Holy Water does that. 4oesn.t do m" h $or re("lar wo"nds# '"t (et hewed "p 'y a $iend and it.s the treatment o$ hoi e., *armela looked aro"nd the room as i$ sear hin( $or somethin(. +!here was a law in one o$ them. I took it o"t. It.s aro"nd here somewhere., 4uuuu 3 Riley pondered that as she hopped her way into the 'athroom# *armela holdin( on to her arm. When she saw hersel$ in the mirror she moaned. +Med"sa hair. !hat.s so (ross., +-"t "ra'le., Riley p"shed a (reasy lo k o"t o$ her $a e. !hen a horri'le tho"(ht hit her. +Simon didn.t see me like this# did he9 I mean# he didn.t ome over and, *armela.s m"si al la"(h $illed the small room. +I wo"ldn.t do that to yo". 0ow hit the an and let.s (et yo" leaned "p. 1o".re (oin( to r"n o"t o$ steam really 8"i kly., Riley hated to tell hershe already had. CCC .y morning, the -@ was o"t and Riley had e2perien ed a lon( hot shower. !wo# a t"ally# tho"(h one had 'een plenty. !he Holy Water treatments only st"n( now# and the wo"nds were knittin( to(ether. *armela had $o"nd some lean sheets in a drawer# and when Riley $lopped in 'ed a$ter the se ond shower it $elt like heaven. It was late in the a$ternoon when she woke to $ind -e k parked in the hair# arms rossed over his 'road hest as he (lared at her like a malevolent (ar(oyle. He had three days. worth o$ 'eard and a power$"l $rown on his $a e. He was learly over 'ein( worried a'o"t her. +Lookin. 'etter#, he said# his drawl thi ker than "s"al. !hat wasn.t a (ood si(n. +!hanks#, she said weakly. She rel" tantly sat "p in 'ed# t" kin( the sheets aro"nd her waist. When he made no move to help# she knew she was in $or it. +So let me (et this ri(ht#, he 'e(an. +I 'lew o$$ an entire ni(ht.s trappin. 'e a"se ya :"st had to (et

yer 'ea"ty sleep., Riley remained m"te. E2perien e had ta"(ht her that i$ yo" :"mped in too 8"i k# people only (ot madder. +-"t instead o$ sleepin.# ya de ided to play trapper and take yer little ass down to &ive Points. 4emon *entral# no less., She 'it the inside o$ her lip and tried not to $id(et. +And ya went down there ?alone., Riley st"died the (eometri pattern on the sheets# waitin( $or the sho"tin( to 'e(in. She hated when people sho"ted. +!ell me what happened#, he 'arked. Riley 'linked at the demand. +I a"(ht a !hree and, +0o%, -e k retorted# s"r(in( to his $eet. He wo"ld have pa ed i$ the room had 'een 'i((er. +I want it $rom the 'e(innin.. Why ya went down there# all o$ it., She took a deep 'reath and told him the story# in l"din( the part a'o"t the two :erks who.d taken her pri<e. When she $inished# she looked "p at him. His $rown was deeper now. +!hey didn.t to" h ya. Is that ri(ht9, he asked# his voi e old steel. +0o. -"t they wanted to., +4id that s are the hell o"tta ya9, Riley nodded. It still s ared her when she tho"(ht a'o"t it# how thin(s mi(ht have $allen o"t i$ that demon hadn.t woken when it did. +Well# at least ya (ot some sense#, he said# his voi e thi k with derision. +What a'o"t the !hree9, +It moved $aster than I tho"(ht it wo"ld. It lawed me# so I rammed the sphere in its $a e., +1er s"pposed to throw .em., +I did. !he $irst one missed., He dropped into the hair. +Anythin. else9, When she didn.t answer# he repeated the 8"estion with more $or e. She s" ked in a deep 'reath. +It didn.t look like I tho"(ht it wo"ld. !hey.re s"pposed to 'e 'la k. !his one was all spotted., +4id it have a 'i( white pat h on its ne k9, he 8"i<<ed. +1eah. It was way heavy# and it smelledreally 'ad., +!hey do# 'e a"se o$ what they eat., She sh"ddered# reali<in( it o"ld have 'een her instead o$ the ow ("ts. +What did ya learn $rom this d"m'ass st"nt9, Here.s where she was s"pposed to apolo(i<e# promise to 'e a (ood little (irl and never do anythin( like this a(ain. &crew that. Riley lo ked eyes with him. +I learned that the Holy Water 'etter 'e $resh# that I need pra ti e throwin( the spheres# and that someone has to wat h my 'a k so asshats don.t steal my demons., -e k.s e2pression alternated 'etween an(er and somethin( she o"ldn.t 8"ite omprehend. Almost like ? pride. +1a lied to me and p"t yersel$ in dan(er. I$ the !hree hadn.t ripped ya apart# those two 'astards wo"ld have. 1a (otta listen to me# (irl. I.ve 'een down this road mysel$., Riley smirked. +!hose ("ys wanted to party with yo" too9, She knew the :oke was a h"(e mistake the moment it le$t her mo"th. -e k.s $a e went dark rimson# the veins poppin( in his ne k. +4ammit# (irl# "t the rap% I owe it to yer daddy to keep ya sa$e. I an.t do that i$ yer :a kin. with me all the time., His an(er i(nited hers. +3"ess what9 1o".re o$$ the hook# -e k. I.ll take are o$ mysel$., +Like ya did with the demon9,

+I did okay $or my $irst !hree#, she protested. +I made some mistakes# '"t I a"(ht the damned thin(%+ithout 'a k"p., He smirked. +1eah# well# $rom now on ya won.t 'e a'le to do diddle in this ity witho"t a master at yer side., +I have to trap or I an.t pay my rent%, +I.ll loan ya the money., +0o deal#, she said# shakin( her head. +1o" think yo" own me now. It.ll only 'e worse i$ I take money $rom yo"., !he m"s les in his :aw twit hed. +I.m too damned tired to ar("e with ya# (irl. I.ll have some'ody wat h yer daddy.s (rave. 1er here "ntil I say otherwise., He held "p two key rin(s. 5ne held her ar keys# the other her $ather.s. +I.ll 'e keepin. these# in ase ya think o$ :oyridin. to &ive Points a(ain., +1o" an.t strand me here%, she ar("ed. +!he hell I an.t#, he said# and stomped o"t o$ the room. A $ew se onds later the $ront door slammed# rattlin( the pi t"res on the livin( room wall. +1o" arro(ant son o$?, She po"nded the pillow# '"t it didn.t help. Why was he so mad9 4id he really think she was (oin( to let him take are o$ her like she was some helpless (irl9 Riley slid down "nder the overs# p"llin( them over her head. "y. )i!e. Totally. &ucks. As lon( as -e k stood in her way# that wasn.t (oin( to han(e. 0I0E!EE0 -e k.s an(er 'e(an to $ade a'o"t the time he wheeled his tr" k into *a''a(etown and made the t"rn toward his ho"se. 0ot that he hadn.t "rsed Riley most o$ the way home. &he,s 'ust like me at that ageAall #adass attitude. E2 ept with him it.d involved too m" h 'oo<e and the 'elie$ that i$ he didn.t (et laid at least a o"ple times a week# the world was (oin( to end. He.d not 'een a'le to tell her# '"t he was so damned pro"d that she.d trapped her $irst !hree on her own. He hadn.t even done that. Still# it s ared the hell o"t o$ him. She wasn.t thinkin( st"$$ thro"(h and that had almost (otten her killed. -! 2arper !inds out a#out your little adventure, there,ll #e hell to pay. !he master had 'een :onesin( to have her li ense revoked# and this time he mi(ht p"ll it o$$. "ight #e !or the #est. -"t it wo"ldn.t 'e ri(ht. !he !hree she.d a"(ht was the one Pa"l and he had 'een h"ntin( $or the 'etter part o$ a week. She.d 'ro"(ht the thin( down on her own# new'ie mistakes and all. +4amn# Riley (irl# ya (ot stones#, he m"ttered# shakin( his head in astonishment. Pro'lem was# this :o' took smarts as well. 1o" had to think o"t a sit"ation# not '"lldo<e yo"r way thro"(h. +3od# now I so"nd like Pa"l#, he said. !hat was damned ironi . A$ter a shower and a 8"i k r"n thro"(h M 4onald.s# a trip to &ive Points was on his radar. Riley had mentioned seein( an old 'la k ("y on the street with a stran(e sort o$ sh"$$le. !hat was pro'a'ly Ike. !he old veteran mi(ht know what really went down the other ni(ht. CCC .eck had always 'elieved that the homeless ("ys livin( aro"nd &orsyth Street had more on the 'all than the politi ians at the state apitol. Ike was a (ood e2ample. He was a transient# as the 'i(wi(s liked to all them. As in# they hoped Ike and his kind wo"ld move on to -irmin(ham or *hattanoo(a# anywhere as lon( as it wasn.t Atlanta. 0one o$ that 'othered the old ("y. His $amily had 'een here sin e the *ivil War. 5n e he $i("red o"t how to work the system# leavin( Atlanta wasn.t in the ards.

!hat.s not e2a tly how the ity had ima(ined their so ial e2periment wo"ld work. A $ew years a(o they.d p"t yellow and 'l"e +donation meters, aro"nd downtown so $olks wo"ld $eed the meters rather than whatever panhandler was pesterin( them. !he ash was olle ted and was s"pposed to (o to the shelters# '"t with the ity short o$ money# who knows where it ended "p. !ho"(h $ewer people donated now# Ike had learned he o"ld s ore ash $or his 'oo<e and $ood i$ he olle ted his "t 'e$ore the ity. It :"st took a row'ar and a little levera(e. -e k wandered "p to the ("y# slow and easy. It was 'est not to spook him# 'e a"se Ike had lo((ed his time in hell d"rin( the &irst 3"l$ War and still s"$$ered ni(htmares. !hey shared ommon (ro"nd in that department. +Ike#, he said politely# settin( his d"$$el 'a( on the (ro"nd. !he old 'la k man looked over# and his $a e 'roke o"t in a toothy smile. +4enver# (ood to see yo"., Ike was whippet)thin "nderneath the layers o$ (rimy lothin(. !he lothes were mismat hed whatever he o"ld s ro"n(e at the lo al shelter# in l"din( the Steelers sto kin( ap. His $in(ers were (narled 'y arthritis# and he had a stran(e sh"$$le that made it seem as i$ he were tryin( to (o $orward and sideways at the same time. -e k p"lled the M 4onald.s sa k $rom his 'a(. +&i("red ya mi(ht like some $ood., !he smile (rew toothier. +0ever t"rn down how. 3ive me a moment# will yo"9 0eed to do some 'ankin(., A$ter a look aro"nd to ens"re they were alone# Ike pla ed a hand over the $ront o$ the donation meter. A little 'it later he lowered it and waited. !he hat h at the 'ottom o$ the meter spr"n( open and oins spilled o"t. He shoveled them into his po kets# tossed a $ew in $or seed# and then $ished somethin( o"t o$ the meter# whi h he are$"lly pla ed in the opposite po ket. 0o row'ar needed. Ike li ked the meter sh"t and (rinned. +All done., -e k $rowned# tryin( to determine what had :"st happened. +&i("re it o"t9, the man teased. !hen it li ked. +It.s a demon# isn.t it9, Ike nodded. +&o"nd him o"tside the asino di((in( thro"(h the trash. We made a deal. He (ives me the money o"t o$ the meters and I make s"re he (ets lots o$ pretty st"$$ $or his stash., He $ished the $iend o"t o$ his po ket. !he Ma(pie was wearin( the trademark 'andana and holdin( a little 'a( o$ treas"re# like all Klepto)&iends. +I all him 0orton., -e k st"died the demon# who $rowned 'a k# re o(ni<in( a trapper when he saw one. +Hi# 0orton., !he $iend s8"eaked in ret"rn# l"t hin( his 'a( like -e k was (oin( to snat h it away $rom him. Little 0orton was a pro'lem. !rappers were s"pposed to apt"re Hellspawn# even i$ they were keepin( a '"ddy $ed. Ike s r"tini<ed him# like he.d heard -e k.s tho"(hts. +1o".re not (oin( take my demon away# are yo"9, !he $iend iss"ed a worried s8"eak. -e k raised his eyes $rom the in$ernal thie$# knowin( what he had to do. +4emon9, he asked. +Where9 I don.t see one., Ike h" kled and ret"rned a relieved 0orton to his po ket. +!hanks# man. !he priest tells me I.m (oin( to Hell $or doin( this., -e k (est"red at the 'roken ity. +And that wo"ld 'e di$$erent ? how9, Ike ("$$awed. +Let.s (o "p the street. I like to 'e on holy (ro"nd as m" h as possi'le# even when I.m eatin(., &mart. !he homeless learned that lesson 8"i klystay on san ti$ied soil or risk 'ein( taken down 'y a !hree. !hat.s why there were always s r"$$y men l"stered on the steps o$ nearly every downtown h"r h. A 'lo k $arther on they passed a mail'o2. Ike dropped o$$ the demon# and the $iend wasted no time s ram'lin( "p the side and then divin( down the mail slot. -e k o"ld only ima(ine what sort o$ $"n it wo"ld have (oin( thro"(h all the letters and pa ka(es.

!hey settled on the stairs that led to the Shrine o$ the Imma "late *on eption on *entral Aven"e. -e k handed over the s"persi<ed heese'"r(er# the $ries# and the lar(e vanilla shake. !he more alories the 'etter. Ike looked like an e'ony toothpi k. +0o onions. 3ot it ri(ht# man#, Ike said# peerin( "nder the '"n. +1o" always remem'er., -e k p"lled o"t his s"pper# whi h was pretty m" h the same# e2 ept he went $or e2tra heese on the '"r(er to "p his protein intake. !hey ate in silen e# too h"n(ry to 'e hatty. It wasn.t "ntil the '"r(ers were (one and they were losin( in on the last o$ the shakes that -e k posed his 8"estion. +A $ew ni(hts a(o a trapper (ot rolled 'y pair o$ losers down here. 5ne o$ them is alled 4od(er. 1a know these ("ys9, +1eah# I do. !hey han( aro"nd lookin( $or someone on their own. !hen they pi k .em o$$. Mostly it.s the asino $olks., He h" kled. +!hey.re st"pid# tho"(h. !hey hit .ema!ter they.ve 'een inside and lost all their money., +Have ya heard anythin. a'o"t them tra$$i kin. in demons9, +4on.t know a'o"t that# '"t I saw .em with one the other ni(ht. It was in a steel 'a( like the kind yo" ("ys "se. !hey were dra((in( it alon( the street# 'it hin( and moanin( how heavy it was. Man# was that thin( howlin( "p a storm., +Was that S"nday ni(ht9, -e k asked. Ike nodded and took a lon( sl"rp o$ his shake. +1a see a (irl down here9, +S"re did. 1o"n( thin(. She was p"llin( a 'a( o"t o$ a ar# a tin( like it was too heavy $or her., +!hat was Pa"l -la kthorne.s da"(hter., Ike.s e2pression saddened. +Ah# man# I heard a'o"t him. Sorry. I know yo" were ti(ht., +1eah# we were., +Why.d yo" let her down here alone9 1o" know what it.s like#, Ike s olded# shakin( a 'ony $in(er at him. +1o" lost yo"r mind9, +I was wat hin. her daddy.s (rave. I didn.t know what she was "p to., +She okay9, Ike asked. -e k shr"((ed. +3ot lawed "p# '"t she.ll make it. !hose two assholes took her demon. I wanna let them know that.s not polite., +I an ima(ine how that.ll (o#, Ike said and smirked# iss"in( a whee<y h" kle. +Want me to keep an eye o"t $or .em9, +S"re do., -e k rose# waddin( the paper 'a( in his hands and (ivin( it a twist like it was someone.s ne k. +/"st 'e are$"l# okay9, +I will#, Ike said. +She.s a (ood)lookin( (irl. 1o" sweet on her9, -e k hesitated# not s"re what to say. +She.s real yo"n(., +1o" looked in a mirror today9 1o".re not m" h older than her., +Way older "p here#, -e k said# tappin( his temple. +1eah# well# that don.t o"nt "ntil yo" 'eenover there#, Ike replied. +!he rest o$ the world don.t "nderstand., +3od# that.s the tr"th., -e k $ished o"t a twenty and handed it over. +!hanks $or yer help., +0o sweat#, Ike said# palmin( the 'ill. +*o"ld yo" drive me to the shelter9 It.s a lon( walk $or my old 'ones., +S"re. I.ll (o (et the tr" k#, -e k o$$ered. As he walked down the street# Ike des ended into a deep o"(hin( $it# one that shook his thin $rame like an earth8"ake. That,ll #e me someday. !WE0!1 +1o" trapped a what9, Peter asked# on$"sed. Riley had alled him to omplain a'o"t -e k# in parti "lar# and a'o"t losin( her demon# in spe i$i .

+A 3astro)&iend. Look them "p on the Internet#, Riley advised. She.d hopped her way o"t to the o" h and was en:oyin( a le$tover pie e o$ pi<<a she.d $o"nd in the re$ri(erator. It was all ve(eta'les# whi h made her think it wasn.t -e k.s. +Any l" k ra kin( the password on the disk9, +0ot yet. I.ve tried all the o'vio"s ones. I.ll (et it. 5nly 'e a matter o$ time., More key'oard noises. +Holy rap% !hese !hree thin(s are wi ked%, -e$ore Riley o"ld respond# there was a voi e in the 'a k(ro"ndPeter.s mom askin( why he was sho"tin(. It was like the woman l"rked o"tside his 'edroom door. He (ave her some lame e2 "se and then ame 'a k on the line. +Sorry# it was the warden., +4id she see the demon on yo"r omp"ter9, Riley asked. +0o way. She doesn.t like yo" as it is. I$ she tho"(ht yo" were han(in( with thin(s that look like a'omina'le snowmen# she.d $reak., +!oo short $or an a'omina'le. More like a really tall !asmanian devil., +4oes it make all those weird noises9, Riley la"(hed. +Pretty lose.,(ight #e!ore it eats you. +So was -e k impressed9, +Ah# not so m" h., She (ave him an overview o$ what had happened# witho"t mentionin( how lose she.d ome to :oinin( her mom and dad. !here was a prolon(ed silen e on the other end o$ the phone. She tho"(ht may'e he was IM.in( one o$ his '"ds# '"t there wasn.t any key'oard li kin(. +Peter9, +Are yo"# like# ra<y9, +I need the money., More silen e. +Peter9, +I always tho"(ht yo"r dad wo"ld look o"t $or yo"# and now that he.s (one it.s ? more dan(ero"s., +Stop worryin(. I.ll apprenti e with one o$ the master trappers and (et my $"ll li ense. !hen I an (o a$ter that 3eo)&iend., Peter.s voi e (ot all stran(e. +Ah# I need to (o# Riley. Let me know what the new s hool is like. Anyway ? later ? 'ye., Riley $o"nd hersel$ listenin( to the dial tone. He.d never le$t her han(in( on the phone like that# even when pestered 'y his mom. +!hanks# d"de. I knew I o"ld o"nt on yo"., She li ked o$$ the phone and dropped it on the o" h ne2t to her. When it 'o"n ed o$$ the "shion and hit the $loor# she made a ("n o"t o$ her $in(ers and riddled it with '"llets. 0o one "nderstood what it was like "nless they were a trapper. Whi h was how her li$e was (oin( to play o"t $rom now on. She.d p"t in her time at s hool "ntil she (ot her diploma# '"t her real li$e was the demons. And :"st like Peter# there wo"ld always 'e people who wo"ldn.t "nderstand that. Wo"ldn.t know the thrill o$ trappin( a !hree and livin( to tell a'o"t it. She.d never 'e normal a(ain. -! - ever was. Leanin( 'a k on the o" h# Riley stared at nothin(# lettin( her tho"(hts ram'le. At least "ntil the nothin( moved. Sittin( "p# she a"(ht si(ht o$ somethin( small and stealthy totin( a little anvas 'a( as it rept alon( the ed(e o$ a 'ookshel$. !he Ma(pie had ret"rned. At least it looked like the same one she.d a"(ht that ni(ht in the hallway. +How.d yo" (et away9, !he demon :"st (rinned and parked itsel$ on the ed(e o$ the shel$# le(s swin(in( 'a k and $orth like a kid. It 'e(an to "npa k its 'a(# layin( o"t a variety o$ shiny o':e ts with st"died reveren e. 5ne o$ them was the0 key $rom her key'oard. Riley 'et i$ she he ked her dresser the silver earrin( wo"ld 'e lon( (one. She o"ld at h it# and that wo"ld 'e seventy)$ive '" ks# money she really needed. I$ it was that

(ood at es apin( it.d :"st ome 'a k and she o"ld earn another seventy)$ive '" ks. She o"ld make her rent o$$ this one demon. Riley rose o$$ the o" h. In a $lash the $iend was (one# alon( with the 'a(. It hadn.t moved that $ast the other day. +Wow. 1o".re s"personi ., *learly it.d de ided it was (oin( to stay. +/"st don.t let anyone see yo"#, she advised. +And p"t my0 'a k ri(ht now%, !here was a 'l"r toward the key'oard and then to the shel$. !he key was in pla e# and not one $o"l word had 'een "ttered. +&o not a -i'lio., CCC .eck had #arely walked inside the !a'erna le and settled at a ta'le $or the 3"ild meetin( when Simon ed(ed "p to him. +How is she9, the yo"n( apprenti e asked# keepin( his voi e low. At -e k.s 8"i<<i al e2pression# he added# +4o tor Wilson told me what happened., +She.s doin. 'etter., +Wo"ld Riley like me to visit her9, Simon asked. (iley might, #ut -,m not so sure - do. He hadn.t 8"ite worked o"t what he tho"(ht o$ Simon# espe ially sin e the ("y de$initely had his eyes on Pa"l.s little (irl. Ah, what the hell. +1eah# (o see her#, -e k replied. +She.d appre iate talkin. to someone who doesn.t piss her o$$., Simon 'ri(htened. +I.ll all her later., +Anyone else know a'o"t this9, -e k asked# lettin( his eyes trail a ross the other trappers in the room. +Harper doesn.t# i$ that.s what yo".re askin(., Simon retreated a ross the open spa e to take his pla e 'ehind the master. Harper (lared and snapped at him o"t o$ ha'it. -e k took a hair and went still# like a sniper in a tree. -esides his "s"al 'ottles o$ 'eer# in his po ket was E2hi'it A# the three)in h law the do had e2 avated $rom Riley.s le(. >ust in case there,s show$and$tell. !he $irst part o$ the meetin( was the "s"al st"$$3"ild ho"sekeepin(# as Pa"l had alled it. *ollins# the 3"ild.s president# anno"n ed an in rease in d"es to over the ost o$ meetin( at the !a'erna le $or the ne2t year. !hat earned (roans $rom the mem'ers. !here were the "s"al omplaints a'o"t trappers not $illin( o"t their paperwork properly. +Anyone had any pro'lems with the Holy Water9, *ollins asked. +I have#, -e k replied. +It didn.t take down a !hree like it was s"pposed to., +Was the Holy Water $resh9, +1eah. 5ne day old., +It helps i$ yo" a t"ally hit the demon# Mile Hi(h#, one o$ the other trappers :ested. -e k wasn.t in the mood. +Pa"l hit it strai(ht on# '"t it didn.t matter., !he mention o$ the dead master.s name sh"t down the :okin( immediately. +Speakin( o$ whi h#, *ollins 'e(an# +why don.t yo" tell "s what happened the ni(ht Pa"l died., -e k dreaded this moment. 5"t o$ respe t $or his mentor# he rose. !he room $ell silent. +!his is hard#, he 'e(an# $eelin( the pri kle o$ tears in his eyes. He 'linked them away# took a lon(# deep 'reath# and delivered the report in meas"red tones as i$ he were in $ront o$ a s"perior o$$i er. When it was over he remained standin( in ase there were 8"estions. +1a say the 'easties were workin. ta(ether9, Master Stewart 8"i<<ed. +!imin. was too (ood to 'e oin iden e., +-"llshit#, Harper said# (larin( over at -e k. +He.s :"st sayin( that 'e a"se he $" ked "p and (ot

his partner killed., -e k.s heart 'e(an to hammer in his ears. &ists len hed# he $or ed himsel$ to stay p"t# not va"lt a ross the room and take Harper o"t. +I didn.t $" k "p. I did every (oddamn thin( ri(ht and he still?, -e k "n len hed his $ists and p"t his hands palm down on the ta'le to keep $rom losin( it. .etter tell them now. When he looked "p# all eyes were on him. +It was the same &ive that went a$ter Pa"l.s da"(hter in the li'rary., Harper smirked. +How.d yo" know that9, +I asked it. !he damned thin( la"(hed at "s# like we were nothin.., He hesitated and then let loose the $inal se ret. +It was the $irst time I ever saw Pa"l a$raid o$ a demon., Some o$ the trappers shi$ted nervo"sly# whisperin( amon( ea h other. I$ a 3eo)&iend o"ld take o"t someone as e2perien ed as -la kthorne# then any one o$ them was at risk. Even Harper. And the old master knew it. +Any other 8"estions9, Silen e. +!hanks# -e k. Sorry a'o"t Pa"l., A pa"se. +/a kson# yo".re "p., !he 3"ild.s treas"rer rose. +3ot a report that someone is sellin( demons ille(ally. 1o" ("ys heard anythin(9, +&ireman /a k mentioned somethin( a'o"t it the other day#, Morton replied. He still hadn.t made master 'e a"se Harper re$"sed to si(n o$$ on his appli ation# whi h had made $or 'ad 'lood 'etween them. +!hat $a(9, Harper h"$$ed. +Wo"ldn.t tr"st a thin( he.d say., +As lon( he treats "s $airly# I don.t are what h"r h he worships at#, /a kson shot 'a k. +1o" wo"ldn.t., -e k shook his head. Harper never $ailed to ama<e him. !he man was a nat"ral)'orn asshole. /a kson leared his throat# twi e# his way o$ keepin( his ool. +I he ked with a $ew o$ the tra$$i kers. 5ne o$ them was omplainin( that someone paid $ive h"ndred $or a !hree earlier this week. He didn.t know who 'o"(ht the thin( and wanted to know why the 3"ild was allowin( that., +We aren.t#, Harper said testily. +Any yo" ("ys trap a !hree this week9, 5ne o$ the trappers raised his hand. +I did. I sold it to /a k $or three h"ndred., +Anyone else9, Seven more men raised their hands# and all o$ them had sold the $iends $or the standard $ee. +I sold two#, -e k added. +So this story is '"llshit then#, Harper said. +Let.s move on., They don,t know a#out (iley,s demon. -e k wei(hed the sit"ation. He mi(ht 'e a'le to '"ry her misadvent"re deep eno"(h that they.d never $ind o"t# '"t it wo"ldn.t han(e the $a t that someone was stealin( demons and sellin( them ille(ally. !hat wo"ld event"ally ome 'a k to ha"nt them. Pain now. Pain Later. 0ever a (ood all. &orry, girl, the shit,s gonna hit the !an. +!here was another !hree a"(ht this week., +Who trapped it9, *ollins asked. +Pa"l.s da"(hter. She took it down in 4emon *entral S"nday ni(ht., Harper 'roke o"t in a thi k la"(h. +0i e one# kid., +I.m not :okin.. She was worried a'o"t payin. her rent# so she loaded "p Pa"l.s (ear and went h"ntin.. She took down a !hree ?on her own., +0o way#, /a kson said. +&or real9, +&or real., +She tell yo" that9, Harper asked. -e k nodded. +!hen she.s lyin(., -e k.s m"s les tensed. He moved his ne k to loosen them# like a $i(hter does ri(ht 'e$ore a 'o"t. Harper a"(ht the (est"re and sneered at him.

+She.s (ot si2 law marks in her le( that say otherwise#, -e k retorted. +And :"st in ase yo" think-,m lyin(?, He raised the law $ra(ment in the air so the others o"ld see it. !he trapper losest to him win ed. +4o Wilson d"( this o"t o$ her thi(h., +*laws marks don.t mean she trapped the thin(#, Harper protested. +5n e it hooks yo"# it only (oes two ways> 1o" trap it or it eats yo". !here.s no other options#, Morton replied. He (ave Harper a hard stare. +I wo"ld e2pe t a master to know that., Harper spat on the $loor in dis("st. +I did some he kin.#, -e k replied. +Seems there.s a o"ple o$ losers down there who like rollin. $olks. Riley trapped the !hree and then they showed "p. !hey told her they o"ld (et $ive h"ndred $or it., +1o" sayin. they stole her demon9, /a kson asked# astonished. -e k nodded. +It was easy. 1o"n( (irl on her own. !hey $i("red they.d s ore some serio"s ash and have a party. She had to leave the demon 'ehind i$ she didn.t wanna (et :"mped., +!hat ain.t ri(ht%, someone alled o"t $rom the 'a k o$ the room. +!hose two need some th"mpin.., +Amen to that#, another voi e said. *ollins looked over at -e k. +How.s the kid9, +Healin.. And serio"sly pissed., !here were nods aro"nd the room. -e k kept the smile to himsel$. !hese ("ys were hard) ore# with a simple view o$ how the world sho"ld work. !rapper R"le 0o. A> 0o one messed with yo"r apt"re. R"le 0o. E> 0o one messed with a $ellow trapper. Diolate either o$ those r"les and serio"s pain was in yo"r $"t"re. /a kson $rowned# his $a e deep in tho"(ht. +Who.s '"yin( these $iends $or that kind o$ money9 !he le(it tra$$i kers know 'etter. !he world $alls in on them i$ they deal "nder the ta'le., +What do they do with the demons a$ter they '"y them9, Morton asked. +!hey have to (o to the *h"r h. -"t i$ the '"yer.s ille(al# they an.t do that witho"t the paperwork., +We need to (et a handle on this#, *ollins inter eded. +Stewart# an yo" he k in with the Ar h'ishop and $ind o"t i$ anythin(.s happenin( on that end9, +Aye#, the master replied. +What a'o"t -la kthorne.s 'rat9, Harper asked. +She was trappin( ille(ally. We an.t let that happen., Stewart h" kled and rose# s"pported 'y a ane. +0ay# we anna. Pa"l was one o$ the 'est damned trappers I ever knew. I$ his lass an p"ll down a !hree at this sta(e# I.d say it 'e in the 'lood., +1o" willin( to take that on9, *ollins asked. +She so"nds damned will$"l., +Aye# I.d 'e pleased ta train the lass. All she needs is a $irm hand., -e k allowed himsel$ to e2hale. Stewart was a (ood man. A 'it slower now that he.d (otten 'an(ed "p tan(lin( with an Ar hdemon# '"t still a lot kinder than the other hoi e.And a lot less pre'udiced. +0o#, Harper 'arked. +I.m senior trapper and I (et my hoi e o$ apprenti es. -la kthorne.s 'rat is mine to train., Stewart eyed his rival. +1a (onna 'e $air with her9, +/"st as $air as she deserves#, Harper retorted. !he "nholy smile on his $a e said it all. Simon went pale. He (ave -e k a desperate look# '"t there was nothin( they o"ld do. Harper had seniority. &hit. His plan had $ailed. *ollins (ave Harper a lon( look. +We.ll want re("lar reports on her pro(ress., !he smirk (rew wider. +And yo".ll (et them# tr"st me., +5kay# let.s move on. What.s this a'o"t not tellin( mall se "rity when yo".re trappin( in a department store9 1o" ("ys know the r"les.,

!WE0!1)50E Riley heard the telltale lomp o$ 'oots in the hallway 'e$ore the kno kin( started. It was lose to ei(ht at ni(ht. Simon wasn.t d"e "ntil nine# whi h meant this was pro'a'ly -e k ret"rnin( $or another le t"re. +Hey# (irl# ya awake9, Riley m"ted the television and hopped to the door. With a (roan# she $lipped the lo ks and opened the door partway '"t not eno"(h to allow her nemesis to 'ar(e in. +What.s "p9, -e k waved a 'a( in $ront o$ her $a e. It sported the lo(o o$ the 3ro"nds Gero. +-ro"(ht ya one o$ their 'rownies. !ho"(ht ya liked them., +I do. /"st don.t like the delivery ("y., +S" ks# don.t it9, he said. +So do ya let me in or do I toss this in the d"mpster on the way o"t9, Riley (asped at the tho"(ht o$ s" h r"elty and waved him in. -e k plopped on the o" h# pla in( the 'a( on the pa kin( 'o2 o$$ee ta'le. He still looked tired# like sleep no lon(er held any val"e $or him. +0ew oat9, she asked. His old one had 'een dark 'rown. !his one was a reamy 'rown# and it looked (ood on him. -e k nodded. +&o"nd it at the market. It.s "sed# '"t I like .em that way. 0ot as sti$$# makes it easier to move., He stared at her $or a $ew se onds. +1a have any soda9, Riley ho''led into the kit hen# retrieved the drink# and then 'e(an to $"me. She was the one with the (ored le(. Why wasn.t he (ettin( his own drink9 When she ret"rned to the livin( room she reali<ed why. He.d set o"t the plasti wrapped 'rownie# and leanin( "p a(ainst it was a olored envelope adorned with a smiley $a e. 2e #ought me a card* She handed over the drink and then ea(erly th"m'ed open the envelope. /h. !he ard wasn.t $rom -e k '"t $rom the 'aristas at the o$$ee shop. !hey.d si(ned their names in di$$erent olors# alon( with more smiley $a es. Simi.s was in 'ri(ht oran(e. Riley made s"re to smile anyway. +*ool., +!ho"(ht ya.d like that., He pla ed somethin( ne2t to the 'rownie. It was a demon de al. She.d re eive one $or ea h !hree she trapped. Most trappers p"t them on their vehi les like $i(hter pilots did d"rin( the wars. -e k.s tr" k had a lot o$ them. He.d :oked they were what held it to(ether. She (rinned# st"dyin( the de al. +Way ool% !hanks%, +1a earned it., He took a lon( drink o$ the soda# (ave a distin t '"rp '"t no apolo(y. A white envelope landed ne2t to the de al. +&or yo"r rent. *onsider it a loan., +How m" h9, +&ive h"ndred., 7ive hundred more reasons you,ll think you own me. +!hanks#, she m"ttered. She.d a ept the ash or sleep in the streets. 0o oin $lip needed. Riley peeled o$$ the plasti that entom'ed the 'rownie. As lon( as she had a $i2 o$ ho olate# she o"ld handle anythin(. +Who is wat hin( 4ad toni(ht9, +5ne o$ the :o"rneymen. 4on.t worry# nothin. will happen., He seemed so s"re. +How.d the meetin( (o9, -e k $rowned. +How.d ya know a'o"t that9, +*armela. She dropped 'y to make s"re I hadn.t (one all $"rry or anythin(., +1a won.t. 0ot .til the $"ll moon#, he said. +I an.t wait to see that., +I do# and yo".re the $irst one I ma"l., He didn.t look worried.

+Meetin(9, she n"d(ed. Simon had hed(ed when she.d asked him a'o"t it on the phone# whi h meant she mi(ht not like the news. -e k took another sip o$ soda# this time min"s the '"rp. Slo" hed a(ainst the o" h# he had one 'ooted $oot "p on the pa kin( 'o2 like he was wat hin( a $oot'all (ame. +4id ya hear $rom Simon9, he asked# han(in( the s"':e t. She nodded. +He omin. over9, She nodded a(ain. He $ell silent# whi h made her wonder i$ he was happy with that 'it o$ news. +Let me help yo" here#, she said# rel" tantly pla in( the 'rownie on her lap. +I say# @How.d the meetin( (o# -e k9. and yo" say @Well# Riley# it was?. , She (est"red $or him to omplete the senten e. !hat (ot her a (lower. +0ot terri$i . Harper was on his hi(h horse# and the 3"ild knows ya were o"t trappin. on yer own., +1o" ratted me o"t9,You couldn,t wait to tell them, could you* +1eah#, he said# '"t his $a e told her he didn.t $ind any :oy in that. +!he 3"ild.s not happy a'o"t yer st"nt., +S"rprise., She.d 'e naive to ass"me they.d (ive her a ro"nd o$ appla"se. !he enti in( s ent o$ ho olate wa$ted into her nose. She losed her eyes and savored the moment as a tiny moan es aped her lips. +What is it with (irls and ho olate9, -e k (r"m'led a$ter another swi( o$ soda. +!astes like '"rnt o$$ee to me., Her eyes snapped open# annoyed he.d r"ined the moment. +!his $rom a ("y who ("<<les ener(y drinks o"t o$ re y led whiskey 'ottles9, +-etter than that st"$$., !his wasn.t (ettin( her anywhere. +So what happened9, He si(hed# r"nnin( a hand thro"(h his hair. It made it sti k "p in the $ront. +1er not to trap a(ain "ntil yer workin. with a master. Period. !he end., -etter than she.d e2pe ted. Riley took a 'ite o$ 'rownie in ele'ration. !he ho olate hit her mo"th like (ooey 'om'. 2eaven. +So who.s (oin( to train me9, she asked aro"nd the on$e tion. Her visitor didn.t answer# s"ddenly $as inated 'y the in(redients listed on the 'a k o$ the soda 'ottle. &tall alert. +Harper9, A "rt nod. +He.s senior. He has the ri(ht., +-"t he hates me% He.ll make s"re I $ail. !hat.s not $air., -e k walked to the kit hen while ("<<lin( the last o$ the soda. !he (lass 'ottle landed in the re y lin( 'in with a rattle. When he ret"rned# his ri(ht eye'row rooked "pward. +0ot $air9 I$ ya want $air# Prin ess# don.t 'e a trapper., 1rincess* -e k pa"sed near the door. +I$ yer (ood# ya s"rvive. I$ not9, He shr"((ed like it was no 'i( deal. &o much !or sympathy. +What a'o"t my ar keys9, +!ake the damned '"s. It.s (ood $or the environment., !hen he was (one# om'at 'oots th"mpin( on the stairs. Riley si(hed and s rat hed her thi(h thro"(h the denim. !he wo"nds were tort"rin( her in a new waynear onstant it hin(. +Wait a min"te#, she said# a (rin spro"tin(. !here wasone 'ri(ht side to apprenti in( with -adass Harper and that was his other apprenti e. Simon wo"ld 'e trainin( alon(side her $or a $ew months "ntil he 'e ame a :o"rneyman. +May'e this isn.t as horri'le as I think., I$ she o"ld s"rvive Harper.s 'listerin( 'it hiness# she.d 'e ome the $irst $"lly li ensed $emale

trapper in Atlanta.s history. +!hen I.m (onna ki k yo"r ass# -a kwoods -oy., CCC Three out!its later, Riley $inally de ided what to wear. Simon had seen her post)li'rary disaster in all her (reen)h"ed (lory# '"t this was a han e to look (ood $or a han(e. She (lan ed "p at the lo k on the ni(htstand. !wenty more min"tes 'e$ore he was s hed"led to arrive at her door. +Please don.t 'e early#, she m"ttered. -e k had taken "p more time that she.d reali<ed# tho"(h the 'rownie had (iven her e2tra ener(y. Riley hopped into the 'athroom and donned her make"p. At least Simon hadn.t seen her in $"ll rottin( mode. !here was no amo"nt o$ $o"ndation or lip (loss that wo"ld erase that ima(e. She s r"tini<ed hersel$ in the mirror. Her hair was 'a k to normalwhi h meant it had a will o$ its ownand the pink on her heeks had nothin( to do with a $ever. A$ter another li'eral dose o$ lotion to the demon s ars in the vain hope they.d stop the it hin(# she dressed in 'la k sla ks# a red t"rtlene k# and 'la k 'oots. She $id(eted in $ront o$ the lon( mirror on the 'a k o$ the 'edroom door# ad:"stin( the t"rtlene k.s sleeves# her hair# everythin(. 0othin( seemed ri(ht. HER RE&LE*!I50> 1o".re $reakin.# (irl$riend. 3et a (rip% HER> 5$ o"rse I am. !his is Simon. He.s totally "te. HER RE&LE*!I50> 0o ar("ment. So what.s the pro'lem9 HER> Why.s he omin( to see me9 He.s (ot to have a (irl$riend. He.s too hot not to. HER RE&LE*!I50> 1eah# I an see Simon heatin( on his lady. 0ot% Why don.t yo" ask him i$ he.s taken9 HER> -e a"se I mi(ht not like the answer. HER RE&LE*!I50> 0ow that.s honest. HER> Sh"t "p. 5nly one way to solve this$ind a way to ask the ("y witho"t so"ndin( patheti . !hen he.d say he was datin( and it.d 'e all over. At least -,ll get out o! this cage !or a while. Simon was all smiles when he appeared at her door wearin( a 'la k :a ket# navy 'l"e shirt# and 'l"e :eans. !he navy went well with his white)(old hair and deep 'l"e eyes. As "s"al# the wooden ross was in plain si(ht. &or hal$ a se ond Riley eyed him# soakin( in the view.Yummy. +1o" look very ni e#, he said. +!hanks. It.s (ood not to 'e (reen anymore., %ork5 +hy did - say that* +Are yo" "p $or a hot ho olate r"n9, +1es. 1ES% Anythin( to (et o"t o$ here#, she e2 laimed. Riley (ra''ed her 'a( 'y the door. Somethin( landed on the $loor in a rattle o$ metal. !he two key rin(s. -e k had ret"rned them and not said a thin(. You are such a creeper. !he moment she lo ked the apartment door# Simon o$$ered his arm. Way old)$ashioned# '"t tho"(ht$"l# espe ially sin e her le( o"ld (o $rom $ine to rampy in a matter o$ se onds. +!oo 'ad the elevator.s 'roken#, he said. +It.d 'e easier $or yo"., He was always thinkin( o$ other people. +I o"ld arry yo" down the stairs#, he o$$ered. +1o" don.t wei(h that m" h., 2e isn,t 'oking. +Ah# no# that.s okay. I have to (et "sed to this. It.s $eelin( 'etter# honest#, she $i''ed.

When Riley $altered a $ew steps down# he moved his hand to aro"nd her waist. 0ot too ti(ht# '"t eno"(h to let her know he wasn.t (oin( to let her $all. She hoped he.d leave it there. +So what have yo" 'een doin( sin e -e k.s (ro"nded yo"9, he asked. +I.ve tried to $ind 4ad.s man"al., Ea h step made the thi(h ramp# whi h shot a 'olt o$ pain into her (roin. +I.ve (one thro"(h every drawer# 'ookshel$# and 'o2#, she said# tryin( to keep her mind o$$ the dis om$ort. +0o (o., +1o" try his ar9 Like may'e "nder the spare tire9, Simon asked. Riley (aped at him. +I saw him p"t it in there a$ter one o$ the meetin(s. He made me promise not to tell yo". -"t now# well?, 0ow it didn.t matter. +!hanks% I.d never have tho"(ht o$ lookin( "nder the tire., His (rin widened. +4"h% Why else wo"ld he have p"t it there9, She el'owed him. +What.s happenin( with Harper9, +I hear he.s (ot a new apprenti e#, Simon replied. +A pretty one., +How hard is he (oin( to 'e on me9, Simon.s (ood h"mor withered. +Way hard. He.ll tear yo" apart. He does that to all o$ his apprenti es# and it.ll 'e worse $or yo" 'e a"se o$ yo"r dad., +What happened 'etween them9, +0o idea#, he said# shr"((in(. +-"t whatever it was# Harper.s never $or(otten it., +And now he has another -la kthorne to torment., +He.s e2pe tin( yo" at nine in the mornin(. I.ll (ive yo" dire tions., When they rea hed his ar# Simon opened the door $or her. She lim'ed in# '"t it proved harder than she.d e2pe ted. &inally she reali<ed it was 'est to sit and then "se the enter onsole as an an hor so she o"ld pivot hersel$ inside. +5" h# o" h# o" h#, she said# r"''in( the le( to try to ease the ramp. Simon knelt ne2t to her# on erned. +Anythin( I an do9, +/"st (et me hi(h on hot ho olate# that.s all., His worried e2pression eased. +&or yo"# anythin(., CCC 2er !riend &imi han(ed her hair olor more o$ten than she did 'oy$riends# whi h was sayin( somethin(. !oni(ht her lo ks were oal 'la k with 'rilliant p"rple hi(hli(hts. 5n anyone else it wo"ld have looked silly# '"t Simi.s e2oti $a e allowed her to do almost anythin( and look (reat. It ame with her "ni8"e an estrya mash"p o$ Le'anese# *hinese# Irish# and 0ative Ameri an. +Hey# -la kthorne%, the 'arista alled o"t. Heads t"rned and Riley inwardly (roaned. !he o$$ee shop wasn.t that '"sy# '"t she m" h pre$erred to 'e anonymo"s ri(ht now. !he $amily name had 'een in the papers too m" h re ently. +I es aped%, she replied# holdin( her hands "p in tri"mph. +1o" did. I.m impressed. 1o" (et the ard9, +1es#, Riley said. +!hanks%, +It was the trapper.s idea. He 'ro"(ht it in and had "s si(n it#, Simi admitted. .eck #ought the card* +hy didn,t he say that* +So is he# like# datin( or anythin(9 He.s way hot#, Simi remarked. .eck hot* +ell, may#e a little. His serio"s ase o$ attit"de (ot in the way o$ his hotness every time. In lie" o$ an answer# she (est"red toward Simon. +!his ("y has o$$ered to '"y me all the hot ho olate I an drink#, she said# 'eamin( "p at her es ort. +0iii e#, Simi said# raisin( a 'la k eye'row. She didn.t mean the +all the hot ho olate, part either.

+1o" want the same9, Her eyes remained on Simon. +1es# thank yo"#, he replied. +Real ni e#, she said# then went to work reatin( the drinks. +How.s yo"r le( doin(9, +-etter#, Riley replied. +It hes a lot. &eels like I.ve 'een 'itten 'y a $ive)h"ndred)po"nd mos8"ito., Simi (ave a sympatheti nod. +!he trapper said yo".d (one a$ter a demon on yo"r own. Is that ri(ht9, Riley nodded. +Wasn.t the smartest thin( I.ve done., She heard a (r"nt o$ a(reement $rom Simon. Simi.s eyes lit "p. Sin e they.d 'een talkin( a'o"t demons# Riley knew what was omin(. +0o# I did not wat h%emonland last ni(ht#, Riley said# hopin( to short) ir "it the s"':e t. It never worked# '"t she still tried. +5h# man# it was awesome#, Simi pro laimed. +-la<e took o"t a Winne'a(o $"ll o$ demons with a Walmart shoppin( art., Any television prod" er who wo"ld p"t Walmart# demons# and an RD in the same episode was :"st askin( $or tro"'le# '"t then Hollywood.s idea o$ the Dati an.s 4emon H"nters was more $lash than reality. +Was -la<e wearin( those s rew)me heels a(ain9, Riley (r"m'led# leanin( a(ainst the o"nter $or s"pport. +1"p. And that skinti(ht leather o"t$it yo" hate# the one that 'arely overs her '"tt#, Simi replied. +It was a totally ki k)ass episode., +-"t the demon h"nters don.t admit women#, Simon said# perple2ed. Simi (ave him a look like he.d :"st $lattened her $avorite p"ppy. +1o".ve never wat hed the show# have yo"9, Simon shook his head. Riley.s estimation o$ him (rew ten$old. +!hen yo" an.t :"d(e it#, the 'arista said# ret"rnin( with the hot ho olate. +1o" have to admit last season.s $inal episode was tr"ly epi ., Simon (ave Riley a raised eye'row. +5ne o$ the h"nter ("ys destroyed a me(a)demon on top o$ Saint Peter.s -asili a#, Riley e2plained. +Saint Peter.s is holy (ro"nd#, Simon 'e(an# +so no demon an, +Are yo"# like# an a"thority or somethin(9, Simi retorted. Riley le$t them to it# limpin( her way to the losest 'ooth. She slid in# happy to let her thi(h rest. It was doin( its d"ll '"rn thin( now. Her eyes tra ked toher 'ooth alon( the $ar wall# the one where she and her dad had always sat. A $amiliar shard o$ ("ilt drove itsel$ in a little deeper. How o"ld she 'e o"t with Simon when she sho"ld 'e wat hin( over the (rave9 0ot that -e k wo"ld let her "ntil her le( healed# '"t it still $elt sel$ish. +0o# 4ad wo"ld want me here#, she said resol"tely.2e liked &imon. Her es ort delivered the hot ho olate. +Who won9, Riley asked# an(lin( her head toward the 'arista. +It was a draw. Either that or o$$ee stirrers at twenty pa es., &or the ne2t $ew min"tes they drank in silen e. Riley spent that time savorin( the e28"isite (oodness o$ the drink and s rewin( "p her o"ra(e to ask !he H"estion. +Ah# thanks#, she said. +!his is really (ood., +!here.s more i$ yo" want some., Simon didn.t seem like he wanted to 'e somewhere else# and he wasn.t he kin( his phone every $ew min"tes as i$ he were e2pe tin( a all. >ust ask him. +Are yo" datin( someone9, she 'l"rted./h, that was smooth. His $orehead rinkled in am"sement. +May'e., +5h., She si(hed./! course he,s dating, you idiot. 2e,s way too cool to #e on his own.

+I.ve :"st started seein( someone#, he said. !hat made it even worse. Simon to" hed her hand with his $in(ers. +!here.s this really ni e (irl. She.s (ot the most ama<in( 'rown eyes and an in redi'ly sharp mind., +5h.,&o not me. +And we.ve (ot somethin( in ommon. We 'oth trap demons., It took her a se ond to reali<e he was talkin( a'o"t her. +Me9, she asked. He nodded."e5 +!hen it.s all (ood.,(eally good. She (i$ted him with a smile +-"t we an.t let Harper know we.re datin( or he.ll make it worse $or yo"., He (nawed on his lip $or a moment. +Will yo" promise me somethin(9, +What9, she asked# a"(ht o$$ ("ard 'y his serio"s e2pression. +Promise yo" won.t (o h"ntin( on yo"r own a(ain# at least not "ntil yo".re a :o"rneyman., +hat* Where was this omin( $rom9 She p"lled her hand away. +I an.t make that promise# Simon., +Riley# yo".re really 'rave# '"t yo".re still a, +3irl9, she asked# her temper risin(. +Apprenti e#, he replied# an ed(e to his voi e. +Who happens to 'e a (irl#, she p"shed 'a k. !hat was always the 'ottom line with these ("ys. She wasn.t one o$ them. +0o%, he said emphati ally. +0ot everythin( is a'o"t (ender. !his is a'o"t yo" 'ein( sa$e., Riley.s eyes 'ored holes into her "p. She really liked this ("y# and yet here he was tryin( to 'o2 her in# :"st like -e k. +4o yo" think I.m ra<y wantin( to 'e a trapper9, she demanded. Simon $rowned. +1es., When she opened her mo"th to protest# he raised his hand to "t her o$$. +I "nderstand why yo" o"ld want this so 'adly. I know I do# even i$ it makes no sense., 2e,s not playing power games. 2e really cares. !he reali<ation le$t her 'reathless. Simon took her hand a(ain and s8"ee<ed it# r"''in( his th"m' over her palm in a (entle motion. +/"st 'e are$"l# will yo"9 !hat.s all I ask., His voi e was so (entle. +5nly i$ yo" promise the same., +4eal., !hey held hands $or another min"te or so# and then he rose to $et h more hot ho olate. A$ter he pla ed the order# he looked over at her and smiled. !he rest o$ the room $aded to (ray. !here was only him# his 'rilliant 'l"e eyes# and that ama<in( hair. Somethin( had han(ed 'etween them. Whatever it was# it $elt ri(ht. !WE0!1)!W5 It took Riley a while to de ipher the peelin( si(n on the on rete '"ildin(. +Min( and Sons A"to Repair., !he si(n 'oasted Min( o"ld $i2 transmissions# radiators# and *D 'oots. 0ot anymore. 0ow the '"ildin( ho"sed the most senior trapper in Atlanta# and the one with the shortest temper. At least it,s close to the cemetery. Real lose# like down Memorial 4rive. 0ow that she went to s hool in Midtown# she.d have to drive thro"(h Atlanta to lass# p"t in her three ho"rs# then drive all the way down here to spend the ni(ht wat hin( over her dad. She yawned at the tho"(ht./nly !ive more nights. 4espite her t"mmy 'ein( $"ll o$ l"s io"s hot ho olate and the toasty inner (low Simon had kindled# Riley hadn.t slept well. !oo worried what today wo"ld 'rin(.

Her ell phone 'e(an hirpin(. It was Peter. At least he,s talking to me again. +Hey# d"de#, she said# makin( s"re not to let the relie$ show in her voi e. +I ra ked it%, he rowed. It took her a moment to reali<e he was talkin( a'o"t the omp"ter disk. +So what was the password9, +Eleven# nineteen# ei(hteen si2ty)three., +H"h9, +!he date o$ the 3ettys'"r( Address#, he replied pro"dly. +Makes sense. 4ad wrote his thesis a'o"t it., She heard a (roan. +1o" o"ldn.t have told me that "p $ront and saved me ho"rs o$ ha kin(9, +4on.t (ive me that. 1o" loved every min"te o$ it., She knew he was (rinnin(. +-"sted#, he said. +I.m still di((in( thro"(h the $iles. &rom what I an tell# it.s resear h a'o"t Holy Water. History# $olklore# all o$ it. It.ll take a while to (et thro"(h all this., +I wonder what he was "p to#, Riley admitted. +We.ll $ind o"t. So what.s yo"r day like9, +I.m standin( o"tside my new master.s pla e. 0ot impressed., +Well# have at it. *all me when yo" (et a han e., +Later# Peter., She p"t away the phone and tr"d(ed a ross the (ravel parkin( lot to the metal door lo ated at the $ront o$ the '"ildin(. !he door was 'attered and s rat hed and de$initely needed a paint :o'. She raised her hand to kno k# '"t the door opened 'e$ore she o"ld do the honors. It was Simon and he was $rownin(. +Riley., +Hi. How are yo"9, she asked# remem'erin( how pleasant last ni(ht had 'een. +3ood#, he said# '"t it didn.t so"nd that way. +Harper.s inside. -e are$"l., Riley nodded and m"stered her (ame smile. +It helps that yo".re here., He shook his head. +It.ll only make it worse# $or#oth o$ "s., He p"shed past her and headed toward his 'eat)"p silver 4od(e. /hhkay. A$ter he.d p"lled away# she had no $"rther reason to stall. !he moment she stepped inside the smell hit her. L"'e. 5ld tires. And somethin( else. Raw s"l$"r. %emon. !he '"ildin( was laid o"t like any (ara(etwin do"'le doors led to servi e 'ays. All the metal li$ts were (one# and the e2posed eilin( ra$ters sported wires and ropes that ran over the 'eams like spa(hetti. In one orner was a h"(e pile o$ plasti :"(s and 'ottles# the kind "sed $or Holy Water. Apparently# Harper.s pla e was some kind o$ re y lin( lo ation. 5ne hal$ o$ the '"ildin( had 'een se tioned o$$. !o her ri(ht alon( the wall were $ive heavy)d"ty steel a(es# only one o$ whi h was o "pied. =nlike the demon she.d tan(led with# this !hree was all 'la k# like they were s"pposed 'e. It slavered and slo''ered# remindin( her o$ an overly hairy do(# e2 ept this one.s lon( laws raked a(ainst the sides o$ the rein$or ed steel en los"re like it was sharpenin( them. +-la kthorne.s da"(hter#, it (rowled. -e$ore she had a han e to reply# a voi e 'ellowed# +3et the hell in here# (irl%, With a pleadin( look heavenward# Riley made the :o"rney into what m"st have 'een the shop.s o$$i e. It was small and rowded with $"rnit"re. 5n one side o$ the room was an old wooden desk with an e8"ally an ient desk hair. 5n the other# Harper was sprawled in a tattered dark 'l"e re liner that had 'een new 'e$ore omp"ters were invented. His eyes were red and his $a e "nshaven# pro'a'ly 'e a"se o$ the hal$)empty 'ottle o$ /a k 4aniel.s at his el'ow. His shirt was lean '"t

wrinkled# and his :eans had 'la k stains in them. -ehind him was a wooden door that led into the rear o$ the '"ildin(. !hro"(h it she o"ld see an "nmade 'ed and what looked like a kit henette. 4irty dishes were piled in the sink. 2e lives here* She.d e2pe ted he had apartment or a ho"se# like the other trappers. Riley had never really paid m" h attention to Master Harper# mostly 'e a"se he was always hatin( on her dad. 0ow she.d 'e with him $or the ne2t nine months.)ess i! he wants to get rid o! me. +Mr. Harper#, she said. 0o reason to piss him o$$ ri(ht o$$ the 'at. +-rat#, he replied# darin( her to hallen(e him. He $li ked a li(hter on the end o$ a heap i(ar. +I.m Riley# sir., +0o# yo".re -rat., Smoke o"rsed o"t o$ his mo"th# revealin( s"rprisin(ly de ent teeth. +5r may'e I.ll all yo" -it h., She si(hed. +-rat works $or me., Esta'lishin( the pe kin( order. May'e that was as $ar as it.d (o. +All my apprenti es need to know one thin(> My word is law. 1o" $" k "p and yo".re (one# and no other master in this o"ntry will to" h yo". 3ot it9, Annoy you and -,m gone. +1es# sir., +/"st 'e a"se yo".re -la kthorne.s (irl doesn.t mean yo".re (oin( to (et any sla k. I don.t tr"st yo" as $ar as I an spit yo"# (ot it9, +1es# sir., +It.s lear to me -la kthorne was doin( a piss)poor :o' o$ trainin( yo"# so we.re startin( over $rom the 'e(innin(., He pointed to a 'attered metal '" ket and a s r"' 'r"sh in a orner. +!he $loor "nder the a(es need leanin(. 3et to it., +1es# sir., She looked at the implements# remem'erin( the si<a'le piles o$ demon rap. +4o yo" have a shovel and some (loves9, He took a p"ll on his 'ottle. +1eah# I do., She waited# '"t he didn.t move# didn.t tell her where to $ind them. !hen it dawned on her. She wasn.t (oin( to 'e "sin( them. +1o" an shovel the shit like I did when I started ? with yo"r hands. P"t it o"t 'a k. It kills the roa hes., She opened her mo"th to protest# then :ammed it sh"t. He was waitin( $or her to re$"se; she o"ld see it in his 'loodshot eyes. +5"t 'a k. 3ot it., CCC As the morning pro(ressed# Riley 'e(an to learn a lot a'o"t demon s at. It stank like 'rimstone and whatever the thin( had eaten re ently# whi h was a'o"t everythin(. !he rap stained on rete# and it st"n( her skin like s aldin( water i$ it was $resh. She.d started on the $arthest a(e $rom the o "pied one# ki kin( at the mo"nd o$ dried e2 rement with the toe o$ her tennis shoe. Mistake. !he ki kin( had no e$$e t on the mo"nd. )everage. That,s what - need. 4i((in( aro"nd the 'a k o$ the '"ildin( revealed a olle tion o$ :"nk and a $airly de ent sto kpile o$ dis arded metal that in l"ded 'ent h"' aps and 'roken manhole overs. Sin e the yard was $en ed and se "red with a padlo k# it made Riley wonder i$ her new overlord traded in the st"$$. More di((in( "nearthed a tire iron and a hammer with a ra ked handle. .etter than nothing. A$ter pryin(# po"ndin(# and t"((in( "ntil her arms a hed# the mo"nd o$ rap 'roke "p h"nk 'y h"nk. !he o"tside mi(ht have 'een like on rete. !he inside wasn.t. +5h# (ross#, she m"ttered# her stoma h h"rnin( as the smell and heat rea hed her nose. Had her

dad started o"t like this9 Another s ro"n(e aro"nd the wareho"se t"rned "p a 'attered (ar'a(e an lid# '"t nothin( to s oop with. !hat made her think Harper had hidden anythin( she mi(ht 'e a'le to "se. 2ands or nothing. -e$ore she (ot them any dirtier# she rolled "p her sleeves. At least the wo"nd on her palm had losed and she no lon(er needed a 'anda(e. Riley losed her eyes and started s oopin( the mess onto the lid# tryin( to ima(ine it was anythin( '"t what it was. !ears $ormed as li8"id heat ooked her $in(ers# palms# even her nails. Her hands 8"i kly t"rned an a'normal shade o$ p"rple)red# even tho"(h the demon rap was solid 'la k. She kept shovelin( "ntil the mo"nd was (one# then stood. Her thi(h ramped no matter what she did. !his wasn.t demon trappin(. !his was s "t work# some $orm o$ ha<in( apprenti es had to end"re. 0o way -,m wimping out. Riley looked down the line o$ a(es. !here were $o"r more# one o$ whi h held its own peril. !he demon wat hed her with the intensity a snake does an in:"red 'ird. It took most o$ the mornin( to make it to the o "pied a(e. Midway thro"(h# Harper stood at the door to his o$$i e# wat hin( her# a 'ottle o$ /4 in hand. &rom his (lassy eyes she knew it was 'oo<e# not an ener(y drink. +0ot what yo" tho"(ht# h"h9, he alled o"t# his voi e ro"(h with li8"or and i(ars. I$ she said no# he.d (loat. I$ she said yes# he.d dream "p some other torment. Riley lamped her mo"th sh"t. It was either that or she.d slin( some o$ this st"$$ in his dire tion and she.d 'e an e2) apprenti e in a heart'eat. 5n e she was o"t o$ the 3"ild# their lawyer wo"ld pro'a'ly 'ill her $or all those le(al $ees. &hut up and scoop. +-et yo"r dad never had to do that#, Harper ta"nted. She heaved a si(h o$ relie$ when he ret"rned to his o$$i e. !he re liner reaked "nder his wei(ht as the television 'e(an to drone sports s ores. %oesn,t he ever go out and trap anything* It was nearin( noon when she rea hed the o "pied a(e. !he $iend had eyed her all mornin(# makin( those slo''ery noises and li kin( its e'ony lips. Knowin( its time had ome# it alled o"t her name a(ain. +1eah# that.s me. So who are yo"# $"r 'a(9, It seemed s"rprised# then it answered with some lon( name that made no sense "nless yo" were one o$ L" i$er.s own. Like Ar(a'etta$in(le somethin( or other. +Sorry I asked., She eyed it# testin( the wei(ht o$ the tire iron in her hand. !he only way to lean "nder the a(e was to (et within ran(e o$ those laws. +4on.t even think a'o"t it., It snarled and swiped a paw in her dire tion. A se ond later# it howled# that paw held "p to its mo"th# red eyes 'la<in(. She waved the tire iron at it. +1o" were warned., -endin( over# she 'e(an to s oop the d"n( o"t $rom "nder the a(e. It was $resh and '"rned like a id# makin( her eyes and nose $lood like a toddler with a head old. A law sni ked thro"(h her hair and "t o$$ a $ew strands# whi h $loated to the (ro"nd# em'eddin( themselves in the pile. +Hey# stop that%, Pissed# she tossed a hand$"l o$ the steamin( man"re at the thin(. !he st"$$ st" k in its $"r and the demon howled a(ain# 'attin( at it like it h"rt. "ay#e it does. +4on.t like that# do yo"9 1o" keep messin( with me#, she said# shakin( a m" ky $in(er# +and I.ll '"ry yo" in it. 3ot it9, !he demon hissed and 'a ked into the orner o$ the steel a(e. +!hat.s 'etter., Riley $inished di((in( o"t the mo"nd "nder the a(e and added the rap to the heap 'ehind the shop. Harper was ri(ht> !here were dead roa hes in a $o"r)$oot radi"s o$ the pile.

+I$ the pest ontrol d"des o"ld $i("re o"t how to "se this st"$$ they.d make a $ort"ne., Riley swore she o"ld $eel the $lesh meltin( o$$ her 'ones# so she $led to the 'athroom. Hittin( the li(ht swit h with her el'ow# she prepared hersel$ $or the worst a ("y 'athroom had to o$$er. !here was an "nwritten ode that they had to 'e dis("stin(. !o her relie$ this one was 'etter than most# even tho"(h the toilet seat was "p. She stared at the pile o$ ad"lt ma(a<ines on the $loor# and then "p at the 'im'o poster on the wall. !he 'londe was only wearin( a neon (reen 3)strin(# and her melon 'oo's learly weren.t anythin( lose to nat"ral. A 'l"e tattoo sat :"st 'elow her navel. Riley leaned loser to read the words. +elcome to 2eaven. An arrow pointed downward. +Ri(ht#, Riley h"$$ed. She wondered what Simon tho"(ht o$ that. Knowin( him# he pro'a'ly kept his eyes averted while he peed# in ase he mi(ht 'e tempted into sin. !he sink was lean '"t didn.t stay that way 'y the time she $inished washin( her hands and arms with the dishwashin( soap she.d $o"nd on the top o$ the toilet tank. 0ow her hands smelled lemony $resh# '"t they still '"rned. It took another $ew min"tes to ret"rn the sink to its previo"s state. 0o way was she (oin( to let the ("ys laim she.d messed "p their 'athroom. !hat le$t hosin( down the $loor "nder the a(es. As she worked# the demon :ammed its $a e "p a(ainst the 'ars tryin( to rea h the spray. 4id the thin(s drink water9 4id Hell even have water9 She t"rned down the press"re and aimed the stream so the $iend o"ld rea h it. It drank (reedily. !hen it iss"ed a len(thy and pro$o"nd '"rp. Riley shook her head. +1o" and -e k. Separated at 'irth., !here was a h" kle# and she t"rned to $ind Simon wat hin( $rom a respe t$"l distan e. &or a hal$ o$ a se ond# she tho"(ht o$ wettin( him down :"st $or the smirk on his $a e. +Looks (ood#, he said en o"ra(in(ly. +I$ yo" say so., He an(led his head toward the o"tside door. +3ot somethin( $or yo"., She looked toward the o$$i e# on the alert $or Harper. +Passed o"t#, Simon mo"thed. Steppin( into the s"nli(ht# Riley (asped when she saw her arms. -lot hes o$ 'ri(ht red and dark p"rple overed her skin# makin( her resem'le a pla("e vi tim. Her nails were 'la k. Simi wo"ld love them. +0o 'listers#, Simon o'served. +!hat.s (ood news., He retrieved somethin( o$$ the ar seat# 'roke the seal# and o$$ered it to her. It was a 8"art o$ whole milk. Riley 'linked at him. +Ah ? thanks. I.m thirsty., A t"ally she was. +It.s $or yo"r arms. !he $at in it.ll "t the stin(. /a kson told me a'o"t it when Harper p"lled that st"nt on me., He (est"red $or her to hold o"t her arms and then did the honors. It looked st"pid# all that white li8"id splashin( o$$ her and oatin( the (ravel. -"t it worked. !he '"rnin( sensation damped down onsidera'ly. +1o" still may end "p with some 'listers# '"t not as 'ad as i$ yo" hadn.t treated it., He handed her the 'ottle. +4rink the rest. May'e it will work $rom the inside o"t., She ("lped down the remainder o$ the moo :"i e. +3ood%, +/"st like in the ommer ials., He e2e "ted a a"tio"s look toward the wareho"se. +4on.t tell Harper I did this. He.ll 'e pissed., 1issed #ecause you were nice to me* That sucks. +Why is he s" h a di k9, +4on.t know., He took the empty ontainer and p"t it the ar. +1o".d 'est (et in there 'e$ore he wakes "p., As he t"rned away# she to" hed his arm. +!hanks# Simon., +Wat h yo"rsel$# okay9, he said# his 'row $"rrowed in worry. +1o" too.,

When she ret"rned to the o$$i e Harper was still asleep in his hair# his mo"th open# snorin(. !he whiskey 'ottle was empty and lay dis arded near the trash an. Riley pla ed the '" ket and s r"' 'r"sh in the orner# tryin( not to make any noise. When he didn.t stir she h"rried o"t into the o$$i e. As she saw it# the smelly demon was 'etter ompany than her new master. !WE0!1)!HREE +4S:T v"#, Riley (r"m'led# p"llin( into the parkin( lot near the de$"n t Star'" ks. She.d 'een here a $ew years a(o on a date when the o$$ee shop was still open $or '"siness. !he ("y 'ehind the o"nter had 'een serio"sly adora'le. Model)level "te. She.d mentioned that# and Allan# her then 'oy$riend# hadn.t taken it well. !hat.s when she.d learned that male e(os and $r"it had a lot in ommon> -oth 'r"ised easily. !he moment she stepped o"tside the ar she saw the other kids. !here were three distin t (ro"ps pl"s a $ew stra((lers. She.d pro'a'ly end "p 'ein( one o$ those. +ish 1eter was here. He was the one onstant in her li$e# the $riend who.d helped her transition thro"(h the last $o"r s hool han(es. He viewed han(e as an opport"nity. Riley only saw it as a hassle. +hy #other* In a $ew months the Powers !hat -e wo"ld move all the kids aro"nd to new lo ations# like throwin( a de k o$ ards in the air. !he ed" ational types had $an y names $or the resh"$$lin(# '"t in the end it was the st"dents who (ot the worst o$ it. Why 'e ome $riends with someone who.d 'e (one in a o"ple o$ months. time9 I$ Riley didn.t play the (ame# the kids wo"ld think she was st" k "p or weird or 'oth. -"t did she really are9 +0ope. I.m sittin( this one o"t#, she anno"n ed. With all that had happened in her li$e# it wasn.t worth the e$$ort. !he losest (ro"p was all (irls a'o"t her a(e. !hey dressed ni er than she did '"t o"ldn.t 'e $rom ri h $amilies or they wo"ldn.t 'e (oin( to s hool in a de$"n t o$$ee shop. As she moved loser to the entran e# she st"died the pa k. !he (irl in the enter# a tall# sti k)thin 'r"nette with lar(e 'rown eyes and $"ll lips# was s"rro"nded 'y $ive others who (a<ed "p at her like androids waitin( $or instr" tions. All o$ them were wearin( the same olor. 3ive the main (irl a $ew years and a 'oo' :o' and she o"ld pose $or pi t"res like the one in Harper.s 'athroom. Tattoo and all. Riley s"spe ted they were not destined to 'e 'est '"ds. !he (irl pointed at Riley.s ar. +Is that yo"rs9, %idn,t - 'ust get out o! the thing* +0o# I stole it on the way over here. Mine.s a red onverti'le., 5ne o$ the other (irls (i((led '"t sh"t down immediately when !he Sel$)Pro laimed *enter o$ the =niverse shot her a dirty look. +So what.s yo"r name9, the (irl asked. +Riley. 1o"rs9, +-randy., /! course. +1o".re new here#, -randy o'served. +Where.d yo" (o to s hool 'e$ore9, +A (ro ery store over on Moreland., +So"nds (ross., +It was., -e$ore -randy o"ld throw more 8"estions her way# the do"'le doors sw"n( open and an a"thority $i("re waved them inside. A ordin( to Riley.s paperwork# that wo"ld 'e Mrs. Ha((erty. It wo"ldn.t 'e hard to ("ess what the kids alled her 'ehind her 'a k. Mrs. Ha((erty looked $i$ty with silver streaks at her temples. Her hair was "t short at the ollar and she dressed in layers. An an(el pin de orated the lapel o$ her loth oat.

Riley 8"e"ed "p# and the moment she rossed over the threshold# she took a deep 'reath. o!!ee. !he pla e wo"ld always smell like that# even tho"(h it had 'een some time sin e the last 'ean had 'een roasted. .etter than moldy cheese. !he st"dents l"stered toward the $ront o$ the store near the 'i( windows# still in their (ro"ps. As they settled into their seats# Riley did a 8"i k look aro"nd. !he o"nter was (one# as were all o$ the displays. !he 'en hes alon( the rear wall were still there# and all the ori(inal ta'les were still in pla e# tho"(h they looked way worse than she remem'ered. More ta'les had 'een added and lined "p in rows $a in( the $ront windows. Riley pi ked one o$ the smaller ones. !he way the thin( wo''led told her why no one wanted to sit there. Riley 'ent over and :ammed the strap o$ her 'a( "nder one o$ the le(s# and the ta'le 'e ame pretty sta'le. !he top wasn.t somethin( she o"ld $i2. It was overed in (ra$$iti# most involvin( the7 word. In one ase it was spelled wron(. When Mrs. Ha((erty $inally pa"sed 'ehind the ard ta'le that posed as her desk# Riley rose and made her way to the $ront. She knew this drill> Hand trans$er papers to a"thority $i("re# re eive a knowled(ment o$ her e2isten e# then ret"rn to her seat. Mrs. Ha((erty eyed the $orms# looked "p# $rowned at Riley# then looked down at the name and si(hed. +1o" were s"pposed to 'e here last Monday., +I o"ldn.t make it#, Riley said. +I was ill.,)ike dying !rom demon cooties. It was a (ood 'et every sin(le st"dent was listenin( to this onversation# tryin( to s ope o"t the new kid. May'e the tea her wo"ld let it drop. +Attendan e is very important#, the woman replied. +1o" have to think o$ yo"r $"t"re., That,s a laugh. Riley nodded o'ediently. !ea hers were less hassle i$ they tho"(ht yo" a(reed with them. +I.ll need a parent.s si(nat"re $or yo"r e2 "se#, Mrs. Ha((erty added. +S"re.,-,ll 'ust dig him up. L" kily she was pretty (ood at $or(in( her dad.s si(nat"re. +St"dents9 !his is Riley. Please wel ome her to o"r lass., ool. &he didn,t use my last name. May'e this was (oin( to work o"t a$ter all. !hen Mrs. Ha((arty p"lled the pin. +1o" an sit down# Miss -la kthorne., rap. As she headed $or her seat# Riley o"ld see her last name rattlin( aro"nd in the st"dents. heads. !heir eyes widened when it hit home. I$ one o$ them was l"eless# another wo"ld lean over and whisper in an ear. A o"ple p"lled o"t their ell phones# no do"'t h"ntin( "p one o$ those online videos. 0ow that her se ret was o"t# Riley wasn.t s"rprised when the kid sittin( ne2t to her# the 'ony one with the d"ll 'rown hair# wat hed her o"t o$ the orner o$ his eye like she was (oin( to on:"re "p a $iend in the middle o$ lass. &ometimes - wish it worked that way. Mrs. Ha((arty immediately d"( into the lasswork. It was the same as at the other s hool# $ollowin( the state)mandated "rri "l"m# so they started with a hal$ ho"r o$ math# whi h really wasn.t a stret h $or Riley. !hen a hal$ ho"r ea h o$ En(lish# s ien e# and literat"re. !he $inal ho"r was history# in parti "lar the *ivil War. Riley had that down old# o"rtesy o$ her dad. 4"rin( Mrs. Ha((erty.s snore)ind" in( a o"nt o$ the -attle o$ Looko"t Mo"ntain# she tho"(ht she o"ld hear whisperin( 'ehind her. !he three ho"rs moved 8"i kly# despite the smirks and the hatter 'ehind her. &ive o. lo k ame and went. !hen it was F>AB. Riley 'e(an to $id(et 'e a"se lass was s"pposed to 'e over 'y now and she had to (et to the emetery. I$ she wanted somethin( to eat# that wo"ld hew "p even more time. !he emetery vol"nteer wo"ld stay p"t# '"t they.d har(e her e2tra i$ she wasn.t there 'y s"nset. "oney - don,t have. Mrs. Ha((erty kept talkin(. And talkin(. Riley (lan ed at her wat h a(ain F>AF. She 'e(an to pa k

her st"$$. !hat immediately a"(ht the tea her.s noti e. +Miss -la kthorne9 We.re r"nnin( late toni(ht. !hat happens $rom time to time., Riley stood. +I.m sorry# I have to (o. I have ? somethin( I have to do., +Whi h is9, Mrs. Ha((erty asked# (ivin( her the tea her stare. %amn. +I have to sit vi(il over my dad.s (rave#, Riley replied. !he tea her 'linked. +1o".rethat -la kthorne9, Apparently the tea her was the only one in the lassroom who hadn.t onne ted the dots. +5kay lass# we.ll all it an evenin(. Read the hapter on Sherman.s destr" tion o$ Atlanta $or S"nday., Riley sho"ldered her messen(er 'a( and h"rried toward the door# '"t it took some time to (et o"tside# as everyone seemed to 'e in her way. !he reason $or the delay 'e ame o'vio"s when she rea hed her ar. A messa(e was s rawled on her windshield. ;%emon whore5< !he olor o$ the lipsti k looked $amiliar. Riley shot a venomo"s look at the pa k o$ (irls. -randy (rinned at her# wavin( a lipsti k t"'e like a mini li(ht sa'er. .itch. Riley hopped in the ar# $lipped the lever to lean the windshield. -ad plan. !he lipsti k spread itsel$ a ross the (lass in lon(# (reasy smears. She kept workin( the lever "ntil there was a lean pat h# then drove away "sin( lan("a(e only demons wo"ld "nderstand. In her rearview mirror# the pa k 'rayed in la"(hter. CCC +ith only minutes to spare Riley h"stled "p the road as $ast as she o"ld# l"t hin( her $ather.s trappin( man"al to her side. It had 'een "nder the spare tire# '"t so $ar she.d had no time to di( into it. Rod# the vol"nteer# iss"ed a wel omin( smile as she approa hed. +I.d stay and talk# '"t it.s lea("e ni(ht., +Lea("e9, she asked. He slipped o$$ his oat $ar eno"(h $or her to see he was wearin( a red 'owlin( shirt. +Si2 &eet =nder, was em'roidered on the 'a k. !he Si2 &eet =nder P"' P &ish Ho"se sat a ross the street $rom the emetery. 5n rare o asions her dad wo"ld take her there as a spe ial treat when they had a $ew e2tra dollars le$t at the end o$ the month. !he trappers held their parties and their wakes there. 1et another tradition. +0eed any help9, Rod asked. When she shook her head# he h"rried o$$. Riley set the ir le with only a 'rie$ twin(e o$ an2iety# then dialed Peter. !he moment he answered# she started in. +1o" won.t 'elieve what happened at s hool%, Her $riend wisely listened witho"t interr"ptin(. +Wow# they so"nd like omplete do(s#, Peter ommiserated. +Sorry I wasn.t there., Riley si(hed. +It.s the "s"al rap# Peter. !hey have to pi k on someone# and I.m it. I.m always it., +0ot always. Sometimes I am. We.re di$$erent# and that '"(s them., +I have no l"e how I.m (oin( to (et the lipsti k o$$ my windshield#, she (r"m'led. +Hold on., She heard the li kin( keys in the 'a k(ro"nd. +Ammonia will take the st"$$ o$$., +!hanks%, 0ot that she had any in the apartment# '"t leave it to Peter to $ind the answer. +So what.s it like 'ein( L" i$er.s whore9, he :oked. +Peter%, +/"st kiddin(#, he said# then la"(hed. +As $or yo"r other pro'lem#, he ontin"ed# +i$ yo" didn.t trap demons those skanks wo"ld $ind somethin( else to hate a'o"t yo". Like yo"r hair or yo"r nose or

somethin(., +What.s wron( with my nose9, +4on.t (et me started#, he replied. +Peter#, she a"tioned# +yo" don.t want to (o there., He la"(hed a(ain. +4on.t let them (et yo" down., +I won.t# '"t it.s always this way. When I was a kid, She halted# aware she was a'o"t to reveal one o$ her deepest se rets. +3o on#, he prodded. !his was Peter. He wo"ldn.t la"(h at her. At least not $or lon(. +1o" remem'er how in :"nior hi(h I never $it in9 I had this thin( I did every s"mmer. I tried to 'e someone new# someone di$$erent# so that when I went 'a k to s hool all the kids wo"ld say# @Wow# Riley.s ool.. 5$ o"rse it didn.t work. 0o matter what I did# all they saw was the old me., +So that.s why yo" were so weird the $irst o"ple weeks o$ s hool. I o"ld never $i("re it o"t., +1eah# I pro'a'ly a ted pretty stran(e., +I like the old Riley#, Peter admitted. +She.s ool# even i$ she.s L" i$er.s 'iat h., +Eno"(h with that., +5h# we.re (r"mpy. At least yo" ended "p at a Star'" ks. I (ot sent to a day) are enter. It.s still open d"rin( the day., +So what.s that like9, +It smells o$ kiddy poop and 'a'y powder., She smirked. +4o yo" (et to sit on a tiny hair9, +0o# '"t we have to lie down on these little mats and take a nap a$ter o"r :"i e and ra kers., She let the la"(hter roll $ree. +I miss yo" a lot# Peter. I wish yo" were in lass with me., !here was a moment.s hesitation. +*o"ld yo" repeat that9, +Why9, +So I an re ord it. !hat way I an replay it when yo" start allin( me a '"tthead a(ain., +0o way. 1o" missed yo"r han e., +So yo" know# I.m tryin( to (et trans$erred to yo"r s hool., +Really9 !hink it.ll work9, she asked# her hope s"r(in(. !hen everythin( wo"ld 'e $ine a(ain. +4on.t know. !he warden didn.t have a thin( to do with the new s hool# so it was :"st random 'ad l" k. I $i("re I mi(ht 'e a'le to a$$e t that randomness in some way., +How9, +0ot the kind o$ thin( we want to dis "ss on the phone., Whi h meant he was tryin( to ha k the ed" ation department.s omp"ter system and (enerate a trans$er. +-e are$"l#, she said. !he more reative the endeavor# the less the ed" ational types wo"ld like it. In the distan e she saw Simon approa hin(. +3otta (o. It.s one o$ the trappers he kin( on me.,The one who 'ust happens to #e my new #oy!riend. +-e are$"l o"t there#, Peter warned. +5h# and I.ll have a printo"t o$ all this st"$$ $rom yo"r dad.s disk ready tomorrow mornin(. Rin( me and we.ll set "p a time to meet# okay9, +S"re. 0i(ht# Peter., +Later# Riley., Simon alled o"t his (reetin(# and a$ter she.d invited him in# he :oined her in the ir le. !he andles 'arely $li kered. +!ho"(ht I.d see how yo" were doin(#, he said# shieldin( somethin( 'ehind him. +I.m tired. *lass ran late. I almost didn.t make it on time#, she replied.+hine much* +Sorry# I.m a little ranky., +Well# this sho"ld help. I (ot yo" a present., He 'ro"(ht his arm aro"nd# showin( her the o':e t he.d 'een hidin(. It was a 'rand)new 'l"e tarp

still in its lear plasti wrapper. /ther girls get !lowers, - get a tarp. And she didn.t mind a 'it. +1o".re awesome# Simon#, she said# meanin( every word. +Aren.t I9, he replied# wa((lin( his eye'rows. Riley 8"i kly tidied the (ro"nd. Pine ones and ro ks were evil and 'e ame more so as the ni(ht pro(ressed. +Here# let me help#, Simon o$$ered. !o(ether they laid o"t the tarp# then the sleepin( 'a(s# her 'lanket# and other ne essities. +Is there anythin( le$t in yo"r apartment9, he asked# wavin( a hand at all her st"$$. +1es%, she said# shootin( him a mo k (lower. +Pop)!art9, +S"re% 3ot straw'erry9, She d"( inside the 'o2 and $o"nd one. !reats in hand# they settled on the makeshi$t ampsite# sharin( a 'lanket. +So what happened to yo"r windshield9, he asked# aro"nd m"n hes o$ the tart. +It.s (ot somethin( red on it., Riley (ave him the 8"i k)and)dirty version. !o her s"rprise# his $a e olored when she told him what the lipsti k had said. +1o".re nothin( o$ the kind%, he said# $rownin(. +!hanks., It $elt ni e to have him sti k "p $or her. +I haven.t de ided how to (et even yet., +!hat.s a waste o$ time. It s rews yo" "p more than it does them., She o ked her head. +1o" don.t lose yo"r ool when Harper.s 'ein( an asshat; yo".re polite all the time# even to the demons. How do yo" do it9, He tapped his ross. +It helps me $ind my enter., +Mom "sed to talk a'o"t that sort o$ thin(., !reas"red memories arose. +I liked (oin( to h"r h with her. She took me to a Latin mass on e. It was all spooky and mysterio"s#, Riley said. Simon (ave her a sidelon( look. +I didn.t reali<e yo"r mom was *atholi . What a'o"t yo"9, +I.m not s"re. I think 3od.s "p there somewhere wat hin( over "s# '"t i$ He is# He m"st hate me., Her 'oy$riend slipped his arm aro"nd her# p"llin( her loser. It made her $eel (ood deep inside. +He doesn.t hate any o$ "s#, Simon e2plained. +He :"st tests "s. =n$ort"nately# yo"r tests have 'een really hard., +What a'o"t yo"9, +Haven.t really had any tests yet. 0othin( ma:or# that is., He leaned loser and then pla ed a (entle kiss on her lips. !ho"(h s"rprised# she didn.t p"sh him away. He was a (ood kisser. 0ot that she.d had tons o$ pra ti e# '"t she knew she.d 'e happy i$ he kissed her a(ain. And he did. !his time the kiss lasted lon(er and tasted o$ straw'erries. He $inally p"lled himsel$ away# a $aint 'l"sh on his heeks. +1o" are s" h a temptation#, he m"ttered# shakin( his head. 2e makes that sound like a #ad thing. !o her disappointment he s"ddenly rose# like he didn.t tr"st himsel$ alone with her. +I.ve (ot to (o. I promised my mom I.d 'e home in time $or dinner., +M"st 'e ni e#, she said wist$"lly. With a $amily as 'i( as his# it.d 'e haos# '"t yo".d never 'e lonely. He pondered $or a se ond. +1o" sho"ld ome over sometime. Mom makes in redi'le $ried hi ken., %id he 'ust invite me to his house* +I.d ? like that#, she stammered. +3ood. My parents want to meet yo". I.ve told them all a'o"t yo"., "e* She stood and delivered a 8"i k pe k on his heek. Another kiss ens"ed# and this time there was no h"rry. +4e$initely a test#, he m"rm"red. +1o" all me i$ yo" need anythin(.,

+I will. 0i(ht# Simon., +3ood ni(ht# Riley., As he walked away# she replayed the last $ew min"tes. 2e kissed me. 2e invited me to dinner and his parents want to meet me. !his was movin( way $aster than she.d e2pe ted. !WE0!1)&5=R Riley rel" tantly looked "p $rom her $ather.s man"al# li kin( o$$ the $lashli(ht to save the 'attery. She was deep in the se tion on how to trap !hrees# the part she really sho"ld have read 'e$ore (oin( it alone. Her visitor was Mortimer. He was still in the $edora and the lon( tren h oat. Riley yawned a (reetin(. +3ood evenin(. How are yo"# Miss -la kthorne9, the ne ro asked in a h"sky voi e. It so"nded like he was omin( down with a old. +It.s 'een 'etter#, she said. !hen she held "p her hand 'e$ore he o"ld make his "s"al o$$er. +I$ anyone asks# yo" did yo"r thin( and I shot yo" down like every other ni(ht. !hat way we.re not wastin( o"r time. -esides# I.m too tired $or it., Mortimer smiled. +1o".re not like the others. !hey "s"ally "rse at me. I appre iate that., He pa"sed and then asked# +4o yo" really en:oy trappin( demons9, +A week a(o I wo"ld have said yes 'e a"se I o"ld trap with my dad. 0ow9 0ot so s"re. I.ve (ot a new master# and he.s a real asshat., +Ah# I know how that works. We have a similar system to the trappers.. 0ew s"mmoners are re8"ired to work "p thro"(h the ranks. I was assi(ned the task o$ maintainin( the reanimates when I $irst started. !hey re8"ire some are or# well# thin(s (et pretty 'ad a$ter a while., He held his nose $or e$$e t. +*an.t han( an air $reshener on them and all it (ood9, she :oked# e2ha"stion makin( her p"n hy. Mortimer h" kled. +0o# '"t i$ yo" treat them are$"lly they look and smell 'etter than when they were $irst inh"med. It.s an art# yo" see., She rose and stret hed. &or on e her thi(h didn.t 'it h a'o"t the move. +How lon( have yo" 'een a ne ro9, +We pre$er 'ein( alled s"mmoners., +&or yo"# s"mmoner. All the rest o$ them are ne ros in my 'ook., He (ave her a (en"ine smile. +I.ve 'een reanimatin( the dead $or over $ive years. It.s a livin(. -e$ore that I worked at a mort"ary., +So the dead have always 'een yo"r thin(# then9, +Pretty m" h., He looked "p the path. When he t"rned aro"nd there was a $rown on his $a e. +!ime to (o. It.s 'een (ood talkin( to yo". 1o" have a (ood ni(ht# and do 'e are$"l., +1o" too# Mortimer., +Mort. !hat.s what my $riends all me., He tipped his $edora and headed "p the walk. As he made the t"rn toward the entran e# she saw another $i("re approa hin(. !o her s"rprise# Mort veered o$$ amon( the (raves rather than pass the new omer on the road. +I (ot ya some $ood#, -e k alled o"t# holdin( "p a '"l(in( paper 'a( as he strode toward her. "ay#e you,re not so #ad a!ter all. He pa"sed at the ed(e o$ the ir le. +Ah# damn# my 'oot.s "ntied. Here# take this#, he said o$$erin( the 'a(. Riley started to rea h a ross the ir le# then pa"sed. Somethin( didn.t $eel ri(ht. She looked down at his 'oots. -e k always do"'le)knotted his. She remem'ered him sayin( how he didn.t want to $all over his la es and (et eaten 'y some d"m'ass demon. She stepped 'a k and he ked him o"t with a more riti al eye. 0o du!!el #ag. -e k always had it with him# even at her dad.s $"neral. And Mort had (one o"t o$ his

way to avoid this ("y. +0i e one., I$ she.d rea hed a ross the andles to laim the 'a(# she.d have 'roken the line o$ prote tion and her dad wo"ld 'e someone else.s property. It didn.t s"rprise her when +-e k, evaporated into a swirl o$ leaves# revealin( the reepy ne ro. 0one o$ the others attempted s" h sophisti ated ma(i . +1o" are smarter than most#, he o'served. +I.m rather en:oyin( the hallen(e., +1eah# yeah#, she said# makin( talkin( motions with her hand. +It.s not happenin(., +So yo" say#, he replied. With a whoosh# the ir le $lared into the ni(ht like he.d to" hed it# then it s"'sided. !he s"mmoner was (one# a whirl o$ leaves shootin( "p the path like a malevolent tornado. Riley heaved a si(h o$ relie$. She needed to ask Mort a'o"t this ("y# 'e a"se it looked like Mr. -la k Ma(i 0e ro wasn.t (oin( to 8"it "ntil he.d s ared the livin( rap o"t o$ her. CCC "orning #rought a li(ht $rost and a 'la k plasti 'a( tied to her ar door handle. A$ter m" h $"m'lin( with old $in(ers# Riley "ntied the 'a( and d"mped its ontents on the $rost)painted hood. A thi k manila envelope slid o"t# alon( with a wad o$ paper towels and a plasti 'ottle o$ ammonia. !here was a note atta hed. +arm car !irst, then clean windshield or you,ll #e sorry. +Peter strikes a(ain., While the ar warmed# she dialed her $riend. +3ot the delivery9, he asked witho"t 'otherin( to say hello. +I did. !hanks#, she said# wat hin( the heat make small ir les on the windshield. !he 'a(.s ontents sat on the seat 'eside her. +How.d yo" (et o"t here9, Peter didn.t have a ar# and she do"'ted the warden wo"ld let him take o$$ so early in the mornin( on his own. +4avid dropped it 'y $or me as he was headed to work. He tho"(ht it kinda weird I was havin( him make a delivery to a emetery., %avid. His ne2t oldest 'rother who wanted to 'e a pilot '"t was workin( at a 'akery instead. +Man# there.s a lot o$ a paper here. What is all this9, she asked# he$tin( the nearly in h)thi k envelope. +Everythin( that was on yo"r dad.s disk. It.s all a'o"t Holy Water# or at least as m" h as I (ot to read. !he warden kept he kin( in on me last ni(ht# so I (ave "p., +I.ll (o thro"(h it#, she said# +'"t I have no idea why my dad was (oin( to all this work. He never said anythin( a'o"t this., +4e$initely a mystery#, Peter replied and then r"n hed on somethin( thro"(h the mo"thpie e. *ereal no do"'t. Riv"lets o$ water ran down her windshield in response to the 'last o$ heated air. !ime to 'reak o"t the ammonia and destroy -randy.s work o$ art. +!hanks# Peter# I owe yo"., +4e$initely., He h"n( "p. Riley leaned 'a k in the ar# savorin( the warmth. She really wanted a nap# '"t she had 'arely eno"(h time to lean the windshield# (ra' a 'reak$ast sandwi h# and (et to Harper.s. I$ she was late the master wo"ld $ind another way to torment her. With her l" k it wo"ld involve more demon poop. She rel" tantly stashed the manila envelope in the (love ompartment $or later. CCC The Three was (one; apparently her master had sold the thin( to a demon tra$$i ker. She tidied "p "nderneath its a(e 'e$ore Harper told her to# whi h seemed to a((ravate him. -y the time she.d $inished# Simon was pa kin( his ar $or a r"n. He.d 'arely said two words to her over the last o"ple

o$ days# at least when Harper was aro"nd. All her daydreams a'o"t how ool it wo"ld 'e to train with him hadn.t materiali<ed. +We.re (oin( trappin(#, he e2plained. She started to ask whether she o"ld ome alon( '"t stopped at the warnin( look in his eyes. Harper l"m'ered "p# lad in a thi k oat with a d"$$el 'a( in hand. +I de ide who (oes and who doesn.t (o on a r"n., Riley took that to mean she wasn.t invited. !hat han(ed the moment the two men were in the ar. +So (et yo"r ass in here# -rat#, Harper ordered. +We don.t have all damned day., 0o way - can win. Riley eased into the 'a kseat and slammed the door. Part o$ her was stoked. She was o"t o$ that smelly '"ildin( and doin( what she sho"ld 'e doin(trappin( demons. Well# not her# e2a tly. !his was Simon.s show# and $rom the onversation in the $ront seat they were a$ter a 3rade &o"r Hypno) &iend# or Me<mer# as the trappers alled them. Harper s"pplied the dire tions. +What are we (ettin( into9, Simon asked# t"rnin( o$$ Memorial 4rive and headin( north toward downtown. His voi e held a hint o$ nervo"sness. !he master shoved some paperwork over the seat 'a k to Riley. +Earn yo"r keep., P"shin( a strand o$ hair o"t o$ her eyes# she skimmed the report. As with all trappin( re8"isitions# the paperwork stated the omplainant.s name# address# and type o$ s"spe ted demoni a tivity. +A Mr. &ord says this 'oy is han(in( aro"nd his da"(hter# *arol# and (ettin( her do thin(s she sho"ldn.t 'e doin(. He thinks the 'oy is a demon 'e a"se every time he tries to r"n him o$$# he $inds himsel$ a(reein( with whatever the kid says., +So"nds like a Me<mer#, Harper said. +He mi(ht :"st 'e a reep#, Riley said. !he master trapper (ave her a stran(e look over the seat. +-een there# have yo"9, &ure have. Riley had met Allan ri(ht a$ter -e k had tossed her to the "r'. She.d 'een v"lnera'le# and Allan had taken advanta(e o$ that. It hadn.t mattered that her $ather had disliked her new 'oy$riend $rom the moment they.d met. In her mind# Allan was the only thin( in her li$e that mattered and she.d do anythin( $or him to keep him interested in her. And she had. It.d started with the small st"$$lyin(# sneakin( aro"nd# stealin( i(arettes $rom the (ro ery store# tho"(h neither o$ them smoked. It ended the day she.d 'een one step away $rom st"$$in( a two)tho"sand)dollar mini laptop "nder her :a ket. He.d told her it wo"ld prove that she loved him. !he instant her hand had to" hed the omp"ter a sho k ran thro"(h her entire 'ody. !he $"t"re "n$olded like a 'ad movie> It wo"ldn.t 'e him at the poli e station (ettin( yelled at 'y the ops; he wo"ldn.t 'e $in(erprinted# thrown in a ell# or have to $a e the :"d(e; he wo"ldn.t have to end"re her $ather.s horri$ied disappointment. &reaked# she.d h"rried o"t o$ the store min"s the omp"ter. As Riley passed the se "rity ("ard he.d (iven her a nod. He.d known what she was (oin( to do. +Smart move# kid#, he.d said. Allan hadn.t seen it that way. When she.d admitted she o"ldn.t do what he wanted# he.d sho"ted her down in $ront o$ everyone in the parkin( lot# allin( her a st"pid 'it h. !hen he.d hit her. Riley to" hed her heek# remem'erin( the stin( o$ the 'low# the taste o$ 'lood in her mo"th# his $"rio"s $a e only in hes $rom hers as he.d alled her nasty names. She.d $o"nd the o"ra(e to leave him swearin( in that parkin( lot. It.d taken three '"s rides to (et home. When her $ather saw her and the (rowin( 'r"ise# his $a e went rimson in an(er. She.d ollapsed in his arms and told him all o$ it. When she.d $inally stopped ryin(# he.d asked her only one 8"estion.

+4o yo" 'elieve yo" deserved to 'e hit9, +0o%, she.d said. +He had no ri(ht%, Her $ather.s e2pression had melted into relie$. +Always remem'er that# P"mpkin.0o one has the ri(ht to h"rt yo"., !hen he.d h"((ed her and taken her o"t $or i e ream to ele'rate her l" ky es ape $rom !he Worst -oy$riend Ever. A $ew months later she.d heard Allan had 'roken his new (irl$riend.s arm d"rin( an ar("ment. - got o!! so lucky. +Hey%, Harper alled o"t# snappin( his $in(ers and a"sin( Riley to :"mp. +Pay attention# will yo"9 I$ yo" think yo" know all this# yo".re wron(., +Sorry#, Riley said. +What were yo" sayin(9, +I was sayin( that 3rade &o"r demons are devio"s mothers. !hey sin( a sweet son( in yo"r ear# and ne2t thin( yo" know yo"r so"l.s (ot a 'rand on it o"rtesy o$ L" i$er. Sometimes they do it $ast# sometimes slow. 4oesn.t matter whi h# 'e a"se yo"r so"l is what they want# 'e$ore or a$ter they $" k yo" over., Simon twit hed at the o's enity. Harper kept (oin(. +5n e they laim yo"r so"l they have two hoi esharvest it ri(ht then and there# in whi h ase yo" are dead meat# or sell yo" to a hi(her)level demon to "rry $avor., +What does the hi(her)level demon do with a person.s so"l9, Simon asked# $rownin(. +Sin e yo".re still alive# they own yo". 1o".re their 'it h $or eternity., He t"rned to Simon. +!ell "s the di$$eren e 'etween an in "'"s and a s" "'"s., Her $ellow apprenti e si(hed# not pleased at havin( to dis "ss s" h matters in $ront o$ Riley. +A s" "'"s sed" es males and takes ener(y $rom them d"rin( the se2 a t. An in "'"s does the same with women., Harper nodded. +!hey.re evil. 0o other way to say it., +So how do yo" stop them9, Riley asked. +A -a'el sphere does the tri k#, the master replied. She wasn.t that $ar in the man"al. May'e she sho"ld have read ahead. +How does it work9, Harper h"$$ed like she was i(norant. +!ell her# Saint., !he so) alled Saint# who.d 'een doin( some heavenly kissin( the ni(ht 'e$ore# st"died her via the rearview mirror. +!he -a'el sphere translates what the demon is really sayin(# rather than what it wants yo" to hear. It reveals the $iend "nderneath the ill"sion., +5n e we.re s"re this is a demon# we.ll '"st open a -a'el and then 'a( the damned thin(#, Harper said. +Pie e o$ ake., Riley a"(ht a (limpse o$ Simon.s $a e in the mirror. !hat wasn.t what either o$ them was thinkin(. !WE0!1)&IDE !he Arma(eddon Lo"n(e wasn.t '"sy# '"t the $olks inside eyed the three o$ them like re$"(ees wo"ld a $ree S"nday '"$$et. This is where .eck plays pool. It $it hima seedy End !imesUthemed 'ar with ei(ht pool ta'les and a 'i()s reen television r"nnin( some olle(e $oot'all (ame. !he (reen $elt on the ta'les was worn# and the painted on rete $loor needed moppin(. It smelled o$ i(arette smoke# whi h meant the owner had paid the ity e2tra $or that option. Harper nodded toward a yo"n( o"ple at one o$ the ta'les. +Pro'a'ly them#, he said. !he 'oy was almost Simon.s hei(ht# $ive nine or so# with 'la k s r"$$y hair and a olle tion o$ metal in his eye'rows# nose# and ton("e. Riley wondered how he o"ld a$$ord all that 'lin(. !he 'oy wore stonewashed 'l"e :eans and a 'la k !)shirt that said +I.m Per$e t%

4eal%, 0o ego there. As Riley moved loser she e2amined the (irl. !he paperwork said she was $i$teen# '"t *arol &ord looked older. Her hair was 'l"nt "t and 'lond# her $a e remarka'ly plain. Riley o"ldn.t help '"t noti e the dark ir les "nder her eyes. Either *arol was ill# a dr"((ie# or her 'oy$riend really was an in "'"s s" kin( the li$e o"t o$ her. 0o matter what the a"se# no amo"nt o$ on ealer was (oin( to $i2 that. Simon "n<ipped his trappin( 'a( and set it on the $loor ne2t to him. 0e2t to it went a 'ri(ht 'l"e l"n h tote. +E2 "se me# are yo" *arol &ord9, he said. She t"rned toward him and 'linked repeatedly like he.d shown a 'ri(ht $lashli(ht in her eyes. +1es9, +I.m Simon Adler. I.m a demon trapper. 1o" mi(ht have a pro'lem I an help yo" with., Riley envied him> He so"nded so in ontrol# e2 ept with Simon it ame $rom his $aith# not years o$ e2perien e. +1o" don.t need to talk to them#, the 'oy said in a ommandin( voi e# t"rnin( his $"ll attention their way. +1o"r .rents sent them., +Parents9, she asked# like she.d $or(otten she had any. +!here.s 'een a mis"nderstandin(#, the 'oy ontin"ed. He p"t his arm aro"nd *arol# who shivered at his to" h# and not in a (ood way. +Her .rents don.t like me# '"t we.re meant $or ea h other. It.s not $air that people keep (ettin( in o"r way. 1o" sho"ld leave "s alone., He so"nded reasona'le# '"t so had Allan when he was on his (ame. +It.s not like we don.t are $or ea h other#, the 'oy ontin"ed. +1o" love me# don.t yo"# *arol9, *arol nodded like a p"ppet. +I won.t let anyone h"rt her#, the 'oy ontin"ed# then let his eyes roam to Riley. !he moment their eyes met# Riley $elt the wei(ht o$ his attention like they were the only ones in the 'ar. She o"ld hear him talkin( to her# '"t it didn.t seem that anyone else heard him. He was tellin( her how she was so pretty# how he was sorry she was all alone now# that he.d make it ri(ht. How he.d never leave her like everyone else had. You trust me, don,t you* he asked. !here was a lo"d snap and 'oth apprenti es :"mped. Harper had '"sted a pool "e over one o$ the ta'les. +&or 3od.s sake# (et on with it# Saint%, he ordered. Simon :erked to attention and l"t hed his wooden ross# his lips movin( in silent prayer. A moment later a sphere impa ted the $loor and e2ploded in tiny (lass $ra(ments. *arol (ave a (asp o$ s"rprise as the air immediately $illed with the smell o$ innamon and a mosai o$ $li kerin( li(hts. !he li(hts rose with the s ent# then veered dire tly toward her 'oy$riend# en ompassin( him. +What is that9, she asked nervo"sly. +Evil?, the 'oy hissed. +How dare yo"%, He $lailed at the ma(i as his honeyed voi e took on a reedy 8"ality. Hi(her and hi(her it went as his $a e shi$ted $rom handsome to hideo"s in a reverse makeover. His lothes vanished revealin( a 'ody that looked like it.d 'een dipped in m"d. !he 'rown layer was ra ked in pla es# revealin( sallow skin "nderneath. His 'loodred eyes 'ore into Riley# (lowin( in the 'ar.s m"ted li(ht. He had no horns# '"t a lon( 'ar'ed tail $li ked 'ehind him like an an(ry at as his taloned hands lawed the air. With the lothes (one# Riley a"(ht a (limpse o$ what no mortal sho"ld see. /h, great. 0ow that,s seared into my #rain !orever. 5n e it dawned on the 'ar.s patrons that they had a naked demon in their midst# there was a stampede $or the $ront door. When *arol saw her 'oy$riend.s real $orm# then looked $arther so"th# she shrieked and 'a kpedaled.

+Her so"l I nearly had#, the demon sho"ted. +Evil yo" are%, Simon i(nored him# donnin( a pair o$ heavy late2 (loves. +-oon I (rant all o$ yo"%, the demon o$$ered. +3et s rewed#, Harper replied. !he $iend 'e(an to shrink like a hild.s 'alloon with a slow leak. As he diminished in si<e# the demon yowled and swore and $lailed his hands# '"t it didn.t stop the ma(i al pro ess. That is so cool. - wonder how it works. &inally he was only a $oot tall# st" k inside a ir le o$ 'ri(ht twinklin( li(hts that resem'led a miniat"re $or e $ield. Simon s ooped "p the snarlin( $iend# d"mped it in the oversi<ed l"n h tote# <ipped the ontainer losed and padlo ked it. !he ma(i al harms tied to the handle rattled as he pi ked it "p. Apparently they were s"pposed to keep the $iend $rom lawin( his way o"t. Riley lapped# pleased at Simon.s s" ess. +!rapper s ores., He (ave her a modest smile# '"t she o"ld tell somethin( was 'otherin( him. Harper didn.t share her :oy. In $a t# he (lared at the pair o$ them. +What the hell were yo" two doin(9, he demanded. +I told yo" he.d mess with yo"r head# and yo" stood there like a o"ple o$ d"mmies%, Riley didn.t 'other to ar("e. I$ the $iend o"ld (et into Simon.s mind# it o"ld (et into anyone.s. She t"rned her attention to *arol. !he (irl seemed paraly<ed# starin( at the ontainer that held her e2) 'oy$riend. *opio"s tears rolled o"t o$ her eyes. +He.s ? he.s a?, she stammered. +4emon. !hey happen#, Riley said# tryin( to so"nd s"pportive. !he (irl wailed and $l"n( hersel$ into Riley.s arms. +Let.s (et o"t o$ here#, Harper ordered# astin( a wary eye aro"nd the 'ar. A rowd o$ "rio"s lo als had $ormed at the door. +4on.t want to waste my time e2plainin( this to the ops., As Simon toted the demon o"tside# the 'artender (ot in Harper.s way# 'it hin( a'o"t the 'roken pool "e and all the (lass on the $loor. +1o" want "s to t"rn him loose9, Harper demanded. !he ("y paled and shook his head. +&i("red so., 5n e they were o"tside# Riley pointed *arol toward the poli e station. +3o over there and all yo"r parents#, she advised. +!ell them yo" s rewed "p., +I tho"(ht he was?, the (irl said# sni$$lin(. She 'lew her nose. +He was so?, +Wron( $or yo"., +-"t they.ll (ro"nd me#, *arol ried# totally $o "sed on her r"ined love li$e and not the what)mi(ht) have)'een i$ the &o"r had won this ro"nd. Getting grounded or spending !orever with a demon* +Small pri e to pay#, Riley said# pattin( the (irl.s arm in sympathy. +!r"st me on that., CCC &imon remained dead silent on the drive to Harper.s pla e. You caught the demon. That,s all that matters. 4id he really think the thin( wasn.t (oin( to try to on him9 !hat he was imm"ne somehow9 Harper was 8"iet# too# so Riley spent time tryin( not to stare at the l"n h tote on the seat ne2t her. She o"ld hear the demon in her mind o$$erin( her a 'oon i$ she.d set him $ree. +0o way that.s happenin(# so :"st sh"t "p#, she m"ttered. Harper (ave her a stern look over the seat. +Is it talkin( to yo"9, She nodded. +!empted9, +0o., +Why not9, +-e a"se I.m a -la kthorne#, Riley replied# 'e$ore she o"ld stop hersel$.

He smirked. +Like that makes a (oddamn 'it o$ di$$eren e., !he demon kept '"((in( her so she took a mental va ation to the ni(ht 'e$ore and the kissin(. Its voi e $aded away to nothin(. !he instant they rea hed Harper.s '"ildin(# the master was on her ase. +!here.re some 5nes in the o$$i e. !ake them downtown to Ros oe *lement on Pea htree Street and sell them. 1o".ll (et seventy)$ive a pie e $or them. 3et the paperwork si(ned# (ot it9, +Sir# I don.t think that.s a (ood idea#, Simon himed in# tro"'led 'y the order. +Ros oe is, Harper delivered a 'listerin( look at the older apprenti e. +0ot yo"r all# Saint., He :a''ed a $in(er at Riley. +-e 'a k 'y the time we are., And that will #e* She didn.t dare ask# not with his 'la k mood. Harper 'arked orders at Simon# and then they were (one# the old 4od(e 'el hin( smoke. 3oin( somewhere to sell the &o"r. .ut not to (oscoe. 0ow why is that* Her dad had spoken o$ this Ros oe d"de# that he sold ad"lt videos# 'arely le(al se2 toys# and 'o"(ht demons on the side. How he.d re eived *h"r h approval to 'e a tra$$i ker# no one knew. Her dad had warned her to stay away $rom the slea<e "nless he was with her. 0ow Harper was sendin( her to Ros oe on her own. It was like throwin( a h"nk o$ '"nny entrails in $ront o$ a !hree. +-et yo" didn.t do that to Simon#, she (ro"sed. Riley $o"nd the $o"r $iends sittin( in their individ"al sippy "ps on Harper.s desk. !hey were all -i'lios. 5ne was sleepin(# '"t the others (ot in the $in(er 'e$ore she stowed them in her messen(er 'a(. !he paperwork went in ne2t. It was in 8"adr"pli atea opy ea h $or the trapper# the tra$$i ker# the ity# and another pa(e $or when the demon tra$$i ker delivered the $iends to the *h"r h. Every demon sale was tra ked $rom the time the $iend was apt"red to the time the *h"r h took ontrol o$ them. A ordin( to the !rappers Man"al the paperwork went all the way to Rome. She o"ld ima(ine the a o"ntants in the Dati an po"rin( over the reports# tallyin( them into some h"(e led(er that dated 'a k to the Middle A(es. May'e the pope (ot to see the led(er with his o$$ee every mornin(. Whi h meant may'e someday he.d see Riley.s name and all the demons she.d a"(ht. 2ow cool is that* !WE0!1)SIM 7ewer cars should e=ual more parking. !hat hadn.t 'een Riley.s e2perien e. !he ity.s predatory sear h $or reven"e# in l"din( onvertin( the empty parkin( spa es on Pea htree Street to makeshi$t shops that had to pay a monthly $ee# made it di$$i "lt to $ind a pla e $or her ar. As she waited $or a 'l"e van to $inish "nloadin( so she o"ld s oop "p the parkin( pla e# Riley t"((ed o"t the manila envelope and lea$ed thro"(h the pa(es. Peter had separated the ontents into spe i$i sta ks with st"rdy 'inder lips. She st"died the $irst 'at h# $lippin( "p her eyes every now and then to see how the "nloadin( pro(ressed. +!he History o$ Holy Water, Her $ather never approa hed a s"':e t 'y hal$# and he hadn.t han(ed his approa h when it ame to the sa red li8"id. In her hands was a detailed a o"nt o$ Holy Water.s le(ends and $olklore in min"te detail. He had a list o$ mira les attri'"ted to the sa red li8"id# old wives. tales re(ardin( its "se# even a hart that showed how Holy Water was man"$a t"red and distri'"ted in the Atlanta area. Riley he ked the vanstill "nloadin(then ret"rned to the pa(e. !he lo al man"$a t"rer# *elestial S"pplies# reated the Holy Water in a plant in 4oraville. &rom there it was sent to a li ensed distri'"tor who s"pplied vario"s stores in the ity. Every sin(le pint# 8"art# and (allon o$ the holy li8"id was ta((ed with a sales ta2 seal and atalo(ed 'y 'at h n"m'er. +And we are a'o"t this why9, she said# $rownin(. May'e her dad was (oin( to write an a ademi

paper or somethin(. +-"t who wo"ld read it9, She.d admit that some o$ the $olklore was kind o$ ool# '"t the rest was a snoo<e. &arther on she $o"nd pa(e a$ter pa(e o$ n"m'ers# an inventory $rom *elestial S"pplies that represented every sin(le 'at h o$ Holy Water prod" ed in the last si2 months. +Whee%, she said# rollin( his eyes. !his wasn.t (ettin( her anywhere. She looked "p to see a sto ky ("y lose the van.s rear door and lo k it. He :"mped in and p"lled o"t o$ the parkin( spot. +Mine#, she said# (rinnin(. Riley tr"d(ed past the Westin# one o$ the $ew hotels still open downtown. Smokers h"ddled to(ether o"tside the $ront door# p"$$in( away. 5ne o$ them had a 4eader standin( near him# holdin( his 'rie$ ase. !he live ("y in the e2pensive s"it was talkin( rapid)$ire over his ell phone# pa in( 'a k and $orth# leavin( a lon( tail o$ i(arette smoke 'ehind him. Riley.s eyes met those o$ the reanimate# a petite Hispani woman in a 'la k pants"it and white shirt. !he om'ination did nothin( $or her (ray skin. Her hair was held 'a k 'y a lip# and she looked so sad. May'e she.d 'een this ("y.s se retary 'e$ore she died and he didn.t want to repla e her. 0o matter what# she was his slave now. That has to suck. Riley (ave the woman a sympatheti nod. !he 4eader ret"rned the nod. !hat s"rprised her. !hey "s"ally stared at the world thro"(h empty eyes. !he woman.s owner (est"red and she ame loser# openin( "p the 'rie$ ase and o$$erin( its ontents $or his inspe tion. He hose a shea$ o$ papers and ret"rned to his mar hin(# i(norin( everyone aro"nd him. &orry, Riley mo"thed. She didn.t (et a response. !he interse tion o$ -aker and Pea htree la ked a tra$$i li(ht. *onstant 'ike and moped tra$$i <ipped past her# and one rider nearly lipped her toes. At least horses weren.t allowed in downtown anymore sin e no one really wanted to wade thro"(h the man"re. A $ew doors down $rom Ma2 La(er.s# a pop"lar 'rewp"'# sat Ros oe.s Empori"m. 1o".d have to 'e 'lind not to $ind the pla e. It was drippin( in neon. In the $ront window a si(n anno"n ed +4on.t 4i k with Ameri a%, Ri(ht 'elow was a (iant ondom. /"st to make the point that Ros oe was a deeply patrioti slea<e# it enlar(ed to ridi "lo"s proportions and then han(ed olors# rotatin( thro"(h red# white# then 'l"e while +Ameri a the -ea"ti$"l, played thro"(h a pair o$ an ient speakers. !he strap on her messen(er 'a( slipped and Riley ad:"sted it. !iny voi es rose# 'arely a"di'le. She tapped the side o$ the 'a(. +Kno k it o$$., Silen e $ell. It was sa$e to ass"me that middle $in(ers were hoisted in her dire tion. Riley stood o"tside $or at least a $"ll min"te hopin( 3od or whoever was in har(e o$ the "niverse wo"ld step in and she wo"ldn.t have to do this. When there was a disappointin( la k o$ divine intervention# she sh"ddered and p"shed open the door. As her eyes ad:"sted to the dim li(ht# she saw the h"(e video s reen on the $ar wall. &rom a set o$ a"dio speakers ame the low moans and the +5h# 'a'y#, m"rm"rs o$ the sili oni<ed porn star hookin( "p with a h"nky Latino. A knot o$ "stomers were l"stered in $ront o$ the s reen# $i2ated# mo"ths a(ape. "y dad is spinning in his grave. Ros oe spied her immediately# like he.d 'een e2pe tin( her. He stood 'ehind a len(thy (lass o"nter showin( a potential "stomer somethin( Riley didn.t re o(ni<e. Whatever it was# it ertainly didn.t look om$orta'le no matter where yo" mi(ht p"t it. +-e with yo" in a se #, he alled o"t# drawin( all eyes to her. Thanks, perv. While she waited# Riley rooted hersel$ 'y the $ront door# re$"sin( to wander thro"(h the shop. 0ot that she was a pr"de or anythin(# '"t a $ew o$ the "stomers looked s ary and they wat hed her every move.

Event"ally Ros oe h"$$ed his way over# his 'i( 'elly arrivin( ahead o$ the rest o$ him. His r"sty 'rown hair was too "rly to 'e nat"ral. He had tattoos on 'oth arms that proved mermaids werereally into sailors. Even 'e$ore she had a han e to say a word# he li ked his lips and (rinned. +!his way# (irlie. We.ll do the deal in the o$$i e., Girlie. She shook her head. Apparently Harper had alled ahead so this sho"ld (o $ast.Anything to get me out o! this place. It was hard to tell where the store ended and Ros oe.s o$$i e 'e(an. Rows o$ rain'ow) olored vi'rators sat on "neven shelves 'ehind a r"sty metal desk. 0"de alendars adorned the other walls# while a small television $eat"red a tr"ly dis("stin( video involvin( heerleaders. !here was even a $ramed photo o$ Ros oe on the wall. !he newspaper lippin( 'elow it said that the +ad"lt entertainment <ar,Riley smirked at thathad paid over $i$ty tho"sand dollars in state li ensin( $ees and sin ta2es in the past $ive years. Whi h was why the ity tolerated his sm"t. As her dad wo"ld say# they (ot their "t. Ros oe r"n hed down into a worn leather hair. !he move made his vast stoma h roll over the top o$ his :eans# $i(htin( a 'attle a(ainst the ti(ht !)shirt. It wasn.t an attra tive si(ht. Espe ially when the !)shirt had a line drawn a ross the nipples and letterin( that said +M"st -e !his !all to !ake !his Ride., Bck. Ros oe kept starin( at Riley.s hest like he.d never seen 'reasts 'e$ore. !hen his eyes went "nnin(. +I an (et yo" work. !hree h"ndred a $ilm. Mi(ht as well "se those assets o$ yo"rs $or somethin( worthwhile., +What9, Riley asked# on$"sed. +5n e yo" know the ropes yo" an 'rin( in some serio"s ash. May'e even a (rand a pop#, Ros oe e2plained. He wasn.t talkin( demons. A thousand dollars to star in a porn !lick* !hat made trappin( wa(es look anemi . +I$ yo" want to make some money on the side# well# yo" o"ld har(e a lot 'ein( so yo"n(. I (ot onta ts# yo" know9 3et yo" ri(ht to work. *o"rse I take a "t# '"t we an trade it o"t i$ yo" want., Trade it out 3 A id rose# '"rnin( her throat. Riley made s"re the o$$i e door was open 'ehind her. With a dry h" kle# Ros oe ran his eyes "p and down her 'ody# assessin( her as i$ she were a pie e o$ prime 'ee$. +So let.s see the (oods., !he "r(e to r"n slammed head)on a(ainst her assi(nment. Harper wo"ld 'e $"rio"s i$ she didn.t sell the -i'lios# and she knew revealin( Ros oe.s plans $or her inemati $"t"re wo"ldn.t make a 'it o$ di$$eren e. How wo"ld Simon handle this9 She dis arded that tho"(ht immediately. He was too polite. -e k9 !hat.s who she sho"ld 'e hannelin( ri(ht now. Riley (lared at the porn kin(. +5kay. 3oods it is., He leered "ntil she removed the -i'lios $rom her messen(er 'a(# linin( them "p on his desk# tho"(h she didn.t like (ettin(that lose to him. 5ne o$ the $iends was workin( on his lid# $eet 'ra ed on the sides o$ the sippy "p in a vain e$$ort to "ns rew it. She ti(htened the lid :"st in ase. +I.m here $or Master Harper#, she anno"n ed. +0othin( else., Ros oe looked rest$allen. +1o" s"re9, She nodded de$iantly. +4amn. Passin( "p some (ood money. 1o".ve (ot a $ine 'ody. It.d look (ood "nder the li(hts., +0ot happenin(. 0ow an we (et on with the deal!or the demons9, Ros oe leaned $orward# the (rease on his nose shinin( like a 'ea on. !he e2pression on his $a e almost made Riley vomit. +0inety a head#, he o$$ered# s rat hin( his 'elly tho"(ht$"lly. 0inety*

He interpreted her silen e as a stall $or more money. +Alri(ht. A *)note $or ea h. At that pri e I.ll take all o$ them yo" an $ind., +As many as we an trap9, she asked# hed(in(. Harper had said to e2pe t seventy)$ive. What was she missin( here9 +1o" heard me. A h"ndred apie e. !hat.s my deal., Harper said to sell them and it wo"ld 'e ri(hteo"s to see his $a e when she ret"rned with that m" h e2tra money. May'e the *h"r h had a"thori<ed hi(her payments and Harper hadn.t (otten the word yet. Riley p"lled o"t the paperwork and laid it near the "ps. +1o".ll need to si(n $or these., Ros oe.s $orehead 'loomed in sweat. +4on.t need the *h"r h.s paperwork. I.ve (ot a new '"yer. !hey pay more# and that.s why I.m (ivin( yo" more., +Who.s '"yin( them9, Riley asked. +0ot yo"r on ern# -a'y 4oll., .a#y %oll* %ou#le uck. +I an.t sell demons witho"t the paperwork#, she said. It was the law. +5kay# make it one)$i$teen a head#, Ros oe replied. +!hat.s as hi(h as I an (o. !ell that old 'astard yo" (ot seventy)$ive ea h and yo" lost the paperwork# then yo" po ket the di$$eren e., Her "t wo"ld 'e RAKB# eno"(h to '"y (ro eries $or a month. I$ this was a set"p# Harper was makin( it real temptin(. -t isn,t right. Riley rel" tantly shook her head. +=nless yo" si(n the paperwork# no deal., +4on.t (et a '"( "p yo"r ass# (irlie. I.m doin( this as a omm"nity servi e. As $ar as I.m on erned yo" o"ld $l"sh them down the toilet., Riley 'e(an to repa k the demons into her messen(er 'a(# her stoma h so"r at the way this had played o"t.2arper is going to lose his mind. +Hey# what are yo" doin(9, Ros oe asked# l"r hin( o"t o$ his hair. +4oin( what I.m s"pposed to#, she said# pa kin( $aster now# ea(er to (et away $rom this weirdo. +5ne)twenty#, Ros oe said. +!hat.s more than yo".ll make anywhere else., !he slea<e 'led desperation; she o"ld taste it in the air. Somethin( was (oin( on with this ("y# '"t it wasn.t her pro'lem. As she t" ked away the last demon his sweaty hand (ra''ed her arm. +1o" an.t do that. 1o" have to sell them to me#, he 'arked. She :erked her arm away# si kened 'y his to" h. +1o".re 'ein( st"pid#, he (rowled. +0ot the $irst time., Riley p"shed her way thro"(h "stomers and employees. !he moment she rea hed the street# the demons er"pted into a hor"s o$ ra" o"s heers. 4ven 2ell has standards. CCC 7ireman >ack had 'een $airly easy to $ind sin e there weren.t that many vinta(e $ireho"ses le$t in the ity. Riley s8"ared her sho"lders and poked at the door'ell lo ated ne2t to the overhead door. 0o answer. She p"shed a(ain and the servi e door 'e(an to open. +Hello9, A hand waved her in. It was atta hed to a yo"n( ("y# pro'a'ly in his twenties. He was lad in 'l"e overalls and wore hi(h)top 'la k)and)white) he ked tennis shoes. His hair was a nest o$ spikes. Simi wo"ld love this d"de. +1es9, he asked# eyin( her riti ally. +I need to do '"siness with &ireman /a k#, I said. +I.m Riley -la kthorne., +-la kthorne9, An eye'row raised. +Ri(ht this way., As she $ollowed him inside# Riley reali<ed a $ire station was a (ood hoi e $or a tra$$i ker. !he

trappers o"ld p"ll their vehi les inside the '"ildin(# lose the overhead door and o$$load the lar(er $iends. 0o han e $or the thin(s to (et loose and ma"l a passer'y. Her nose a"(ht the 'rimstone sten h o$ demons 'e$ore she heard the (rowls. !here were a hal$ do<en !hrees lined "p alon( a 'a k wall in their individ"al steel a(es. !hey all slo''ered and $lashed their laws# $"r ripplin( in waves. !he $loor 'eneath them was spotless. She wondered i$ the ("y in the hi(h)tops (ot st" k with lean"p d"ty. +-la kthorne.s da"(hter#, one o$ demons howled. !he others pi ked "p the hant and ma(ni$ied it. She kept the shiver to hersel$ as she passed 'y the last a(e. !wo $li(hts o$ stairs (ot her to /a k.s o$$i e# tho"(h it took some time to (et there sin e her thi(h didn.t like the hike. !he o$$i e was 'i( and airy with li(ht streamin( thro"(h $o"r skyli(hts# ill"minatin( the old red 'ri k walls. She liked this pla e. It $elt (ood. May'e i$ she (ot ri h someday she.d '"y a $ire station. A 8"i k look aro"nd proved it wasn.t :"st /a k.s pla e o$ work. A 8"een 'ed sat in one orner alon( with a tidy kit henette# and on the other wall a $lat s reen streamed sto k 8"otes. !he owner o$ the pla e sat 'ehind a lar(e wooden desk. It wasn.t a $an y pie e o$ $"rnit"re# '"t it.d seen years o$ "se. /a k looked near her $ather.s a(e. Mid)$orties. 5ld '"t not an ient like Harper. /a k had dark 'rown hair with silver streaks at his temples and wore 'l"e :eans# a red shirt# and those 'ar'er)pole s"spenders. 0ot hard to spot him in a rowd. A 'ase'all ap sat on his desk. He was a 1ankee $an. !he man was on the phone. He raised a hand to (ive him a se ond# then went 'a k to the all. He was 8"estionin( someone a'o"t re("lations re(ardin( demon disposal. While she waited# Riley he ked o"t the lon( wall to her le$t# whi h was 'lanketed in pi t"res and paintin(s. !here was a ommon theme$amo"s $ires. London# AKKK. *hi a(o# AJNA. Atlanta# AJKL and AQAN. Even the Leno2 Pla<a $ire :"st last year. !hat had 'een started 'y a o"ple o$ horny Pyro) &iends. L" kily that didn.t happen too o$ten# '"t when it did the res"lts were way in endiary. /a k h"n( "p the phone and pointed toward a wooden hi(h)'a ked hair. +Riley% Have a seat. How are yo" doin(9, +5kay# I ("ess. I.m with Harper now., /a k made a (a((in( motion with his $in(er# and it set her to la"(hin(. She o"ld see why her dad liked this ("y. +A t"ally# that.s not $air#, /a k said. +He may 'e a platin"m) lass di k# '"t he.s a (ood trapper. 1o".ll learn a lot# providin( yo" don.t kill him $irst., +So $ar I.ve 'e ome an e2pert at leanin( "p demon rap., She raised her happed hands $or proo$. +3otta start at the 'ottom#, he said# smirkin(. !he smirk $aded as he opened a drawer and dropped a $ile $older on top o$ the desk. It was $"ll o$ le(al)si<e papers. +I had a look at the ontra t the de't olle tors sent over., +And9, she asked# "na'le to read the news on his $a e. +!hey have a solid laim a(ainst yo"r dad.s 'ody., She 'an(ed the 'a k o$ her sk"ll a(ainst the wooden hair# the dis om$ort short) ir "itin( the an(er and tears. +0o way we an stop them9, +I.ve $iled a motion askin( the o"rt to r"le on some spe i$i s o$ the laim. !he 'est we an do is stall lon( eno"(h that it doesn.t matter., +I.d pay the money i$ I had it#, she said. +I really wo"ld., +Sin e yo" are a minor# yo" don.t owe them anythin(. !he reason they are (oin( a$ter the 'ody is that.s the only money they an hope to re eive. Sorry I don.t have 'etter news., He p"t away the $older. !hey st"died ea h other $or a $ew se onds. +Anythin( else I an help yo" with9, +I.m here to sell yo" some 5nes., /a k p"lled a $a e. +Why me and not one o$ the other tra$$i kers9, +Harper sent me to Ros oe. We o"ldn.t ome to a deal.,

/a k leaned over the desk. +He sent yo" to Ros oe9 3ood 3od. 4oes -e k know9, +0o., +Make s"re he doesn.t $ind o"t. He.ll (o 'allisti ., +I know. !he slea<e o$$ered me a :o' makin( porn $li ks., It was her t"rn to make a (a((in( motion. +!hen he o$$ered me one h"ndred and twenty dollars $or ea h demon., /a k (aped. +5ne)twenty9 He an.t 'e sellin( to the *h"r h at that pri e. We only (et ei(ht)$ive apie e $or them., +*o"ld Harper 'e settin( me "p9, +May'e. 1o" never know with him., /a k tho"(ht $or a moment. +I don.t "s"ally '"y anythin( 'elow a 3rade !hree., +I $i("red# well# yo" and 4ad were '"ds and?, she said# t"rnin( on the harm. !he tra$$i ker la"(hed. +Playin( me already9 Well# yo" (ot the $a e $or it. How many9, he said. +&o"r. All -i'lios., /a k leaned 'a k in his hair# slippin( his th"m's "nder those (arish s"spenders. +I$ yo" t"rn o"t hal$ as (ood as Pa"l# yo".ve (ot a $"t"re in this '"siness. I.m not st"pid. I don.t want to piss o$$ the ne2t (eneration o$ trappers., She o ked her head and waited. It $elt like there was more. +5kay# I admit it#, /a k said. +I love it when an "nderdo( wins# so I.m p"llin( $or yo". 1o".ll (et a lot o$ (rie$ 'e a"se yo".re $emale. 3ive it ri(ht 'a k to them# okay9, 2e didn,t call me girlie, .a#y %oll, or 1rincess. /a k moved "p to the top o$ her 3ood People list. +Let.s see the little ("ys., She set them o"t# one 'y one. !he -i'lios were swearin( a(ain. +What does the *h"r h do with them9, she asked. +!he o$$i ial answer is that they p"t them in spe ial ontainers# ship them o$$ to monasteries in E"rope# and the monks pray over them. It p"ts them to sleep. Event"ally they disappear. !he *h"r h thinks their so"ls are saved. I think they ret"rn to Hell and are re y led., +How lon( does that take9, she 8"i<<ed. +I don.t know. I honestly think they disappear so they don.t have to listen to the endless hantin(., He st"died her intently. +1o" s"re yo" want to sell them to me9, +1eah# why not9, /a k hesitated $or a se ond then ti(htened the "p lids# even tho"(h she.d :"st done the same thin(. +5kay# it.s on yo"r head then. Seventy)$ive apie e., She nodded# tho"(h it was onsidera'ly less than what Ros oe had o$$ered. While /a k o"nted o"t the money# she tho"(ht thin(s thro"(h. +4id my dad say anythin( to yo" a'o"t Holy Water9, +0o. Why9, he asked# lookin( "p $rom the vinta(e (reen sa$e 'ehind his desk. +I $o"nd some notes o$ his. He was resear hin( it# '"t I don.t know why., +Ask -e k. He.d know i$ anyone does., /a k sw"n( the sa$e door losed and handed her an envelope. +4on.t p"t this in yo"r 'a(. Someone mi(ht try to take it. !he lo als know $olks omin( o"t o$ here have ash on them., She t" ked the envelope in the waist'and o$ her :eans. !hey si(ned the paperwork and the deal was done. He rose and o$$ered his hand# and they shook $irmly. +Remem'er me when yo" (et yo"r :o"rneyman.s li ense. I.ll 'e interested to see what yo" at h. I.ll '"y whatever yo" 'rin( me., 0ow that rocks. At least someone is on my side. !WE0!1)SEDE0 Riley laid the ash on the master.s desk in a neat sta k ri(ht ne2t to his 'o2 o$ i(ars. +1o" sold them9, Harper asked. !here wasn.t a whiskey 'ottle in si(ht# and his eyes were predatory#

like he was waitin( to po"n e. It (ave her the reeps# and she wished Simon were here# not o"t '"yin( trappin( s"pplies. Riley d"mped the paperwork in $ront o$ him. A $rown appeared as he $lipped the pa(es. She.d sold the demons $or the amo"nt he.d said and 'ro"(ht him the ash and $orms. Why was he "pset9 +1o" sold them to the $a(%, he 'ellowed. Bh$oh. !hat.s what /a k had meant when he said it was on her head. +Why the hell didn.t yo" (o to Ros oe like I told yo"9, Harper demanded# his voi e e hoin( o$$ the open ra$ters. +*an.t yo" do one damned thin( ri(ht9, +I went to the perv. He wo"ldn.t si(n the papers., +Why the hell not9, +He said he.d (ive me one)twenty apie e $or the demons as lon( as I did the deal "nder the ta'le., She took a ("lp o$ air. +He said to tell yo" I (ot seventy)$ive and lost the paperwork# then I o"ld keep the rest., Harper.s eyes t"rned $linty 'la k. &aster that she tho"(ht he o"ld move# his hand shot a ross the desk and (ra''ed her $orearm. !he $in(ers d"( in like iron. +1o".re lyin(., She tried to twist o"t o$ his (rasp# '"t he only ti(htened his hold. +I.m not lyin(% Stop it. !hat h"rts., !he master s"ddenly released her and she sta((ered a $ew steps away# $ear o"rsin( thro"(h her. Harper was too volatile. !he ne2t time he mi(ht hit her. He prod" ed a $"ll 'ottle o$ whiskey $rom a drawer. !he am'er li8"id sloshed into a ra ked (lass. +I don.t sell to $a(s. 0ever have# never will., +I didn.t know#, she retorted. +1o" :"st did it to make me look 'ad. 1o".re as twisted as yo"r old man#, he spat. You leave my dad out o! this5 +3et the hell o"t here#, he sho"ted# +or I swear yo".ll 'e 'leedin(., Riley 'arely rea hed the $ront door when (lass shattered in the o$$i e. +3oddamn -la kthornes%, Harper "rsed. Simon looked "p as she $led into the parkin( lot. When he saw her $a e# he dropped a 'o2 'a k into the tr"nk o$ his ar and h"rried "p to her. +Are yo" okay9, he asked. +4on.t (o in there#, she said# shiverin(. +He.s ra<y. He.s throwin( st"$$., Simon st"died her $or a moment# then a$ter a 8"i k look at the '"ildin( he p"t his hands on her sho"lders and (ave them a (entle s8"ee<e. +What happened in there9, he asked. I$ she told him# what o"ld he do9 Ar("e with Harper9 3et tossed o"t o$ the 3"ild9 !hat wo"ldn.t help either o$ them. Riley shook her head# p"lled away $rom him and h"rried toward her ar. -t,s not your !ight. CCC The shakes !inally s"'sided 'y the time Riley sl"mped on her o" h. She p"lled "p her sweatshirt sleeve and st"died her arm. &ive dark $in(er)si<ed 'r"ises stood o"t a(ainst her skin. She t"((ed the sleeve down. !he 'r"ises wo"ld event"ally $ade. Her $ear wo"ldn.t. +He.s (oin( to keep doin( this. He.s (oin( to keep h"rtin( me "ntil I 8"it., Her eyes $illed with tears. - don,t know i! - can do this anymore, %ad. -,m so scared. Her phone ran( and she :"mped at the so"nd. Rel" tantly she d"( it o"t o$ her 'a(. It was Simon. +Riley# where are yo"9, he asked. -ehind him she o"ld hear street noise. +I.m at home.,

+Please tell me what happened. I don.t want to walk in on him witho"t knowin(., +I sold the 5nes to /a k. Harper didn.t like it.,And then he hurt me. +4id he ? hit yo"9, She sat "p on the o" h. Apparently she wasn.t Harper.s only tar(et. +I.m okay# Simon., +I.m so sorry. I was hopin( he.d 'e 'etter with yo"., 0ot a chance. She $lipped the phone losed. Her $ear sheeted o$$ her like a thin layer o$ i e in the $"ll s"n. +Harper# yo" misera'le?, He.d dissed her dad. He.d h"rt her and Simon. Her $ather.s voi e asked the 8"estion as learly as i$ he were sittin( ne2t to her. %o you #elieve you deserve to #e hit* +0o., And tho"(h Harper s ared the hell o"t o$ her# she wasn.t (ivin( "p. She.d :"st stay o"t o$ his rea h $rom now on. He.d had his one shot at her# and there wo"ld 'e no others. !here was a tentative kno k at her door. She opened it# leavin( the hain in pla e# still on ed(e. It was -e k# who wasn.t known $or kno kin( so so$tly. +What9, she (r"m'led. She o"ld tell 'y the way he held himsel$ that he was "pset. +Simon alled. He was worried. He tho"(ht Harper had h"rt ya., +I.ll handle it#, she said evenly. +Riley# he.s a vi io"s S5-. !hat.s why I wanted ya with Stewart., +I.ll handle it#, she repeated. How she.d do that she had no idea# '"t i$ -e k (ot involved he.d end "p in :ail $or assa"lt and lose his trappin( li ense. +What set him o$$9, She told him. +5h# 3od# I tho"(ht ya knew Harper didn.t like /a k., +How wo"ld I know that9, she omplained. +I.m an apprenti e. I.m not s"pposed to know st"$$# '"t every'ody thinks I do 'e a"se my dad was a master., -e k a'sor'ed her tirade witho"t a twit h. It wasn.t $air hewin( on him. He wasn.t the pro'lem. +Sorry., She "nlat hed the hain and waved him in. He didn.t '"d(e. +I tho"(ht we mi(ht (o $or a ride. !alk it o"t., +I.m not in the mood $or, +I.m trappin. this a$ternoon and I need 'a k"p., +What are yo" a$ter9, she asked# still d"'io"s. +A &ire'"(., A 1yro$7iend. He knew what kind o$ 'ait to "se. +Well9, he asked# hands :ammed in his :eans po kets. It made him look his a(e $or a han(e. +Will Harper 'e pissed i$ I trap with yo"9, +*o"nt on it# i$ he $inds o"t. 4oes that 'other ya9, he asked. +A$ter this mornin(9 0o way., Riley 'arely lim'ed into -e k.s tr" k 'e$ore it was in (ear and rollin( o"t o$ the parkin( lot. She hastily atta hed her seat 'elt. She knew i$ she let him steer the onversation they.d keep talkin( a'o"t Harper# so she headed it in another dire tion. +Simon trapped a &o"r at yo"r pool hall this mornin(. It was really sli k how it (ot into my head., +Hard to i(nore .em# espe ially i$ they.re omin. on to ya., -e k (ave a dry h" kle. +!here was this s" "'"s who worked the onvention ir "it downtown. 4amn# she was a hottie. I really hated trappin. her# '"t I had no hoi e., +She didn.t (et to yo"9, Riley asked# "rio"s. +I mean# in yo"r head and all., He smirked. +She (ot to me every way she o"ld# and then some. !he thin(s she was sayin. to me?, He whistled. +It.d make any man $all on his knees and 'e( to 'e her slave.,

Riley (ave him a lon( look. +!hen how.d yo" t"ne her o"t9, +*arrie =nderwood. H"mmed one o$ her son(s. 4id the tri k :"st per$e t., -e k dod(ed a street ar and ontin"ed north alon( Pea htree Street. +So where is this &ire'"(9, she asked. +At the law li'rary., Riley sw"n( her head toward him# pani kin(. +I an.t (o there% 0ot a$ter what happened the other day., He ra ked a wi ked (rin. +1o" lie%, She landed a li(ht p"n h on his sho"lder 'e a"se he so deserved it. +So whereare we (oin(9, +It.s in a parkin. (ara(e at Atlanti Station., He eyed her. +Have ya $o"nd yer daddy.s man"al yet9, She nodded. +How $ar are ya into it9, +3rade !hrees. Pretty dis("stin( readin(. !hey even eat $i'er)opti a'le. How si k is that9, +Well# that.s a'o"t as $ar as yer (onna (et., +What do yo" mean9, +I took o"t the 'a k se tion# the parts that overed &o"rs and "p. 4on.t want ya tryin. to trap an Ar h$iend or nothin.. 1a made the rest o$ "s look 'ad eno"(h takin. o"t a !hree# ya 'ein. an apprenti e and all., It took a while re(ister what he.d done. +1o" removed the rest o$ the man"al#, she said $latly. 0o wonder the thin( hadn.t 'een as thi k as she.d e2pe ted. He shot her a 'road (rin. +/"st keepin. ya sa$e# Riley (irl. 1a.ll thank me one day., 0ot in this li!etime. CCC -t took the #etter part o$ an ho"r o$ sk"lkin( aro"nd the parkin( (ara(e to $inally lo ate the $iend in 8"estion. As they hiked thro"(h the m"ltistory on rete str" t"re# -e k remained on ("ard the entire time. It $elt weird trappin( with him# '"t she had to admit she wasn.t a$raid. 2e can handle anything. Her dad had ta"(ht him well. +0ot 8"ite what ya tho"(ht trappin. wo"ld 'e9, -e k asked. It so"nded like Harper.s 8"estion# e2 ept there was no mali e in it. +I $i("red it.d 'e more e2 itin(. Less hikin(# $or one., She.d mana(ed to keep "p with -e k# '"t it had 'een a str"((le with her sore thi(h. +I.ve never seen a Pyro., +Evil ritters. !hey love $ire. It $as inates .em., +Like &ireman /a k., +1eah# . ept he doesn.t (o aro"nd settin. .em., -e k did a 8"i k one)ei(hty# s"rveyin( the area aro"nd them. +It won.t 'e o"t in the open on the top de k# so this $loor has to 'e it., +3lad to hear it. All this in line st"$$ isn.t $eelin( (ood on the le(., He shook his head like he.d 'een st"pid. +I.m sorry# (irl# I didn.t think o$ that. 1a wanna wait in the tr" k9, %id he 'ust apologi?e* !hat had to 'e a $irst. +I.m (ood#, she said# i(norin( the :ittery m"s les and the rampin( as 'est she o"ld. -e k s r"tini<ed the area with wary anti ipation. +1a need to stay 'ehind me. I$ this (oes wron(# 'ook it#, he ordered. +Wron( how9, +Like i$ this thin( (ets a o"ple ars '"rnin.., 4Cploding gas tanks. 0ot good. +Hold this# will ya9, He handed over his d"$$el 'a(. It was so heavy she nearly dropped it. +*are$"l% !here.s spheres in there., +1o" o"ld have warned me it wei(hs more than I do#, she (ro"sed.

+1a need to '"ild yersel$ "p# (irl. 5nly way to handle a $"ll trapper.s 'a(., "uscles. (ight. >ust what - need. +Why don.t yo" pa k li(hter9, she asked. +1a need all the (ear with ya., +Why9 1o" know this is a !wo., +Hi(her)level demons an a t like the lesser (rades. 1a think yer trappin. a !hree and it t"rns o"t to 'e a &o"r# and i$ ya don.t have the ri(ht e8"ipment# that.s an LLM., +H"h9, +Li$e. Limitin(. Mistake., He stripped o$$ his leather :a ket and tossed it on a near'y ar. He was wearin( a +!ake 0o Prisoners, amo !)shirt "nderneath. It was looser than most ("ys wo"ld wear. He wasn.t lookin( to show o$$ his m"s les '"t makin( s"re he had plenty o$ room to move. Pi kin( "p a white sphere# -e k 'e(an his sear h. L" kily there weren.t as many ars as on the $loors 'elow. A sparkin( noise ame $rom "nderneath an old S=D. It was one o$ the 'i( monsters# the kind that no one wo"ld '"y anymore# what with (as r"nnin( ten or more a (allon. It was ori(inally 'la k# '"t now it was overed in a $ine layer o$ d"st like it.d 'een a'andoned here. Somethin( red# like a (iant r"''er 'and# snaked o"t o$ the tailpipe. As it rea hed the on rete $loor# it took shape. It looked a lot like an ei(ht)in h)tall red r"''er doll with horns and a $orked tail. It (rinned a mo"th$"l o$ sharp teeth# then snapped its $in(ers. -rilliant red)(old $ire shot o"t o$ its palms. +!rapper#, it hissed. +Howdy# demon. 0i e $lames#, -e k replied. A se ond later a 'olt o$ $ire went streakin( toward him like it had ome $rom a military $lamethrower. He de$tly stepped aside# and the 'olt e2ploded on the on rete ne2t to him. It.d happened so $ast Riley hadn.t had time to rea t. I$ -e k was $ri(htened# he ertainly wasn.t showin( it. +Roast yo"# trapper%, the $iend hissed# snappin( its $in(ers a(ain. !hen it a"(ht si(ht o$ Riley. -e$ore her ompanion o"ld sho"t a warnin(# a 'olt ame strai(ht at her. She shrieked and owered as the $lames ra ed over the top o$ her. !here was a si<<lin( so"nd as they str" k a on rete s"pport. !he s or h mark was $o"r $eet wide. 2oly crap. 0ow shewas s ared. !he ne2t $ire'all went strai(ht at -e k. He weaved# lost his $ootin( on a pat h o$ oil# and $ell to one knee. !he sphere in his ri(ht hand shattered and ma(i ally har(ed water '"rst $orth in a rollin( wave a ross the $loor. In a $ew se onds i e rystals sheeted a ross the on rete like $rost on a windowpane in deep winter. -e k str"((led to his $eet and 8"i kly 'a ked o$$ to avoid 'ein( trapped in the rapidly $ree<in( pond. +I need another one%, he alled o"t. With a hi(h)pit hed a kle# the $iend hopped onto a near'y Honda and 'e(an to $ire in endiaries at the "narmed trapper. +!hrow a sphere%, -e k sho"ted# dod(in( and d" kin( to avoid the $lames. Riley p"lled one o"t witho"t lookin(# a'o"t to dash it to the (ro"nd. +0ot that one%, -e k ried o"t as an ar o$ $lame a"(ht him. +3et a white one%, +hite. She p"t the d"$$el 'a( on the (ro"nd and $ranti ally r"mma(ed thro"(h the ontents. -e k ried o"t as another (o"t o$ $lame (ot too lose. !he a klin( $iend was playin( with him. +White%, she sho"ted. +3ot it., She ha"led 'a k to dash it on the $loor o$ the (ara(e. +=p% !hrow the thin( "p%, -e k alled o"t# and then rolled 'etween two ars to avoid another '"rst o$ $lame. +=p9, She took a h"(e 'reath and "nderhanded the (lass 'all strai(ht "p toward the on rete a'ove them. !he demon t"rned toward her# i(nitin( a massive $ire'all on its palm. +5h# 3od.,

!he sphere str" k the (ara(e eilin( an instant 'e$ore the demon set the $ire'all loose. -e k yelled somethin(# '"t 'y then it was too late. P"re white li(ht slammed into her eyes# 'lindin( her. St"m'lin( 'a kward# she rashed into a s"pport and landed hard. -e k sho"ted a(ain. !he demon shrieked. !hen it 'e(an to snow. !WE0!1)EI3H! Riley p"lled hersel$ "p a(ainst the on rete pier. 0othin( was 'roken as 'est as she o"ld tell# '"t she knew she.d have more 'r"ises 'y mornin(. It was snowin( in the parkin( (ara(e. Serio"s snowa(e# like somehow they.d moved this 'attle to *hi a(o in /an"ary. !here was already three in hes on the on rete# and it wasn.t meltin(. She h"nted thro"(h the $allin( white "ntil she $o"nd the demon. His $ire was o"t# thin tendrils o$ (ray smoke "rlin( "pward $rom his hands. He stormed and sho"ted and "rsed '"t o"ldn.t (enerate a $li ker. +-e k9, she alled o"t. He ha"led himsel$ o"t $rom 'ehind a ar. +1a okay9, /uch. "y #utt hurts. +I.m (ood., *are$"lly he worked himsel$ a ross the $ro<en pond and ta((ed the Pyro. It didn.t try to r"n# its movements slowed 'y the old. +Kiss my ass# demon%, -e k whooped# and shot a $ist in the air. He slid his way over to her# nearly $allin(. +Hold this#, he said# and dropped the Pyro into her hands. It was "n om$orta'ly warm# like a hot r"''er 'all# and it (lared at her malevolently. +-la kthorne.s da"(hter. We know thee. -oon we (rant?, She i(nored it. What she o"ldn.t i(nore was the weird look on -e k.s $a e. +What9, she asked. +It said yer name., +!hey all do#, she said# shr"((in(. +Always have. I told yo" that., +!hey don.t do that to me., +!hat.s "< I.m spe ial#, she said# winkin(. Adrenaline $lowed o"t o$ her 'ody 'y s oop$"ls# and she $elt really tired. +Spe ial# h"h#, -e k m"m'led. He p"lled a l"n h tote $rom his trappin( 'a(. It was lar(e $or a tote# 'i((er than the one Simon had "sed $or the &o"r# and it had a lo(o on the side $rom some 3ainesville 'ait shop. He "n<ipped it# revealin( :a((ed h" ks o$ dry i e. !he demon 'e(an to wail and "rse# twistin( in Riley.s (rip. +!o"(h 'reak# asshole#, -e k said. He took the demon and dropped it head$irst into the dry i e. !he i e hissed and went white. !he "rsin( stopped as -e k <ipped the ontainer losed. +4o those ma(i al harms really work9, she asked# pointin( at a nest o$ them atta hed to the handle. !hey seemed to 'e made o$ :ade and wood. +S"pposed to# at least that.s what the wit hes laim., +/"st he kin( here> I tho"(ht I was s"pposed to wat h#, Riley said# "na'le to resist p"llin( his hain. +1a were#, -e k replied# s"ddenly serio"s. +I$ anyone asks# I threw 'oth (lo'es# okay9 I$ not# there.ll 'e hell to pay., She nodded wearily. +Whatever., It had stopped snowin(# tho"(h there was at least $ive in hes on the (ara(e $loor. !he (iant pond was overed with it. +Sho"ld have 'ro"(ht o"r i e skates#, Riley said.

!hen another idea dropped into her head. How many times wo"ld she (et a han e like this in Atlanta9 !"rnin( her 'a k to her ompanion# she pa ked hersel$ a snow'all. +-e k9, she alled o"t# all inno en e. +1es# kid9, he replied# t"rnin( toward her. 6id* !hat did it. She threw the snow'all and it str" k enter hest. Heoo!ed# (lared# and then stalked toward her# intent on his prey. +1o" alled it#1rincess%, She t"rned to es ape# '"t a snow'all hit her ri(ht on the '"tt. He.d planned a similar am'"sh. +!hat wasn.t hard to hit#, he :oked. +Are yo" sayin( my '"tt.s 'i(9, she demanded. His (rin (rew wider# e((in( her on. +4ie# -a kwoods -oy%, !wo more went his way and only one onne ted# splatterin( him :"st north o$ his 'elt '" kle. She s "rried to rearm hersel$# knowin( the 'attle was heatin( "p. +-a kwoods -oy9, he alled o"t# $rownin(. +1a (ot no respe t# (irl., He slid on the i e# movin( $aster than she.d anti ipated# and swooped in like a 'asket'all star. A m"shy snow'all dropped down the $ront o$ her :a ket. It melted into her 'ra and onto her skin# makin( her shriek and dan e aro"nd "ntil the remainin( snow $ell o"t o$ the 'ottom o$ her sweatshirt. La"(hin( at her anti s# -e k was already pa kin( another missile. She d" ked at the last min"te# and it (lan ed o$$ an e2pensive sports ar. +Step away $rom the ar%, the a"to.s alarm voi e ommanded. +Step away $rom, +Let.s (et o"t o$ here 'e$ore someone alls the ops#, he advised. !he *orvette.s alarm was still iss"in( orders when they rea hed his tr" k on the $irst level. He toted the demon and the d"$$el 'a( while she took ontrol o$ his :a ket. +1o" okay9, she asked# noti in( the 'a k o$ his !)shirt had a si<a'le s or h mark. +A little risped '"t not 'ad. !hat.s why I took o$$ my oat. It.s the third I.ve 'o"(ht this year., He eyed her as he stowed the (ear in the $ront seat. +1a really don.t know the spheres 'y olor9, +4ad wo"ldn.t tell me a'o"t them., -e k m"m'led somethin( "nder his 'reath. +He $i("red ya.d 8"it# (et a real :o'., He tho"(ht $or a moment and then nodded to himsel$. +Let.s $ind some $ood and we.ll work on that., +*an we (et 'ar'e "e9, she asked# s"ddenly h"n(ry. +I haven.t had 'ar'e "ed hi ken in $orever., A 'i( (rin appeared on her ompanion.s $a e. +I know this (reat pla e on Ed(ewood. Mama G.s. It.s a dive# '"t# damn# the $ood.s (ood., +What a'o"t that thin(9, she asked# pointin( at the 'ait ontainer. +We.ll do a drive)'y to /a k.s. It.ll stay 8"iet "ntil the dry i e thaws# then it.ll (et nasty a(ain. -est it.s /a k.s pro'lem at that point., +What.s he do with them9, +!hrows them in a 'i((er anister o$ dry i e., +4oesn.t that kill them9, +0o way#, he said# shakin( his head. As -e k drove o"t o$ the (ara(e# he (ave the parkin( attendants a 'i( toothy smile and a wave. +!here.s some snow on the $i$th level. !ho"(ht ya mi(ht like to know. 1.all have a ni e day# now%, he alled o"t. 0o wonder %ad liked working with you. CCC .eck did the drive$#y to /a k.s. She remained in the tr" k as he ompleted the transa tion and olle ted the payment. +!wo h"ndred and $i$ty#, he said# sh"ttin( the door. He promptly dropped hal$ o$ it in her lap# mostly

in twenties. +!hat.s yer "t., +-"t, He raised a all"sed hand. +I know# yer not s"pposed to 'e earnin. anythin( "nless it.s with Harper. So i$ anyone asks# ya didn.t (et a ent., She looked down at the money. +!hanks., He shr"((ed. +Saves me havin( to loan it to ya. 1a did help o"t 'a k there., +Help o"t9 I totally saved yo"., She e2pe ted ar("ment# '"t it didn.t ome. +S"re did. !hanks ? Riley., An apology and a thank$you, all in one day* This has to #e a dream. !hey.d pi ked "p the $ood and headed $or her apartment. Alon( the way he.d shared some o$ his knowled(e o$ &ire'"(s and how her dad had ta"(ht him the ropes. Riley didn.t interr"pt# hopin( this wo"ld never end. It was ni e not to ar("e with him. She a t"ally liked the ("y when he wasn.t (oin( all -i( -rother on her. A$ter all# they had a lot in ommon. !hey were 'oth trappers and they 'oth adored her $ather. +I ("ess it was only ri(ht ya $ollowin. in the '"siness#, he said# makin( the t"rn toward her pla e. +1a (ot it in the 'lood# all the way 'a k., She (ave him a p"<<led look. +What do yo" mean9 My (rand$ather was a 'anker., +!hat was his day :o'. 1er (randdaddy and his people were all trappers. It alls to ya no matter what., +My (rand$ather was a trapper9, Her parents hadn.t mentioned that# like it was some dark se ret. +1er (reat)(randdaddy too. -la kthornes have 'een trappin. sin e $orever. Like the Stewarts., +I didn.t know that., 0o wonder she.d had this $eelin( shehad to do this. In some ways# that was sorta dist"r'in(# like she didn.t have a hoi e. +Why didn.t 4ad tell me9, she asked# her an(er stirrin(. +0ever wanted his da"(hter to 'e a trapper. !oo dan(ero"s., !hat she o"ldn.t ar("e with. I$ she worked at the o$$ee shop like Simi# she s"re wo"ldn.t have (otten lawed "p 'y an espresso ma hine. +What a'o"t yo"r people9, she asked. +Where they trappers9, He shook his head. +4idn.t trap demons# only small varmints. !oo '"sy r"nnin. 'ootle( whiskey and tryin. to stay o"t o$ :ail. I.m the $irst one in the $amily., +!hey m"st 'e pro"d o$ yo"., +0ot to hear them tell it., CCC +hen .eck set the arryo"t 'a( on the kit hen ta'le# he hesitated. +Whi h hair an I sit in9, he asked. +!hat one#, she said# pointin( at hers. He rea hed $or it and then han(ed his mind. +I 'etter wash "p $irst#, he said. As he walked down the hall toward the 'athroom# he stripped o$$ his !)shirt. He wasn.t :"st sin(ed. !here was a 'i( red '"rn 'etween his sho"lder 'lades# interse ted 'y newly healed law marks. +-e k9, +1eah9, he alled o"t. +We need to treat yo"r 'a k., +0ah# it.s okay., She $ished a 'ottle o$ Holy Water o"t o$ his d"$$el 'a(# he ked the la'el to ens"re it was $resh# and then wed(ed hersel$ in the doorway o$ the 'athroom so he o"ldn.t es ape. He saw the look in her eyes. +!hat 'ad9, +0ot (ood.,

He 'lew a stream o$ air o"t o$ his lips. +Sink or t"'9, +!"'., She "sed the entire 'ottle on his 'a k and sho"lders as he 'ent over the 'atht"' to keep the Holy Water $rom (oin( everywhere. Some (ot in his hair# '"t he didn.t seem to mind. &rom her vanta(e point she o"ld tell he de$initely had m"s les in all the ri(ht pla es. Simi wo"ld say he was h"nkali io"s# '"t this was -e k a$ter all. +!hose law marks#, she said. +1o" (ot them the ni(ht 4ad died# didn.t yo"9, He stood "p# swipin( damp hair o$$ $rom his $orehead. +1eah#, he said so$tly. +1o" kept 4ad $rom 'ein(?,4aten. +He.d have done the same $or me., +!hanks., He shr"((ed like it was no 'i( deal. She o"ldn.t p"sh it m" h $"rther or he.d (et more "n om$orta'le# and that "s"ally made him s"rly. She loaned him one o$ her dad.s !)shirts and tossed his in the (ar'a(e. &amished# Riley atta ked the hi ken# the sweet orn# and the mashed potatoes with a ven(ean e. It was as (ood as her ompanion had promised. +!his is (reat st"$$#, she said# wipin( 'ar'e "e sa" e o$$ her $a e. +It.s really hot. I like it that way., +-est in Atlanta#, he replied. +I.ll take ya there when Mama.s workin.. She really likes me., +1o" harmed her on p"rpose# didn.t yo"9, +0ever piss o$$ the people who $eed ya. I learned that in the Army., It was an openin( she.d not e2pe ted# a han e to learn more a'o"t him. +What was it like over there9, she 8"i<<ed. He didn.t answer $or some time# '"t his eyes went distant# like he was seein( thin(s she o"ldn.t hope to "nderstand. +I $elt alive $or the $irst time in my li$e. Kinda weird# i$ ya think a'o"t it# what with all that dyin. aro"nd me. Somehow I knew I was s"pposed to 'e there to help those ("ys. 3et a $ew o$ them home in one pie e# not in some 'ody 'a(., +4ad said it was hard on yo"# that yo" han(ed., -e k r"''ed his hin. +1a see so m" h. I was yo"n( and I didn.t know how to handle it., +1o".re still yo"n(#, she said. +1o".re not that m" h older than me., +I don.t $eel like it#, he admitted. +0ever really had a han e to 'e a kid., +4o yo" re(ret (oin( over there9, she asked# wonderin( what sort o$ hell he.d end"red. +Some ni(hts# when the dreams won.t leave me 'e., -e k slowly p"lled his eyes "p to hers. +5ther times# no. I don.t $ear dyin. now# not like some. I.ve seen it too many times., +Why trap demons9, she 8"i<<ed. A $aint smile ame to his $a e. +-e a"se o$ yer daddy., +Like me# then#, she said. +It.s a (ood eno"(h reason., He rose and headed $or the o" h. Instead o$ stret hin( o"t like she tho"(ht he wo"ld# he 'e(an to di( inside his d"$$el 'a(# are$"lly layin( o"t di$$erent olored ma(i al spheres on the seat "shions. +*ome here#, he said# 'e konin(. +I.ll (ive ya the 8"i k and dirty on these thin(s. /"st a t s"rprised when Harper does all this# okay9, +It.ll 'e o"r se ret#, she promised. !he spheres ran(ed in si<e $rom a (ol$ 'all to a (rape$r"it on steroids. !here was every olor yo" o"ld think o$white $or the snow (lo'es# lear $or the Holy Water# 'l"e $or the (ro"ndin( spheres# p"rple $or -a'el spheres# and so on. He e2plained ea h one in detail# then p"t them 'a k in the d"$$el 'a(. +!hat wasn.t so hard#, she said# s" kin( on the last o$ her i ed tea. It was more syr"p than tea# :"st the way she liked it. +We.re not done., -e k dropped his hand into the 'a( and p"lled o"t a 'l"e sphere. +H"i k# what is

it9, +Ah ? ah?, she str"((led. +!hink% !he demon is $i2in. to nail ya# and yer not (ivin. me an answer., +-a'el sphere9, she ("essed# then win ed.+rong5 +-a'el spheres are p"rple., He handed it to her. +!his is a (ro"ndin. sphere. It p"lls a 3eo)&iend into the earth so it an.t s"mmon weather or make earth8"akes., +It didn.t work $or 4ad., +It did. !he demon (ot l" ky., He p"lled o"t another sphere. !his one she knew. +White. It.s $or &ire'"(s., +!hat was too easy., Another appeared in his hand. (ed. +Ah ? oh# Lord., !his was hard. +A shield sphere#, he said. And so it went "ntil she o"ld pretty m" h identity ea h sphere $or its properties and "se. Whites went "p# the rest went down. -l"es needed to onta t metal. P"rples needed to land at the demon.s $eet. Reds only lasted a short time. +4id 4ad ever say anythin( to yo" a'o"t the Holy Water9, she asked# holdin( "p one o$ the spheres. +5nly that he was worried that it wasn.t workin. as well as it "sed to on some o$ the demons., +What kind o$ demons9, +!hrees. Why ya askin.9, She waved him o$$. +/"st wonderin(., He ret"rned the or's to the 'a( and <ipped it sh"t. +1a still on$"sed a'o"t the spheres9, +1eah. Were yo" at $irst9, +3ot it ri(ht o$$#, he said. +0o sweat., +1o" lie%, A 'oyish (rin told her she was ri(ht. !hen he set a small 'o2 on the o" h 'etween them. Riley stared at it then "p at him. +&or me9, When he iss"ed a 8"i k nod# her heart rate sped "p. !here was no writin( on the 'o2# so she had no l"e what mi(ht 'e inside. It o"ld 'e somethin( really neat. !he moment the lid ame o$$# she (asped. A lon( 'la k demon law sat inside. !he top o$ it was apt"red with silver wire and it had a thi k hain "rled "p 'ehind it. +Is this?, she asked with a sli(ht shiver. +1eah# it.s the one o"t o$ yer le(#, he admitted. +I asked a $riend o$ mine to make it so ya o"ld wear it. I hope ya like it., In some perverse way# she did. A lot. When she looked "p at -e k# on ern overed his $a e. !his really did matter to him. Riley looped it over her ne k and then held it away $rom her 'ody so she o"ld see it. !he law looked s ary lose "p# :"st like its $ormer owner. +It.s awesome# -e k%, His e2pression rela2ed. He a ted like he wanted to say somethin( more '"t then shook his head. Standin(# he p"t the strap o$ the d"$$el 'a( on his sho"lder and s ooped "p his oat with his $ree hand. +!ake a trip to the market toni(ht. Introd" e yo"rsel$ to the wit hes who make these p"ppies#, he said# tappin( the side o$ the 'a(. +!hey.ll tell ya how the spheres work., +-"t what a'o"t 4ad9, she asked# on$"sed. She.d need to 'e at the (raveyard in an ho"r. +I.ll wat h him .til ya (et there., As he rea hed the door she alled o"t# +-e k9, He t"rned aro"nd# remindin( her more o$ the yo"n( man who.d (one to war# not the old one who.d ret"rned. +!hanks. &or everythin(. I mean it., A slow (rin ed(ed onto his $a e. +1o".re worth it ?1rincess.,

Her tennis shoe hit the door a se ond a$ter it losed. !WE0!1)0I0E As Riley waited $or Simon at the ed(e o$ *entennial Park# she tried to rela2. Her 'a k was sore $rom playin( ta( with the on rete s"pport and she still $elt s or hed# tho"(h she.d washed her hair and han(ed lothes. 0o wonder trappers 'o"(ht most o$ their threads se ondhand> they had the shel$ li$e o$ $resh oysters. Riley ret"rned her attention to the nest o$ papers in her lap. I$ her $ather had one weakness# it was details. Riley only wanted to see the 'i((er pi t"re# not the omplete history o$ Holy Water sin e the dawn o$ time. She wanted to know why he was interested in the topi # '"t so $ar she.d not $o"nd anythin( that answered that 8"estion. 5ne thin( ame thro"(h learly in his notesher dad was worried. &r"strated at her la k o$ pro(ress# she :ammed the papers into her messen(er 'a(. Her hand trailed "p to the hain that se "red the demon law. She.d p"lled it o"t a o"ple o$ times to look at it# marvelin( how really neat it was# '"t then hid it a(ain. Metal was val"a'le and it wo"ldn.t 'e smart to let anyone know she was wearin( some. !he silver in the hain and the wrappin( was the (ood st"$$# the kind her mom "sed to have 'e$ore they had to sell it to help pay $or her hemotherapy. +I 'et this was way e2pensive#, she m"sed. She still o"ldn.t 'elieve he.d done it.- guess - really don,t know him that well. !he whole a$ternoon $elt di$$erent# like aliens had kidnapped -a kwoods -oy and rewired him to 'e ni e. He.d a ted like he wanted to 'e with her# la"(hed at her :okes# didn.t make her $eel like she was 'ein( (oo$y at all. He.d even ta"(ht her how to trap a &ire'"(. 2ope it lasts. It.d 'e (ood to have him as a $riend# may'e even a trappin( partner on e she made :o"rneyman. Simon# however# $ell into a di$$erent ate(ory alto(ether./h yeah. She looked "p to see him approa hin( on the 'ri k sidewalk# his eyes skimmin( the (ro"nd. He moved deli'erately# as is he were thinkin( thro"(h some deep pro'lem and was only va("ely aware o$ his s"rro"ndin(s. He.d so"nded only hal$ interested when she.d invited him to :oin her toni(ht. Initially she.d pani ked# thinkin( he was (rowin( tired o$ her# '"t that worry vanished when he.d a(reed to see her. As he (rew loser# she alled o"t# +Hi there%, He shr"((ed. !he Silent 5rder o$ Simons was 'a k. And they think girls are moody. +Hey# no $air 'ein( so 8"iet#, she n"d(ed. He looked em'arrassed $or a se ond. +Sorry., Riley took his hand and s8"ee<ed it. When he didn.t ret"rn the (est"re# she dropped it. &or a hal$ se ond she wondered i$ she.d done somethin( to ti k him o$$# '"t she o"ldn.t think o$ anythin(. !his was :"st Simon. Sometimes he was $"n# sometimes he was silent. +What did Harper do to yo"9, he asked in a voi e so 8"iet she almost didn.t hear him. +1elled a lot., +!hat.s it9, +1es#, she lied. A relieved si(h. +Keep o"t o$ his rea h. He.ll 'eat yo" $or no reason#, Simon warned. +1o"9, +All his apprenti es#, he said# then $ell silent a(ain. As they walked into *entennial Park she $or ed her mind to happier times as a o"nterwei(ht to (rim reality. When she was little# Riley.s parents wo"ld tote her downtown to play in the $ive $o"ntains# whi h were laid o"t in inter onne tin( rin(s like the 5lympi lo(o. In the s"mmer when it was 'listerin( hot# the park was always rowded. Dendors sold kosher 'ee$ hot do(s# ve(eta'le

samosas# and root 'eer $loats. !his pla e was all a'o"t (ood memories. 4espite her ompanion.s "n om$orta'le silen e# she o"ldn.t help '"t share that $eelin(. She (ave him a play$"l hip)'"mp. +My parents "sed to 'rin( me here when I was a kid. I loved :"mpin( aro"nd in the $o"ntains., !o her relie$# Simon ro"sed $rom his melan holy. +Mine did# too. We.d r"n aro"nd $or a o"ple o$ ho"rs then pile in the ar and $all asleep. Mom and 4ad appre iated the 8"iet sin e there were so many o$ "s., Riley looked lon(in(ly at the water sprayin( hi(h in the air toward the evenin( sky. !he li(hts were on toni(ht# makin( the droplets sparkle like diamonds. As they walked 'y the nearest :et she p"shed Simon loser to it. He yelped in s"rprise as the water hit him and then har(ed a$ter her. She tried to r"n '"t her thi(h wasn.t ooperatin(. +3ot yo"%, he la"(hed and (ra''ed on to her. He li$ted her "p and sp"n her aro"nd. When her $eet were on the (ro"nd# he wore a smile. It made her $eel (ood a(ain. When they 'roke apart# Simon a"(ht her hand and held it ti(ht. +!hanks#, he said. +I take mysel$ too serio"sly sometimes., +5nly sometimes9, she :ested. +1o".d make a (reat monk. 1o".re (ood with the silent 'it., +I tho"(ht a'o"t the priesthood#, he admitted# +'"t I de ided I.d rather h"nt demons. !hat way I an marry# have kids., He looked over at her# like he was :"d(in( her rea tion. +How many9, she asked. +!hree# may'e $o"r. More than that is too many# "nless yo" have a lot o$ 'athrooms., You,d make a good dad. !hey pa"sed at the ed(e o$ the !ermin"s Market. It was 'arely a$ter dark and the market was (rowin( more a tive# like a 'ear stirrin( o"t o$ hi'ernation. !he li(hts made the m"lti olored tents (low like (iant *hristmas '"l's. Her dad had laimed it wasn.t like it "sed to 'e# as i$ that was a (ood e2 "se $or not 'rin(in( her here. She remem'ered mostly 'aked (oods and ra$t items# '"t now there was a 'it o$ everythin( in row "pon row o$ tents# lean)tos# and ampin( trailers. People wandered $rom vendor to vendor# totin( items they.d p"r hased"sed tires# homemade 'read# a 'asket o$ apples. !here was a white nanny (oat and its owner was milkin( it into a shiny pail. Riley (ave Simon a p"<<led look. +He sells the milk#, he said. +Isn.t that a(ainst the r"les9, +1es# '"t the ity i(nores what (oes on down here. As lon( as the stall $ees are paid# they.re happy., As they passed a shop that sold :erky# Simon sh"ddered. +I don.t tr"st that st"$$#, he on$ided in a lowered voi e. +!he ("y says it.s 'ee$# '"t yo" never know., +Well# it won.t 'e rat#, she said. +!he !hrees eat all o$ those., +I.m thinkin( oyote#, Simon replied. A little $arther on she spied a 'rawny man po"ndin( somethin( o"t on an anvil. A (lowin( red $ire 'la<ed 'ehind him. A shower o$ sparks wo"ld $ly into the ni(ht air when his yo"n( assistant worked a ra((ed set o$ 'ellows. !he man was stripped to his waist# '"t even in the old air he was perspirin( $rom e2ertion# sweat de$inin( the ropy m"s les on his arms and hest. +A smithy9, Riley said. +3"ess it makes sense., +*heaper to $i2 what.s 'roken than '"y new#, Simon e2plained. Riley stopped in her tra ks and did a slow one)ei(hty. +!his is like somethin( o"t a movie#, she said. +Like an Ara'ian market or a medieval $aire., +With a So"thern twist#, Simon said# pointin( toward a tent. !he men" posted on a hand)lettered si(n in l"ded (rits# ollards# $ried hi ken# and sweet potato pie. !he pie so"nded (ood# '"t she was still $"ll $rom -e k.s ma(ni$i ent 'ar'e "e. Simon pa"sed in $ront o$ a tent sto ked with di$$erent)si<ed 'ottles o$ Holy Water. Riley pi ked "p a pint. It was man"$a t"red 'y *elestial S"pplies# the ompany her $ather had mentioned in his notes#

and the date stamp said it had 'een onse rated two days earlier. She rotated the 'ottle in her hands and he ked o"t the ity.s ta2 stamp# whi h shimmered in the dim li(ht. Sin e Atlanta o"ldn.t olle t money $rom the *h"r h# they ta2ed their 'y)prod" t. +Always he k the date#, Simon advised. +It has to 'e $resh i$ yo".re treatin( demon wo"nds. I$ yo".re wardin( yo"r ho"se# not so m" h., Riley tho"(ht a'o"t the Holy Water she.d "sed on her law wo"nds. *armela had said it m"st have 'een old# '"t the ("y she.d 'o"(ht it $rom had ass"red her it was $resh. So whi h was it9 +1o".re $rownin(#, Simon said. +/"st on$"sed. I read in the man"al that yo" have to reapply a Holy Water ward at re("lar intervals# '"t it didn.t say why., +It.s tho"(ht that it a'sor's evil and 'e omes less potent. !hat.s why they sell a lot o$ it to prisons and :ails., +And n"rsin( homes# hospitals# s hools# (overnment '"ildin(syo" name it#, a he$ty salesman e2plained. He was dressed in a 'l"e s"it like he sold li$e ins"ran e. His hair was pat hy at the top# and he l"t hed a sales pad in his hand. +It.s the only way to keep yo"r $amily sa$e $rom Hell.s terrors#, he added. At that he shoved a m"lti olored 'ro h"re into her hand that e2tolled the virt"es o$ Holy Water and its prote tive properties. +So how wo"ld I know i$ this is $resh or not9, she asked# thinkin( 'a k to the demon)wo"nd $ias o. !he salesman tapped a $in(ernail a(ainst the pint she was holdin(. +Ea h 'ottle and every (lass sphere has a 'at h n"m'er that in l"des the date the Holy Water was onse rated. It.s state law., She already knew that. +-"t an some o$ it 'e less potent9, +0o#, the salesman said "rtly. +ell, that got me nowhere. +How m" h is this9, Simon asked# holdin( "p a pint 'ottle. +It doesn.t have a pri e., +!en., +Whoa# that.s hi(h#, Simon protested# his eye'rows risin( in astonishment. +!he ity raised the ta2 rate a(ain., !he salesman spotted another potential "stomer and took his sales pit h elsewhere. +!en $or a pint9 It "sed to 'e that m" h $or a (allon#, Simon m"ttered. +!hat.s o"tra(eo"s. 0o wonder the pri e o$ the spheres has (one "p so m" h., Riley t" ked the 'ro h"re into her messen(er 'a(# and her hands 'r"shed a(ainst the papers inside. !hey reminded her o$ her $ather.s resear h. +Is there any way a demon o"ld 'e ome imm"ne to Holy Water9, Simon immediately shook his head. +0o way. All Hellspawn rea t ne(atively to the on entrated power o$ divinity., It so"nded like he.d 8"oted that $rom some 'ook. Then why was my dad so !iCated on this* Simon took her 'y the el'ow and (ently steered her to the ri(ht. +!he stall we want is this way., As they ro"nded the orner# Riley (asped. !he 'ri(ht oran(e tent in $ront o$ them was $"ll o$ dead people. +!hey sell them here9, she asked# appalled. +!he ne ros always have a tent at the market., Riley did a 8"i k o"nt> !here were seven 4eaders and one live ("y. He was doin( all the talkin(. !he 4eaders stared o$$ into spa e# pro'a'ly wonderin( what happened to them. At least the salesman wasn.t hawkin( them like "sed ars or that wo"ld have really set her o$$. +How m" h do they sell $or9, she whispered. +I.ve heard as hi(h as $ive tho"sand#, Simon replied. His voi e hardened. +It makes me si k., She $rowned. +What happens to their so"ls9,

+I asked &ather Harrison a'o"t that#, Simon replied p"ttin( his arm aro"nd her waist. +He said the *h"r h isn.t really s"re what happens# '"t they 'elieve the so"l isn.t ompletely $ree i$ the 'ody is walkin( aro"nd. 5nly the ne ros know $or s"re# and they aren.t talkin( a'o"t it., +What i$ the 'ody (oes ro("e or somethin(9 Starts eatin( people., Simon la"(hed so$tly. +!hat.s only in the movies. !hese ("ys aren.t (ood at thinkin( thin(s thro"(h# and they.re de$initely not <om'ies. !hey don.t eat at all., +-"t they.re not mindless#, she said# thinkin( o$ the woman on the street with the 'rie$ ase. +0o# somewhere in 'etween., He steered her el'ow a(ain. +*ome on., As they walked away# she noti ed a man wat hin( her $rom the tent where knives and other sharp pointy thin(s were sold. He was holdin( a sword. 0ot holdin( it a t"ally# '"t ownin( it# like he knew e2a tly what he was doin(. His sleek 'la k hair was p"lled 'a k in a ponytail and tied with a leather ord. A (lossy 'la k leather :a ket overed his 'road sho"lders and m"s led arms. With a 'it o$ ima(ination Riley o"ld pi t"re him on the over o$ a roman e novel. He t"rned in her dire tion# then sal"ted with the 'lade like a avalier mi(ht his 8"een. It was an e$$ort not to melt in her tra ks. +Riley9, her ompanion n"d(ed. +Ah# sorry#, she said# '"t she really wasn.t. When she looked aro"nd a(ain# the man was (one. +ho was that guy* ;.ell, .ook and .roomstick,< Simon anno"n ed# "naware her mind was elsewhere. !he midni(ht) 'l"e tent was sprinkled with (old and silver stars# and there was a lon( ta'le in $ront o$ it laden with am"lets# velvet 'a(s# and other wit hy st"$$. Riley knew Simon well eno"(h not to "se the+ word. He was way to" hy a'o"t anythin( s"pernat"ral and somehow had onvin ed himsel$ that the spells inside the rystal spheres weren.t really ma(i . 0o matter what he alled it# itwas ma(i and the trappers "sed it or they ended "p dead. And sometimes they died anyway. -ehind the o"nter was a tall woman in Renn &aire (ar'# her r"sset)'rown hair an "nr"ly mass o$ "rls. A m"lti olored dra(on tattoo started at her ne k and des ended deep inside her dark (reen peasant 'lo"se. When she saw Simon# she leaned over the o"nter# displayin( ample leava(e $or his 'ene$it. +Hey# how.s my $avorite trapper9, the wit h asked. &rom her tone# Riley o"ld tell she loved playin( with Simon.s head. Riley.s 'oy$riend noted the leava(e '"t p"lled his eyes away with ama<in(ly little e$$ort. +/"st $ine. Ayden# this is Riley#, he said# (est"rin(. +She.s an apprenti e trapper., +Pa"l.s da"(hter9, Riley nodded. +3oddess?, the wit h replied. She stepped $rom 'ehind the ta'le and enveloped Riley in a 'i( h"(. Her hair smelled o$ pat ho"li in ense. +We all miss him#, the woman said# steppin( 'a k# her eyes lo"ded. An awkward silen e $ell 'etween them. Riley leared her throat. +-e k wo"ld like yo" to tell me a'o"t the spheres., !he wit h 'ri(htened. +Ah. Sphere Le t"re 5ne)5h)5ne. My pleas"re., +I.ll wait here#, Simon said# his hand in the po ket where he kept his rosary. +I promise I won.t t"rn yo" into anythin( that eats $lies#, Ayden teased. Simon sti$$ened# '"t didn.t move. !he wit h waited "ntil they were inside the tent and then leaned lose to Riley. +I love messin( with him. He.s a real sweet ("y# '"t he hasn.t learned that his $aith isn.t in ompetition with anyone else.s., +4id yo" (ive him the sphere le t"re# too9, She nodded. +He wasn.t that re eptive.,

As they walked deeper into the tent# the soothin( s ent o$ :asmine enveloped them. Lanterns h"n( $rom the tent poles and in one orner someone was havin( a !arot ard readin(. Wavin( her $orward# Ayden knelt in $ront o$ a lar(e wooden hest adorned with ar ane sym'ols. Some o$ them Riley re o(ni<edan ankh# the Eye o$ Hor"s. !he rest was anyone.s ("ess. *elti may'e. +We keep them in the hest 'e a"se they.re easily 'roken#, Ayden e2plained# openin( the lid. Tell me a#out it. !he wit h d"( o"t three spheres and pla ed them in Riley.s hands. 5ne red# one white# and one 'l"e. It made her think o$ Ros oe.s $ront window# whi h wasn.t a (ood thin(. +So how do yo" make these9, Riley asked. +We '"y the (lass spheres# 'lend the in(redients# and $ill them "sin( a $"nnel thro"(h that little port., Ayden pointed toward a small ork pl"( on the side o$ the sphere. +5n e they.re $illed# we reseal them. !hen we (o into the $orest on a $"ll moon and har(e them with ma(i #, the wit h said. +4o yo" dan e aro"nd a $ire or somethin(9, +4epends on the ma(i . Sometimes we.re sky lad# sometimes not., +Sky ? lad9, Riley asked. +0ekkid# as they say in these parts#, Ayden said# winkin(. +!he mos8"itoes m"st 'e a 'it h., !he wit h iss"ed a ri h la"(h. +1o" sho"ld ome sometime., 0ot i! - have to #e nude. Riley slowly t"rned the sphere in her hand. +!he Holy Water 'ottles have a ta2 stamp. Why don.t these9, Ayden (roaned. +I hear that.s on the le(islat"re.s a(enda ne2t year# '"t o"r lo''yist is tryin( to p"sh that 'a k. !hey want to ta2 all ma(i al items., +How m" h do yo" har(e $or these9, Riley asked# ti kled to $ind someone who wo"ld (ive her strai(ht answers $or a han(e. +We ask $or a donation to over o"r osts. It doesn.t seem ri(ht to har(e yo" ("ys $or keepin( evil at 'ay., Riley.s appre iation o$ the wit hes rose even $"rther. +5kay# I admit we have an "lterior motive# 'esides the (ood karma# that is. It makes it harder $or some o$ the radi al (ro"ps to laim we.re in lea("e with Hell when we.re s"pplyin( the means to take them down., !hat made sense. +&irst thin( I always say a'o"t the spheres> !hink o"tside the 'o2. !he trappers like to 'elieve that a ertain sphere sho"ld only 'e "sed on its primary tar(et. Like a -a'el sphere $or &o"rs or a snow (lo'e $or Pyro)&iends. !hat.s shortsi(hted., +Why9, +-e a"se the ma(i an 'e "sed in a n"m'er o$ ways. !hink a'o"t the properties o$ the spheres and mat h them to the e$$e t that yo" want to reate. 1o" an om'ine the spheres so they enhan e ea h other.s properties. Every time I mention somethin( like that to a trapper they (et all weird on me., +Even my dad9, Riley asked. He.d always 'een open to new ideas. Ayden spread her hands. +Pa"l was 'e(innin( to ome aro"nd# '"t old ha'its are hard to 'reak., Riley.s ell phone hirped. She p"lled it o"t and m"ted it. Pro'a'ly Peter he kin( "p on her. A$ter Riley d"mped the phone in her 'a(# Ayden held "p a sphere. White parti les swirled inside like a vinta(e snow (lo'e. !he only thin( that was missin( was an i e skater in the enter. +So let.s start with a white and (o $rom there#, the wit h said. A hal$ an ho"r later Riley was o"tside the tent# her head swimmin( in details. Whites were reated "sin( air and water ma(i . !he (ro"ndin( spheres were a om'ination o$ earth# air# and $ire ma(i . It went on $rom there. -,ll never keep all this stu!! straight.

She $o"nd Simon pa in( o"tside the tent. +1o" done9, he asked# learly ea(er to 'e somewhere else. Riley nodded. +Want some hot ho olate9, +0o# thanks. I need to (et home., /h. &o much !or making this a date. Riley he ked her ell phone. !hree alls# all $rom -e k. He hadn.t le$t a messa(e. - knew it was too good to last. !HIR!1 Duit stallin,. -e k sorted o"t his trappin( 'a(# whi h hadn.t needed the attention# then did it all over a(ain in a new on$i("ration. I$ he.d had his ("n) leanin( s"pplies he wo"ld have stripped his Si( and (iven it a thoro"(h leanin(. 0one o$ his e$$orts helped him $or(et the !wo.s voi e allin( o"t Riley.s name. Lower)level $iends didn.t do that. !o them all trappers were the same. In his ("t he knew it meant somethin(. He needed advi e# '"t who o"ld he ask witho"t s rewin( "p Riley.s $"t"re with the 3"ild9 +Harper9, he m"sed. +0o way., !he 'astard wo"ld "se the in$ormation to throw her to the wolves. +Stewart9, !hat was a 'etter hoi e# '"t the master mi(ht $eel in lined to let the 3"ild know Hell was takin( a personal interest in Pa"l.s da"(hter. +Ah# damn., What o"ld he do9 A$ter m" h tho"(ht# -e k de ided on a less)risky o"rse o$ a tion. He waited "ntil Mortimer had made his ro"nds and then $ired "p his ell phone# his nerves p"shin( him alon(. !he all was to an old trappin( '"ddy in 0ew 1ork *ity who he o"ld tr"st with a se ret. +Patterson. What kind and where9, the (r"$$ voi e asked. +/e$$9 It.s -e k., +Hey# 4en. What.s "p9 Lon( time# no hear., +3ot a o"ple 8"estions $or ya. Ever seen demons workin. to(ether9 Like a 3eo)&iend and a !hree9, +0ope. !hat.s the only thin( that saves o"r asses. I$ they ever (et smart# they.ll nail "s. Why9, +It.s happenin. here. !hat ain.t all. 1a ever hear tell o$ lower)level demons allin. a trapper 'y name9, +0o# only &o"rs and a'ove. It.s not "ntil they rea h that level they have that sort o$ knowled(e. And an Ar h$iend# hell# they an tell yo" the si<e o$ yo"r di k and when yo" last heated on yo"r wi$e., +3ood reason not to (et married., /e$$ la"(hed. +Why are yo" askin(9, +We (ot an apprenti e who.s 'ein. alled o"t 'y every demon $rom a 5ne on "p., +4amn. Has L" i$er (ot his hooks in the ("y9 !hat mi(ht e2plain why Hell knows him., ould (iley have #een rolled #y a demon* +0o# the trapper.s on the level., +1o" s"re9 Sometimes yo" an.t tell. It.s not like they.ve (ot a 'i( 'rand on their $orehead or nothin(., +0o. -oth a &ive and a !hree have tried to kill her. L" i$er won.t sn"$$ one o$ his own., +Her9, Patterson he o"ld tr"st. +I$ I tell ya who it is# ya an.t spread it aro"nd., +4oesn.t (o any $"rther., +It.s Pa"l.s da"(hter# Riley., +What.s she doin( in the '"siness9, -e$ore -e k o"ld answer# /e$$ added# +&ollowin( her dad# I ("ess. Anythin( else weird a'o"t her9,

-e k told him a'o"t Riley trappin( the !hree# how she 'ro"(ht it down on her own. +It was the one that do"'le)teamed "s the ni(ht Pa"l died., +-la kthorne.s dead9, the man e2 laimed. -e k $elt like a $ool. He shook his head at his st"pidity. +Ah# I.m sorry# man. I tho"(ht ya.d heard., +0o# I.ve 'een o"t o$ town $ishin( in *anada. 1o" sho"ld do that sometime. 3et yo"r mind o$$ the :o' $or a $ew days., A pa"se. +How.d he die9, -e k made it 'rie$. !here was a lon( silen e# and then /e$$ leared his throat. +I.ve never heard o$ this kind o$ thin( 'e$ore., +So what do ya think a'o"t all this9, +I think I.m damned (lad I.m "p here., -e k si(hed. +I$ L" i$er.s $iends know her on si(ht and they.ve already (one a$ter her# she needs a han(e o$ s enery#, Patterson replied. +5"t o$ Atlanta# $or s"re., +1eah# we.re ass)deep in demons ri(ht now., +We.re not. 1o" o"ld send her "p here. *o"rse# that doesn.t mean they won.t tra k her down# '"t it mi(ht 'e a lo al thin(# yo" know9, -e k had a 'etter idea. +She.s (ot an a"nt in &ar(o., +P"t her on a '"s. !hose 4akotans are a testy '"n h a$ter the $iends a"sed those 'i( $loods a $ew years a(o. 4emons don.t (et too m" h o$ a han e "p there anymore# i$ yo" know what I mean., +!hanks. I owe ya# /e$$. I mean it., +1o".re '"yin( the $irst ro"nd ne2t time we meet. Later# ("y., -e k losed his phone and dropped it on the 'lanket like it was a live (renade. His ("t $elt like he.d swallowed a mile o$ 'ar'ed wire. +!oo m" h weird shit (oin. on#, he m"ttered. Most o$ it seemed to 'e entered aro"nd Pa"l.s da"(hter# '"t that didn.t make any sense. Hell was takin( too m" h o$ an interest in her. !he Pyro) &iend had 'een the $inal straw. 0o matter how m" h he.d en:oyed tea hin( Riley the ropes like her daddy had ta"(ht him# he sho"ldn.t have taken her trappin( with him. She.d done $ine# 'etter than most apprenti es# '"t he was :"st 'ein( sel$ish. It was hard to admit he liked 'ein( aro"nd her. She reminded him o$ Pa"l in a lot o$ ways# and when they were to(ether the a he in his hest $aded# at least $or a little while. !here was only one way to handle this "t her loose# make her hate him like she did when she was $i$teen. He had to (et her o"t o$ town "ntil thin(s settled down. !his was a 'attle he had to win. I$ not# Hell wo"ld have the last word. CCC 7or once (iley wasn.t nervo"s a'o"t seein( -e k# despite his n"mero"s phone alls. !his a$ternoon had proved they o"ld (et alon(# have $"n to(ether. He.d even (iven her a present# one that no other (irl in Atlanta o"ld laim. !he moment she rossed the ir le# he was on her. +Why didn.t ya answer yer phone9, he (ro"sed. +-e a"se I was '"sy learnin( a'o"t spheres#, she said# p"<<led at his attit"de.)ike you told me to. +Who.d ya talk to9, +Ayden. Simon introd" ed "s. She (ave me her ard in ase I had more 8"estions., +Simon9, he snapped. +1eah# we made a date o$ it., Somethin( passed over his $a e $or a $ra tion o$ a se ond# '"t she o"ldn.t de ipher it. +Why am I s"rprised9, he (r"m'led. +Here.s the word> 1a need to all yer a"nt# see a'o"t stayin. with her.,

+hat* +here,s that coming !rom* +I want to stay here., +1a need to 'e with $amily#, he said. +I don.t need to 'e with $amily that an.t stand me. 1o" don.t know her., He sho"ldered his d"$$el 'a(. +4oesn.t matter. /"st make the all., !his was his +my way or the hi(hway, tone a(ain. He was worse than any parent. At least the .rents made the e$$ort to e2plain a$ter they ordered yo" aro"nd. +Everythin( was (ood with "s this a$ternoon. What happened9, He h"$$ed '"t didn.t answer# as i$ she weren.t deservin( o$ a reason. +Is this 'e a"se o$ Simon9, His $a e went as ti(ht as his $ists# a"sin( the andle $lames to shoot heavenward. +4on.t $i(ht me# (irl. 1a an.t han( .ro"nd here anymore# (oin. on dates like this is some sorta pi ni . 1a need to 'e o"t o$ this ity as soon as possi'le., /migod, you,re 'ealous. Why hadn.t she seen it 'e$ore9 0o wonder he.d (iven her a present# he was tryin( to ompete with Simon.)ike you have a chance, #uddy. Riley len hed her own $ists. +1o" hate it that I.m datin(. !hat.s why yo" want me (one. 1o" think we.ll 'reak "p i$ I (o to &ar(o., +It.s not that#, he said# shakin( his head. +5h# yeah it is. 1o" an.t stand me 'ein( happy. 1o" :"st want me lonely and misera'le like yo"., +3irl, he 'e(an in a warnin( tone. +Admit it# -e k. 0o'ody ares a'o"t yo" 'e a"se yo" a t like a '"tthead all the time., He took a mena in( step $orward. +*"t the lip# (irl. 1er o"tta here# even i$ I have to throw ya in the 'a k o$ my tr" k and drive yer '"tt to &ar(o., +1o" wo"ldn.t dare%, she snarled. +1a (ot three days. Make it happen or I will., He sp"n on a heel and mar hed o"t o$ the ir le. It eased 'la<in( the moment he rossed it. +1o" misera'le pie e o$?, Riley 'it her lip as he tromped o"t o$ si(ht. She.d 'een so st"pid. Why did she think he.d han(ed9 He.d :"st tried to so$ten her "p so he o"ld (et his own way. And - almost !ell !or it. CCC 4ven #y the neCt a$ternoon the h"rt still lod(ed in Riley.s throat like a hi ken 'one she o"ldn.t o"(h "p. She.d spent most o$ the day doin( odd :o's $or Harper and keepin( o"t o$ ran(e o$ his e2plosive temper. She had s" eeded 'e a"se the master and Simon went to trap a !hree near the asino in 4emon *entral. 5n e they.d le$t# she worked on her demoni "rse words. It was ama<in( how many applied to -e k. More than on e she wanted to p"ll o$$ the law and throw it away# '"t she o"ldn.t make hersel$ do it. It washer law# not his. She.d earned it. She.d :"st have to $or(et that he.d (iven it to her. Yeah. )ike that,ll work. All the while it was han(in( there# remindin( her o$ what it had 'een like when he.d 'een ni e. 0ow that he wasn.t anymore. I$ that wasn.t 'ad eno"(h# she had the ho)'a(s to deal with at lass this a$ternoon. I$ they had any sense they.d know not to (et in her $a e. Her $"se was too short# and i$ she nailed one o$ them# she.d 'e o"t o$ s hool in a se . 0o s hool e8"aled no driver.s li ense. Mass transit so wasn.t her thin(. !his time Riley parked her ar lose to the o$$ee shop and in plain view o$ where she planned to sit. She needed to 'e o"tside 'e$ore the 'it hes to red" e their options $or vandalism. -randy and her 'and were waitin( near the entran e. At least they weren.t all wearin( the same olor toni(ht. !hat had 'een too weird. Riley i(nored their (i((les and pointin(# retrieved her

messen(er 'a(# and then lo ked the doors. +Hi#, a voi e said. She t"rned to $ind one o$ the 'oys standin( near'y. +1o".re the demon trapper# ri(ht9, +1es., He was the s rawny kid who sat ne2t to her in lass. His lothes were at least a si<e too 'i( $or him and made him look like an ema iated s are row. +So who are yo"9, she asked# not s"re what was "p. +!im., He shot a nervo"s (lan e toward the pa k o$ (irls. +I ? well# I (ot this pro:e t I.m workin( on and I wondered i$?, +3eek alert#, one o$ -randy.s droids alled o"t and made la2on noises. !im sti$$ened. +I(nore them., Riley said# t"rnin( her 'a k on the pa k. Her move seemed to spook him# and he s ooted 'a kward. +Ah# ah?, he stammered. +I.ve 'een doin( some resear h into the types o$ demons# and I tho"(ht# well# yo" 'ein( a trapper and all and?, +3o on#, she prodded. I$ this took m" h lon(er# she wo"ldn.t 'e a'le to laim the seat she wanted. +I.m on$"sed as to the di$$eren es 'etween -i'lios# Kleptos# and Pyro)&iends., !he kid had o'vio"sly done some resear h. +Why do yo" want to know9, she asked. +I want to 'e a trapper when I.m older., You,ve got to #e kidding. He was way too skinny. A !hree wo"ldn.t even onsider him an appeti<er. +4on.t 'other. It.s not that m" h $"n., +-"t, She walked aro"nd him like he didn.t e2ist and headed $or the $ront door. +-"t, he tried a(ain# and then she heard the pa k la"(hin(. When she looked 'a k !im was still standin( 'y her ar# his $a e tellin( the world how devastated he $elt. +/"st deal with it. I do#, she (r"m'led. When Mrs. Ha((erty alled them inside# Riley pointedly sat in the 'a k o$ the room. -randy kept shootin( her looks# $ollowed 'y a knowin( smirk. They,ve got something planned. Math $lew 'y# $ollowed 'y a short state)mandated o"rse in personal hy(iene. !hat drew a lot o$ sni kers sin e the in$o was pretty 'asi # tho"(h a o"ple o$ the ("ys in the 'a k o$ the lass de$initely needed the re$resher. !hen Mrs. Ha((erty moved on to the *ivil War. +We.re (oin( to start with a dis "ssion a'o"t the '"rnin( o$ Atlanta. Anyone (ot any tho"(hts9, she asked. A 'oy on the other side o$ the room raised his hand. +It was :"st sym'oli # nothin( more. 5ther than Sherman tearin( "p the train tra ks# it wasn.t (oin( to 'rin( the war to an end any $aster., +E2a tly#, another kid himed in. +It didn.t matter either way. It was only a hit on the So"th.s e(o., Riley $o"(ht the "r(e to raise her hand. -est to keep o"t o$ the spotli(ht. +Riley9, the tea her prodded. All heads t"rned toward her. That didn,t work. +Atlanta was a stora(e depot $or the So"th.s war s"pplies# so '"rnin( the itywas a ma:or strike a(ainst the *on$edera y#, she e2plained. At least all those years o$ listenin( to dad ram'le on a'o"t the war were $inally payin( o$$. +-"t yo" don.t approve o$ Sherman.s ta ti s# do yo"9, Mrs. Ha((erty asked. Riley was 'lindsided.2ow did she know that* +Why don.t yo" tell "syour view o$ 3eneral Sherman. It.s "ni8"e# to say the least., /h 'ee?. +I think he was a domesti terrorist., 5ne o$ the kids whooped in s"pport o$ her theory. +Radi al%,

+Why do yo" 'elieve that9, Mrs. Ha((erty pressed. Riley had no hoi e '"t to (ive it "p. +He didn.t have to destroy the ity. I think he liked playin( 3od# and i$ he.d done the same thin( today he.d 'e la'eled a terrorist., +Even in the time o$ war9, the $irst kid asked. She tho"(ht his name was -ill. +S"re. !he ity had s"rrendered and 'een eva "ated. !hen the day he.s leavin( town# Sherman has it '"rned to the (ro"nd. !hat.s :"st evil., +-"t he didn.t '"rn all o$ it#, -ill ar("ed. +He le$t the h"r hes., +Why did he do that9, Mrs. Ha((erty pro'ed. Riley knew the answer '"t $i("red it was 'est not to 'e la'eled a know)it)all. -ill str"((led. +He didn.t want to9, !he tea her shook her head. +A priest pleaded with Sherman not to '"rn the h"r hes and hospitals., She let that sink in. +&or yo"r homework assi(nment> I want yo" tell me i$ yo" think the (eneral.s a tions were warranted or not., !here were (roans and Riley.s was one o$ them. She rose# st"$$in( her note'ook into her messen(er 'a(. +Riley9, the tea her 'e koned. 0ot good. !hat wo"ld (ive the droids time to mess with her ar. +1es# Mrs. Ha((erty9, she said# walkin( to the desk. Hope$"lly this wo"ld 'e 8"i k. +When they sent over yo"r $ile# yo"r term paper was in it., She handed it over. +I mi(ht not a(ree with yo"r views '"t at least yo" had the o"ra(e to say them., Riley stared at the red letter at the top o$ the $irst pa(e. She 'roke into a (rin. +I a ed it9, +1o" did. Solid resear h# so"nd ar("ment# even tho"(h it was prea hy at times. 3ood work., Riley.s smile (rew wider. +!hanks%,+ait ,til - tell 1eter5 She :ammed the paper into her 'a( and headed $or the door. A kid was standin( in $ront o$ it# 'lo kin( her way. It was the one who always sat away $rom the windows and didn.t say m" h. +1o" really a demon h"nter9, he asked. His eyes looked weird# as i$ he were wearin( some kind o$ spe ial onta ts. +4emontrapper#, she orre ted# tryin( to dod(e aro"nd him. He wo"ldn.t move. +Look# I.ve (ot to (o., What were the droids doin( to her ar9 I$ they.d lipsti ked her windshield a(ain ? +1o" h"nt "s#, he said with a $aint lisp. +0ot "nless yo".re a demon#, she said. +Some say we are., !he pale kid smiled. His anines were pointed. Add in the pallid $lesh# the inky 'la k lothes# the $rilly white shirt# and s"ddenly she (ot the pi t"re. A vampire wanna#e. Give me a #reak. +1o" will not harm "s#, he said solemnly# pre ise wei(ht on ea h word. +hat is it with the plural thing* It wasn.t like he was the Kin( o$ En(land. +Lookwhatever yo"r name isI trap demons. 4ee)mons. !hat.s it. I don.t (o a$ter vampires# werewolves# shape)shi$ters# none o$ those thin(s.,/r cra?y people who think they are one o! the a#ove. +I.ve (ot too m" h to deal with as it is., +!hat.s not what we hear., ++e who9, she asked# $rownin(. +!he 0i(htkind., +!he ni(ht kind o$ what9, !he 'oy.s $a e twisted in a (rima e. +We r"le the dark ho"rs and $ear no one. 0ot even a h"nter., +!rapper. Whatever.,- so don,t need this. +0ow an yo" move9, He swept 'a kward and let her pass. +We won.t $or(et this#, he alled o"t as she sailed thro"(h the door. - will. !he ar looked $ine# at least at $irst (lan e# '"t the e2pressions on -randy and her 'it hes told her

that mi(ht 'e a $alse ass"mption. She he ked the tires. All $ine. 0o way they o"ld (et "nder the hood. !hey o"ldn.t p"t anythin( in the (as tank 'e a"se the (as ap was lo ked. Riley.s worry $aded. !hey were playin( with her head# and they.d done a (ood :o' o$ it. She hopped in her ride and heaved a si(h o$ relie$ when it started. As she drove o"t o$ the parkin( lot she he ked the rearview mirror. !he pa k was la"(hin( hysteri ally. +hat,s with them* !HIR!1)50E !he ri(ht rear tire was $latas in Riley wasn.t (oin( anywhere. 0ow she knew why -randy and her '"n h were so merry. - am going to kill them all. &lowly. 1ain!ully. And in pu#lic. 0ow what9 *all -e k9 +0o way., He.d take that as an opport"nity to (ive her more (rie$. &imon* !hat was a possi'ility# '"t time was r"nnin( short. -y her wat h she had hal$ an ho"r to (et to the emetery and re ast the ir le. P"ttin( her to)(o hot ho olate on the top o$ the ar# she "nearthed the spare and :a k o"t o$ the tr"nk. Her dad had ta"(ht her a lot o$ thin(s# '"t han(in( a tire wasn.t one o$ them. +!his sho"ld 'e $"n to wat h#, a voi e ta"nted. Instantly $"rio"s# she t"rned to in inerate the $ool. !he words died on her lipsit was the roman e over d"de $rom the market with a 'em"sed smile on his tanned $a e. Riley.s $"ry went $lat like the tire. +5h% It.s yo"#, she said# $eelin( like an idiot. +1o".re the sword ("y., His smile widened. +4id yo" '"y it9 !he sword# I mean9, +0o. !he ?he!t was all wron(., Riley.s throat went dry. She swallowed# twi e. +I.m 5ri# 'y the way., +Rrriley., When he moved loser her skin started to tin(le. +0eed some help9, he asked. She o"ld only nod# tryin( hard not to drool. He handed her the hot ho olate# sayin( he didn.t want to spill it# then :a ked "p the ar. !he way his m"s les moved made her wonder why he even 'othered "sin( the :a k. Riley reali<ed she mi(ht owe the skanks a 'i( thank)yo". !his ("y was soooo ni e to wat h in a tion. 4espite the s enery# she (ave her wat h a 8"i k (lan e. I$ he was 8"i k a'o"t the tire han(in(# she.d still make it to the emetery with a $ew min"tes to spare. 4ad ame $irst# h"nk or no h"nk. !he l"( n"t thin(s that held the wheel sp"n o$$. Spare tire on# l"( n"ts ti(htened# :a k down. He tossed the $lat tire in the tr"nk a$ter (ivin( it a on e)over. +Someone mad at yo"9, he asked. +Why9, He pointed at the valve stem. +!his has 'een messed with. !hat.s why yo" had a $lat., Riley let loose a stream o$ "rse words. +1o".re really $l"ent in Hellspeak., She o ked her head. +How do yo" know I was swearin( in demon9, +/"st well ed" ated#, he said. He slammed the tr"nk lid and then p"lled o"t a handker hie$ to lean his hands. It made him look stran(ely aristo rati . Her wat h 'eeped# remindin( her the world was still in motion. +I.ve (otta (et o"t o$ here. !hanks $or helpin( o"t., +0ot a pro'lem. May'e we.ll see ea h other a(ain sometime., !here were a million other 8"estions she wanted to ask# '"t they.d have to wait. A$ter lim'in( in the ar and '" klin( her seat 'elt# she looked "p to (ive her helper a wave (ood)'ye. He was (one. She sear hed $or him on the sidewalk. 5n the other side o$ the street. 0o 5ri.

It was like the earth had swallowed him "p. 2ow do you do that* CCC The moment (iley had everythin( in order at the (raveyardsettin( the ir le went o$$ witho"t a hit hshe dialed Ayden. !he wit h had to know some serio"sly spooky ways o$ settlin( the s ore with -randy and the droids. +So let me (et this strai(ht#, the wit h said# the noise o$ the market makin( her hard to hear. +1o" want to 'rin( the wrath o$ Riley down on these (irls# am I ri(ht9, +rath o! (iley. /h, yeah. +!hat.s it. Pla("e o$ $ro(s# the whole -i'li al thin(., +5kay. I.ll 'e there a'o"t eleven. What part o$ the emetery are yo" in9, +itches make house calls* +ho would have guessed* Riley (ave her the in$ormation and Ayden h"n( "p. +1o" ha(s are so (oin( to eat it#, she said# (rinnin(. &rom that point on the evenin( played o"t like lo kwork. She spent some 8"ality time with her dad# tellin( him a'o"t her day like he o"ld hear her# then there was Mort.s "s"al visit. Lenny appeared wearin( a new oat that seemed to (low in the dark. He seemed espe ially pro"d o$ it# '"t it didn.t (et him any levera(e when it ame to her dad.s orpse. +I hear some de't olle tors (ot paperwork in the pipeline to have yo"r dad e2h"med#, Lenny said# ad:"stin( his tie. +Save yo"rsel$ the (rie$# (irl. Let me take are o$ him. I.ll make s"re yo" (et the money., +0ope#, she said# sli in( "p a &":i apple with a po ket kni$e $rom her dad.s trappin( 'a(. +!hey.re not (ettin( him. 0either are yo"., +St"''orn. I have to respe t that# even i$ it.s st"pid., +St"''ornly st"pid#, she said. +!hat.s what I.m (ood at., +1o".ll han(e yo"r mind., +0ope. -esides# yo".re nowhere as s ary as that reepy ("y who does all the dark ma(i st"$$., At Lenny.s p"<<led look she added# +1o" know# wears a ape and t"rns into a mass o$ swirlin( leaves., Lenny.s $a e went pale. +5h man. I didn.t knowhe was a$ter yo"r dad., !he s"mmoner took a step 'a kward. +I$ he asks# I wasn.t here. Ever., +-"t, Lenny was already h"stlin( away as i$ a pa k o$ Hell ho"nds were on his tail. +Whatever works#, she said and popped a sli e o$ apple in her mo"th. !he wit h arrived a $ew ho"rs later# and a$ter the invitation she walt<ed thro"(h the andles like they didn.t e2ist. She pla ed a small pi ni 'asket on Riley.s sleepin( 'a( and sat down. A$ter takin( some time to arran(e her vol"mino"s p"rple skirts# Ayden popped open the 'asket. +Wine9, she asked. +I.m "ndera(e#, Riley said. +I mi(ht (et yo" in tro"'le., +0ot i$ I.m a wit h., +How does that make a di$$eren e9, +1o" do ma(i # don.t yo"9, Ayden asked# (est"rin( toward the li(hted ir le. +!hen that makes yo" one o$ "s. As lon( as the wit h is at least si2teen# they.re allowed to drink d"rin( ma(i eremonies. 1o" are over si2teen# ri(ht9, Riley nodded. +3ood. I here'y de lare this a eremony# so there$ore yo" an drink le(ally., Riley $rowned. +I.ve never heard o$ that law. 1o".re makin( that "p., !he wit h raised her ri(ht hand. +I swear it.s tr"e. !he 'ill sn" k thro"(h the last le(islat"re. I think the politi ians were tryin( to throw a 'one to the Pa(ans. We.re (ettin( to 'e a 'i( votin( 'lo k.,

Riley $iled all that away $or $"t"re re$eren e as Ayden po"red them ea h a (lass. !he wit h raised hers to the sky. +Hail to the 3od and 3oddess. Keep "s sa$e this ni(ht and help Riley -la kthorne $ind wisdom., !hat wasn.t 8"ite what Riley had in mind# '"t she took a lon( sip o$ the wine anyway. It was really (ood# a 'lend o$ herry and (rape and some other $r"its she o"ldn.t 8"ite pla e. She noted the 'ottle didn.t have a la'el. Her head immediately 'e(an to '"<<.%e!initely homemade. +So tell me what yo" want to happen#, Ayden said# leanin( 'a k on an el'ow. With her lon( skirt# "rly hair# and well)ro"nded $i("re she looked like an oil paintin( yo".d $ind in some m"sty old (allery. Riley strai(htened "p# her head still '"<<in(. +I want to ta( those ha(s. 1o" knowmake their hair $all o"t or (et their periods $or a month. Somethin( like that., Ayden raised an eye'row. +!hat wo"ld make yo" happy9, +It wo"ld make them 'a k o$$., +-"t what wo"ld it do to yo"9 Wo"ld it make yo" $eel 'etter9, Riley (roaned. +0o#, she admitted. +I.m so tired o$ people dissin( me., Ayden leaned over and p"t more wine in Riley.s (lass. +3oddess# yo" so"nd like me at yo"r a(e. Here.s what I.ve learned> 1o" an.t make them like yo". All yo" an do 'e is 'e stron(er than they are., +1o" mean I sho"ld s rew with their ars9, Ayden rolled her eyes. +0o% 1o".ve (ot eno"(h pro'lems witho"t invitin( more 'a klash., Riley wi((led on the 'lanket# "n om$orta'le at the wit h.s tone. +!hen what an I do9, she asked. +What yo" do is '"ild "p yo"r inner stren(th., Riley (roaned. She.d hoped $or a ri(hteo"s# '"tt)ki kin( spell and instead she was (ettin( the 1oda treatment. +1o" need an e2ample9, Riley nodded. +5kay# we.ll take some $olks yo" know. Simon# $or instan e. His $aith is his stren(th., +I know that., !his wasn.t (ettin( her anywhere. +What a'o"t -e k9 What.s his stren(th9, Ayden 8"i<<ed. +-a kwoods -oy9, Riley smirked. +*h"((in( 'eer9 -ein( a ontrol $reak9 Playin( 3od9, +Whoa# thin(s not (oin( well 'etween yo" two9, +/"st pea hy as lon( as I do whatever he ommands# '"t when I tell him to (et s rewed# thin(s (et nasty., +5hhkkkay., Ayden took a deep 'reath. +!he 8"estion still remains> What is -e k.s stren(th9, +-ein( a hi k., +1o".re s"re o$ that9, +He was 'orn near the 5ke$enokee Swamp. 1o" don.t (et more hi k than that., +-e k plays the role $or a reason. S"re# he.s a So"th 3eor(ia 'oy# '"t he.s (ood at 'ein( what everyone else e2pe ts. I$ they don.t e2pe t m" h# he an (et away with a lot., Riley didn.t '"y that# '"t she wasn.t (oin( to ar("e. +I don.t see what that has to do with me., +-e k has $o"nd his stren(th and he "ses it. So has Simon. 1o" need to $ind yo"rs. What is it that makes Riley spe ial9 What is it that yo" stand $or9 4o yo" really want to "se ma(i a(ainst these silly (irls9 Are yo" willin( to reap the onse8"en es o$ 'espellin( them9 -e a"se tr"st me# there is always a ost to ma(i al retri'"tion., %amn. +0o#, Riley admitted. +I :"st want them to treat me ri(ht., +!hat may or may not happen. Sometimes they.re (oin( to hate yo"., 0ow the wit h so"nded like Peter. +So whatcan I do9, Riley asked. +-e yo"rsel$. 1o".re an apprenti e trapper. 1o".re a (irl. !hat.s a ool om'o. 4on.t hide that.,

Riley shook her head. +!hat.s not (oin( to help with this rowd. !hey think I.m kno kin( 'oots with L" i$er., Ayden snorted. +!hat.s their pro'lem. 1o".ve (ot eno"(h o$ yo"r own., Riley $id(eted with the hain# then p"lled o"t the demon law. !he wit h.s eyes lamped on it. +Is that what I think it is9, Riley nodded. +It ame o"t o$ my le(. -e k had it made into a pendant $or me., !he e2pression on Ayden.s $a e told her another le t"re was omin(. +Please don.t tell me how he.s lookin( o"t $or me., +5kay. Lie to yo"rsel$ i$ it makes yo" $eel 'etter., Riley shot the wit h a (lare. +4o yo" have anythin( that will help me with those ha(s# or are yo" :"st here to make me $eel 'ad9, !he wit h rea hed into the pi ni 'asket and p"lled o"t a li(ht 'rown hamois 'a( a'o"t the si<e o$ a playin( ard. +May'e this will help yo". It.ll 'oost yo"r sel$)esteem., 0ow we,re getting somewhere. Riley took the 'a( and opened it. She looked to the 'ottom to $ind ? nothin(. +Ah# it.s empty., +5$ o"rse#, Ayden replied. +It.s "p to yo" to $ill it. &ind thin(s that mean somethin( to yo"# that represent times where yo".ve over ome an o'sta le# learned somethin( important. P"t those items in the 'a( and they.ll help yo" $ind yo"r stren(th., +I.m not s"re i$ that.s (oin( to help m" h.,Bnless - put a #rick in it and nail .randy #etween the eyes. !he wit h s"ddenly tensed. She p"lled an am"let 'a( $rom a po ket and len hed it in her hand# her eyes riveted on somethin( o"tside the ir le. +What.s wron(9, Riley asked# tryin( to see what had spooked her. +0e roman er#, the wit h whispered. +It.s no 'i((ie. !hey ome and (o all the time#, Riley replied# and took another sip o$ wine. May'e Ayden o"ld ome tomorrow ni(ht with more. It made all this sittin( aro"nd totally 'eara'le. A tornado o$ leaves whirled down the path and stopped short o$ the li(hted ir le. +5h# it.s :"st him#, Riley said# shakin( her head. +I see we.ve added a wit h to the mi2#, the ne ro said as his 'ody appeared. He was dressed as always# loaked with sta$$ in hand. 2ow does he know Ayden,s a witch* Riley took another sip o$ wine# 'oostin( her o"ra(e# then str"((led to her $eet. It took a lot o$ e$$ort. +Look# I.m (ettin( tired o$ this. Who are yo"9, she demanded. +And why all this 4ark Lord rap9, She heard her $riend s" k in a sharp 'reath# like she.d done somethin( "n'elieva'ly st"pid. +!he little wit h "nderstands that remark wasn.t wise# '"t yo".re too i(norant to know who yo".re playin( with., +So tell me already., !he hood $ell 'a k. Riley hal$ e2pe ted to see two '"rnin( red eyes in a 'lea hed white sk"ll. Instead# it was a pretty normal $a e# an older one with winter white hair that rea hed his ollar. His eyes were deep 'la k and an ar ane sym'ol (lowed (old on his $orehead. It didn.t look like one o$ those yo" 'o"(ht and st" k on yo"rsel$. 0o# this one was em'edded in the skin. +I am 5<ymandias#, he said. +4oes that help9, +0ope#, Riley said. +0ot a 'it., +!hey don.t tea h yo" anythin( in s hool# do they9, He leaned on the oak sta$$ like he was tired o$ e2plainin( thin(s to simple people. + @My name is 5<ymandias# kin( o$ kin(s> Look on my works# ye mi(hty# and despair%. ,At her 'lank e2pression he added# +Per y -ysshe Shelley9, +I don.t do dead poets., She plopped down on her 'lanket; the wine de$initely (ettin( to her.

+!he dead ones are the only ones that o"nt#, the s"mmoner replied. !heir visitor shi$ted his attention to Ayden. +So little wit h# why are yo" here9, +Keepin( the trapper ompany#, Ayden replied oolly. +It is 'est i$your kind stay o"t o$ the matter. I$ not# there will 'e di$$i "lties., +Warnin( noted#, she said evenly. +And ret"rned., &o much !or the warm$!u??y approach. +I am s"rprised yo".re 'otherin( with a dead trapper#, Ayden said. +I have no need to e2plain mysel$ toyour kind., 5<ymandias shi$ted those 'ottomless eyes to Riley. +1o" don.t $ear me. !hat is a mistake I shall re ti$y., Riley waited $or him to t"rn into somethin( rep"lsive# slam himsel$ a(ainst the ir le# 'e in$initely reepy. Instead# the leaves swirled o$$ into the ni(ht and then vanished in a 'rilliant $lash o$ li(ht. !hat was $ar s arier than anythin( else he.d ever done. +I.ll (et yo" my pretty?, she m"rm"red# and then hi "pped. !he wit h wasn.t smilin(. +Man# has he (ot iss"es. So what.s with him9, Riley asked. +Why does he want my dad9, +I really don.t know. He only s"mmons the dead to (ain knowled(e. !hat.s why he.s the most power$"l o$ the s"mmoners., +Master trappers know st"$$ the rest o$ "s don.t. May'e that.s why., Ayden shr"((ed. +5<ymandias ontrols not only the dead# '"t the livin(. He works the dark ma(i s# and it is said he knows the paths 'etween the worlds and walks them witho"t $ear. He wields the, +Stop% In En(lish# okay9, A$ter a steely (lare# the wit h d"mped the rest o$ the wine into her (lass then took it down in one lon( ("lp. +In En(lish9, she asked# throwin( the empty wine(lass into the pi ni 'asket. Riley nodded. +1o".re in serio"s shit., !HIR!1)!W5 Riley $or i'ly e2tri ated hersel$ $rom her ar# win in( on a ell"lar level. +!his is so wron(#, she m"m'led# r"''in( her temples. I$ anyone o"ld 'rew wine that didn.t (ive yo" a han(over# sho"ldn.t it 'e a wit h9 Apparently not. Mornin( had 'ro"(ht a th"mpin( head# dry eyes# and a desperate desire to "rl "p and die. The aspirin will kick in. Yeah. Any. "inute. 0ow. She (roaned and made hersel$ take a ("lp o$ 'ottled water. May'e that wo"ld help. Sh"$$lin( inside# she $o"nd Simon hosin( down the on rete "nder the a(es. When he saw her# he t"rned o$$ the water and (ave a low whistle. +5" h#, he said. +H"rts to 'e yo"., She nodded. +Anythin( e2 itin( happen last ni(ht9, You mean other than pissing o!! the most seriously evil necro in the entire city* +It was really 8"iet., Simon eyed her lon( 'la k skirt# the res"lt o$ not doin( la"ndry $or over a week. +1o".ve (ot ankles#, he :ested. +Who knew9, +I.m not in the mood#, she said. +!oo m" h o$ Ayden.s wit hy wine., +*o"ld have warned yo". I.ve heard the wit hes. 'rew is stron(er than most., +!hat.s an a$$irmative. So what.s "p today9, she asked. +Please tell me it.s a lot o$ sleepin( andno sho"tin(., Simon oiled "p the hose in a ti(ht ir le 'e$ore he answered. +We.ve (ot a !hree r"nnin( wild in Piedmont Park. Apparently it tried to eat some lady.s da hsh"nd.,

0o way did Riley want to on$ront a do()eatin( demon today. As i$ he.d read her mind# Simon added# +1o".re not on the r"n., +!hank 3od., +Harper wants to yo" to lean o"t all the plasti re y lin(. I.ll show yo" how to do that. It.ll 'low most o$ the day., +!hen toni(ht.s the 3"ild meetin(# and then I have a date with 4ad., -e$ore he o"ld ask# she replied# +! min"s three ni(hts and o"ntin(., +Almost there#, he said# noddin( his approval. +5h# and -e k alled to he k in on yo". He said to stop i(norin( him# it isn.t (oin( to han(e his mind# whatever that means., &o much !or that plan. She t"rned her phone on. &ive voi e messa(es# all $rom -a kwoods -oy. She deleted them. With a reak o$ the re liner sprin(s their master appeared in the doorway to his o$$i e. +A'o"t damned time yo" (ot here#, he said# (larin( at Riley. !hen he saw her skirt# h"$$ed# and shook his head in dis("st. 0ot going to apologi?e. +*ome on# I.ll show yo" what yo" need to do#, Simon said. !he task wasn.t e2 itin(# :"st tedio"s. &irst she had to sort all the plasti Holy Water :"(s and 'ottles 'y si<e then 'y 'at h n"m'er and enter that in$ormation on a $orm. +At least it.s 'etter than s oopin( demon droppin(s#, Simon remarked. He serio"sly $ailed to hide the relie$ that someone lower on the totem pole was takin( over the s "t work. Riley (ave the (inormo"s mo"nd o$ plasti a d"'io"s (lower. +Why wo"ld the ity are whi h 'ottles are (oin( to the re y lin( plant9, +!hey don.t# '"t Harper does. I$ yo".re a re y lin( enter# yo" have to keep re ords., !here was more to it than that. +He (ets paid $or these# doesn.t he9, +&i$ty ents apie e., - knew it. It always ame down to ash. +Let.s (et a move on%, their master alled. A$ter another witherin( (lare in her dire tion# Harper stomped o"t o$ the '"ildin( $ollowed 'y his senior apprenti e. 2e must sleep on a #ed o! nails. There has to #e a reason he,s such an asshat. !he weather was hilly# '"t her head didn.t po"nd as 'adly in the $resh air# so Riley lined "p all the :"(s and 'ottles like plasti soldiers in the $en ed lot 'ehind the '"ildin(. She made s"re to keep a respe t$"l distan e $rom Mo"nt 4emon Man"re and all the dead roa hes. 4ighty$seven gallons, seventy$three =uarts, and !orty$nine pints. !hat wo"ld 'e over a h"ndred '" ks in Harper.s 'oo<e $"nd. +1eah# this is what trappin( demons is all a'o"t#, she (ro"sed. +L" i$er.s (otta 'e $reakin( in his 'oots., !h"m'in( thro"(h the sheets on the lip'oard she $o"nd that her 'oy$riend had last per$ormed this operation three weeks a(o# then ro"(hly at the same interval over the last ei(ht months. !he pa(es 'e$ore that were written 'y /a kson# now a :o"rneyman. Someday another apprenti e wo"ld 'e lookin( at her sheets and dreamin( o$ the day they made :o"rneyman. And hating on 2arper with every #reath. *li kin( the pen# she $illed in a new $orm line 'y line. It wasn.t easy as some o$ the la'els were hard to read. It was on the tenth (allon she hesitated. !here were a n"m'er o$ 'ottles $rom the same 'at h# '"t they sho"ld always have the same onse ration date. !he one in her lap was a pro'lem. It had a di$$erent date than another o$ the same 'at h. .rain !og. She took a 'athroom 'reak# swi((ed more water# and then ret"rned to the work. +Some'ody made a mistake#, she said. Slapped a la'el on the wron( 'ottle. It o"ld happen# espe ially i$ they had a ra(in( han(over like hers. -y the time Riley worked thro"(h all the plasti ontainers she.d $o"nd $orty)two that had

mismat hed 'at h and date in$ormation. 5ne pint said it.d 'een 'lessed a week a(o# while another $rom the same 'at h was ten days old. She $lipped 'a k to Simon.s sheets. 0o pro'lems there. Same with /a kson.s pa(es. Whatever had happened was d"rin( the last three weeks. +Why me9, She knew who was (oin( to 'e 'lamed $or this# even when it wasn.t her $a"lt. +Wo"ld they split the 'at hes# onse rate them separately9, Her ("t told her no# and she had a way to prove it. 4roppin( the lip'oard# Riley hiked to the ar to retrieve her $ather.s papers# the sheets that listed all the 'at h n"m'ers $rom the last si2 months. prod" tion. I$ *elestial S"pplies had split the prod" tion r"n it.d 'e on those sheets. Ri(ht 'e$ore she slammed the tr"nk she saw the pint 'ottle o$ Holy Water she.d 'o"(ht at the ("n shop. She pi ked it "p. !he la'el was hard to read a$ter 'ein( soaked in her $ather.s d"$$el 'a(. !his pint had 'een 'lessed on the twentieth# one day 'e$ore she trapped her demon. !he ("n shop d"de hadn.t lied to her; the Holy Water sho"ld have '"rned like li8"id $ire. +-"t it didn.t., Riley losed the tr"nk and leaned on the ar# wonderin( i$ it was time $or more aspirin. Lea$in( thro"(h the pa(es she $inally $o"nd the 'at h n"m'er that mat hed the 'ottle in her hand. +What the?9, She retra ed her $in(er a ross the pa(e to ens"re she.d read the ri(ht date. !he ompany.s re ords said this parti "lar 'at h had 'een prod" ed and onse rated in mid) Septem'er#!our months earlier. +0o# no# no%, she said. +!his an.t 'e happenin(., !rappers always hose their Holy Water 'y the date it was 'lessed. -! this stu!! is !our months old 3 0o wonder her thi(h had (one septi . She swallowed# twi e# to ease the press"re in her throat. It did no (ood. +What have I (otten into9, Riley tr"d(ed 'a k to the 'attalion o$ 'ottles and s owled at them as i$ they were personally responsi'le $or this mess. She 'e(an a new sheet# this time listin( the ompany.s +'lessed on, date and the ones she was $indin( on the re y led 'ottles. Most o$ them mat hed per$e tly# '"t the $orty) two s"spe t ones did not. 5n a h"n h# she took one o$ the proper pints to the 'athroom and ran water on the la'el. 0o rea tion# even when she p"rposely tried to smear it. Apparently the ink was sealed in some way. She repeated the e2periment with three o$ the s"spe t 'ottles. !he ink 'l"rred on all o$ them. Riley sl"mped "p a(ainst the wall with the 'im'o poster# tryin( to (et a handle on this. Why hadn.t anyone else $i("red this o"t9 Was this one o$ Harper.s si k :okes9 *o"ld he 'e tamperin( with these 'ottles9 M" h as she.d love to 'elieve that# he didn.t have a thin( to do with the Holy Water she.d 'o"(ht $or her trip to 4emon *entral. !his was a 'i((er iss"e. +Someone.s s rewin( with this st"$$#, she said. +And they almost killed me doin( it., CCC (iley paused in !ront o$ the Holy Water vendor.s tent in the market. She needed eviden e# 'ottles that hadn.t 'een opened so no one wo"ld say she.d tampered with them. May'e there was some way to test the st"$$# $ind o"t i$ it was the real deal. She.d leave that "p to the 3"ild. All she needed to do was let the trappers know they had a 'i( pro'lem. 3oin( on the ass"mption that easily dama(ed la'els e8"aled 'ad Holy Water# she pi ked "p a random pint and did the wet)$in(er test. It was kosher. A 'it more h"ntin( $o"nd two pints that didn.t pass m"ster. 3r"m'lin( "nder her 'reath at the e2pense# she dropped money on the o"nter and st" k them in her messen(er 'a(. It d"( into her sho"lder with the in reased wei(ht. +!hat it9, the salesman asked. It was the same ("y in the 'l"e s"it. +0ot 8"ite., She removed a o"ple o$ Harper.s re y led (ems o"t o$ a paper 'a( at her $eet. +-at h

n"m'ers sho"ld have the same onse ration date# sho"ldn.t they9, !he salesman o ked his head. +!hey always do., She handed him the pints. +!hese don.t., !he man twit hed an eye'row# '"t he didn.t 'other to look at the la'els. +Look kid# I know what yo".re "p to#, he said (r"$$ly. +1o" think yo".re (oin( to s"e "s or somethin(. We.ve seen all the (ames. We.ve (ot lawyers to deal with yo"r kind., Get in this guy,s !ace or #ack down* Retreat so"nded (ood ri(ht now. She.d (ot what she.d ome $or. +Sorry#, she said ontritely. +I didn.t mean anythin( 'y it. I tho"(ht yo" mi(ht (ive me a $ree 'ottle or somethin(., As she rea hed $or the empty 'ottles he (ra''ed them "p. +I.ll han( on to these. 1o".re not p"llin( this s am with anyone else., 7ine. - have more in my trunk. +0ow (et o"t o$ here# kid#, he ordered. +4o yo"r shoppin( somewhere else $rom now on., Riley walked one tent away# then d" ked 'ehind a ra k o$ $r"it. &rom 'etween two sta ks o$ apples she spied on the salesman. ome on, act guilty. !he ("y mopped his 'row# look aro"nd a"tio"sly# then $ired "p his ell phone. He spoke too 8"ietly $or her to hear him over the market din. When a "stomer ame near he stalked o"tside the tent# loser to her lo ation. S"ddenly he 'arked# +I told yo"# we.ve (ot a pro'lem., Riley allowed hersel$ a sm"( (rin as she s ooted o"t the other side o$ the $r"it tent and into the heart o$ the market. Her ra<y dis overy had :"st 'een validated. +1o" ("ys are so '"sted., CCC &till glowing !rom her tri"mph# Riley made her way to the tent that sold se ondhand lothes. A mo"nd o$ denim alled to her# and she 'e(an her sear h $or a de ent pair o$ :eans to repla e her demon)n"ked ones. Most o$ the ni er pairs were several :"m'o pi<<as away $rom her si<e. +0ot (ood#, she m"ttered# tossin( aside another pair that had held promise. +How a'o"t these9, a smooth voi e asked. A pair was o$$ered. Witho"t lookin( "p# she he ked the la'el and then (ave them a look)over. +0i e. 3ood ondition. And the ri(ht si<e., !hen she (lan ed "pward. It was 5ri. He wore a lon( (ray leather d"ster over 'la k :eans and a t"rtlene k. Her heart did a little $l"tter ki k# makin( her $eel like she was twelve or somethin(. 2ow can one guy look that good* +!hanks#, she said# her mo"th re$"sin( to (o in (ear eno"(h to say anythin( witty. +!ho"(ht I sho"ld help o"t. 1o" seemed to 'e on a holy 8"est., +A 8"est $or :eans#, she said# smilin(. +I like that., He smiled# and it made his eyes seem even deeper. +1o" (onna take those9, the vendor asked# a"sin( her to :"mp. She nodded# handed over the ten# and (ot her han(e. +How.s a'o"t some hot ho olate9, 5ri asked. +We an (et some at a tent down the way., Ah#, she 'e(an. !his was the third time she.d r"n into this ("ytwi e in the market and on e on the street near the o$$ee shop. !hat wasn.t :"st oin iden e. He didn.t $eel like a psy ho stalker# '"t yo" never knew. +I.ll '"y#, he o$$ered. !hey.d 'e in a p"'li pla e. What was the harm9

Riley he ked her wat h. +5kay# '"t I.ve only (ot hal$ an ho"r and I have to leave $or lass., +Plenty o$ time., !hey.d taken their hot ho olate to (o and wandered toward her ar at a leis"rely stroll. Riley o"ldn.t help '"t noti e her es ort was attra tin( a lot o$ noti e# espe ially $rom other (irls. He had that eye) andy e$$e t. +1o" look (ood in a skirt#, 5ri said. +!hanks#, Riley replied. +I need to do some washin(# yo" know9, He la"(hed# makin( the dimple in his hin more noti ea'le. +Is that why yo" were 8"estin( $or :eans9, +1eah. My last pair (ot holes in them when I was trappin(., +At the li'rary9, At her p"<<led e2pression he added# +I read a'o"t that in the newspaper., +5h., She $elt an intense desire to han(e the s"':e t. +Are yo" $rom Atlanta9, +0o. I.m here on '"siness., Whi h didn.t tell her where he was $rom. Mysterio"s had to 'e this d"de.s middle name. His voi e didn.t (ive her a l"eno a ent to speak o$. His lothes pe((ed him $or someone with money# '"t that wasn.t m" h help either. %e!inite need !or more in!o here. +What do yo" do9, she p"shed. !hey weren.t (oin( to (et anywhere i$ she o"ldn.t (et simple in$ormation o"t o$ him. !hey.d rea hed her ar at this point. He hesitated# looked aro"nd them as i$ worried someone mi(ht overhear their onversation# then leaned lose to her. He smelled di$$erent than other ("ys. 0ot di$$erent in a 'ad way# :"st di$$erent. Like a risp $all 'ree<e. +1o" have to promise not to tell anyone., +Are yo"# like# a spy or somethin(9, she asked. !hat.d 'e awesome. +0o. I.m a demon h"nter#, he replied. He was one o$ the elite teams Rome sent aro"nd the world to destroy Hellspawn. +&rom the Dati an9, she asked# in red"lo"s. May'e the television show wasn.t too $ar o$$ a$ter all. 5ri shook his head. +Most ertainly not Rome. I.m $reelan e., +5h. I didn.t reali<e there were $reelan e h"nters. Why not work $or the Dati an9 3et the 'enes9, +I pre$er to work on my own., +What are yo" h"ntin(9, she asked. +!he demon that killed Pa"l., Riley started at the mention o$ her $ather.s name. +1o" knew my dad9, +We met a while 'a k. He told me a'o"t his da"(hter# how pro"d he was o$ yo"., She o"ldn.t remem'er her dad mentionin( this ("y# '"t that wasn.t "n"s"al. He only told her what he $elt she needed to know. +He said yo"r middle name is Anora. I.ve not heard that 'e$ore. What does it mean9, 5ri asked. +Li(ht#, she replied. +Riley Anora means @Daliant Li(ht.. My parents seemed to think that was pretty ool., +So do I., His (a<e wei(hed on her and she $o"nd it hard to think. +When yo" $ind the &ive#, she said 'reathlessly# +I want to 'e there. I want to help yo" take it down., 5ri smiled at her# and $or a se ond she tho"(ht he.d a(ree. +0o. It.s 'est yo" stay o"t o$ harm.s way., Riley.s e2 itement de$lated. +1o" so"nd like -e k., +!hat.s 4enver -e k# isn.t it9 Pa"l mentioned him. What.s he like9, 5ri asked. +5h# where do I start9 -e k.s mo"thy and he lives to tell me what to do.,-n short, he,s so not you. +Why do yo" want to know9,

A (limmer appeared in 5ri.s dark eyes. +/"st s opin( o"t the ompetition., !HIR!1)!HREE Riley didn.t remem'er m" h a'o"t the ride to lass# her 'rain was too '"sy replayin( her onversation with Mr. Mysterio"s. He seemed to know a lot a'o"t her# '"t so $ar she.d only s ored his $irst name and his pro$ession. And the $a t that he was a$ter the demon who.d taken o"t her $ather. Good luck with that. 5$ o"rse# she.d 'e the $irst to heer i$ he o"ld p"ll it o$$# '"t &ives were hard to 'rin( down# espe ially i$ yo" were workin( solo."ay#e the hunters were #etter at that sort o! thing. !he 'i((er pro'lem was how to onvin e the (ood ol. 'oys that the Holy Water wasn.t relia'le anymore. Harper wo"ld 'e in her $a e the moment she opened her mo"th# '"t she had to tell them# one way or another. Riley shoved that worry aside the moment she p"lled into the parkin( lot. She o"ld only stew on one pro'lem at a time# and ri(ht now she had some (rovelin( to do. 3"ilt had (nawed on her like a ra'id rat sin e she.d taken her -e k)ind" ed an(er o"t on !im# the 'oy oh)so interested in demons. Get it over with. She 'lew a stream o$ air o"t o$ p"rsed lips and mar hed "p to him. He tensed as she approa hed# his eyes dartin( aro"nd like a hare lookin( $or a pla e to r"n. +!im9 !hat.s yo"r name# ri(ht9, He nodded a"tio"sly. +Hey# I.m sorry#, she said. +I was a ha( the other day., It took a $ew moments $or him to pro ess what she.d said. !hen he $rowned at her. +1o" were., She shot a (lan e at -randy and her pa k. She.d 'een :"st as nasty as them# whi h made her $eel 'ad. +!he 'est way to tell the di$$eren e 'etween a -i'lio# a Klepto# and a Pyro is 'y what they do., !im s ram'led to di( a note'ook o"t o$ his pa k. !hen he h"nted $or a pen. +3o on%, he "r(ed# his eyes ali(ht. Riley (ave him a 8"i k peek into the world o$ the smaller demons# '"t not so m" h as to (et her in tro"'le. !he 3"ild wo"ld 'e "pset i$ she told an o"tsider too m" h as it was 'o"nd to end "p on the Internet. As she e2plained thin(s to !im# she 'e(an to reali<e how m" h she really knew and how m" h o$ it her dad had ta"(ht her. +!hat.s a'o"t all I an tell yo" or I.d have to kill yo"#, she :ested. &or hal$ a se ond !im looked like he 'elieved her. +/okin(%, she said. +5h. 5kay. !hanks%, !hen he (rima ed. +I.m sorry a'o"t yo"r tire. !hey?, he an(led his head toward the (a((le o$ (irls. +I was really mad at yo"# and then -randy told me to make it (o $lat., Somehow that didn.t s"rprise her. +How.d yo" do it9, she asked $or $"t"re re$eren e. +P"t a -- "nder the valve ap. 3ives yo" a slow leak., +0eat. I.ll have to remem'er that.,.ut why were you carrying ..s in the !irst place* +5h. !hanks $or all this#, he said# tappin( the note'ook with a 'ony $in(er. !im took o$$. !he reason $or his s"dden vanishin( a t was -randy# with the pa k ri(ht 'ehind her. - still want all your hair to !all out. +1o" really trap demons9, -randy asked. Riley nodded# thinkin( o$ Ayden.s le t"re. I$ 'ein( a trapper and a (irl was so ool# why not see how $ar that (ot her9 She p"lled the law o"t $rom "nder her sweater. 5ne o$ the droids (asped. +Is that $rom a?, +4emon# yes.,

+0o way#, -randy said# leanin( loser to st"dy it. +1o" 'o"(ht that at the market., +0o# they d"( it o"t o$ my le(., -randy.s eyes twinkled. +Prove it., Riley.s 'l"$$ had 'een alled. I$ she 'a ked down they.d think she lied and the harassment wo"ld es alate. +See# I told yo" she wasn.t $or real#, -randy said# smirkin(. !he other (irls hooted in "nison. +-athroom#, Riley said# wavin( the annoyin( (irl $orward. When the others started to $ollow she p"t "p her hand like a tra$$i op. +/"st me and her. !his isn.t a p"'li event., 5n e the 'athroom door was lo ked# -randy ontin"ed to smirk "ntil Riley raised the skirt $ar eno"(h $or her to see the si2 healed law marks. +5mi(od% !hose are (ross%, +I pre$er the worddramatic#, Riley said# droppin( the skirt and smoothin( o"t the wrinkles. +4id it like# h"rt a lot9, -randy asked# eyes wide. +1eah# 'i()time., Apparently satis$ied# her nemesis retreated to the mirror and $"ssed with her hair. +4o yo" have a 'r"sh9 I $or(ot mine#, she said. Witho"t waitin( $or an answer# she asked# +How do yo" (et yo"r hair like that9 Mine is all over the pla e., Riley looked over at her enemy. !hey.d rossed a line somewhere alon( the way or they wo"ldn.t 'e sharin( stylin( tips. She d"( o"t her 'r"sh and handed it over. +/"st l" ky# I ("ess., -randy 'ent over# then $l"n( her hair 'a k when she stood "p. She started workin( on the stray pie es# 'lendin( them in. +4id yo" see that weird ("y with the teeth9, +!he vamp wanna'e9, +1eah. He.s really into all that. !he 'la k lothes# the red soda# the whole thin(., +!hen why is he (oin( to s hool in the a$ternoon9 A real vampire o"ldn.t do that., -randy hit hed a sho"lder. +4o yo" like this shirt9, she asked# t"rnin( aro"nd so Riley o"ld (et the $"ll three)si2ty. +1eah. Pink.s not my olor# '"t it.s ni e.,7or someone like you. +I like it a lot#, -randy said# handin( her the 'r"sh. And then she was (one# pro'a'ly to report to her ento"ra(e that Riley had (ross s ars on her le( and wasn.t a les'ian 'e a"se she hadn.t made a pass in the 'athroom. That was weird, #ut it worked. 0o 'ad karma either."ay#e Ayden was right. *lass was $"ll o$ math# so iolo(y a'o"t semin"de py(mies in rain $orests# En(lish literat"re# and even more *ivil War. When Riley tried to $i("re o"t how all that onne ted# her 'rain went $latline. At least - aced my paper. !he kid who tho"(ht he was a vampire keep leerin( at her# revealin( those ridi "lo"sly pointed anines. 0ote to sel!: .ring wooden stake to class. +4on.t $or(et the $ield trip on &riday#, Mrs. Ha((erty alled o"t. +We.re (oin( to 5akland *emetery to visit the *on$ederate se tion., A !ield trip to a cemetery. 0ow that,s special. Riley $o"nd -randy and the (irls leanin( a(ainst her ar. +I swear# i$ yo".ve messed with my ride a(ain I.m (oin( to rip yo" apart., -randy shook her head. Whi h meant nothin(. +1o" heard the news# didn.t yo"9, she asked# 'reathless. Whi h o"ld mean anythin(. +What news9, +They,re omin( to Atlanta., +!hey who9, Riley said. +%emonland. !hey.re tapin( the show here%, -randy said# her voi e risin( in anti ipation.

Riley had heard Harper say somethin( a'o"t that this mornin(# alon( with the wordspansy$assed actors. When Riley didn.t respond# one o$ the other (irls himed in. +!heir we'site said they.re (oin( to meet with the lo al !rappers 3"ild., &o that,s it. +Will yo" (et to see them9, -randy asked# 'reathlessly. +I$ they ome to a 3"ild meetin(# I will., -randy s8"ealed in deli(ht. !he so"nd was almost soni level in intensity. Riley wa((led a $in(er in an ear to ease the pain# wonderin( how many 'ats had 'een st"nned senseless. +5h. My. &reakin(. 3od%, -randy sho"ted# a"sin( heads to t"rn a ross the parkin( lot. +!hat wo"ld 'eso ool., !hen she reined hersel$ in. +*an yo" (et /ess.s a"to(raph9 He.s totally hot%, /ess Storm Somethin()or)5ther. Riley tho"(ht she knew whi h one that was. Hewas hot# espe ially in those painted)on :eans. +/ess is do( meat to Raphael. Swoon. He.s totally the shit%, one o$ the other (irls said. +Sta y# yo".re trash)talkin( my 'a'e#, -randy ar("ed# hands on her hips now. Apparently this was a lon()standin( ar("ment. +/ess has the most ama<in( eyes., Sta y shook her head# her hair whippin( aro"nd her. +0o way. Raphael.s the man. He.s (ot (or(eo"s pe s., +!he show is d"m'#, Riley said. !here was st"nned silen e as every one o$ the (irls (awked at her like she.d 'lasphemed 3od or somethin(. +-"t the ("ys9 !hey.re (or(eo"s. !hey.ve (ot (reat '"tts#, she said# 'e$ore she o"ld stop hersel$. -randy (i((led. +/ess.s is the 'est%, +0o way%, Sta y shot 'a k. It went downhill $rom there as ea h (irl listed o$$ her $av.s stats. -y the time Riley le$t she had their n"m'ers so she o"ld send them ell phone photos o$ the !D ("ys when they ame to the meetin(. I$ she o"ld (et their a"to(raphs she o"ld a t"ally 'e their -&&. "ay#e there is something to this whole karma thing. CCC +ith tra!!ic in her $avor $or on e# Riley arrived at the !a'erna le way early. As she walked into the a"ditori"m she saw Simon are$"lly applyin( the Holy Water ward. It wo"ldn.t do to interr"pt him# so she headed toward the 'athroom and han(ed into her new :eans. 0o way she was (oin( to end"re the a'"se $rom the other trappers 'e a"se o$ her $ashion hoi es. When she ret"rned Simon was still at it# painstakin(ly ens"rin( there were no (aps in the ward. Riley set the messen(er 'a( $"ll o$ pint 'ottles on the $loor ne2t to a $oldin( hair and tried not to $reak a'o"t what she was a'o"t to do. +I will not wimp o"t., 0o matter how many times she said it# she didn.t $eel (ood a'o"t this. What i$ she was wron( and the Holy Water was okay9 Her phone hirped and she mentally thanked the aller# even i$ it was -e k. +Riley% How.s it (oin(9, Peter alled o"t. +Pretty (ood. I.m at the !a'erna le. We.re havin( a 3"ild meetin( pretty soon., +So how (oes the 3reat Holy Water Mystery9, Riley (ave him the r"ndown# keepin( her voi e low so Simon o"ldn.t overhear. +1o" really think someone is messin( with that st"$$9, +1eah# I do.,)earned that the hard way. +Whoa. !hat.s way ille(al., +I $i("red I.d 'etter tell the 3"ild and they an take it $rom there., !he idea that the Holy Water mi(ht not 'e so holy was too s ary to think a'o"t.

+Will they 'elieve yo"9, Leave it to Peter to $ind the one weak spot. +0ot s"re. Some o$ these ("ys are way dense., +I hear yo". How did lass (o9, Riley (ave him the report and had him la"(hin( 'y the end o$ it. +At least they.re o$$ yo"r 'a k $or a while#, he replied. +I hope so. I$ I (et the photos and a"to(raphs# they.ll 'e makin( me lass president., !here was a lon( pa"se. +How.s it really (oin(9, He knew her too well. +I.m okay and then I.m not#, she admitted. +I (o alon( and then#am5 I remem'er 4ad.s (one and it all $alls apart., Riley hoked "p. Her eyes (la<ed in tears# and she $"m'led $or a tiss"e one)handed. +I (et real tired o$ the warden 'it hin( at me# '"t I don.t know what I.d do i$ she wasn.t here. 5r my dad either., +!hree more ni(hts and I.m done sittin( vi(il#, she said# wipin( her nose. +!hen he.ll 'e sa$e., +We.ll ele'rate#, her $riend replied# his voi e li(htin( "p in anti ipation. +!hen we an han( to(ether more o$ten., !hat mi(ht prove a pro'lem now that Simon was in the pi t"re. As i$ on "e her 'oy$riend reappeared# empty Holy Water :"(s in his hands. He set them :"st o"tside the ir le. !hen he smiled and 'e koned her to :oin him. +Ah# (ot to (o. !he meetin(.s a'o"t to start#, she $i''ed. +3ive me all later# okay9, Peter asked. +S"re., When she :oined Simon he dropped a kiss on her heek. +!ease#, she said# $eelin( '"''ly and warm inside. 5ri was (or(eo"s and everythin(# '"t Simon hit all the ri(ht pla es. She $elt whole when she was with him# and ri(ht now that meant so m" h when the rest o$ her li$e was an empty shell. +Let.s take a walk#, he said. !he (lint in his eyes told her he had other thin(s in mind. As they walked 'y the empty :"(s# she pa"sed. +Hold on., Kneelin(# she wetted her $in(er and tested the la'els. !he ink didn.t r"n. +What are yo" doin(9, Simon asked. +/"st he kin( somethin(., She wo"ldn.t share the news# not with Simon or -e k. I$ somehow she was wron( she didn.t want Harper takin( it o"t on them. This is my deal. And my dad,s. She.d :"st $inish what he.d started. Simon.s hand to" hed hers as they walked aro"nd the side o$ the !a'erna le. Her worry a'o"t the meetin( $aded. -ein( with him helped her $or(et her tro"'les# made her $eel so (ood. -s this what it,s like to !all in love* +!here.s a 8"iet pla e 'a k here#, he s"((ested# headin( toward the rear o$ the '"ildin(. Itwas 8"iet# nestled away $rom street. He p"lled her into the shadows. +!hat.s 'etter., -e$ore she o"ld say a word# he kissed her# a tentative pe k on her lips. +More9, he asked# wat hin( her rea tion losely. +More., !he ne2t kiss went on lon(er. Riley $elt the warmth in her hest# then even lower. He p"lled her loser# slidin( a hand "nder her oat# then her sweater# his palm pressin( a(ainst the small o$ her 'a k. It $elt wonder$"l and she didn.t want him to stop. +I$ Harper at hes "s#, he whispered in her ear. +We.ll 'oth 'e shovelin( demon rap $or months#, she replied. !he ne2t kiss deepened# 'e ame more "r(ent# needy. !here was no spa e 'etween them# and she o"ld $eel he en:oyed their loseness. Riley heard him moan and they rel" tantly 'roke apart. Simon si(hed. +S" h a temptation., +-"t I.m worth it# ri(ht9,

!he sparklin( 'l"e in his eyes told her he tho"(ht so. !hey sat on the steps that led to the $ire es ape. *ontent# she nestled hersel$ a(ainst his sho"lder# and Simon pla ed his arm aro"nd her# drawin( her lose. +I really like yo"# Riley#, he said. +In ase yo" haven.t noti ed., +3ood to hear it#, she said. +/"st part o$ my "nnin( plan., +Whatever that plan is# it.s workin(., !hey $ell silent $or a $ew min"tes# :"st 'ein( lose. She o"ld hear his heart'eat slow to normal. 5ther ("ys mi(ht have tried to p"sh her into somethin( she didn.t want# move too $ast# '"t Simon hadn.t. +hich is why - like you so much. When the 8"iet 'e ame "n'eara'le# she asked# +Why do yo" want to 'e a trapper9, +-e a"se it.s a holy r"sade#, he replied witho"t hesitation. +Like 'ein( a priest. I.m $i(htin( a(ainst the $or es o$ evil., !he stren(th in his voi e said he 'elieved every word. !hat made sense> Simon.s world was 'la k and white# ri(ht and wron(. +I.ve "pset yo"# haven.t I9, he asked# 8"ieter now. +I do that when I (o all reli(io"s on people., +It.s :"st that?, She hesitated. +!he demons# $or instan e. !here.s a 'i( di$$eren e 'etween a Ma(pie and a 3eo)&iend., Simon shook his head. +!hey.re 'oth L" i$er.s minions. It doesn.t matter i$ one.s less o$ a dan(er than another. !hey sho"ld 'e destroyed., +Even a Ma(pie9 I mean# they.re not evil., !he demon $littin( aro"nd her apartment was kinda "te# a t"ally# in a lar eno"s sort o$ way. +4oesn.t matter. !hey 'elon( to L" i$er and warrant destr" tion#, he said resol"tely. S"ddenly it all made sense. +1o" want to 'e a h"nter and work $or the Dati an# don.t yo"9, He p"lled 'a k# st"dyin( her as i$ to see whether she o"ld 'e tr"sted with a (reat se ret. +I do# '"t I.d appre iate it i$ yo" don.t mention my plans to the others. Espe ially Harper., +I won.t., !he rivalry 'etween the trappers and the h"nters went way 'a k# ent"ries even. !rappers a"(ht demons. H"nters killed them. -"t that wasn.t all. H"nters had the le(al ri(ht to arrest# har(e# and e2e "te anyone who made a pa t with L" i$er. Sometimes that was a trapper# whi h didn.t make $or (ood relations. It didn.t happen m" h anymore# '"t the h"nters still held those powers and all the trappers knew it. She eyed Simon solemnly# tryin( to sort o"t her $eelin(s $or him. He seemed so (entle# so tho"(ht$"l# '"t that.s not what a demon h"nter was all a'o"t. +*o"ld yo" kill someone i$ yo" tho"(ht they were workin( $or Hell9, !o her relie$ she didn.t (et an +5h s"re# no pro'lem# they deserve to die, answer. Instead# she o"ld see him wrestlin( with the 8"estion. +Possi'ly#, he said# 'rows $"rrowed. +Even i$ it was some yo"n( kid9 *o"ld yo" do it9, she asked# $earin( the answer. Was there a heartless monster l"rkin( inside o$ him9 Simon.s $a e lo"ded. +I don.t know., He p"lled her lose a(ain. +!oo many 8"estions. 1o" make me wonder i$ I really know what I want in li$e. -esides# yo" that is., Riley.s heart do"'le)'eat. !hey were de$initely movin( this relationship alon( at warp speed. As i$ sensin( her 'ewildered emotions# he t"((ed her loser and they remained that way "ntil it was time to (o inside. &or on e# Riley wished the rest o$ the world didn.t e2ist. !HIR!1)&5=R -y the time they ret"rned to their seats there were $orty)some trappers millin( aro"nd the enter o$ the hall# tradin( stories and pro"dly displayin( their latest wo"nds. It was de$initely a ("y thin(.

-e k (ave her a "rt nod# '"t /a kson waved# learly pleased to see her. +See# they.re a eptin( yo"#, Simon remarked. +Some o$ them., Riley had e2pe ted her personal nemesis to tromp over and annoy her ri(ht o$$# '"t -e k and his two 'eer 'ottles kept their distan e. I$ anythin(# he was pointedly i(norin( her. You are so 'ealous. It was Harper that worried her. I$ she was (oin( to tell the 3"ild what she.d dis overed# her master had to know a'o"t it $irst. !hat was the way thin(s worked. She took a deep 'reath and went to him. +Sir9, +1eah9, he said# his 'loodshot eyes tellin( her it hadn.t 'een a (ood day. +What do yo" want9, +I.ve dis overed somethin( a'o"t the Holy Water. 0ot all the 'ottles are the real st"$$. Some o$ it doesn.t work like it sho"ld# and I.d like to tell the 3"ild what I $o"nd., His intense (a<e made her it h. +Why the hell didn.t yo" tell me a'o"t this 'e$ore9, +I :"st $i("red it o"t this a$ternoon., He tho"(ht $or a moment. +hat i! he doesn,t let me tell them* What wo"ld she do then9 +Ah# what the hell# (o ahead. I an.t wait to hear this#, he said# leanin( 'a k in his hair. !he sly (rin told her he was lookin( $orward to her p"'li h"miliation. +!hank yo"# sir., Ri(ht 'e$ore she moved away# he (ra''ed her arm# di((in( in those $in(ers# a"sin( Riley to (rit her teeth. Why had she let her ("ard down9 He leaned toward her and whispered# +1o" make me look 'ad and yo".ll pay $or it# (irl., - already am. When *ollins alled the meetin( to order# she made a point o$ not sittin( near her master# 'reakin( with tradition. Simon wei(hed his options and sat ne2t to her. You might regret that. A$ter roll all# *ollins started the meetin(. +1o" heard a'o"t that !D show omin( to town9, Hoots o$ derision e hoed thro"(h the 'i( hall. +1eah# yeah# I know#, *ollins said. +!he prod" ers want to work with "s. !hey say they want the show to 'e morerealistic., +!hey an start 'y makin( the demons look like the real deal#, /a kson said. +I.ve yet to meet one who wears an Armani s"it and drives a &errari., +Ah# hell# they all do#, Morton replied. +At least in L.A., La"(hter 'roke o"t. +!hey asked i$ a o"ple o$ "s wo"ld show them aro"nd the ity# let them see what we really do#, *ollins e2plained. +Why aren.t they workin( with the Dati an9, /a kson in8"ired. +!he Dati an.s reps shot them down# so now they want to sl"m with "s., +Settin( "s "p to make "s look st"pid#, Harper said. +!hat.s a real possi'ility#, *ollins replied# +'"t i$ we 'low them o$$ we mi(ht re(ret it., +What a'o"t those hotties9 Are they omin(9, a yo"n( trapper alled o"t. +A $ew are. And they.re payin( $or o"r time. 4o I have vol"nteers9, Hands shot "p# and *ollins took note o$ the names. !he promise o$ 'a'es and ash tipped the s ales. Riley was s"rprised to see -e k wasn.t one o$ the vol"nteers. !he president pointed ri(ht at her. +And yo" too., +Me9, Riley s8"eaked. +!hey say they want a $emale.s take on all this#, he said. +1o" okay with that9, She $elt Simon stir ne2t her. +3et Harper.s permission $irst#, he whispered. Good idea. +5nly i$ Master Harper is okay with it#, she said.

!he old trapper.s eye'rows ar hed "pward# like he.d $i("red o"t her (ame. +As lon( as the work (ets done#, he said# noddin(. %on,t worry, you,ll get a cut o! the money. +!hen I.ll let them know we.re (ood to (o#, *ollins said# makin( a note on a pie e o$ paper. Riley o"ldn.t 'elieve how easy that.d 'een. May'e not toastin( -randy and her '"n h had 'een a (ood thin(. *ollins ons"lted his notes. +Anythin( else9, Her heart :"mped when Harper rose to his $eet. +hat is he doing* +-la kthorne.s kid#, Harper 'e(an. Riley win ed. +She ran into some tro"'le the other day when I sent her over to Ros oe.s to sell some 5nes., -e k.s eyes rose $rom his 'rew. His rea tion was instant> !he m"s les alon( his :aw tensed as the kn" kles on his ri(ht hand ti(htened aro"nd the 'eer 'ottle. )et it go. %on,t piss him o!!. 2e,ll 'ust take it out on me. +What was the tro"'le9, *ollins asked. +Ros oe o$$ered her one)twenty a pie e $or the demons as lon( as she didn.t do the paperwork., -e k.s eyes snapped to her. She saw ondemnation in them. You think - sold them under the ta#le. You 'erk5 +She told him to st"$$ it "p his ass#, Harper e2plained. -e k sa((ed in relie$. She (lowered at him# and he shr"((ed in apolo(y. +0o tra$$i ker.s ever tried to roll one o$ my apprenti es., Harper.s s ar ti(htened alon( with his :aw. +It.s not (oin( to happen a(ain# I an tell yo"., +1o".ll handle it9, *ollins asked. +4amned strai(ht., !he master ret"rned to his seat. Riley let o"t the air she.d kept pent "p. +Anythin( else9, *ollins asked. 0ow or never. Riley p"lled hersel$ o"t o$ the seat# her heart th"ddin(. +1es sir ? I ? have somethin(., 5"t o$ the orner o$ her eye she saw Harper.s $a e; it resem'led a v"lt"re waitin( $or somethin( to die so he o"ld $east on its orpse. She i(nored him# $o "sin( on the podi"m so she didn.t lose her nerve. +I have a 8"estion a'o"t the Holy Water. Is it possi'le $or it to 'e 'lessed in di$$erent 'at hes9, Master Stewart shook his head. +I.ve 'een ta the plant. !hey.ve (ot massive tanks# holdin. h"ndreds o$ (allons o$ water. !he priest 'lesses one tank at a time. !hen all they do is p"t it in the 'ott)els., +So every 'at h n"m'er sho"ld have the same onse ration date9, she asked# $eelin( e2 itement risin( within her. !hat.s what the 'ro h"re said# '"t she wanted to lay the $o"ndation $or her radi al laim. +5$ o"rse. Why ya askin.# lass9, +I $o"nd some o$ my dad.s notes. He was tryin( to $ind o"t why the Holy Water didn.t always work ri(ht. He was worried that the demons were '"ildin( "p a toleran e to it., *ollins and Stewart traded looks. +3o on#, the 3"ild.s president "r(ed. +!his is a master list o$ all the prod" tion r"ns $or the last si2 months#, she said# displayin( the pa(es. +!hese show the 'at h n"m'ers# whi h in l"de the date the Holy Water was 'lessed., She set them down and took a hasty swallow $rom her soda. 0ow it gets harder. +I was re y lin( the Holy Water 'ottles $or Master Harper and I noti ed that some shared 'at h n"m'ers# '"t the onse ration dates were di$$erent., +1o" s"re9, *ollins asked. Riley nodded and p"lled o"t three o$ the re y led 'ottles# settin( them in a row on the ta'le in $ront

o$ her. She p"t a hand on top o$ one o$ the pints. +!his one was 'lessed ten days a(o., She ontin"ed down the line. +!his one seven days a(o# and this one $ive. !hey.re all $rom one 'at h. A ordin( to the man"$a t"rer.s master list# this 'at h was a t"ally 'lessed and 'ottled $o"r months a(o., +Let me see those#, /a kson said# walkin( over. He ompared ea h o$ the pints# then his eyes rose to hers. +I.ll 'e damned. She.s ri(ht# these do have di$$erent dates. -"t why wo"ld someone do that9, +Money#, -e k alled o"t. +I.ve (ot a '"ddy who works at the plant where they 'ottle the st"$$. He said they.re r"nnin. three shi$ts and an.t keep "p. A pint is (oin( $or ten '" ks now., +!welve#, Riley orre ted. +I 'o"(ht some 'e$ore the meetin(. Also the la'els are di$$erent. Some o$ them don.t rea t to water; some o$ them smear really easily. !he $ake 'ottles have the smeary la'els. I wanted yo" ("ys to know a'o"t this so yo" an $i("re o"t what.s (oin( on., +!his happened in *leveland sometime 'a k. Someone was re$illin. the 'ott)els with tap water#, Stewart said. +So is it :"st 'ad la'els# or is the Holy Water o"nter$eit or 'oth9, *ollins asked. +Let.s test it#, Morton said. +Any'ody (ot a demon in their po ket9 How a'o"t yo"# -e k9, he :ested# '"t she o"ld hear the tension in his voi e. +0o#, -e k replied $latly. +Wait a min"te., He t"rned toward her and tapped his hest. When she didn.t respond# he did it a(ain. The claw. !hey o"ldn.t (et a live demon a ross the ward# '"t the law wasn.t alive. +I think we mi(ht have somethin( that.ll work#, she anno"n ed# p"llin( the silver hain into view. !he 'la k talon h"n( in the air# twistin( at the end o$ the hain. +4amn# that.s ni e#, e2 laimed one o$ the trappers sittin( near her. +0ever seen a law ne kla e 'e$ore., +Is it the real thin(9, /a kson asked. +!otally#, Riley replied. She pi ked "p a pint o$ Holy Water. +I 'o"(ht this at the market toni(ht., She handed it /a kson and he ripped o$$ the seal. Riley dipped the law inside. A$ter several se onds there was no rea tion. +May'e yo" need a live demon#, someone said. +It sho"ld work#, *ollins replied. +It was on e part o$ a $iend so the Holy Water sho"ld re o(ni<e that., /a kson opened another pint and she repeated the test. 0othin(. +So whi h one do yo" think is kosher9, he asked. At least he 'elieved her. Riley tapped on the ne2t one. +Its la'el doesn.t smear when it (ets wet., /a kson ripped o$$ the lid and she dropped the law in. And nothin( happened. Ah, crap. I$ this didn.t work# she was (oin( to 'e in 'i( tro"'le. +Riley#, Simon 'e(an in a worried voi e. !he pint 'ottle er"pted in a torrent o$ '"''lin( water that shot o"t o$ the top and $looded 'oth her and /a kson. She yanked o"t the law# $earin( it wo"ld 'e destroyed. !he talon was snow white. As it dried# it t"rned 'la k like an overripe 'anana. +Wow%, /a kson e2 laimed# wipin( his $a e with a sleeve. Take that, 2arper. As she mopped o$$ her $a e# she a"(ht a (limpse o$ him o"t o$ the orner o$ her eye. He was $rownin( '"t not at her. +What a'o"t the Holy Water $or the ward9, Morton asked# all tra e o$ h"mor (one. +Is it okay9, +It.s (ood#, Riley said. +I he ked the la'els., +Well# that.s a relie$#, -e k said. He popped the top o$ his se ond 'ottle o$ 'eer and drained hal$ o$ it in one swi(. While trappers ar("ed amon( themselves# Riley sl"mped into her hair# head '"<<in(. !hey.d a t"ally listened to her. Her dad wo"ld 'e so pro"d. Simon to" hed her arm. +3ood :o'#, he said. His praise was at odds with the $rown. What was

'otherin( him9 +Why didn.t yo" tell me9, +I$ it went wron(# I didn.t want yo" in the middle o$ it., He nodded# '"t the $rown remained. It took the 3"ild president some time to all the room to order. 0early every trapper was talkin(# (est"rin( at her then the 'ottles. *ollins leaned $orward on the podi"m and r"''ed his $a e wearily. +Well# this s" ks#, he said. +It looks like not all the Holy Water is the real deal. Sin e some o$ "s are havin( the same iss"es with the spheres# I have to ass"me a portion o$ those are 'o("s as well., Harper rose. +!his is (ettin( o"t o$ hand% We (ot tra$$i kers '"yin( demons "nder the ta'le and Holy Water that.s as "seless as spit., +Is this happenin( anywhere else in the o"ntry9, Morton asked. *ollins shook his head. +!here.ve 'een no '"lletins $rom the national o$$i e., +May'e Hell is $inally (ettin( it to(ether#, /a kson s"((ested. +!hat.d e2plain a lot#, Harper said. +-et there.s an Ar hdemon 'ehind this somewhere., +-"t why here9, -e k asked. +1a think it.s all onne ted somehow9, +!hat.s what we have to $ind o"t., *ollins looked over at Stewart. +*all the ar h'ishop and the *E5 o$ *elestial S"pplies. Set "p a meetin(. !his is priority one. I$ we don.t this (et strai(htened o"t# we.re (oin( to start losin( trappers. We need to (et a handle on this now 'e$ore it (ets worse., Riley rela2ed. !hese ("ys wo"ld deal with it. At that# *ollins (lan ed over at her# noddin( his approval. +Well done. !hat.s impressive work $rom an appren, *ollins. eyes went wide and his mo"th dropped open. Someone to" hed her sho"lder. Riley $i("red it was Simon# '"t 'oth his hands were on the ta'le in $ront o$ him. Pro'a'ly one o$ the trappers wantin( to see the law. She t"rned and (asped. Pa"l -la kthorne.s orpse stared 'a k at her. Someone had reanimated her $ather. !HIR!1)&IDE +4ad9, Riley whimpered. +Pa"l9, -e k alled o"t as he rose# his hair topplin( over. 5thers s"r(ed to their $eet# trans$i2ed 'y the spe ta le. +My 3od# it.s -la kthorne%, one o$ them ried o"t. Her dad was dressed in the s"it and tie they.d '"ried him in# his skin a sallow (ray. Immense sadness $illed his 'rown eyes. He stood :"st inside the Holy Water ward. +R"n ? Riley#, he roaked. +R"n. !oo many., +!oo many what9 How.d yo" (et, 4eep (rowls e hoed thro"(h the '"ildin(# a"sin( heads to t"rn. &"rry 'odies l"m'ered o"t o$ the darkness. +4emons%, someone sho"ted. !rappers s"r(ed to their $eet# all talkin( at on e. Riley wat hed in horror as the !hrees headed toward them. !here were at least a do<en# may'e more. !hey lined "p aro"nd the ir le# snarlin( and slo''erin(# laws $li kin( in the air. +Hold yo"r positions%, Harper sho"ted. +!hey an.t (et to "s# not with the Holy Water., +Why are there so many o$ them9, Simon asked. +!his an.t 'e happenin(., +hat are they waiting !or* !he answer ame a split se ond later. +Pyro)&iends%,

Red r"''ery 'odies ran alon( the sides o$ the '"ildin(# leapin( and twistin( like 'allet dan ers# leavin( 'ri(ht rimson ri''ons o$ li8"id $ire in their wake. A !hree la"n hed itsel$ a(ainst the ward and then $lew 'a k# howlin( and shriekin(. It rose to its $eet and assa"lted the holy line a(ain. 5thers :oined it as trappers s ram'led $or their (ear. -e k was ne2t to her# his d"$$el 'a( on his sho"lder# the steel pipe in his hand. +Where.s Pa"l9, She looked aro"nd '"t o"ldn.t see him. +4ad9, she alled. 0o reply. -e k shoved her o"t o$ the way a split se ond 'e$ore a !hree 'roke thro"(h the ward. It s ram'led to its $eet and dove at a trapper. !he man s reamed in a(ony as it pinned him to the wooden $loor with its laws. +!he ward.s down%, -e k sho"ted. +5"t% Every'ody o"t% Move it%, *ollins sho"ted. Stewart 'e(an to herd his apprenti es toward the nearest e2it. +Where.s yo"r trappin( 'a(# Adler9, Harper demanded. +In the ar#, Simon alled 'a k. +4amn lot o$ (ood it.s doin( there., !he old trapper d"mped his into the apprenti e.s hands. +Snow (lo'e%, As Simon d"( in the 'a(# Harper (ave Riley a shove# a"sin( her to sta((er 'a kward. +3o%, 0ot without %ad. Riley looked aro"nd 'lindly# '"t she o"ldn.t see him. A heer went "p as someone lo''ed a sphere hi(h in the air. It 'roke open and snow 'e(an to $all. !hen more snow (lo'es. A thi k 'li<<ard $ell into the smoke that rawled a ross the $loor like a (ray snake. Sho"ts e hoed aro"nd her. As the snow landed on her it melted instantly# plasterin( her hair to her sk"ll. Riley wiped her eyes. She o"ld only see a $ew $eet in $ront o$ her; the e2it si(ns were ompletely o's "red in the storm. -"mped $rom 'ehind# Riley sprawled to the $loor# 'arkin( her shins. Somethin( (ra''ed her le( and she str"((led to p"ll $ree. !here was a ry o$ pain and then a vi io"s snarl. She s ram'led to her $eet# knowin( i$ she stayed down she was dead. A !hree stood 'etween her and Simon# laws li kin(# "na'le to de ide who to eat $irst. +3o%, Simon sho"ted to her. +3et o"t o$ here%, His ry sent the demon his way. She saw it leap on him# rendin( and snarlin(. !hey rolled over and over on the $loor# rashin( into hairs and "pendin( the ta'les. -linded with $"ry# Riley (ra''ed the nearest wooden hair# $olded it# and sw"n( hard at the demon.s head. +3et o$$ my 'oy$riend# yo" 'astard%, !here was a so"nd like a ra kin( e((# and the $iend r"mpled. Its paws twit hed patheti ally# then it stopped movin(. She.d a t"ally killed the thin(. +Simon9, She dropped the hair in horror. +5h# 3od#, he moaned. +5h# 3od it h"rts.?, His eyes wide in terror# he l"t hed his hest and 'elly as 'lood ("shed thro"(h his $in(ers. She saw /a kson and (ra''ed him. +Help me (et him o"t o$ here%, she sho"ted. !hey levered Simon to his $eet# his $a e as (ray as her dead $ather.s. +I (ot him#, /a kson said# takin( the wei(ht $rom Riley. +3et (oin(%, A !hree swept 'y her# howlin( in tri"mph as it va"lted toward one o$ the men. !he trapper ried o"t and then vanished "nder a mass o$ $"r and slashin( laws. !he demon raised its $a e# (ore drippin( $rom its m"<<le. When she t"rned to make her es ape# Simon and /a kson were (one# hidden in the snow. Aro"nd her# demons leapt thro"(h the smoke# pi kin( o$$ their on$"sed or in:"red prey. 5ne o$ the Pyros h"n( $rom the 'i( handelier# rainin( $ire'alls $rom a'ove. She $inally $o"nd Harper; he was hemmed in 'y a pair o$ !hrees. *ra<ed with the smell o$ 'lood#

they tore at anythin( that ame near# even ea h other. !hat (ave Riley an idea. She rept to where her messen(er 'a( had $allen. A$ter loopin( it over her sho"lder# she rea hed inside and her $in(ers losed aro"nd the only amm"nition she possesseda s"' sandwi h she.d planned to eat at the (raveyard. Harper slammed a Holy Water sphere into one o$ the demons. It didn.t even rea t. +3oddammit#, the master swore. !he $iends moved loser# knowin( they had him. +Harper9, she alled. +3et ready to r"n%, +3et o"t o$ here# -rat%, he sho"ted. She did a hi(h overhand pit h that sent the plasti )'a((ed sandwi h 'etween the two $iends. It hit the $loor and they $ell on it like :"nkyard do(s# slashin( and lawin( at ea h other. 5ne 'e(an to tear into the sandwi h. Enra(ed# the other demon atta ked it. A 'attle ens"ed# the $iends were too interested in ("ttin( ea h other than h"man prey. +*ome on%, she sho"ted# s oopin( "p Harper.s heavy d"$$el# the wide strap di((in( deep into her sho"lder. !he master trapper a"tio"sly 'a ked away $rom the $ray and :oined her. +What the hell was that9, he demanded# eyes still on the s8"a''lin( !hrees. +4emon psy holo(y., I$ it.s thrown at them# it had to 'e $ood. Harper seemed to a ept that. +Where.s Saint9, +5"tside#, she sho"ted 'a k. 5r at least she prayed that was the ase. Harper motioned $or his trapper.s 'a(. He d"( inside and armed himsel$ with a steel pipe. It made her think o$ -e k. S8"intin(# she tried to see tho"(h the $allin( "rtain o$ snow# '"t there was no way she o"ld $ind him. .eck will #e okay. 2e has to #e. &ollowin( Harper.s lead# they made their way toward the losest wall# hopin( to $ind an e2it. Riley 'e(an to see the 'odies. *h"nks were missin(# ropy entrails (apin( $rom wide holes. Her stoma h roiled at the sten h o$ $resh 'lood# and she $o"(ht the "r(e to vomit. A Pyro)&iend ran in $ront o$ them# a klin( as it laid down a trail o$ $ire. Harper stomped on the $lames with his heavy 'oots as they ontin"ed to ed(e $orward. Pani ked sho"ts rose as one o$ the li(hts rashed to the $loor# sendin( a spray o$ (lass in all dire tions. Riley reali<ed she o"ld see $arther now as the snow (lo'es e2ha"sted themselves. Smoke 'illowed $rom the sta(e "rtains as (reedy $lames in hed hi(her into the '"ildin(.s s"perstr" t"re. 0o matter how hard she tried# she o"ldn.t see her dad or -e k. +3irl%, Harper (rowled. +3et him "p%, Riley $o"nd /a kson h"n hed in a(ony# his le$t arm '"rned to the el'ow. She helped him "p# seein( the pani in his eyes. +*ollins. !hey (ot him#, he moaned. Riley o"ldn.t 'ear to look at his wo"nds# '"t the smell o$ '"rnt $lesh atta ked her nose with every 'reath. She nearly (a((ed. +Where.s Simon9, +5"tside#, /a kson whee<ed. !he $lood o$ relie$ nearly took Riley to her knees. +Keep movin(. We.re almost there#, Harper said# more to the in:"red man than to her. +We stay in here and we.re done $or., CCC .eck heard the growl and $o"nd a !hree in $"ll stalk mode. He.d know it anywhere. It was one he.d tried to trap with Pa"l. !he one Riley had apt"red. Its eyes 'la<ed a stran(e yellow# '"t the rest o$ it was like he remem'ered. Someone had set it $ree.

+!rappperrr?, it snarled. A sphere shattered a(ainst its 'a k. It twit hed $or a moment# '"t kept omin(. -e k str" k it with his pipe and it $ell to the (ro"nd# then trotted o$$ in sear h o$ a less) a((ressive meal. -e k $o"nd Morton 'y his side. +!he Holy Water.s not slowin( them down#, the man said# 'reathin( heavily. +Riley was ri(ht., +Shit#, -e k spat. He wiped a line o$ sweat o$$ his 'row. +1eah# I hear yo"., Morton set o$$ toward a demon that was slashin( thro"(h a ta'le to (et to a trapper. -e k heard a sho"t and t"rned toward one o$ the e2its. !hro"(h the 'illowin( smoke he saw Riley. Harper and /a kson were with her. +!hank 3od#, he said. +3et her o"t o$ here., !he old trapper p"shed open the door# he ked to ens"re there was nothin( l"rkin( o"tside# then (est"red $or Riley to leave. She i(nored the master# lookin( 'a k into the '"ildin(# sear hin( $or someone. !hen her eyes $o"nd him. -e k (ave her a sal"te. +3o%, he sho"ted. She shook her head# wavin( $or him to ome with them. His eyes met Harper.s. !he old trapper (ave him a nod and shoved the (irl o"tside over her protests. 0o matter what he tho"(ht o$ the old man# he owed him. As long as (iley,s sa!e nothin, else matters. His heart sin(in( o$ war and pay'a k# -e k waded into the 'attle. CCC haos had set up amp in the parkin( lot. Wo"nded trappers sprawled on the asphalt# moanin(# 'leedin(# and dyin(. Riley kept h"ntin( "ntil she $o"nd Simon. Someone.s oat was :ammed 'ehind his head# and Stewart was 'endin( over him# "sin( a sweatshirt to stan h the 'lood po"rin( $rom his a'domen. Her 'oy$riend was "nnat"rally pale# his hands 8"akin( as lips 'arely moved in prayer. Another trapper knelt to take over $or Stewart. He.d stripped o$$ his shirt and applied it as a ompress. It was immediately sat"rated with 'lood. In the distan e she heard the hi(h wail o$ sirens# lots o$ them. +We need ta (et the lad o"t o$ here#, Stewart said. +&irst am'"lan e# ya hear9, !he other trapper nodded. More men (athered aro"nd them. +We.re too lose to the $ire#, Harper said. +Aye. *ome on ya lot# we need ta move the wo"nded now. !his '"ildin.s omin. down# and we d"nna want ta 'e near her when she does., A old la"(h $loated a ross the parkin( lot# a"di'le even a'ove the $ire.s roar. Riley had heard it 'e$orein the li'rary. 0o. +&ive%, someone sho"ted# and there was the so"nd o$ r"nnin( $eet as trappers s attered. Stewart (est"red. +Move .em# now%, Men str"((led to pi k "p the wo"nded# helpin( those who o"ld still ho''le a ross the street toward the park. Harper t"rned toward her# his $a e sweaty and s ar p"lled ti(ht. +3o with them# -rat. I$ it 'reaks thro"(h# (et to hallowed (ro"nd., He didn.t "nderstand. !he &ive was a$ter her. She $elt it all to her# o$$erin( her the "ltimate 'oon> I$ she (ave hersel$ "p# no one else need die. Riley knelt and kissed Simon.s ashen heek# tho"(h she knew Harper and the others saw her. It didn.t matter now. +1o" stay alive# no matter what#, she whispered. Simon.s eyes weren.t $o "sin(# and she wasn.t

even s"re he.d heard her. With one last look at the 'oy who meant so m" h to her# Riley t"rned and headed toward her $ather.s killer. !HIR!1)SIM &ranti # -e k tried to $i(ht his way thro"(h the $lames to rea h Morton. !hrees had ornered him and he was s reamin(# 'e((in( $or help. -e k mana(ed to rea h one o$ the $iends and '"st its sk"ll# '"t the remainin( demons (lee$"lly tore his $ellow trapper apart and $ell on his 'ody $or the $east. +Sweet /es"s#, -e k sho"ted# '"t it was drowned o"t as a low r"m'le $illed the hall. He 'roke more demon sk"lls# '"t there seemed no end o$ them. !hey 'e(an to h"nt him like a pa k o$ lions does a ornered (a<elle. !he $inal $lakes o$ snow t"rned 'la k# s" ked "pward in the r"sh o$ air $eedin( the '"rnin( roo$. -e k 'olted $or the losest e2it# :"mpin( over dismem'ered orpses and the tan(le o$ $"rnit"re. !he door was padlo ked. +5h hell%, he swore. 0o wonder none o$ the others had le$t this way. He :ammed the steel pipe 'etween the lo k and hasp# and tried to pry them apart. -ehind him he heard snarls as the !hrees losed in. It was only a matter o$ time 'e$ore one :"mped him and he.d 'e dead. Slammin( his wei(ht a(ainst the pipe# he heard the hain snap. As he $l"n( open the door# a steady 'ree<e 'lew a(ainst his $a e. He s" ked in the lear air and ran $or it. CCC (iley !ound the 3eo)&iend hoverin( a'ove the parkin( lot ne2t to the remains o$ a dented Dolvo. !he demon was more than seven $eet tall# its deep e'ony skin p"lled ti(ht like a wets"it a ross a massive hest that any wei(htli$ter wo"ld envy. !hi k# orded m"s les twined aro"nd its '"llish ne k. !he $a e was like the maw o$ a vol ano# (litterin( r"'y $ire seethin( inside the mo"th and the eyes. Its horns reminded her o$ a steer# :"ttin( o"t o$ the side o$ its head and then taperin( to sharp points a'ove the rown. /h my God. +3et away $rom it%, Harper ommanded# omin( "p 'ehind her. He (ra''ed her arm# shovin( her 'ehind him. At odds with its '"lk# the demon made a deli ate motion with its hand. A se ond later a sharp ("st o$ wind slammed a(ainst them# 'lowin( Riley into a near'y ar. !he door handle 'ashed into her hip. She slid to the (ro"nd# whimperin( thro"(h the pain. !here was a sharp ry 'ehind her. Harper lay on the (ro"nd laspin( his hest. In his hand was a (ro"ndin( sphere. Somehow he.d kept it $rom 'ein( smashed. Riley p"lled hersel$ "p. !he demon la"(hed a(ain# makin( her 'lood $ree<e. Its o$$er 'oomed thro"(h her mind a(ain like a annonher li$e or it wo"ld kill all o$ them. Riley knelt ne2t to the man she hated as m" h as the demon. +Ri's#, he said thro"(h (ritted teeth. +Help me "p., She took the sphere $rom Harper.s trem'lin( hand. +What are yo" doin(9, he (r"nted. Riley t"rned and moved toward the demon. Harper sho"ted $or her ome 'a k# '"t she i(nored him. +!his is personal#, she said# tho"(h she knew he o"ld not hear her. As she moved loser -e k.s voi e was in her mind# tellin( her how a (ro"ndin( sphere worked. She let that voi e ("ide her. Riley lo''ed the sphere at the Dolvo. It smashed# e2ploded in a 'rilliant 'l"e $lash# and leapt to a near'y ar. !hen it $altered# "na'le to $ind more metal to omplete the ir "it. !he ma(i $aded and died# alon( with Riley.s only hope.

Am"sed at her hildish 'ravado# the demon responded with a twisted la"(h that str" k her like a 'low. 4id her dad hear that same la"(h ri(ht 'e$ore he died9 +1es#, it hissed. With a $li k o$ its wrist the (ro"nd in $ront o$ the &ive 'e(an to heave and roll toward her like an o ean wave as h"nks o$ 'la k asphalt $lew into the air. !hen the wave halted. !he thin( was toyin( with her. She took a a"tio"s step 'a k# then another# her knees still kno kin(. !he $iend (rinned# showin( her pointed teeth that (leamed in the $lames. +What a'o"t the 'oon9 4o we have a deal9 My li$e $or the others., !he demon hissed. +Swear it. Swear it on L" i$er.s name%, At the mention o$ its master# the demon shrieked into the ni(ht# shatterin( windows and makin( Riley.s ears roar. She radled her head as she st"m'led 'a kward in pani . !he demon wasn.t (oin( to keep its 'ar(ain. !he wind 'e(an to pi k "p stray 'its o$ de'ris $rom the parkin( lot# and pie es o$ (ravel and 'roken (lass st"n( her heeks. !his was how it killed her dad. She 'linked her eyes and st"m'led 'a kward a $ew more steps. Another (ro"ndin( sphere landed near her# '"t it $ailed as well. +3et 'a k here%, one o$ the trappers yelled. +We an.t hold it%, +Like $ather# like da"(hter#, the demon ried. !here was a ra k and then a thi k pop as a hole 'lew o"t o$ the asphalt 'ehind her# spewin( de'ris like a (eyser# isolatin( her $rom the others. Steam 'el hed $rom the hole alon( with a hokin( sten h o$ mold# 'ri k d"st# and tar. Somethin( swirled toward her o"t o$ the ni(hta d"st devil. -e$ore she o"ld move# it a"(ht her like a 'ird in a (ale and sl"n( her into the a'yss. Riley s reamed and $lailed $or anythin( to (ra' on to. Her hands a"(ht on some 'roken re'ar. When she $o"nd a $oothold# she levered hersel$ "pward so that her hin rested on the asphalt. It d"( into her skin# makin( her :aw a he. Her relie$ was short livedanother wave ame toward her# throwin( de'ris into the air like someone shakin( r"m's o"t o$ a ta'le loth. When the ripple hit she wo"ld 'e (one# tossed deep into the pit. As the wave approa hed# Harper sho"ted $or help. !here waspop$pop$pop o$ e2plodin( tarma . 4e'ris $ell like rain. Riley losed her eyes and prayed. Somethin( (ra''ed her arm# and she ried o"t in s"rprise as she was win hed o"t o$ the rater. Landin( hard on her '"tt# Riley stared "pward# $earin( it wo"ld 'e the demon ome to laim her so"l. /ri* +1o" lead an interestin( li$e#, the man said# as"ally li$tin( her "p and t" kin( her lose to him as i$ he did this sort o$ res "e every day. He had no weapon she o"ld see. Still# she o"ld $eel the oiled power in his m"s les. A roar o$ $"ry er"pted $rom the 3eo)&iend# shakin( near'y windows and settin( o$$ ar alarms. 5ri shook his head. +0ot yo"rs., 4espite his warnin(# the (ro"nd wave ontin"ed toward them. Riley win ed# waitin( $or the impa t# '"t s"ddenly it evaporated. !he demon roared a(ain# shakin( its $ists like an an(ry toddler. In the distan e she heard a h"r h 'ell hime. +Later# demon. Wewill meet a(ain., 5ri t"((ed on her arm. +!ime to leave., +-"t, She looked aro"nd $or Harper. He was 'ein( arried toward the street 'y a o"ple o$ trappers. !hat only le$t -e k# '"t there was no si(n o$ him. !he '"ildin( was $"lly en("l$ed in $lames now. I$ he was still in there ? 5ri "r(ed her alon( despite her vehement protests. !he &ive ontin"ed to (enerate a maelstrom o$ de'ris# movin( loser to the remainin( trappers# $ollowed 'y demons 8"e"in( "p $or a $inal atta k.

+I have to stay%, she said# p"llin( a(ainst 5ri.s (rip. +1o" stay# yo" die. !hat.s not happenin( toni(ht., !hey.d :"st rea hed her ar when 5ri a'r"ptly halted. Swivelin( 'a k toward the $ire# he $rowned. +Well# well# now there.s a s"rprise., It took time $or Riley.s 'rain to pro ess the s ene. !he trappers were h"ddled in a '"n h# those still a'le to $i(ht $ormin( a prote tive rin( aro"nd the wo"nded. -"t :"st 'eyond their rin( was another one. It shone p"re white# '"t "nlike the ir le at the emetery every pinpoint o$ 'rillian e was at least ei(ht $eet tall and held a $lamin( sword. +An(els#, she ried in ama<ement. +5mi(od# they.re an(els%, CCC ;-,ll #e damned,< -e k said# shieldin( his sooty eyes $rom the power$"l li(ht. !he rin( o$ (lowin( $i("res stood win( tip to win( tip# $ormin( an ethereal 'arrier 'etween the demons and the s"rvivors. When a !hree (ot too lose# it shrieked and '"rst into $lames like a tiki tor h. With howls o$ $r"stration and ra(e# the demons 'e(an to $all 'a k# then one 'y one they $led into the dark alleys aro"nd the '"rnin( '"ildin(. 5nly the &ive was le$t# and with an "nearthly roar it vanished in a swirl o$ 'la k d"st and mist. A $ew o$ the trappers let o"t throaty heers. 5thers (aped at Heaven.s ("ard do(s. +Where the hell ? were they ? when this started9, Harper (r"m'led# his sweaty $a e ontorted in pain. He was 'ent over# workin( $or ea h 'reath. +4oesn.t matter#, -e k said# kneelin( ne2t to the in:"red master. +!hey.re here now# and that.s what o"nts., !HIR!1)SEDE0 Riley $o"nd hersel$ at the (ateway to the emetery. Her ar keys were in her hand '"t she didn.t remem'er the drive. 5ri was (one. Had she ome here alone9 Every $ew se onds another tremor wo"ld shake her $rom head to toe like she had the $l". 4i((in( in the messen(er 'a( she p"lled o"t her 'ottled water and drained it. She $rowned. Where had the 'a( ome $rom9 She didn.t remem'er pi kin( it "p. A 8"i k he k proved -e k.s (i$t was inside her sweater.At least - didn,t lose that. Her mind was still da<ed. How had the demons (otten thro"(h the Holy Water9 - should have checked it with the claw. +hat i! - was wrong and it was the counter!eit stu!!* A pro$o"nd shiver $lashed thro"(h her. Where had 5ri ome $rom9%oesn,t matter. 2e saved my li!e. Whi h le$t the 'i((est mystery o$ all. Was her dad still in his (rave9 !here was only one way to know the tr"th. Riley took o$$ at a r"n down the asphalt path toward the ma"sole"m# as the 'a( '"mped a(ainst her side. She hadn.t (one $ar 'e$ore her thi(h ramped# $or in( her to limp. Her l"n(s '"rned with ea h 'reath. She o"(hed deeply and tasted soot in her mo"th. 2e,s there. - know he,s there. When she drew lose to the ma"sole"m# she saw the (low o$ the andles. Riley ried in relie$. It was some ne ro.s si k (ame. !he ir le was di$$erent. -i((er. It no lon(er en ompassed the (raves# '"t the entire ma"sole"m. Martha was in her hair $a in( west like she wanted a rin(side seat to the !a'erna le.s destr" tion. As always# she was knittin(. When Riley ho''led "p the old woman smiled at her# p"shin( a row o$ stit hes to the end o$ a needle. +Ah# there yo" are. I.m sorry a'o"t yo"r dad# dear# '"t sometimes these thin(s happen.,

+4ad9, Riley sw"n( her eyes toward the dark orner that ho"sed her parents. (raves. !he (ro"nd a'ove her $ather.s wasn.t a smooth mo"nd anymore. !he (rave was wide open. +0o%, she sho"ted. +0o?, !he ir le o$ li(ht '"rst hi(h into the air# rea tin( to her an(er and (rie$. Riley averted her eyes $rom the pain$"l 'rillian e. +What happened9, she demanded. +How did they (et to him9 !he ir le.s still in one pie e., Martha looked "p# her needles movin( at li(htnin( speed. +!his one is. !he $irst ir le was 'rea hed# so I re ast it., +Why 'other9, Riley asked# d"m'$o"nded. Martha pa"sed mid)stit h. +Rod ame down with a old# so they sent another vol"nteer. He.s $airly new. =n$ort"nately# he has a pho'ia a'o"t dra(ons# and that.s e2a tly what ame a$ter him. He said the thin( was twenty $eet tall# and it shot a wall o$ $lames at him. It was too m" h $or the poor dear. He dove $or over and a idently 'roke the ir le., Martha $inished the stit h and t" ked the knittin( into her 'a(. +He.s 8"ite "pset#, she added. +5h# I 'et. /"st devastated., Riley o"(hed and then (lared at the old woman. +Who took my dad9 Was it the de't olle tion people9 3ive me a name.,&o - can tear him apart. +!he vol"nteer never saw the s"mmoner., Riley h"n( her head in 'ody)n"m'in( despair. +4ammit% It wo"ldn.t have happened i$ I.d 'een here., !his was as m" h her $a"lt as the dra(on)pho'i ("y. +Why the ir le9, Riley asked. +What.s the point9, +It.s $or yo"# dear., +!he demons an.t ome here., +-"t the livin( an# and some o$ the ne roman ers are sore losers. -est yo" stay inside the ir le toni(ht., Somethin( in Martha.s voi e made Riley pa"se. !he moment the vol"nteer invited her inside she s "rried a ross the andles. +3ood ni(ht# dear. 4on.t worry# everythin( will work o"t#, Martha said in that overly heery voi e o$ hers. She (ave a wave and tr"d(ed into the ni(ht. +5h# yeah# thin(s are workin( o"t (reat#, Riley m"ttered. She (lowered "p at heaven. +!hanks $or nothin(., It took some time $or her to (o to the empty (rave. !here was no 4ad to talk to now. He was wanderin( somewhere aro"nd the ity# playin( slave to some ri h 'astard. She $ell on her knees in the red lay# starin( into the deep hole. !he pine o$$in.s hin(es were twisted and 'roken like her $ather had '"sted o"t o$ a prison ell. &"ry roared within her. She shoveled the dirt 'a k into the hole where it th"nked inside the open 'o2# '"lldo<in( "ntil her arms a hed# m"s les :ittered# and palms were raw. +So whi h one was it9 Mr. I.m !otally Harmless Mortimer9 Li<ard Lenny9,/r 2is 2igh )ord /?ymandias* She.d have to $ind o"t. +We almost made it# 4ad. Almost., Riley st"m'led to her 'a( and rooted thro"(h it "ntil she $o"nd the hamois po" h Ayden had (iven her. She pried open the strin(s and then ret"rned to the (rave. !akin( a pin h o$ lay $rom the (ro"nd# she dropped it inside the 'a( po" h. !he wit h had said to olle t thin(s that made her $eel stron(# that de$ined her as a person. !he soil that had overed her dead $ather wo"ld remind Riley to never tr"st someone to do her :o'. They always !ail you. +I.ll $ind yo"# 4ad. I.ll (et yo" 'a k here as soon as I an# I promise., !hen Riley (ave into the m" h needed tears# wailin( like a lost so"l. She didn.t 'other to wipe the tears away and they dried on her heeks# ra kin( in the old ni(ht air. Salty testimony to the

endless a he in her heart. Knowin( there was little she o"ld do $or her $ather or the other trappers# Riley toted the tarp and the sleepin( 'a( to the west side o$ the ma"sole"m and arran(ed them on the hard (ro"nd. It was di$$i "lt to think# so she $o"nd hersel$ makin( trips $or sin(le itemsone $or the 'ottled water# the $lashli(ht# another $or the 'lanket. *"rlin( "p inside the sleepin( 'a(# she sat "pri(ht and wat hed the $ire. In the (low she tho"(ht she saw $a es. 4ead men.s $a es. She.d seen trappers torn apart# si kened 'y how m" h 'lood had po"red $rom their 'odies. !hose ima(es wo"ld never leave her.0ever. &imon. Wo"ld he make it thro"(h the ni(ht9 What a'o"t -e k9 Wo"ld mornin( 'rin( more 'ad news9 +Please# 3od. I.ll do anythin( not to lose them., !here was a stir o$ wind in the 'are trees. 4esperate $or somethin( to o "py her mind# to keep her $rom thinkin( a'o"t Simon dyin(# she p"lled o"t her ell to all Peter to let him know she was sa$e. !he phone didn.t work# didn.t even li(ht "p. She removed the 'a k and $o"nd the wirin( inside was $"sed. +5h# damn#, she said# tossin( it in the messen(er 'a(# no l"e as to how it.d 'e ome dama(ed. Her $riend was pro'a'ly wat hin( the news reports# $ranti ally dialin( her over and over.2e,ll think -,m dead. So wo"ld Simi and all the kids at s hool. May'e even her ra<y a"nt in &ar(o. +I o"ld have 'een., A $ew more se onds and she.d have 'een at the 'ottom o$ that pit. She owed 5ri her li$e and o"ldn.t remem'er i$ she.d thanked him. Her eyes $inally losed# and Riley slid into tort"red sl"m'er. She heard someone allin( $or her. Simon. He kept ryin( her name# 'e((in( her to save him. She ran thro"(h the smoke and $lames# ki kin( !hrees o"t o$ her way like they were made o$ straw. !hen she saw the pit. Simon was lyin( at the 'ottom# overed in 'lood. His hest was ripped open# and she o"ld see his 'eatin( heart. He kept allin( o"t to her '"t she o"ldn.t (et to him. His 'ody sank lower and lower# $ires ra(in( 'eneath him. !here were demons down there# with pit h$orks and pointed tails. !hey howled in la"(hter and then p"lled him into the depths as he iss"ed one $inal pleadin( s ream. +Riley%, She :"mped and (ra''ed the $lashli(ht $or a weapon. It was -e k. He stood :"st o"tside the ir le h"n hed in pain and 'linked at her like he wasn.t s"re she was real. +Riley9, he whispered. -s it really him* She leared her throat and wiped away the r"sty tears. +I$ yo" mean no harm# then pass within., He made a $ew more steps inside the ir le 'e$ore he sta((ered and $ell into her arms# his d"$$el 'a( hittin( the (ro"nd with a th"mp. +!hank 3od%, he m"rm"red. +!hank 3od., He sa((ed and ollapsed in a heap at her $eet. 4roppin( to her knees# she shined the $lashli(ht on him. -"rns on his $a e# his ri(ht hand. His thi(h had taken the worst o$ it. +A !hree9, she asked# and he nodded n"m'ly# his hands lasped aro"nd the torn denim and ripped $lesh. +I.ve (ot $resh Holy Water#, she said# takin( o$$ at a sprint $or the ma"sole"m. When she ret"rned he was still l"t hin( the le(# his eyes losed in a(ony. Whi h was only (oin( to (et worse. She 'roke the seal. +1o" ready9, He nodded. !he moment the st"$$ hit the wo"nd he 'ellowed# writhin( 'a k and $orth# makin( it di$$i "lt to keep the $l"id (oin( where it needed. She kept po"rin( "ntil he sa((ed a(ainst the (ro"nd# his 'reathin( la'ored. +I.m so sorry# -e k%, she said. She remem'ered what it $elt like# how her 'ones had '"rned deep

within.At least this is the real stu!!. +Had to 'e done#, he said thro"(h len hed teeth. +3o on. 4o the rest., Riley (ently took his hand and treated it# then da''ed the Holy Water on his $a e. He kept his eyes losed the whole time. As she made them a 'ed in the ma"sole"m# <ippin( the two sleepin( 'a(s to(ether $or warmth# she o"ld hear -e k moanin( with ea h 'reath. -y the time she was $inished her preparations he was sittin( "p# starin( at the open (rave. His hands 8"ivered like an old person. +Itwas Pa"l#, he said. +1eah. He ame to warn me#, Riley said. -e k (ave her a stran(e look. +I know that so"nds weird# '"t he told me to r"n# thatthey were omin(., +How did he know9, She shr"((ed. -e k was shiverin( a(ain. - can,t help &imon, #ut - can help you. +*ome with me. It.s too old to stay o"t here#, she said. !o her relie$ he tried to help as she p"lled him to his $eet. It was hard (oin(he wei(hed more than she did and his le( was too n"m' to 'e o$ "se'"t she mana(ed to ("ide him inside the '"ildin(. -e k let her strip o$$ his leather oat and wrap him "p in a o"ple o$ 'lankets. Riley lit a andle and pla ed it on a led(e at the rear o$ the ma"sole"m. !he dim li(ht $ell a ross his 'la kened $a e in a dan e o$ li(ht and shadow. She losed the heavy doors and sat ne2t to him# t" kin( them into the sleepin( 'a(. When she o$$ered him a 'ottle o$ water# he downed it witho"t pa"sin( $or air. His $in(ers ti(htened aro"nd the plasti and it ra kled. +4id yo" see 4ad a$ter?9, -e k shook his head. +May'e he didn.t (et o"t#, she said. +0o# he.s o"t o$ there. Any ne ro worth his salt wo"ld have made s"re o$ that., +How many dead9, she asked. +0ot s"re. !en at least#, he said in a smoke)ro"(hened voi e. She had to know. +Who9, +Morton# *ollins# Ethan. All dead., +Ethan9, she asked# not wantin( to 'elieve it. He was one o$ Stewart.s apprenti es and was (ettin( married in a $ew months. +He went 8"i k#, -e k said in a thi k voi e. +0ot like some o$ the others., +What a'o"t ? Simon9, -e k didn.t meet her eyes. +I don.t know i$ he made it. !hey were tryin. to (et him to the hospital. I didn.t see him a$ter that., He t"rned ompletely toward her now. +I o"ldn.t $ind ya. Someone said the &ive was a$ter ya and I tho"(ht, +I.m okay., He p"lled her into a ti(ht em'ra e. !here was the stin( o$ tears on her heeks# '"t they weren.t hers. He kissed the top o$ her head and m"rm"red somethin(. She didn.t hear what he.d said# '"t that didn.t matter. He was alive. Riley wanted to stay in his arms# '"t Peter wo"ld 'e $ranti 'y now. She "nwo"nd hersel$. +Is yo"r phone workin(9, -e k shook his head. +Happens sometimes aro"nd the (ro"ndin. spheres., rap. &orry 1eter. !he wo"nded trapper $olded himsel$ into the sleepin( 'a( as Riley overed him with every e2tra 'lanket she had. When she slipped in ne2t to him# he p"lled her lose# his in:"red arm over her $or prote tion. +I.ll (o 'a k in the mornin.#, he said $aintly. +I.ll see a'o"t Simon and the others., +Were those really an(els9,

+1eah. 0ow (et some sleep. 1er sa$e. I won.t let anythin. h"rt ya., And she knew he wo"ldn.t. CCC +hile (iley slept, -e k $ell 'a k on what he knew 'est. He remem'ered what it was like ri(ht a$ter a 'attle. Every'ody had their own way o$ dealin( with it. Some ("ys drank# others shot "p. He.d always (o somewhere 8"iet and think it thro"(h# remem'er the sten h o$ war# the pleas o$ the dyin(. He was doin( the same now in the solit"de o$ the old stone '"ildin(. *ome mornin(# the trappers wo"ld have to $a e a new reality. !hey.d have to $ind o"t who was messin( with the Holy Water and how the demons had rossed the ward. Was Hell makin( its 'i( move9 Was this really the end9 So many 8"estions that had no answers. He p"shed them all aside. !here.d 'e time to $i("re all that o"t down the line. Instead# he almed himsel$ 'y listenin( to Riley.s meas"red 'reathin(# her warm 'ody t" ked "p ne2t to his. He.d thanked 3od repeatedly she was alive# and with those thanks ame the tr"th that he.d 'een tryin( to deny. - care too much !or ya, girl. Every person had a 'reakin( point. Losin( 'oth Pa"l and Riley wo"ld have 'een his. How he wo"ld have stopped the pain# he didn.t know. 4idn.t want to know. Riley stirred# ryin( o"t. He om$orted her and waited "ntil she went 'a k to sleep# (ently strokin( her hair. Mornin( wo"ld 'rin( her even more hell. He knew what a dyin( man looked like# he.d seen them o$ten eno"(h in the war. His ("t told him Simon wasn.t (oin( to make it# and that was (oin( to rip her apart. -,ll #e there !or ya, girl. 0o matter what. -e k took a deep 'reath and released it slowly. He had to stay stron( $or her# make the to"(h de isions. It was 'est that Pa"l.s da"(hter never know how he $elt a'o"t her. !here.d 'e less h"rt that way# $or 'oth o$ them. >ust keep her sa!e, God. - can settle !or that. !HIR!1)EI3H! When Riley $inally stirred# -e k was (one alon( with his d"$$el 'a(. Risin( on sti$$ le(s she stret hed and opened the door. It was past dawn# and the s"n was hi(her than she.d e2pe ted. She 'roke the ir le# pa ked her (ear# and headed $or the ar. As she drove the thin "rl o$ 'la k smoke risin( $rom the ity drew her like a ma(net. !he !a'erna le.s '"rned)o"t h"sk seemed alien in the thin dayli(ht. !wo o$ the 'ri k walls had ollapsed inward# and the stained (lass windows were (one. 4isoriented 'ats hittered in the air# their roost history. !he area aro"nd the !a'erna le was 'lo ked with 'arri ades and the o asional poli e ar. Riley st"m'led to a halt. !here was a makeshi$t mor("e on the sidewalk losest to the park. She tried not to o"nt the 'ody 'a(s '"t o"ldn.t help hersel$. Thirteen. A'o"t $orty trappers had 'een at the meetin( last ni(ht. !hat meant only twenty)seven had made it o"t alive. She rossed the street and immediately en o"ntered a op. +*an.t (o in there# miss#, he said sternly# his hands rossed over his hest. 0ot knowin( what else to do# she p"lled o"t her trapper.s li ense. +1o" were here last ni(ht9, he asked# eyes takin( in the 'r"ises on her $a e# the sin(ed hair# and the apron o$ dried 'lood on her :eans. Riley nodded. He waved her thro"(h the rime s ene tape witho"t another word. !he parkin( lot

looked like (iant (ophers had (one 'erserk. !here was a m"ni ipal (as rew workin( on a mass o$ pipes. Some o$ raters had steam risin( o"t o$ them# like in one o$ those apo alypti movies. She $o"nd -e k in a small knot o$ trappers. He held himsel$ sti$$ly# movin( in slow motion. As she (rew loser to the (ro"p# Riley reali<ed the topi o$ onversation was her dead $ather. +I know what I saw#, one o$ the men said. He had a 'anda(e on his arm and a deep s owl on his $a e. +It was -la kthorne# and he was helpin( those demons., +!hat.s '"llshit#, -e k (rowled. +!hen how the hell did they (et in9 Someone had to 'reak the ward. It s"re as hell wasn.t one o$ "s., Another trapper :"mped in. +It had to 'e him. It.s too m" h o$ a oin iden e. -la kthorne shows "p and a $ew se onds later we.re deep in demons. 0o other e2planation., Riley p"shed her way $orward thro"(h the (ro"p# $"rio"s. +He ame to warn me. He told me to r"n., !he moment a$ter she spoke# she reali<ed it was the wron( thin( to say. +How.d he know that9, one o$ the trappers demanded. His name was M 3"ire and he.d opposed Riley.s apprenti eship $rom the start. +He wo"ldn.t have 'roken the ward#, she protested. +I$ -la kthorne didn.t let them in# who did9 1o"9, +It 'e time ta step 'a k# trapper., It was Stewart. He had a thi k 'anda(e on his $orehead. His skin was as pale as his hair# and he leaned heavily on his ane. +We.ll work it o"t later. Ri(ht now# we need ta take are o$ o"r own., !he irate trapper didn.t 'a k down. +I know what I saw., +4id ya ever think that.s what the 'easties wanted ya ta see9, 3r"m'lin( 'roke o"t aro"nd them# $or and a(ainst the ar("ment. +We (otta know who we an tr"st#, M 3"ire replied. +It.s all onne tedthe Holy Water# the atta k# the demons workin( to(ether., He pointed at Riley. +It all went wron( when she :oined the 3"ild. She.s to 'lame%, Stewart p"t himsel$ 'etween her and the an(ry men. +3o sto k yer 'a(s and (et 'a k ta work. !he ity hasta see we.re still o"t there. I$ not# they.ll 'e allin. in the h"nters as $ast as ya an $art a t"ne., !he (ro"p slowly dispersed. Stewart pointed at -e k. +!ake this one home# will ya# lass9, +-"t I was (oin( to the hospital#, Riley 'e(an. +I want to see Simon. See i$ he.s?,&till alive. !he master p"lled her aside. +1er worried a'o"t him. I am too. -"t Simon has $amily ta wat h over him., He looked 'a k at the in:"red trapper. +1a ha$ta 'e there $or -e k. He only has yo"., Riley si(hed. +I.ll (et the ar., CCC /ther than providing dire tions to his ho"se in *a''a(etown# -e k didn.t say a word. &inally he pointed to a driveway that led to a ompa t (reen ho"se with white trim. !he mail'o2 had his last name sten iled on it and a p"rple lematis vine wo"nd its way "p the wooden post. She wasn.t s"re e2a tly what she.d e2pe ted# '"t this wasn.t it. -e k lim'ed o"t o$ the ar like it took every 'it o$ ener(y he possessed# '"t he re$"sed her help "p the stairs. Instead o$ "nlo kin( the door he sank on the top step. +1o" okay9, she asked# on erned. -e k stared into the middle distan e. +It.s all (oin. wron(. I don.t "nderstand., He looked over at her. +Whi h ne ro took him9, +0o idea., Riley t"((ed on his arm. +*ome on., He didn.t '"d(e. +I.ve never 'een inside yo"r pla e#, she "r(ed. +I want to see i$ it.s as messy as mine.,Anything to get you out o! the cold.

-e k seemed p"<<led 'y that. +I.m sorry. I tho"(ht ya.d 'een here. 1er daddy was# o$$ and on. He liked it., A melan holy smile reased his $a e. +He said he wanted to '"y ya a ho"se like this., Riley didn.t want to think a'o"t what mi(ht have 'een. 0ot ever. He $inally (ot the $ront door open and tapped away at the alarm panel. !he 'eepin( eased# then he limped into the $ront room. Riley was (reeted 'y dark hardwood $loors and a 'raided r"( to lean yo"r $eet on. !here were pe(s to han( oats and tan walls with pi t"res o$ 5ke$enokee Swamp. He.d s"rprised her a(ain. !he ho"se was way lean 'y ("y standards. !here were no moldy h"nks o$ pi<<a on the o"nter or dirty "nderwear l"rkin( on the $loor. In $a t# the pla e was as lean as her own. She pointed him to a kit hen hair and asked# +Where.s yo"r Holy Water9, +Hall loset. 3et a 'ottle $or yersel$ and arry it with ya $rom now on., +Why9, +I$ ya need a 8"i k ward# po"r a ir le and (et inside it. It.s 'etter than nothin.., +1o".re thinkin( the demons aren.t done with "s., +I.d say they.re :"st warmin. "p., 5ther people.s losets held st"$$ they never "sed like i e skates# *hristmas ornaments# old pairs o$ shoes that were lon( past their prime. -e k.s held his trappin( s"pplies. Everythin( was methodi ally or(ani<ed# shel$ 'y shel$# and in l"ded several pints o$ Holy Water# steel 'a(s# oiled rope# spheresyo" name it. Even a spare len(th o$ steel pipe. Riley $o"nd the $reshest 'ottles# veri$ied the la'els with the wet $in(er test# and ret"rned to the kit hen. She p"t one in her 'a(. -e k still stared at nothin( a'o"t twelve in hes in $ront o$ him. +!ime $or some more pain#, she said. +Is it the (ood st"$$9, +5h# yeah., He slowly stripped o$$ his :a ket# then his shirt. He took the pint $rom her. +I.ll do it., +orks !or me. A$ter washin( her hands# Riley r"mma(ed aro"nd inside the re$ri(erator and $o"nd e((s and some sa"sa(e links. More h"ntin( helped her lo ate a $ryin( pan# whi h she set on the (as stove. A sharp yelp ame $rom the 'athroom# then a stream o$ swear words# most o$ them startin( with!. !hen another yelp. !he shower 'e(an to r"n. That,s the good stu!!. Riley t"rned the heat down "nder the links# s"spe tin( it mi(ht 'e a while 'e$ore he emer(ed. While -e k showered# she "sed his home phone to all Peter.s ell. +Hello9, a wary voi e asked. +Peter# it.s Riley., +Riley% Where have yo" 'een9 5mi(od# yo" s ared me#, he said# his voi e thi k with worry. +I.m sorry I didn.t all sooner. My phone (ot $ried# and I spent the ni(ht in the emetery., +!hey had it on the !D all ni(ht. I tho"(ht I mi(ht see yo" in one o$ the pi t"res and then I.d know yo" were okay. When I never saw yo"?, His voi e trailed o$$. +I.m so sorry# Peter., +1o" knew all these ("ys who died# didn.t yo"9, +Most o$ them., +What a'o"t -e k9 Is he okay9, She told him a $ew details '"t le$t o"t the worst st"$$. Peter didn.t need her ni(htmares. +So that.s it# isn.t it9 !hey.ll have to lose the 3"ild9, he asked. He almost so"nded hope$"l. +0o. !hey.ll have trappers ome in $rom other ities. We.ll start over., +5h., +Peter# I.m not (ivin( "p on this. I want to 'e a trapper. Even more now%, +I know#, he said so$tly. +It.s like wat hin( yo" play ta( with raveno"s wolves. 5ne wron( step and they rip yo" apart# and I an.t do a thin( a'o"t it. I don.t know i$ I an take that anymore.,

Peter mi(ht not have known it# '"t he.d drawn a line in the sand. 5n one side was the way their lives "sed to 'e hattin( a'o"t s hool# omplainin( a'o"t their parents# all o$ that st"$$. 5n the other side was Riley.s new li$e. !he one that o"ld (et her ripped apart. +We an talk a'o"t this later# Peter., 0o way o"ld she handle this on top o$ everythin( else. Silen e. +Peter9, +!he point is we never do talk it o"t. !hat.s not the way a $riendship works. I an.t take this anymore. I mean it., !hen he h"n( "p on her. Riley $elt si k inside. When she dropped the phone 'a k into its radle# she $o"nd -e k wat hin( her $rom the hallway. +He h"n( "p on me. He an.t deal with me 'ein( a trapper., +It.s hard $or them#, he said# his voi e ro"(h. +!hey don.t "nderstand what we do# why we do it., He shook his head in re(ret. +It tears .em apart worryin. a'o"t "s., +It doesn.t have to 'e that way. My mom was okay with 4ad.s work#, she protested. -e k ar hed an eye'row. +S"re a'o"t that9, Riley wanted to ar("e# '"t she.d overheard her parent.s h"shed onversations. Her mother had worried every moment her h"s'and was o"t o$ her si(ht# a$raid that one day Pa"l wo"ldn.t 'e omin( home. -e k sl"mped in the doorway. +When I $irst started I tho"(ht I o"ld have it all. 0ow all I see is a li$e on my own# at least "ntil I (et too old to trap or some demon makes a meal o$ me., Riley shivered# r"nnin( her hands "p and down her arms. +3od# that.s so ? 'r"tal., +It.s the pri e we pay $or takin. on Hell., Her 'reath hit hed at the tho"(ht. !o his redit -e k stayed o"t o$ the way as Riley ooked the rest o$ the meal. He ate what she p"t in $ront o$ him witho"t 'it hin( that the e((s were over ooked and the toast too 'rown. She $o"nd hersel$ h"n(rier than she.d e2pe ted and leaned her plate# wonderin( how she o"ld eat a$ter what she.d seen the ni(ht 'e$ore. %oes that make me a ghoul* It wasn.t "ntil -e k $inished a se ond helpin( o$ toast# li(hter this time# that he started to talk. +/a kson.s in:"red# '"t sho"ld 'e 'a k pretty soon. Stewart.s "p and (oin.# tho"(h I don.t think that.s a (ood idea. Harper.s ri's are 'an(ed "p., +Is he in the hospital9, +0o# he.s at his pla e. He.ll need help $or a time., +What omes ne2t9, Riley asked# sippin( on the o$$ee. It was too stron(# '"t then she.d never 'een (ood at makin( the st"$$. +&"nerals. !hen we.ve (ot to do all that damned paperwork $or the national o$$i e. !hey.ll have to send "s a master to start trainin. repla ements., His voi e trailed o$$. +It.ll 'e a o"ple years 'e$ore we.re 'a k to $"ll stren(th# "nless other trappers move here., +Will they9, she asked# 'r"shin( the last o$ the r"m's o$$ her sweater. +I s"re as hell wo"ldn.t move here# not with that happened last ni(ht#, he replied. +-e l" ky i$ we an keep the ones we (ot., He was pro'a'ly ri(ht. +I.ll keep an eye on Harper# help him i$ I an#, she said. !hat (ot her a lon( look. +!ho"(ht ya hated him., +4oesn.t keep me $rom lookin( a$ter him.,As long as - keep out o! range. +Well# that makes sense#, he said# indi atin( the meal. +1a did the same $or me., Why did he make everythin( so personal9 +-e k# I don.t hate yo"; it.s :"st that?, She had no idea how to e2plain how m" h he r"''ed her the wron( way# or how (ood it had 'een that day when they were trappin( to(ether. How m" h she wished it was always that way. +I want it to 'e okay 'etween

"s# '"t I.m not (ivin( "p Simon :"st 'e a"se yo" don.t like him., +He.s okay., -e k stared down at his empty plate. +!r"th is# yer ri(ht. I.m ? sorta :ealo"s o$ him. He.s l" ky ya like him so m" h. Any ("y wo"ld 'e., - like you too, #ut you don,t see it. 0ot knowin( how to tell him that# Riley rose and shoved her hair "nder the ta'le. She rea hed $or the plates# '"t he stopped her. +Please all yer a"nt# let her know yer okay. I.ll (et ya a '"s ti ket to &ar(o., .ack to that again. She shook her head# her $in(ers di((in( into the 'a k o$ the hair. +I.m not leavin(# not with Simon the way he is., -e k rose# $a e set. +I know ya are $or him# '"t he.d want ya sa$e. !he demons sho"ldn.t know yer name# '"t they keep allin. ya o"t. !hat &ive was willin. to kill every last trapper to (et to ya. !hat.s real 'ad# Riley., She heard $ear in every word. &ear $or her. +It doesn.t matter what the demons are doin(# I.m not leavin(., +Somethin.s (oin. down in this ity# (irl# and yer in the middle o$ it., +4oesn.t matter i$ I.m in &ar(o or wherever. I$ the &ive wants me# it.ll $ind me. 3ame over., When he opened his mo"th to ar("e# she waved him o$$. +1o".re wastin( yo"r time. I.m stayin(# and that.s the end o$ this onversation., +1er one damned pi(headed $ool#, he (rowled. +1o" wo"ld know what that.s like., With a snarl# -e k swiveled on his (ood le( and limped down the hall. A door slammed. !hen there was a lo"d th"mp# like someone had str" k a wall with his $ist. .uy all the #us tickets you want. There,s no way -,m leaving. !HIR!1)0I0E !he I*= n"rse in the 'l"e s r"'s took one look at Riley and went wide)eyed. +Are yo" okay# miss9, he asked# risin( $rom his hair. Riley o"ld only ima(ine what she looked like. She hadn.t taken time to han(e her lothes# hadn.t even tho"(ht o$ it. !hen she a"(ht her re$le tion in the waitin( room window. Her :a ket was dotted with s or h marks# and one sleeve had a lon( slit in it. Her hair h"n( limp# $ri<<led at the ends $rom the heat. -oth her sweater and :eans were aked with a thi k layer o$ dried 'lood. +Ah# yeah# I.m okay#, Riley said. +I.d like to see Simon Adler., %on,t tell me he,s dead. 1lease, don,t 3 +Are yo" $amily9, the n"rse asked skepti ally. +Ah?, +She is#, a voi e alled o"t. It 'elon(ed to a yo"n( woman standin( in the waitin( room door. !he n"rse still appeared skepti al. +5kay# '"t $ive min"tes only#, he advised. !he yo"n( woman took Riley 'y the hand and led her $arther down the hall. She was 'lond with 'l"e eyes# a'o"t Riley.s hei(ht. !here was a sli(ht thi kness at her waist. A 'a'y '"mp. +1o".re Riley# aren.t yo"9, she whispered. +I.m Amy# Simon.s sister. He told me a'o"t yo"., +1o" (ot married last s"mmer#, Riley said. !he (irl nodded. She p"t a prote tive hand her stoma h. +I.m (oin( to have a 'a'y#, she said. !hey walked in silen e "ntil Amy pa"sed o"tside a room. +How 'ad is?9, Riley 'e(an# then lost the will to $inish the 8"estion. +!hey say he lost a lot o$ 'lood# that it h"rt his 'rain. !hey say he.s not there anymore. !hat we have to de ide i$ we keep him on the ma hine or?, Amy.s eyes 'rimmed. /h, God. !hey h"((ed# sharin( tears.

+He.s the (reatest 'rother ever#, Amy said 'etween so's# her head '"ried in Riley.s sho"lder. +Why did this happen to him9, !he ima(es o$ la erated 'odies# $ero io"s demons# and all that 'lood steamrolled thro"(h Riley.s mind. She o"ld hear the s reams# the snarls# the risp ra kle o$ the $lames as i$ she were inside that '"ildin( on e a(ain. +Are yo" okay9 1o".re shakin(#, Amy said# p"llin( away. +I.m okay#, Riley said# '"t that was a lie. Amy took her arm. +-ro told me how m" h he liked yo". He said yo" were spe ial. I tho"(ht yo" sho"ld know that., +!hanks# I ? he.s spe ial to me# too., A$ter she s8"ee<ed Riley.s hand Amy made her way 'a k to the waitin( room. 2e,s not there anymore. Riley (in(erly p"shed open the door to Simon.s room. A n"rse looked "p# (ave her a nod# and then $inished han(in( a new ID 'a(. It had 'lood in it. She le$t witho"t o$$erin( a word o$ en o"ra(ement. +hich means there isn,t any hope. Riley had learned that when her mother lay dyin(. Simon was so pale he.d 8"ali$y as orpse# and the medi al e8"ipment seemed to dwar$ him. A ventilator kept him 'reathin(. Air in# air o"t. A lon( (reen line sprawled a ross a monitor# re(isterin( every heart'eat. !"'es were everywhere. 5ne snaked o"t $rom "nder the overs and into a 'a( to olle t his "rine. Riley swallowed hard# movin( slowly to the side o$ the 'ed. /"st last ni(ht they.d 'een kissin(# holdin( ea h other# talkin( a'o"t the $"t"re. She slipped her hand 'etween the ool metal rails. Simon.s $elt like l"kewarm mar'le. He didn.t twit h when she to" hed him# didn.t s8"ee<e 'a k. She remem'ered the so$t look in his eyes. How he.d treated her like she was the only (irl in the world. -endin( over# she p"shed a pie e o$ hair o$$ his $orehead and then kissed him. +H"rry and (et well#, she whispered in his ear. +We.re (ettin( 'ehind on the kissin(., 0o response# not even a $li ker o$ an eyelid. !he ventilator ontin"ed to p"sh air into his l"n(s and the heart monitor 'eeped# '"t no one was home. Even Riley o"ld tell that. +1o" an.t 'e like this#, she said. +1o" an.t leave me alone. I don.t are what it takes# '"t yo" have to (et 'etter# Simon Adler. I.ll do anythin(# yo" hear9 /"st don.t die on me%, 0othin(. Her tender hope 'e(an to disinte(rate into tiny wo"nded shards. Simon had told her his $aith had never really 'een tested. 0ow he was servin( as a test $or those who loved him. This one -,m not going to pass. CCC As she cried at the elevator# Riley saw the an(el in the hallway. 0o'ody else seemed to noti e it# despite the white ro'e and the $eathery win(s neatly t" ked 'ehind its sho"lders. In $a t# a n"rse walked ri(ht 'y it# then d" ked into a patient.s room intent on her own '"siness. !he ethereal messen(er 'e koned to Riley# then pointed toward the hapel down the hall. Riley hit the down '"tton a(ain# hard. +1o" are a st"''orn (irl# aren.t yo"9, the an(el said. !he voi e so"nded so $amiliar. So Martha. !he knittin()addi ted emetery vol"nteer was an an(el9 +1o".re kiddin( me#, Riley said. +Why didn.t I see yo" like this 'e$ore9, +I didn.t want yo" to#, Martha replied. She pointed toward the hapel a(ain. +What do yo" want9, Riley replied# not willin( to '"d(e. !he an(el p"<<led on that# s rat hin( a win( in tho"(ht. +Some $ine alpa a hand)dyed yarn wo"ld 'e a (ood start. 5h# and I.d love to have a pair o$ rosewood needles.,

Riley tried a(ain# her $r"stration risin(. +What do yo" wantwith me9, +A hat# dear# 'e$ore it all (oes to Hell., &eelin( really d"m' talkin( to somethin( no else seemed to noti e# Riley (ave in and sh"$$led her way toward the hapel. P"shin( open the door# she $o"nd Martha in the $ront pew# '"t now she was dressed like an old woman# orthopedi shoes and all. +How do I know yo".re not one o$them9, Riley asked. Martha spread her hands. +We.re on hallowed (ro"nd., +4idn.t help last ni(ht#, Riley retorted. +We were 'ehind a holy ward and inside a '"ildin( that "sed to 'e a h"r h., !hat (ot her a pensive $rown. +!he 'ottle o$ Holy Water in yo"r 'a(p"ll it o"t., !he an(el "pped her hands. +Po"r some $or me., 2ow did you know - had that* Riley.s own hands were shakin( as she did the honors. She waited $or the s ree h# the spro"tin( o$ horns# the $li k o$ a 'ar'ed tail. Instead# the li8"id pooled in Martha.s hands and started to (low (reenish (old. !hen it vapori<ed into a mist and spread thro"(ho"t the room. +Wow#, Riley said# wat hin( it $loat on invisi'le air "rrents. +I love doin( that#, Martha admitted. +0ow take a deep 'reath and tell me what it reminds yo" o$., Riley inhaled. +S"mmer# at the 'ea h. I an smell the saltwater and $resh watermelon., Martha si(hed. +I an.t smell a thin(. 1o" mortals are so l" ky., Riley s rewed the ap on the Holy Water and dropped it 'a k in her 'a(. !his was 3od.s representative. I$ she o"ldn.t omplain in person# the an(el wo"ld do :"st $ine. She drew in a ti(ht 'reath. +Who took my dad9, A shake o$ the head. +0e2t 8"estion., +How did the demons (et inside the ward9, +Evil ne"trali<es Holy Water. !oo m" h evil and?, !he an(el spread her hands. !hat only made Riley more "pset. +Why did yo"r 'oss let all those people die9 We.re on yo"r side# or don.t yo" ("ys (et that9, +Everythin( has a reason. 1o" have to tr"st His divine will., +!r"st9, Riley sho"ted# her voi e e hoin( in the small room. At this point she didn.t are i$ she was t"rned into a pillar o$ salt or whatever. +!hat mi(ht work $or yo"# '"t it.s 'een an epi $ail $or me. I prayed $or my mom. She died. I prayed that my dad wo"ldn.t (et h"rt. He did anyway. 0ow Simon.s ? 0ow he.s?, She sank into the pew# palm lamped over her mo"th# tears '"rstin( $rom her eyes. !he shakin( started a(ain# makin( her m"s les lo k "p. +1o" really are $or him# don.t yo"9, Martha asked so$tly. Riley nodded. She $o"nd a pie e o$ tiss"e in her po ket and 'lew her nose. +He.s ? I think I?,think -,m !alling love in with him. +So yo" are#, Martha replied. +We.ll ens"re yo"r yo"n( man re overs $rom his in:"ries# provided yo" a(ree to help "s., Riley 'linked in on$"sion. +I.m already helpin(. !rapper# remem'er9, she said# pointin( at her hest. +We.ll need more than that. When the time omes yo" m"st do somethin( $or "s# no 8"estions asked., That didn,t sound good. +Why do I need to make a deal with yo"9 Why don.t yo" :"st help him9 He.s yo"r kind o$ ("y. He $ollows all the r"les., !he an(el didn.t reply# whi h only (ave Riley time to $eel totally sel$ish. Why wo"ld it matter what they wanted as lon( as Simon was alive9 -"t what i$ this was a tri k and they didn.t make him 'etter9 Martha looked "pward toward the eilin( and then (ave a 8"i k nod like she.d re eived $"rther

instr" tions $rom an "nseen s"perior. She dropped somethin( on the pew ne2t to Riley. It was a tra t# one o$ those +!HE E04 IS 0EAR%, ones that yo" $ind "nder yo"r windshield wiper at the shoppin( mall. A$ter last ni(ht.s horror the r"de ill"strations o$ ollapsin( '"ildin(s# earth8"akes# and 'illowin( $lames hit too lose to home $or Riley.s om$ort. With a snort o$ derision# she p"shed it aside. +!his is total rap. !hey.ve 'een sayin( that $or years., +Ever sin e the 'e(innin(#, Martha replied (ravely. +So what does this have to do with me9, Riley demanded. !he an(el stood# $"ssin( with her "$$s. +-e a"se i$ yo" a ept o"r o$$er# yo".re the one who.s (oin( to stop it., +Me9, Riley sp"ttered. +Are yo" kiddin(9, +0o., +Hello9 I.m seventeen. I haven.t even (otten o"t o$ hi(h s hool yet# and yo" think I.m (oin( to stop the end o$ the world9 Whatare yo" people smokin(9, !he an(el raised one silver eye'row. +/oan o$ Ar was yo"r a(e when she led the &ren h into 'attle., +Wait# don.t tell me. I know how this story ends. Roasted martyr. 1eah# that.s my dream :o'., +It.s yo"r hoi e#, Martha said. !he an(el vanished leavin( Riley in a room that smelled like watermelons and with the $ate o$ the world han(in( over her head. Let Simon die or owe Heaven 'i()time9 +!hat.s no hoi e%, Riley alled o"t. !here was no reply '"t the so"nd o$ the $"rna e ki kin( in. 0o hor"s o$ an(els or hisses o$ demons. 5nly hot air 'lowin( in her $a e. Riley started to la"(h. It had a hysteri al ed(e to it. +1o".re :"st messin( with my head., Any moment now Martha wo"ld ret"rn# admit that it.d 'een a 'i( :oke. When that didn.t happen# Riley retra ed her steps to the elevator and stared at the '"ttons. =p or 4own. Simon lives. Simon dies. She remem'ered his alm presen e at her dad.s $"neral# him kiddin( her a'o"t her ankles# them sharin( their dreams. She.d $allen $or him# and there was no way to deny that. "y choice. +5kay# yo" (ot a deal#, she said# not s"re i$ anyone heard her. +4o whatever it is yo" do., She waited# '"t nothin( happened. May'e it took a while. May'e it was a test and they.d let him die anyway. !he elevator doors opened and she (ot on. Ri(ht 'e$ore the doors losed# Amy :oined her. !hey shared sad smiles. +I need to (et some sleep#, the (irl said. She patted her t"mmy. +3rowin( a 'a'y makes me tired., A hild her 'rother mi(ht never see. As they walked o"t o$ the hospital alon( the sidewalk toward the parkin( (ara(e# m"si $illed the air. Amy d"( in her vol"mino"s s"ede p"rse and retrieved a ell phone. +!his is Amy. What9 What do yo" mean9, And then she shrieked and took o$$ at a r"n 'a k toward the hospital. Good news* .ad news* It o"ld 'e either one. Amy.s shriek hadn.t 'een very spe i$i . +Hey% What happened9, Riley alled o"t. She didn.t (et a reply. Simon.s sister made it to the 'ank o$ elevators $aster than Riley# pre(nan y not hamperin( her speed as m" h as a demon) lawed le(. !he doors losed 'e$ore Riley rea hed them. +4amn%, She 'o"n ed 'a k and $orth $rom $oot to $oot. +*ome on#, she (r"m'led as she kept p"n hin( the '"tton. 0o elevator. An older woman wat hed her and delivered a matronly shake o$ the head. +1o" yo"n( kids are :"st so impatient nowadays.,

Riley p"n hed the '"tton three more times to $"rther demonstrate her yo"th$"l impatien e. -y the time the ne2t elevator arrived she was a'o"t to 'rave the stairs# le( ramp or not. P"shin( thro"(h the do"'le doors into the I*=# she $o"nd the area in $ront o$ Simon.s room rowded with $amily. !here was lots o$ ryin( and h"((in( (oin( on. When she drew loser# they leared a way $or her. +!hat.s his (irl$riend#, one o$ them whispered to another. As she stepped inside the room# the $irst thin( she heard was Amy.s so's. !here was no me hani al whoosh. !he ventilator was o$$. Riley losed her eyes# $eelin( the shakes omin( a(ain. She.d (iven Heaven her word. Had they.d $ailed her9 Like always9 +Riley# look%, Amy e2 laimed. +He.s awake% He.s 'reathin( on his own., Riley whipped open her eyes# desperately wantin( to 'elieve it was tr"e. !he 'reathin( t"'e was (one# and the n"rse was are$"lly positionin( an o2y(en ann"la in his nose. +Simon9, Riley said# p"ttin( all her prayers into the one word. Her 'oy$riend.s 'loodshot 'l"e eyes slowly opened# and a roak ame $rom his lips. !hen he saw her at the end o$ the 'ed. +Ri ? ley#, he whispered. /oy '"rst thro"(h her like a li(htnin( 'olt. Simon was alive and had a workin( 'rain# or he wo"ldn.t know who she was. +!hey did it#, she said. +5mi(od# they did it%, She s" ked in the p"n(ent# "n$or(etta'le s ent o$ watermelons. !he An(el Martha had 'een here and p"lled o$$ a mira le. As Riley shared a ele'ratory h"( with Amy# the tr"th hit her. Her 'oy$riend was (oin( to live. Heaven had kept their part o$ the 'ar(ain. +hich means -,m on the hook !or the rest. 50E 2018 Atlanta, Georgia Inside the 3ro"nds Gero *o$$ee Shop was the most ama<in( hot ho olate in Atlanta# may'e even the whole world. It appeared Riley -la kthorne wo"ld have to wade thro"(h Arma(eddon to (et it. +!he End is near%, a man alled o"t to the passers'y. He stood near the entran e holdin( a homemade ard'oard si(n that pro laimed the same thin(. Instead o$ havin( a s ra((ly 'eard and wearin( a 'la k ro'e like some -i'li al prophet# he was wearin( hinos and a red shirt. +1o".ve (ot to prepare# missy#, he said# and shoved a pamphlet toward Riley with onsidera'le <eal. !he tra t looked remarka'ly like the one she had in her po ket. Like the one the an(el had (iven her ri(ht 'e$ore she.d a(reed to work $or Heaven to save her 'oy$riend.s li$e. +!he End is near%, the man sho"ted a(ain. +Is there still time $or hot ho olate9, Riley asked. !he End !imes ("y 'linked. +Ah# may'e# I don.t know., +5h# (ood#, she said. +I.d hate to take on Hell witho"t $"elin( "p., !hat earned her a on$"sed $rown. Rather than e2plain# she :ammed the pamphlet into her :a ket po ket and p"shed open the door to the o$$ee shop. !he man went 'a k to e2hortin( passers'y to prepare $or the worst. !he 3ro"nds Gero didn.t look any di$$erent $rom the last time she.d 'een here. !he smell o$ roasted 'eans h"n( in the air like a heady per$"me and the espresso ma hine (rowled low and deep. *"stomers tapped on laptops as they en:oyed e2pensive o$$ee and talked a'o"t whatever was important in their lives. /"st like every day. E2 ept ?

4verything is weird now. Even '"yin( hot ho olate. !hat "sed to 'e easy> Pla e order# pay $or order# re eive hot 'evera(e. 0o hassles. 0o worries a'o"t hordes o$ demons or the end o$ ivili<ation. !hat didn.t appear to 'e the ase now. !he 'arista kept starin( at her# even as he was makin( the drink# whi h wasn.t a (ood thin( as he nearly s alded himsel$. May'e it was the m"ltiple '"rn holes in her denim :a ket# or the ra((ed sli e down one sho"lder that revealed the !)shirt "nderneath. 5r the $a t that her lon( 'rown hair had a $ri<<led# 'een)too) lose)to)a $lame look# despite two shampoo sessions and a lot o$ onditioner. At least she.d han(ed her :eans# or the ("y wo"ld 'e starin( at all the dried 'lood. -lood that wasn.t hers. +I saw yo" on !D. 1o".re one o$ them# aren.t yo"9, he asked in a shaky voi e# 'rown eyes so wide they seemed to take "p most o$ his $a e. /n T@* Riley had no hoi e '"t to own "p. +1eah# I.m a trapper.,/ne o! the !ew lucky enough to survive last night,s slaughter. !he ("y dropped the erami "p on the o"nter# sloshin( some o$ the 'rown (oodness over the side and onto the sa" er. +Whipped ream9, she asked# $rownin( now. Even i$ the world was endin(# hot ho olate had to have that (lorio"s white st"$$ on top# or what was the point9 He rel" tantly added some# keepin( his eyes on her rather than the "p. Some o$ it a t"ally went inside. +*ho olate shavin(s9, she n"d(ed. +Ah ? we.re o"t#, he said# 'a kin( away like Riley had horns omin( o"t o$ her sk"ll. +hich - don,t. She wo"ld have noti ed them in the 'athroom mirror a$ter showerin( away all the smoke and 'lood. -t,s 'ust one creepo guy. 0o #ig. -"t it wasn.t :"st him. 5ther "stomers stared at Riley as she made her way to an empty 'ooth. 5ne 'y one they looked "p at the television s reen hi(h on the wall# then 'a k to her# omparin( ima(es. Ah, crap. !here# o"rtesy o$ *00# was last ni(ht.s disaster in (lorio"s olor> $lames po"rin( o"t o$ the roo$ o$ the !a'erna le as demons ran everywhere. And there she was# ill"minated 'y the ra(in( $ire# kneelin( on the pavement near her in:"red 'oy$riend. She was ryin(# holdin( Simon in her arms. It was the moment she knew that he was dyin(. /h, God. - can,t handle this. !he sa" er in Riley.s hand 'e(an to 8"ake# dislod(in( more o$ the hot ho olate. It.d 'een 'ad eno"(h to live thro"(h that horror# '"t now it was all over the television in $"ll and "n$lin hin( detail. She pa"sed near a 'ooth as a pi t"re o$ Simon appeared on the s reen. It m"st have 'een his hi(h) s hool (rad"ation photo sin e his white)'lond hair was shorter and his e2pression stone serio"s. He was "s"ally that way# e2 ept when they were han(in( to(ether# then he.d let his ("ard down# espe ially when they were kissin(. Riley losed her eyes# re allin( the time they.d spent to(ether 'e$ore the meetin(. !hey.d talked o$ thin(s lose to their hearts and he.d admitted how m" h he ared $or her. !hen a demon had tried to kill him. Riley sank into the 'ooth and inhaled the ri h s ent o$ the hot ho olate# "sin( it as a means to p"sh the 'ad memories away. !he e$$ort $ailed# tho"(h it never had in the past. Instead# her mind d"ti$"lly on:"red "p the ima(e o$ her 'oy$riend in his hospital 'ed# t"'es everywhere# his $a e as white as the sheets. Simon meant so m" h to her. He.d 'een a 8"iet# om$ortin( presen e a$ter her $ather.s death. Losin( him so soon a$ter her dad was "nthinka'le. And Heaven had known that. What else o"ld she do '"t a(ree to their terms> Simon.s li$e in trade $or Riley owin( Heaven a $avor. A really#ig $avor. Like stoppin( Arma(eddon in its tra ks.

+Why me9, Riley m"ttered. +Why not someone else9 Why not Simon9, He was reli(io"s# $ollowed all the r"les. He.d 'e the per$e t ("y to keep the world $rom endin(. -nstead they chose me. A hime er"pted $rom her messen(er 'a(. !he moment she.d sent a messa(e to one o$ her lassmates sayin( she was alive# it seemed like most o$ Atlanta had responded. Even te hnolo(y alled "p 'ad memories. !he ell phone was her dad.s and it.d 'een with him the ni(ht he.d 'een killed 'y a 3rade &ive demon# a 3eo)&iend as the !rappers alled them. 0ow the phone was hers. Every time she held it she tho"(ht o$ him. Another hime. 5n some level it $elt (ood to know people ared# '"t most o$ them were :"st tryin( to hear the inside story. 0ot happening. Riley typed a response to the last messa(e> I.M 5KA1. PASS I! 50. !o her annoyan e# the hot ho olate had ooled 'eyond what was a epta'le drinkin( temperat"re# '"t she sipped it anyway. She kept her eyes riveted on the "p.s ontents# away $rom the television s reen. Someone s raped a hair a ross the $loor as they sat at a ta'le and Riley :"mped at the so"nd# hal$ e2pe tin( a horde o$ demons to po"r thro"(h the $ront door at any moment. !he "p trem'led in her hands. - have to !ind my dad. It was "nlikely his 'ody was '"ried "nder the r"''le at the !a'erna le# not when a ne ro went to all the e$$ort to s"mmon him $rom his (rave. -y now that very ne roman er wo"ld 'e linin( "p someone to '"y Master !rapper Pa"l -la kthorne# i$ he hadn.t 'een sold already. 5n e he was owned 'y someone it.d 'e nearly impossi'le to (et him 'a k. She o"ld take his new owner to o"rt to prove the s"mmonin( hadn.t 'een le(al# '"t ri h people had e2pensive lawyers and she was 'arely makin( the rent. -y the time the ase rea hed a :"d(e her $ather wo"ld 'e 'a k in the (ro"nd# anyway. 4eaders weren.t (ood $or m" h more than a year# even with the 'est o$ are. +hat is it like to #e dead and walking around like you,re still alive* -esides the reep $a tor# it had to 'e tr"ly weird. 4id her dad remem'er dyin(9 4id he remem'er the $"neral and 'ein( '"ried9 4id he even remem'er he had a da"(hter9 Spiky old <ipped down Riley.s spine. She had to (et her head in the (ame. -,ll !ind him. -,ll get him #ack in the ground and that,ll #e the end o! it. A timid voi e 'roke thro"(h her dark tho"(hts. +Ah# ah?.s "se me9, it said. Riley looked "p to $ind a $re kled)$a ed 'oy wat hin( her. He was a'o"t seven years old with 'i(# 'rown eyes.+hen he gets older, girls are going to love those. A man stood ri(ht 'ehind him# his hands on the 'oy.s sho"lders. +3o on# son#, he "r(ed# smilin( politely. !he 'oy (athered his o"ra(e. +*an I ? an I have yo"r a"t.(raph9, You,re kidding me. +-"t I.m ? I.m?,0ot important. +1o" $o"(ht all those demons#, the 'oy said. +It was awesome%, Awesome wasn.t the word she.d have hosen. Hellish. -loody. -r"tal. Still# the kid was so sin ere she o"ldn.t 'low him o$$. +S"re., Riley s ri''led her si(nat"re on a 3ro"nds Gero napkin with the pen his $ather handed her. !he 'oy 'eamed like he.d :"st met the president or a ro k star. +!hanks%, He took o$$ like a shot# 'earin( his pri<e 'a k to a woman who sat at a ta'le near the $ront o$ the store. Pro'a'ly his mother. Riley handed 'a k the pen. +I.m not anyone spe ial#, she said# $eelin( like a $ra"d. +I.m :"st an apprenti e. !he other ("ys# they.re the real deal., !he 'oy.s dad shook his head. +I think yo".re sellin( yo"rsel$ short. We :"st want yo" to know we

think y.all are real 'rave. We.re prayin( $or yo"., +!hanks#, she said# not knowin( what else to say.+e,re going to need it. Mer i$"lly# the ("y retreated and no one else ame "p to her. Her eyes wandered 'a k to the television. A di$$erent reporter was doin( a play)'y)play o$ last ni(ht.s horror. He had it mostly ri(htthe lo al !rappers 3"ild had held a meetin( at the !a'erna le in downtown Atlanta :"st like they always did. In the middle o$ the meetin(# the demons had arrived. !hen it (ot 'ad. +Eyewitnesses say that at least two di$$erent kinds o$ Hellspawn were involved in the atta k and that the trappers were 8"i kly overwhelmed#, the reporter said. Three di!!erent kinds, #ut who,s counting* Riley $rowned. !he trappers hadn.t 'een overwhelmed. Well# not ompletely. !hey.d even mana(ed to kill a $ew o$ the thin(s. When she went to pi k "p the "p o$ hot ho olate her hands were still shakin(. !hey.d 'een that way sin e last ni(ht and nothin( she did made them stop. She downed the li8"id in small sips# knowin( people were wat hin( her. !alkin( amon( themselves. Someone took a pi t"re o$ her with their ell phone. Ah, 'ee?. In the 'a k(ro"nd# she o"ld still hear the reporter on *00. +A n"m'er o$ the trappers es aped the in$erno and were immediately set "pon 'y a hi(her level $iend., !he hi(her level $iend had 'een a 3rade &ive demon that.d opened "p deep holes in the (ro"nd# sp"n o$$ mini tornadoes# and a"sed the earth to shake. All in an e$$ort to take o"t one trapper. "e. I$ it hadn.t 'een $or 5ri# a $reelan e demon h"nter# the &ive wo"ld have killed her :"st like it had her dad. +Eyewitnesses are sayin( they saw an(els last ni(ht#, the reporter ontin"ed. +We had 4r. 5s'o"rne# a pro$essor o$ reli(io"s st"dies at =* Santa -ar'ara# review the videos. He.s with "s here today via satellite., A (ray)haired man appeared on the s reen# solemn and stern. +What.s yo"r take on this ama<in( event# do tor9, +I.ve wat hed the videos and all that is visi'le is a ir le o$ in redi'ly 'ri(ht li(ht that s"rro"nds the demon trappers. I have ollea("es in Atlanta who.ve laimed to see an(els in yo"r ity. !hey.ve appeared thro"(ho"t the -i'le to A'raham# to /a o'. Sodom and 3omorrah rated two o$ them. In this ase# they were a tively prote tin( the trappers $rom Hellspawn. -i'li ally# I.d say that.s si(ni$i ant., Last ni(ht all the r"les o$ en(a(ement had han(ed. Riley d"( in her messen(er 'a(# retrieved a pen and 'e(an a list on a risp white napkin. 7ind %ad .ust 2oly +ater &cam &ave the +orld %o )aundry .uy Groceries As she saw it# i$ n"m'er three on the list didn.t work o"t# the last two weren.t (oin( to 'e needed. !W5 &eelin( a ti kle in his throat# 4enver -e k o"(hed deeply in an attempt to p"r(e the stale smoke $rom his l"n(s. It did little (ood. In the distan e# $ire$i(hters moved a ross the !a'erna le.s r"''le#

workin( on the hot spots and sear hin( $or harred 'odies in the mo"nds o$ 'roken 'ri ks and harred wood. - should have died last night. In the past# it wo"ldn.t have mattered. 0ow it did. It was $ear $or Riley that had driven him o"t o$ the smoke and $lames. !o his ri(ht# Master !rapper An("s Stewart leaned heavily on his ane in the late a$ternoon s"n. His "s"ally r"ddy $a e was nearly the olor o$ his white hair# pale a(ainst the 'loodstained 'anda(e t" ked into his hairline. !hey stood near one o$ the many holes in the !a'erna le.s parkin( lot# the sten h o$ '"rnt asphalt han(in( heavy in the air. -e k 'ent over and stared into the hole.s maw# whi h was la ed with tan(led wires and de'ris. A thin ol"mn o$ steam rose $rom the enter o$ the rater. +How does a demon do this kind o$ dama(e9, he said# shakin( his head at the si(ht. +!he 3eo)&iend :"st waved its hands and this a'yss appeared. !hey have some stran(e power over the earth and the weather#, Stewart said in his ri h S ottish a ent. It was still noti ea'le# tho"(h 'l"nted 'y a de ade in Atlanta. -e k strai(htened "p# the demon wo"nd on his thi(h rampin( in protest. !he dressin( was leakin( and the draina(e had soaked into his 'l"e :eans. He needed more aspirinhis temperat"re was "p# and every now and then his teeth wo"ld hatter. Like a mild ase o$ the $l" with law marks as the 'on"s. 4verythin, has changed now. He knew an(els were $or real; he.d seen them aro"nd Atlanta. Most were the ministerin( kind# the most proli$i o$ Heaven.s $olk who ame and went doin( whatever 3od wanted them to do. He hadn.t seen any o$ the hi(her realm# the ones with the $lamin( swords. He had last ni(ht. -e k shook his head# "na'le to deal with how eerie the thin(s had 'een. At least seven $eet tall# lothed in eye)'lindin( white with shimmerin( ala'aster win(s ed(ed in (ray# their $iery swords had roared like s"mmer th"nder and $illed the ni(ht air with the risp tan( o$ o<one. +I.ve never heard tell o$ Heaven steppin. in to prote t trappers#, -e k said in a lowered voi e# mind$"l o$ a television news rew on the other side o$ the parkin( lot. !hey were all over the ity now# tryin( to (et a handle on one o$ the 'i((est stories to hit Atlanta sin e the 5lympi s. +Why.re the demons workin. to(ether now9 It $eels like a war.s 'rewin.., +So it does., Stewart leared his throat. +Seein. the an(els make ya a 'eliever9, -e k 'linked at the 8"estion.2ad it* He.d never really tho"(ht m" h a'o"t 3od# and he $i("red the $eelin( was m"t"al. +May'e#, he admitted. Stewart h"$$ed in a(reement. +!he ity will 'e wantin. a tion., +Master Harper will take are o$ that# won.t he9, Harper was the most senior trapper in Atlanta and Riley.s master. &rom what -e k o"ld tell he was a serio"s pie e o$ work# '"t a (ood trapper when he wasn.t drinkin(. +0ay# not with his ri's 'ein. the way they are#, Stewart said. +I.ll have to take the lead., He pa"sed a moment# then added# +I.m pleased ta hear yo"n( Simon.s (onna make it. !hat.s (ood news $or Riley., +1eah#, -e k replied# "ns"re o$ where the old master was headin( with that last omment. +She and Simon have taken a $an y ta ea h other# did ya know9 !hey were holdin. hands and kissin. 'e$ore the meetin.. !hey didn.t think I saw them., +Kissin.9, -e k $elt somethin( heavy $orm in the middle o$ his hest# like a thi k stone wei(hin( on his heart. Had to 'e 'e a"se o$ the demon wo"nd# they always made a person $eel weird. It wo"ldn.t do him any (ood to think o$ Riley as more than :"st Pa"l.s little (irl. +1a didn.t know9, the master asked# all inno en e. -e k shook his head. He.d known Riley and Simon were spendin( time to(etherthey were apprenti in( with Harper and saw ea h other every day. -"t he hadn.t reali<ed their relationship had (one that $ar. She was only seventeen# and now that 'oth o$ her parents were dead he $elt

responsi'le $or her. Sort o$ like a 'i( 'rother. May'e somethin( more. +1er $rownin.# lad#, Stewart o'served. -e k tensed# "n om$orta'le with the old trapper.s s r"tiny. +Simon.s okay#, he a knowled(ed. +-"t he.s not what she sho"ld 'e thinkin. a'o"t ri(ht now. I.ll have a talk with him on e he.s 'etter. Warn him o$$.,)et him know i! he goes too !ar with her -,ll rip his damned head o!!. !he master (ave him a $atherly smile. +Letthem sort it o"t# lad. 1a anna keep her in a '"''le the rest o$ her li$e., +anna #et* It.s what Pa"l wo"ld have wanted and# i$ he was honest# the only way -e k o"ld sleep at ni(ht. As he stared at the 'roken lands ape and the sava(ed '"ildin(# his mind $illed with ima(es $rom the ni(ht 'e$ore. 5$ demons and the trappers 'attlin( $or s"rvival. 5$ Riley in the middle o$ the $lames. How lose he.d ome to losin( her. -e k sh"ddered# i e shearin( thro"(h his veins. Stewart laid a heavy hand on his sho"lder# startlin( him. +I know ya stayed inside that $"rna e "ntil the very last. !hat takes stones# and I.m damned pro"d o$ ya. Pa"l wo"ld have 'een as well., -e k o"ldn.t meet the master.s eyes# tro"'led 'y the praise. !he S otsman.s hand retreated. +1a an.t arry it all on yer sho"lders# 'road as they are., He so"nded :"st like Pa"l# '"t that made senseMaster Stewart had trained Riley.s $ather# who in t"rn had apprenti ed -e k. &rom what Pa"l had said# the Stewarts were some o$ the 'est demon trappers in the world. !his man tho"(ht he.d done all ri(ht last ni(ht.2e,s 'ust #ein, nice. As i$ knowin( a han(e o$ topi was needed# Stewart asked# +Any idea who p"lled Pa"l $rom his (rave9, !hat was the other thin( han(in( over them. !ho"(h he.d 'een dead $or two weeks# Riley.s $ather had appeared at the trapper.s meetin(# s"mmoned $rom his eternal rest 'y a ne roman er. He was a reanimated orpse now# a 4eader# money on the hoo$ providin( he.d made it o"t o$ the !a'erna le in one pie e. +Riley did everythin. she o"ld to keep him in the (ro"nd#, -e k omplained. +She sat vi(il every damned ni(ht# made s"re there was a onse rated ir le aro"nd his (rave. !hen some 'astard steals him when she isn.t there. It :"st s" ks., +She have any notion who did it9, Stewart n"d(ed. +I didn.t (et a han e to ask her., Whi h wasn.t 8"ite the tr"th. -e k o"ld have. !hey.d h"ddled to(ether in her $amily.s ma"sole"m in 5akland *emetery "ntil dawn# on hallowed (ro"nd in ase the demons ame a$ter them. She.d 'een so "pset a'o"t Simon and the others# she.d ried hersel$ to sleep. At the time it didn.t seem important to know who.d res"rre ted Pa"l# so he.d :"st held her lose# kept her sa$e# thankin( 3od she.d s"rvived. !ryin( to work thro"(h his $eelin(s $or the (irl. When he.d le$t her this mornin( she.d still 'een asleep# dried tears on her heeks. He hadn.t had the heart to wake her. Stewart shi$ted position a(ain# he was h"rtin( more than he let on. +I anna help '"t 'elieve there.s a onne tion 'etween the demons. atta k and Pa"l.s reanimation#, the old trapper m"sed. +How o"ld there 'e9, +!hink it thro"(h. Wo"ldn.t he have (one o$$ with the ne ro who s"mmoned him rather than droppin. in $or a wee visit with his old mates9, +I don.t know#, -e k said# swipin( a hand thro"(h his 'lond hair in a(itation. +I.ll know soon eno"(h. I.ll $ind the s"mmoner who did it and we.ll ome to an "nderstandin.Pa"l (oes in the (ro"nd or the ne ro does., Stewart sti$$ened. +-e are$"l on that a o"nt. !he s"mmoners have wi ked ma(i and they.ll not appre iate ya (ettin. in their '"siness., -e k didn.t respond. It didn.t matter what happened to him; Pa"l -la kthorne was (oin( 'a k in his (rave and that was that. He hadn.t 'een a'le to keep him alive# '"t he o"ld honor his $riend.s memory in other ways. He.d do it $or Pa"l.s da"(hter# i$ nothin( more than to (ive her pea e o$

mind. +I hear that &ive went a$ter Riley# in parti "lar#, the master stated. +I wonder why., -e k had no answer to that. 3rade &ive 3eo)&iends were the 'i( 'oys o$ Hell who (enerated earth8"akes and spawned mini storms as easily as he took a 'reath. A &ive had killed Pa"l# and -e k was willin( to 'et it was the same one who.d (one a$ter Pa"l.s da"(hter d"rin( the 'attle. -e kwas s"re o$ one thin(the demons were takin( too m" h o$ an interest in Riley# allin( her 'y her name. Hellspawn didn.t do that as a r"le."ay#e - should tell &tewart. "ay#e he would know what,s going on. -"t i$ he did it.d only add to Riley.s lon( list o$ tro"'les. -e$ore -e k o"ld make a de ision# the master.s phone 'e(an to '"<< inside a oat po ket. He p"lled it o"t# $rowned# and opened it "p. +Stewart., -e k t"rned his attention to the hole in $ront o$ him. 5ne o$ the trappers told him that the 3eo)&iend had thrown Riley into this very pit. !hat same trapper hadn.t known how she mana(ed to es ape# said there was too m" h smoke to see what had really happened. +hy didn,t the 7ive kill ya, girl* !here was one possi'ility# '"t he didn.t want to think a'o"t that. 0o way Riley wo"ld have sold her so"l to Hell to stay alive. He.d tho"(ht Harper wo"ld keep her sa$e. He.d 'een wron(.+hat i! she,d !allen into that hole and never come out again* -e$ore he o"ld admit to himsel$ what that loss wo"ld mean to him# Stewart limped 'a k. +!hat was Harper. !he 3"ild.s representatives are ta meet with the mayor in two ho"rs. We need ta 'e there., +We9, -e k said# a"(ht o$$ ("ard. +Me too9, +*ertainly. 1a (otta a pro'lem with that9, -e k heard the hallen(e and shook his head. +*an.t the ity at least wait .til we '"ry o"r dead9, Stewart h"$$ed. +5$ o"rse not. Politi ians wait $or no man when they an lay the 'lame on some other poor 'astard.,

!his is a work o$ $i tion. All o$ the hara ters# or(ani<ations# and events portrayed in this novel are either prod" ts o$ the a"thor.s ima(ination or are "sed $i titio"sly. !HE 4EM50 !RAPPER.S 4A=3H!ER. *opyri(ht V EBAA 'y /ana 5liver. All ri(hts reserved. &or in$ormation# address St. Martin.s Press# ANF &i$th Aven"e# 0ew 1ork# 0.1. ABBAB. www.stmartins. om IS-0 QNJ)B)OAE)KALNJ)E &irst Edition> &e'r"ary EBAA eIS-0 QNJ)A)LEQQ)QEJL)J &irst St. Martin.s 3ri$$in e-ook Edition> &e'r"ary EBAA