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“I am no expert in human emotions, Theo,” says Annie, sliding closer to me, “but…I know you care for him. I believe humans often give something called ‘a benefit of doubt’ to those they care about.”

“Benefit of the doubt,” I mutter. “Yeah, but…fuck, I don’t know. Iwantto trust him. I want him to come back. I want everything to be…the way it’s been the last couple weeks, but that’s stupid.” I turn to look at her, and she smiles, then reaches out and touches my leg.

“I do too,” she says, “and it is not stupid.”

“It’s stupid because of you,” I tell her, “and I’m not saying that to be cruel, but…what happens when you’re gone? Either Ben finds someone to exorcise you, or all these good deeds somehow finish it, or eventually they’ll call you back, right? So this is all just a ridiculous house of cards waiting for a light breeze to come along.”

“You do not think Ben would stay with you…after I am gone?” she asks, and there’s something strange in her voice that I can’t place–almost like guilt.

“I-I don’t know…” I run a hand over my face and try not to look at her. I don’t want to see how hurt she is, because then I’ll be the one who feels guilty for blaming her. I know it isn’t her fault for being what she is, and for trying to do the job she was given. I should give her some credit for trying to be better and choose her own path, but I’m still afraid of what might happen–afraid she might change her mind, or that it’s all just been a game for her from the start.

But then I realize I’m more afraid of her getting recalled, of never seeing her again, and of what Ben might decide to do if she’s gone. I realize that, more than anything, I can’t stand the thought of losing both of them.

“I’m sorry, Annie,” I sigh. “I didn’t mean it. I didn’t mean that it’s all your fault.”

She just shrugs. “You are not wrong, but…I cannot help what I am. Or at least…what I was.”

I move over and pull her onto my lap. She wraps her arms around my neck as I fall back onto the arm of the couch, then she lies on top of me in silence, her fingers drawing lazy little circles on my chest.

“Were you ever human?” I ask after a few minutes.

“What do you mean?”

“I mean…where do demons come from? Are they human souls first and then they’re turned into demons? Are they fallen angels? Something else?”

A small frown crosses her face. “I was born out of the shadows and flames of Hell. I have known nothing else. Iamnothing else.”

“I don’t think that’s true anymore,” I say quietly, kissing the top of her head. She nestles into me and I reach back to pull a blanket from the chair and drape it over us.

Annie watches episode after episode of true crime murder and gore, while I fight the urge to check Ben’s location every five minutes, then eventually drift into an uneasy sleep. At some point, I snap awake and reach for my phone. It’s 1am, and I let out a low groan.

“I should go to bed,” I say in a groggy voice.

“Please stay,” Annie says, turning her face up to look at me. “I do not want to be alone.”

I laugh softly and put my arms around her. “Alright, you win, but you have to keep me warm. It’s actually a little chilly tonight.” Almost immediately, heat radiates from her body, but it’s not the same as when she used her powers toburn me before. This is slower, more comforting and enveloping—like coming inside and standing by a fire on a cold day, when you can feel each part of your body relax in turn. Soon, I’m slipping away again.

The next morning, I wake up to the sound of clanging in the kitchen, and roll over to find myself bereft of Annie’s warmth. I tilt my head back to see her standing in front of the stove, holding a skillet over her shoulder like a baseball bat and fiddling with the knobs. My first instinct is to jump up and pull her away before she hurts herself, but then I remember she’s probably impervious to heat and flames, so I just watch. She’s wearing gray shorts that show at least half her ass cheeks when she bends over, plus a Nirvana t-shirt that looks like Ben’s. He must have left it in the office for her. As I remind myself not to check his location again, my phone vibrates. He’s texting me, and I hold my breath as I open the message.

Good morning,osito

I hope she let you sleep a little

I probably would’ve slept better if you hadn’t told her aboutDateline

So thanks for that

You’re welcome sweetheart??

Btw, I made you something

You’re ridiculous??

Ridiculous…ly hot?

Yes, we’ll go with that

I’ve gotta go