Page 14 of The Music Demon

“Crazy is relative. Most of the time mental patients just seem crazy because they’re seeing things others aren’t and nobody believes them. From that perspective, their behaviors are completely appropriate.”

“Wow. That’s definitely an alternative view.”

“Also, the correct view. I could prove it, but again, that’s not what youreallywant. Is it?” Gray ran a hand through his sandy hair then shook his head. “You’re the one who’s babysitting, kid. Not me. You’re gonna have to say what you want.”

“Tell me what you are.”

Lyric raised his chin and let his gaze flare so that there was no mistaking him for human. “Demon.”

To his credit, Gray didn’t startle or show that he was disturbed in any way. He simply said, “I don’t believe in that shit.”

Lyric threw his head back, laughed, and seemed to enjoy the response immensely. “Whatshitis that?”

“My grandmother was a Paulist. I got over it by the time I was eight.” He took in a deep breath. “Just like I’m over this. You got me. Consider me royally punked.”

Gray turned to go into the house, but as he was opening the screen door, he hesitated. “Was areallygood trick with the card though. How’d you do it?”

Lyric just smiled and said, “Music demon to be exact.”

Still holding the screen door half open, Gray looked between Lyric and the inside of the house in a pantomime portrayal of conflict. At length he let the door slide through his fingers and slam shut.

“Gotta admit that’s a new one. What does that even mean? Music demon.”

“Again, that’s notreallywhat you want to know. Is it?”

After blowing out a big breath of resignation, Gray said, “Just for the hell of it, let’s say there was such a thing as time travel. And, just for the hell of it, let’s say you were the sort of, um, person who makes strange things happen. I know you wouldn’t be making an offer like that for free. There’s always a catch. Right?”

“A catch.” Lyric cocked his head and studied the young Gray. “Why do you think that?” It was evident when realization dawned because the confusion on the demon’s face cleared. “Ohhhhh. You readFaustus.” Gray shook his head. “The Devil and Daniel Webster.” Pause as Gray shook his head again. “Damn Yankees?”

“No,” Gray said slowly. “Is that, ah, relevant?”

“Well, it would explain your cynicism. It’s a veneer though. All musicians believe in magic.”

Lyric’s head suddenly jerked toward the vacant lot next door where there was nothing but a stand of ancient mesquite trees.

“All musicians believe in magic?” A feminine voice came out of the darkness.Shivaun. She appeared at the base of the three steps that rose to the porch. “Am I intruding?”

Lyric lit up like a candle. “You are not, nor will you ever be, intruding. Come meet my project.” He turned to Gray as he motioned for Shy to come up to the porch. “This is my girlfriend, Shivaun.”

“Okaaaay. First.” To Shivaun, he said, “Hi. Gray Darby. And second,” to Lyric he said, “demons have girlfriends? And, third, what do you mean by ‘meet my project’. Is that me? Am I supposed to be your project?”

The kid couldn’t stop eyeing Shivaun and was appreciating her good looks more than Lyric would have preferred. Even in the dim light of a sixty-watt porch light, the beauty of a female demon was incomparable. She hadn’t yet learned how to control the legendary glow that female demons emit. In fact, she wasn’t even aware of it. Lyric mused that Gray had no idea what a privilege he enjoyed, being one of only a few dozen humans in Loti Dimension to have seen a rare creature like Ms. O’Malley.

Even when she was sneezing.Sneezing?Lyric stared at her. Demons don’t sneeze.

“Yeah.” Shivaun said in a tone brimming with taunt and challenge. “Demons have girlfriends?” Her emerald-green eyes were alight with both delight and amusement.

“This one does,” Lyric replied matter-of-factly, still looking at Shivaun. “Thought you had to work, beautiful. And where’s your designated driver?”

After snorting inelegantly, she said, “A boyfriend would know I do no’ make a habit of doin’ what I’m told. Works though. The thing you told me about, em, how to get from place to place. ‘Cause here I am.” Looking Gray over she said, “Is this the singer? From the ice house? And ‘tis okay to tell non-service humans you’re a demon?”

Since she was reveling in having pulled off a rundown that involved time travel on her own, Lyric decided to save the scolding for another time.

“Is that an Irish accent?” Gray asked Shivaun.

She turned to Gray and pinned him with a piercing stare. “Okay, first. And only. Why are ye lyin’ about your name?”

Gray blinked slowly. “What do you mean?”