Page 53 of The Music Demon

“I see,” Rosie said. “Anything else?”

“Nothin’ comes to mind. Unless ‘tis the thing about languages. I guess I can understand what’s bein’ said no matter where I am. Oh. And I can get my date to pick me up by concentratin’ on callin’ him.”

“Uh-huh,” Rosie said. “So the two of you have begun to establish the bond that links mates?”

“What? No,” Shy said.

“And that isexactlywhy we’re here talkin’ to her.” Sher pointed at Rosie. “I knew that fiend was up to no good.” To Rosie, she said, “Tryin’ to lure my sister into a trap he is.”

Rosie’s reaction was hard to read. “Let’s take it down a notch, shall we? Shivaun, I would very much like to have a friendly chat with your demon. What’s his name, again?”

“Lyric. He’s a music demon.”

“Yes, well, perhaps if you ask nicely he’ll agree to a little tea with me.”

“Is he in trouble?” Shy asked.

Rosie barked out a laugh. “I’ll take it as a compliment that you think I’m powerful enough to make trouble for very old and wily demons.”

“Wily?” Shy asked.

Rosie shook her head. “Wily is every demon’s middle name, Shy.”

“You mean every natural-born demon.”

“Yes. That’s what I meant. I guess I need to start making that distinction for precision’s sake.” Pause. “You look good in that skirt. Better than the actress who wore it in the movie.”

“Thank you kindly. ‘Tis no’ the same skirt, you know. Just a lookalike.”

“A magical knockoff. Imagine the possibilities.”

“So what are we to do about this?” Sher asked. Rosie and Shy looked at her blankly. “Look. I’m worried about my sister. Is there a danger in datin’ this creature? You said somethin’ about a trap.”

“I’m not overly alarmed,” Rosie said. “But I do want a chat with Lyric as soon as possible.”

“It may be a few days. He’s in the middle of a project,” Shy said.

“What kind of project?”

“Well, there’s a very talented lad from Texas who’s somehow ended up in the wrong time. He and Lyric believe he belongs in 1967. So he’s relocatin’.”

“Relocatin’!?!” Sheridan asked. “What in Paddy’s name are you mixed up in?”

“’Tis a good thing, Sher. Lyric is the expert on such things. ‘Tis what music demons do.”

Sher wheeled on Rosie. “’Tis the truth? That’s what music demons do?”

“Well… It may very well be part of the gig.” She chuckled at the musical reference. “I’m not an expert on the particulars of what every sort of demon does. I just know they all have a part to play in the grand scheme. So, if you’ll excuse me, I need to get back to it. But please get Lyric to make an appearance. Just a friendly meeting. Okay?”

She nodded. “I’ll ask. O’course.”

The girls hugged tightly just before Shivaun swept out the front entrance of the Abbey.

“You must take care,” Sheridan said. “I just have the one sister.”

“Do no’ be such a worry wart. ‘Tis a grand adventure this.”

CHAPTER EIGHTGimme Three Steps