Page 72 of Cold Curses

He nodded, looked around the room. “You’re welcome to take any weapons you think would be useful.”

The variety of weapons was wide. But I didn’t think anything here would stop a demon.

“It wouldn’t help,” I said, and rose. I offered him a hand, helped him to his feet, extended the handkerchief.

“Keep it,” he said. “Just in case you need it.”

Then he frowned, leaned toward me, sniffed.

“Lulu is shedding demon magic,” I explained. “I opened the window for a bit, and Dr. Anderson is aware of it. But I don’t know how bad the exposure might be for anyone who gets too close for too long.”

He frowned. “That’s concerning. I’ll speak to the doctor about it.”

I nodded. “Let me know if anything changes.”

“We will. Where are you going next?”

Next, monster and I were going to have words. And then, “To the office. We have to coordinate—or I need to catch up on everyone else’s coordination.” Because I’d already had shifter, sorcerer, and monster crises tonight, and they’d put me behind schedule.

“Then I wish you good fighting. And take care of yourself.” He embraced me. “We love you, Lis. Whatever it is, we love you.”

* * *

I took an Auto to Promontory Point, a small peninsula that stretched out into Lake Michigan. It was empty at this time of night, and I walked alone to the expanse of inky water, watched waves lap in and roll out until my breathing slowed. And when I was calm again, I tore into monster.

“Do you have any idea how dangerous that was?” I asked it in a fierce whisper. I needed to speak aloud to put my thoughts together, but I didn’t want to find a video of myself online screaming at Lake Michigan.

“Do you think it will all be fun and games and happy reunions? That I’ll tell them who you are and they’ll invite you back into the House? I know you want to reunite with the rest of you. But who knows what the rest of you wants? The Egregore—the thing that you’re part of—nearly destroyed Chicago.” It had hurt people, ruined buildings before it was bound into my mother’s sword. Or at least mostly bound.

“In twenty years, it hasn’t escaped. My parents protect this city. That’s what they do. And even if they let Lulu take you out of me, the odds are low that you’re getting close to that sword.”

Monster and I had been through much together. But right now I was feeling a lot less conflicted about its possible removal.

It was still furious, but I could feel its doubt creeping in. Good. Welcome to my decade.

“The point is, we have to be careful. We have to plan. Because we’ll only get one shot.”

* * *

After virtually inhaling food and blood, I took an Auto to the office. Monster was quiet, and this time I knew better than to assume it had tuned out. I’d have to avoid demon magic as much as possible, and I had no idea what to do about Lulu—except avoid Cadogan House.

Traffic was light, more humans having departed during the day in response to the mayor’s statement. And good timing, as there had been demon attacks on Michigan Avenue and a suburban mall, where a coordinated band of demons robbed a dozen humans and some stores before a police shoot-out left two civilians, two demons, and two cops dead.

We were in a full-out siege.

There weren’t many cars on the road, but entirely too many of them were being driven by humans with too much ego or too little sense. People hung out windows with weapons in hand and streamed enormous “Take Back Chicago!” flags from the backs of trucks. I didn’t begrudge them their loyalty to the city, but if I’d been human, I’d have been lying low until the scourge was swept clean. I wouldn’t have been advertising my defenselessness.

Monster said nothing during the ride, which was fine by me.

I found Petra, Roger, and Theo in the workroom, their gazes on the wall screen. Petra’s demon matrix was up there, and it had enough demons listed now that the document required serious scrolling to get to the end. I didn’t bother taking off my jacket. I doubted I’d be here long.

I was surprised—and a little relieved—to see Jeff Christopher with them.

“New recruit?” I asked, moving to stand beside him. “Or re-recruit?”

“Temporary volunteer,” Jeff said.

“He did this data entry,” Petra said.