My foot hit the floor, and both Ivy and Jenks backed up. “I didn’t give him Pierce. Did it look like I gave him Pierce? Huh? Did it look like I told Pierce to follow me? Did you hear words come out of my mouth saying, ‘Pierce, save me!’ No. He already belongs to Al. Got himself demon snagged last winter. He’s on loan right now, babysitting me. He’ll be back.” I looked at Ivy and Jenks, frowning. “Count on it.”

Lee raised a hand in protest. “Sor-r-r-ry,” he said dryly. “What did you give him, then?”

Brow furrowed, I brought my other foot up and undid my remaining boot and kicked it off. Rex, Jenks’s cat, went to investigate, and I crossed my arms over my middle. “I gave him his summoning name back, if you have to know. The mark I got rid of tonight was the one I originally took from Newt the day you tried to give me to Al and I had to buy my way home.”

Jenks landed on Ivy’s shoulder with his hands on his hips. Ivy, too, looked severe as they stared at him. Lee, though, looked just as peeved. “Who gave whom to Al?” he said darkly. “I was the one who took the long tour of hell.”

“You bought your own ticket,” I shot back. “Next time listen when I warn you, okay? I’m not as stupid as you’d like me to be.”

Lee frowned, but then his face eased and he chuckled. “I think you’re just lucky. I’m listening now, if that means anything.”

Immediately, I lost my ire. Belonging to Al must have been hell. That Pierce was there now really bothered me. It would bother me more if I didn’t know he’d be back babysitting me before too much longer. Unless Al accidentally killed him and I became Newt’s ward. Shit.

“Tell you what, Lee,” I said as the tension in the room eased. “How about we simply agree that you be nice to me and I be nice to you? It seemed to work today.”

“He locked you in a boat and blew it up,” Ivy said darkly.

“Kist planted the bomb,” I said, wishing she’d quit bringing it up. My attention returning to Lee, I said, “How about it? I’m not talking about a partnership. More like a truce. You don’t have to trust me, just stop pissing me off. And don’t spell me again. Ever. Even if I am going to cause us to drive into a bus.”

“You remember that?” Lee asked, and I nodded.

“Most of it.” I’d be mad at Lee for knocking me out, but it was probably the only reason we made it home. King of the world … jeez, how embarrassing.