“Someone tried.” Ceri tugged at me, but I didn’t budge, fixated on the chaos. “He caused trouble at a dance establishment tonight, and when the bouncers tried to get him out, he killed them. Incinerated them right where they stood and set the place to flame. Then he banished the six witches the I.S. sent to catch him into the ever-after. No one can stop him, Rachel, and he’s not under anyone’s control. People are scared. They want him gone.”

“He incinerated them?” I said, my horror mixing with confusion. All right, maybe he is more powerful than I thought. “I’m the one he wants. Why is he doing this?”

She turned from the TV, her eyes wide, and tried to get me to move. “What did he ask of you?” she asked, and I licked my lips.

I hesitated, then said, “To testify that you promised to not teach anyone how to spindle line energy. I told him no, and if he goes back without me, they’re going to put him in jail.”

Ceri’s eyes closed, her jaw clenching as she struggled to keep her fear and despair from showing. “I’m sorry,” she whispered, her voice shaking. “He’s trying to change your mind. I’ve seen him do this before. You and Piscary are the only two people who have demonstrated the ability to control him, and because you didn’t circle him tonight, everyone will think he’s doing this with your blessing. If you don’t do what Al wants, he’s going to turn the city against you.”

“What!” I yelped as Keasley appeared in the hallway with three bottles of water and the dusty radio I had under the cupboards for when the power went out.

“Bring your phone,” he said shortly. “Do you have extra batteries?”

I couldn’t think. Seeing my confusion, he held up a twisted brown hand and went to look for himself. Ceri was tugging on me, and I let her drag me to the top of the hallway.

“This is not my problem,” I said, starting to panic. “If I testify to get Al out of Cincy, then I’m a demon practitioner and he kills me that much sooner. And if I don’t help him, then I’m responsible for everyone he hurts or sends to the ever-after?”

She picked up my comforter and, meeting my eyes, nodded.

“Swell.” I couldn’t win. I could not win for losing. Damn it, it wasn’t fair!

“But that’s not the worst of it,” Ceri said, fear showing on her heart-shaped face. “It’s all over the news that you had dinner with Al. You didn’t take control of him, so they let Piscary out of jail to do it. He’s the only other person in Cincy who can.”

I stood for three seconds, taking that in. Piscary is out? Oh…shit.