Melissa waved her hand. “Cooking is his only outlet, and he wants to share it. He also likes hanging out with you both. But, please, don’t tell him about any of this. He would worry too much, and he already worries enough for five people.”

I held up Demon Inside Her. “Sure about that? He might change his mind if he sees these illustrations.”

Jess snorted. “Or he’ll wonder how he can get one of the sex demons over here.” She picked up the book and leafed through it. “I told Del about Liz’s behavior, and he joked that she has probably been hanging out with Sharon.”

“Did he take you seriously?” I said.

Jess shook her head. “Nope. He’s too rational. Demons are too much of a stretch for him to just accept.”

Melissa eyed the book. “He and I have that in common.”

“Well, I appreciate you guys’ humoring me, and I’m open to any other ideas that spring to mind.” I lightly tossed the books toward them, dividing them up equally between the group. “But we have work to do, and a limited amount of time before Tony comes back and offers to make risotto, so let’s get to it.”

CHAPTER
13

Three fifteen a.m.

That was the time I woke up the morning after Heather’s kitchen reveal party. I tried to will myself back to sleep, steering my thoughts from darkness to light. Grocery lists, recipes, lyrics to R.E.M.’s “It’s the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine),” although that one was slightly less cheery. After about an hour, I gave up and checked my phone, which had two texts from Jess.

I can’t sleep.

I need to drug myself with an Ambien. Do a wellness check if you don’t hear from me by 10 am.

The images we’d seen earlier that night flooded my brain. Images of naked women being devoured by demons with claws and horns. Terrified children huddling in the corner as a dark shape overtook their room. Broken bones and bloody wounds.

The stuff of nightmares.

Mark was snoring gently, so I quietly tried to go to the bathroom, and as I put my uninjured foot down on the carpet, I felt the softest whisper of a touch against my ankle, like something was brushing against it from under the bed.

I yelped and retracted it, pulling my legs toward me. Mark didn’t so much as roll over.

It’s all in your head. You just read too many disturbing things last night and now your brain is overcompensating.