“Prove it. And as you once told me, it’s not against the law to summon demons.”

His face went ugly. “Maybe not, but you’re responsible for the damage they do.”

A groan slipped from Jenks, and I felt my face go stiff.

“She destroyed my store!” the woman wailed. “Who’s going to pay for this! Who?”

An I.S. officer approached with Minias’s ID, and while Tom held up a finger for me to wait, he talked to him. My mother joined me, and the people outside complained as an officer started to make them move on. Tom was frowning when the man left, and bolstered by his show of bad temper, I smiled cattily. I was going to walk out of here. I knew it.

“Ms. Morgan,” he said as he slid his wand away. “I have to let you go—”

“What about the store?” the woman wailed.

“Can it, Patricia!” my mother said, and Tom grimaced as if he’d eaten a spider.

“As long as you agree that demons were here because of you,” he added, “and you agree to pay for damages,” he finished, handing Minias his ID back.

“But it wasn’t my fault.” My gaze scanned the broken shelves and scattered amulets as I tried to add up the potential cost. “Why should I have to pay for it because someone sicced them on me? I didn’t summon them!”

Tom smiled, and my mother squeezed my elbow. “You’re welcome to come down to the I.S. and file a countercomplaint.”

Nice. “I’ll accept the damages.” So much for the air conditioner fund. “Come on,” I said, reaching for Minias. “Let’s get out of here.”

My hand passed right through him. I froze, but I didn’t think anyone had noticed. Glancing at his irate face, I gestured sourly for him to go before me. “After you,” I said, then hesitated. I wasn’t going to do this at the coffeehouse two blocks away. Not with the I.S. buzzing like fairies around a sparrow nest. “My car is about five spots down. It’s the red convertible, and you’re riding in back.”

Minias’s eyebrows rose. “As you say…,” he murmured, rocking into motion.

Looking proud and satisfied, my mother snatched my purchases up, linked her arm in mine, and like magic the crowd parted to show us the door.

“You okay, Jenks?” I questioned when the cool of the night hit us.

“Just get me in the car,” he said, and I carefully wrapped my scarf about my neck once more to snuggle him in.

Coffee with my mom and a demon. Yeah, that was a good idea.

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