“It’s a good deal!” she shot back. “For every thirteen, he takes a day’s worth of smut off of me. I’ve already lightened my soul by a year.”

I stared at her. She was voluntarily making Al curses? “Well, merry freaking good for you,” I snapped.

Her face flashed red in anger. “It’s the only moral way I can get rid of the smut,” she said, the loose strands of her hair starting to float. “He promised me he wouldn’t go after you.” Her eyes widened, and she put a hand to her upper chest, her mood shifting like a kite. “They want you to help capture him? Rachel. Don’t say yes. No matter what they offer. If Al has gone rogue, he will be as slippery and devious as a stingray. You can’t trust him now!”

Like I ever have? “I can’t trust him now?” I exclaimed. “What kind of game is this when the rules keep changing!”

Ceri appeared affronted as she looked me up and down. “Well, did he actually hurt you?”

“He picked me up by the neck and shook me!” I shouted. She was defending him. She was defending Al!

“If that was all he did, then whether he broke his word might be open to interpretation,” she said sharply. “He is bluffing.”

I do not believe this. I freaking do not believe this. “You’re siding with him!”

“I am not!” she exclaimed, red spots showing on her cheeks. “I’m telling you how their law system works. If there is a loophole, they’ll allow him to use it. And I only made him disguise charms. I would never do anything that might hurt you.”

“You’re working for Al, and you didn’t tell me!”

“I didn’t tell you because I knew you’d get angry!”

“Well, you were right!” I yelled, heart pounding. “I got you free of him, and now you’re right back at it again. Just another potential familiar who thinks they’re smarter than a demon.”

Ceri’s red face went ashen. “Get out.”

“With pleasure.”

I don’t even remember walking through the house. I do remember storming down to the walk because I jumped when the screen door slammed behind me. Keasley was sitting on the steps, three pixies on his hand. They flew up when the door banged, and he turned to look at me. “All set between you two…ladies?” he said, his eyes widening when I stomped past him and a frustrated scream from the backyard echoed over the neighborhood. There was a booming noise, and the pixies yelped at the sudden pressure shift. Ceri was throwing a tantrum.