Angie Fox - ADS 01 - The Accidental Demon Slayer

It truly was. I pulled the pants and shirt from the bag, holding them up one at a time. They were just like the ones I’d ruined. And he even got the sizes right. It didn’t surprise me that Dimitri had taken in every detail of my former self. It was uncanny at times how precise he could be. But never in a million years would I have expected this.

“Thanks,” I whispered.

“Are you all right?” he asked, clearly unsure what to make of my reaction.

I nodded, afraid I’d tear up if I said more. I didn’t know what to say. No one had ever done anything like that for me before. Growing up, when Cliff and Hilary had bought me gifts, they gave me what they liked, not what I liked.

Even for my thirtieth birthday, I planned the dinner, maybe a little afraid someone wouldn’t. And I specified no gifts. I didn’t want to expect them.

“I’m almost afraid to tell you, but there are shoes in there too.” He eyed me uncomfortably. “Those oxfords you like. Size eight.” It had to be the closest Dimitri would ever come to rambling.

My head stopped up and my giggle came out more like a snarf.

“Are you okay?” Dimitri frowned. The man would run headlong into a demon-infested biker bar, but he seemed terrified I’d break down in tears. So much for wanting me to get in touch with my feelings.

Screw it.

I pulled him down and kissed him thoroughly. Yeah, it was probably a mistake. That was the last rational thought I had for awhile as he devoured my mouth, to my complete and utter delight. His fingers traced my shoulders, trailed down my spine, up my sides, all the way…oh my.

Embarrassed, I pulled away. I could feel my face burning. It grew even redder when I saw the intense, exuberant expression on his face. “This doesn’t mean anything,” I told him.

“Of course not,” he replied blithely.

So much for my iron control.

He pulled me into the crook of his arm and gave a squeeze. “Anything to make you happy.”

“You did,” I said, enjoying the feel of him. Let him have his fun. No one had ever done anything like this for me.

I knew whatever was going on with Dimitri and I couldn’t be permanent. Once I learned to control my powers and rescued Grandma, I’d go back to teaching at Happy Hands. He’d race off to live his exotic Greek demon slayer trainer life. I snuggled closer, taking in his rich sandalwood scent, knowing I didn’t need to tease myself with any possibilities. But I could wish.

Back at the trailer, I grabbed a quick shower and changed into my new clothes. They felt right. I wondered if Dimitri knew how much he’d given me.

Pirate padded into the front room where I sat on the edge of the brown couch, tying my shoes. He’d been sleeping. “You coming to bed?” he asked, ending the question with a humongous doggy yawn.

I tugged on the laces. “Too much on my mind.”

Pirate nudged my leg with his nose. “You want to talk about it? You know how I like talking about things with you.”

I sighed. “Sorry, guy.” I needed to learn how to sacrifice myself and while I had no idea where to start, I knew it wasn’t here. Pirate was the least introspective creature on the planet.

“Oh, I see. It’s important enough to keep you out all night with Dimitri, but as soon as I want to talk, it’s ‘never mind.’”

I sunk back into the couch, trying to ignore him.

Dog tags jingled at my feet. “You know what your problem is? You never let anybody help you.”

“You’re a dog!”

“Now that hurt. Fine. If you want to think about your problems all by yourself, then you do that. I know when I’m not wanted.” He turned to walk back into the bedroom.

“Pirate…” I said, looking away, trying to think of a way to reason with a twelve-pound terrier.

He spun back around. “What? You want to talk? Let’s talk.”

“No.” I caught a faint glow outside. I heaved myself off the couch and pressed my nose to the window. “Stay right here.”

Light poured from the Dumpster. Scarlet must be channeling something big. I banged out through the screened door and jogged across the field. The hulking remains of refrigerators, washing machines and cars cast dark shadows over the ground.

Grandma staggered out from behind the Dumpster and my heart stopped. Whole sections of her long gray hair hung in shreds. Blood clotted her head. Her arms twisted at painful and unnatural angles.

Was it really her?

I approached slowly. The scent of garbage and—was that a tang of ozone?—grew stronger. Sidecar Bob had said it himself—a demon can take on many forms.

The figure perked up when she saw me. Grandma?

“Shit, Lizzie. This isn’t the goddamned Easter parade. Get over here!”

I wanted to skip. It was her! My mind reeled. “Oh my word. Grandma!” Her back hunched at an odd angle and she looked ready to collapse at any moment. “You look terrible!”

“Thanks for reminding me,” she huffed. “No. Don’t touch me,” she said as I came close. “I’m on borrowed power. It’d be like jamming your finger in a light switch.” She struggled to stand as straight as she could. “Now, when are you going to stop throwing switch stars at the dirt and get me the hell out of here?”

My throat had all but closed up. I swallowed. “I’m trying, but I’m not there yet.” My excuse sounded lame, even to me. “I’m so close. I know I have the power. I just can’t seem to find it.”

She rolled her eyes. “You know what your problem is?” She threw her arms out like an Italian grandmother. “You’re so busy worrying, you’re not doing. You’re going through the motions. And frightening a lot of people from the sounds of it.” So she’d heard about Ant Eater. “Your mind is too crowded. ‘I didn’t take the potion. I don’t want to feel all exposed and girly in front of Dimitri. Ant Eater is a big bully.’”

“What?” I couldn’t believe it. “How did you know about the potion?”

“You told me.”

No, I didn’t. I never had a chance to tell her.

“Shut your mouth, Lizzie. You’re catching flies.” She eyed me, hands on her hips. “Did you come to the Cave of Visions to keep a secret? Honestly, Lizzie, sometimes I don’t understand you at all.”

She’d heard me in the Dumpster. She’d actually heard me!

“And what the hell is with that emerald skullcap? You look like a rapper.”

My hand flew to my head. “It’s Dimitri’s. I gave him power over me. I had to do it.”

“I don’t like the sound of that. You have enough going on in your life right now, and you don’t need to be wasting time with a man who doesn’t know how to stay in one place.”

I blinked once, twice. “Are you lecturing me?” At a time like this?

“What? You don’t think you need it?” She huffed and tossed the remnants of her long gray hair over her shoulders. “It’s like when Frieda gave herself seven fingers on each hand. The whole time Ant Eater brewed the Erasure herbs, I made Frieda talk to me about that man of hers. Kept her mind off it. I told her she’d better take the chance and yap away because that was the one and only time I wanted to hear about Eddie’s smelly socks.”

I’d bet anything Dimitri had his socks dry cleaned. But, okay, if she wanted to know, “We started off bumpy, but I really like Dimitri.” More than I wanted to admit. “He’s driven and determined,” I told her. That sounded better than mysterious and studly. “He wants to help me.” And take care of me. It was a new feeling for me and I didn’t quite know what to make of it.

Grandma’s image flickered. “I never thought I’d say this, but I’m glad we have him on our side. Just be careful. And watch the werewolves too. The mean one’s about to make a power play and our coven is a perfect excuse to cause trouble. Even if you get out of here before it all goes down, those wolves will get their pound of flesh. They don’t do anything without getting double back.”