The Outlaw Demon Wails Read Online Free PDF Page A

characteristic redwood smell rolling off of him. The more magic you practiced, the stronger you smelled, and Tom reeked. I thought of Minias and felt a moment of worry. He might look like a witch, but he would smell like a demon, and they’d seen me let him out. Crap. Think, Rachel. Don’t react, think!
    â€œSomehow,” Tom said softly, threateningly, “I don’t think your friend Minias is going to have a record. Any record at all. Sort of like a demon?”
    My thoughts scrambled, and I felt more than saw Minias ease up behind me.
    â€œI’m sure Mr. Bansen will find my papers are in order,” he said, and I shivered when a chill ran through me, pulled into existence from the draft of Jenks’s wings.
    â€œHoly crap! Minias smells like a witch!” the pixy whispered.
    I took a deep breath, my shoulders relaxing when I found Minias did indeed lack the characteristic burnt-amber scent that clung to all demons. I turned to him in surprise, and the demon shrugged, twisting his hand. It was still in a fist, and my lips parted when I realized he hadn’t opened his fingers since my mother had taken his hand.
    Eyes widening, I spun to my mother to find her beaming. She’d given him an amulet? My mother was crazy, but she was crazy like a fox.
    â€œCan we go?” I said, knowing Tom was trying to get a good sniff of him as well.
    Tom’s eyes narrowed. Taking my elbow, he pulled me from Minias. “That is a demon.”
    â€œProve 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.
    â€œShe 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.
    â€œMs. Morgan,” he said as he slid his wand away. “I have to let you go—”
    â€œWhat about the store?” the woman wailed.
    â€œCan it, Patricia!” my mother said, and Tom grimaced as if he’d eaten a spider.
    â€œAs 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.
    â€œBut 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 arounda 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.
    â€œYou okay, Jenks?” I questioned when the cool of the night hit us.
    â€œJust get me in the car,” he said, and I carefully wrapped