Page 38 of A Shade of Myself
I’d suggested calling Nav, but my boss had ordered me to use him only as a last resort, reminding me that the last time he was called in to help, he’d almost destroyed an item in Zev’s possession and sent that dangerous vampire on a rampage.
That was true, but Nav had also sheltered Eli and Sadie during the Great Ward Mishap. That bought him some points from me if not from Tatiana. However, I had this other way to track a demon down, and I acceded to her wishes.
Giulia grimaced. “Demons are dirty and nasty. You do not want to tangle with them, bella.”
“I’m afraid I have to.”
“It could be dangerous. Will you be taking Laurent with you?” She said it very casually, but her eyes narrowed.
“Wasn’t planning on it.”
She brightened. “Va bene.” She rattled off an address. Good to know I was expendable.
Two young male tourists with German flag patches sewn onto their backpacks approached, asking me to take a photo of them with the gargoyle.
Behind their backs, Giulia bared her canines and licked her lips.
All the color drained from my face. “I’m not sure that’s such a good idea.”
The tourists gave me an odd look, and one pressed his phone into my hand. “Here. Please.” They swung their packs off, setting them to either side of the gargoyle.
My heart almost stopped when one placed his hand on Giulia’s head, but at least I’d have a camera to document the carnage for when the Lonestars showed up to remove the mutilated corpses. My definition of silver linings had changed substantially since reclaiming my magic.
The two guys threw peace signs, and I snapped a few pix, shocked when Giulia didn’t move.
The tourists grabbed their stuff and thanked me, heading off for their next photo opp. They didn’t notice the newly formed slits in the bottoms of their packs slowly leaking items. Better their physical property than their intestines.
Giulia smirked. “The look on your face. I wouldn’t hurt them.” She paused, a crafty expression sliding over her features. “While they could see it coming.”
I was so dead if she found out about me and Laurent. “Heh.”
“Okay, ragazza.” She rubbed her head against my chest. “Watch over Laurent.”
“I will.”
“But not too closely. Ciao.” She knocked her stone head into my boobs before leaping back up to her rooftop perch.
I rubbed my poor girls, glad of my escape from one temperamental supernatural. Now on to the next. An Elmer Fudd voice in my head said, Be vewy vewy quiet. We’re going on a demon hunt. Let’s hope this ended better than his attempts with that wascally wabbit.
