Free Drop Dead Demons by A Kirk, E

with Luna.
    “M, that’s enough,” Mom said in her And-That’s-Final voice, then kissed the top of my head to cover the fact that she was fighting a smile. “We trust Aurora and so should you. Even if you don’t approve of the boys. Now, I’ve got to open up shop. I don’t know what is in the air, but people have been buying bouquets like it’s Valentine’s Day.” She grabbed her purse and rummaged through the contents. “Remember, M, Clyde’s giving you a ride to the church. Have you finished the baby’s christening plans with Father Bancroft?”
    “We’re…still working on things,” M grumbled, filling up the oatmeal pot with water to let it soak. Not that it ever helped much.
    Speaking of stuff that makes me nauseous.
    It wasn’t that I begrudged my unborn cousin a christening, but it meant that—just my luck—my aunt, the most anti-social person in the world, had started hanging out with Father Bancroft, the Mandatum’s go-to guy in charge of this portal location. The good Father’s responsibilities included overseeing the activities of the hunters stationed here, a.k.a. the Hex Boys.
    I wasn’t sure what kind of disaster could come from the two of them spending time together. I just knew it would start with a capital letter and end with an exclamation point. Would I ever catch a break? 
    “You know,” Aunt M said, “even Father Bancroft has reservations about Aurora spending time with those boys. Says he loves them, but they can be…rambunctious.”
    Nope. No breaks today.
    “He hasn’t said anything to me,” Mom replied. “Besides, Aurora can handle herself. She has two rambunctious brothers. And sisters.” Rummaging through her purse, she added under her breath, “And aunt, for that matter.”
    Lucian and I snickered.
    “I heard that,” my aunt said loudly.
    The front door slammed and Dad said, “Aurora, sure you aren’t expecting a package?”
    I leaned back to find him army-crawling under the window in the living room. Like all dads do. “Already told you no, Rambo.”
    “The new mailman is back.” Dad reached up and pulled the curtains closed before standing up and peeking out. “Won’t come to the door.”
    “M shot a tranquillizer dart at the last guy.” Mom gave a tired look at M who shrugged unapologetically. “The fact that there’s a new one willing to be on our sidewalk is a miracle. Don’t scare him off, Clyde .”
    Dad tried to block me when I went for the curtains. “He won’t let me sign for your package. Demanded you come out in person.”
    “I’ll get my tranq gun!” M made for her room.
    “Don’t you dare!” Mom chased her.
    I swished back the curtains to get a look at the petrifying postman.
    “I find his interest in my teenage daughter creepy,” Dad grumbled.
    Oh, he had no idea.
     
     

Chapter Fifteen
     
    Fog snaked through my ankles, adding to the already formidable sense of doom as I stalked with what I hoped was an air of menace across my lawn.
    Our new mailman smiled and tipped his postman hat at me. “Good morning, Aurora .”
    “It was until you showed up,” I said.
    Rose spread his hands. “I bequeathed you the night to think it over, alone, when we could have been together doing much more… pleasurable things.” He winked. “What say you to my proposal?”
    I grimaced. “Down boy.”
    I had thought it over. And talked it over with the Hex Boys who were supposed to keep watch so they could catch Rose next time he showed up and interrogate him. I glanced at Tristan’s house, but no nervous gervous appeared. Glad that plan was working out so well.
    “Oh, come now,” Rose sounded bored. “Do you want me to kill you or not?”
    I was really sick of his cocky attitude, but keeping him talking and buying time seemed my only option. I shoved my nest of curls off my face.
    “Well, when you put it like that.” I bowed slightly. “I’m at your service.”
    “Excellent.” Rose snapped his fingers. “You won’t regret our