Free Almost Demon (The Sigil Cycle) by AJ Salem Page A

having a difficult time making eye contact. I finally looked away with the excuse of putting my papers away.
    “One more thing,” he added.
    I looked up.
    “Call me Thom.”
    When I was sure he was gone, I smiled.
     
    In breaking news, it has now been confirmed that members of the infamous cult, Brotherhood of the Spear, have committed mass suicide on their private compound located in North Dakota. Sources tell us that sixty adults are known to have been staying at the secluded complex…
    ….only two people are known to have survived the crash. No word yet on their condition. 
    …. record level rains in Taipei has caused massive flooding and mudslides.
    I sat on the couch tying my laces as my father watched, engrossed in the day’s news coverage. 
    “See you later, Dad,” I said, getting ready to leave for school. 
    “Hold on a minute, Gem. Sit down,” he said, turning off the television. “I’m a little concerned about you spending so much time out of the house during the week.”
    “Wait, since when?” I laughed at the absurdity. 
    “It was a close call the other day at the library. Things are getting a little crazy lately, even in Harrisport. I need to know that you’re safe at home.”
    “You get home after I do. What difference does it make? Pick up a phone if you’re that nervous,” I added. 
    “Gemma, watch your tone. You know it’s hard to make phone calls while I’m in the lab.”
    “What about my book club?” 
    Take that. In your face. Can’t make me stop doing school stuff. Nah nah na nah nah.
    “School, book club. Then home. It’s enough that you’re out there walking. What’s going to happen when it starts getting dark out?”
    “I don’t need you to plan out my day for me. I don’t need rides to school. I don’t need curfews. I’ve been handling all that on my own.” 
    All I need is for you to put your arms around me and tell me you still love me . 
    I grabbed my bag and slammed the door behind me.
    Ghosty was standing on the porch today.
    “Hey you,” I said with a salute, and off I went into the foggy distance, trying to forget the helpless look on my father’s face.

 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    C HAPTER N INE

     
     
    “Gemma, awesome. You’re here.” Charlotte said, chipper as usual. 
    “Nice outfit.” I had to give her props for the long-sleeved lavender lace top and burgundy wool shorts she was wearing today.
    “You look super too, Gem.”
    I looked down at my boots, jeans, and cotton top. There was a whole section of my closet that lay dormant. Skirts were off the menu because of my huge ugly scar. The rest didn’t feel like mine. It belonged to a happier, more carefree Gemma, who liked attention and spending time in the morning trying to impress.
    “So listen,” she said as she checked herself in the mirror she had strategically placed on her locker door, and slathered on another thick layer of gloss. “I decided that this year I want a sleepover party for my birthday.”
    “What’s the catch?” I asked, knowing that she always had her mom and dad bend backwards as payment for being stuck with them for parents.
    She laughed and threw her arms around me with enough vigor to send us both crashing to the floor.
    “Can you two dykes take it somewhere private?”
    I heard Allison’s voice and then looked up, watching for any sign of the Dybbuk but only a pair of ice cold eyes stared back. Her and her usual gaggle of followers stood around us in a fit of hysterics. 
    “That’s a pretty homophobic comment, coming from the student body president,” I muttered under my breath.
    “Just try complaining, freak.” She spat on the floor next to me and walked away, her clucking friends not far behind.
    “Nothing crazy. Just a few girls. And my again best friend,” Charlotte said, bringing me back to our conversation. The recent altercation with Allison hadn’t even fazed her.
    I wish I could do that .
    “Sounds fun.” I was eager to get