Free Demon Ex Machina: Tales of a Demon-Hunting Soccer Mom by Julie Kenner Page B

said. I’ve done it before,” I said, steely determination keeping my voice from cracking as I remembered the time not so long ago when I’d had to make that very sacrifice, not then realizing I also had the means to bring him back to life. “If I have to, I can do it again.”
    This time, we both knew, neither Eric nor the demon would come back.
    He raked his fingers through his hair, giving him an even wilder appearance. When he’d finished, he looked back at me. “You giving me that ride?”
    “Sure,” I said, nodding as I struggled to bring my emotions under control. He’d veered wildly off topic, of course, and I wasn’t sure if he was giving me time to gather my wits or if this was the way Eddie negotiated. Either way, I was willing to let this play out however it had to, so long as in the end I got what I wanted.
    I took a deep breath and focused on his question. “But why do you need me? Doesn’t Tammy usually drive you?”
    Eddie let loose with an exasperated snort. “Broke up with me last night,” he said. “Left a message on the machine. What kind of tacky is that?”
    Since I thought it was the same kind of tacky as breaking a date because of interrupted cable service, I wisely kept my mouth shut.
    “You play chauffeur today, girlie. Just one way. I can catch a ride home with my peeps.”
    “Your peeps?”
    “Coworkers,” he said. “You need to pay attention to the lingo, girl.”
    “Hmmm,” I said, not at all sure that peeps had made it into the standard employment vernacular. “And tomorrow?”
    He waved a hand. “I’m off ’til Monday. I’ll figure something out by then.”
    “You’re not going to start driving again, are you?” The idea made me cringe.
    “Dunno,” he said. “You willing to cart me around? I got work and bingo.”
    “Yeah,” I said, now fully suckered into the big picture. “I already carpool a toddler and a teenager. I think I have room for an obstinate old man.”
    “Fair enough,” he said. “But I’m crotchety. Not obstinate.”
    “I’ll keep that in mind.”
    “And I’ll be your alimentatore , girlie girl. But if I’m doing it, I’m doing it right. I want all your debriefing notes. All your Hunter journals.”
    I stood up straighter, surprised. “Really?”
    “I ain’t going into the job half-assed.”
    “All right then, they’re yours. Most everything’s in the attic and labeled. Whatever you want, you take.”
    “Okay then.” His brow furrowed, and he scuffed his slippers on the pavement. “And just so we’re clear—I’m doing it for you and the girl. Not for him.”
    I nodded. “I know, Eddie. And that’s exactly why I want you.”
     
     
    A renegade pirate rushed past me, his hook catching my skirt and jerking me a few steps forward, his bellowing “Aaaarggghhhh” deafening.
    I yanked my skirt free, pressed my back against the wall, and sucked in my gut as five fairy princesses stampeded after him, wands waving, their own squeals and giggles almost masking the still-echoing howl of their marauding quarry.
    Across the room, the birthday princess pressed her fists against her hips and gave her mother the evil eye. “But I wanna be a pirate! Don’t wanna be a stinky princess! I wanna have a hook!”
    “Sweetie,” Marissa said, kneeling down so that she was eye level with her traitorous daughter. “You’re a little girl.”
    “I’m big!” Danielle insisted. “And I wanna be a pirate.” She stamped her foot for emphasis, and I pressed my hands behind my back to prevent me from applauding. For the first time ever, I was not only getting a glimpse of the real Danielle, but I was about to bear witness to my nemesis’s meltdown. Toddler birthday parties didn’t get much sweeter than that.
    “A fiver gets you in the pool,” Fran said, sidling up next to me. “Most everyone’s betting on Marissa, but I think Danielle’s gonna come out the winner.”
    “Spot me five,” I said. “I’m good for it.”
    “I see my