Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 92996 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 465(@200wpm)___ 372(@250wpm)___ 310(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92996 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 465(@200wpm)___ 372(@250wpm)___ 310(@300wpm)
When I got to the part where Mal came in, they were both terribly relieved to hear that our friend was still our friend and not at all carrying a demon around inside him.
“I adore Mal,” Amanda confessed. “I’m so happy.”
“Me too,” Declan agreed, “and he’s very good for business.”
“How?” I asked him.
“When he comes in for lunch, half a dozen women on average follow him through the door in hopes of chatting him up.”
Amanda nodded. “Were I single, I’d hit that.”
“Nasty,” I teased her.
“Well, Mal’s handsome enough, it’s true,” Declan concurred, “but for me, after my sweet Kim, there’s no creature more delectable than you, my dear Xander.”
He got a smile for that.
Father Dennis woke up then, which was good timing, as I was on the part where Lorne and I drove out to the mansion. Amanda got him situated with a margarita and food, and he was thrilled to find out that she and Declan knew everything.
“I’m so happy to have people to discuss adventures with,” he said cheerfully, smiling at them.
Declan got up and hugged him, and then Father Dennis got a smudge of Amanda’s lipstick on his cheek.
I started talking again, and once I got to the part about us seeing the demon, Declan interrupted to thank me for all the wards I’d put up in his home. “If Kim hadn’t been able to sleep, that would’ve been terrible for our little one.”
“You’re more than welcome,” I assured him.
Amanda poured Declan another margarita, then got up to make another pitcher.
“Go on,” he prodded me, taking a sip before quickly turning to Amanda. “These could use a bit more tequila this time.”
“Gotcha,” she replied, and when I looked at her, she gestured for me to go on.
I told them everything up until the part where I wasn’t powerful enough to vanquish a demon. In the version I could share, Lorne and I were triumphant. They didn’t get to hear what we hadn’t known—that humans could exorcise a demon, but all-out destruction required a god.
“So then when it was all over, you raced back to the mansion where Pace’s body and Father Dennis were? And no one saw you?” Declan asked.
That hadn’t occurred to me. “No.”
“How?”
“Well,” Amanda began, dipping a chip into the salsa she’d put out along with guacamole, “it’s not really that far if you think about it.”
“And we’re not talking about the main part of town,” Father Dennis reminded him.
“Amazing,” Declan whispered.
And it was and wasn’t. We lived in a very small town, after all.
“Now, because I don’t want Father Dennis to be the only one of you who’s seen me do this, I want you all to come outside so I can show you how I turn into a flock of ravens.”
Amanda’s mouth fell open.
Declan looked alarmed.
Father Dennis smiled.
The part where I had to get naked was concerning for Amanda and Declan, but Father Dennis told them not to be such prudes.
“Ohmygod, Father, I had no idea you were this much fun,” she said after a moment.
“Well, there’s only so much one can show off of oneself in a homily.”
“Indeed,” Declan agreed.
I really enjoyed seeing their faces when I returned after my flight down Cider Lane and back, all clearly in awe. Once I was me again and covered by a throw from the couch, I stood in the kitchen, awaiting their reactions.
“That was the most amazing thing I’ve ever seen,” Amanda said breathlessly.
“Is that a pomegranate?” Declan asked, pointing to the fruit on the counter. “I’ve never seen one that big.”
“Really?” Amanda said to him.
“Well, yes, magic is wonderful and inspiring, and you, good show,” he praised me. “But really, that pomegranate is enormous.”
“Lorne loves pomegranates,” I husked, suddenly overwhelmed with everything.
Amanda came quickly and wrapped me in her arms. “Everything turned out okay.”
“Yes, it did,” Declan seconded. “And you know, I had a great idea for your wedding.”
I looked over at him.
“Why don’t you have it right here? We’ll have a small gathering, and Father Dennis can officiate, once we get a dispensation from the bishop, of course.”
I looked at my friend. “Would you do that?”
He nodded. “It would be my pleasure.”
“It’s going to be lovely,” Amanda sighed.
I couldn’t agree more.
Later, I woke up on the couch, where I’d sat down for a moment after Amanda and Declan left with Father Dennis, insisting on driving him back to the rectory. I realized that what had interrupted my slumber was having a warm, sleepy man on top of me. Gently moving my legs, I wrapped them around him, then put one arm across his back and a hand in his hair.
“Oh God,” he groaned like he needed the closeness desperately. “Please, hold tight and don’t let go. Don’t ever lemme go.”
I had no plans to. “Declan has this wonderful idea about us getting married here. Only a few people, our closest and dearest, and with Father Dennis officiating.”