Page 22 of Where Exorcists Cannot Lie

I forced my suddenly tight throat to relax enough to answer him. “Upside down plum and apple cobbler.”

“That sounds fancy. You might make a fruit eater out of me yet.”

I made a beeline for the door.

Inuel turned to look at me. “You’re all right, Taz?

“Yeah, fine. Great. It’s a tad hot in here. I’ll get some air and check on Tazzik,” I lied and darted out to the garden so Inuel wouldn’t see me wincing in pain.

Outside, I forked a hand through my hair as the air escaped my lungs in a long rush.

It had hit me hard in there. Straight to the heart. Paralysing me. The awareness there wouldn’t be a next time. The next cake. Inuel would be leaving in three days. My little bubble was about to burst, and I could do fuck all to keep it unscathed.

The soft meow at my feet made me get a hold of myself. Tazzik’s big green eyes fixed on me as he tried—and half succeeded in—climbing my leg. I wrapped my arm around the mogõ and lifted him. Holding him close against my chest, I listened to his purring and took slow breaths in and out.

“This is all wrong, Tazzik. All wrong,” I whispered into the kitten’s warm, silky fur that smelled of grass and herbs.

5

Departure

That morning Inuel informed me of his intention to extend his stay by two days.

“It’s best if my new bond to Tazzik settles a touch before the journey,” he said. “And that way you and me can leave the sanctuarium together.”

No other offer emerged from that exchange—not that I’d expected one—but I welcomed the news. As a master procrastinator, I considered postponing the end to what had been a charming fantasy by a couple of nights a brilliant idea.

We’d agreed to set off the day after the completion of my term, and we left it at that, without discussing the details.

When the moment to bid farewell to the cosy cottage and our little family of three arrived, I wasn’t ready. I thought I’d prepared myself for it. And on the intellectual level, I had. The illusion had run its course and I had to let go. However, on the morning of our departure, the concept of leaving and separating from Inuel and Tazzik seemed beyond surreal.

Emptying the drawers and shoving my belongings into my saddlebags felt a lot like grieving. I checked all the rooms, putting things in order and straightening up the place for its next visitor.

Walking around the house, on the verge of emotional breakdown, I reasoned with myself to keep it together. We’d had a great time—a delightful time—enjoying each other’s company and each other’s bodies. The enjoyment went both ways, I realised that much. However deep my complexes ran, I knew I was a good lay. But it ended there. Demons didn’t do commitment, I repeated my mantra. Unless they committed to being a real pain in the arse and getting right under one’s skin. Or into one’s heart. Then, they performed superbly.

I dropped my luggage on the floor tiles in the hall, next to Inuel’s neat leather sacks and the impromptu cat carrier he’d fashioned out of Tazzik’s basket and a seagrass tray, binding them with a piece of wicker. Sceptical as I’d been before, I had to admit it turned out both cosy-looking and fit for purpose.

While Inuel fed the horses, I watered the herb garden and vegetable patch one last time. Observing Tazzik play-hunting in the tall grass nearby and admiring his exuberance served as additional entertainment.

I was going to miss the little mogõ. Not waking up to the sounds of the comforter being scratched to pieces or without having my face licked and pawed came as a bizarre concept.

The back door banged open and Inuel started towards me.

I did a double take, the watering can falling out of my hand. I straightened my posture and froze.

Inuel was wearing the grey robes of an Exorcist, coupled with a very peculiar facial expression.

At first I thought he’d put on my clothes as some prank, the meaning of which eluded me. But no, the outfit fitted him perfectly, not tight across his chest, not too short in length. The sleeves didn’t end three-quarters down his arms, as mine would. The silver serpent brooch, identical to the one pinned on my chest, glinted right below his collar.

“Wh-what’s this then?” My words came out a bit hoarse. “Either you robbed someone to get this getup or…Are… you’re an Exorcist now?”

Inuel’s cheeks tinged with pink. “I’m sorry, Taz. I wanted to tell you right away, I truly did. But meeting you here was just such a surprise. Such a coincidence. A gift. It felt like a second chance with you, and I didn’t want to put my foot wrong and blow it. I don’t know.” Inuel rubbed his jaw and shrugged. “It seemed like too much to lead with right away. You were so angry and tightly wound, and I didn’t want to spook you.”

“I’m not a horse, thank you very much,” I said with inflexion. “And you make no sense.”

Inuel appeared stuck. He made a vague gesture and scratched his head. “When you kissed me, and we started—”

“Fucking,” I finished helpfully.

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