Page 22 of Firefly

Fear such as he’d never known shot through him. She was right. Alexander could order Simon to kill her, and he would be forced to do it.

Sarah raced to her mother, falling into her lap. “Let’s play!” she said, looking up.

Rebecca grimaced. “Soon, sweet one. Give me a few minutes.”

Sarah stuck out her bottom lip. “Now.”

Simon sat up, straightening the sleeves of his shirt. “It’s okay, I need to go.”

Rebecca grabbed his hand, stopping him. “Simon, I can’t leave without you.”

He forced his mouth to turn up at the corners, knowing it was a poor imitation of a smile. Knowing Rebecca would see through it.

She searched his face, waiting for a reply. When he said nothing, she released his hand, letting him go.

As he darted down the stairs into Alexander’s laboratory, a stone settled in his stomach. Rebecca wouldn’t leave without him; he had seen the determination in her eyes.

He had to find a way to go with them.

He reached the bottom of the stairs and flung the metal door open.

Alexander glowered at him from his place in the center of the room. “I can’t say why you’re in a foul mood. I’m the one who's been disappointed as of late.”

Simon stalked to the table and crossed his arms. “I need to go to Europe.”

Alexander let his amulet fall, and the room dimmed. “A trip like that would take months.”

“I’ve thought about it, and there’s no better option. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of demons. Astaroth confirmed it. Let me go, and I will find a way to bring back a horde.”

Alexander arched a brow, the expression so like Rebecca’s; something twisted in Simon’s gut.

“If you go, I’ll be left with no demons for some time. Where will I find the energy I need to thrive?” Alexander rubbed his chin, looking thoughtful.

“If you touch Rebecca, our deal is off,” Simon growled.

“You’ve grown mighty confident, Simon. Need I remind you who runs things?”

Simon balled his hands into fists, working to get his emotions in check. It would do Rebecca no good if he lost his temper now.

“I will find as many demons as I can over the next several evenings. If you work to reinforce your gargoyle wards, you can keep them down here until you need them. They should last if you ration them.”

Alexander flipped his leather journal closed, tucking it under his arm. “Very well. If you bring me at least fifteen demons, or humans with demons inhabiting them, which would frankly be easier to store, you may go abroad.”

Simon dipped his chin, turning to leave.

“Oh, and Simon?”

Simon stopped.

“You had better think of a way to explain your absence to Rebecca.”

Chapter 16

Rebecca

Rebecca paced the kitchen, leaning into the hall to check the clock again. It was nearly five in the morning. She hadn’t seen Simon in three nights. Three nights of waiting like a fool with no word. Each of the previous days, when she pushed against his door, it didn’t budge.

She’d tried using her air magic to force it; she’d called Alice to bring the key, but even with the door unlocked, it was stuck tight. It was as if Simon had some magic of his own that he’d employed to bar his door.

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