Page 8 of Commanding Chaos

She closed her eyes and breathed deeply before shaking her head. “It must’ve been residual from when Ash was sick. She’s not putting off that vibe now.”

“Yeah, it was one hell of a bug. I’m glad I got it all out.” I picked up my Zippo and flicked it open. “Ready to light these babies up?”

They held their arms toward me, and I touched the flame to each, making them glow bright red before they faded to cool blue.

“Have fun gnome hunting.” I forced a smile.

“I’ll see you tomorrow morning.” Ginger waved and followed the guys out the back.

I let out a huge exhale and slumped. The shop was closed on Mondays, but she’d be here bright and early tomorrow to open it. We had to get Chaos out before she returned. Who knew a kitchen witch would be so good at sensing demons?

I put my sigil gear away and headed back upstairs. Ember and Chaos sat in the places they were in when I woke this morning, and the tension in the room was so thick I felt like I was walking through mud.

“I told you we should have vanquished him.” Ember stood and returned to pacing in front of the T.V. “It’s too dangerous having him here. We almost got caught.”

“You’re right about that.” I plopped onto the couch, exhausted from doing those simple sigils, and Chaos cut a steely gaze toward me.

I closed my eyes and pinched the bridge of my nose. “Not the vanquishing part. I don’t have a death wish.” I opened one eye to find his posture returning to normal, so I closed it again, relaxing.

“The female witch sensed me. I’m unsure about the males.”

“Oh, Miles definitely did, but not until Ginger pointed it out.” I opened my eyes. “They’ll know what you are the second they see you.”

“Which is why we should have—”

“You’d be dead if you tried.” Chaos pinned his gaze on her, and she was lucky looks couldn’t actually kill.

I let out a dramatic sigh. “C’mon, guys. We’ve been over this. We all need each other, so you two need to give up your grudges and learn to work together. I don’t have the energy to play referee on top of everything else we have to do.”

Her nostrils flared, but she gave me a tiny nod. Chaos spread his hands, conceding. Praise the goddess.

“You shouldn’t have done those sigils.” Ember returned to her chair. “Your body and vim have been taxed enough.”

“If I hadn’t, they’d be even more suspicious. Anyway, I had to do something after…” I glowered at the demon.

He waved a hand flippantly. “You said you wanted them gone. I obeyed.”

“But they didn’t leave, did they?”

He huffed. “They would have eventually.”

“After they tore our house apart like Shade did my library?” I cocked my head.

Ember’s mouth dropped open. “He’s messed with Shade before?”

“And he won’t do it again.” I arched a brow at him.

He grunted. “Not unless it’s necessary.”

“And I get to determine when that is. Got it?” I held up my arm, reminding him of the sigil.

He glowered again, and damn it if he didn’t look sexy doing it. “As you wish.”

“Finally, we’re getting somewhere,” Ember said. “We have to find a way to hide Chaos. Get him out of town without the others noticing what he is. Then we can meet up with him later to look for the skull.”

If he set foot outside anywhere near Ginger, she’d sense him. Who knew what other witches in the coven had that ability? It was too risky.

“You’re in your own body now,” I said. “Can’t you portal to places?”

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