Page 99 of The Girl Who Inherits the Dead

“Bugs,” Delina responds, which seems to be the way things are right now. “Dead bugs seem to be everywhere in the world. And bones of a mouse in the next building.”

Gurlien shakes his head, like it’s still amazing. “One of these days you’re going to unintentionally solve a murder and then things are going to be real weird for you legally.”

A tremor winds its way through Maison at that, and she tucks herself closer to him.

“Wouldn’t hold up in court,” Chloe reminds him.

“I’m not saying as a court witness, I’m saying as a she’s gonna stumble on some dead body hidden in someone’s walls and blurt it out,” Gurlien replies, which isn’t better.

Chloe sets her drink in front of the two of them. “I’ll drive tonight, enjoy.” There’s a hint of mischief in her eyes. “Make sure someone doesn’t blow anything up.”

“I don’t blow things up,” Maison says, instantly, and there’s years of exasperation in his tone. “Why does everyone always think I’m going to blow things up?”

“It’s the demon,” Gurlien replies immediately. “Did you see the fight spot where they took down Terese?”

Maison shakes his head, still screwing up his face.

“Oh, it’s brutal,” Chloe chimes in after getting herself a normal soda from the bar. “So much demon junk, so much Necromancy, even I could tell. Like it’s haunted.”

Delina resists the urge to slink back. “That’s where my mom died?”

They fall silent, before Gurlien nods.

“Wild,” Delina replies blandly.

“Terese also killed off an entire few acres of land off of the coast near Bellingham” Gurlien says, obviously skittish that close to someone showing emotion. “Just…everything dead. Plants, dirt, everything.”

Maison’s hand settles in the small of Delina’s back, a tentative connection. Like he’s testing the waters.

She leans against him, just enough to be noticeable, and her skin tingles at that little touch.

“Do you want another?” Maison asks of her, voice low as if it’s just for her.

“Not of these,” Delina retorts, and there’s a ghost of a smile on his face, something halfway between tentative and scared. “Get me something that won’t burn my taste buds.”

Maison pushes away from the table, and the moment he’s arguably out of earshot both Gurlien and Chloe lean in.

“Are you sure this is wise?” Gurlien asks. “Is he okay enough for this? He did some dangerous shit today, is getting him drunk the best course of action?”

“I mean probably not,” Delina says, but there’s a worm of irritation in her now. “But he got scared, some sort of stress relief sounds like a good idea.”

Chloe watches her, face solemn, sipping at the soda. “He meant emotionally.”

“No, I didn’t,” Gurlien protests.

“You two have been weird,” Chloe continues, and if it wasn’t such a true observation, Delina would weigh being offended. “One second I think he’s about to run away, and then I think he’s about to write poetry for you, and you look like you’re caught between ignoring the fact that he exists and making out with him. Is getting drunk really a good idea?”

It’s a good point, but it doesn’t do a thing for all the emotions welling up in her, mixed with the burn in her throat. “It’s not like it’s any less confusing for me.”

“That’s fair,” Gurlien says, begrudgingly sipping the vile green drink. “It’s not like too many people are in such dramatic circumstances with their ex all the time.”

“Remember you and Richard and Tina, though?” Chloe says, and Gurlien groans, thumping his head down on the table. “You were banging both of them well after you broke up with them and were so scared they’d find out.” She gives Delina a hint of asmile, some sort of rescue. “They both already knew, it was a big giant nothingburger and Gurlien stressed about it for months.”

“Oh my god,” Delina deadpans, as Maison slides back in next to her, handing her a martini. “We’re discussing Gurlien’s romantic mishaps.”

“Is this about Tina and what’s his name?” Maison asks immediately. “That was hilarious.”

“How did you find out about that, that was only three years ago?” Gurlien says.

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