Page 104 of Malice

“Yeah. It comes from blackjack. The card game.”

“Hmm. I like it. Anyway, what you do is you say his name and then ‘requesting love bond.’ He’ll know what to do after that and guide you. You need a supernatural witness.” He waggles his eyebrows. “Can I be your best man? I’ve never been one before.”

“Of course. I owe you a lot. Thank you for choosing me.”

Crash puts his hands over his heart. “Aw. Don’t make me cry. It was my pleasure to help, but you did a lot on your own. Don’t short yourself the credit. You were a badass. It was wicked awesome to watch.”

“Thanks. All Horrors aren’t as bad as this one was, are they?”

He shrugs. “It varies, but they’re called Horrors for a reason, if you get my drift.”

“I do, yeah.”

“Are you gonna live here now?”

“Uh, you know, we haven’t discussed it, but I would guess so. I just have a dinky apartment and he’s got this beautiful house he loves.”

“Do you think I can stay? I could hang out with the other house spirits and…” He pauses, glancing past me for a second. “Have a place to call home.”

My jaw drops. “You don’t stay anywhere?”

He shakes his head. “No. I bounce around a lot. Sometimes I click with a Chaser and we hang out for a while, but they don’t always want me around for good. I know I can be annoying.”

“You’re not annoying, Crash. Not at all.”

His expression lightens a bit. “Do you think Hudson likes me?”

“I think so. Otto certainly does.”

“He’s a good boy. I promise to stay out of the way. I won’t ever watch or even listen when you guys bang.”

I have to fight back a smile. “That’s nice of you.”

“And I could help you when you get assignments. I could watch Otto and Hudson too. I can be useful, Aster.”

“You’re very useful. I’ll talk to Hudson, but I’m sure he’d be okay with it.”

A bright smile spreads across his face. “It would be nice to have a home again, and friends, and the spirits said they like me too. I haven’t had that in a long time.”

“Are you sure you like it better up here with the living?”

“Uh, yeah. The Below is dreary. I’d rather be lonely than sad. Wouldn’t you?”

I nod. “Yeah.” I rub my hands together and exhale. “I’m ready. Farnsworth, requesting a love bond.”

I startle when Farnsworth appears before me. “Is that so?”

I nod. “Yes. What do I need to do?”

He glances at Crash. “I assume you’ve chosen a mortal?”

Crash sputters a laugh.

“Yes. Hudson’s in the living room, working.”

“And you’ve selected Crash as your supernatural witness?”

“Yes.” A thought comes to me. Hudson would probably like his sister here for this. “Can we have a living witness too?”

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