Page 48 of My Saintly Demon

When he steps away, leaving me short of breath, his lopsided smile flips my gut upside down.

“You know where to find me.”

Dave lets the door close behind him with a click. I count to ten to make sure he’s actually moving down the hall before pulling a shirt on and stepping outside with my rosary. As much as I want to, I can’t turn my back completely on my faith. Just because the church wasn’t open and accepting doesn’t mean I can’t be.

Perching on the edge of the lounger, the smooth beads sliding through my fingers calm my racing thoughts. I initially thought I should pray for forgiveness, but I’d not done anything wrong. Well, the stolen money was wrong, but everything else wasn’t. I could correct the money issues easily enough.

But the purpose I had before was missing. I had no life direction anymore, and I needed it. All this time I had been preparing to leave the church, I hadn’t thought about what I’d actually do once I left. I’d been too caught up in all the worldly pleasures I wanted to pursue, and I didn’t give serious thought to my future.

“Hey.”

I smile as X stands a few feet away, his long hair not back in its usual bun. He fiddles with the rings on his left hand.

“Hi. Do you need to talk?”

I don’t know him well enough yet, but he’s not himself and since we all seem to be going through rough times here, it’s only polite to offer an ear.

“I, uh, Dave said you asked if I could do magic on your ribs. Thought I’d pop by and see if it’s a good time, it doesn’t take long.”

“Oh, yes! I’d love that.”

He smiles and eases down next to me.

“What do you need me to do?”

“Just sit. But I have to touch you. Is that okay?”

“Of course it is. I assumed you would.”

X has never been this jumpy. Hell, he made a pass at me out here before with no nerves.

“So, this is a touch healing. I’m actually good at it. You don’t have to worry. It works better if I can touch your skin directly.”

“Oh, yeah. I can do that.” I pull my shirt off over my head quickly and X averts his eyes.

“Is something wrong? If you don’t mind me saying, you seem… jumpy. If you’re worried about Dave getting all caveman with you, he won’t. He’s gone to see his dad, anyway.”

X moves his hand over my rib cage, pressing his palms into my skin. It’s warm and tingly.

“If I talk to you it’s confidential, right? Like, I know you’re not a priest anymore, but you’d keep it a secret?”

He continues to only look at where he’s touching me and moves to another area. I watch a bruise fade right in front of me. It’s the oddest thing.

“I think this rib is cracked. It might feel weird.”

A zing goes through my side, not unpleasant but also not something I’d like to keep happening. I wiggle. “Sorry. You’re right, that’s weird.”

“So I told you they kicked me out of my coven, right? Well, something happened the other day and I’m worried. I don’t know what to do.”

“What makes you worried?”

He says nothing for so long, I think he may have changed his mind about talking.

“I mix with humans a lot and I met someone I really like. If we were to… um, be intimate, I’d have to tell him I’m a witch.” He shifts his hands again and I wonder how much practice he has with this because he’s comfortable and confident. Not at all how he is with spells in the kitchen.

“And you don’t want him to turn you away?”

He nods. No words and he lets his hair cover his face.

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