Page 57 of I Accidentally Hired a Shadow Walker
“You’re right.” He nodded. “I did leave some things out.”
“You never told her about me?” Cufio placed his hand on his chest. “I’m hurt, brother.”
“Cut it out.” Raymondscoffed.
“What’s your real name?” Jackie asked. “If I’m working with you, I’m calling you by your real name.”
“Mnuktilous,” he spoke with a challenging glare.
“Yeah, okay, Raymond works.” Jackie picked up her beer and took a long swig.
“Glad you agree.” Raymond waved his hand at the portal behind them, and it closed. “Now, we need to come up with a plan. Things in the Bane are moving quickly, and it won’t be long before they attack again.”
Just then, I felt a weird feeling, like pressure gripping around me, but it wasn’t me. It came from the garden. I could sense the plants freaking out, like they were being suffocated. I moved to look out the window that looked out on the backyard and gasped as a man appeared almost out of nothing. Then, I realized the horns on his head shrunk until they were nothing. A demon.
“Um, please tell me that’s one of your friends.” I pointed out the window.
Raymond turned and looked out the window. “Damnit, what is he doing here?”
15
Meet the team
“Iinvited him.” Cufio stepped next to Raymond. “I know you don’t want to deal with him, but it just made sense.”
“Am I missing something here?” Raymond tensed. The muscles in his arms flexed and his jaw tightened. “Why the hell would you invite him? He’s the reason this is happening.”
“He’s also our best shot at getting out of this alive,” Cufio explained. “I know you don’t like him, but we have to think strategically here. He just faced off with the big guy and walked away alive. How many others do you know who can say that?”
“It’s more than just not liking him.” Raymond shot a warning glare at his brother. “That man has never been on our side, and now you want me to believe he is?”
“I’ve never had an issue with him. You two bumped heads, and that’s unfortunate, but it’s time to move past that, especially since your life is on the line, brother.”
“You want to fill me in on what you’re talking about?” I asked, pointing out the window. “Is that guy going to be a problem for us? If he’s an enemy, why the hell is he standing in my yard?”
“Let me figure that out and then I’ll let you know.” Raymond looked at his brother and then headed out the door. “With me,” he called back to Cufio.
“Coming!” Cufio called out then turned to me when Raymond was out of earshot. “It’ll be fine. These two just have a tense history. They just need to hug it out.”
“Do you actually think that will happen?” Jackie asked.
“Hey, anything’s possible!” He smirked then ran out the door to catch up with his brother.
I watched them carefully as they walked out to meet the strange new guy. The murmur of their conversation was lost to me, coming through as only a frustrating hum. The newcomer mirrored Raymond's discomfort. He slipped his hands in his pockets and lifted his chin as he came face to face with Raymond. It looked like things could erupt into chaos at any moment.
“They better not destroy my garden. I already need to make up for the first fight out there.” I looked over at Jackie, who joined me. “What do you think that’s about?”
“Looks like bad blood.” She popped a sushi roll into her mouth. “Enemies forced to work together. This is getting juicy.”
“Really?” I scoffed at her. “With everything going on, you’re still eating?”
“What? Should we let good sushi go to waste because demons are popping up? I think not!” Jackie winked at me. “Look, while they talk, I’m going to call some backup of my own. We need more help here. I’ll be back.”
Jackie left the kitchen, sushi and beer in hand, leaving me alone with Noville. We stared at each other awkwardly for a moment, and I realized he hadn’t saidmuch since arriving. I didn’t know what to say to break the tension, so I turned back to look out into the yard.
“You’re too kind to be with…Raymond.” Noville spoke with the same hesitation around Raymond’s name, reminding himself of the modification.
“Am I?” I turned back to the large demon, who looked too big to be in my kitchen. It was strange. His skin appeared rock hard when motionless, softening to normal skin as soon as he moved. “What makes you say that?”
