Chapter One

THE TWANG OF the guitar marked the end of the set, and Jack had a beer waiting behind the small backwoods Texas bar for his brother Kris.

“Beer?” Kris asked, leaning heavily against the other side of the bar. He looked bone weary, deep lines around his eyes. Jack was worried that working three jobs was going to run his brother into the grave early, something he’d been deathly afraid of happening from the day he was fourteen and their parents had passed away in an accident.

“You seem a little off tonight.” Jack passed over the cold bottle. It was a local brew.

“Show wasn’t good?” Kris asked, worry showing as Jack picked up a glass to clean. The bar was quiet enough that they could talk. Most people were on the main floor and were still dancing, even though the music had switched from the band to a CD.

“No, you sounded great. I just know you, Kris. You were tense.” Jack was pretty close to his older brother, a man who’d been like a father to him. He could read him fairly well, no matter how much Kris tried to hide his worries.

“I might have to give up the band,” Kris blurted out, and Jack was shocked. He hadn’t been expecting that. His brother loved playing with his laid-back country band.

“Why?” Jack asked.

“Cherry is pregnant. We’ll need more money. I need to find one job that pays well enough to support us, even when she can’t work. I just can’t see the band making enough money for me to justify the time for practicing and performing.”

Jack did his best to hide his shock. “Congratulations, but I thought Cherry couldn’t have kids?”

Kris and Cherry were high-school sweethearts and had married a couple years ago. Jack loved his sister-in-law; they were close, and she’d told him herself about her health issues.

“That’s what her old doctor told her, but she’s at three months now. I waited to tell you, but her new doc says she might need bed rest for some of the pregnancy. Her blood pressure is low and a bunch of stuff I don’t understand, but God, Jack, we want this baby. I’ll pay every doctor’s bill it takes to keep my kid and Cherry safe and happy. I’ll find a way. I can’t lose either of them.” Kris looked like the world was weighing on his shoulders yet again. He hadn’t had an easy life. He deserved a break, and Jack wished he could give him one, but he was just a bartender in a shitty bar. He had no money to spare.

“Is there anything I can do?” he asked anyway.

“Win the lottery? Don’t stress about it though, kid. It’s not your job to take care of me.” Kris waved away his offer of help.

“You’re my brother. Cherry is like my sister, and that baby she’s carrying is family. If I can help, I will. I’ll get a second job, help you out,” Jack offered, meaning every word.

“I appreciate it, Jack, but you need to take care of you first. Working too much is no good for you. I don’t want you burning out again. Look, we’re due back on. We’ll talk about it more some other time.” Kris took a swallow of his beer, then turned and left before Jack could argue.

Kris got back up on the small stage with the rest of his band. The CD stopped, and Kris strapped his guitar on and took the mic. He was just over six feet tall, with broad shoulders, a slight beer belly, and a handsome sort of face. He kept his blond hair shaved, a habit from his short time in the army. Jack looked a lot like his brother, except he was a good few inches shorter, with a slimmer frame. Where Kris’s hair was cropped close, Jack let his grow long, golden blond down to his shoulders.

Kris looked at home on stage, dancing lightly in time with the music, crooning his own lyrics and a few covers. He was talented, with an excellent voice and good with the guitar, but he’d never had a break. Jack couldn’t imagine ever getting on that stage himself. He would fall apart, he was sure. Though both he and Kris had been diagnosed with PTSD for different reasons, it didn’t affect them in the same way. Kris was far more confident—at least he was when it came to music. He could be useless at small talk.

“Hey, spaceman, you with me?” a voice called, and Jack shook himself out of his hyper focus on his brother and realized he had a friend at the bar.

Kim Joy stood out in a redneck bar, not just because of their mixed heritage, making them the only Asian in a room full of white people. It was their clothes, their long black skirt and corset, the blue streaks in their black hair, the dramatic eye makeup and dark lipstick, the pentagram on a cord around their neck.

Hazelwood Creek didn’t have many half Chinese, goth, nonbinary femme witches. In fact, it only had Kim Joy, and their little shop had caused quite the stir. Jack personally loved them. They were snarky and sweet, whip smart. And he was lucky enough to call them a friend.

“Sorry, Kim. What would you like to drink?” Jack asked.

“Whisky sour, and I may have overheard a little. Congratulations on becoming an uncle.” Kim Joy smiled, their bright-red lipstick shiny even in the dim bar light.

Jack prepared Kim’s drink. “Know any spells to bring in wealth?”

“None that’ll be what you need, but I do have a suggestion. It’s not something to be taken on lightly though.” Kim took their whisky sour and swirled the plastic stirrer through the liquid. They looked very serious and kept their voice low.

“One second.” Jack had to leave to serve someone quickly, but Kim was still waiting for him when he was finished.

“I was never much of a believer, not before I knew you, so shoot. What is it that you think I should try?” Jack trusted them. If anyone was a real mystic, it was Kim Joy.

“Your life needs more balance, right?” Kim asked seriously.

“I guess my family could use a little more light. This baby is the first miracle in a while, but I’m scared giving up music will kill part of Kris,” Jack admitted.

Kim nodded. “You need to summon a balance demon and make a deal.”

“A balance demon?” Jack was a bit in over his head. He’d seen Kim Joy do small things: blessings that charged the air, simple healings. He’d started lighting the candles they suggested and keeping crystals, but demons? He didn’t even know those were real.

“It’s not for the faint of heart. You have to be willing to make whatever deal is offered. I’ve talked with demons before, and word is, balance demons are the least dark, but still far from light. They can be trusted though, not like tricksters. Their word is their bond,” Kim Joy explained in hushed tones.

“How do I summon one?” Jack asked, out of his depth but willing to try just about anything.

“You need to go to a deconsecrated church ground, like the one on Bishops Hill, in the hour before dawn. Knock three times on the door and say ‘I seek balance,’ then light a candle and wait for it to go out. When it does, the demon will appear.” Kim Joy described the process as if it were simple.

“I get off close to dawn. I could go tonight, but I don’t have a candle in my car.” Jack wanted to act soon. If this failed, which he was almost certain it would, he still needed time to find a way to help Kris.

“I have some in my bag. A white candle would be best.” Kim Joy patted their colorful large bag.

“Is this something an amateur should mess with alone?” Jack wanted to be sure. On Kim’s advice, he’d warded his apartment against evil, little things like that, but summoning a demon was leaping forward about a dozen steps in the witch path.

“Most people I would advise against any dealings with demons, but Jack, you have the purest spirit I have ever encountered, and that will work in your favor. And like I have told you before, you could be a very powerful witch with practice.” Kim Joy’s eyes shone in the dim bar light. Anyone else standing before him, apart from maybe Kris and Cherry, he would have assumed they were trying to trick him somehow, that there was some kind of gain in it for them. But Kim Joy was made of goodness, and Jack trusted them.

“Can I borrow a candle, please?” he asked, mind made up.

“Of course. Here, take it now. I’m not staying much longer. One more quick dance and home for me. I need to charge some moon water. You’re lucky it’s a full moon. The veil is thinner tonight,” Kim Joy said brightly as they opened their bag and passed over a large tea light.

“Do you have a ride home?” Jack asked, worried about them getting home safely.

“A circle member is coming to pick me up, a trusted friend. Don’t you worry, Jack Long. Besides, you should know by now a person would be a fool to cross a witch.” Kim Joy flashed him a wicked smile, reading his concern easily, as they always did.

“Just because I know you can defend yourself from a lot doesn’t mean I want you put in a situation where you have to do so,” Jack told them, firmly putting the candle into his loose work pants pocket.

Kim Joy grinned. “You’re a doll, Jack, but I’m fine. Let me know how it goes.”

“I will.” Jack patted his pocket. Kim Joy took their drink to go dance, and Jack focused on the rest of his shift.

Kim Joy left not long after, waving from the doorway before they went out into the night. Kris and his band played a few more songs while Jack restocked and cleaned the bar and served drinks. The band said goodbye to the crowd and got a good cheer. Then they broke down their equipment and loaded it into a van outside. Kris came to say goodnight, and Jack put on a well-practiced mask he hardly ever used with his big brother. He didn’t want Kris knowing he had plans to help him out financially. Kris wouldn’t approve. He wasn’t a big believer in witchcraft and thought the unknown should be left well enough alone.

“Good set.” Jack smiled.

“Yeah. I haven’t told them yet about leaving. Can’t quite find the words,” Kris said sadly.

“It’ll work out. I promise,” Jack assured him.

“You okay to drive home? You look tired. I can come back and get you?” Kris offered.

“I’m cool. Lot of gas left in my tank before I need sleep to refuel.” Jack grinned. He was tired, but he wouldn’t tell that to Kris. Kris worried enough about Jack working late at the bar as it was.

“If you say so. Cherry wants you over for lunch Sunday. Friends welcome, or a date. Her words, not mine. I know how hard it is for you to date in a small town like this,” Kris chuckled.

Cherry always worried about Jack being single, not just because she was a big believer in true love, but because she knew him. He wanted a relationship, but wouldn’t date just to not be alone, and that would be what he would be doing if he dated any of the few gay people he knew of in town. They were mostly good people, but there had been no spark with them, even the two he’d slept with.

Jack groaned. “I’ll be there for lunch, most likely alone. Please tell her no matchmaking this time.” Cherry had a habit of inviting him to events with gay men in hopes he’d find love. It was often awkward, especially in the cases where he’d rejected the person before.

“I promise to try, but she has her own mind. You know that,” Kris pointed out, jingling his keys in his hand in the way he always did when he was ready to leave.

“Yep. See you Sunday, bro, or are you playing tomorrow?” Jack asked.

“Playing tomorrow. Early slot like you. Just found out outside. Someone cancelled. Your boss was not pleased, so watch out. He might still be in a mood. Keep your head if he is. No losing your job,” Kris warned him.

“I know how to deal with him. Go on; get home. You need to sleep too.” Jack waved Kris away. His boss, Greg, could be a little volatile at times. Kind of a shit boss, to be honest, but he was the only person who would offer Jack a job after he’d come out as gay.

“See you tomorrow, kid.” Kris smiled faintly.

“Not a kid, but you will.” Jack had the thought that if he got sucked into a hell dimension trying to summon a balance demon tonight, Kris wouldn’t see him tomorrow, maybe not ever again, but he tried to push away that stomach-churning thought. It sounded like a horrible fate. His big brother had been amazing his whole life.

Kris reached over the bar to clasp Jack’s shoulder. He squeezed once before he stepped away and headed out the door. The tension in his brother’s back as he walked, the slight stoop in his shoulders, made Jack’s throat feel tight. He didn’t want to see Kris miserable. Losing music would do that to him. Even with the joy of a child he’d thought he’d never have, part of him would be missing. But Jack had plans to change that. The candle in his pocket felt heavy against his leg, like a reminder.

Kris left, and Jack rang out last call for drinks. Not many people tried to fit in another drink, and the crowd had thinned out a lot since the band stopped playing. Jack spent most of the end of his shift cleaning. He wasn’t in charge of closing tonight, so when it hit one a.m., he took off his work apron and put it away in the back room.

It’d been a hot August, so he didn’t have a coat with him. He just got his car keys from his battered locker and said goodnight to Greg.

“If you need any extra shifts, one of our waitresses, Amy, has been fired. If you can do her job, it’s yours,” Greg offered.

Jack didn’t ask what Amy had done to cause Greg to get rid of her. He was a bartender, but he’d waited tables before, and more hours meant more money, though he wasn’t sure a second crappy job would be enough to help Kris out with a baby. He knew how expensive kids were. The hospital bills alone would cost a small fortune.

“Can I let you know tomorrow?” he asked, hoping it wouldn’t piss Greg off. If this demon thing worked out, maybe he wouldn’t need the extra shifts.

“Yeah, sure, but I can’t give you longer than that.” Greg sounded grumpy.

“Of course. See you tomorrow, Greg.”

Jack said goodbye, left the bar, and climbed into his old beat-up Ford pickup. He took a minute to check everything was in the right place, turned his engine and lights on, and checked his glove box for cassette tapes. The vehicle was so old it didn’t even have a CD player, let alone a connection for an MP3 player.

Jack set out toward the old church before he could change his mind. It had stopped being a church before he was born. There’d been a murder and a small fire designed to cover it up that had failed. When Jack was in middle school, kids used to say the place was haunted and dare one another to touch the door or camp in the graveyard. Jack himself had been to a party there one night. He didn’t think of himself as tough, but it had never frightened him to be there. He’d spent a lot of time in the town’s newer, more modern graveyard by that age, visiting his parents’ grave. He still went there even now, four times a year, on the anniversary of their deaths, each of their birthdays, and his own birthday. He didn’t think he could manage more frequently than that—he’d just end up depressed, and he knew they wouldn’t want that for him.

He drove to the church with his music and thoughts of graves for company. Maybe he’d never feared ghosts because he’d carried his own with him every day.

Jack parked his car as close as he could and walked the rest of the way. He wasn’t afraid of getting jumped out here, because he knew no one would be around. Parties in the old church were rare now.

The graveyard was quiet, but not silent. Whispers of wind through trees and a few animal noises broke out into the near-dawn dimness. Twigs crunched under his feet as he walked the path to the small church, the noise reminding Jack of the time he’d heard a football player break his leg badly during a game. They made the same dry, crisp snap. Jack took out the candle and placed it on the steps of the church, lit it, then, remembering Kim Joy’s words, knocked on the door three times.

“I seek balance,” Jack said, trying to summon the energy inside him that Kim Joy had assured him was there. He begged whoever might be listening that this would work.

He stepped back from the door, not sure how long it would take. He sat in the grass and waited, watching the candle. It was the hour before dawn, and the day had been scorching hot, a dry heat. It was cooler now, bearable. It was a nice night to be outside. Still, Jack felt odd just sitting in a graveyard on a nice night instead of in Kris’s backyard, drinking a beer. What if the police swung by, looking for errant teenagers?

The candle flickered as if in a strong breeze, although the night was still. It wavered twice, then was snuffed out, and Jack’s heart began to race. He felt like a kid in Peter Pan, but instead of fairies, it was magic and demons he believed in.

A twig cracked, and Jack jumped to his feet, searching for the source. He was half convinced it would be a cop but hoped desperately that it would be the answer to his prayers. Jack looked around and saw something moving in the trees. He watched carefully, almost convinced it was just his imagination. Then a figure appeared. At first, it could have been mistaken for a man. He was taller than Jack, over six foot, broad with midnight-black hair down to his shoulders, muscular, filling out his white shirt and black jeans. He was conventionally attractive with his straight nose and high cheekbones, like something out of a magazine.

Then he got closer, revealing shocking purple eyes and purple highlights in his black hair. From the white skin of his forehead protruded two small, purple horns.

“You summoned me?” the demon asked in a deep, rich voice that made Jack shiver slightly as he drew closer. His accent was hard to place. It wasn’t Texas or any place Jack had heard on TV. It gave his voice warmth and a cultured twang.

“Are you a balance demon?” Jack asked, wanting to be sure.

“I am Aaden of the order of balance. Why did you summon me, human?” Aaden came to a stop about five steps from where Jack stood, and he really could’ve been a movie star. If this were a Halloween party, Jack would have been hoping to go home with him, but it wasn’t a party, and this was much more important than getting laid.

“I want to make a deal, please. My friend said you could…I guess, bring good to my life,” Jack said nervously. He didn’t want to fuck up, get cursed, killed, or ruin his chance to help his brother, but he could hardly remember what Kim Joy had told him, his brain was so clouded with mixed emotions.

Aaden looked him over as if he could look right through him and see his soul, and who knew? Maybe the demon could. “What is it you desire help with?”

“My brother. He’s a poor musician. I want him to be able to keep playing music but have enough money to support his wife and the baby they’re having.” Jack couldn’t help but notice the large buckle on Aaden’s belt. It had an odd symbol crafted in silver, and Jack had to jerk his gaze up when it wandered lower. He hoped this was some kind of demon magic, turning him back into a horny teenager. He wondered how long it’d been since he’d gotten laid, but this wasn’t the time to work it out, not faced with a demon with eyes that looked as if they could see right to his darkest thoughts.

“Your wish is for your brother and his family? You ask nothing for yourself, but you will trade for him?” Aaden had a slight frown between his horns.

“Yes.”

“You don’t care if you don’t benefit from the deal?” Aaden was still frowning.

“Well, if Kris has money he’ll try and help me out, but that’s not what I want from this. I want Kris and Cherry to be happy, for their baby to have it easier than we did.”

“You must love your brother very much to summon a demon to help him,” Aaden stated. It wasn’t a question, but Jack felt compelled to answer anyway.

“Kris is the best big brother a guy could ask for. He gave up a lot for me: the army, his career, his youth. Kris raised me after our folks died. He was hardly grown himself, could have put me in a kids’ home, but he took on the responsibility of a traumatized gay kid in Texas, and made my life as easy as he could.” Jack’s eyes watered slightly, and he dropped his gaze from the demon. His throat felt thick. Talking about his parents, his childhood, and all Kris had done for him always got him choked up.

“What is your name?” Aaden’s voice was closer, and Jack jumped a little. He was usually too aware of his surroundings to be snuck up on, but Aaden had moved silently, it seemed, and he was here now, within arm’s reach.

“Jack.” He tried to pull his emotions in and under control. He didn’t want to break down in front of a stranger. Who knew how a demon would react if it saw him as weak? Probably take his soul and not give him shit in return.

“Jack,” Aaden repeated, almost like he was testing out the sound of the name. Jack liked how it sounded in Aaden’s odd accent. “You lost your parents?”

“They died when I was fourteen, in an accident. I was with them.” Jack fought off the whispers in his mind, the echoes of sounds he wished he could erase from his memory permanently.

“And your brother took you on then?”

“Yeah, he was twenty, had trauma too, but he took on the role of mom, dad, and big brother all at once. Hell, he was even my unofficial therapist most my life. Still is sometimes.” Jack laughed, but it sounded a little rough.

“What are you willing to trade for his happiness?” Aaden asked softly.

“Anything, anything that is mine to give. Like, I won’t kill or hurt anybody. That’s just not right for this. I can’t trade someone else’s pain for Kris’s happiness, but I’m willing to trade mine.” Jack tried to keep the shake from his voice because he meant his offer.

“You would hurt for him, bleed for him, even die for him?” Aaden asked, and he raised a large but elegant hand and placed it on Jack’s throat.

He didn’t try to fight, even though he knew in his heart that Aaden could snap his neck with little effort. He could feel every spot where Aaden’s fingers touched his skin, just firm enough to show strength, and Jack was aware that if he weren’t terrified, he might’ve been turned on. “Yes, I would,” Jack whispered, hoping Kris would never connect anything bad happening to Jack to his life changing for the better. He didn’t want Kris to have that guilt.

“If your motives are truly pure and your brother deserving, he will get and keep what you wish for him, and no harm will come to you.” Aaden stroked his thumb slowly over Jack’s pulse point. Then he released Jack’s throat, and Jack almost stumbled. His legs felt like Jell-o.

“How do I prove my motives to you?” Jack asked. He couldn’t yet believe that he might have gotten the miracle he needed. He wasn’t even sure if miracle was the right word for a wish granted by a demon.

“I will spend three months here in the human realm with you. I will be your shadow. If you remain incorruptible, I will make the deal last forever. But if I find you lied to me about why you called me, I will take my gift back and make you suffer.” Aaden’s voice took on a chilling tone toward the end.

“I haven’t lied. Do I not, like, have to promise you my soul?” Every movie Jack had ever seen with demons said they wanted human souls. He wasn’t sure what for. That never seemed to be explained.

Aaden tsked. “Never offer your soul so lightly. Other demons might take advantage.”

“But you won’t?” Jack asked, and he wanted to cover his mouth and shove the words back down where they belonged. He might not know much about demons, but he had a feeling they probably didn’t like being questioned.

“I’m a balance demon. I have no use for souls. I like the human world. Consider these months a break for me from home. Demon politics can become quite droll. Why not have some fun?” Aaden said, and really, he had no right to sound so sensual. The hairs on Jack’s neck stood up.

“So, that’s all I owe you? Three months of my time? And you’ll help Kris?” Jack asked. He couldn’t quite believe it, not yet.

“Time is precious. I would not talk as though it’s nothing. But yes. I will move in with you come nightfall tomorrow. I will learn about you and your brother.” Aaden crowded Jack again. Jack didn’t step back. He was sure running from a demon would only make it want to chase him, and he had no intention of ending up like a gazelle under a lion.

“I don’t have a spare room,” Jack blurted out, feeling foolish.

Aaden waved his hand again as if brushing aside Jack’s concerns. “I will find a suitable place for us in town. Now, where do you want your mark? Most don’t want it to show.”

“Mark?” Jack repeated.

“Yes. A mark seals our deal and allows you to summon me and for me to track you. You really don’t know much about demons, do you?” Aaden watched Jack closely as if assessing him.

“No. I only found out they were real tonight,” Jack admitted.

“Brave to call on me, then. Or perhaps foolish. Still, you will learn from me. Now, your mark? It will look like a small tattoo, no bigger than a large coin.”

“My ankle?” Jack suggested. He couldn’t help wondering what he could learn from a demon like Aaden.

“Smart. Take your boot off,” Aaden instructed.

Jack reached down and untied the laces on his left boot. He pulled the boot and his sock off and straightened up. Aaden moved closer and leaned down till his hand closed over Jack’s ankle. The sensation of Aaden’s strong hand wrapping around it made Jack feel unusually small.

“Will it hurt?” Jack asked. He’d still do it—Kris was worth any pain—but he wanted to be prepared.

“No. Now, make a bargain with an angel, and their mark will hurt. Theirs is a brand of holy light,” Aaden said conversationally, like it was no big deal that angels existed.

Well, Jack guessed it made sense that if demons were real, so were angels. Maybe he needed to rethink his religious views.

“You’re sure you want to make this deal?” Aaden asked.

“Yes.” Three months with a demon, to change Kris and Cherry’s life along with their baby, couldn’t impact his life that much. Jack hadn’t lied to the demon. He wouldn’t lie to him, and everything would be fine.

He felt a strange sensation in his foot and a warmth where Aaden’s hand was. When Aaden lifted his hand, there it was, a small circle with a stylized capital A in it. Jack stared at it for a moment. This was real. He’d done it. He’d made a deal with a demon. For better or worse, it was done. No turning back.

“Just touch it and think of me, and you can call me to you. But know I can ignore the call, and will, if you misuse it,” Aaden warned.

“I won’t call unless I have to. Can I put my boot back on?” Jack asked.

Aaden nodded, and Jack pulled on his sock and boot, trying not to fall over or look foolish as he did so. Aaden seemed like the type to never be or feel foolish. He had movie star good looks and bearing. Jack wondered whether living with someone so composed, so perfect seeming, would get on his nerves.

“When will you help Kris?” Jack asked, worried the question would piss Aaden off.

“The wheels are already in motion. You’ll see signs by midnight. Just live normally till then, and I will come for you once I have everything in place.” Again, Aaden’s soft voice made the hairs on the back of Jack’s neck stand up. Jack shivered, despite the warmth of the night. He had just changed his family’s fate, and it had seemed so simple. He trusted it remained simple.

“Thank you.” Jack hoped his gratitude showed.

Aaden nodded his head slightly in acknowledgement. “I’ve done nothing yet. Save your thanks till I earn it.”

“You’ve agreed to help. That’s something worth gratitude, already,” Jack said, then bit his lip. “I gotta learn not to argue with you like you’re just some dude, when you’re a powerful demon.”

“You have power of your own, little witch. And fear not. I appreciate being treated like an ordinary man. I do not wish to spend three months watching you cower in fear. It’s not my idea of fun.” Aaden sounded almost amused.

“I’m not a witch, not really,” Jack said, thinking of Kim Joy. They were devoted to their craft, not just dabbling. Magic was part of their daily life.

Aaden raised an eyebrow. “You really think that, don’t you? You do know not everyone can summon a demon? Most calls to us sound like whispers on the wind; you yelled right into another dimension and made me take notice.”

“Really? I was only told how to summon you tonight by a witch friend. Um…they might realize what you are when you show up and Kris’s life changes. Is that okay?” Jack didn’t want Kim Joy to get hurt because of him and his meddling in magic.

“You may tell your witch friend about our deal but tell them to keep it between the two of you. Don’t tell anyone else. As far as your friends and family are concerned, I’m an old friend who moved back to town,” Aaden said firmly. He had a deep commanding tone to his voice, a voice people would listen to, that Jack wanted to listen to not just because he thought disobeying a demon would be a mistake.

“They might not believe that. Kris knows all my friends, especially ones from my teens. He was the parent making sure no one was trouble.”

“I will not alter their memories, but I can blur the lines a little. It is a gift that when a demon lies, those humans not bearing their mark, they believe the lie,” Aaden spoke as if it was no big deal that he could tell any lie he wished to most people.

“Okay, okay. Just worried, you know. I do want this to work. Kris and Cherry deserve this. She’s a good woman too, you know. Stuck by Kris through leaving for the army, how it changed him, coming back, and taking on a kid. She went away for college, but she was there for him, and me.” Jack felt as if maybe Aaden, if he liked balance, would be pleased to know that Kris and Cherry were good people.

“Try to worry less, and let me take care of everything.”

“I’m not very good at letting go and leaving things in other people’s hands,” Jack admitted.

Aaden gave him an appraising look. “We’ll have to work on that.”

When Aaden said it, it sounded more like a sensual promise than a threat. Confusion washed through Jack.

“Go home, little witch. I will be back in a few hours. Get some sleep and prepare for change,” Aaden instructed.

“Okay. Thank you.” Jack had a feeling there was no point telling Aaden not to call him a witch. He might not feel like one yet, but clearly, he was witch enough for a demon to chat with him in a graveyard in the dawn light.

He waved awkwardly, feeling like a dork, and turned quickly to walk away. When he looked back over his shoulder, Aaden was gone without a trace. Jack almost laughed. He’d been splashing in the kiddie pool of magic before, but tonight he’d taken a jump off the high diving board, and it had worked. He couldn’t believe it.

Jack went back to his car, feeling like his whole body was a live wire. He might have solved Kris’s troubles. He just had to spend three months keeping out of trouble.

He drove home to his crappy apartment and parked his car out front. By the time he’d let himself in, the sun had come up. Wandering inside, with the early morning light pouring in through the windows, it almost felt like his trip to the old church was a dream. But when he stripped to get into bed, Aaden’s mark was still on his ankle.

Climbing into bed, he was careful not to touch it or to think too much about Aaden. He didn’t know much about demons, but he had a feeling that, like anyone, they wouldn’t appreciate being called without reason, having their day interrupted. But Jack couldn’t help wondering if Aaden was in bed now. He was unsure whether demons even slept. He thought perhaps he should ask Kim Joy a few more questions.

Exhausted, Jack couldn’t keep his eyes open for long, despite the feeling in his stomach that everything was going to change.