Demon Ex Machina by Julie Kenner

Author:Julie Kenner [Kenner, Julie]
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: 9781101145296
Publisher: PENGUIN group
Published: 2010-06-01T17:22:04.361000+00:00

“I don’t think I’ve been so uncomfortable since I first decided to run for office,” Stuart said. “All I kept thinking was that there was a body in the garage. Did it show?”

“You were the epitome of cool,” I said. We’d changed into black slacks and T-shirts and called Allie back from Laura’s, since I wasn’t going patrolling with Stuart without backup. I’d left Timmy with Mindy and Laura with a promise to call me if so much as a stray dog ran into the yard. And, yes, to call Eric if for some reason they couldn’t reach me.

Eddie was a no-show on this adventure, which I assumed meant that his and Rita’s date had gone well. Now Stuart and I were creeping along the western edge of the Coastal Mists Nursing Home, while Allie was doing the same on the eastern side. “I’ll have Eric come by and pick the body up tomorrow.”

“I’m not entirely sure that’s the best idea,” Stuart said.

I shrugged. It wasn’t as if I had a lot of options. “So you choose. We dump it in the landfill, sneak into the crypts, or pass it off to Eric.” Now that Father Ben was dead, I was no longer able to easily hide dead bodies in the crypt under the cathedral. Fortunately Eric—or rather, David—had been able to step up to the plate. As the chemistry teacher at Coronado High, he had developed a foolproof way to dispose of the bodies. A way, frankly, that I didn’t care to think too much about.

I aimed a smile at Stuart. “Landfill or Eric. Your decision.”

“You’re cocky when you’re right,” he said, but he said it with a smile.

“I’m also right that you don’t need to be out patrolling tonight, either. You need more training before getting in the field.” We’d had this argument at home once already, but Stuart had won by pointing out that any newly made demon was undoubtedly going to be drawn into the service of Odayne and the She-Demon. While he’d been right about that, I’d been less inclined to agree with his assessment that he should help me track down and terminate the new demon.

In the end, though, I’d given in. I didn’t want to go alone, and I didn’t want to call Eric. And, yes, Stuart could use some practical training. And since newly made demons are more easily slain than their counterparts who’d had time to settle into a body, I figured this was as good a practice case as any.

“I know you’re worried about me,” Stuart said. “Don’t be.”

“You’re that confident?” I asked.

He shrugged. “Flexible,” he said. “If we don’t meet any demons, we can pick a spot with a view of the moon on the ocean and I can make out with my wife.” He nodded toward the rolling lawn that extended beyond Coastal Mists, ending at a sheer drop-off overlooking the Pacific.

“I can tell you’re going to be a very productive patrolling partner.”

“Depends on your definition of productive,” he said, and planted a kiss on me.

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