Page 126 of Demon and the Raven

Declan got up and hugged him, and then Father Dennis got a smudge of Amanda’s lipstick on his cheek.

I started talking again, and once I got to the part about us seeing the demon, Declan interrupted to thank me for all the wards I’d put up in his home. “If Kim hadn’t been able to sleep, that would’ve been terrible for our little one.”

“You’re more than welcome,” I assured him.

Amanda poured Declan another margarita, then got up to make another pitcher.

“Go on,” he prodded me, taking a sip before quickly turning to Amanda. “These could use a bit more tequila this time.”

“Gotcha,” she replied, and when I looked at her, she gestured for me to go on.

I told them everything up until the part where I wasn’t powerful enough to vanquish a demon. In the version I could share, Lorne and I were triumphant. They didn’t get to hear what we hadn’t known—that humans could exorcise a demon, but all-out destruction required a god.

“So then when it was all over, you raced back to the mansion where Pace’s body and Father Dennis were? And no one saw you?” Declan asked.

That hadn’t occurred to me. “No.”

“How?”

“Well,” Amanda began, dipping a chip into the salsa she’d put out along with guacamole, “it’s not really that far if you think about it.”

“And we’re not talking about the main part of town,” Father Dennis reminded him.

“Amazing,” Declan whispered.

And it was and wasn’t. We lived in a very small town, after all.

“Now, because I don’t want Father Dennis to be the only one of you who’s seen me do this, I want you all to come outside so I can show you how I turn into a flock of ravens.”

Amanda’s mouth fell open.

Declan looked alarmed.

Father Dennis smiled.

The part where I had to get naked was concerning for Amanda and Declan, but Father Dennis told them not to be such prudes.

“Ohmygod, Father, I had no idea you were this much fun,” she said after a moment.

“Well, there’s only so much one can show off of oneself in a homily.”

“Indeed,” Declan agreed.

I really enjoyed seeing their faces when I returned after my flight down Cider Lane and back, all clearly in awe. Once I was me again and covered by a throw from the couch, I stood in the kitchen, awaiting their reactions.

“That was the most amazing thing I’ve ever seen,” Amanda said breathlessly.

“Is that a pomegranate?” Declan asked, pointing to the fruit on the counter. “I’ve never seen one that big.”

“Really?” Amanda said to him.

“Well, yes, magic is wonderful and inspiring, and you, good show,” he praised me. “But really, that pomegranate is enormous.”

“Lorne loves pomegranates,” I husked, suddenly overwhelmed with everything.

Amanda came quickly and wrapped me in her arms. “Everything turned out okay.”

“Yes, it did,” Declan seconded. “And you know, I had a great idea for your wedding.”