Page 37 of Demon and the Raven

Safe now, I replied.

It was important for Corvus to know it had not failed me.

We are well, the land said.

We are well, I echoed.

Removing my hands and standing, I walked to the edge of my property, not taking the last step onto the road, but waving so Lorne would see me.

“Hey,” he called through the open passenger-side window, “Pete was catching me up on some stuff that happened at the carnival, various altercations, and idiots on Main Street trying to smash up windows, but just now he got a call that there’s some issue at Lynette Fornell’s house. I’m gonna go see what’s happening while Pete checks on the officers guarding Kathy’s house.”

“What if you need help?”

“Then I’ll call him,” he said like it was obvious, clearly annoyed with me. “Go in the cottage and stay⁠—”

“Not that kind of help,” I said flatly, moving fast, scrambling back to the vehicle, only to find the door locked. “And no, I’m not going to wait for you here. Open the door.”

“I don’t need you to⁠—”

“Are you kidding?” I snapped at him. “You don’t go to a problem at another witch’s house without me.”

“Yeah,” Pete said, and I noted his quick shiver. “Maybe let him go with you.”

Lorne looked between me and Pete, but then relented, unlocking the door. “You realize it’s probably nothing, right?”

“Of course,” I agreed, retaking my seat and belting myself in.

He looked over at Pete. “Why’re you being weird?”

Quick shrug from the deputy. “Sorry. I haven’t been sleeping well, and I’m a bit edgy because of it.”

“Then go home and get some rest.”

“See, that’s the issue. Me and Marina, we’re staying over at the Birch Lodge while we’re having some renovations done on our house. And I dunno what’s going on, probably it being a different place and all, but—we’ve both been up most nights.”

“I’m sorry about that.”

Pete shrugged. “Not your fault, but if I’m worrying about you on top of not being able to sleep, then I⁠—”

“Why would you worry about⁠—”

“You will for sure take Xan with you, yeah?”

“Yes,” Lorne answered sharply, waving Pete off.

His deputy, and my friend from elementary school, gave a wan smile and then drove away.

After a few moments of silence, of us sitting together in the vehicle, Lorne cleared his throat. “Listen, I’m sorry I yelled at you before when you told me about Nott.”

“That’s okay. I know you’re worried.”

“Yeah, but I should be able to do that without getting loud.”

I chuckled. “Or maybe just don’t get loud in the car.”

“Police utility vehicle,” he corrected me, and turned his head so I couldn’t see the smirk I knew was there.

“Yes, yes, whatever you say.”