Page 31 of Coven of Corpses

“I don’t know,” Demmy said. “I might go by the library and check to see if Tracey is there. Maybe do some research in the main area if she’s not and see what else I can find out about witches in this area. And I’ll miss you.”

Cody glanced at him, smiled, then reached over to take his hand. “You mean my brother and his family aren’t a good replacement for me?”

“No one could possibly replace you. Your wiggle is unique.”

“Fucking Otis. He isn’t even from here, is he?”

“I think he’s from somewhere in Missouri.”

“Fucking Missouri. All those people coming here and thinking they can tell us what to call our roads.”

“Exactly.”

Not long after that, Cody pulled up behind Demmy’s truck. He leaned over and kissed him softly. “Be careful.”

“I’m just going to the library,” Demmy said. “Maybe.”

“I know how fast things change. If you end up going back out to the fucking wiggle, take someone with you. I’d prefer it to be me, but I can’t.”

“I know.” He made a face and looked away. “I’m sorry. I’m still looking for a job, I promise.”

“Hey, hey, I know that.” Cody rested a hand on the back of his head and looked him in the eye. He still wore the beanie, and the material was soft underneath Cody’s palm, Demmy’s scalp warm beneath it. “I have never, and will never, think you are slacking off and not doing your part. Is that clear?”

Demmy smiled. “Yeah.”

Cody tightened his grip slightly, and he pulled Demmy into a longer kiss. When they parted, Cody caught his eye again. “I love you.”

“I love you, too. Drive safe. Tell Jugs I said hi.”

“I will. Stay out of trouble.”

Demmy laughed and got out of the truck. Cody waved, then drove off, watching in the rearview mirror as Demmy got smaller and smaller, the sunlight making the orange beanie shine like a flame. It felt as if he left a part of his heart behind. In a way, Cody figured he had.

CHAPTER EIGHT

Demetrius watched until the taillights had faded from view, then turned toward his truck. Oliver leaned against the driver’s door, arms crossed and smiling as the breeze toyed with his light red hair.

“Dammit, Oliver. You scared me.”

Oliver stood aside. “Sorry.” He smirked, not looking at all apologetic. “Who do you think that was we saw out in the woods?”

“No idea.” Demetrius used the key fob to unlock his truck. “But we need to figure it out. What are you up to now?”

“Well, I was planning on following you.”

Demetrius chuckled. “All right. I was going to go to the library and see if Tracey might have come into work. If not, I was going to look through the shelves for information on Parson Stone, and see if there’s anything about witches in the area. Want to go together?”

“Sure. I’ll drive.” He clicked the button on his own key fob, and Demetrius heard the resulting beep of doors being unlocked from a few spots down. He locked his truck before following Oliver down the road to his car.

“Think Tracey’s man will be there and give us dirty looks?” Oliver asked.

“Heath? I hope not. From what Cody said, he’s even creepier than usual. And Tracey was acting really scared of him.”

“Maybe he’s the witch?” Oliver thought a moment then shook his head. “No, that didn’t look like him out in the woods. But if he’s not the witch, then what’s going on with him?”

“Not really sure. I just know if Tracey was afraid of him, it’s got to be something pretty bad.”

Oliver made a face. “True. They seemed like a creepy match made in heaven.”