Page 56 of Coven of Corpses

“Oh, my God. Will you stop?”

“I can’t. I’m freaked out, and my brain to mouth filter is missing.”

“Did you ever really have a brain to mouth filter?”

“It’s more than a little dirty and needs to be changed, but it’s there.”

After the slowest drive into town Cody had ever experienced, Demmy found a parking spot, and they stepped through the door of Margie’s Diner. Margie herself was just bumping her way out of the kitchen, plates in either hand, and she brightened at the sight of them.

“Hi boys! Have a seat, and I’ll bring iced teas in a jiffy.”

Demmy bumped into numerous chairs and table edges as he led the way through the diner. When they dropped into the booth, Demmy on his usual side facing the door, Cody leaned in over the table.

“You’re going to give me bone-deep bruises if you don’t watch where you’re walking.”

“I can’t help it,” Demmy said, eyes wide. “Your body is a lot bigger than I’m used to maneuvering.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment and not a slam about the size of my ass or hips.”

“You’re just a bigger man, okay? I’ve been doing this for a couple of hours, tops. Give me a break.”

“Here you go, boys.” Margie set their teas before them, then cocked her head. “Something’s different.”

Cody exchanged a wide-eyed look with Demmy before looking up at Margie. “No it’s not. Everything’s the same. Exactly the same as when we were here yesterday.”

“No, you’re different.” Margie looked between them then snapped her fingers. “Cody usually sits over on this side. That’s what’s different.”

“Oh, that,” Demmy said with a smile and a shrug. “I decided I wanted to see how Demetrius sees the world, so I sat here today.”

“Demetrius?” Margie looked at Cody. “Is he mad at you or something?”

“What?” Another flutter of panic beat its wings within Cody’s chest, but he fought through it. “No. Why would he be mad?”

“That’s what I was wondering. He rarely calls you by your full first name.”

“Right, right.” Cody looked over at Demmy. “He’s not feeling like himself today. He might seem a little off.”

“Yeah.” Demmy put on his best pout which, Cody had to admit, looked pretty damn cute on his own face. “Just not feeling like me today.”

“Oh, you poor thing. How about some chicken noodle soup?” Margie said.

“That does sound good. Thanks, Margie.”

Cody ordered meatloaf, and they watched Margie walk back to the kitchen.

“That was close,” Demmy said. “There’s a lot to remember about the two of us.”

“No shit. And we have to remember to do the opposite of what we might normally do.”

The door opened. “It’s Lucia.”

“Shit. We’re fucked.”

“We need to tell her,” Demmy said, eyes tracking Lucia’s progress through the diner. “About Heath’s body and our situation. It’s the best thing we can do.”

“You ready to spend a night in jail?” Cody said. “Because that’s her go to reaction for me.”

“Day off, Bower?” Lucia stood beside the table, hands on her utility belt as she looked down at Demmy. “Or did they fire you?”