A Girl's Guide to Demon Hunting by Emily Miles Read Free Book Online Page A

opened and Pancake leapt from my lap. Without a backwards glance at me, she took off running straight for Jenny. I didn’t both trying to stop her; I learned a long time ago there was no keeping Pancake and Jenny apart. She was like the favorite aunt, fun and always ready with some sugary treat. Tonight was no exception, as Pancake danced on her hind legs while Jenny pulled a cookie out of her pocket. She was going to spoil her rotten.
    There was no denying that Jenny was gorgeous; tall, skin the color of one of her many coffees, long black hair hung loose down her back.
Tonight she wore an emerald green sweater dress that matched her eyes perfectly and tall black boots. As she walked across the café to where we sat I felt the energy in the room change as all the guys (not counting Ace and Shooter) and even some of the girls stopped what they were doing and watched her.
    She pretended to be oblivious to the stares but we both knew she wasn’t. The clothes, makeup and flirty smiles were an investment in her freedom. She’d rather be in her art studio barefoot, covered in paint but she needs this business to succeed; otherwise she’d have to answer a lot of questions from people with badges.
    “Hey.” She said, sitting in the chair next to me.
Beneath the makeup she looked as tired as I felt.
    “You okay?” I asked.
“Yeah, between exams and this place I’m beat. If it wasn’t for Amy I think I’d lose my mind.”
    Oh yeah, she’s also a part-time freshman in community college. Before I could ask her if there was anything else, Ace appeared carrying four coffees. Jenny and I sat a long time sipping our coffee, only half listening to Ace and Shooter rehash tonight’s activities.
    I watched the customers in the café; talking, flirting, completely oblivious of what was waiting for them outside those doors. Every once in a while someone would look towards us, their eyes skimming right past Ace, Shooter and me to stare at Jenny. Would they be so quick to dismiss us three if they knew what we did for them? What we sacrificed for them? Okay, I admit it: sometimes I get a little cranky. I had to remind myself these people had no idea what was out there in the dark.
    Ace’s laugh cut through my thoughts and I turned to watch him. His scar was healing nicely.  It always hurt a little to think there were things about Ace that would never heal, not completely. Which was exactly the way he wanted it. He made a huge mistake a long time ago and trusted the wrong person; among other things, it led him to who he was now.   And Shooter, he just kind of fell into this, too smart for his own good. Working the graveyard shift as a paramedic, he started to pay attention to the stranger injuries and deaths. He had it pretty much figured out by the time Father Henry found him. Once he met Ace it was a done deal. 
    Jenny’s story was almost as bad as mine. Born in Trinidad, she had a great childhood until the day she came home from school and found her mom dead, overdosed on pills. Unable to stay in the place that reminded them so much of her mom, her dad moved her here where they tried to make a new start. The only problem was Jenny couldn’t let it go; she never understood how someone who didn’t even like to take cold medicine could suddenly overdose. Shortly after enrolling at St. Mary’s, her search for answers eventually brought her to the attention of Father H and through him, to us. Like me, she’s never stopped searching for the Demon who destroyed her family.
   

    Lost in my own thoughts, it took me a minute to realize Jenny was speaking to me.
    “Hey, you in there?” She asked, a wrinkle of worry on her forehead.
    “Yeah, sorry. What’s up?” I replied pushing my dark thoughts away.
    “I was wondering if you had any plans next Saturday.”
    “Not that I know of; why?”
    Giving me a guilty smile, she said.