Chapter 9

Ivy lifted me in her preternaturally strong arms. She carries me through everything, I thought, distressed and comforted by the thought. And what do I give her in return? A dim promise that someday I might realize how stupid I actually am, and give her everything that she deserves.

Gently, Ivy eased me onto the kitchen floor, supporting me. She normally stayed very much out of the way when I played with ley lines. This time was different. This time she stayed.

"Please don't let go." I begged her.

"We're right here, Rache." Jenks landed on my shoulder. "Ivy and me. We aren't leaving."

I have good friends, I thought, not for the first time.

My chest tightened again as I reached for the ley line. This is going to hurt. I clenched my teeth as the power I wielded grew claws and shredded through me. Ivy's grip on me intensified and I forced myself to breathe.

"Rhom…bus." I gasped, watching the circle spring up before me. My chest ached as I started coughing. Ivy rubbed my back, begging me under her breath to keep breathing. My mouth filled with blood.

Algaliarept! I yelled into the ever-after. Algaliapret, I summon you! Get your demon ass up here!

The line washed out of me and reinforced the circle. As painful as it had been to hold that line, it was doubly so to let it go.

"Rachel?" Ivy's voice was tense against my ear. "Rachel, did it work? Are you okay?"

The air crackled and sputtered, and my very own demon stood there in his traditional green velvet.

"Rachel Mariana Morgan." Al drawled. "What a pleasant surprise. And the reason you called would be?"

Black sparkles danced before my eyes, the circle holding my demon thinned, and I started coughing again. "Ivy," I gasped, wondering if she would ever forgive me for this, "I'm sorry."