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is a natural conductor for those kinds of spells.”
    “Maybe it was the weirdo from yesterday. He did say I won’t see him again until it’s too late.” I sound calmer than I feel.
    This makes no sense. Why would the Gifted hunt me? If they need me to contact a dead relative, I’ll do it for twenty bucks, a six-pack, and a pizza.
    Jesse pulls out his phone. “You see the odd shadings on his skin?”
    It’s the photo I sent him. “Yeah, I figured it was my crappy camera.”
    Absently, he shakes his head, reaching for me. Speechless, I let him lace our fingers together. It’s a protective gesture, not a romantic one, but I’m fucking holding hands with Jesse Saldana, so I’d be crazy to complain. His fingers are lean and long, callused in the right places, and his palm is hard against mine.
    “Let’s walk and talk. I showed this to someone on my lunch hour today.”
    “Oh?”
    “She said the discolorations are consistent with long-term demonic possession.”
    “What?” I know demons are real…and they usually don’t have enough power to traverse the gate between our worlds physically. It requires less juice to send mental energy, which results in a person being driven like a meat wagon. That’s not news, but I’m startled to hear my stalker is most likely extra-dimensional.
    Mustering some presence of mind, I add, “So can your thingie tell if witch or demon magick was used to spy on me?”
    “Unfortunately, no. But I’ll feel better once we get out of here.”
    “They might still be watching? Why ?”
    “I wish I knew, Shan. Let’s go.” He tugs gently on my hand, and we hurry back toward the exit.
    The air’s still cold inside the mall, a chill deeper and more disturbing than what comes from good air conditioning. There’s a faint smell too, sickly sweet, like death drizzled in honey. I don’t look back as Jesse shoves the door open. He’s left his Forester parked at the yellow curb, and the engine is running. In fact, the driver-side door’s open, too.
    “You were pretty worried about me, huh?” I imagine him getting a wash of my emotional state and coming at a dead run.
    Oh, Jesse. So many ways I’d love you, if you’d let me.
    “For good reason, as it turns out.” He opens my door and waits until I’m settled to shut it behind me.
    I could get used to being treated like a princess, as long as he brings the dirty cowboy to bed. Of course, I’m still working on that development, but it’s a good sign that the idea of me in danger scared the shit out of him. He starts the SUV and pulls out of the mall parking lot. For a few seconds, I watch as he eyes his rearview mirror, but nobody seems to be following. They don’t have to; they can use standing water to watch me. Note to self—showers only until we resolve this shit.
    Jesse drives to my place, but he doesn’t drop me off. Instead he escorts me to the door. “I’ll wait here. Pack a few things.”
    “Excuse me?”
    “I’m not leaving you here alone when we have no idea what’s going on.”
    “I have a roommate and I know how to dial 911.”
    “So you’re willing to endanger Maria?”
    “That’s a low blow, but I’m not going home with you, Jesse. Not unless you’re taking me there for better reasons.”
    “Shan—”
    “G’night. Thanks for the ride.”
    I don’t think he expects me to close the door in his face. When I turn, I spot Maria in the hall, just stepping out of the bathroom. “Did I hear voices?”
    I squelch the urge to reply, I dunno, but if so, you should check your medication. “Yeah, I bummed a lift from a friend.”
    “The hot cop? Are you guys a thing?” She skims me up and down, not meant to be insulting, but I suspect she can’t picture Jesse and me together.
    Dammit. Neither can he.
    “Nope. He’s just overprotective. Apparently the public transportation system is fraught with many and myriad dangers.”
    “You should go for it,” she advises.
    “I’m trying,” I mumble.
    “I’d