Tremble (27 page)

I had read it, actually. That handbook was where I got my best ideas.

“Well, technically, we didn’t channel anything. And
that
,” I said, pointing at the Rangor pieces, “is not a ‘fist of damnation.’ That’s just an obese demon. There’s no law against killing obese demons.”

“There is, actually,” Lisa noted, “for trainees. Which we aren’t going to be anymore, unless we get this mess cleaned up and get to class.”

I grudgingly gathered the weapons and spread some fallen leaves over the sticky, tar-like substance that had oozed out of the Rangor demon. Gulls flew in slow, lazy circles overhead, pastel light glinting off their wings.

Lisa called open the Crossworld channel. “
Inergio.
”

As soon as the word was spoken, yellow flickers appeared and a narrow gash of light tore through the air. Chill winds swirled around the rift, spits of black fire lapping at the demon body.

Lisa sank to her knees, out of breath. “I’m done. You’re up.”

“
Exitus!
”

Instantly, the flow of power shifted to me, a hard fist in the middle of my chest. Fingers of Crossworld poison trailed over my skin, reaching into me with claw-like insistence. Without a Watcher to drain it, my defenses were weak. Lisa had done most of the work, as usual, but I still couldn’t shake the unsettling sensation of drowning in darkness.

When there was nothing left but a few gloppy demon chunks, I collapsed next to her. “That sucked.”

“My thoughts exactly.”

“Maybe we should take tonight off.”

She rolled to her side just enough to shoot me a nasty look. “Maybe you should get a boyfriend.”