Kindling the Moon Read Free

push, released the kindled Heka through the caduceus, into the binding triangle.
    My stomach lurched like I was riding a roller coaster. Depending on the spell, the accompanying nausea could last for a couple of seconds, or it could make me so sick and exhausted that I’d have trouble standing. Fortunately, this time, it wasn’t bad.
    When I reopened my eyes, a low moan rose from the crowd behind me. They were impressed, as usual, but I wasn’t; the binding triangle glowed with kindled Heka, but it wasn’t bright like it should be—it was dull and popped with static. It must’ve been because of my mood. Whatever. It was working, and that was what mattered. The objects crashed back down on the table, rice crackers scattering everywhere, as the three drunken demons in the booth finally looked up.
    â€œShit.” Kara released the man across the table and dropped her fading blue hands to her side. He fell back into his seat and coughed, reaching for his wounded neck.
    â€œSeriously, Kara, this is the second time this month. I told you last time that if it happened again, I’d ban you from the bar.”
    A lock of dyed orange hair fell across her cheek. “I didn’t mean to get so out of control. Give me another chance. I promise—”
    â€œPlease unbind us,” her boyfriend pleaded. “It raises my blood pressure and I don’t feel so good right now.”
    Amanda pushed her way through the crowd. “Wait! They started a tab. They owe us, hold on.” She fumbled in herpocket, then flipped through several scraps of wrinkled paper until she found the right one. “Sixty-three dollars and forty cents. Oh, and Kara didn’t tip me last week when she came in.” She clicked her tongue at Kara and winked. “Don’t think I didn’t notice.”
    â€œThere’s also the broken barware,” I noted.
    â€œHere!” Kara’s boyfriend pulled out a hundred-dollar bill. “Please, unbind us now.”
    As Amanda snatched up the money, her foot crossed the triangle and inadvertently broke the binding spell. Kara’s boyfriend slumped to the table, heaving, as the other two gasped in relief.
    â€œOops, sorry, Cady.” Amanda winced at the dead triangle as she pocketed the money.
    A table busser appeared with a broom. I scanned the crowd for one of our regulars and quickly spotted him. Bob was a short Earthbound in his thirties with dark, slicked-back hair and a lazy eye. He was dressed in his usual attire, a Hawaiian printed shirt with repeating hula girls. Unlike half the people in the bar, Bob’s demonic ability was useful. He was a healer. Not a miraculous one, but good in a pinch. He also had a thing for me and would probably set himself on fire if asked.
    â€œHey Bob,” I called out. “Will you take a look at that guy’s neck? Make sure he’s okay.”
    â€œNo problem.” Bob trotted off behind the wounded man, who was making a beeline toward the door along with Kara’s boyfriend.
    â€œAm I banned?” Kara asked as she scooted out of the booth.
    â€œYou’re banned on Thursday nights for the next month. No
Paranormal Patrol.
”
    Her face fell, but she nodded in acceptance and made a drunken attempt at a short curtsy as she left, her blue hands now fully reverted to their normal color.
    Low whispers hummed around the bar as the crowd dispersed and people returned to their seats. Someone asked if I could rewind
Patrol
; we’d missed several minutes during the ruckus.
    After I made my way back behind the bar, I picked up the remote and started to hit rewind when I noticed what was on the screen and froze. A special news report had interrupted the program. I took it off mute and ignored the murmured complaints about another delay in the evening’s festivities. A petite Latina reporter spoke into a microphone beneath a red umbrella.
    â€œI repeat, local authorities here in Dallas