“Oh, yes,” Nora said. “The one I saw did the same. It kept flickering.”
“Good,” Gunn said. “So, it’s trying to take form around the house, but it has only managed to completely do this in the attic. Which means there’s something up there it’s connected with. And considering it has shown form without sucking anyone’s energy, I’m thinking it’s using the electricity in the house. I can’t work out any other way of how it’s showing itself.”
Cyra nodded.
Henry ran a hand across his mouth before saying, “Last thing we purchased was the fridge, but that was six months ago, and the strange noises started a few weeks ago.”
“Have you put anything in the attic lately, moved furniture—or an object?” Gunn asked. “Did anyone come and stay over, like grandkids while you were away perhaps? They could have played with a Ouija board.”
Nora shook her head. “Our grandkids are only five and eight. We haven’t been on a holiday for too long.” She glared over at Henry, who didn’t seem to notice.
“Our priority is working out how to stop it,” Gunn said.
Cyra leaned forward, her elbows pressed against her thighs. “Yep, take out the danger first, then I’ll figure the rest out.” She nodded to herself in a way that told him she had no idea how to stop the enchantment. “But,” she blurted, “one thing we know is that if you see any mistletoe vines, stay away from them, as it makes everyone uncontrollably horny.” When she swung over to stare at Henry and Nora, her earlier smile turned upside down and her cheeks reddened. That had him smirking. She carried an innocence about her that drove him crazy.
“What about using another of your incantations on the vines?” Gunn suggested to cut through the awkward silence.
Cyra shook her head. “Can’t modify one spell with another. It’ll muck everything up worse than it already is. Like turning the demon into Swamp Thing on steroids.”
“All right then.” Gunn was on his feet. “We do this the old-fashioned way and set up a trap.”
“You can do that?” Henry asked, his thick white eyebrows pulled together.
“Why are you doubting him?” Nora asked. It was clear these two hadn’t patched things up. “You always do that to me, too.”
Henry huffed. “Well, before today, I didn’t believe in demons. Now they’re saying one’s in our attic.”
“Cyra and Nora,” Gunn said, “why don’t you both go into the kitchen and have a quick look for ingredients that could be used for a trapping spell? I once saw someone contain a demon inside a circle thing.”
Cyra arched an eyebrow. “‘Circle thing’? Is that the technical word for it?”
He glanced at the couple, then back at her, hoping she understood his unspoken meaning that he needed to be alone with Henry, or did she need him to pantomime it for her?
She shot to her feet and took Nora’s hand. “I could use your help in the kitchen.” Her eyes remained on Gunn with an I’m-not-happy look. So sue him, subtlety wasn’t his forte.
Once the women had left the room, he leaned toward Henry. “So what’s going on with you and the wife? I’ve been noticing tension between you two.”
Henry clicked his tongue and took a deep breath. Yep, the situation wasn’t comfortable for Gunn either, but if they were going to work as a team, he couldn’t have them continuously sniping at each other. Plus, they seemed like a nice couple and reminded him of his foster parents. If anything he said helped them mend their differences, then it was worth trying to help.
“She’s been on my back about selling this house and moving closer to the kids in California and getting a smaller place. But I love it here. We’re next to a golf course, and my friends live on this street. It’s where I grew up.”
Gunn nodded, but, if it were him, he’d sell the shirt off his back if it meant keeping the one he loved happy. “My foster dad once told me when I didn’t agree with someone, to put myself in their shoes. So, why does Nora want to move to California?”
“To be closer to her sister. The kids and grandkids. But my brothers are here.”
“And how long have you lived here?”
His chest puffed out, as if proud of his response. “My entire life.”
“Well, then, do you think maybe Nora wants the same, but to be near her family?”
“Yes, of course. But we’re too old to start a new life elsewhere. We have everything we need right here.”
“This is a huge house and will get harder for you to take care of.”
Cyra’s voice sounded from the hallway. They must be returning. “Only you can make this decision, Henry. But, if it were me, I’d live on the moon if it meant I didn’t lose the one I loved.” As the words left his mouth, the earlier conversation with Cyra swirled through his mind. He’d pushed her away for her own safety, her protection. What he fucking wanted didn’t matter, just what kept her out of harm’s way.
Henry sank into the couch, staring at him with a perplexed expression. Was he wondering if Nora would indeed leave him? He’d seen women dump his friends for less.
When the ladies rejoined them, Gunn got to his feet and turned, to find Cyra carrying her bag along with a sack of salt. She plonked both of them onto the table.
“So where are we setting up this trap?” she asked. “If the demon gets weak when it leaves the attic, this might actually work. Then we try to exorcise it back into Hell.”
Gunn nodded. “Agreed. The hallway in front of the stairs has a huge space we could use.”
Cyra headed out of the room with her supplies.
“What should we do?” Nora asked.
Gunn glanced over at Henry sitting next to Nora, holding her hand in his lap. He was miles away, but Nora
