PAPER STARS: An Ordinary Magic Story(9)

“Which is why I’m still a god. Raven. Trickster. Busy, busy time of year for a trickster god. So many New Year’s resolutions to encourage. So many new leaves to not turn over. I just dropped by to see if you liked my gift.”

“Gift?”

“That’s not something you see every day,” Bathin said from behind me.

Crow stilled and I could feel his power moving through him, surrounding him, surrounding me. It was familiar. Protective.

But I didn’t need protecting from the demon. The demon was old news. I stepped back.

“No fighting,” I told them both.

“Wouldn’t dream of it,” Crow said. “You know I’m a lover not a fighter.”

That was true of the Crow on vacation without his god power. But Raven the god? Yeah, there were stories written about just how vicious a fighter he could be.

“Black Feather,” Bathin said. “It’s been some time.”

“Not long enough, Black Heart,” Crow replied. “How did you manage to slime up onto this shore?”

“I was invited.”

Crow looked at me. Really looked.

I braced myself for a scolding. I knew he could see that Bathin had stolen my soul. I knew he wouldn’t like it.

Surprisingly, he just winked.

“Negotiation is not the same as invitation, Black Heart,” Crow said. “You of all people should know that. Have you gotten my gift, Pumpkin?” he asked me.

“No?”

“Pink, cute as a baby pig. Looks like a baby pig? It’s a baby pig.”

“The dragon?” I asked. “You sent me a dragon?”

“Dragon?” Bathin sounded truly startled. Enough that both Crow and I turned to look at him.

“Yes, demon,” Crow said with so much smug-and-swagger, I rolled my eyes. “Delaney now has a pet dragon. Your move.”

Bathin opened his mouth. Closed it. Scowled at Crow. Scowled at me.

Then he stuck his hands in the pockets of his slacks feigning indifference. “I don’t see how a dragon makes any difference in anything.”

“Don’t you?” Crow was grinning now, and it was a lot more god-Raven than Uncle-Crow.

It made me happy he was on my side. Usually.

“A dragon is of no concern to me.”

“Of course it’s not,” Crow agreed. “It would only be a concern to you if you were trying to hide. You’re not trying to hide from anyone or anything are you, Prince?”

Bathin went hard, all stone and blackness shot by silver light. His demon nature shone through the illusion he presented the world, and burned, burned, burned. He was angry.

He might even be afraid.

Of Crow? Or of the thing he was hiding from?

“No,” Bathin said, the word ground out between teeth locked tight. “There is nothing I hide from.”

“Isn’t that wonderful?” Crow said. “Delaney, isn’t that wonderful? Bathin here has nothing to fear. Not even your dragon.”

“Do either of you want to tell me what you’re really talking about?” I asked.

“No,” they both said at the same time. Typical. The one thing a god and demon could agree upon was keeping me in the dark.

“Fine. Then move aside so I can buy a Christmas tree.”

Bathin stepped back toward my Jeep, but Crow just grinned. “What kind of tree are you looking for today?”

“You aren’t selling these.”

“Actually, I am. Oh, and unrelated: you might hear about a tarantula infestation, but we both know that would be impossible. These trees were grown in the Northwest.”

“Spiders? You sold people trees full of spiders?”

He glanced at the sky. “Maybe?”

“Maybe?”

“It might have been scorpions. Scorpions are much more available round these parts.”

I slugged him in the arm. “Tell me you didn’t sell trees infested with anything.”

“Or what? You’ll throw me out of town? No, wait. You already did that.”

“Or I’ll return my gift.”

“Dragons are non-returnable.”

“Nope. I am serious. I will find a way to kick the dragon out of town. You know I can.”

He chuckled. “Fine. The worst anyone will find in the trees are some dead needles. Cross my heart.” He swished his finger over his chest.

“That’s your stomach.”

“Or is it?” He waggled his eyes at me and I shook my head.

“Sell me a tree, Crow.”

“Call me Uncle Crow and I’ll make you a deal.”

“Sell me a discount, uninfested tree, Uncle Crow.”

“Now you’re talking. Let me show you to my noblest of firs.”

He wrapped his arm over my shoulder and I walked with him through a forest of dried out lopsided trees, and just for a few minutes, everything felt magical and good.





Chapter Four





“You’re sure it’s a dragon?” Myra sorted the box of ornaments on the coffee table making sure each one had a good hook attached. “Crow is a trickster.”

They were brand new red, gold, silver, green, and blue bulbs. They came with hooks. I didn’t know why she was double-checking them.