Pax Demonica by Julie Kenner

wasn’t still completely twisted up inside. Grappling with her desire to step into this life. And grappling with my willingness to let her do it. Weren’t parents supposed to protect their kids? The skills she was developing made her stronger, sure, but they also meant that danger would come her way. More, it meant that she’d seek it out.
    And, dammit, this wasn’t the place I wanted her doing that. I wanted this trip to be about family—not about the family business.
    But that was just me making excuses. There was danger out there whether she sought it out or not. It was there whether she trained or not. For better or for worse, this life was in her blood, and I owed my almost-adult daughter the respect of telling her what I knew. And what I suspected.
    She sat stiff and silent beside me on the bed, scowling and undoubtedly certain that I was going to blow her off.
    Once again, I stood. “Come on.” I bent down and carefully scooped Timmy into my arms. He stirred but didn’t wake, and I said a silent thank you to the patron saint of overwhelmed mommies.
    “Where?” Allie asked. “Are we getting Stuart?” I heard both wariness and defiance in her voice. If I said yes, my daughter was going to put up a fight.
    “No,” I said. “We’re leaving Timmy with his dad. Then you and I are going to take a walk. We’ll leave Stuart a note telling him we decided to get a head start on shopping.”
    “But we’re really. . .?”
    “Shopping may be involved,” I admitted. “Mostly we’re going to talk.” I was even considering heading to Forza so that I could run through everything with Father Corletti before bringing Stuart by to take the official tour.
    And yes, I felt guilty about that. Probably not as guilty as I should. Lies and secrets were becoming second nature to me. Not a good thing, but there you go.
    Allie’s grin lit up her eyes. “I want some shirts and jeans, but mostly I want a jacket. Italy’s all about the leather. Oh, and I told Mindy I’d find a purse for her. Something really exceptional, you know?”
    I didn’t bother answering, just moved slowly out the door with my bundle of toddler in my arms and my teenager in my wake. Two minutes ago, she’d been all about the demons and the mysteries. Now it was shopping and fashion and soft leather accessories.
    I could only imagine what the next minutes would bring.

Chapter 6
    T immy is the type who wakes from a nap if you breathe too loudly, but he stayed asleep in my arms all the way to the other bedroom. Just one more benefit of international travel: intense toddler exhaustion.
    Stuart lay sprawled across the still-made bed, his arm draped over his eyes and his chest rising and falling with his steady breath. Allie danced impatiently in the doorway as I tiptoed to the bed and gently put Timmy next to his father. I stood there frozen for a moment, not daring to move. One beat. Then two. Then three.
    I drew in a relieved breath, then moved slowly and carefully to the window to quietly close the drapes. A ribbon of light moved over the bed, slowly growing thinner until it brushed the top of Stuart’s head, then slipped away into the gray light. Stuart didn’t move. I didn’t breathe. Another beat, then I tiptoed to the tiny desk and scrawled a note on the provided stationery.
    Allie can’t sleep. T’s out like a rock. Doing the girlie thing and getting a head start on shopping. Text me. XXOO
    I propped it up against the phone and headed toward Allie, giddy with success. My fingers closed around the doorknob, and I tugged gently.
    Didn’t matter. The inevitable squeeeeeeeek filled the room. I swallowed, eyes fixed on Timmy, who remained blissfully, beautifully still.
    Stuart, however, sat up.
    He blinked groggily. “Kate?”
    “Hey,” I whispered. “Go back to sleep. Timmy’s zonked and you look like you could use another hour or two.”
    His head lolled to one side as he glanced at Tim. “If you’re sure you don’t