Death's Hand by S M Reine Page A

our state. I thought you would want to know.”
    “You’re right. I do.” Every fifty years, the major world powers met to form treaties and settle disputes—the best of the kopes, the greatest demons, and the most powerful angels. Her father had been on the planning board before he left. “But you know I’m still retired.”
    “Still?”
    “It’s supposed to be permanent.”
    “I just never thought you, of all people, could lay down the sword for long.” He chuckled. “I thought if you did give up those things, it would be to upgrade to guns.”
    “I don’t like guns. Anyway, the summit is your problem, not mine.”
    “Sure, but they’ve taken over Silver Wells. There’s also going be a lot of traffic through the state for the next few months. The travel licenses between Hell and Earth have been sold out and demons are starting to move in.”
    Elise and James exchanged glances. “Do you have a list of the summit participants?”
    “My friend on the board gave me one. I can email it to you. Long story short, there might be some folk who recognize you. If you want to stay out of trouble, you better be careful.”
    Elise massaged her temple. “Great. Thanks.”
    “Leticia wants to talk to you. Here you go.”
    She talked with McIntyre’s wife for a few minutes. Leticia chatted about Dana, their first child, and the names they were planning for the second one, due around Thanksgiving. That had been one of the reasons Elise and McIntyre fought. She thought it was irresponsible for a kopis to have a family. He thought she was a raging bitch. They were probably both right.
    When she couldn’t tolerate any more family gossip, Elise said, “I’m going to get going. Tell Lucas thanks.”
    “We’re thrilled to help,” Leticia said. “You haven’t visited us in years. Promise you’ll come down soon so we can catch up?”
    “Of course. Talk to you later.” Elise handed James the phone. “I’ll visit them when hell throws us a pizza party. Did you call McIntyre, or did he call you?”
    “He called me. He doesn’t have your number anymore.”
    “That’s not an accident.”
    “You should be glad we have forewarning.”
    “I don’t want anything to do with this. You should have told me you were going to have some of the witches over during breakfast.” She barely refrained from remarking on Stephanie’s shoes.
    “I hoped you would come with us today.”
    “No. I don’t want anyone else knowing I’m a kopis and exorcist. The Ramirezes are bad enough.”
    He saw that she was looking at the shoes and sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Elise...”
    “I’m going to the office to do some work.”
    “Are you angry about Stephanie?” She left the room without responding, but he followed. “Won’t you at least eat something before you go?”
    Elise grabbed a piece of bacon off a plate on the counter and bit off the end. The witches were all standing in the living room now, and they pretended not to notice that James and Elise were obviously arguing.
    “Feel free to call me when you finish if you’re not too busy fucking around,” she said, tearing her sweater off the hook by the door.
    She slammed the door shut behind her.
     
     

VIII
    Even though it was drizzling again, Augustin Ramirez was waiting outside when James and arrived with the coven. The umbrella on his deck’s dining set was folded down. Raindrops rippled in a tall glass of amber liquor.
    He lifted his head from his hands when they approached. “What took you so long?” he asked.
    Stephanie didn’t bother hiding her severe frown. “We needed to confirm your daughter’s health condition, since you wouldn’t cooperate with us. Where is she now?”
    He waved vaguely at the front door of the house.
    “Can we go in?” James asked.
    Augustin nodded and let his head drop on his folded arms. Ann was the first through the door, hurrying inside as though she was allergic to rain. Morrighan followed, holding her bag of