The six of them kept protections on hand. Turner too, though he only came to campus if someone asked him for a ride Alex preferred sticking with Darlington; it was easiest for them to face the demons together. If anyone were ever in a real bind, they called Alex and Darlington, since they were the strongest.

“You’re like, a demon-fighting duo!” Tripp said one day after the two of them had fought off a demon that came after Mercy.

But after the first week, most demons grew wary of them. Now they only attacked when they were at their strongest, when they had the most negative emotions on which to feed.

“Maybe you should start meditations,” Mercy suggested one morning as they were getting ready for class. “Daily affirmations to keep your spirits up, that sort of thing.”

Images of Mira with her yoga classes, crystals, and incense flashed in Alex’s mind. She wanted to shake her head, but she was grateful that Mercy was even still speaking to her. “That sounds like a good idea,” she said, smiling at her roommate.

Lethe business continued on. Alex split her time between JE and Il Bastone, mostly so she could spend time researching solutions with Dawes and Darlington. Every Thursday, she and Darlington observed a ritual and placated Walsh-Whiteley with detailed reports. He hadn’t pushed either of them about the details of Darlington’s reappearance. Alex was sure that he didn’t want to know the truth; he’d much rather have Darlington—demon or not—here to oversee Lethe business than leave the job to two women.

Darlington did his best to talk her up during their meetings, letting her answer most of the questions the Praetor asked them so that she would come across as the better prepared one, but Alex knew it was a lost cause.

Darlington had taken up a permanent residence at Il Bastone, going to Black Elm a few times a week for upkeep and to check in on Cosmo. Alex secretly hoped that this would be the end of it, that he would finally put that house and all the terrible memories it held within its walls to bed. But it was only wishful thinking on her part.