Page 75 of Death Card

She shrugs. “My grandmother believes knowledge is the key to safety.”

“I thought that was power.”

Aria rolls her eyes. “You can have all the power in the world, but if you don’t know what to do with it, the power will eat you alive.” She finishes off the second container of salt and glances over. “I know what you think of us, but we’re people just like you. We’re all trying to survive in a world that was built for mortals.”

I’d never stoop so low to sacrifice animals, or people, no matter how afraid I was.

“And you think killing innocent creatures will keep you safe?”

“Grandmother thinks so.” She tucks a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “I follow her lead. You would do the same for your grandparents.”

It’s as much of an admission of guilt as I’m going to get.

Once Aria is satisfied with the circle, we stand back and each hold a candle. The dagger is safely sheathed in my pocket, but I watch Aria closely, preparing myself to use it on her if she makes a wrong move.

“What do we do now?” I ask.

“Do you know the demon’s name?”

“I do.”And so do you.

“Then call upon it,” she says. “Something from the demon’s possession would also work, but names have power. It’ll come when you call.”

My entire plan could all come crashing down in an instant if she’s lying to me. I should’ve dragged Sabine back to the city with me. What if I call on Gazannol and it isn’t contained by the ring of salt? Then I won’t have to worry about Joelle killing me tonight because Gazannol will do the job itself.

The faces of my family flash before my eyes. Orion. Gramps. Aunt Roberta. If this all goes wrong, I hope they won’t blame themselves. Most of all, I hope they’ll find the strength to keep going. The last thing I want is for my death to break them.

“Well?” Aria snaps her fingers. “Any day now.”

“Fine, fine.” I hold my free palm out before me and focus every ounce of energy on the summoning circle. “Gazannol.” All sound ceases as time slows. “I call on you. Come to me.”

The portion of the floor within the ring of salt erupts into flames. A series of pops assaults my ears as sparks begin to fly.Aria takes a half step backward as a blinding flash of light sends me to my knees. I nearly drop the candle as I squeeze my eyes shut to block out the light. As black spots fade from my vision, I take in the sight before me and utter dread prickles my skin.

Inside the circle, a thick, oily sludge coalesces into the shape of a figure, crouched on its knees. The demon’s features grow more distinct as the black oil settles. Instead of hair, it has razor-sharp spikes sticking out of its skull like the horns of a triceratops. It stretches its spindly arms up to the ceiling and staggers to its feet, towering over both of us at roughly seven feet tall. Its eyes are pits of red, the shade of burning coal. Malicious energy ten times more powerful than what I felt flowing through the victims rolls off it in waves.

Protect me, I pray silently to the ancestors or anyone else out there listening. If that ring of salt doesn’t hold, I’m screwed.

Gazannol studies Aria for half a second before raking its evil gaze over me. “Ah,” it sneers. “You’re the one they speak of. The girl who doesn’t know her place.”

I bristle but rise to my feet and face him head-on. “I know exactly what my place is. I am the leader of my coven and the descendant of one of the most powerful witches in living memory.”

It pins me with a hawkeyed stare but remains silent, observant.

At my side, Aria cowers. I grip her arm and shove her toward the circle. “Bow to your demon before you damn it back to hell.”

Gazannol’s laugh bounces off the walls, echoing through the space. “Do you really think this spineless human has anything to do with my existence? The girl looks ready to wet her pants,” it taunts. “You really are as stupid as they said.”

I blink in confusion.

“Who is ‘they’?” I ask. “Didn’t the Hightowers summon you?”

Aria’s head whips toward me. “Mikaela—” she begins.

Gazannol lets out a deep-throated guffaw that sends chills running down my spine. “You’re telling me that you’re not smart enough to figure it out on your own? I suppose those wretched mortals were correct.” The demon shakes its head. “You humans are so predictable. You’re completely unable to sort out your own miserable problems, so you turn to a higher power. Some turn to God, and others turn to me.” Its cruel smile reveals razor-sharp teeth.

My mind races.Those wretched mortals.If Aria didn’t summon Gazannol, then who could the demon be referring to?

“You’re trapped in that circle, and we’re free to roam the world as we please,” Aria says, gripping my arm. She seems to have found her spine again. “So, which of us is really the higher power?”