The Price of Exorcism

yellow Pomeranian trotted over and let thekid pet him.
Did I forget to mention Prince Ezra had gifted me witha hellhound? A demonic dog who had chosen a puffball as his earthly form. I hadno idea why. Still, his hellhound form was much more impressive, and he packeda punch in a fight.
The parents were taking turns giving me some seriousside-eye. I'd taken the time to spike up my bleached blond hair in a smallmohawk. The sides were shaved close, and I wore a tank top that showed off alot of my ink. I had protective runes worked in with the newer knotwork designsand the older punk symbols all over my arms and torso. My acid washed, rippedup jeans covered the runes on my legs, and I currently sat on my new leatherjacket. It was a light one, gifted to me by my employees at the pizza parlor.It was almost identical to the one the demons had shredded last month, with theanarchy symbol on the front and the pizza logo for my restaurant on the back.This one had the updated logo though. After I'd banished a demon in front ofmost of my employees, they'd changed the décor a bit. This logo had an upside-downpentagram emblazoned on the pizza. I'd let them run with it, and now the shophad both an 80's theme–just like the owner–and a slightly demonic one.
I owned my throwback to the 80's punk scene and didn'tcare what the parents thought. Hopefully, Aaron didn't care, either, because Isuspected at least a few of the parents were going to object to me. Whatever.
Aaron wiped some sweat from his brow and called thekids over. They huddled, cheered, and slapped hands, and then dispersed.Parents collected their kids and I stood and went over to Aaron to help himpack up the cones and other gear they'd used.
"I don't think the parents like me, mate," Isaid when I got over to him.
Aaron shrugged, and I admired his tall, muscularframe. He wore a T-shirt that covered the white eye markings that stood outsharply against his dark skin. He also had wing "tattoos" on hisback. They weren't actually tattoos, but it was what he told anyone who asked.They were the physical clues to his angelic blood. He also had some undisclosedabilities, along with the ability to tell if people were lying or not.
"They probably wouldn't approve of me, if theyknew I wasn't just a scientist and a soccer coach. They'll get over it."
"Especially if they knew you were consorting withdemons and vampires." I grinned.
"And exorcists." He pulled me into a quickhug despite the sweat that slicked his skin and I leaned into him.
"Bored out of your mind yet?" he asked.
"Naw, I enjoyed watching you run around playingsportsball."
He chuckled and stepped away. "Here, you try."He kicked the ball over to me.
I vaguely remembered some stuff from school gymclasses, but I'd never been much into team sports. Track relay teams were asclose as I'd gotten.
Still, I managed to stop the ball and kick it back tohim.
He laughed. "Let me show you."
"Mmm, getting coached now. Excellent." Igave him a suggestive look.
His laugh deepened. Aaron gave me a few instructions,and pretty soon we were kicking the ball back and forth, laughing until themorning sun got too hot and I held up my hands for mercy. "Let's get foodbefore we get too sweaty to be in public."
Aaron gave me a suggestive look. "Or we could getsweaty not in public."
"I'd be down," I returned his banter. Weweren't sleeping together yet. I think Aaron was still trying to get used tothe idea that Mal didn't mind. To be fair, I was still trying to get used tothe idea that Mal didn't mind. It was easier to believe that Sabian wouldn'tcare. Incubus and all. Mal was a centuries old–he still hadn't fessed up on howold he really was–Arabic vampire. Who, somehow, was probably more liberal thanI was in a lot of ways.
Aaron leaned over and gave me a quick kiss. I'd havedeepened it, but I figured it was possible some of the parents were stillaround. They got weird about shit like that.
"So, breakfast? Where are you taking me?" Inudged him as we gathered the rest of the equipment.
Fortunately, there was a small locker area at the parkthat the club used for storage. Otherwise, when Aaron's house had burned downwhen the bad guys had tried to sacrifice him, they would have lost all theirgear.
"How about The Back Porch?"
"Yeah, sounds good. Love that place. I'm just notusually awake early enough to go."
Aaron chuckled. "Well, I'm not trying to change you,Chris. But maybe once in a while I can convince you to get up early."
"I can probably manage that," I agreed. "Ilove their crepes."
Aaron nodded. "Best in town."
We headed over to his car after stowing the gear and Igot into the passenger seat. Mayhem hopped onto my lap and I really hoped hewas using whatever ability he had to avoid notice. I really didn't want peopleto think I was that person. Why had he chosen a purse dog form? Why...Oh well.
We weren't far from our destination and Mayhem wasclearly doing his invisible dog thing, because no one noticed when he followedus into the restaurant.
The hostess was older, and openly stared at me andAaron with something akin to horror on her face. I had to laugh because Icouldn't tell what part of me and Aaron had her most horrified. It was probablymy hair, though.
"Price, that you?"
"None other, mate." I turned toward thevoice and grinned at Charles, the owner of this place. Most of the smallrestaurant owners in this area knew each other at least somewhat.
"Who's your friend?" Charles was an older,portly man, with a kind smile and an easy way about him that had always made mecomfortable.
"Charles, this is Aaron. Charles owns the place,"I explained.
"The food here is wonderful. I come in a lot,"Aaron said, shaking Charles' hand.
"I'm glad to hear it. I keep trying to get Christo join us for breakfast, but she claims she's never awake."
"It's true. Made a special exception for today."
"She must like you then,"