Grace Under Fury

by Annabel Chase

  “It’s not your fault, Corinne. You didn’t know.”

  “This is my shop,” Corinne said. “I’m responsible for everything that happens here.” She resealed the sack. “What do I do with all these beans?”

  “Let’s not worry about that right now,” I said. “First, Neville and I need to do a little research and figure out exactly what we’re dealing with.” Only then could we determine how to stop it.

  “I’ll help you,” Corinne offered. “I want to make it right.”

  “You can help me by giving me the name of your distributor,” I said. I’d pass that straight over to FBM headquarters. “Neville and I will handle the rest.”

  Corinne blinked back tears. “What if I reopen and the shop fails because the coffee isn’t good anymore?”

  To be fair, I shared her concern, but I couldn’t let my caffeine needs get in the way of the investigation.

  “One crisis at a time, Corinne,” I said.

  I sat beneath my sun lamp, typing away on the keyboard in my office.

  “Hunting for a supernatural bug in Chipping Cheddar is like searching for a fang at a vampire convention,” I complained. “What am I supposed to do? Walk around with a magnifying glass like those cartoon detectives?”

  “It would make you look more sleuth-y,” Neville said.

  “I don’t need to look sleuth-y,” I said, agitated. “I’m an FBM agent. I have a badge and everything.”

  “Try a sloth demon,” Neville said from his adjacent desk.

  I craned my neck to look at him. “Why do you keep doing that?” I asked. “If you know a name, then you look it up.”

  “I’m coming up with options faster than I can type them,” Neville said. “I’m trying to multi-task.”

  “I don’t think it counts as multi-tasking when you give someone else the work. That’s just division of labor.” I typed in ‘sloth demon’ and grimaced. “How about you research the really unattractive ones?” I read the brief summary and immediately dismissed it. “This one leaves a trail of slime, so he’s out. We should include all the details that we know as a filter.”

  “You’re quite right,” Neville said.

  “The key factor is probably that it’s drawn to coffee beans,” I said.

  “Or perhaps it’s native to the area where the beans are sourced in Otherworld,” Neville said.

  “Good point.” I added the features and qualities I was looking for and scanned the results. Each one was uglier than the last. “I feel like I’m on the worst dating app ever.”

  Neville chuckled. “These creatures are not Instagram-ready, are they?”

  “No filter in the world can help this one.” I studied the description. “A saliva demon. Ugh, it actually lives on others’ saliva.” I wrinkled my nose in disgust. “Gross.” At least I could move on from that one.

  “I see your saliva demon and raise you one better. This one leaves rotting skin behind,” Neville said. He inclined his head toward his computer screen.

  “Whose skin?” I asked. “His or someone else’s?”

  “Does it matter?”

  “Fair enough.” I returned my focus to the search results and my heart started to pound. “Neville…”

  “Yes, m’lady?”

  “This isn’t Downton Abbey.”

  Neville heaved a sigh. “If only.”

  “I think I found our demon.” I tapped my screen and Neville came over to read the description.

  “A borer demon,” he said, frowning. “I’m not familiar with that one.”

  “Look at those eyes,” I said. They were huge, black, and round.

  “Zoom in on those mandibles,” Neville said, enthralled. “They’re impressive.”

  “I didn’t peg you for a mandible guy,” I joked.

  Neville scrutinized the description. “It loves coffee beans and leaves microscopic bites that can cause illness.” He clapped his hands together once. “Great Nefertiti! We’re in business.”

  I twisted to look at him. “Nefertiti? That’s your go-to?”

  “She was a remarkable woman of her time,” Neville said. “Anyone who successfully spearheads a religious revolution has earned my respect, regardless of whether I agree with the worship of a sun god.”

  I turned back to the screen. “I’ll bear that in mind. Now, the million dollar question—how can we catch a borer demon and send it back to Otherworld?”

  “I’m not sure that we can.”

  “What do you mean? There has to be a way to get rid of it.”

  “Get rid of it, yes,” Neville said. “But I don’t think we’ll be able to send it back to Otherworld alive.” He pointed to the screen. “That is the only surefire method.”

  I quickly reviewed the final paragraph. “We have to smash it with a hammer?”

  “Not just any hammer,” Neville said. “That specific hammer. It’s designed to penetrate the borer demon’s protective shell.”

  “Too bad it isn’t Thor’s hammer,” I said.

  Neville glanced at me. “You have access to such a treasure?”

  “No, but I’d like access to his hammer,” I said. “Thor’s hot.”

  Neville snorted. “Unfortunately, this hammer is not connected to the thunder god.”

  “The Hemiptera Hammer,” I read aloud. “A picture of the weapon would be nice. How are we supposed to find it?” I continued to read. “Oh, crap. We don’t have time to send a team to the deepest region of Otherworld. That’ll take too long.”

  “We’ll have to try to summon it,” Neville said. “That’s the fastest way.”

  “Do you think we’ll be able to?”

  “I don’t see any reason we shouldn’t be able to call it forth.”

  I sat quietly for a moment, wondering how much magic I’d have to use. Neville placed a hand on my shoulder.

  “I don’t think it should trigger any new fury powers,” he said. “It’s only a summoning spell.”

  “How did you know that’s what I was thinking?”

  He patted my shoulder once before withdrawing his hand. “It’s always at the forefront of your mind. Well, that and Chief Fox.”

  “Hey! Since when are you some kind of psychic wizard?”

  “All that’s required is for someone to spend time with you to see what’s important to you,” he said.

  “Well, you’re also someone I don’t have to lie to,” I said. “That helps.”

  Neville returned to his desk. “I can see how it would.”

  “At least this is one part of the lie that’s true,” I said.

  “What is?”

  “I’m using a computer to do my job,” I said. “Not quite ransomware or porn, but it’s close enough.”

  “Technology plays a role in most jobs, Agent Fury. It’s good to learn.”

  I printed the information about the borer demon for reference. “This is a huge breakthrough, Neville,” I said. Except for the part about summoning the mystical hammer. That could prove to be a challenge.

  “The FBM is fortunate to have you,” Neville said.

  “Oh, stop,” I said. “I haven’t even done anything yet.”

  “But you will,” Neville said, with an air of confidence. “And now that we’ve identified the demon, I can start working on a potion to treat the sick. We’ll have to figure out a way to administer it to the affected human population, but I’m sure Verity can help with that.”

  “You can make potions?” I asked. “I thought you were more mechanical than medical.”

  “I’m a wizard, Agent Fury,” he said. “My skills are multi-faceted.”

  I offered Neville a grateful smile. “How about that? I guess I’m not the only one the FBM is fortunate to have.”

  Neville suppressed a smile. “Indeed.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  “Can’t you just kill it?” Aunt Thora asked with a shudder.

  I’d driven straight home to gather the ingredients necessary to summon the hammer. My family had pounced on me w
ith questions once I’d revealed my discovery.

  My mother rolled her eyes. “You know our Eden. Even as a kid, she had a no-kill policy for spiders and other insects. If she found one in the house, she had that jar…”

  “Oh, I remember that,” Grandma said. “She painted ’shelter in place’ on the side and would use it to carry them safely to the garden.”

  My mother snorted. “Remember when she rallied against our use of pesticide potion on the garden? She staged a protest in front of it.”

  Grandma cackled. “But then we just sprayed the potion on both of them.”

  “Yes,” I said stiffly. “That was so hilarious.”

  “Hey, it got rid of the lice we didn’t even know you had,” my mother said. “Consider it a favor.”

  “I also thought it was particularly funny when you turned me into a cricket,” I said.

  My mother smacked her hand on the table, laughing. “That’s because you talked nonstop. Chirp, chirp.”

  “You could have at least turned me into a bird so I could fly away from here,” I said.

  “Are you sulking?” Grandma asked. “She’s sulking, Beatrice.”

  “I see that.” My mother seemed to find it amusing.

  “I think we should’ve left you buried for longer,” I said.

  My mother glowered in response. “Tell us what you need, Cricket Dundee and we’ll help you gather the materials, if only to destroy this menace once and for all.”

  “No, thanks. Knowing you, you’ll throw in a poison plant.”

  “Do you think I want this borer demon on the loose?” my mother asked. “Once I drink the potion, I don’t want to worry about reinfection.”

  “And I’m tired of cleaning up after sick kids,” Grandma said. “Let us help already.”

  “Fine,” I huffed, and told them what I needed.

  An hour later, Neville and I were in the attic with Alice guarding the entrance in case my family decided to be nosy. The wizard and I sat cross-legged on the perimeter of the circle, along with thirteen glowing candles and a bowl of magic herbs.

  I pulled out my phone, tapped the screen, and sat it on the floor in front of me.

  “Agent Fury?”

  The calming sounds of the ocean rolled over us. “It’ll help us focus,” I said. “I learned it in yoga class.”

  “I didn’t realize you were a yogi.”

  “I’m more like the bear.” I’d never met a picnic basket I didn’t like. I closed my eyes and tried to de-clutter my brain.

  “Join hands, Agent Fury.” Neville reached forward and clasped my hands.

  “White Witch, hear our call,” I said. “We request from thee the Hemiptera Hammer, so that we may protect the children of Adam and Eve, as well as Otherworld’s progeny.”

  A slight breeze tickled my nose. I kept my eyes closed and maintained my focus.

  “Give us the strength to defeat this deadly foe. We beseech thee.”

  The air shifted and I heard a thump.

  “Did it work?” I opened my eyes and peered at the center of the circle.

  “Well, it’s a hammer,” Neville said. He crawled forward and lifted the object from the floor, holding it up for inspection.

  “That’s just a DeWalt,” I said.

  “Maybe so,” Neville said, “but it is an excellent hammer.” He wielded it like a weapon.

  “Put it aside, Neville. It’s not our mystical weapon.”

  “How can you be certain?”

  “Because you generally can’t buy one in aisle five at the hardware store.” I took a deep breath and reentered myself. “Let’s try again.”

  We performed the same incantation one more time. I tried to alter my inflections in case that was the issue. I heard a thud and popped open one eye to see a croquet mallet.

  “This is ridiculous,” I said. “Something must be interfering with the summoning spell.”

  “I can go over the information again,” Neville said. “It’s possible I missed a small detail that would impact our choice of summoning spell.”

  “There weren’t enough details,” I said. “That’s the problem.”

  “Perhaps we should request the assistance of your family,” he said.

  “No,” I said sharply. “Definitely not. I don’t need any more fury traits. Immortality is quite enough.”

  Neville regarded me. “You say that as though it’s a bad thing. Supernaturals have killed for much less.”

  “Who wants to live forever?” I asked. “Watch everyone you love wither and die?” I shook my head. “Not me, thanks.”

  He drummed his fingers on the floor in a nervous gesture. “I guess that’s one more reason not to get involved with Chief Fox.”

  I snapped to attention. “What?”

  “Now that you’re immortal, you’ll outlive him.”

  My chest tightened at the thought. “Not like I needed another reason, but yeah.” I pushed the thought of the handsome police chief from my mind. Now wasn’t the time for swooning or lamenting. I had work to do. “We need to focus, Neville.”

  “I don’t think the ocean waves are working,” he said.

  I rose to my feet. “I think I need a stronger pose.” I clapped my hands over my head and put my foot on my leg, mimicking Mrs. Marr’s tree pose.

  “That’s…unorthodox,” Neville said. He stood and copied me. “You think this might help?”

  “It’s a position of strength,” I said. “Can’t hurt to try.”

  We closed our eyes and focused our will.

  “By the power of the gods, I summon thee, O’ mighty Hemiptera Hammer,” I said. “We call upon your aid in this time of strife.” It was like the Bat signal, but for an ancient weapon instead of a gravelly-voiced guy in tights.

  The candles flickered as a cold wind rushed through the attic. In the middle of the circle, an object began to take shape. I reached for it, but my hand sliced through the air.

  “It isn’t corporeal yet,” Neville said in a hushed tone. “Keep concentrating.”

  I resumed my position and willed the hammer into existence. My whole body strained from the effort. My siphoning magic was the worst offender when it came to draining me of energy, but a spell like this came a close second.

  I peeked one eye open to see the object begin to glow with an orange light.

  “This is definitely it,” I said, growing excited. “The description mentions an orange light.”

  Neville studied at the object. “I believe you’re right, Agent Fury.”

  Slowly, I inched closer to examine it. “This has to be it. You know, a picture would really be useful in a situation like this.”

  “I’ll write a strongly worded letter,” Neville said, completely sincere.

  “Who would call that a hammer?” I asked, unable to disguise my irritation. “It’s more like a fat sickle.”

  “Or a chunky scythe,” Neville added.

  I laughed. “That would be a good name for a band.” I could picture Chunky Scythe emblazoned on T-shirts with the image in the background. Better than Ghost of Billy Crystal.

  I plucked the hammer from the air and wielded it like a sword. “I hope this does the trick.”

  Neville held out his hand. “May I?”

  I dropped it into his hand and he nearly fell to the ground from the weight of it. “It rather is like Thor’s hammer.” He didn’t dare try to recover it.

  I swept the hammer off the floor. “I guess I’m worthy Thor in this scenario.”

  Neville brightened. “Does that mean I get to be Loki? He is a favorite of mine.”

  “He’s a favorite of everybody’s,” I said. “No time for tricks, though. We need to track this demon so I can get rid of it once and for all.”

  “According to the information, the demon likes to hide in marshes.”

  “Then I guess we should start with the marshes in town.”

  “I’ve already taken the liberty of identifying them on the map,” Neville said. “There are a f
ew, given our proximity to the river and the bay.”

  “The biggest one is near Cheddar Gorge,” I said. “We’ll try there first.” It was both rural and large enough to hide a stealthy borer demon.

  “Let me assemble a few items first,” Neville said. “It can’t hurt to have backup.”

  I hefted the weapon in my hand. “I hate to say it, Neville, but somebody has to.”

  He shot me a quizzical look. “Say what, Agent Fury?”

  I looked him dead in the eye. “It’s hammer time.”

  “I knew I should’ve worn boots,” I said. The squelching and squirting of the mud beneath our feet seemed relentless. I had to be sure to go straight home for a shower and not stop at my dad’s house for any reason. Sally would stick her fangs in me if I tracked mud like this in their house.

  “Any sign of activity?” Neville asked. His giant magnifying glass made his one eye look comically enormous.

  “Only rapid eye movement,” I said, pointing to his magnified eye. “You do look very sleuth-y, though.” I surveyed the deep valley. “This is an impossible task. I think we should try a reveal spell.”

  “I thought you preferred to avoid magic as much as possible.”

  “You know I do, but we’re sort of on the clock here,” I said.

  “I can do it without you,” Neville said. “I’m a wizard in my own right, remember?”

  Gratitude curved my lips. “Thanks, Neville.”

  He trudged through the marsh until he found a bit of solid ground and tucked away his magnifying glass. I kept my gaze on the marshy area as he conducted the spell as though in front of an orchestra. The air rippled around us and I scanned the area for signs of anything supernatural.

  “It looks normal,” I said. If the demon had been hiding here, it wasn’t anymore.

  “We should try the marsh nearest to the portal. It’s possible the demon was drawn there because of the concentration of energy.”

  “Good thinking.”

  We got back in the car and I wished I’d brought mats for the floor. All this mud was going to be a pain to clean.

  The next marsh was much smaller than the one near the gorge. Neville pointed to a patch of earth.