California Demon: The Secret Life of a Demon-Hunting Soccer Mom
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“An accountant?” Laura repeated. “You can’t even keep your checkbook balanced.”
“Very funny,” I countered. “My point is that even though she asked some questions while we were at the museum, since we’ve been home, she’s been completely uninterested.”
“Completely?” Laura asked, looking at me over the rim of one of my festive holiday mugs, currently brimming with cocoa and whipped cream.
“You know what I mean,” I said. “She’s asked a few questions here and there about hunting and about Eric. But no begging me to teach her how to throw a stiletto. No pleading for lessons on how to pick a demon out of a crowd. Nothing like that at all.”
“And you told her all of it? Even that you came out of retirement after what happened last summer?”
“Ah, well. I kind of hedged on that,” I admitted. “It wouldn’t have made a difference, though. She’s interested in boys and cheerleading and school. Demon hunting isn’t on her radar.”
“You’re sure?”
“I haven’t caught one whiff of interest there. Trust me,” I said. “I was worried for nothing.”
“I hope you’re right,” Laura said.
“I am,” I assured her. “I know my kid.”
“Just like you knew she had a crush on Troy?” Laura asked. “Just like you knew she wouldn’t do anything like sneak out of the house when she was grounded?”
I didn’t say anything because Laura had a point. The kind of point that I can’t ignore, even though I might want to.
The truth is, Allie’s growing up. And as hard as it is for me to admit, I can no longer look at her face and see what’s going on in her head. As life skills go, I suppose she’s learned from the best. I am, after all, a master at lying to my family.
I scowled at my Santa Claus mug and avoided Laura’s eyes. Because I’d been perfectly happy in my delusion that my daughter was concerned only about school and school-type things.
Laura was right, though. I hadn’t dodged a bullet at all. It was still speeding toward me.
And I didn’t have a clue when it was going to hit.
From USA Today bestselling author
Julie Kenner
Demons Are Forever
Confessions of a Demon-Hunting Soccer Mom
It isn’t easy when your daughter’s figured out that her mom’s a Demon Hunter—and wants to grow up to be just like you. Or when you suspect your dead husband used the forces of darkness to filch the body of another human. For a stay-at-home mom, Kate Connor’s putting in a lot of overtime.
Available wherever books are sold or at penguin.com
From USA Today bestselling author
Julie Kenner
Carpe Demon
Adventures of a Demon-Hunting Soccer Mom
Retired Demon Hunter Kate Connor must go back to work when she spots a demon lurking in the local Wal-Mart. But she’d better not arouse suspicion. This kind of thing could really hurt her husband’s political career.
Available wherever books are sold or at penguin.com