Chapter 19

Each of the human bonfire heroes was surprised many days later when they received hand-delivered, hand-written invitations to join Hector for brunch at the Sigma Psi Rho house. Laurel wore the white dress she had bought for the summoning.

“The sisters are quite grateful for your role in freeing them,” Hector said while a group of sorority girls served waffles and fruit to the four of them. “They would be honored if you would rejoin the pledge class.”

Melissa added, “Hector says that was some real Buffy the Vampire Slayer shit.” She set a plate of eggs in front of Laurel.

Kate wrinkled her nose. “Thanks, but I think I’m going to be happier going it alone,” she said. Laurel nodded in agreement.

“So do you, like, live here now?” Baz asked. Hector was wearing clothes now, although his shirt was open and his distractingly cut abs were on display.

“Yes,” Hector told him. “The Psi Rho girls have asked me to stay here as the housefather.” One of the sisters refilled his orange juice glass.

“What about the pregnancies?” Kate asked. “Are we sure those are all dealt with?”

Hector smiled boastfully. “My sperm is very aggressive in dealing with rivals,” he said. “I can assure you that none of the sisters are carrying. Well, none of the straight sisters.” He chuckled. “Even if a few women slipped between the cracks, none of the embryos would have been mature enough to survive without a magic link to the plant. It’s safe.”

Laurels lip was quivering. She was trying to decide whether to say what was on her mind. Finally she blurted it out: “Are we enemies?”

Hector gave her a disarming smile. “Not at all - we’re friends. In fact I was hoping you and I could study some magic together.”

Cynicism and hope, both born of the same history, clashed inside Laurel’s mind. She couldn’t imagine what the consequences might eventually be from her deal with the devil, but for now the emergency was over.