Or not an idiot. Apparently, I wasn’t the only demon hunter in the area, because holy water in the sprinkler system?

Hadn’t been part of the plan. Not that I was going to do anything to protect the succubus. She shrieked, glared at me, then vanished before I could tell her this one wasn’t me. The non-demons were, of course, pouring out the doors.

I was heading towards the employee-only door, determined to find out who had ruined our sting before they got away. They were probably useful to know, because I was wishing I had thought of holy water in the sprinkler system. Then again, I had a feeling it hadn’t got rid of them for long.

The door led to a narrow breezeblock corridor. On one side were dressing rooms for bands and other performers. Down the other, I saw a masculine figure running for the fire exit.

I took a gamble that this was the perpetrator (or Martin) and took off after him. I caught up with him as he stepped out into the alleyway outside.

“Was that your genius idea?”

He turned to face me. Blinked. “What?”

“The sprinkler system. If it wasn’t you, tell me, but I do have ways of determining the truth.” Not that I exactly did – right now, Thea had the horn in her purse, which was larger.

He narrowed his eyes. “Huh. You’re not a demon.”

I brushed the adulterated water off my arm. “Nope. We’re on the same side, but we seem to have crossed each other. I’m Jane.”

“Seb,” he introduced. I wasn’t sure from his appearance which form of Sebastian it might be short for.

“So. Are you a demon hunter or just?”

“My dad was…a demon hunter.” He tailed off. “I just…”

“You did the right thing. Not your fault we were trying to corner them for an exorcism.” At that point, Father William came out of the building, looking uncomfortable.

“They got away,” the priest said…he was wearing a plain suit and no dog collar.

“I know. This is the guy that interrupted. I reckon we should keep him around so he doesn’t do it again.”

Seb was starting to look worried.

“Don’t worry. You’re just going to come to our war council and listen.” A kid. He was no older than I was and trying to do grownup work without grownup help. Everything rang true and we could always test him with the horn once we were off the streets.