Teaser Tuesday - Mystic Taxi

I'm happy to announce Mystic Taxi made it to the next round of Karin Tabke's First Line Contest! Woo hoo!

The following is an excerpt from my steampunk urban fantasy WIP, Mystic Taxi:

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Wanda hadn't talked to any reporters, not even the college student, so she knew her name wouldn't be mentioned in the story. Though the article had nothing to do with her or Henry, it had plenty to do with uppity lesser demons messing with folks in very unhealthy ways.

Alva stood beside her, hands on hips. "Pancakes or waffles?"

Wanda didn't answer. She was too busy reading. The article wasn't a long one, but it mentioned a few demon-related incidents that had gone on in the city last night. It claimed more reports could be found in the police blotter. She'd known it would come to this someday, or rather, her great-grandmother had known.

She frowned, concerned about the press. It wasn't a good time for the city to start a panic over a possible demon uprising. It would only lead to chaos, which would in turn interfere with her goal. She wasn't ready for a full-on catastrophe and hoped to avoid one altogether, but organizing a multi-demon exorcism would be like herding cats. Wanda had her work cut out for her.

"I could really use Henry's help," she said, taking a distracted sip of the brewed chicory her aunt set by her elbow. "He calms the beasts, I destroy them."

"So you don't intend to send the demons back to Hell?"

Wanda shook her head. "Too many of 'em. When they turn murderous, they can't be allowed to live. Demons ain't smart enough to repent. They can't feel emotions."

"Think Henry will go along with your plan?"

She shrugged. "Not sure, but he seems the decent sort. He'll do the right thing."

Taking a swig of the chicory that was turning cold, Wanda left the table to get herself a refill. She stood at the kitchen counter and glanced out the window to see a yellow taxi steamer drive past the building. Her heart twitched at the thought it might be Henry. "That spawnster spyin' on me?"

Alva joined her at the window. "Could be. That same taxi's been by a few times since this morning."

Wanda grinned. She didn't mind. She had nothing to hide, though she guessed his interest was due to her promise of finding that fifth Vox box. Time to start canvassing the building. She was about to get busier than a stump-tailed cow in fly time.