Nancy Werlock's Diary: Family Affairs

Marriage counselor Nancy Werlock didn't want to take over the family business. Unfortunately for her fate, and a bunch of conniving but well-meaning spirits, have other plans. Now Nancy finds herself fumbling through exorcisms and sorting applications for a new apprentice. Because for Werlock women, the family business is demonology. And at the Three Wishes Boutique, the customer may not always be right, but he may very well be possessed.

This episode includes two short stories (12,600 words):

Family Affairs
Nancy’s ongoing issues with her apprentice’s dead mother take a back seat to an escaped demon that falls into her lap (well, actually, falls into the roof of the car in front of her). Now she has to track it down before it jumps into a new body or evolves into a more dangerous species.

The Gremlin
For twelve years, Nancy’s mother had performed “excorisms” for the local Department of Public Works just before the annual Fourth of July fireworks display to provide the workers with peace of mind. When Nancy agreed to continue the tradition, she didn’t expect an actual gremlin to show up.