Andy leaned across and popped the lock from the inside.
She slid into the driver’s seat, slammed the door, and mashed the button to turn off the car stereo. “Just what did you think you were doing? And how did you get my keys?”
“You left them in the car. In addition to being a Great Earl of Hell with authority over wickedness and revenge, I am also the Finder of Lost Things. You’re welcome,” he said.
“‘You’re welcome’? Are you kidding me?”
Andy turned to face her with an impish expression. “You realize you look like you’re shouting at no one?”
Erin growled and threw the car into reverse. “Why don’t you just fly home, demon?”
“Because this is much more fun,” he said.
“Not for me,” Erin spat.
“You didn’t like it?” His eyes widened innocently.
“That’s not the point!”
“You did like it,” he said, clasping his hands together with deep satisfaction. “I knew you would.”
“I thought you were staying home to stretch your wings.”
“I was. I did! But then I came up with this great idea, so—”
“So you barged in without asking me.”
His cheery demeanor faltered. “I thought you’d be happy.”
She slammed the steering wheel with one hand as she peeled out of the parking lot. “You don’t think you were overstepping just a bit? Do you even know what happened to me before you showed up?”
“No,” said Andy in a small voice.
Erin laughed. “You’re a supernatural being. How do you not know?”
He sank down further in the passenger’s seat. “That’s not how it works.”
“Oh, yeah, Mr. Demon? Then maybe you should explain how it works. Better yet, maybe you should be quiet and listen for a bit.”
“Okay,” said a very contrite Great Earl of Hell.
4
Erin pulled into the deserted parking lot of a fast food chain that was closed on Sundays.
“I can’t talk about this and drive at the same time,” said Erin.
“You want me to drive?” said Andy.
“Do you know how to drive?”
“No.”
They sat in silence.
Andy peered up at the billboard overhead.
Erin propped her arm against the door and leaned her head on her hand. She closed her eyes. “Go ahead, then. Explain to me how this whole demon thing works.”
