“Right,” Zav says firmly. Jasper’s head turns to look at the Kitsune, but his chin is set stubbornly. “You don’t have to feel bad that you’d protect anyone you care about, and definitely not that you’d risk everything for them. That’s a human savior complex; demons aren’t burdened by such mores.”
“Really?” Kit says as he sits up a little straighter. “You guys don’t think it’s bad that I don’t give a shit about anyone else in the Games as long as we’re all okay?”
Is that what was bothering him? Fuck, even I could have told him that we’d like to save Hell, but it will take a back seat to our brothers every time.
“No,” Slash says, his icy eyes meeting the kid’s intensely. “We do not.”
Jasper sighs heavily, making a face as he grumbles, “Slash is right. That’s what the damn ceremony does—binds us to one another above everything else. Hell can fall, the surface can be ravaged, and whatever the fuck else happens can be dealt with later. We protect each other, even if it means burning the entire planet down to do it.”
Kit’s eyes widen and I can tell he’s running frantic mental calculations in his head, trying to re-arrange everything he’s been taught is right to compensate for that statement. I smile a little, then murmur, “That’s hard to reconcile for someone raised where you were; I’m sure. But it’s true, and it’s part of who you are now and who you will become when all your power is free.”
He makes a face, then throws up his hands, upsetting the kinkajou at hisshoulder. Dottie scrambles down the chair, racing over to climb up Oriel’s leg to perch on his knee. Kit winces, his voice full of regret. “Sorry, girl. I didn’t mean to almost smack you. But man, this whole ‘powers are free’ thing is bullshit. I keep displaying hints of things without trying, but nothing that breaks me out of the cage. Is it always like this? Because if so, it sucks ass.”
Slash gives him a toothy grin before shaking his head. “No, little demon. Usually there are a few signs it is coming and it just… happens. But that is not the experience of someone like you who has fully grown without manifestation.”
“That’s true. He functions as a ‘lost one’ like those surface Society jerks call them. I can do research on how their powers typically come about. Maybe we’re missing steps or something, especially if he’s got more than one thing floating around inside of him.”
Jasper’s phone buzzes, distracting us all despite Salem bringing in plates of hot food. The prince looks at the screen, frowning for a second, then turning back to us. “Oddly enough, this is one of our new acquaintances. They’ve run afoul of a demon hybrid broker up there who gave them some information.”
“It’s Morgana?” Kit says excitedly. “I liked her; her men seemed great, too. Well, except for the dragon, but I guess that’s just a species trait. Being a dickhead, I mean.”
Oriel snorts as he takes his plate from Salem, winking at KK. “It absolutely is. They’reallinsufferable.”
“Says you, thief,” Jasper grumbles as he goes back to his phone. “Ah, I see why they’re having trouble. Celestara works for some of the oldest demons in Hell, though her real master is?—”
“The original occupant of your father’s seat,” Zavida finishes for him. “But… he’s with the deities or the primordials now—at least, that’s what the stories say. No one really knows since the rest of his court was killed in the war.”
“She is not a demon to take lightly,” Slash says, nodding a ‘thank you’ at the panda when he receives his fully stacked platter.
“What do they want to know?” Kit asks curiously. Salem brings his plate, giving him a firm look as he hands the new kid the utensils. “Yes, I know. I have to eat. Don’t worry, Salem.”
X chuckles, their grin fond as they look at KK. “You really don’t have a chance, do you, man?”
“Nope,” Kit replies before he scoops up a bite, then wipes his mouth. “Some of you guys are like old nanny goats.”
Salem distributes the other plates one by one as Jasper stares at the phone and Kit continues eating. I set mine aside, thinking about the woman who helped us fight the orc requesting help. She and her wealthy surface dwellers would be very good allies, especially since we know that some of this is coming from Faerie. One of her mates is a prince of Daybreak, though he and his guard seem to be in the dark as much as everyone else. But their reach is undeniable, and put together, that family will be a great resource.
“I think you should respond with information, Jas.”
The prince arches a brow at me curiously. “Why?”
“Because we said we would!” Kit proclaims with a frown.
I nod. “That, and because the Games are likely a symptom of the bigger plot in Hell, as we’ve discussed. The possible coup here is a symptom of the bigger picture up there and across the realms. Having our own powerful contacts from multiple realms who have resources to help is invaluable. That is why we made inroads with the Gemini twins as well, right?”
“Anton has a point,” Slash says as he looks at Jasper. “Strategically, forming alliances such as that could only aid us in fixing our immediate problem—surviving the Games—to the larger ones looming.”
“Plus, I had a very good feeling about them,” X adds lazily. “They’re good people.”
Kit gives them a grateful look as he sips his drink. When he’s done, he pulls his legs up, sitting crossed-legged in the big chair. “I did, too, Xerxes. You have like… powers like that, but I’ve spent a lot of time in places with people I don’t know if I can trust. My radar is pretty good, too.”
Jasper gives him an amused look. “Is it now?”
“Stop that; it’s shitty,” Salem says as he finally passes Jasper with his own plate. “No one expects to be harmed by people they trust, and having that happen to him a few years ago doesn’t make his instincts bad. Don’t be a dick.”
The growly snark surprises all of us, most of all Jasper. The Prince sniffs, eyeing the normally docile bear suspiciously. “Okay, fine. That’s a low blow, and it’s not true.”
Again, almost an apology from the never regretful Prince of Hell; will miracles abound?
