Page 48 of Siren’s Secret

Wayla stuck her tongue out at the demon and rolled her eyes. Hellion’s heart almost stopped, and he lurched forward when Esserieh chuckled. He, for fucking real, chuckled. Hellion had never heard him chuckle.

“I didn’t know you were coming, or I would have brushed up on my etiquette,” Wayla said and pulled free from Esserieh’s hold and performed a perfect court curtsy. The demon replied with an equally polished court bow. Both were done in Hell Realm’s fashion.

Hellfire engulfed Esserieh’s hand. Traditionally, demons clasped hands, for however briefly, but Wayla wasn’t a demon.

“No, don’t—” Hellion’s shout cut short.

Wayla grinned and water engulfed her palm. The two stared into each other’s eyes like challengers.

“Four?” Esserieh asked.

“Five,” Wayla replied, clearly relishing Esserieh’s widening eyes.

In slow motion, they clasped hands. Hellion expected Wayla to drop, shrieking in pain, burned to a crisp, but only a slight hiss of steam rose between their palms.

“… three… four… five,” Esserieh counted and then they broke apart.

Sinister was choking in the background. Hazard was beyond pale. And Hellion had to sit the fuck down. He could barely hold Esserieh’s handshake for four seconds.

“You’ve grown,” Esserieh said, nodding approvingly.

“Well, it’s been ten years,” Wayla replied with a smirk. “In another ten, I’ll raise you to six.”

“What. The. Fuck?” Sinister’s voice broke the stunned silence.

“What was that?” Grant roared.

“Are you all right, precious?” Jarred rushed over and took Wayla’s hand in his to inspect it.

“Five seconds,” Hazard muttered, stunned.

Wayla ignored them all, still focused on Esserieh. “So, what are you doing here? How long are you staying? Can I introduce you to my roommates?” She shot one question after another.

“Unfortunately, I can’t stay long this time, droplet. I’m here to deliver a message, but I’m sure I’ll be stopping by again soon.”

Wayla’s face fell, but she nodded. “All right.”

Hellion finally found his voice with a vengeance. “You two know each other?” he roared.

Wayla blinked and looked like she finally realized everyone was staring at her. Slowly, she turned to Hellion, and a slight frown marred her brow.

“Of course,” she said matter-of-factly.

“How?” he snarled.

Esserieh frowned at that.

“Lucifer has a yearly lunch or dinner date with Grandfather. Uncle Essi kept me company at the kids’ table,” she said, like it was the simplest thing in all the realms. His father’s name made Hellion flinch. She had met Lucifer?

“Not to interrupt this show and tell, but I really need to get going. Hell politics and all that,” Esserieh said to Wayla before turning to Hellion. “Stop trying to dig up things about Wayla. Your father is not amused. That’s the official message. My addendum is that I’ll personally dismantle your information network if you ignore Lucifer’s orders, Prince Marchellion.”

When Hellion didn’t reply, Esserieh narrowed his eyes.

“Is that understood, Marchellion?”

Now he nodded stiffly, eyes locked on Wayla, who was mouthing his name silently. He wasn’t sure what he expected from her, but a bitter-sounding laugh wasn’t it.

“Of course,” she choked out. “Powerhouses, fitting.”