Page 188 of Demons Dig Donuts

“Fabulous. Kicked Mr. Mitternacht in the nuts, got swallowed by a dragon. It was great.”

“Hey, my ol’ trick.” Seymour chuckled. “Didn’t think you’d be crazy enough to actually do it.”

“I am especially unwell when I haven’t received enough orgasms.” Indy shrugged.

Mr. Heiss only sighed.

“Mighty obliged to your Gammy for saving Sariel,” Seymour said, gesturing over to where she and Q. were chatting with Murray. “Swear I’d kiss her right on the mouth if I won’t spoken for.”

“I would as well,” Sariel said softly, his words slurred. “With tongue.”

“Wow.” Seymour cackled. “Had no idea you were such a flirt. Must be the blood loss talkin’.” He ran his fingers through Sariel’s hair. “Makin’ me all jealous, Daddy.”

Day meowed loudly, rolling her eyes as she settled between them.

“Sorry, yes, I know we are, and I quote, super gross.” Seymour lifted his arm to give her more room, smooching the top of her head.

Day huffed but closed her eyes, snuggling in close and purring.

Indy leaned in to hug Mr. Heiss around his waist. “We did it,” he said, laughing a bit. “Look! We’re all here, we’re together. The day has been saved, I kicked a dragon’s ass, you were pretty sexy, too, and I remain incredibly hot. Twelve out of ten.” He exhaled slowly, daring to believe it was real as he whispered, “Everyone is okay.”

“The one who matters, at least,” Mr. Heiss said softly.

“You said one.”

“Yes.”

“What about Gammy? Dill?”

“I meant what I said.” Mr. Heiss held Indy tighter.

Indy smiled, the comment warming him deep inside. He slid his hand over Mr. Heiss’s, but he paused when he felt something. “What the?” He stared. “The ring!”

Mr. Heiss frowned as he held out his hand. “The ring.”

It was the Memento Mori, but…

“There’s two of them?” Indy examined it carefully and then looked at the ring on his hand.

The forest of reddish hair was gone, now replaced with more black flecks to create the shapes of the trees. The hair was inside the ring on Mr. Heiss’s hand, additional swirls positioned to mimic the lidded pot on Indy’s. The rings were virtually identical, reflections of the original design but still undoubtedly connected as a tiny loop of hair remained in Indy’s around the pot and a fleck of black was also present in Mr. Heiss’s in the same place.

“Grow,” Dill whispered from right behind Indy.

Indy jumped in surprise. “Shit! Dill!”

Dill yelped and vanished.

Indy didn’t need to look down to see he had turned into a pickle again. He sighed. “Sorry, babe. You scared me. You, uh, got an explanation for this?”

“Sometimes the spirits can choose,” Lou said simply. “Be grateful for the gift.”

Mr. Heiss stiffened as a tiny flame figure sat on the side of his horn.

It was Aodnait, perfectly at home there next to the flames of Mr. Heiss’s crown.

Indy groaned as he kneeled to grab Dill. “I guess it’s fitting. You get the cool fiery chick and I get the himbo with the, ahem, girth.” He grinned, giving Dill a playful shake.

“Grow,” Dill grumbled.