Page 21 of Demons Dig Donuts

Tanze was still beating the monster with his own face, but he paused to look around. He spied Indy peering out and grinned. He waved a bloody hand. “Be right with you!”

Indy waved back and smiled nervously.

Not creepy at all.

“What’s all the racket?” Gammy asked. “I’m almost done!”

“Some backup arrived.” Indy shut the door but left it open a tiny crack. “Mr. Red and the Big Bad Wolf are here. Which means Mr. Heiss shouldn’t be far behind them.” He heard a loud whoosh and sighed in relief as his nail glowed red. “About time you showed up. I was starting to miss you.”

His collar tickled.

Oh.

Wrong demon.

Indy didn’t have time to turn around before he was yanked backward, losing his balance and instantly choked by the tight grip on his collar. He managed to get his feet under him, wheezing, “Hey, boss.”

It was Mr. Kalt.

Mr. Kalt very much looked like most people would imagine a demon to—big, red, horns, all of that. He wore suits like most did, and today’s was black brocade with a gray tie. He wasn’t an unhandsome fiend, but right now he was snarling horribly as if he was really angry or super constipated.

Maybe both.

“You stupid little slut,” Mr. Kalt seethed, his scarlet eyes flaming. “Take it off. Now.”

“You know I love the pet names, really do, really gets me going, but are you sure I should be getting naked? My Gammy is right there—”

Mr. Kalt jerked his collar.

Hard.

“The ring,” Mr. Kalt snapped furiously. “Right fucking now. I own you, you are bound to me, and you must obey me.”

“Except what you’re asking is fucking impossible!” Indy barked back as he tried to straighten himself up. “If I could do it, I would. This ring has been nothing but a pain in the ass since I got it!” He curled his fingers around the collar to keep Mr. Kalt from strangling him again. “Your stupid boss already tried, okay? He said he talked to you—”

“How long have you been planning this with him?” Mr. Kalt sneered. “How long have you known?”

“Holy shit, you’re more paranoid than usual.”

“Yeah, he is,” Gammy mumbled without glancing up from her drawing. She had completed a full circle of symbols and was adding small details now.

“Shut up.” Mr. Kalt twisted the collar so it cut into the side of Indy’s hand. “I am going to tear you apart unless you—”

“Calm yourself,” a new voice said sweetly. “We’ll find a way to remove it. Don’t worry yourself so.”

It was another demon.

Fabulous.

This one looked like Mr. Kalt, except his skin was a darker shade of red and his horns curled back like a ram’s. His eyes burned bright yellow, and his smile was off to one side. It might have been charming except looking at him made Indy’s skin crawl.

“Mr. Mitternacht.” Mr. Kalt let his grip relax. “Good of you to join us.”

Mr. Mitternacht flashed that uneven smile. “Of course. What are friends for? Now, let’s go handle the uninvited company, hmm? We can take the little blood bag with us.”

“Fine.” Mr. Kalt snorted, giving Indy’s collar a final yank before releasing it. “You. Stay here. We’ll be right back.”

Indy hissed, rubbing his neck. “Oooh, can’t wait.”