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That hits a panic button I didn’t realize was there. These creatures, these demons, this war-obsessed king—they’ve all influenced the world as I know it.Lucifer said something like that before, didn’t he? Did he? I don’t know, his unveiling was such a surreal experience that I can’t quite remember. If he did, it’s only now that it’s really sinking in.
My phone—which is a replacement Lucifer had waiting for me on the jet with my number and contacts already loaded onto it—vibrates in my pocket. Hoping against hope that it’s Lucas texting to tell me that he’s figured everything out and that the whole world is now safe from rogue demons, I pull the phone out and check the screen.
But it’s not Lucas. It’s my sister.
I sit up straighter, grimacing. “Cassidy! Oh God, I promised I’d text her as soon as we got to the hotel, which we never got to. She must be freaking out.”
CASSIDY: Hey, how was the flight?
CASSIDY: Was there a flight delay? Calllll meeeeeee.
CASSIDY: Okay, seriously. Call me.
CASSIDY: I’m going to throw up with worry. Please hurry up and call.
CASSIDY: SOPHIA.
CASSIDY: Hey, I’m not kidding. Are you alive?
I grimace. “Yup, she’s definitely freaking out.”
“Invite her over,” Naamah replies with a shrug. “I’ll keep the demon stuff on the DL, and we’ll eat some dinner, have some drinks. Girls’ night in. Trust me, babe, you need it.”
“You sure?” I ask with a slight frown. I don’t want to make this woman host more people against her will. I mean, I know she offered, but—
“I’m sure. I need it too.” She flashes me a reassuring smile. “I could use a relaxing evening.”
ME: Hey sis. I’m alive. I’m back in town early and am hanging out with a work friend.You should come hang out with us. I was promised drinks!
There’s an extra long pause before she texts back.
CASSIDY: Sure.I’ll come hang out. And then I’ll murder you for making me worry about you.
That’s fair, I suppose. I tell her so, and send her the address. Then I look back up at Naamah, leaning forward with interest.
“She’ll be here soon. But before she gets here, tell me more about Hell’s pets.”
The pretty woman laughs, checking the pasta as she launches into an explanation of the various animals in the underworld, including the monstrous ones that have been at least partially domesticated by higher level demons.
Needless to say, what passes for a pet in Hell is absolutely terrifying.
* * *
Cassidy arrives after about halfan hour, and I can tell she really was worried about me, because she pulls me into a tight hug before drawing back and letting me introduce her to Naamah.
She’s delighted to meet the other woman, insisting that she was under the impression that I only worked with hot, dangerous men, which Naamah seems to find entirely too amusing. They’re chatting away like best friends before Cassidy has even made it past the foyer, and she stops in the doorway to the Cthulhu room and looks around.
“Damn,” she says, whistling. “And here I thought only hentai boys decorated with tentacles. How’d you make it look classy? You must be some kind of magician.”
I shoot Naamah a warning look, and she rolls her eyes at me. Of course. She’s probably much more used to keeping her true nature a secret than I am.
“I just know what I like,” she tells Cassidy. “And I know how to use it.”
“I like your attitude.” Cassidy chuckles. “You hear that, Sophia? That’s the attitude you need. Especially that second part.” She grins at me, taking the edge off her words.
“If you’re referring to Jason, the point is moot,” I say. “You can’t use something that’s useless. That’s kind of the definition.”
She laughingly agrees, and we move to the table, where Naamah has arranged plates of something that smells wonderful, each complemented by a massive glass of wine.
