own wing and the last section is reserved for the Underworld. As a demon, you should have been in Block Eight. You are familiar with the original seven territories, right?”
According to Emi, the divisions within the supernatural races had been much more distinct a few decades ago. Then things kind of went down the crapper when my grandfather, Lucifer, and his Underworlders were allowed into Azar as well as the human world. They began to infiltrate the seven houses and tore them apart from the inside out.
“I guess I could use a refresher.”
He splayed out his big hands and began ticking off his fingers as he spoke. “The Sons of Heaven, my kin, are in ours, Block One. Then there’s the Brotherhood of the Dragons in Two, the Coven Council, our magically gifted friends in Block Three, The Fae Court, which I’m guessing you’re familiar with, they’re in Four, the Shifter Pack make up Block Five, the fishies from the Ocean Realm are in Six and the Royal Vampires, like our friend Dallas, are in Block Seven.”
“But you and Talon are cellmates and he’s a dragon, right?”
He nodded. “And Dallas’s cell is right next door to ours. His bunkie just had his back-door parole so he’s got the whole place to himself for now. The regular rules don’t exactly apply to us.”
Back door parole? “Why not?”
Hayden shook his head. “Some things are on a need-to-know basis, pumpkin. And this, you do not need to know.”
“Because you’re the Triad?”
He nodded. “We’ve got ways of getting things done around here. The less you know, the better.”
“I guess I’m not supposed to ask about the Triad either, huh?” I paused as he worried his bottom lip between his teeth. “What’s a back-door parole then?”
He ran his hand over his face and when he looked back up at me, his expression had darkened. “He died here, pumpkin. Not many inmates make it to their actual parole.”
I gulped. I couldn’t be one of those convicts. Mulling over his words, I picked at the remnants of my red nail polish. I might as well get it all off now. No manicures for me for a while. “So how did I end up in your cell?”
“Now that is a good question.” His broad shoulders lifted, nearly reaching his ears. “Maybe the guards really were hoping Talon and I would mess with you.”
I gulped again. “Why haven’t you?”
“Just to piss them off.” He smirked. “Plus, I figure Talon’s torturing you enough for both of us. Now back to your first question. Delacroix Balthier used to run this place until my brothers and I showed up.”
“Brothers?” Now I was really confused. How could a fallen angel, a dragon, and a vampire be brothers? It sounded like the start of a bad joke.
“Another one of those need-to-know bits of information. Suffice it to say, we may not have the same parents, but it doesn’t make us any less family.”
Would I ever get a straight answer out of these guys? I leaned my chin in my palm, the beginnings of a headache throbbing my temples.
“Anyway, you need to stay away from Delacroix. Typically, I’d recommend sticking with your own kind in here, but you’ll be hard-pressed to find a demon that’s not under his thumb. He’s bad news and the last thing you need is to get wrapped up in his world. Do your time, get out of here and live out the rest of your life. You’re young and if you play it smart, you could get your sentence reduced.”
“I don’t even know how long I’m in for. I never had a trial or anything.”
“I wouldn’t hold your breath for that, pumpkin. But the new warden will call you in soon enough. I haven’t met the guy yet, but let’s hope he’s better than Egan. Delacroix had that guy wrapped around his little finger, and that wasn’t good for anyone.”
I didn’t know much about hellus demons except that they were hella powerful. Pun intended. For now, I’d see how things played out. I couldn’t tie myself to either side just yet. Not until I knew who the good guys really were—or if there were any.
Two burly forms crossed my peripheral vision and put an end to our conversation. A blurred arm stretched in front of me, and the smack of a tray on the table made me jump.
“You gotta keep your strength up in here, precious.” Dallas chomped down and flashed me his incisors. “It’s eat or get eaten inside