Iceman intervenes as he smoothly steps between me and Taz, giving the Abdicated prick a bow of respect. “I have demon spirits if you’d like a drink? You can tell us all about Delta’s mother while you refresh yourself.”
Taz lifts his chin. “I only drink demon spirits that have been aging for five thousand years at least.”
“Then you’re in luck because we have a ten thousand year old bottle waiting in the cellar with your name on it.”
I can tell this throws Taz off-kilter. He was expecting to be able to brush Iceman’s polite offer away, being the proud obnoxious prick that he is. “That would be fine,” he says haughtily before turning on his heel and stomping out of the bathroom. Iceman gives me a half-amused look before sauntering after him. “It’s the other way, sir.”
“I know that!” Taz snaps, even as he doubles back, going the other direction.
As soon as my inconsiderate sperm donor is gone, I look up at Echo. “Help. I’ve fallen off the toilet and I can’t get up.”
He chuckles as he comes forward, but his shadows beat him. They come off his skin and slither over my wing, helping to unwedge it from being half around, half behind me. Echo grips my arms while his shadows wrap around the other wing, and then he manages to pluck me out like I’m a difficult wine cork, placing me on my feet with my pants around my ankles.
I would be embarrassed, but I didn’t pee myself, which means I’m counting this as a win.
“Okay, I need a little privacy, otherwise I’m gonna squirt in a way you guys don’t want,” I say, reminding Crux of the delicious things he and Echo taught my body how to do.
Crux and Echo smirk, while Jerif cocks his head. “Wait. She can squirt in a way we do want?”
Crux grabs the lava demon by the shoulder and spins him around, pushing him on the back so the three of them can walk out. “Yep. Echo and I will tell you all about it,” Crux says with amusement before shooting me a wink and closing the bathroom door behind them.
I sigh and sit down on the porcelain throne again, quickly finishing my business. I’m able to empty my bladder and wipe this time before any more demons interrupt. I quickly wash my hands but take a minute to look in the mirror and digest Taz’s announcement.
My mother.
He knows a way to find out who my biological mother is.
I’m filled with trepidation, but also with burning curiosity. The other Abdicated made it seem like I’m this strange purple creature with mysterious unexplainable origins. And the scythe...no one seems to know what the scythe is all about other than to toss out the Grim Gatekeeper theory.
But maybe now I’ll finally find out exactly what I am and where I come from. I just hope this truth isn’t going to be a bomb that blows up my new life more than the demon bomb did. I’ve only been living the Hellgate Guardian life for less than a day, but I’m already loving it.
I make my way back to the dining room where the guys are congregated once more. Tazreel not only has a full glass of demon spirits that Strut poured for him, but the Pride Abdicated is also eating my Chinese chicken salad.
My stomach growls angrily at the sight, but Iceman cocks his head to the side, showing me a new place he set aside for me. With a grateful smile, I walk over and take a seat beside him and Echo before quickly shoveling food into my mouth. I know that when Taz tells us what he came here to say, I might not get another chance to eat or might not even want to.
“So…” I say nervously, trying to broach the subject and make it past that humiliating moment in the bathroom. “Are you going to tell me about how you can find my mother?”
He sniffs loftily as he picks at my food with his fork, shoving some of it aside on the plate like it’s not good enough to grace his Abdicated mouth. “I’ll tell you when I’m good and ready,” he says. “You were very rude upstairs. I’m not sure if you deserve to know.”
I’m unable to stop myself from rolling my eyes. Now he’s going to sulk and withhold his discovery because things didn’t go his way. He probably wants me to beg for information now. Fucking Pride.