"I never met your mother, but do you want me to tell you about my sire? Your father?" At my watery nod, he continued. "He was feared throughout all kingdoms. Cutthroat and a master of torture. I learned everything I know about evisceration from—" Claus caught my troubled look and switched directions. "I can't say I loved him, but I will say he instilled in me the foundations that I stand on today. Being a demon king isn't about hatred or cruelty, but giving back to people that which they deserve. No more no less."
I thought that over as we followed the music, keeping to the side, a good distance from the archangel parents. "Are you upset you're stuck here now that the gate is closed? How will you ever return?"
Claus shrugged. "Like I've said, time moves differently in hell. I doubt I'm missing all that much. I'll find a way back, when I'm bored."
"What will you do? You're free to stay here. If any of them have a problem with it…" I jerked my head to the rest of the pack. "Send 'em my way. I'm angelically enhanced to persuade them."
Claus flashed every one of his silver fangs in a loud laugh. "I'm glad you are coming to terms with your duality. But no, as fun as changing diapers and listening to other people constantly have sex is, I think I'll head out. Find out all the ways the earth has changed since my last visit. I've been preoccupied since coming through the gate. Think of it as my vacation."
It wasn't at all difficult for me to imagine Claus in board shorts and a Hawaiian shirt; it was one of his favorite outfits.
In a second my insides went from tightening at the thought of Claus being blocked from returning home to panic at the idea of my life without him in it. "But you will come back to say bye before you go, right?"
Claus paused, stopping us in front of the refreshment table. For the first time since I'd met him, his face was slack, devoid of emotion. No frustration or sarcasm. Just blank, dumbfounded, like he couldn't believe I'd care whether he came or went. He found his voice, clearing his throat before replying, "Of course I will, demonling. I'll need to check on Rebecca, after all, and make sure she's growing up to be as evil as she can be."
That was, of course, the moment that Diesel tapped on Claus's shoulder, finished with sharing my attention. Before Claus could hand me over, Sorrows approached slowly, her eyes narrowed toward Claus.
I stiffened. Would my wraiths be at all helpful against archangels? I hadn't seen them since they'd disappeared with Dog to some corner of the hotel to do whatever it was those two did when they disappeared.
"I come in peace." Sorrows lifted her hands and smiled at me. "And with a gift."
Diesel dropped his arm over my shoulders, grounding me enough to keep from trembling. "For who?" I barked.
"For the demon. It is a token of our thanks. A feather from the wing of Malak." She lifted a long, snow-white feather. "Since you are stuck on earth, to thank you for saving our children, we want you to have this. It will help you travel between the realms, for a bit. The feather will work until it grows black. You'll just have to make sure you are where you want to be when that happens."
The underlying meaning was clear: that Claus would be back in hell, ruling over the kingdom of missed opportunities.
He didn't seem to mind the archangels' questionable intentions and accepted the feather with a sharp nod that turned into a rakish grin when our eyes met. "See, demonling, when a demon closes a gate, god really does open a door."
The others gathered to see what it was Sorrows had for Claus. Jazz stood arm in arm with his old friend, Hollister, both looking on as Erudite and Power joined Sorrows.
Kansas didn't seem to be paying attention. He hummed along with the music, but his eyes hadn't strayed from the sweets on the table. I was pretty sure I saw some drool. He danced between the groups, oblivious of the eyes watching him walk in the space that separated the archangels from Claus, me, and Diesel. He licked his lips, reaching for a chocolate-covered eclair and taking a bite. The sounds he made were just this side of sexual, and it wasn't until he chewed and