care of his own." He handed Simon the paper and pen, then turned to me with a fangy grin. "Well, Gloriana, seems you've been a busy girl after all. Well done."
"My cherubs, as Spyte called them, arranged some alone time for me and I used it to talk to Simon and plan." I saw him reading through the document carefully. "I never had a doubt. When Simon signs this, Rafe's off the hook. Right?" I felt my stomach twist. Did this mean Simon planned to get back with my friend CiCi? And intended to act like a real father to Freddy? I hated the idea. But this Rafe situation was urgent. Besides, CiCi and Freddy were intelligent people, capable of making their own judgments about Simon. Just because Simon wanted them, didn't mean they had to accept him into their lives.
"That was the deal. He signs, Rafael's fine. Ooh, a rhyme. Almost. And just under the wire too." Spyte did a cartwheel while Cary kept a close eye on Simon, a little more restrained in his excitement.
"It's fine." Simon signed it with a flourish. "Now how soon . . . ?"
"Simon?" CiCi appeared at the top of the stairs. "What did you just do?"
"My dear." Simon turned and walked toward her. "I gave up the Energy Vampires."
"Why? I thought that was your dream." CiCi took his hands and I glanced back at Cary. Oops. He was gone, along with Spyte.
"Dreams can change. And there was no way that I could drag my son into that whole scene and not hate myself." Simon glanced at me. "Gloriana helped me see that it wasn't the best thing for Frederick."
"Wow. I, just wow." I jumped when a hand slid around my waist. Jerry, finally able to move. Rafe and Ray were mobile too. "CiCi, you weren't supposed to come yet. The demons . . ."
"Why, it's almost time for the birthday party. The caterer will be here soon. And then something told me I had to come now. That you needed me. Or someone did anyway. No matter how scared I was of those . . . things." CiCi couldn't seem to look away from Simon. "I just got in the car and drove as fast as I could. Ran a red light, I think." She shook her head. "I don't see any demons here."
"No, they're gone. For good, we hope." I wanted to jerk her hands from Simon's but I could see that wouldn't go over well. This was hell pulling the strings now, part of making Simon's dream come true. I could only hope he wouldn't hurt her to make it happen.
Rafe shook his head. "Simon? You just signed over your soul to Lucifer?"
Simon shrugged. "No big deal. I've been on the fast track to hell for centuries. And this arrangement frees me to pursue" - he met CiCi's gaze - "other interests."
"So Rafe is seriously off the hook? Not going to be sucked down under?" Ray smiled at CiCi, who is very attractive and doesn't look a day over thirty.
"No, Rafe's fine. We made it in time." I sagged with relief.
Ray moved closer to CiCi. "Israel Caine. Have we met?"
"No, I don't believe we have. Though I saw you at Florence's wedding and heard you sing. It was wonderful and I know Gloriana arranged it." CiCi finally stepped away from Simon. "Cecilia von Repsdorf. My friends call me CiCi."
"Thanks, CiCi. It's a pleasure to meet you." Ray shook hands with her, then looked at me. "Now, sorry, but I'm more than ready to split. This has been one freaky night. Are we done here? Are you in the clear too, Glory?"
"Guess so." I made myself approach Simon. "What are your plans, Simon?"
"No reason not to keep my crew together. They need a leader now that our powers are diminished. And we have our product line to sell. I still have all the formulas." He shook his head as CiCi moved to the stairs to direct a man carrying in a birthday cake. "I know the goddess is gone, but I had to cover my back with that clause about reprisals. You have no idea how tricky those bitches can be."
"I imagine. You'll need another name for the group now. And to convince Freddy that you're not in charge of the evil empire anymore."
"Yes, there is that." Simon kept his eyes on CiCi, who was talking to Ray again. "I definitely plan to stay in town and get to know my