Alexion turned to find Acheron standing in the doorway, watching them with a smile.
"We learn from our pain," he said, using the words Acheron so often quoted to him.
Acheron shrugged. "But we are rewarded with pleasure." His gaze shifted to Danger before it returned to meet his levelly. "You've served me too long and too well for me to turn my back on you, Alexion. I couldn't save her life without altering too much of the universe. But I can give you this."
Alexion was grateful and at the same time stunned by it. He had never expected Acheron to do something like this... ever. "You hate people in your house."
Acheron let out a weary breath. "What the hell? I got used to you. I'll get used to Danger in time too."
Danger gaped. "I get to stay? Here? With Alexion? Really?"
"Only if you want to," Alexion said.
Danger swallowed as her eyes filled with tears. She wrapped herself around Alexion and held him tight. "I can't believe this."
"I'm sorry for what you lost, Danger," Acheron said quietly. "This existence is far from perfect."
Alexion saw a panicked look darken her eyes. "Do I have to drink blood to live?"
Acheron shook his head. "Only Einstein over there has to do that. But like him, you won't be able to taste food anymore."
Danger laughed. "That's all right. Who needs taste buds anyway? I'll just eat a lot of popcorn."
Acheron's gaze softened. "If you want to release your demon, Alexion, I'll go introduce her to Simi and give you two some time alone."
Alexion frowned. "How is it that you're not stunned she has a sister?"
"I've known for a long time that she wasn't the only demon out there. It wasn't too big a leap of faith to figure she probably had some family too."
Still, Alexion was shocked that Acheron had kept such a secret from them. "Then why didn't you tell us?"
"Simi likes the idea of being the only one. I was going to tell her the truth once she got a little older. But I guess now's the time."
Alexion agreed. "Xirena, I summon you to human form."
The demon popped off his body and stood back, reserved. "Am I in trouble?"
"No," Alexion assured her. "You're going to meet Simi."
Her eyes sparked with happiness.
"Come, Xirena," Acheron said. "I'll take you to her."
She hesitated. "You're not trying to trick Xirena, are you?"
"No."
"It'll be all right," Alexion said. "You can trust him."
Xirena went to Ash hesitantly before the two of them left the room.
Danger waited until they were alone before she turned back to Alexion and pulled him into her arms. "Is this really real?"
"Yeah," he breathed as he held her close. "I still can't believe you're here."
"You can't? I thought I had lost you forever."
"At least I didn't die on you."