"What is Diamonique?" Xirena asked Alexion in an awed tone.
"Something I am sure you will love. And according to Simi, it's really good and crunchy, and it'll sharpen your fangs." He took the pad from Danger and handed it to the demon. "Here. Write down anything you see that you want and-"
He broke off as a caller spoke on the television show.
"Hello!" the chipper singsongy voice said.
"Hi, Miss Simi," the announcer said to the caller. "We're so glad to have you back."
"Oh, thank you," Simi said. "I just love them sparklies. I gots to get me lots of them. How many you got this time? Tell them other people they can go buy something else, 'cause the Simi wants all the Diamonique you got. I gots a whole new plastic card just waiting to be used."
Xirena's head came up as pure happiness lightened her face. "My simi? Is that my simi?"
Alexion looked absolutely ill. "Akri," he said under his breath. "I hope you're there to get her off that phone."
But apparently he wasn't.
"I'll take me seven dozen of them rings," Simi said. "Oh, and them necklaces, too, that you had up a little while ago. I needs to have lots of sparklies in my room. They are really nice whenever them dragons come in to play. But that little one, he keeps eating my Diamonique. I tell him no. It's for me to eat. But does he listen? No. That's the problem with dragons, they-"
"Well, Miss Simi," the operator said, cutting her off, "thank you for calling. We'll transfer you over to an operator and let you place your order."
Xirena was in front of the television now, with her cheek pressed up against the screen and her hand spread out beside her face. She looked as if she were trying to peer into the set. "Where is my simi?" The sadness and pain in her voice brought an ache to Danger's chest.
"She's in Katoteros," Alexion told her.
"The gods are all dead there," Xirena said in a ragged tone. "She'd be alone in Katoteros."
"Not all of them are dead."
"Simi!"
Danger cringed at the cry, which was so shrill and loud she was amazed it didn't shatter her windows or her eardrums. It was a cry of pain and of happiness.
Alexion moved forward to take Xirena into his arms as she sobbed and continued to scream out for her sister's return. Her longing was so sad that it brought tears to Danger's eyes.
"Shhh," he said, rocking her in his arms. "It's okay, Xirena. Simi is well and happy and shopping like a demon. Literally. She has never known a moment of pain in her life."
Xirena pulled back. "Never?"
"Almost never and I assure you that the ones who hurt her paid dearly for it."
"How do I know you're not lying to me?"
Alexion took her hand into his.
Danger frowned as she watched him close his eyes and rock the demon. They stayed there on the floor for several minutes before the demon opened her eyes and looked up at Alexion. There was admiration and love in that odd yellow gaze.
"You are good people," the demon announced. "I won't doubt you anymore."
Alexion inclined his head to her before he released her and rose.
The demon sniffed loudly, then brushed her tears away.
Danger cocked her head as he neared her. "What did you just do?"
"I showed her part of my memories with Simi so that she would understand the way her sister is treated."
"Could you share memories with me?"