“Do you think she’s psychic?” I asked Blanche.
“Possibly, or maybe she’s just crazy. Really nice, but crazy,” she replied. We stood in silence and mulled the options.
“Should we tell anybody about her?” I wondered aloud.
Blanche thought for a moment. “No, I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“Why?”
Blanche worried her bottom lip with her teeth. “I have no clue, it’s just a feeling.” She paused and then took my hand. “Dixie, I’m sorry I haven’t been around.”
I leaned in and kissed her cheek. I could never stay mad at her. “Come on,” I said wearily. “It’s time to go home and get my ass kicked.”
“Haven’t you had it kicked enough today?” she asked.
“Metaphorically? Yes. Literally? No.” I grinned and squeezed her hand as I guided us toward my car.
“Why don’t you just transport us?” she asked.
“One, because my car is parked down the street and two, because we’ll end up in a bathroom somewhere.”
Blanche giggled and I rolled my eyes.
Life on Earth kind of sucked. I still had over two weeks before I could communicate with anyone from Hell and I wasn’t sure I could make it. I wondered if Hayden would have to wait the two weeks to come to me. The thought was depressing and I pushed it to the back of my mind. I would deal with it, but then again it didn’t look like I had much of a choice.
Chapter 22
When we got home from the strangest afternoon ever, Blanche nearly laughed herself silly watching Carl hand me my butt during fight practice. I wanted to slap her, but I was too busy defending myself from a two hundred and fifty pound hairy man in gauchos and a rainbow tie-dyed muscle shirt. Carl’s fashion choices were appalling yet riveting. Anyway, I knew I was improving. Hand to hand combat wasn’t my strong point, but Carl was determined to change that. Even though it hurt like Hell I loved him for pushing me. Carl was unaware of our invisible audience, so my giggling at the insults Blanche was hurling mystified him. I suppose he thought I’d either lost my mind or I was starting to enjoy the pain.
Blanche stayed with me through the night. We slept like two little babies curled into balls together. I felt safe, happy and warm. I was so grateful she had shared my experience with Steve and Miss Evelyn. I needed someone to verify I wasn’t insane. I realized I hadn't told her about Hayden, but when I woke she was gone. Sadly I expected that and idly wondered when I’d see her again.
I yanked on my favorite jeans, a comfy old sweatshirt that said Hell’s Not For Pussies, some purple Uggs and made my way downstairs for breakfast. I was hoping Janet would make pancakes—she was a killer cook. I paused mid-stair. Something was off. . .There was a powerful Demonic presence in the house. I was unsure if it was evil or civil. I cloaked myself in invisibility, took a deep breath and continued to the kitchen.
Carl, Janet and Myrtle were prostrate on the floor, foreheads touching the ground and hands placed facedown next to their heads. Janet was trembling, Carl’s body was so tense I could see the veins bulging in his neck and Myrtle looked like a coil about to spring. WTF?
The Demon’s back was to me. He wore a long black cloak with a hood, total bad B movie get-up. The scene was bizarre and somewhat ominous, but his scent was familiar. I floated around him to see who was making my little family bow to him in servitude. As far as I knew my dad was the only one to receive that honor.
All my fear evaporated and a shriek of happiness escaped me as I shed my invisibility and scared the Hell out of Cole. My father’s second in command had come to see me. He shouted a curse and fell backwards into the kitchen table.
“Oh, I am so sorry,” I gasped and immediately tried to help him to his feet.
He pushed my hand away and quickly stood in an attempt to maintain his dignity and authority.
“Your Highness.” He gave a curt bow and pretended he hadn’t just been sprawled on his ass in my kitchen. I bit back my giggles and curtsied.
“Cole,” I mumbled, biting hard on the inside of my cheek as his wipeout replayed in my head.
I moved in with Demon speed to hug him and turn him away from the trio on the floor. Their bodies were trembling. Not from fear. . .from laughter. I was a Demon Princess, daughter of Satan. There was nothing he could do to me, but my little family?. . .I wasn’t so sure. Demons with power could be dangerous and testy. Cole, my father’s right hand man, had a lot of power.
He seemed taken aback at my show of affection and carefully disengaged himself. I suppose it was a bit out of character for me to hug him. I’d never done anything of the sort before, but it was the first diversionary tactic that came to mind.#p#分页标题#e#