“Mommy!”

Even over all the other noise in the park, the cry was impossible to miss. And loud enough to rouse Ryka from his nap. Cursing under his breath, he lifted his head from Kyle’s lap and studied the surrounding area through narrowed eyes. Near the children’s play area, he could see a young boy running back toward his parents, face wet with snot and tears.

“He did it again,” Kyle said flatly, looking down at him. “And it’s your turn.”

“Yeah, yeah. I’m getting up.” No sooner was he on his feet than Jinx was clinging to one of his legs. There was fear in the imp’s eyes, but he still couldn’t wipe the devious smile off his face. “What did you do this time, brat?”

Jinx didn’t answer, but let go of Ryka and crawled onto the bench to sit next to Kyle. He was just getting himself settled when the man they all knew to be the crying boy’s father stormed over. He was nearly as tall and broad-shouldered as the demon he was about to unknowingly provoke, and angry enough that veins were bulging on his forehead. “Is that your kid?” he seethed, pointing an accusing finger at Jinx. The imp snuggled closer to Kyle.

“Let’s just say he is so we can get on with this.”

“He practically broke my son’s arm pushing him around.” There was a pause, as if the man were still trying to wrap his head around what Kyle and Ryka were already anticipating. “And then he bit him!” And there it was.

“Wouldn’t be the first time.”

Ryka’s blatantly unconcerned responses weren’t doing anything to soothe the boy’s father. “If your kid is such a delinquent, maybe you should get him some fucking help, huh?”

“Sounds like he had it under control.” This with a smug smirk.

The man sputtered wordlessly at Ryka for a few moments, obviously not believing what he was hearing. Finally, he was able to put his fury into words. “Listen, asshole, do something about your damned kid before I do.”

For a creature with Hellfire burning in its eyes, Ryka leveled a shockingly cold glare at the human. His grin now vanished, he offered, “Why don’t I let you take it out on me?”

As if in a trance, the man followed Ryka off into a wooded corner of the park. Somewhere far enough that no one would hear him scream.

Jinx watched them go, his eyes huge. “He’s gonna kick that guy’s ass, right?”

“Yes. And you need to behave yourself a little better. We’re supposed to try to be inconspicuous.”

“But-”

“No excuses. Just do it, or we’ll send you home.”

At that, Jinx stopped trying to argue. “Okay.”

“I mean it.”

“Me, too,” Jinx quickly responded. The last thing he wanted was to be separated from his guardians. Not only did they protect him from his peers, but when he was with him, he got to go places and see things few other demons ever did.

While they waited for Ryka to return, Kyle bought them both ice cream. Jinx had already finished his and was begging for the rest of Kyle’s when Ryka finally came back, his clothes surprisingly free of blood.

“What did you do to him?” Kyle inquired. He knew Ryka knew better to leave a body in such a public place. Getting chewed out by Lord Satan once had been enough.

“A little more than just enough.”

Eyebrows raised, Kyle studied his partner. There were a few stray flecks of red after all. He crooked a finger, and Ryka leaned forward to let Kyle swipe them away with his thumb. Which couldn’t be the reason everyone in eyeshot suddenly did an abrupt about-face and marched away. Ryka never minded an audience when it came to shows of affection. Or lust. There was only one reason he’d turn away onlookers. Shoulders slumping, Kyle asked, “Are my wings showing?” He’d gotten better, and it did take less effort, but he still felt like a shitty demon. Minimal control over his meager power, no fire, no ability to manipulate free will.

Ryka grabbed his hand and kissed his knuckles. “You’re fine, stud. It’s Jinx. I think we should go.”

Next to him, Jinx was clearly struggling to stay awake. And keep his demonic attributes hidden. “Sorry,” he yawned.

“Time for a nap.”

“But I want to play some more.” The imp’s definition of play was a little shaky, but Kyle found it cute when he tried to blend in with mortal children. Especially when he was on the verge of drowsing.

“There’s an arcade at the hotel. You can play there later.”

“Really? I can go there by myself?”

“Knock yourself out,” Ryka told him, helping Kyle to his feet before scooping up Jinx. “But if we get a call that you’ve beat the shit out of another kid, you’re going right back to Hell. Got it?”

“Y-yes.” He had known Ryka his entire existence, and although he wasn’t all that old by demon standards, and certainly not the strongest around, he never failed to make Jinx a little nervous. Being among humans for so long had made him more than a little unpredictable. “I’ll be good. I promised Kyle already.”

“Of course you did. Kiss-ass.”

“Quit it or I’m sending you both away for the rest of the night.”

It was an empty threat, and Ryka knew it. But he played along. “We’re sorry, stud.”

“Yeah, we’re sorry.”

With the two of them acting so obedient, it was hard for Kyle not to smile. “Forgiven.”

***

From the outside, the Palace didn’t look like it belonged in Hell. Gleaming white spires, ornate stained glass depicting the violent birth of the Universe, windows and doors framed with gold, and even the yellowing remains of what had once been thriving greenery made it quite obvious that Lord Satan’s home had been transplanted from Heaven. And only through his power was its incredible beauty untouched after countless years in the burning pits that he now reigned over.

That thought was what gave Kyle chills every time he and Ryka were summoned there. This time, that summons had come while they had been sleeping at the hotel, back in Purgatory. Ryka was with him, still groggy, but Jinx was nowhere to be seen. He could only hope the imp was safely sleeping in their room in the aerie.

Judas led them toward the throne room, ragged gray wings dragging behind him. Kyle was barely awake enough to keep his from doing the same. But Judas could get away with such disrespectful behavior – he could not.

“He’s waiting.” The words came as abruptly as Judas’s sudden halt. He stood aside and let Ryka and Kyle pass into the cavernous room. Even in such an immense space, Lucifer didn’t seem small. His obsidian throne sat at the end of a long row of faded pewter columns, and seated primly on his throne, he seemed a giant. And Kyle knew he really could be, if he wanted to. It wasn’t always his size, though, that made Kyle so nervous. It was aura - one of unimaginable power, and the cruelty and cunning with which he wielded it.

“Come closer.” No sooner were the words out of his mouth, than Kyle and Ryka found themselves only a few feet from the throne.

“Surprised you didn’t make us kneel while you were at it,” Ryka muttered. Unlike Kyle, he had a difficult time showing proper respect. But then Lucifer had practically raised him.

“I’ll save that for Judas,” he replied with a naughty smirk. It was those types of expressions that made Kyle occasionally forget how absolutely terrified he was of the Devil. “I’m going to be sending you back right away.” At this he stood and walked between them, down the long corridor to the doors they had just passed through. Obediently, Kyle and Ryka followed after him, nearly having to run to catch up, and keep up, with him. “This time, try to behave yourselves a little better.”

“I’m sorry,” Kyle said automatically. “It’s just-”

“No excuses.” With a start, Kyle realized he had just told Jinx the same thing. And that this was no coincidence. Kyle risked a glance over at Lucifer, and instantly regretted it. He met the Devil’s steely gray eyes, and couldn’t look away. It was like looking into the void; he felt himself getting sucked into an infinite, lightless nothing. His soul, black and twisted as it was, felt like it may have been trying to flee his body just to avoid the Devil’s unwavering gaze.

But Lucifer broke the spell. With a much gentler expression, he told them, “Jinx will go with you again. He needs to learn. And it’s your job to teach him.”

They walked in silence a little ways, passing by rooms with heavy, closed doors, through which tortured screams and sobbing were still clearly audible. There were several despicable souls personally tormented by Lord Satan, and it was their cries echoing through the halls. “So, what are we doing this time?”

“A swap.”

“Fuck,” Ryka grumbled. “I don’t mind Muribelle - she’s got great tits - but that other asshole ….”

“He’s been reassigned. Muribelle has a new partner. And yes, she does, doesn’t she? Anyhow, back you go.” One of the doors swung open, revealing a misty gray portal. “Have fun.”

***

With a feeling akin to that of a hangover, Kyle sat up and swung his legs over the edge of the bed. “I’ll never get used to it.” The room swam around him, but only for a few seconds.

“That does suck. Speaking of, I’ve got a not-so-little problem over here. How about a hand?”

“Already?” Kyle asked, looking over his shoulder quickly enough to make him dizzy again. It turned out not to be a cheesy attempt to solicit a handjob. Rather, Jinx was fast asleep across the older demon’s chest, drooling a little while his wings and tail twitched along with whatever he was dreaming. “But he looks so comfortable.”

“And what about me? Fuck.”

“Get over yourself.” Being a heavy sleeper, Jinx never even stirred when Kyle picked him up and set him down again on the bed. But he still couldn’t look away until he was sure Jinx wasn’t going to wake up. When he finally looked back at Ryka, he found the other demon smiling at him. “What?”

“I know it’s not what you originally had in mind, but I’m glad you finally got to have a kid.”

Unable to forget what Muribelle had said the first time she’d seen him, Kyle and Ryka had finally asked Lucifer about Jinx. And had been told that he really was theirs, made especially for them. Which only left Kyle to wonder whether he’d used fragments of their souls or biological samples to make him. He’d decided never to ask. “Just don’t forget who made him,” Lucifer had warned. As if Kyle ever would.

It made him enjoy these moments it was just the three of them even more. Wearing his own contented smile, he settled back down on the bed. They had a whole suite, but he liked the cozy feeling of sharing a bed, Jinx snuggled safely between himself and Ryka. “We’re here so much lately. Do you miss being home?”

“Not really.” Scowling, Ryka opened one wing over them, studying the scars now visible on the black membrane. More criss-crossed his chest and stomach, but these were already faint. The one that always made Kyle feel a major pang of guilt was the scar over Ryka’s right eye. It, too, had faded from an angry red to white, but Kyle still hated to see it, could still easily envision Ryka lying broken on the plains.

“It’s my fault.”

“No. It’s not,” Ryka assured him, noticing that Kyle, too, was taking survey of his wounds. “Only the weakest do it. They’re jealous because you get special treatment. And with all the work we do, it won’t be long before you’ll be able to fuck them up badly enough that they stop altogether.” When it looked like Kyle was going to disagree, Ryka finished, “Believe me. I’ve been there longer than you. I know how these things work.”

“Okay, okay. Now let’s go to sleep. I’m exhausted.”

Apparently, Ryka was as well, because when Kyle glanced over at him, he found the other demon already dozing off.

***

No matter how many times they met with the angels, Kyle still couldn’t help but feel nervous. And now Quinn had been replaced. Kyle desperately hoped with someone a little less harsh. For being such a saintly creature, Quinn had quite the abrasive personality. Demons were surely cruel, but they at least knew how to relax and have fun.

“Jinx, keep up,” Ryka called over his shoulder. Jinx was lingering in front of restaurant windows as they made their way toward the appointed meeting spot – the same crowded park where Jinx had recently been bullying mortal children. “We can eat later. Move it, brat.”

He ran to catch up, sprinting until he was again walking between them. “Why do you look sick, Kyle?” the imp asked.

“Yeah, quit being a pussy. It’s just angels.”

“I know, but-”

“Chill the fuck out. There’s nothing that can even go wrong.”

This, Kyle knew deep down, was true. But he couldn’t shake the feeling, and was still fretting when they reached the quietest corner of the park. He saw Muribelle first, and she waved. Not having the same aversion to anything Heavenly that most demons did - he actually rather liked Muribelle - he quickly returned the gesture.

“Nice to see you again,” she greeted. “I’m sure you heard about Quinn.” Kyle nodded, picking Jinx up to hug the imp to his chest. Next to him, Ryka already wore a wolfish grin. “I’d like you to meet my new partner. Though I understand you already know each other.”

From behind a small stand of trees emerged Heaven’s newest angel, equally surprised and unmistakably familiar. Though neither of them had wings last time they’d seen each other. Before Kyle could attempt a greeting, Ryka brushed past him. “Long time no see, big boy.”

***

Kyle had come into his new life fluent in every language that had ever existed. But at the moment, he couldn’t find appropriate words in any of them. His friend, now decades deceased, was standing before him, wearing angel wings and a shocked expression.

And apparently equally as incapable of coherent speech. “Oh, R-Ryka. Um, hi. I, well, it's ....”

Adam looked just as stunned as Kyle, but some of that was due to Ryka suddenly being only inches away and leaning in closer still. “You know, we still have some unfinished business. And now I don’t have to worry about crushing your pelvis. So, are you free tonight?”

“W-what?”

“You heard me, big boy. I owe you a fucking, don’t I?”

Muribelle was wide-eyed, but her shock was nothing compared to Adam’s. “I, uh, um, Kyle? Help?”

That snapped Kyle out of his daze. This was familiar. Like no time had passed, they fell into their old routines and habits. “Enough, Ry.”

“You knew each other quite well,” Muribelle breathed, awed. For the first time, Kyle noticed that Adam’s halo didn’t shine as brightly as his companion’s, and his wings were a color just shy of pure white. Even in Heaven, it seemed, there was a difference between being a true immortal, and having that gift bestowed on you.

“Yeah, but not like that,” Adam informed her, scurrying back from Ryka.

One long stride and Ryka was at Adam’s side again. “We could change that tonight.”

Sudden jealousy flared up, and Kyle’s world went red. A long ago confession that had seemed so inconsequential suddenly came to mind, and Ryka’s flirting now felt like a threat. “Ryka! Take Jinx to get some food. I’d like a minute.”

Kyle was too angry to notice the hurt expression that briefly crossed Ryka’s face as she shoved Jinx into his arms. “Come on, brat, let’s go eat. Muribelle, we know the drill.”

“You’re going? But what about-?”

Ryka shrugged but didn’t offer any further explanation, and Muribelle knew better than to question an obviously frustrated demon. Besides, they had already bent the rules so many times, it hardly mattered anymore.

“Shall I go as well?” she asked Adam. “I’m sure it would be fine to let you catch up for a while.”

Still trying to grasp exactly what was happening, Adam gave a vague nod, and Muribelle departed. Even alone, Kyle and Adam could still only stare in disbelief at each other. As his anger subsided, Kyle felt like he had suddenly been transported back in time. He knew he looked almost the same as when he had left the mortal world. Which for him meant he looked the same as when he had been in his twenties. Although Adam had lived well into his nineties, he looked as he had when they had first been hired to teach – like he was fresh out of college, too.

Adam was the first to recover. “Thanks for visiting my grave.”

They’d gone once, at night. To make doubly sure they wouldn’t run into any of Adam’s family. “You saw?”

“Yeah. And your Mom is happy that you went to visit hers so often, too. She knows it wasn’t easy to do. And she’s glad you’re not suffering.”

“You’ve met her?” Adam nodded, and Kyle felt himself start to tear up. Embarrassed, he glanced away. “Well, I’m glad knowing me didn’t automatically damn you.”

“Quite the opposite, I guess, huh?” He sounded much more relaxed, which helped Kyle do the same.

Stolen novel; please report.

And suddenly, it felt like it had been days since they’d last spoken, not decades. “I guess so. It seems like we have some catching up to do ….”

***

“I’m so fucking bored.”

“Me, too. Hey, you little shit, don’t eat all the pizza yourself.” Before Jinx could shove the last piece in his mouth, Ryka snatched it away, stealing a bite before handing it back.

Jinx only whined about it for a moment, though. He was more upset about Kyle’s prolonged absence. It had been hours since they had left the park, and Jinx was anxious, thinking that Kyle wouldn’t be coming back at all now that he had his angel friend again.“Will he be back soon?”

“Yup.”

“You can tell?”

“Give me some credit, huh? And if you fucking tried for once, you could tell, too.”

Mouth open to protest, Jinx was cut short but the sound of footsteps in the hall. He was fully prepared to fling himself at Kyle the moment he was inside, but froze to the spot when he noticed that Kyle wasn’t alone. That angel was still with him.

“So, you wanted to play after all,” Ryka said by way of greeting, not bothering to get off the bed, but stretching himself out even more instead.

“I’m going to have to pass, sorry,” Adam replied. He paused for a moment, watching Ryka. Now an immortal himself, he knew he didn’t have as much to fear. But he had seen what lengths Ryka had gone to for Kyle’s protection, and knew that just because death was off the table, didn’t mean Ryka couldn’t still make him suffer. “You know, to be honest – you still scare me shitless.”

“I’ve never heard an angel swear. I like it. Come here.” The hypnotic effect of the demon’s words couldn’t touch him anymore, and Adam politely declined. To his great relief, Ryka looked more amused than angry. “So, what brings you here?”

“Well, just a quick visit, I guess. Uh-” he looked down to see Jinx dart by him and glue himself to Kyle’s leg. “You must be Jinx. I’m Adam.”

“Hi,” Jinx mumbled. Then, puffing out his chest, asserted, “Kyle’s ours.”

“Jinx!” Kyle couldn’t help but be surprised. “Ryka ….”

“Don’t look at me. He said it. But it is true. And you’ve kept me waiting.” With a broad grin, he stood and advanced on Kyle, grabbing him by the wrist before Kyle could avoid him. “Not that I’m not thrilled to see you, big boy. But stud, you promised that tonight you’d fis-”

“Ry!”

“You’ve done it to me with an audience, but now you can’t say it? Has he already uncorrupted you?” Adam most certainly did not like the scathing glance Ryka shot him in that moment. Luckily, Jinx provided a distraction.

“What about me?” He’d mastered the pathetic pout, and aimed it at Kyle.

“He has to deal with you all day, brat.”

Kyle thought he should have been flattered to have Ryka and Jinx so devoted to him, but it suddenly felt quite overwhelming. “Stop being so selfish.” The words were out of his mouth before he even had a chance to finish collecting his thoughts, and he was sure he looked nearly as surprised as Ryka did.

“Can’t. It’s how I was made.”

“But-”

“No. And don’t get pissed. Demons are made to bow to their vices. And you gave in to yours pretty easily, didn’t you?” Snarling, Ryka tightened his grip on Kyle’s forearm, and used his free hand to open up one of his drab-colored wings. “The evidence of your sin. You might not be frying with the rest of them, but this says it all, doesn’t it?”

Ryka let go, and Kyle snapped his wings closed. Never in all the time had he known Ryka had the other demon spoken so harshly to him. Instead of shrinking away, though, Kyle retaliated. “I never asked for this,” he seethed. And instantly regretted it.

Growling loud enough to shake the walls, Ryka pushed him toward the door. “Go play with your friend and learn all about the Heaven you missed out on. I did my best to save you, but it apparently wasn’t enough.”

“Ryka ….”

“Go!” he roared.

“Gladly,” Kyle returned, feeling just the opposite. “Sorry, Adam. Let’s go.”

Feeling very much like he’d just walked into a soap opera, Adam followed Kyle out of the room. He closed the door quietly behind him in an attempt not to make the situation any worse.

“You’re not going to follow him?” Ryka glanced down at Jinx, who had been cowering between the two while they argued. The imp shook his head, and reached up for Ryka. His growl quieting to a purr, Ryka lifted Jinx off the ground and held him close. “Thanks, brat.”

***

Furious as he was, Kyle couldn’t bring himself to leave the hotel. Not when he recalled how frightened Jinx had looked. So, he dragged Adam up to the roof. Night had fallen, and the city glittered around them. The nearly endless urban sprawl would have mirrored the stars, if the city’s lights hadn’t blotted them out completely. “How do you always end up seeing us at our worst?” Kyle asked quietly.

Adam shrugged. “He doesn’t act that way without reason.” When Kyle made no response, he continued, “It’s been just the two of you for how long now? And then I had to show up again. He’s jealous, isn’t he?” Kyle winced. He felt like an idiot for feeling the same way earlier. Ryka’s devotion was endless – he’d only been happy to see an old friend, and Kyle had sent him away. Then gotten mad when Ryka demonstrated that his entire universe revolved around him.

But Kyle wasn’t ready to admit any of that, and settled on “Still, a few hours out of the rest of time isn’t going to hurt.” With a heavy sigh, he perched himself on the edge of the building. Adam sat down next to him. “Sorry again. I really wanted you to meet Jinx, but ….”

“The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, huh?”

“It’s like he got the worst of both of us,” Kyle mused. “Ryka’s bad temper and jealousy, and my complete inability to defend myself.” It had become increasingly clear that although Jinx was an incredible gift, raising him wasn’t going to be easy.

“He’s cute, though. If Ryka looked anything like that, I can understand why you said ‘yes.’”

“What a horrible trick, huh? They look so innocent. They’re little terrors, though. All the bloodlust and cruelty and of a full-grown demon, and even less self-control.” He paused for a moment, and his eyes went wide. “But look at me. I’m not much better.”

“Well, we’re both still learning. I didn’t know angels weren’t supposed to swear.”

At that, Kyle had to laugh. “Living forever isn’t easy. Actually, it seems to keep getting more complicated.”

“You know, He just recently did this to me. I think they’re both messing with us.” Although there wasn’t a cloud in the sky, a bolt of lightning flashed down, striking the building across the street. It crackled loudly as it raced down a lightning rod there, and a deafening boom followed. Both blinking in surprise, Adam and Kyle stared at the spot. “Um, on a different topic altogether,” Adam began loudly, to make sure he was heard clearly by his superiors, “are you going back to your room tonight?”

“I’ll get a different room here. He’ll find me when he’s had a chance to cool off.”

“For not being in the same body anymore, you’re still amazingly in sync.”

“I think it’s sort of a residual effect.” When Kyle had first begun his new life, he had been so focused on not having Ryka in his head that he had failed to notice how closely connected they still were, even in separate bodies. A link they shared that allowed them to always know where the other was, and sometimes even how he was feeling.

“Weird.”

“You have no idea.”

***

When Ryka slipped quietly into his room that night, Kyle was already awake and waiting for him. With a pathetic whimper, Ryka sank to his knees at the end of the bed. He reverently extracted Kyle’s feet from under the sheets, kissing the tops before pressing his forehead to them. “I was an ass,” he admitted. From behind his curtain of dark hair, he risked a glance up to meet Kyle’s eyes. There was no one else Ryka would ever be so sincere for. No one else’s feet he would grovel at for forgiveness. No way Kyle could stay mad. Not when he hadn’t behaved much better.

Kyle gave a small nod, and Ryka crawled up to settle in next to him. “I’m sorry.” He tilted his head back and offered his throat in addition to his apologies. Kyle opened his mouth to speak, but Ryka clapped a hand over it. “Let me finish, please.” Kyle smiled against his palm. “I was being greedy and jealous. I didn’t mean what I said. Please forgive me.”

Kyle gently moved Ryka’s hand away. “Of course, dear. Can you forgive me, too? I wasn’t very nice either, sending you away like that back in the park.” Ryka nodded, and Kyle pulled him close for a quick kiss. Most of the tension he had been carrying with him since their argument melted away. Most. “Is Jinx okay?”

“Mm. I let him take our bed and told him we’d be there when he woke up in the morning.”

“You’re such a good Dad.” Ryka blushed, and Kyle nearly flipped him over to give him what he’d promised earlier. In all their time together, it was something he’d seen with his own eyes maybe twice. It more than did it for him. Taking a steadying breath, he let the lust pass. He still had more to say. “I get jealous, too, you know. Did you forget that you told me you liked him?”

“No, of course not.” With a groan, turned to hide his face. But he wasn’t one to wallow in embarrassment. “Come on, though. If he wasn’t going to put out before, he certainly won’t now. So that’s a waste of my time and energy. You, on the other hand ….” Smug smile now replacing his grimace, Ryka slid a hand down between Kyle’s legs. “Eternity’s still not enough time. I’ll never be satisfied.”

Kyle was absolutely going to keep his promise. “Me, either.”

***

As glad as Adam was to see that Kyle was feeling better, he was far happier to find that Ryka’s temper had cooled. Though it didn’t stop the goosebumps that rose on his skin every time the demon’s gaze landed on him. A smiling monster was still a monster. And this one was still obviously annoyed with him for intruding on he and his beloved’s infinite honeymoon.

“There’s nothing to worry about,” Muribelle assured him, resting a hand on his shoulder. “We’ve done this many times before.”

Easy for you to say, he thought. But to Muribelle, he said, “I’m fine. It’s just … been a lot all at once.”

Behind him, he heard Ryka scoff. Muribelle expertly ignored him, but Kyle sighed quite audibly. Adam wanted this to be over as badly as the demons did. After having the process of a soul swap explained to him, he had still failed to comprehend why they needed to meet three times. No one else could explain it either, which meant they were being messed with. Only one more to go, at least.

“This spot should be fine, yes?” Muribelle inquired, stopping and turning to face the other three. Jinx should have tagged along, but Kyle had been unable to wake him. They had spent most of the day letting Ryka teach them how to fight. Unsurprisingly, he had been a brawler in his imp years.

“Sure,” Kyle replied. As usual, they had chosen the darkest, most deserted corner of a public park they could find. Not entirely deserted, though, as he saw Ryka turn an unsettling angry stare on a set of bushes rustling a little too much to be home just to squirrels. But since glare was all he did, Kyle trusted they weren’t being spied on.

“Then we’ll see you tomorrow night.” Usually, Muribelle liked to chat with Kyle, but Adam thought she seemed uncomfortable. Probably because one of her friends from Heaven was so chummy with a couple of demons. She had been trying to cultivate something akin to friendship, camaraderie at least, but here was Adam, showing up with significant history with Kyle and Ryka. He was really starting to feel like he’d crashed a party.

Adam’s inner turmoil unnoticed, Kyle shrugged. “See you then, Muribelle. Good night.” Without bothering to check and make sure Ryka was following him, Kyle waved and departed. Adam watched his friend leave with growing apprehension. Because Ryka had stayed behind, and now all his focus was on Adam. There was murder in those firelit eyes, Adam was sure of it.

“Let’s chat,” Ryka growled.

“Oh, uh, sure. Muribelle, I’ll catch up to you.”

“Of course,” the angel replied. If she was fretting for him, it didn’t stop her from leaving, looking back only once before disappearing into the night.

Fearing the worst, Adam waited for Ryka to say something. It felt like half an eternity passed before the demon spoke. “You smell incredible.” Not what Adam had wanted to hear, and not with Ryka suddenly only inches away. The park disappeared behind Ryka’s wings, encircling them as Ryka stepped up behind him.

“You do still make me nervous,” Adam admitted. He had said as much the night before. It was as true now as it had been then.

“I can tell. What exactly do you think I’m going to do to you? Here, mostly alone, in the dark ….”

Adam swallowed. He didn’t like that they really were alone. There was no Kyle - in person or in Ryka’s head - to act as his conscience. Which meant the only thing stopping Ryka from acting on his baser impulses was … Ryka. “Nothing, I hope.”

At that, Ryka laughed, and Adam could feel his breath on the back of his neck. He risked a step forward, and Ryka parted his wings, letting him escape. “Too bad. I thought we were having fun that day.”

No need to elaborate; Adam remembered all too vividly the day he said “good-bye” first to Kyle, then to Ryka. “Oh. Um, well ….”

“You know what, while we’re revisiting the past, I’ll confess – I'm still mad at you.”

“W-what? Why?” Adam took another step away, spinning to face the demon, but Ryka didn’t budge. “For leaving? I really am sorry for that.”

“That was a dick move, but we both understood. No, it’s for being so fucking oblivious.”

Panicked, Adam searched his memory, trying to figure out what exactly Ryka was referring to. “I’m sorry, Ryka. I’m not sure what you mean.”

“It wasn’t just Kyle’s feeling you hurt when you left. And I wasn’t just fucking with you all those times. That last time included.”

For a moment, Adam just stared stupidly at the demon. And then it hit him. “Oh. Ryka … um … does Kyle know? And really, I’m sorry. You know, I-”

“Shut up. I don’t need to hear it.” He knew Ryka was no longer bound by the truth, and thought maybe he did need an apology. Adam felt he owed him one, at least for being so dense as to not notice the demon’s feelings. “But of course he knows. And that was long ago. Though if you ever want to finish what we started-” Ryka purred, beside him once more, tail tip running up Adam’s thigh, “-I’m always down.”

“Er, well ….” Adam could only guess his blush had been obvious by the way Ryka’s eyes suddenly lit up. Discomfort wasn’t fear, but it was still good. And it said far more than he ever intended to say.

“Oh, really? Hmm, good to know. You know I’ll never say ‘no,’ big boy.”

This conversation had completely gotten away from Adam, and for a few moments, he just worked his mouth, hoping it would jump start his brain to come up with some sort of response. Obviously, he took too long.

“Well, see ya, big boy.”

“Bye, Ryka,” he managed, watching as Ryka headed off after Kyle.

***

Kyle was resting outside the hotel, wings and shoulders supporting him against the wall as he enjoyed a cigarette. “You weren’t going to wait for me?” Ryka teased, taking up the same position to his right.

Kyle offered him the last drag. “You can take care of yourself. And I knew you weren’t far away.” Smiling, Ryka reached for Kyle’s hand. Even back among his own kind, Ryka still retained much of the sweetness that had endeared Kyle to him. And it still made Kyle’s heart race. “We should check on Jinx.”

“Probably, huh?”

Kyle hadn’t expected the imp to still be sleeping, but he had hoped to find Jinx still in the room. Not dashing down the hall, looking like he had just done something wrong. “Where’ve you been?” There was thunder behind Ryka’s words, and Jinx bowed his head.

“I went to play in the arcade.”

“You should stay in the room when we’re gone,” Kyle admonished. Then he noticed the stains all over Jinx’s clothes. Very few of them were blood, but even a couple drops was a couple too many. “What happened?”

“I won an ice cream, but when I got it, some kid pushed me, and I fell on it. And he was laughing at me.” Kyle was just about to congratulate Jinx on controlling his temper when the imp finished, “So I bit him.”

“Jinx!” Even at his size, Jinx was strong enough to cause serious damage. Kyle had watched the imp clear a plate of beef ribs - bones and all - not that long ago.

“He can still push kids around with stumps, you know. You should have pulled-”

“Not helping, Ry,” Kyle interjected. Especially not since the boy’s parents were storming down the hall toward them, their son in tow. The boy was clutching his arm - now barely oozing blood - and sniffling. Already, Jinx was slobbering. Even Kyle didn’t mind the sight or smell of blood now, but Jinx took it to another level. “Get inside.” Kyle didn’t give Jinx a chance to argue. He opened the door and shoved the imp into the room, slamming the door closed behind him.

The last thing he had wanted was another confrontation with angry parents. Ryka seemed to be enjoying himself already, though. “So it was your little shit that started it, huh?”

“Started it? He bumped into that little monster by accident.”

“Bullshit. Lie to me again and I’ll rip your fucking tongue out.”

“I see where he gets it from,” the man spat. Kyle envisioned this going downhill quickly, and ushered the three unwary mortals and Ryka into the room as well. No need for the whole hall to get involved.

When the boy’s father spotted Jinx inside, though , Kyle could sense his blood pressure rising. “What did you do to my son?”

Since he was, in fact, a demon, Kyle was expecting the imp to proudly confess his crime. So it came as quite a shock when Jinx didn’t. Faced with the boy’s father, he instead burst into tears. Loud, hiccupping sobs, the kind that instantly dissolved most parents’ anger.

Crocodile tears, Kyle realized. Jinx didn’t cry anymore. Not even when he was being tormented by his peers. He certainly wouldn’t cry over anything a mortal did to him. This was just to lower his victim’s defenses.

“Get him, Jinx,” Ryka urged, dropping the illusion that hid his true form. Jinx and Kyle did the same. And before the man had a chance to react, Jinx lunged for his throat, claws out. Blood hit the ceiling as Jinx slashed furiously at the man’s neck. There was screaming, and Kyle saw the woman trying to cover her son’s eyes. But she couldn’t tear her gaze away as Jinx tried to sink his claws deeper.

But adrenaline did strange things to humans, and the man managed to pry Jinx off his chest and toss him halfway across the room. With a yelp, Jinx landed against a bureau, the back of his head smacking into the faux wood. Kyle’s vision flooded red, and he rounded on the man, fury reaching new heights. The smell of ozone filled the room, and he could feel the hair on the back of his neck standing on end.

His wings flared open, and in the mortals’ wide-eyed stares, he saw himself reflected, red-orange lightning crawling across the membranes. More blindingly bright bolts started between his shoulders and crept to the tips of his wings, bridging the gap between them, crackling and popping all the way. And when he reached out a hand to grab the boy’s father, he saw more lightning jumping from finger to finger.

“I should finish the job,” he snarled. “Take all your souls.” Though he still showed far more mercy than Ryka ever did, it was tempting to let his wrath get the better of him.

“P-please,” the man gurgled, blood bubbling out of the punctures on his neck. “Our fault. S-sorry.”

Kyle released him, and the man staggered backward. His wife caught him and started backing toward the door, her son behind her. “Just go, then. And stay the fuck away from Jinx.”

They hardly waited for Kyle to finish before bolting out of the room. The second the door was closed, he turned to check on Jinx, but found that Ryka had beaten him to it. “You okay, little one?” Ryka cooed, lifting the imp into his arms. Jinx nodded and rested his head on Ryka’s shoulder. Kyle’s rage diminished so quickly he was sure he’d faint. “Next time, go right for the heart. No survivors means no tattling, got it?”

“Yup.”

“You did good. And so did Kyle, right?”

“That was awesome!” Jinx exclaimed, perking up.

“I’m not sure what just happened.”

“You need to get angry more often. It’s hot, stud. And it feels good to give in, doesn’t it?” Ryka’s hypnotism may have been lost on Adam, but there was something in his eyes and voice that never failed to charm Kyle.

Neither of the older demons noticed Jinx rolling his eyes. Feeling much better, he squirmed out of Ryka’s arms and started for the door. “I’m gonna go play in the arcade again.”

“Don’t you dare bite anyone else,” Kyle warned, red sparks jumping between his wings.

“I won’t.” Somehow, Kyle didn’t believe him.

***

“He did what?” Adam practically shouted before clapping a hand over his mouth. Eyes wide, he looked back over his shoulder. But Jinx hadn’t heard him; he was too busy being coddled by Muribelle.

“I don’t think you really need to hear it again, do you?”

“Well, no.”

They were seated on the hotel roof, enjoying a few minutes of free time after completing the exchange. Adam had somehow found himself seated between Kyle and Ryka while they passed a bottle of wine back and forth over him. Muribelle was on babysitting duty, pacing behind them with Jinx falling asleep in her arms.

He may not have needed the story repeated, but Adam still couldn’t quite believe it. “Biting?”

“Yup. A little boy, and then one of the guys working at the arcade downstairs. And they weren’t the first.” Kyle seemed almost as shocked as he did, and that was saying something.

“This was the kind of thing that made me avoid teaching preschool or kindergarten.”

“Five-year olds don’t have teeth like that.” As he spoke, Kyle motioned behind them, and Adam turned in time to see Jinx yawning. His sharp, white teeth glistened in the moonlight. If not for those, he really would have been as cute as any cherub.

“You’re more than welcome to keep him for a while next time,” Ryka offered before finishing off the wine. His eyes glazed over, and as he reached to set the bottle down, it slipped from his fingers, plummeting down to the street. He looked surprised by its falling. “Shit. If you can’t handle him, at least Muribelle can.” His last word was partially obscured by a loud yawn.

Moments earlier, she had started singing, and when Adam again turned to face her, he found Jinx was now fast asleep in her arms. Her lullaby continued even as he slept. Heaven and Hell shared their own language, but demons never put things into song the way angels did. But they were apparently quite susceptible to angels’ lilting voices. Though he hadn’t realized how extensive Muribelle’s talent for soothing was until he glanced back at Ryka and Kyle and noticed them both starting to drift off.

“And I guess if Kyle ever wants a break from you, she can handle that, too, huh?” Adam teased. It was the first time he had ever felt brave enough to do such a thing.

“Fuck you,” Ryka mumbled. He was starting to come back to his senses, and Adam scooted away. But when Muribelle appeared next to them, and handed the sleeping imp to Ryka, Adam knew he was the furthest thing from the demon’s thoughts. Even now, their devotion to their own kind shocked him. And he knew it wasn’t just in a few rare cases, either.

Kyle disrupted his train of thought. “It’s really good to see you again. I’m glad we’ll be working together, or whatever you want to call this.”

“Yeah, me, too. It was really unexpected, but I think I’m going to like this.”

Obviously, the powers-that-were didn’t want them having too much fun, because suddenly, Kyle’s shadow was stretching out behind him. Looking regretful, it moaned and opened its mouth. If Lucifer was too busy to come get them himself, the portal attached to Kyle was their only way home. And since there were no damned souls in the immediate area, this was meant to be their cue to leave.

“He’s still with you guys, I see.”

“You recognized him?” Kyle asked, awed.

“I guess. More like I felt it, though. This whole being an angel thing is going to take some getting used to.”

“Well, welcome to the club.” Kyle stood and spun to face the shadow.

Ryka was already headed for the portal, but paused next to Adam. Smiling down at the angel, with a lascivious grin turning up the corners of his lips, he purred, “And don’t forget, big boy, I’m yours anytime you want me.”

“Only if Muribelle gets you first.”

“I can live with that.”