Maybe he was young - even by human standards he would have been considered just a little kid - and maybe he didn’t know much yet, but there was one thing Jinx was sure of. That, contrary to his name, he was lucky.

None of the other imps - even the others Kyle took care of besides him - got to do the things he did. They didn’t get to tag along on trips to Purgatory. They didn’t get to hang around Lord Satan’s palace and crawl up on his throne to sit next to him. Or tail after Judas on his errands, making sure everyone was doing their jobs and reporting back to Lucifer those that weren’t. They definitely didn’t overhear things - important things - that they were later told not to repeat.

He’d napped through most of a discussion between Lucifer, Judas and Styx about business between Heaven and Hell. It had been boring, and he’d nodded off, curled up on Lord Satan’s lap, waking only when the Devil’s annoyance had caused him to shift in his seat, rousing Jinx.

“I beg your pardon?” Jinx had heard that tone before. There was anger in Lucifer’s words - no, something worse, Oblivion, maybe - but it wasn’t directed at the bearer of the bad news. He knew that no one in the throne room was at risk of Lucifer’s wrath.

“My Lord, I can only repeat what I was told. Word from Soti was that one of the saved was reincarnated. And not a new arrival, either. They died decades ago.” Styx rumbled. Soti, Jinx knew, was the original Grim Reaper, now retired to Heaven and a valuable contact when Lord Satan didn’t feel like chatting with his brother.

A heavy sigh, but a gentle hand on Jinx’s head, long fingers combing through his curls. “Unusual, to be sure. How a soul could so suddenly need elevation to angelhood so many years after arriving in Heaven.”

“Soti said the angels had it that higher powers demanded a reincarnation for a reincarnation.”

“Him and his ridiculous need for balance. You think he’d be more concerned that Purgatory is drowning in sin and we’re flooded with damned souls. Maybe instead of making sure we have the same number of reincarnated children he should send his angels out to do their jobs, not let them cower in Heaven with the saved.” Through one half-opened eye, Jinx saw the others nod.

“Who could be so saintly?” Judas inquired, looking between Styx and Lucifer.

“Who indeed?” The hand now pet between the bases of his wings, and Jinx felt himself getting sleepy again.

“You know who it is?” Judas sounded surprised.

“Who else could it be?” When Judas had opened his mouth to confirm the name, Lucifer had hushed him. “Not now.” Jinx had felt their gazes land on him, but couldn’t focus enough to care. Conversation had gone around him while he’d drifted off.

Though he’d been woken before being returned to Kyle’s care and sternly warned not to repeat any of what he’d heard. “It’s a surprise,” Lucifer told him, grinning deviously.

All Jinx could do was promise to stay quiet on the subject. Easy enough when he had no idea what they’d really been talking about.

***

Back with Kyle and Ryka, he was reunited with the rest of his group, the nine other imps Kyle affectionately called his “first class.” When the two older demons were away, off in Purgatory doing work for Lord Satan, Jinx didn’t always go with them. Nor did he always go to the next babysitter with the rest. As they so recently had done, Lucifer and Judas sometimes took him instead. Which didn’t go unnoticed.

Vena, one of the others in his group and obviously jealous, teased that the last imp to be so spoiled by Lord Satan had been Ryka, and all that had gotten him was sent away for a hundred years. Whether it was meant to be an insult or not, Jinx didn’t like it. Snarling, he tackled her. No longer did he back down from a fight - he went in claws and teeth at the ready, whether he thought he’d win or not.

He was almost a match for Vena, and Jinx was sure he’d get the better of her this time, but Kyle had intervened. “Enough of that,” he chided, grabbing each by the bases of their wings and dragging the two apart.

Kyle’d had to pull him out of scuffles more than once to spare him a beating, but he was always smiling when he did. Jinx beamed back every time, delighted he was finally doing his guardian proud and standing up for himself. Even Ryka would grin and ruffle his hair, congratulating him for acting more like a demon.

Now, he was a little bigger, and a little stronger. This was partly thanks to his own trips to Purgatory, tagging along with Kyle and Ryka. There was plenty of fear at home, but something about the same emotion from the living was even more satisfying. He seemed to digest it better, use the power it generated easier.

Purgatory had forced him to learn this, learn how to use what little strength he possessed. Unless he’d wanted to stay alone in their hotel rooms - which he really hadn’t - he’d had to learn how to hide his wings, tail and horns. It hadn’t been easy, and he still had slip-ups, but he did better every time. At least Kyle said so.

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

It was fun going with Kyle and Ryka on their jobs. They checked in on Reapers, Incubae, Succubae and Hell Hounds, and sometimes even went hunting for sinners themselves. And sometimes they had to meet up with the angels.

Even Ryka would grudgingly admit that he didn’t dislike Muribelle. He didn’t go out of his way to chat with her like Kyle did, but he also never turned away her conversation, not anymore. Jinx, however, liked her a lot. Of course she was pretty - she was an angel - but more than that, she spoiled him. Picking him up and letting him hide his face in her soft hair or against her wings, feathers tickling his nose. She smelled nice, like flowers and something sweet he couldn’t name. And she sang even better. He liked it, even though it always made him drowsy.

The other angel, though, they could all do without. Quinn had a stick up his ass, and glowered every time Jinx came along with Kyle and Ryka. He’d given up fighting the imp’s presence, though, and broke the rules even though it seemed to break him a little every time.

The demons all hoped he’d ask for a reassignment, but it hadn’t happened yet, and it had been close to a dozen soul exchanges now. Jinx didn’t care. Quinn was only a small part of what he got to experience in Purgatory.

Maybe Vena was right, and he’d get sent there just like Ryka had. It wouldn’t be terrible. He’d asked Ryka about being a parasite. After all, if there was a demon to ask, it was the one who’d managed to keep his contract alive for a century, and save his host from damnation. And Ryka had told him it wasn’t that bad, as long as you got stuck with the right mortal. Though you had to put work in, too.

Jinx had nodded along. It made sense. He just wasn’t sure how, if it happened to him, he would find the right mortal. Maybe better not to worry about it and just enjoy what Purgatory had to offer.

This was what made the rest of his group the most jealous. Envy, he had been assured, was why they picked on him now. Attention from Lord Satan, meeting angels, leaving Hell. It was all good, but none of it was food. Dessert more specifically.

Because on his second visit to the mortal realm, he had been able to try cake. The aroma alone had made his mouth water. He wasn’t supposed to feel that kind of hunger, though smelling blood got him drooling and made him feel almost empty inside, like he needed something to fill his belly. This was different, this was something you craved because it was good. He’d seen Kyle and Ryka eat for the sheer enjoyment of it, and they hadn’t wanted him to miss out.

At the time, he’d still been confined to the hotel, unable to make himself look human enough to go out. But there was a wonderful thing called “room service” that meant you really didn’t have to ever leave. They brought the food right to you.

It had been chocolate cake, covered in a thick layer of rich white frosting, and delivered to their door by room service. Kyle had cut it into slices and given them each one to start. Jinx had seen Ryka’s eyes light up, and knew without a doubt that this was going to be good. He’d heard Kyle tease Ryka about his sweet tooth, and had been told it meant he liked sugary food. And Kyle’d had a strong suspicion that if Ryka liked it, Jinx might, too. He’d said it with a familiar, fond smile that meant later, they’d be shunting him into another room so they could have some privacy. As though he couldn’t hear.

But few other demons had ever had the opportunity to experience food, nevermind cake. Eyes huge, he had watched as Kyle and Ryka had both picked up forks, sliced off small bites and fed them to each other. “You can use your hands,” Kyle had assured him. “Go on, try it.”

So he had, breaking off a handful and shoving it in his mouth. It had been so wonderful he’d whimpered, causing Kyle and Ryka to laugh. They hadn’t thought it so funny when he’d devoured the rest of the cake by himself moments later, leaving them only their own half-eaten slices. He’d eyed those, and Ryka had warned him off with a growl.

It looked like Kyle had wanted to scold him, but in the end, he just shook his head. “It’s not like you’re going to get a stomach ache.”

***

Now, dessert was always on the menu. He’d picked cake again - red velvet, this time. His reward, Ryka said, for at least attempting to win against Vena. “Why were you fighting this time?” Ryka asked him.

Jinx briefly considered telling Ryka the truth, but given that it involved him, Jinx thought better of it. So, he shrugged and stuffed more cake into his mouth.

Ryka rolled his eyes, too used to Jinx’s silence to be offended, and returned his attention to Kyle. “How much of a prick do you think Quinn will be this time?”

They had just been sent back to Purgatory - two more souls had wound up in the wrong place. They were all starting to think those scales needed some recalibrating.

“Even Muribelle looks annoyed with him sometimes.” At the mention of his favorite angel’s name, Jinx perked up, focusing on something other than his food.

His sudden interest in the conversation was noted. “Oh, now you care?” Ryka teased, stealing a forkful of cake. Jinx’s massive piece was already all that remained, and it was rapidly disappearing. When he tried the same maneuver a second time, Jinx intercepted, chomping down hard enough on the fork to bend the tines. “You’re lucky that wasn’t my hand, brat.”

Not that Jinx heard any real threat behind Ryka’s words, but he still cowered against Kyle. Who sighed quite loudly, seemingly less than amused. “Anyhow. Any good gossip today, Jinx?”

Sometimes, Jinx had interesting news gleaned from half-sleeping during Lucifer’s meetings. Usually, no one cared what he did or didn’t hear, or repeat. But this time, there had been something about an angel - maybe a new one? - or balance, and although he couldn’t quite parse it, he had been told he wasn’t supposed to repeat it. Not even to Kyle. Which he didn’t like. But even Jinx knew better than to go against Lucifer’s wishes.

So, gaze fixed on the crumbs left on his plate, Jinx shook his head.

His guardians both shrugged. Neither of them doubted his honesty. They were demons after all. Secrets and lies were commonplace. Especially in Lucifer’s palace. “Ah well,” Ryka said, twirling his damaged fork between his fingers. “Should we order something else?”

This time, it was complete honesty - and great enthusiasm - that Jinx answered, “Yes, please!”