Page 73 of Demons & Damnation

Lily nodded.

“It was Azazel and Balthazar fighting. The club we were in collapsed. My car was parked outside and well, I’m sure you can imagine what a tonne of bricks does to a car.”

“You tell him from me,” Malcom said, rising to his feet. “He better rectify that situation real sharp before I rectify his being alive situation.”

Kyla smirked. “Like he’s going to believe a former General of Hell is my grandad.”

“You tell him Malpass said and he’ll do it, no questions asked.”

“Malpass? That’s such an odd name.”

Malcolm chuckled. “It’s quite normal compared to some of them.”

Kyla laughed. “I’ll let you know if your message works. I wonder if I can get an upgrade on what I had...”

“You tell him to get you whatever you want. He is capable of it. It’s not like demons need money to live on earth. He can make anything happen, Marmalade. Anything.”

“Noted,” she said, standing up. “I’ll bring my new car round when I get it.”

“Where are you going?” Lily asked.

“Home?” Kyla replied, frowning.

“We still need to tell you some things before we let you loose back out there,” she said, pointing at the chair. “Sit, please.”

Kyla sat back down. “I’m worried. Is it something really bad?”

Lily smiled. ‘No, dear. I just want you to be fully informed about some things first. You walked into this house human and you’re walking out a witch. I think it’s only fair you know some family history and at least have some basic control of your powers. Do you agree?”

Kyla nodded. “Of course. Maybe I could have something to eat after all?”

Lily stood up, beaming down at her granddaughter. “As if you need to ask. What would you like?”

“Well,” Kyla said clearing her throat. “Seeing as we’re going down the nostalgic route today, maybe a crisp sandwich?”

Malcolm let out a deep laugh. “I never thought I’d see you eating one of those again.”

“They’re good,” Kyla said. “It’s a quick easy snack when you’re peckish but not fully hungry.”

Lily walked over to the worktop and opened the bread bin, pulling out a fresh crusty loaf of tiger bread. She sliced off two thick pieces, lathered them in creamy butter, and then presented them on a plate to Kyla complete with a packet of cheese and onion, and a packet of salt and vinegar crisps.

Kyla’s mouth filled with saliva. “This is going to be the best thing I’ve eaten in years.”

Lily laughed as she sat back down. “So long as you’re happy, dear, that’s all I care about.”

“You tell that fool from me,” Malcolm said. “He’d better take you somewhere decent for a proper meal either before or after he gets you that car.”

“I think decent to him will mean KFC, Grandad,” Kyla replied, opening the packets of crisps.

“He’ll know exactly what I mean when you tell him who said it.”

Kyla grinned. “I’m curious how much weight your name has to it.” She crushed the crisps in their packets and then tipped them out onto one of the slices of bread. “I think I'm going to really enjoy my next conversation with him.”

Malcolm chuckled. “That’s my girl.”

Kyla put the other slice of bread on top of her mountain of crisps and pressed it down, enjoying the sound of the crunch as the crisps were squashed between the two pieces of bread. When she took her first bite, she closed her eyes and let out a groan of relief. The combination of soft fluffy bread smeared in milky butter with the crisp crunch of the crisps had Kyla floating on cloud nine.

“Oh my God,” she said, still chewing. “This is the best thing ever.”

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