Page 44 of How to Accidentally Become the Devil

“I can honestly say I never expected to be so close to you, Reed.”

“What are you even doing here?” Maddy asks her friend.

“Like I was just going to let your father go off with some sexy psycho by himself? Come on, girl. You know me better than that.”

“Did he just call Georgym sexy?” I whisper to my mate.

Georgym blushes and looks away.

“Here,” Maddy says, stopping in front of her father and friend. “Gimme your hand.”

“Why? What are you gonna do?” Reed raises a brow and holds his hands away from her.

“Oh shut up and give it here,” Maddy mutters while snatching his hand from him and securing a bracelet around his wrist. “There. Now you don’t need to share Dad’s necklace. But be careful not to take it off Dad.”

“Well, what am I supposed to do? Just shimmy down Daddy, here?”

“Reed. Don’t ever call him that again,” Maddy glares at her friend.

What’s more shocking though, is the scowl Georgym throws his way as a low growl escapes him. Georgym and I lock eyes for a brief moment and he visibly blushes.

Don’t think I’ve ever seen Georgym blush… or growl for that matter. Interesting.

“And yes, basically, just squat down until you’re out of his necklace.” Maddy rolls her eyes.

Reed does as told, even if he grumbles under his breath as he shimmies. Maddy is trying very hard to keep a serious face but I can see the slight upturn on the corners of her mouth. Once Reed’s free, he attacks Maddy, wrapping her in a giant bear hug.

“What happened?! Tell meeverythingbitch!”

“I will. Later. Right now what I really need is to get my dad to Mom’s chambers as soon as possible, follow me and we’ll walk and talk.”

“Your mother? She’shere?” Maddy’s dad asks, his face twisted as if he’s terrified to hope it’s true, his tone laced in disbelief.

“She’s here. But she’s… sick. I think you can help her, though.” Maddy turns to her father and levels him with a pleading stare.

“How couldIhelp? I’m not a doctor. What’s wrong with her?” His head shakes.

Go easy, Sweetheart, this is a lot to take in. We don’t want to overwhelm him. Last thing we need is him passing out in the hall.I send the thought and feelings of calm to my mate.

“Dad. Please? Just follow me? I promise I’ll explain everything.”

He purses his lips but nods once and follows Maddy to Zo’s room.

“Mom never really wanted to leave us, but she thought she had to. She believed she had to come home, here, to protect us,” Maddy starts to explain.

“And where exactly ishere? How did we get here? This guy,” he throws a thumb towards Georgym, “just showed up at my house and told me I had to come with him and not to take off this necklace. I was ready to call the cops but he said you needed me.”

“Your dad’s really easy to kidnap, sweets. You should talk to him about that,” Reed says and Maddy chuckles.

“I know. All anyone has to do is say I’m in trouble and he’ll go wherever they take him. Such a sweet gullible man. But I love him. And I really did need him, so I’m glad he didn’t put up much of a fight.” She says to Reed before looking back at her father. “To answer your question… We’re in Hell. Mom’s Lucifer’s daughter. And I’m his granddaughter and heir to the throne. On the throne? I’m not quite clear on that one yet. Anyhow, surprise! Welcome to Hell!!”

Both Reed and her father’s eyes pop out before Reed bursts out laughing.

“Good one, Mads. You almost had me.”

“You don’t believe me? Really, Reed? You disappeared in a cloud of smoke and reappeared at the palace doors. Yet you really question me? Did you not notice the horns on my head? The wings? The tail?” Her wings flutter behind her and her tail swishes around her, drawing the newcomers’ eyes.

Reed’s eyes widen and his mouth falls open. “Those arereal?! Oh my god! I thought you were like, wearing a costume or something!”

---