Page 4 of Thanatos' Craving

Lilith grinned. “I told you I would stop killing the nannies if you would give me a male one.” Lilith pointed at her. “I need someone more fun.”

Ember’s mouth dropped open in shock. “Why would I bring a male demon in here to watch you? What’s wrong with a female?”

“Like I said, they are boring and predictable, and I’d rather have a male.”

“Rhea, save me!” Ember wailed.

“Loki got female nannies. I want a male one.” Lilith folded her arms. “It’s rather sexist.” She took another bite of the sandwich and leaned back onto the couch.

I stared down at the child, not sure what to make of her. She was different and had a good argument.

“Can males not be nannies?” I asked.

Ember darted her head at me and shook her head. “T-they can, but her father wouldn’t allow it.”

Lilith rolled her eyes.

I directed my tone to her daughter. “Lilith?”

She growled at her mother and jerked her head toward me and stared straight up into my hood. She backed away suddenlywhen she looked for too long, when she finally saw deep within the void, the emptiness and sadness inside.

“If it be your mother’s will, I will give you one of my reapers.”

Ember’s body stiffened. “Pardon?”

“I will give you one of my reapers. They are male, made of nothing but bone and spirit, and already dead. Your daughter cannot kill them. Thus, you will never be without a nanny.”

Lilith narrowed her eyes. “They can’t be killed?”

“No.”

“Challenge accepted.” Lilith rubbed her hands together.

Ember rubbed her temples. “Okay, we will try it, only because I can’t keep relying on Uriel. She has had to watch Lilith every day for the past two weeks, and Lucifer is getting grouchy about it.”

“There you are!” A high-pitched squeal came from the entrance of the greenhouse. I didn’t turn my body. I could feel the brightness of her soul coming towards me. It was blinding, and I wanted to find a mountain to hide from its radiance.

“It’s exhausting, isn’t it?” Lilith nudged me. “She’s as bright as the damn sun. I don’t know how Lucifer stands it all the time.”

I knew Lucifer had his own darkness. He was a damn destroyer.

“Oh Thanatos, I’m glad I caught you!” Uriel pranced in front of the table and set down a bag of cookies. “Did you bring Fluffy? I brought him his favorites!”

I couldn’t stand the taste of anything with sugar, so anything Uriel makes, the wallow that has invaded my home instead of the Elysium Fields where the beast was supposed to reside. The wallow eats everything the little goddess makes.

“No, he isn’t here today, Uriel,” I said. “But I shall take them with me. He will be sad he missed you.”

“Bummer. Maybe I will come visit later. I haven’t given him any pets lately.”

“No, you won’t.” The thunderous voice boomed from the entryway.

Lilith groans. “Surprise, surprise, Luci’s here!” Lilith threw up her hands.

I pulled on my hood to hide my face further. The place was crowded, and I had completed my reporting. I stood from the couch and turned my back on Ember.

“We aren’t done!” Ember stood and tugged on my robe.

I gripped it to my chest to make sure my hood didn’t fall and turned to face her. "Your Eminence, rest assured that we will take care of the women. Just let my reapers and I complete the investigation.”

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