Page 27 of Minions and Magic
A look of amusement flitted across Lucien’s face and he leaned back in the booth, signaling for the waitress to come over. “What’s your name?”
“I go by Xavier right now.”
He nodded, asking the waitress for two coffees and two slices of cherry pie before turning back to me. “What did you do to piss her off, Xavier?”
I shook my head. “Just my job. We had an amazing night together. I left in the morning and had to go do all the things that had been pushed back while I spent time with her.”
Lucien chuckled. “That’s normal. I can’t tell you how I scramble to fit in everything while Cassie is at work. It’s not easy, but she expects me to be there for her when she’s home and not be running off on hell’s business all the time. It’s the price you pay for being with a witch.”
“I had two contracts I needed to make, six souls to collect and deliver to the appropriate circle of hell for eternal punishment, then I had to contact eight prospective candidates concerning a possible future contract.” I let out a frustrated breath. “It was a busy day. And all I wanted to do when I got to her house was enjoy some private time, if you know what I mean.”
“Oh I know.” Lucien waited as the waitress gave us our pie and coffee.
I poured some disgusting non-dairy creamer into mine and took a sip, hiding a grimace. Then I ate a bite of pie. It was…okay. Too sweet, and the cherries were obviously canned with that nasty gel that constitutes a filler. The crust was made with shortening, which can be delightfully flaky if done correctly. This wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t what I’d call good either. And it certainly wasn’t up to the level I’d come to expect in the last few days.
“Glenda’s is better,” I muttered. “I really wanted some of that sour cherry pie she made for the gnomes. I was hoping to have a few pieces tonight.”
“Glenda?” Lucien nearly choked on his pie laughing. “That’s who you’re mooning over? Glenda?”
I felt myself bristle. “She beautiful, and her magic is in everything she touches. From the first moment when she slapped my hand and told me I couldn’t befoul her ginger cake, I knew I wanted her to be mine.”
“Why would you want to mess with Glenda’s ginger cake? That’s got to be one of the best desserts I’ve ever tasted.” Lucien took a bite of his pie and looked down at the pastry mournfully. I realized I wasn’t the only one noting the difference between this and Glenda’s creations.
“I was going to poison the food to torment a man whose soul I’ve been waiting to collect, but the moment I tasted it I forgot all about my victim and found myself trapped by her magic, her beauty, those amazing prime-rib sandwiches. You should have tasted the chicken pesto sandwich she made me yesterday.”
Lucien nodded. “Glenda’s cookingisamazing. Honestly, I don’t know that much about her other than she’s one of Cassie’s younger sisters and her magic involves healing. She’s not around the house as much as the other sisters. Other than a few occasions here and there, I only see her during Sunday family dinner.”
“You’re bound to a witch,” I insisted. “I was hoping you could give me advice. Pointers. Did your witch demand that you give up your job? Being a demon? That you deny your father and walk away from your infernal inheritance?”
“No, although as I said, she does get irritated when my position in hell interferes with date night. Or Sunday family dinner. Other than that, she’s been as supportive of my work as I am of her position in Accident as head witch.”
I sighed. “I enjoy the time I spend with Glenda. Being with her feels right. But I can’t imagine not being a crossroads demon.”
“What exactly does she object to about your job?”
I held my hands up. “I’ve got no idea. Everything was fine when I left. She knew I had work to do, but I didn’t specify what and she didn’t ask. Then when I came by later, she threw me out.”
Lucien shrugged. “Could be she’d just had a bad day? Try again tomorrow, and maybe she’ll have forgotten all about…whatever it was she thinks you did.”
“Really? That’s what I should do?”
“Sure. It’s better than moping around or asking me for advice.” Lucien gave up and pushed the half-eaten pie aside. “How about I talk to Cassie? I can have her speak to Glenda and see if she can smooth things over? I can’t promise anything will come of it, but it may help.”
I thought for a moment. “I don’t think that would do any good, but I’d be grateful for any help. There’s something else you need to know, though. We have a contract, a contest. Whoever wins gets what they most desire.”
Lucien choked on his coffee. “You can’t take her soul. Cassie would kill me if I let a demon take one of her sister’s souls.”
I frowned, wondering if he was speaking figuratively.
“I wouldn’t be so foolish,” I reassured the other demon. “As much as I want her soul, I know that I’d never be allowed to keep it. The thought of her soul in the possession of another demon, of him doing whatever he wished with her…that is something I could never allow to happen.”
Lucien leaned back in the booth. “Then what exactly did you intend on demanding if you won?”
I squirmed, unable to admit to Lucien what I really wanted. It would make me sound weak, like a fool. He was right. I was mooning over a witch, wanting things that I’d never have. I should bail on the contest, but the part of me that was a crossroads demon would never allow that to happen. Instead I’d need to think of something else for my prize, because of course I’d win. I had the power of hell behind me. I’d win and I’d ask for something like a ginger cake, or a catered dinner for two, and then maybe Glenda would give me another chance.
“I haven’t decided yet,” I confessed, a mixture of emotions roaring through me. Excitement that I’d be seeing Glenda again in three days whether she wanted to see me or not. Eager anticipation to try whatever she was making for our challenge. And fear.
Fear about what she’d do when I won.
