Fallen

The sphinx snorted. “You have absolutely no conscience, a total lack of empathy, get stoned every day, and relish the thought of all life on Earth being eradicated.”

Lou waved an encouraging hand. “Keep going, that’s it, allow the hate to flow through you.”

“I don’t hate you. I just think you’re a nutjob.”

“You’ll need to repeat that in my other ear. This one doesn’t give a shit.”

Flames abruptly burst to life around Asher. Then they were gone, along with the little boy.

“Shit, where’d he go?” Raini frantically spun around, as did the others.

Maddox pointed to the luxury car on display. “He’s in there.”

Harper threw up her arms. “Dammit, kid.”

“Celia has the occasional … well, I wouldn’t call them premonitions. It’s not a warning system—the ability is too weak to serve as one. But she sometimes sees snapshots of the future.

Lou lightly patted Maddox on the back, like they were old friends. “Good seeing you.”

Knox frowned. “You sounded like you actually meant that.”

He did. Which was perplexing, yes, because Lou didn’t appear to like anyone other than Asher, from what Maddox had observed

The man was involved in the demise of one of those holy farts from upstairs. More, he carries the blood of a being who did the right thing and fell to Earth long ago. Why wouldn’t I find it good to see him?”

His gaze slid to Raini. “Ah, how happy you must be to no longer have Jolene as your Prime. Switching lairs was a good call. These Wallises … there is no end to their evil. Not even when they marry a Thorne.”

He’s still sulking because Knox and I don’t agree that he should be Asher’s full-time carer,” she explained

He smiled at Asher. “And there’s my favorite nephew and future partner in crime.”

Harper ground her teeth. “Okay, I know for sure you were not invited

Noticing he was holding something, Raini frowned. “Hey, what you got there? A credit card, by the looks of it. You and those sticky fingers.”

Khloë chuckled. “Having the soul of an imp makes life supremely entertaining.”

Carmen’s lips twitched. “You think so?”

“Yup,” said Khloë. “Because my life is supremely entertaining.”

Your life is mostly chaotic,” Carmen pointed out. “Not so long ago, there were attempts on your aforementioned life by a Lazarus demon who was intent on revenge after you played some part in his resurrected daughter being returned to her natural state of death.”

“And you didn’t find that entertaining?”