Everything started to make sense as Ryan dropped off that Clover witch to her house. He was seeing Blair, cheated on her with Clover and that’s why we are all in the position we are now. I hate to admit that there is a bubbling jealousy inside of me that he saw my witch, but I push it deep down. There are other concerns at the moment.

“So? You wanted to talk?” Ryan says, sliding a tumbler across his bar top.

“It’s time for me to explain to you what I am and why I am the way I am.”

His brow furrows, and he takes a sip of his glass, appraising me. “I didn’t know there was a special term for an abandoning asshole.”

“I’m a demon,” I say.

He barks out a laugh. “I really thought this night couldn’t get any crazier, but here you go. Yeah, okay, you’re a demon. Get the fuck out of my house.”

It hurts, and it’s unpleasant. But I transform slightly into my true self. It’s more of a mid-transformation since I can’t leave this form. He watches as black horns descend from my head, my eyes blacken, and my shape enlarges. His eyes widen in fear, and he nearly pours out his whiskey. As quickly as I make the transformation, I easily go back to my standard form. Lucifer’s rules on exposing ourselves to humans isn’t as strict as other supernaturals. He understands there’s a time and place. When making deals, when it’s absolutely necessary. He likes the edge of fear of humans, knowing there are demons among them, just not enough to cause hysteria with the other supernaturals in this dimension.

“Holy Hell,” Ryan says.

“Indeed, so, like I was saying, I’m a demon.”

“Does that mean I’m a demon?” Ryan asks, I almost laugh as I watch him rake a hand through his hair, expecting to find horns.

“No, and that’s what I wanted to talk about.”

“Okay?”

“I’ve stayed away because of what I am and the fact you are human. The idea of getting to know you has always seemed so inconceivable to me. That my life span is nearly endless, and yours is so short.”

He downs the rest of his whiskey. “You’re saying you stayed away because you didn’t want to watch me die?”

“Precisely,” I reply, happy that he’s getting the gist of it.

“Did my mom know what you are?”

I grimace, not wanting to throw the woman under the bus. “It’s complicated.”

He sighs, pouring himself another glass. “This is a lot to take in. This whole night is a lot to take in.”

“I can understand that.” I pull out my phone, hoping that Blair texted me. No luck.