Samael had exploded his head with a wave of his hand.

How did I even go up against someone that powerful? Compared to the tornado of his power, mine was a gentle breeze on a summer’s day.

I forced my mind away from Samael. I had more than enough to focus on— problems I could actually solve.

I needed to check out Gary’s store. I lifted my phone closer to my face. Four am. Awesome. I wasn’t going to get any sleep tonight anyway, so I may as well get back to work.

I gently placed Lia on the bed next to me and sat fully up. I’d head to Gary’s and see if I could find anything helpful. Then, maybe I’d be able to sleep.

Ten minutes later, I was walking out to my car. I caught movement out of the corner of my eye and froze.

“You can come out,” I muttered sourly. “I know Samael has someone watching me.”

Earlier, it was Vas. But he wasn’t usually stuck to me like glue. I think he’d happened to be in the area more than anything, and he’d promptly run back to Samael to tell him I was being taken in by the Mage Council.

A demon dropped down next to me. He was fast, and my heart thumped at his sudden movement.

“Who are you?”

“Inferus, ma’am.”

I stared at him. “Don’t call me ma’am.”

“Yes ma’am.”

I heaved a sigh. “How long have you been watching me?”

“Since the moment you left Samael’s tower four weeks ago, ma’am.”

“Call me Danica.”

The look on his face told me he would not be calling me such a thing. I growled. I missed Vas. If Samael had decided to temporarily stick someone with me, I would rather deal with the demon I knew and liked.

“Where’s Vas?”

“Away, ma’am.”

“Call me ma’am again,” I gave him a wide grin, complete with crazy eyes. “I dare you.”

Inferus took a single step back. I turned and strode to my car. The demon lifted into the sky, where he’d follow me. I didn’t bother calling Samael to complain. The demon would find it amusing, murmur something filthy which would make me picture him naked, and Inferus would still end up following me around until Samael decided to call him off.

The drive to Gary’s only took a few minutes. I parked around the corner and moseyed down Main Street. At this time of the morning, only a few cars were coming and going, and the few people walking down the street kept their heads down, minding their own business.