A plaintive mewl drew their attention to Jujube. She wore a pouting lower lip that jutted further when she reached for Miguel, who leaned away, avoiding her touch.

“Looks like my princess is angling for another conquest.”

“They’re children.”

“Until they’re not and they’re trying to take over the world. At what age do you think generals start amassing their armies?”

“Leave the boy alone.”

“That’s not up to me.” Lucifer snorted. “My girl is like her father. We take. We don’t ask. Right, my sugary hellion?”

“Mine.” Jujube bounced on her diapered butt and clapped her hands.

Miguel’s lips flattened. He didn’t appear in agreement. He hugged the dog tighter.

“The boy should be nice to my girl. She’s going places. Yes, she is,” the devil cooed. “She might even be the one.”

“The one to what?” he stupidly asked.

“Read a prophecy and you’ll find out. I have. I’ve read them all.” Lucifer giggled, and for a second, the slick devil he knew disappeared and a mad man peered back.

“Can we get back on topic? Now that Merry’s in Hell, what’s the plan for her and the kid?”

“Glad you asked.” Lucifer tucked his hands behind his back. “Given a live soul shouldn’t be mixing with damned ones, she’ll stay with you in the Kennel Compound.”

“What?” It had been a while since he’d had anyone living with him.

“You have lots of room. The dogs will protect them, and you’ll be able to continue giving them lessons on their new pet. Win. Win.”

“I don’t want them here,” he snapped, only too late realizing the boy listened.

Miguel’s lower lip trembled, and then he and the puppy bolted.

“Fuck!”

He wasn’t the only one peeved. Jujube began to sob. “Mine. Gone.”

“Don’t worry, sugar butt, Marduke will find him. Let’s go see if Cook has some cookies.”

“Cookies!” She clapped.

Marduke might have had a hard time tracking one slick-footed little boy but for the bond he had with all his hounds, including the recently gifted puppy. That tie that hadn’t fully severed yet but was growing fainter by the moment. It led him to a nearby alley.

Even if it hadn’t, he would have heard the snarls. As he entered, those menacing the child backed off. A hellrat, two imps, and a demon that should know better. The hound remained, a guardian to the boy.

Marduke approached slowly, knowing the child would be skittish. There was a time for harsh and a time for soft. He crouched. “You shouldn’t run off on your own, little man.”

The boy solemnly stared at him.

“It’s dangerous.”

The boy rolled his eyes and glanced upward.

“Yeah, dangerous there, too, I guess. I take it you ran ‘cause you heard me saying I didn’t want you staying with me.”