Only she wasn’t as hungry as expected. A few bites and she was chugging the tepid water that tasted lightly of cinnamon. She sighed. “Guess, it’s time for my chat with the devil.” She slid off the bed, and even before her toes hit the floor, Marduke was there to lend a steadying hand if she needed it.

She tucked her hand against his bicep before it occurred to her. “Hold on. How is it you are acquainted with the devil? And how did you bring us here?”

His lips turned down. “I am in the Dark Lord’s employ. I’m his kennel master.” Then more softly, “And a demon.”

She stared at him as she digested this. Miguel remained tucked against him, trusting. Duke still felt safe to her. What had his words changed?

Nothing.

“Nice to know you’re employed. Shall we?”

He had no reply, but he remained close by as they entered the living room and she met the devil for the second time.

“If I say welcome to Hell, will you face plant again?” the devil mocked, not rising from the couch.

“I’m fine now. It’s, um, nice to meet you.” Another fib and the devil knew it by his smile.

“Where’s your baby?” she asked, noting the empty arms and lap.

“Gone down for a nap. If you’d like, I can swap in my son.” A flick of his fingers and he had a child playing at his feet with what appeared to be a dinosaur set. A realistic one with motorized parts that moved.

“That’s the anti-Christ?” she questioned.

Lucifer rolled his eyes. “Such a dumb name. Why not go with pro-devil? I mean, after all, I made him, and that sop, Jesus Christ, who now likes to be known as Charlie, had fuck all to do with it.”

“Um.” She really had no clue how to reply to that.

“See, speechless because I’m right. Anyhow, this here is Junior who is close to your runt’s age. Now that you’re here, we should arrange playdates.”

“Um.” Speechless still.

“Excellent. Glad you agree. All the experts say socializing is very important at this age.”

She woke up enough to finally say, “It’s up to Miguel if he wants to play.”

Marduke set her child down, and he made a beeline for the pro-devil.

“Have fun!” she called out. How much trouble could they get in with her in the same room?

“Now that the children are taken care of, dear Merry, what a delight to meet you. I have to say, I was tickled red, and not by a latex flog, by your letter to me.”

“Letter?” she repeated.

The devil whipped it out, a familiar sheet of paper with a few lines of writing. “’Dear Satan,’ that’s me, blah blah, I beseech your incredible aid.”