“So what do we do? The Hokey-Pokey? Turn ourselves around? Feed them my best friend and say bon appetit? ’Cause no offense, I’m not really okay with that. Caleb’s been there for me since the very beginning. He’s bled for me when no one else has, and has never failed to save my butt. So you can stand here, watching Demon Kingdom out there, which is a fascinating show, all you want to, but I’m going to stand and fight for my friend.”

Dagon’s frown deepened. “Is he always like this?”

Xev nodded. “I told you. He’s not like the others of his ilk.”

“No … definitely not. All the Malachais I’ve known would have hand-fed Malphas to their enemies to buy themselves time to get soldiers.” His tone said Dagon wasn’t so sure that was a good thing, though.

Nick’s grin widened. “Relax. It’s just all the paint chips I ate as a kid. No real lasting damage. Ignore the extra finger and toe. They actually come in handy and toey at times.”

And that, too, appeared lost on the ancient god who had no measurable sense of humor. How very sad for him.

Groaning as if his bad jokes caused her physical pain, Kody shook her head.

Simi wrapped her arm around Nick’s shoulder. “So, it demon chow time? The Simi getting hungry while the buffet is down there and getting bigger in number. I vote the Simi go cull the herd while we wait.” She flashed an eager grin.

Nick returned his attention to the army that was marching nearer, searching for them. As he watched, a strange thought went through him.

Maybe, just maybe, there was some hope left.

He glanced over to the two ancient former gods. “I’m Patton, right?”

They exchanged a puzzled frown.

“Patton?” Xev asked.

Yeah, that reference was probably lost on them. “General of the great demon horde out there? I guess in your days, a like comparison would have been Styxx of Didymos, since you both predate Alexander the Great.”

Nick scowled as he realized what he’d just said. “Wait. How do I know that? I know nothing about history. Holy crap, I was actually listening when Ash and Kyrian talk? Don’t nobody ever tell them that. They might get more egotistical and we’d have to find a bigger house for it.” He jerked his chin toward the demons. “Anyway, they might answer to another commander for now, but ultimately that commander is my bitch, right?”

Dagon had an expression that said Nick had lost him around the bend.

Luckily, Xev was keeping pace. “Yes. Your point?”

“What would I need to do to go out there and claim them as my guys?”

Kody snorted. “A miracle.”

“Not helping,” Nick said drily.

Xev took a deep breath before he slid a speculative glance toward Simi. “A miracle,” he repeated and concurred.

Nick rolled his eyes.