Chapter 84

Beatrice

“I can’t believe you have beaches in Hell,” I mused as I looked around the white-sand beach. The waves were gently rolling in as we rested on a blanket, having enjoyed a picnic dinner.

“We don’t,” he admitted. “This was all made by a very powerful fallen angel spell. We have several areas that were created in a time when demons weren’t welcome outside this realm.”

“I’m glad this beach is here, whatever the reason for its existence,” I told him.

“Do you like beaches?” he asked.

“Yes,” I replied. “It’s one of the reasons I considered moving to San Diego when my parents left the area. I know I can get to the beaches there using a transport tube, but as I’ve mentioned before, they’re always busy. I hate waiting in the lines.”

“There are beaches close to where you live,” he pointed out.

“They’re not as nice, and it’s usually too cold to enjoy them,” I explained. “When it’s warm enough to go, everyone else is also there. I’m not big on crowds.”

“We should plan a trip to my island in the Caribbean,” he remarked casually, as if everyone owned an island in the Caribbean. “I go there mostly for day trips,” he added.

“In your elevator?” I asked.

“Of course,” he replied. “It lets out in my suite at the resort.”

“A resort? Why not just build a house if you own an island?” It seemed strange he’d stay somewhere surrounded by tourists.

“I’m not there often enough to justify a home,” he explained. “My suite at the resort is kept clean. When I want to visit, I call ahead so the staff knows to stock it with everything I need. I also use the resort for business meetings in the human realm on occasion. The demon in charge of the upkeep has been loyal to me for centuries. Running this resort is payment for some of the unpleasant tasks he handles for me.”

“So, you just go to the Caribbean for a day and hang out with the tourists?” I asked, having trouble picturing that.

“The beach I use is off limits to tourists,” he explained. “Most are afraid to approach me, so privacy isn’t usually an issue.”

“Does that ever make you feel lonely?” I asked. “If everyone is afraid of you, it must be hard to make friends.”

“I have friends,” he replied with a shrug. “Now, I also have you.”

“And you can add my huge circle of friends to yours,” I added with a laugh. “It’s crazy that I’m asking if you worry about having friends when I spend so much time alone.”

“You used to spend a lot of time alone,” he corrected me.

“Good point,” I agreed. “I haven’t spent much time alone in the last few months.”

Looking over, I saw the Hellhounds chasing some type of bird down the beach. Lucifer followed my gaze and laughed.

“This should be entertaining,” he remarked.

“They look like they’re about to pounce on that poor bird,” I told him. “That doesn’t sound entertaining to me.”

“They are definitely about to pounce,” was his response.

“You’re a sick man,” I accused. “Watching them kill that bird will ruin our date.”

He chuckled. “Just watch, and you’ll see why I’m so amused.”

I watched as they stalked the bird, each being as quiet as possible. Bix lunged first, and the other three growled from right behind him. What happened next proved looks can be deceiving. The tiny bird let out a roar like a lion as it spun and opened its mouth to reveal razor-sharp teeth. It grew to nearly seven feet in height.

With a yip, Bix quickly reversed direction, and all four Hellhounds raced down the beach with the bird in pursuit.

I shouldn’t laugh. The Hellhounds probably needed rescuing. That bird wasn’t their prey. “Oh my goddess!” I exclaimed around my laughter. “What is that?”

“It’s a Razatiel,” he replied. “They like living near water. Lucky for the Hellhounds, they have very short attention spans.” Sure enough, the bird only chased the Hellhounds a short distance before noticing a shiny shell. It stopped and shrank to its original size before pecking the shell a few times and wandering off.

I shook my head. “That thing is kind of scary. Should I be worried it will attack us?”

“No,” he assured me. “They’re only vicious when defending themselves or their young. Just leave them alone, and they’ll leave you alone.”

“After seeing those teeth, you don’t have to worry about me bothering any Razatiels,” I assured him.

Lucifer took my hand and brought it to his lips. “Are you ready to tell me what’s bothering you?” he asked. “You’ve been off since you left your office.”

“It’s my dad,” I began. “He called me right after my last appointment.”

“What did he want?” Lucifer asked. “I’m assuming he didn’t call to talk.”

“That would be out of character,” I muttered. “He wants me to see my mom’s familiar. I guess he’s been depressed.”

“Why didn’t your mom call?” he asked.

“My parents don’t live together, and my mom’s familiar lives with my dad,” I explained.

“That’s unusual,” he remarked.

“It is,” I agreed. “Even when I was a kid, Kasey was closer to my dad.”

“And your mom let your dad keep him when they separated?” he asked. “Doesn’t it weaken her to be away from her familiar?”

“Yes,” I replied. “A witch gains power from her familiar. In my mom’s case, she’s not a very strong witch. When she changes forms, she has to be within fifty feet of the form she’s mimicking, and she can’t change into anything that’s more than twenty pounds heavier or lighter than she is. To the best of my knowledge, she hasn’t changed forms since I was a young child. The last I heard, my mom was working in a human restaurant, doing her best to avoid witches. I don’t think she tried very hard to keep Kasey.”

“I already know your brother has more limitations than you when it comes to his shapeshifting abilities. How about your father?” he asked.

“His power is similar to Desmond’s,” I replied.

“So, you’re the most powerful witch in your family,” he remarked.

I shrugged. “I have better control over my magic. Anyway, my dad is looking for a therapist, and I’m certain he’s not planning to pay me. If I ask him for money, he’ll probably try to make me feel guilty for charging family, as if we’re a close family.”

“What did you tell him?” he asked.

“I couldn’t turn my back on Kasey,” I replied. “It’s not his fault my dad’s a jerk. If he’s going through something, I need to help him. My dad tried to guilt trip me into heading down to his place today, but I told him he needed to come here.”

“Good,” I told her with a nod. “I’m not sure I trust him. He clearly doesn’t have your best interests at heart.”

“There’s nothing to worry about,” I assured him. “My dad is annoying, but he’s harmless. If anything, he’s too lazy to be a danger to me. I wouldn’t be surprised if he ends up canceling his appointment or doesn’t show up at all.”

Lucifer mulled over what I’d said. He didn’t seem thrilled with me seeing my dad. “When is his appointment?”

“Tomorrow at eleven,” I replied.

He nodded. “I’ll be there.”

“You can’t be in the room when I’m working with Kasey,” I reminded him.

“I’ll sit in the waiting room with your father,” he announced with an evil grin.

“Okay,” I agreed. “Just don’t upset Kasey.”

“You aren’t worried about me upsetting your father?” he asked.

“Nope,” was my reply. “You can upset my dad as much as you want. He’s not my patient.”

“This should be fun,” he said with a laugh.