Slash—the demon in Kat’s group with the most BDE in the current group—finally pushes off the doorjamb to look at our motley crew. He was pretending not to listen to the arguments, but his eyes never left Kat. His primary concern was her, and now he’s entering the fray because he wants to ensure someone is making sure she’s taken care of.
I like that; he’s grounded and thinks of her first. It doesn’t mean I’ve changed my mind about that behemoth being her first ride, obviously, because he’s a monster.
Rogue fans herself briefly as she grins at the chaos. I’m not surprised she enjoys it, but I’m glad when she shouts, “Everyoneshut up! We have to work together on this, so movie talk, flirting, and grumpy men shit needs to fuck off until we get it done. If no one else is gonna say it, I will. Put them away, gentlemen.”
“We will order from DormDash,” the shark demon says with a finality that offers no opportunity to rebut his decision. “Oriel is correct in his thoughts about Salem’s kitchen and our ability to produce enough food to feed the masses, without destroying the order and cleanliness of the space.”
Kat looks at the big guy with a smile that tells me she’s so very hung-up on him already—whether she knows it or not. “I liked that pizza place. Plus, it probably has a big enough menu that everyone can get things they want, right?”
The younger Gemini blinks and looks surprised. “You guys can get Purgatory to deliver here? If so, hell yes, I’m on board. Their shit is fucking baller.”
Lucas leans forward, his eyes on me as he murmurs, “I want protein. Whatever has a shit ton of meat on it. I need to load up. You can decide for me, Lady M.”
I smile, nodding at him. “Me too, babe. I ate some snacks, but they’re not enough for me either.”
Oriel jumps in as he looks at the others. “Hellfyre chicken wings are not optional. And we can’t forget the Brimstone-fired cheesy snacks. KK hasn’t had those yet.”
Rogue tilts her head as she looks at the demons. “Anyone got a menu for this place? I’d like to see it before I place an order.”
“We need birdseed, or at least, like, something Javi can eat. Do you have things phoenixes can eat, Kat?” Archie says as he looks at the small girl sitting in the prince’s chair as if it’s her own.
She grins. “In our room, I have things Salem makes for Dottie that I’m pretty sure that screaming rooster can eat. We’ll get them both some. If not, we’ll try some leftovers from our snacks to see if he tolerates them.”
I wave my hand, nodding towards Rogue. “I agree with her. I have to order for myself and some that aren’t here, so I’ll need to look at the listings to get it right.”
Xerxes grins, walking over to the desk area to rummage for a moment and then makes a victorious sound when they find a tablet. “Here we are. I think we can pass this around so the new folks can decide what they want. I know Annie and I will share a Hell Veggie triple extra large pie with the usual additions, Slash.”
The big man arches a brow. “You will do the ordering, Xerxes. Don’t be ridiculous. I can’t… navigate devices that are not mine, and you know it.”
The cobra demon blinks and covers their mouth. “Shit, man, I’m sorry. Obviously, I know what you want, so we’re good there. KK, do you know what you’d like?”
She shakes her head, walking over to where I’m waiting for them to bring me the menu. “I’ll look with Morgana, if that’s okay. Last time, you guys ordered before I got out. I’d like to see options since it was so tasty.”
My lips curve up as I watch the Discordia demons light up with pride when she’s able to state her needs without apologizing to a large group. They’re definitely working their cute asses off at helping my friend find her voice without pressuring her. “I’m happy to share with you, Kat. Rogue, too. Sit with me, and we’ll see what this amazing place offers.”
Kat gestures for the tablet, and Xerxes hands it to her with a fond smile. “Just tap that icon with the horns and tail, yeah? Then you and the ladies can decide what works. I’ll use my phone to take the order down in my Dash app.”
She gives them a shy smile back and then turns to me as she does as instructed. “Okay, Morgana. Let’s do this.”
As Kat scrolls, I notice the food has mostly familiar things astypesof entrees and such, but I’m unsure about the items that are being used in it. Hopefully, she can answer my questions, or one of her guys will chime in if I ask. I don’t know what the shit the difference between ‘Black Cow’ meat versus ‘beast meat’ is anymore than I could name different hockey sticks if Lucas asked me.
Damon comes up behind us, studying alongside our group. “Can we get a second order of the wings? I think Ang and I will enjoy them; we like spicy food, and I’d bet Oriel is going to go to town on them if he asked.”
Oriel flips him off, but I can tell that it’s good-natured. “Probably get like four, X. They’re a fave.”
Xerxes murmurs affirmatively, and I go back to the list. Frowning, I lean in to whisper to Kat. “This meaty pizza thing is probably good, but I’d say we need at least two of the biggest size. I’m hungry, and so is Lucas, plus the dragon.”
She snorts, shaking her head. “No, based on our last order? I’d say we get five triple XL-sized ones. X, did you hear that?”
“On it, KK.”
“We need one with seafood-type things for Slade. Iggy will eat it with him.” When everyone looks at me, I shrug. “He’s not afish,and he grew up in a seaside gang on the west coast. Slade likes seafood, and Iggy has been his roommate for years, so he does the same.”
It takes a bit, but Rogue, Kat and I work through the weird toppings and various dishes until we have an order that will take a fucking van to deliver. When we’re done, I grin at her conspiratorially. “I think you just made your first ‘in-charge’ move with your jokers. Way to go.”
Her face heats and her eyes dart to the crow, who seems to know the second she lays eyes on him. His eyes twinkle with merriment, and her blush deepens.
I could be incorrect about the whole ‘first in-charge moment’ thing; they’ve got a vibe.
