Lou lumbered toward them. “Do I even want to know what the hell is going on?”
“Big wyrm. Got turned into flowers. Jerry, asshole squonk. Also being turned into flowers, but Zolrya says he can turn him back. But hey! We found the brain.”
Lou sagged in relief. “Good. Fuck. Hopefully that means it’s over now. Without the brain, themostriribellishouldn’t be able to play any of the music and?—”
“What the fuck?” It was Mr. Heiss. He’d come through the doorway as Lou had, and he was in his demonic form, the flames of his crown crackling as he took in the chaotic scene.
“That’s what I said.” Lou snorted.
“It seems it’s a very good thing Sariel messaged us,” Absolis cooed.
“Yes,” said Vilanos. “A very good thing indeed.”
The twins were simply there as if they’d been present the entire time, smiling smugly.
“The brain.” Mr. Heiss narrowed his eyes. “It’s been found.”
“Yes,” Absolis said with a scoff. “No thanks to you.”
“No thanks to you at all,” taunted Vilanos.
“Obviously the human found it,” snapped Mr. Heiss. “Which means our deal is still on. Don’t you dare back out right now.”
“We justbarelysaved the city from musical slaughter and you’re worried about some damn deal?” Lou drawled.
Mr. Heiss glared.
Seymour wobbled and leaned against Sariel, sighing heavily. “I could use a drink or ten. How ’bout you?”
Sariel smiled. “I do not drink alcohol, but I can understand the appeal.”
“We really did it though?” Day meowed and clung to them both. “We saved the city?”
“Looks that way.” Seymour’s heart thumped. “I can’t believe it. It’s actually over.”
“But what happens now?”
“What do you mean?”
“Can I eat Mr. Heiss?”
“No, you cannot eat Mr. Heiss.”
“I don’t think he’d be very tasty,” Myrna said as she materialized beside them with a soft giggle. “Plus the horns do appear a bit crunchy.”
Seymour chuckled. “Trust me. She’s had worse.”
“Here,” Absolis said, holding out his hand toward Mr. Heiss.
Vilanos mirrored him, his hand joining Absolis’s. “Enjoy.”
A skull with a crown appeared in their palms.
It was King, his glowing eyes darting back and forth frantically. “Hey! What’s going on? Whoa. Lots of new faces. Ugh. Fierce ugly ones too.”
“Hey!” Seymour huffed. “You assholes stole him from my dad’s place?”
“Of course we did.” Absolis smirked. “And we didn’t steal him.”
