Didn’t matter. She knew exactly who it was.
On the eighth day, Iris invited her over for drinks at Belial’s house. She said it was high time for Suyin to come and properly meet everyone.
She wanted to say no. She wasn’t in the mood for socializing right now and would’ve much preferred to stew alone in her unending misery.
But she forced herself to go anyway. She was half demon, and she figured it would be good for her to meet others of her father’s kind. And secretly, she wanted to meet the demons who had recently become Murmur’s allies. Knowing them would feel like being close to him again. As close as she could allow herself to be.
She rode her Phantom up the winding streets of Mount Royal until she found the address of the swanky mansion. She rang the buzzer at the gates and announced herself, and they swung open.
Her bike climbed a steep driveway leading to a double-car garage, and she parked in the covered pullout beside a souped-up Land Rover. She followed the path up like Iris had told her to.
At the top, stone gargoyles were perched atop short pillars, their features eroded with time. Steps led to the front door, and she pressed the doorbell, feeling about as welcome as a door-to-door vacuum salesman.
The door swung open, and she found herself face to face with the enormous blue-eyed Belial she’d met under less cordial circumstances a week ago. She briefly wondered how big he was in demon form and then decided she hoped she never found out.
“Come on in.” Belial stepped back, and she entered the high-ceilinged hall. Ahead, a dark-stained wooden staircase spiraled up to a mezzanine that led to what were likely the second-floor bedrooms. High above, a chandelier hung beneath a skylight. The floors were white marble.
“Nice house.”
“Thanks. Everybody’s in the kitchen.” He passed the staircase and turned down a hall, so she ditched her boots at the door—the Canadian way—and went after him.
He led her into the nicest kitchen she’d ever seen. Big bay windows overlooked a landscaped backyard with a pool, accessed by glass doors. Across the island, there was a dining room with finely carved chairs. She might have thought it was one of those dining set-ups that no one ever used, except for the fact that the table was covered in dirty dishes.
But everyone was still hanging out in the kitchen.
“Suyin, hey!” Iris announced happily, coming over from beside her extremely tattooed boyfriend to give her a hug.
Suyin hugged her back somewhat awkwardly. She’d never been a hugger, and neither had Iris, but apparently Iris in love was. The demon with red eyes and face tattoos grinned at Suyin over Iris’s shoulder.
“You’ve met Meph,” Iris said, pulling back. “Though I guess it was only briefly.”
“Yeah, back when you told me he was toxic and you weren’tgoing anywhere near him,” Suyin said before she could stop herself.
Laughter rang out across the room.
“I like her already,” a dark-skinned demon with brilliant gold eyes announced.
“That’s Raum,” Iris said. “He’s Meph’s partner in crime, so keep an eye on them.” Iris then pointed to a stunningly beautiful woman with shiny black hair, dark eyes, and dusky skin. “This is Sunshine.”
“Greetings,” Sunshine said and then winced. “I mean, hello.”
Suyin could only stare. She was looking at a real-life angel—Iris had told her all about Raum’s girlfriend and her demon-Earth transition program. There was definitely an otherworldly glow to this woman. Something about her made Suyin feel like she was safe in her presence, and her warm smile was the most inviting she’d ever seen.
“That’s Ash and Eva.” Iris pointed to another couple leaning against the counter on the far side of the room. “Ash is a demon, Eva’s not.”
“Can we not be introduced by our species?” Eva said with a laugh. “It feels awkward.”
Iris laughed, and then pointed to the other people who Suyin already knew. “Lily, human. Mist, demon. Belial, grump.”
Belial shot her a look.
Everyone was looking at Suyin expectantly, so she said, “Suyin, Cambion.”
Several sets of eyes widened. Sunshine said, “It’s so lovely to meet you,” and Suyin was sure she’d never heard a more genuine statement.
“I see it now,” Meph said. “She gives off the same don’t-fuck-with-me vibe that Murmur does. And the spooky goth look is totally—”
“Meph,” Iris hissed, elbowing him in the side. “What did I say about the M word?”
