“Not bad,” Bel said with some hesitation. “I just don’t want you getting overwhelmed. They can be a lot.”
Atlas shrugged. “I’m sure it will be fine.” Honestly, he had no idea how this was going to go. He wasn’t afraid of meeting more demons. Bel had been very sweet to him.
“You say that now,” Bel said. “You should be running away screaming.”
“I’m not really the screaming type.”
“You yelled at me yesterday,” Bel pointed out.
That seemed to have really bothered Bel. “I’m sorry about that. I was frustrated. I promise not to yell again.”
Bel smiled at him. “How about breakfast? I prepared trays earlier for us.”
“Coffee?” Atlas requested hopefully.
“So much coffee,” Bel agreed. “We’re going to need it.”
Maybe he should be more concerned. Bel did seem rather worried.
Bel waved his hand and a table with two chairs materialized where they’d sat the night before.
“I have so much to tell you!” Atlas remembered as he bounced on the tips of his toes.
“You do?” Bel rose while ushering Atlas toward the table.
A black cloth covered the table under several silver domes. “You said you prepared this earlier? Like with magic?” Atlas asked.
“I quite enjoy cooking. It relaxes me. I have recently gotten back into it. I wanted to make sure your first morning here was welcoming.”
Bel really was the best demon ever. Not that Atlas had met other demons or anything.
“I appreciate it. Thank you.” He really did. Atlas loved to eat.
“I’m not saying that magic doesn’t have its place. Especially here. Sometimes it’s rewarding to do things on your own though.”
“Magic is awesome!” Atlas told him as he hurried over. There was coffee in fact. Two giant mugs one on each side of the table.
He had to hop up to get seated. Atlas went for the coffee first as Bel slid into the seat across from him.
“You had a good morning, I take it,” Bel said.
“I think I used magic!” Atlas shared.
“Did you?” Bel’s lips twitched.
“I tried to make the bed but nothing happened. But I’m pretty sure I conjured a towel and my hair products. Then when I got out of the bathroom, the bed was made and I had clothes waiting for me.” Atlas removed the silver dome lid in front of him.
A thick black plate sat with fluffy eggs with steam still rising. There was also bacon, a fruit salad, and a gorgeous buttery croissant. Leaning forward, he breathed in the amazing aroma. “Wow.”
“Please let me know if you’d like something else.” Bel removed the lid from his own plate before picking up his fork.
“This is great.” Atlas’s mouth was already watering.
“Please enjoy it. As we eat, I can tell you about the calls I’ve made.”
“You cooked all of this and made phone calls. How long have you been awake?” Atlas asked. He was grateful for Bel’s help, but he didn’t want the demon suffering because of him.
“I don’t sleep much these days,” Bel told him.
