“Tell us about this new idea of yours,” Seraphina encouraged as she swirled the wine in her goblet with an elegant twist of her wrist.
“I want to create a new magical app, but I’m not sure how to make it work yet,” Devon explained. Since she had been a tech witch before becoming a god, she had a rare ability that allowed her to merge technology with magic. While that part of her magic still worked, it sometimes glitched due to her amplified powers.
“You’re the expert when it comes to that stuff,” Braxton praised.
“I don’t know anything about technology besides whatever you programmed on the special phone you gave me,” Seraphina admitted. “What would it do?”
“I was considering a magical dating app that would help bring mates together. I got the idea after watching so many of our friends find their own mates. Maybe I’m just being sentimental, but I want to help more people be as happy as we are.”
Seraphina clasped her hands together. “Oh, that sounds fun!”
“That would certainly make my job a lot easier,” Felix said with a wide grin. “Being a God of Fate that deals with matchmaking is sort of a pain in the ass. You would think being able to sense those who are soulmates would be a good thing, butmost people fight it the moment I try to bring them together. As much as people believe in fate, there is a stubborn need to try to defy it.”
“You’ve mentioned that before. That’s why I wanted to discuss this with you.” Devon leaned forward. “I remember you said you have to use a roundabout way to bring soulmates together without being too obvious about it. I wanted to see if you had any suggestions for this new project.”
Felix rubbed his chin as he leaned back in his chair. “The first thing I would recommend is not calling it a dating app. Otherwise, the stubborn people who need it the most won’t use it. Of course, there are some who are actively seeking their mates, but others will be resistant to being forced to meet, even if they do end up happier. I know it sounds crazy, but that is simply how fate works sometimes.”
“So, I should probably figure out a way to layer a matchmaking spell under something that is a little more benign and user-friendly?”
Felix nodded. “That would be best. Matchmaking spells are tricky, though. I’ve tried to use a few, and they have all ended up backfiring and causing a lot of confusion. The other Gods of Fate and I have learned that messing with mates, even if you are trying to help, isn’t as simple as it might seem.”
“Hmm. Perhaps this isn’t a good idea, then.”
Devon nibbled on her lower lip until Braxton reached over to stop her, soothing the swollen flesh with his thumb. He wanted to forget about the damn dinner and take his mate up to bed, but he reminded himself to behave. He wouldn’t fuck up Devon’s chance to recruit Seraphina and Felix’s help with her new project.
“I know you won’t give up that easy. If this is something you would like to do, we will find a way to make it work,” Braxton promised.
She smiled at him. “See? This is why I love you.”
His brow rose. “Just because of this?”
Devon leaned against his side and pressed a kiss to his cheek. “This is just one of the many reasons.”
Seraphina sighed with satisfaction as she rested her head on Felix’s shoulder. “Ah, love is truly life’s greatest reward. You are right. Helping others find the happiness we have discovered with our own mates is indeed a risk worth taking.”
“I’m sure whatever you create would be better than the current spells available. Would this app be something everyone can use?” Felix asked. “Like something that could be found in the app store?”
Devon paused to consider it before answering. “I would prefer to keep the app for the supernaturals living in the Human Realm. We don’t know how the magic might influence humans, but I’m not sure how to limit who has access to it.”
“Simple,” Lucifer declared after he suddenly appeared in the formerly empty throne chair at the head of the table. “All you have to do is send it directly to the people you want to have it. Fuck everyone else.”
The King of Hell was dressed in a set of flowing black robes with red flames on the sleeves and across the bottom hem that matched the bright red streaks in his long black hair. His glowing eyes were also a mixture of black and red. The colors swirled in a mesmerizing pattern, which was a distinctive mark of power that even made other gods leery.
“That actually makes sense,” Braxton admitted grudgingly.
Lucifer scowled at him. “You don’t have to sound so surprised.” His frown immediately flipped into a slightly maniacal grin. “Now, what are we sending? Just so you know, body parts don’t ship well unless they are in the right containers.”
“For fuck’s sake, dad,” Braxton grumbled. “We’re about to eat.”
“I was wondering why you haven’t touched the food yet. Aww, were you waiting for me? How sweet.” Lucifer waved a hand over the empty plate in front of him, and it was immediately filled with a selection of food instead of serving himself directly from the platters. “I’m starving. Now, fill me in. What did I miss? And what are we sending?”
Devon scrunched up her nose. “Something a lot less gross than body parts.”
“That’s a shame. There’s plenty of organs and limbs to go around after the skirmish I just dealt with.”
That caught Braxton’s interest. “I was wondering about the influx of souls I felt earlier. What happened? Damn it, Dad. Did you start another war?”
Lucifer waved a hand in the air. “It was a fight, not a war. Barely worth noting. One of the recently freed reapers had some personal business to handle, and I just tagged along. While he was under the sleep curse, his family divided all his assets and property and refused to return it to him. We simply persuaded them to see the error of their ways.”
