“We’re still figuring that out,” Ramona admitted. “The severance ritual is complex. We’ll need help with the preparation, the materials, probably someone to maintain the protective circle while we’re?—”
“We’ll help,” Kashvi interrupted. “All of us. Just tell us what to do.”
“You’re not freaked out?” Ramona asked. “About the demon thing?”
“Oh, I’m completely freaked out,” Kashvi said. “But I’m processing. Give me, like, twenty-four hours to process, and then we’ll help.”
“I’m making pancakes,” Felix announced suddenly. “Because I don’t know what else to do and pancakes feel appropriate.”
“Do demons eat pancakes?” Posey followed Felix to the kitchen.
“Yes.”
“Do we have chocolate chips? I feel like this is a chocolate chip situation,” Felix said, rifling through cupboards.
“Definitely chocolate chips,” Cammie said. “I’m showering, though. Something about that demon gave me the creeps. The hallway one, not you, Zara. No offense.”
Zara narrowed her eyes, but didn’t say anything.
Kashvi remained on the couch, staring at Zara, tiny sparks flying from her fingertips in wisps of light. “You’re really from Hell.”
“Yes.”
“And you’ve been living here for three weeks.”
“Yes.”
“And you’re dating Ramona.”
“That’s…” Zara stared at her lap. “It was initially a premise to explain my presence here, but I’m sorry we lied to you about that.”
Ramona’s cheeks heated. This was not the time to hash out the details of what they… were, but she felt a pulse of affection and comfort through the tether.
“Okay.” Kashvi took a deep breath. “Okay. I can work with this. This is fine. Everything is fine.” She paused. “Does Hell have, like, dental insurance? Retirement plans?”
“Demons don’t need dental insurance,” Zara said. “But yes, there are retirement provisions. They’re just measured in centuries rather than years.”
“Right. Of course. Centuries.” Kashvi laughed, slightly hysterical. “Why not. Everything else is insane, why not centuries.”
Gerald made a sympathetic cooing sound and nuzzled against Zara’s arm.
“Thanks, friend,” Zara murmured. “You’re handling this better than I am.”
And just like that, the apartment settled into something resembling normal. Cammie finishing up in the bathroom. Felix making pancakes with Posey’s help. Kashvi on the couch, still processing but recovering.
Ramona stayed with Zara, watching her close her HellBerry and set it aside.
“That went better than expected,” Zara said quietly.
“They’re good people.”
“They are.” Zara looked toward the kitchen, where Posey was arguing with Felix about chocolate chip distribution. “I wasn’t expecting them to offer help.”
Ramona smiled, because she couldn’t believe it, either.
Zara’s hand found Ramona’s.
“Four weeks,” Ramona said quietly.
