Nick shrugged and flashed his famous Cajun grin. “Ah, now,Grand-père, c’est moi. Of course I am.Laissez les bons temps rouler!” Let the good times roll. “Man’s gotta do what a man’s gotta do.” He sobered as he thought about what lay ahead for them. “I didn’t start this dance. But last call’s on me. Free drinks, all around.”
Xev sighed. “I never understand ninety percent of anything you say.”
“I know.” Nick hugged his great-grandfather. “I’ll miss you, Grans.”
“I will not miss you calling me that.” Xev tightened his arms around him and held him for a moment longer. “But I will miss you, too.” He brushed his hand through Nick’s hair. “Keep your nose clean.”
“You, too. Don’t kill Caleb.”
“Make no promises.”
Nick laughed as he started cleaning out his pockets to hand over all his Malachai items. They couldn’t afford for him to remember anything. Not if his plan was to work.
And he prayed it would.
For Kody and his mom.
As soon as Xev had everything and was gone, Nick used his powers to locate the other him.
To his disgust, he realized Cyprian was at Sanctuary where his mom was working. Of course he was. Freeloader.
Fake. Pretentious. Could never be himself. He had to be a second-rate copy.
It was disgusting, if the truth were known.I would much rather be a first-rate copy of myself and fail, than be a second-rate copy of anyone else. For any reason.
Furious, he headed straight over to the back alley that was only a couple of blocks from their condo. There wasn’t anyone in Sanctuary’s courtyard, or much of anything else for that matter. An old iron fountain and some greenery. The bears didn’t come outside much. He wasn’t sure why.
About the only one he ever found out here was Jose, their cook. Sometimes one of the human waitresses.
Intending to lure Cyprian outside, he headed for the door. But he only made it halfway there before Simi appeared by his side.
“You really going to forget us, Akri-Nicky?”
Her pout made his stomach tighten. He would definitely miss the Charonte demon. She’d been a lot of fun to hang out with. “Just for a little while. We’ll meet again when I’m older.”
Simi pouted. “Well, poo, demon-boy. The Simi was very fond of her friend. I shall miss you!”
“I’ll miss you most of all, Miss Simi.” He kissed her cheek.
Instead of allowing him to pull away, Simi held him close. “Don’t keep the sadness in your heart, demon-Nicky. It would make Akra-Kody very sad if she knew you hads it there.”
“I know.” Nick wiped at the sudden moisture in his eyes and he cleared his throat gruffly. “Can I ask a favor, Sim?”
“Surzies.”
“Can you go get the fake Nick and get him out here for me?”
“Like I did lasterday?”
Nick laughed at the way she said yesterday. He would definitely miss the Simispeak. “I wasn’t here lasterday.”
“Oh yeah, that was the fake demon-boy. Okies, I goes gets him for you! Wait right here and I’ll be back licksy spilt!”
Still amused by her speech, Nick didn’t move from the alley until Simi and Cyprian returned.
The humor died on Cyprian’s face the instant he saw Nick waiting for him. His eyes turned a vibrant red. “What are you doing here?”
“What do you think?”
