Kas and the attendant look at each other, then the attendant looks at me. “Would you prefer I bring you something more business casual?”
“Yes,” I bark, ready to try anything that isn’t this heavy coat and cloth collar.
The attendant leaves, and Kas returns to my side. “We’ll find you something, don’t you worry.”
“Why the fuck would I worry about that?”
“Come ooooon, isn’t this fun? Aren’t we building a beautiful friendship?”
I scoff. Since when do devils care about friends? “Let me guess, you would like to be something more than a lowly mortal-dwelling succubus?”
“Everyone wants to climb up the ladder.”
I lift a brow.
“Mortal saying.” He waves his hands dismissively. “I mean to say, of course I would want to become a fully fledged devil. It’s in our nature to desire Kingship, to desire more. Don’t tell me you are any different.”
“I’m only a step below the Kings of Hell, remember that.”
“Oh, I will.” Kas grins. As the attendant returns with a stack of clothing in his arms, Kas adds, “I won’t forget who’s boss.” Then he winks.
The attendant lifts up a shirt for me to look at, the fabric so thin that light filters through it. “Is this more what you would like, sir?”
I reach out and touch the colorful fabric, airy yet soft. Nowhere near as heavy or scratchy as the clothes I wear now.
“Finally.”
CHAPTERSIX
MINNIE
Amber’s voiceechoes through the stairwell. “I still can’t believe how much you pay to live in this old place.”
“It’s not that crazy,” I object. “And I like living in a historic building.”
“No elevator is crazy. But anyway, what did you want to show me?” Amber asks, excitement in her voice.
“Um… why ruin the surprise?” I can hear the hesitation in my voice.
“You don’t sound all that thrilled.”
At least I’m setting expectations.
We make it to my door, and I drop my keys. With a huff I kneel down to pick them up, spending a little extra time down near the floor as I find the exact key I need. “Just remember, I’m showing this to you because I trust you more than anyone else on this Earth.”
Amber tilts her head to the side, a few stray braids falling across her face. “Now you’re making me nervous.”
I open the door to my apartment and find… nothing. No one is on the couch or in the kitchen. The only sign that Rosier had been in the apartment is the bedsheet still laid out over the couch. I rush inside, figuring maybe he’s snuck into my bedroom, either to nap on a proper bed or continue snooping through my drawers. Except he isn’t in there, either.
“Huh,” Amber remarks from the doorway. “So you did finally unpack. Is that the surprise?” She walks inside and sits down on the couch not even mentioning the bedsheet. “Well, your secret is safe with me.”
“Wait, no, Amber–”
My dear friend is grinning ear to ear. “You don’t have to be embarrassed. I know you want everyone to think you’re perfect, but no one is going to judge you for taking three months to unpack.”
“Uh, well, they shouldn’t because how would they know that unless someone kept blabbing about my hovel to everyone?” I narrow my eyes, though I shouldn’t care if people know I’m bad at moving. But it still bothers me.
I go to check the bathroom. Empty as well, but my bonnet is resting in the sink, which I do not appreciate.
