“This,” Nina informed him dramatically, “looks like you personally curse bloodlines for entertainment.”
His father regarded him thoughtfully from across the lounge. “That is formal wear.”
“SEE?” Nina pointed aggressively. “THIS FAMILY IS THE PROBLEM.”
His mother was completely unbothered while sipping tea beside me. “Do humans dislike royal clothing?”
“They dislike looking like someone owns ceremonial daggers.”
“That seems utterly limiting.”
Meanwhile I was already imagining my mother opening the apartment door to: a demon prince, silver eyes, royal posture, and enough intimidating energy to make neighbors call the police.
Actual disaster. I covered my face. “Oh my God.” My demon turned to me. “What.”
“My parents are going to think I joined something illegal.”
The younger brother looked deeply entertained. “Technically speaking….”
“No,” Anderson interrupted instantly from near the doorway.
Nina pointed at both princes again. “No dark capes. No terrifying jewelry. No murder energy.”
“That last one feels difficult,” the younger brother admitted.
“It is NONNEGOTIABLE.”
Meanwhile my demon had gone quieter beside me again.Then after a brief pause, he asked softly:
“Will your family fear me?”
The room stilled slightly after that because the conversation stopped being funny. My gaze found him, and for maybe the first time since arriving in Hell, he seemed genuinely uncertain. Not about Earth, but about meeting my world.
His mother noticed too but stayed quiet this time. I lowered my hands before answering.
“My mother will probably interrogate you like a federal investigator.”
The younger brother snorted, laughing instantly.
“That sounds terrifying.”
“It is.”
“My father,” I continued carefully, “will pretend to be calm while silently judging every life decision I’ve made since birth.”
My demon considered this seriously. “I can survive judgment.”
“That confidence feels premature.”
Nina pointed dramatically from across the couch. “My aunt once made a grown man cry over undercooked chicken.”
The younger brother blinked once. “…Humans weaponize meals.”
“Yes.”
His father lowered his tea. “I respect that enormously.”
Meanwhile my demon still hadn’t looked away from me.
