Page 27 of Hell’s Half Acre

How very awesome to know she had cosmic ick on her. “So how do I wash it off?”

Acheron let out an odd half laugh. “You don’t, but I might know someone who can help.” He turned back to Luke. “The problem is, though, I can’t go there.”

Luke furrowed his brows. “Why?”

“It’s Ecanus.” Acheron rubbed at his temple. “He’s a South American Chthonian. If I step into his territory, he’ll lose his shit.”

Sorcha was trying to follow. “Why?”

“Because Acheron’s also a Chthonian,” Luke said, “and they’re highly territorial.”

“Some of us aren’t so testy,” Acheron said.

Simi made a sound of total disbelief.

“Thanks a lot, Sim.”

“What? I sees you with your twin brother. You two gets testy all the time together. Like herding rabid squirrels on Red Bull. Least that’s what Simi’s Thorny says.”

That fascinated her. “There are two of you? I was a twin, too.”

Acheron winced. “I’m sorry. I had to grow up and spend a lot of centuries separated from my brother. I know how hard it is to be without your sibling, and I wish I could make it better.”

“Thank you.”

Luke cleared his throat. “Simi is here to help you track down the demons with Helly, once Helly gets back.”

It was then that she realized Helly wasn’t with them. “Where’s Helly?”

“I sent her to Hell for intel.” Luke winked. “Then…”

“She gots to get barbecue sauce for the Simi. See, the Simi thought she had enough. But since akri-Luke said there’s two dozen demons on the loosed…I needs more sauce.” Simi’s eyes went wide before she turned toward Acheron. “Demons are still off the Simi-don’t-eat list, right?”

Sorcha had no idea what that question meant.

However, Acheron seemed to understand Simi-speak. He looked at Luke. “Do you mind if she takes a tribute or two?”

“Dohlar’s all yours, but please don’t eat Envee. She’s Helly’s friend. As for the rest, I leave that up to Helly to decide your menu, Simi. Bon appétit.”

“Yay! The Simi definites needs more sauce for them stink demons!” Simi vanished immediately.

Sorcha widened her eyes. Was she really going to…eat them?

Acheron winced. “Remind me to call Thorn and warn him about the indigestion that’ll give her. He’s going to hate us all.”

Luke laughed. “I’m sure.”

“Dad?”

Sorcha turned at the uncertain teenage male voice behind her. Standing in the bedroom doorway was an adorable boy about the age of fifteen with curly blond hair and bright blue eyes. His hair was rumpled and he wore blue and green pajama bottoms with a white T-shirt.

Acheron quickly approached him. “Bas! What are you doing here? You’re supposed to be in bed. You have school in the morning.”

With a confused frown, the boy glanced around the room. When he met Sorcha’s gaze, he seemed even more perplexed. “No idea. I was trying to teleport to the bathroom. Guess I missed. Where am I?”

Laughing, Acheron ruffled his hair, which annoyed the teen. “Yeah…those powers take some practice.”

“Obviously. If I try to get home, am I going to end up in Antarctica?”