Page 87 of Greed

“That was different. We are not supposed to take humans alive to Hell for our amusement. You know what kind of reign of terror that could cause. I was simply stopping it before it got any more out of hand. And I haven’t sided with any human over my own kind because I never chose any of my kind to start with.” I leaned against the wall giving a relaxed impression, but Penny didn’t look convinced.

“Not even Skye?”

My brow furrowed. “Not even Skye. Her and Neven are friends and yet we’ve been intimate, but not emotionally, not like what you’re insinuating.”

“The point is Minny is my friend, and I want to keep her safe, and I thought if she knew who you were, she would stay away. Apparently, I was wrong. The girl is way too good and understanding for her own damn good.”

Now, I agreed with Penny about that, and I tapped my chin as I thought. This was a problem for another night. My head hurt thinking about the stupidity of this conspiracy theory. How could one human create so much havoc if their existence meant nothing? Isn’t that what we preached? That humans were nothing more than an annoying speck that Father created and rubbed in our faces.

I shook my head, annoyance boiling in my gut. No one was going to order me to stay away from my little bird. Not Luci, not Father or Michael, and least of all, this red-headed Erinyes and her mysterious band of demon rumors.

“I have somewhere to be, but I assume you’re staying here?”

She placed her hands on her hips and cocked an eyebrow. “That’s it? That’s all you have to say on the subject?”

“Careful with your tone, Penny. Be thankful you’re not in one of my torture cells for your disrespectful tongue…because you’re Minny’s friend, and she needs you.”

Pushing off the wall, I took a step toward her, and she jumped from the chair to put it between us, like that would stop me if I wanted to kill her.

“Mark my words Penny—your rope is not as long as you imagine. Do not cross me, or you’ll be dragged to Hell, and I’ll toss you to my pets.” Her eyes were wide, fear shining through. Next to Luci, I had the most terrifying demons at my beck and call that were loyal to only me.

“As I said, I have to go, but I’ll be back tomorrow.” Taking a moment, I looked around the space that Minetta called home. The place seemed practically unlivable, yet she did and did so happily. This is just another thing to add to my list of things I had issues understanding. That seemed to be happening far more than I would like recently.

Marching out the door, I grabbed my phone to call Shilo. Maybe he could shed some light on this prophecy nonsense. Pausing, I looked back at Penny. “Tell me something, why did that dog mean so much to Minny?”

Penny looked to the carpet and then wiped away tears on her cheeks. “Her dad gave him to her.”

“So Minny and her father were so close, that a dog would mean that much?”

“Yes, they were very close, but he passed nine years ago, not long after he gave her Toby. I think he knew she was going to need something to focus on after he was gone.” Penny shrugged. “I wasn’t there, but that’s what I know from what Minny told me.”

“I have one more question, Erinyes.”

“Can you please just call me Penny? I hate what I ended up becoming.” The red strands around her face floated, announcing without words what she was. He could relate to the girl, and he would agree to her request only because she’d proven to be helpful.

“Alright, Penny, I have one more question. How did her father die?”

“Brain tumor, cancer. Why?”

“That is none of your concern.”

I marched out of the house and hit dial on Shilo’s name. I was going to need the man’s help for a couple of things.

Minetta stared at the ceiling, her hand on the space where Toby would have occupied. Guilt ravaged her mind. She wasn’t here when he needed her. It was the only thought that kept circling her brain.

She sniffed and wiped away the latest bout of tears, not sure she was going to get over this blow. It seemed insurmountable. A soft knock had her eyes going to the door, and Riker poked his head in.

“Hey, my little bird, how are you today,” he asked softly and squatted down in front of her. His voice was so kind and worried that it brought on another wave of tears.

“I’m sorry I’m such a mess.”

He cupped her cheek, wiping away the tears with his thumb. “Don’t be sorry. You need to grieve, but it’s been three days, and you need to eat, but before that, a shower because you’re getting ripe.”

“I’m that bad?” She picked up her shirt and sniffed it, and then nodded. “Yup, that bad.”

Before she could say she didn’t care, he’d scooped her up and walked out into the hallway and down to the bathroom. He sat her on the counter and went about turning on the water and grabbing towels. Who was this man, really? Kind and thoughtful or arrogant and self-serving, he was like an unreadable map that kept moving.

“Lift your arms.” Taking a deep breath, she did as he asked, and with skillful movements, she was completely naked. “Once you’re clean, I have a surprise for you.”