Page 16 of The Party

“We weren’t scared,” Nikolai protested.

“You were totally freaking out,” Mae told the sorcerer.

“They ate the electrical wiring, Mae,” Nikolai grunted.

“The gargoyles are here?” Drake asked warily.

Mae studied Artemus Steele’s brother curiously.

The demonic power inside him was as familiar as her own.

I guess that’s a given seeing as who his father is.

“They should have returned to Hell by now,” Serena reassured her husband. A faint frown marred her brow. “Or at least I hope they did, if they know what’s good for them.”

Drake’s mouth pressed to a thin line. “We should fix the gates before Artemus notices.”

Mae and Nikolai followed the couple downstairs. It was another hour before things were finally ready for the birthday party. Their last hosts showed up just as they finished setting the table in the kitchen.

The hairs lifted off Mae’s nape when Artemus Steele and Lily Soul entered the room behind Tomas. It wasn’t just the daunting strength the couple exuded that was making her mouth go dry.

Sitting calmly in Artemus’s arms was a pretty blonde baby girl.

Mae couldn’t take her eyes off her.

She reluctantly dragged her gaze away as Lily came over, a smile brightening her face.

“Thank you for coming.” She kissed Nikolai’s cheek and clasped Mae’s hands. “It means a lot. To all of us.”

The Immortal’s powers brushed against her magic, as fierce and as kind as her twin brother Tomas’s.

Artemus welcomed them with a solemn, “Hi.”

The divine energy radiating off his soul made Mae blink.

So, that’s what you get when an angel and a goddess make a baby.

I wish to fight him, my witch, Brimstone said quietly.

Mae glanced at her familiar. She could tell the demon fox was being serious.

She chewed her lip.

Truth be told, I wouldn’t mind testing my skills against him too.

The faint smile Lily flashed her way told her she’d read Mae’s mind and didn’t mind the challenge in the least.

The room got full pretty quickly as everyone gathered to celebrate Alice Grace Steele’s first birthday, the kids crowding the countertops and the floor alongside the adults and the demons.

The little girl watched unblinkingly as Artemus and Lily lit the candle on her birthday cake and lifted her up so she could blow it out.

“Happy Birthday Alice!” the whole room chanted.

“Go on, sweetheart,” Artemus told his daughter with a tender smile. “Blow the candle.”

Lily kissed the little girl’s temple.

Alice focused and leaned forward.

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