Page 108 of The Prince of Demons

“Yes,” Reaper said, “Gaksi promised to return you.”

And without the promise, would he have left me there? As if sensing my hesitation, Reaper continued, “We promised not to lie to each other, remember?”

He extended an arm. I took it timidly, and he drew me into him, back flushed against his chest.

“But it might not be what you expect, so brace yourself.” His voice rang with finality.

I felt hot all over, even though he’d only touched me for a minute.

“Are you ready?” he breathed against my ear.

“Yes,” I mustered back.

We fell backward, air whipping past as we made our descent.

* * *

We arrivedseconds later in a wasteland I’d never seen before, similar to the Barren Fields. Sam perched on a tree, whistling at our arrival. “Where are we?” I asked.

“Gaksi’s favorite haunt,” he said, stepping away from me and calling out, “Gaksi goblin! Your progeny is here.”

I was awed when a creature emerged from the mist.

A winged beast with blazing blue eyes flew down, landing on a single leg. Arched grey wings, large enough to take out a horse, rose above us. Sharp teeth protruded from his mouth, pointed enough to rip out any throat. A decorated belt hugged his bulbous body, and bird-like talons gripped the floor.

I loved him immediately.

“My lord,” he bowed to Reaper. “My dear Luna,” he saluted me.

Reaper stared at me, frown deepening. Why? “Luna, Gaksi wanted to spend time with you in this form. Would you like to be chaperoned by him for a while?”

“Yes!” I said enthusiastically. Gaksi laughed.

“Just as I told you, Reaper,” Gaksi mocked, “I knew she’d like me in this form, as I am her favorite demon.”

“Watch yourself,” Reaper warned. He bent down to kiss my hair, the softest press against me. “Enjoy.”

My cheeks blossomed pink. He’d never done anything like that in front of company before. Gaksi’s eyes warmed in amusement, like a proud father. I wasn’t sure if Reaper even liked me after I shoved him away at the masquerade.

Reaper dissipated, leaving me in the privacy of Gaksi and Sam. I rotated to the former.

“Gaksi! Why didn’t you tell me you looked like this?”

His blood-red lips curled into a smile. “My other offspring would have been afraid.”

My jaw dropped. “You have kids?”

“Yes, Luna.” He chortled to himself. “I have more descendants than you know. Than even Reaper can keep track of.”

How peculiar. I’d never thought of Gaksi as a… dad. I supposed he raised me like one, but that begged a better question: where were his kids?

I searched the sky, looking for smaller Gaksis to begin flying down, but Gaksi skipped away, hopping on one foot, and I had to hustle to keep up. Sam trailed above us.

If he had kids, did that mean he…reproduced? Ah! What a horrible thought.

He bounced, carefree, as he spoke.

“I am excited to have you here with me today. After all the time I spend in your universe, it seems only right for you to do me the favor of hanging out here.”

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