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“Right. Who is the witch?” Her shoulders still shook with kept laughter.
“A ruborae witch named Vindictia.”
Her laughter immediately stopped. “What?”
“Do you know of her?”
This time, her laugh was one of disbelief. “You’re jesting with me, brother, you must be. Are you honestly asking me if I know her? After everything we’ve been through?”
My gaze flicked to the women who all leaned forward. Their eyes were still wary. “Arzen, maybe you could do something about your appearance while we’re here?”
Teeth bared, Arzen released a growl of frustration that made the floors shake. Her fists clenched at her sides before she scowled and waved a hand. Her red flesh disappeared and was replaced with deep brown skin the same shade as mine. Casual blue capri jeans and red sneakers covered her legs and feet. Her red crop top had a cartoon devil on it and left her belly on display. Her tail swished behind her and her horns remained where they were. Her hip cocked as she gestured down to herself.
“There. Mundane as ever.”
I gestured to her brow. “Really, Arzen?”
“I kind of like it?” Sarika’s thick brow cocked.
Arzen grinned at her. “I’m sure you do, kitten.”
Sarika returned her smile.
“Can we get back to it?” I pressed.
Another growl left my sister. “You’re the one who thought it was more important to appear mortal than to dive into everything. Now, if my appearance is satisfactory to you and your brood, we can get into it. The nerve of you, honestly.”
I waved a hand, gesturing for her to start.
“Why are you surprised Vindictia would do this? Of course she would after everything with that twisted bitch Maledictia. They’re crazy, the lot of them. Ruborae witches. Vermin. I wouldn’t be surprised in the slightest if once you get rid of this one, another pops up. Can you do me a favour? The next time you decide to get involved with witches to prove your worth, can you look into their lineage and see just how many of them there are?” She crossed her arms under her chest. “They’re like hellspawn the way they constantly appear.”
“I’m sorry but who is Maledictia?” Lulu asked.
“Must I do everything?” Annoyance hardened Arzen’s features as she threw her hands up and disappeared from the room in a plume of red smoke.
Olivia yelped, her hand grabbing hold of Imani’s.
Imani turned to look at me. “Look, you’re a strong demon, right? I mean, if you were to fight against other demons or witches or flying pigs or whatever the hell else there is, you can hold your own, right?”
I was nothing to scoff at. “Yes. I am quite strong.”
Her nod was slow. “Okay. It’s just that… I have kids, you know? I can’t just get all mixed up in your weird war because as much as I love my husband, our kids would eat him alive if something happened to me.”
Olivia nodded. “Mhmm, and my ex is good for nothing so I can’t just leave my babies behind.” She gasped, her hand flying up to cover her mouth. “My mother-in-law would try to raise them for sure.”
Imani shook her head in dismay. “Mmm mmm, ain’t no way.”
Olivia nodded in agreement. “Alright, so whoever survives raises the kids.”
Their hands piled between them in an odd gesture I didn’t understand. “Deal,” they said in unison.
“I’m sorry, mortal women, but I have no idea what you are talking about.” If dealing with these women was going to become my normal, it was going to take a lot more practice. I had no idea what in-laws were or what they had to do with either of their offspring.
“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves,” Catalina’s smile was tight and slightly forced.
“And it’s not like he would be fighting her alone. He’s got his sister there and she seems… strong,” Lulu added. “And he’s got us.”
Arzen materialized again, accompanied once more by Olivia’s yelp. She stood beside a stone statue of a woman who looked similar to Vindictia. “This is Maledictia.”
