l curtains. The bed beside me was empty, but still warm fr

es on, before sittin

old dad. His face filled the screen,

. To what do I o

a girl call her father wi

w. "Not when that g

let you know I took care of that runaway de

ellent work. I knew I could count

ck echoed through the room. "Hold tha

g it open to find Elias stan

k of his neck. "I, uh, think I

letting him in.

he open video call with my father. Sometimes being 398 years

ween the couch cushions. As he straightened

me. "You know, I had a really great time las

rush of heat. "Mayb

I think we both got lucky last night." He leaned in close, h

lly towards the doo

embered the video call. Shit. I hurried back to my

reen, one eyebrow raised so high it

s that?" he asked, his

the bed, groaning.

ded like somebody you kn

l out of my head. "Dad. I'm nearly four hundred y

t was equal parts amusement and disapproval. "And does this

the bedspread. "Maybe he does, maybe he

note of warning. "You know ho

essy' since before he was born. Besides,

quick fuck in the moment.

away, focusing on D

"Just be careful, darling. The last thing we n

ost winning smile. "If he becomes a p

sent chills down the spine of anyone e

evident in his voice. "Now, abo

crossing my legs. "Right,

with interest. "How

tisfying thud of the body hitting the floor.

"Not your usual style. I thought yo

fectly manicured nails. "Nor

r," Dad said, unders

"Can't go on a date smelling lik

pose not. Well, I'll send someone to c

l these centuries, Dad's approval still meant

emons you need me to hunt down? Or am I free to enjoy my

at the moment. But stay sharp. You neve

ble doesn't knock. It kicks dow

His expression shifted, becoming more serious. "Actually, I

. "Oh? Finally installing t

en restructuring the circles. M

. "Since when do you care about

unning a hand through his hair. "You wouldn't believe

drowning in bureaucracy. "Sounds thr

I hope you'll come back to visit s

g home for a while now. I knew he wanted

d if that shifter of yours becomes a problem, feel free

"As much as I'd love to see him go head-to-head with you... Tha

er, you're a Morningstar. People tend to get attached to our power. It's h

eyes. "I'v

p. "Look, Dad, I've gotta go. I've got that other job lined up this

ghtly, but he nod

n. "I'll call you soon, okay?

you, Luella. Please, visit soon. It's... uncomfortably peaceful

ed to get sentimental, was he? "I love you too, Dad," I managed, my throat tight. "I'll be

familiar. "I'll do my best. St

n a while since I'd thought of Hell that way. But hearing the loneliness in

led up the file on my next target. Time to get to work. The