Page 16 of Demon Apathy: Sunderverse

“Take a seat,” he gestured toward one of the chairs as he walked behind the desk and sat, looking hassled. “Forgive me, it always takes me a moment to get my bearings after I wake up.”

I smiled to indicate it was no problem. Feeling relief, I unstrapped the Queller from my back and set it on his desk before sitting. I glanced around the room. “Where’s Drevan?”

He frowned. “As you well know, he can’t be here unless…”

Unless he possessed someone the way he had me. That was the only way a demon could get into Striker Hall—something no one let me forget, as if it’d been my fault a prince of Hell had taken residence inside me, which was bullshit. When it first happened, I’d felt guilty for breaking the rules, sneaking out to Grand Central Station, and ending up possessed. But after turning things over in my head a million times, I’d come to the conclusion that Drevan would’ve found a way to entrap me even if I’d been a perfect little angel.

“He was here the day I left,” I reminded Grant, “and I’d been free of him already.” During the last month, I’d wondered about this more than once.

“That was a special dispensation for a special situation.” He made a face as he realized he’d made a rhyme.

I thought about it for a moment. A special dispensation for a special situation. Did that mean Drevan had been possessing someone else that day? It really was the only logical explanation. The LDH was built on hallowed ground, which no demon could set foot on.

Raising an eyebrow, I stared pointedly at Grant. He pursed his lips and glanced around the room. Had Grant allowed Drevan to possess him? I found it very irregular that the new director would allow a level B demon to do such a thing. But what did it matter? I didn’t need to concern myself with any of this. All I wanted was to go back home.

I waved a hand in the air. “Whatever! I don’t care about Drevan. I just need to get back to St. Louis. Tonight.”

Grant blinked in surprise. “Tonight? I’m afraid that won’t be possible or safe. But I can put you on the earliest flight tomorrow morning.”

“No, that won’t do.” If I flew back, Mom would immediately figure out something was up, and I couldn’t have that.

“Only a demon can travel in that fashion, and we try not to deal too much with their kind.”

I gave him an,are you serious?look. He was practically in bed with Drevan.

He shrugged.

“Um, I don’t have an ID with me. It stayed back when a charming little demon engulfed me in fire and delivered me to where they were keeping Drevan.”

“Don’t worry, I can have one of our mages whip up an ID for you.”

Dammit!It was a problem when you were dealing with an institution with resourceful Skews at their beck and call.

“Like I said,” I insisted, “flying won’t do. I’m here because of Drevan, and he needs to figure out a way to send me back tonight.”

“Well, it isn’t safe for humans to pass through demon portals too often. Flying is the best option.”

“I need to get back! If I don’t, it’s gonna cause all kinds of problems for me.”

“I don’t see what great harm a few hour’s difference can do.”

“Of course you don’t. And I’m sure you care as much as Drevan does, but I just saved his ass, and it’s the least he can do for me.”

“It’s not safe for your health, Ms. Sunder.”

I huffed.

Grant rubbed his chin. “You saved him, you said?”

“Yes, from LeBeau and a freakin’… angel.”

“An angel?” He swallowed thickly, looking distressed at the news. “This isn’t good.”

“No kidding.”

“Did you happen to catch their name?

“Yes, it was Jophiel.”