Keeping up with Amirykal, who was around a half-foot taller than me, was difficult. Though she walked at a normal speed, her long legs ate up the ground in long, easy strides. I had to take two steps for every one of hers.

Then, suddenly, she stopped, sending me crashing into her back.

“Oh, shit, I just realized we haven’t been properly introduced!” She pivoted on her heel, grinning at me. “What’s your name?”

I found I couldn’t help but smile back, an expression I was trying desperately to get reacquainted with.

“I’m Kaiah.”

“Pleasure to meet you, Kaiah,” Amirykal stuck her hand out in an exaggeratedly formal motion. “I’m Amirykal, though most people call me Ammi. And, technically, I’m your aunt.”

I blinked.

“What do you mean?”

“Well, I’m fucking the devil,” Amirykal replied, grinning wider. She didn’t so much as blush at the atrocities she spoke.

“You’re what?” I gasped, my eyes bugging out at both her bluntness and the statement itself.

She winked, but then rushed to say, “don’t tell him I said that. He gets all pissy when I ‘trivialize our connection’. What with the whole marriage and vows of undying devotion and such. It’s sappy, but damn, I love that idiot.”

“You’re married?” I shrieked, wondering if we were living in separate realities or if she was just utterly insane.

She gave me an odd look. “I’m twenty-three, it’s not that weird. Honestly the fact that I managed to make him wait a year.” She leaned in on a whisper, “he’s a wee bit possessive.”

Then, she turned and continued leading me along, as if nothing had happened. But my world had been rocked on its axis. Amirykal had been telling the truth…or what she thought to be the truth. But my mind simply couldn’t comprehend the devil, a male that I had been taught to fear and loathe with a passion, could fall in love. Heck, until I’d met him, I’d always pictured him as a red-skinned, ugly monstrosity. He’d been a monster of all my nightmares.

But I’d also thought the same of those who would follow him. And Marcus was not a monster. Despite my suspicious and aggressive manner, he’d been nothing but kind and patient.

It occurred to me then; my mind couldn’t comprehend the conflicting realities in my brain. There was the reality my father had created, and the one that I was witnessing. Everything I’d experienced since being taken to Hell contradicted the lessons my father had beaten into me throughout the years. It was so tempting to believe it, to embrace this sweeter, friendlier, safer existence. But if my father had taught me anything, it was that I couldn’t afford to trust based on what others told me. I had to keep myself guarded, to observe actions instead of words.

I would not be fooled again.

However…despite my suspicions about the devil and, despite what my heart screamed at me, Marcus, Amirykal seemed…nice.

“Odin dancing a jig on a sinking ship!” the woman in front of me shrieked, fisting her hands at her hips and glaring up at the ceiling. “Wings, are you spying on us, you motherfucker? Don’t think I can’t smell your bullshit!”

Well…maybe nice wasn’t quite the correct word. Straightforward, maybe? No-nonsense? Either way, she put me at ease. I never had to second-guess her words or motivations. I honestly believed that she voiced every thought that entered her brain.

I liked her. And I could use a friend in here. Or, at the very least, someone I could trust.

“How can you tell?” I asked, squinting up at the stone ceiling as if it would reveal its secrets.

She huffed, stomping a foot. “I can smell him. When he spies, he does this weird shadow-realm shit, and it leaves a trace of his magic.”

“How can you tell it’s his magic? Maybe it’s someone else.”

Amirykal shook her head, “Nah, it’s him. You don’t know how things work around here, but Wings is a bit over-the-top protective. And even if he weren’t, each person’s magic has a specific smell. Like a fingerprint. And I have a strong nose.” She wrinkled the nose in question, “it’s both a blessing and a curse. I used to live in a coed dorm.”

With a shudder, she moved on, towing me along once again.

I allowed her to lead me, but I would be bringing this up again, as soon as I could be sure we didn’t have any outsiders listening in. I’d have to get on warding my room as soon as possible. I had a feeling Amirykal would be a valuable source of information, but if the devil made a habit of spying on her, I needed to be cautious.

“Now, guessing from the way you and Wings were getting on earlier, you probably don’t want a room in his and I’s part of the castle. Am I right?”

Biting my lip, I nodded, then rushed to say, “No offense. I just don’t think the devil is too fond of me.”

Amirykal frowned, her eyes sparking with a furious fire that, though it wasn’t directed at me, still made me nervous.

“Lucifer is very protective and has a rigid values system. It’s something I love about him, but it also means he can be an oblivious jackass. I’ll straighten him out for you.”

I decided right then and there that it would benefit me to remain on her good side.

“But still,” I muttered.

“But still,” Ammi agreed, “I’ll set you up here in the Southern wing. Of course, that’s the same wing that Marcus is in. Is that okay?”

I eyed her, biting my bottom lip. “You know Marcus well, right?”

“If you’re asking if you’re safe around him, I’ll stop you right there. He’s the last person in Hell I’d feel unsafe with. There were even times where he stood up to Luce on my behalf. He’s a good one, that’s for damn sure.” She grinned at me mischievously. “Plus, this way you can sneak into his room and have your wicked way with him.”

The noise I made in response wasn’t dissimilar from a mouse’s squeak.

“No one’s going to be having their wicked way with anyone,” I hissed, blushing so hard I feared I’d pass out.

The ginger menace quirked a brow, “Judging from the way Marc was staring at your ass as we left, I wouldn’t bet the castle on it.”

He was probably only staring at it wondering why it was planet-sized.

“He’s welcome to try,” I muttered. I hadn’t let any male take advantage of me, and I wouldn’t be starting now. It wasn’t as if he’d be the first to try, either.

Amirykal burst into a fit of unbridled laughter, beaming at me.

“You’re the subtle kind of dangerous, aren’t you?” She slung an arm over my shoulders, steering me in a new direction. “I like it.”