Chapter 11: The Magma Cake Incident

Briar had never celebrated a mortal birthday before.

Demons didn’t exactly throw parties or bake cakes in Hell—unless you counted ritual sacrifices and blood feasts, which, apparently, mortals did not. So when Cassie’s birthday rolled around, Briar decided she was going to do something special. Something amazing. Something undeniably, spectacularly her.

She was going to make Cassie a cake.

A magma cake.

Because what better way to say “Happy Birthday, babe” than with a dessert that literally erupts like a volcano?

Cassie had a bad feeling the second she stepped into the apartment that evening. The air smelled suspiciously like smoke and was that sulfur?

“Briar?” she called hesitantly, setting her bag down.

“DON’T COME IN THE KITCHEN,” Briar shouted immediately. There was a frantic rustling sound, followed by the distinct whoosh of flames.

Cassie groaned. “Briar—”

“Everything’s fine! Totally under control!” Another whoosh. “Mostly.”

Cassie sighed and walked toward the kitchen anyway. The second she stepped inside, she froze.

The kitchen was a disaster zone. Flour coated the counters, eggshells were scattered across the floor, and—oh god—there was lava bubbling in a charred cake pan in the middle of the stove.

Briar stood there, covered in soot, wearing an apron that read Kiss the Demon, looking way too pleased with herself.

Cassie stared at the scene in horror. “What. Did. You. Do.”

Briar grinned, gesturing dramatically to her creation. “Ta-da! I made you a magma cake! It’s like a lava cake, but, y’know—actual lava.”

Cassie pinched the bridge of her nose. “Briar. Babe. You cannot serve me molten rock.”

Briar pouted. “Why not? It’s badass.”

Cassie crossed her arms. “Because I don’t have the digestive system of a demon, that’s why.” She gestured toward the still-bubbling, slightly smoking cake. “How did you even do this?”

Briar shrugged. “Hellfire. A lot of hellfire.” She picked up a fork and poked the cake. The tines immediately melted.

Cassie gaped at her. “You melted metal.”

Briar’s tail flicked. “Yeah, okay, maybe it’s a little too intense for humans.” She sighed dramatically, flopping onto a stool. “I just… wanted to make you something cool, y’know? Something that actually meant something instead of just some boring mortal cake.”

Cassie blinked at her. “Briar.”

Briar groaned. “I know, I know, I went overboard. Again.”

Cassie shook her head before stepping closer and cupping Briar’s face gently. “No, you dummy. That’s actually really sweet.”

Briar perked up. “Really?”

Cassie smiled. “Yes, really. I love that you wanted to make something special for me. Even if it is technically a geological hazard.”

Briar’s tail flicked happily, and Cassie couldn’t help but laugh.

“…But you are cleaning this up,” Cassie added, pointing to the mess.

Briar groaned. “Ugh, fine.”

Cassie pressed a quick kiss to her cheek. “Good demon.”

Briar’s ears turned red, and she muttered, “Shut up.”

Cassie just grinned.

It was, all in all, a perfect birthday.