“Wait until you see it at night. The words will light up at different levels of brightness.” Walker hitches his thumb towards Lincoln. “That was the big guy’s idea.”
“It’s all a team effort,” says Lincoln. He and Walker exchange a fist-bump in celebration. The two of them have been working together on building the Tower prototype, and having a blast doing it. Plus, it’s helped my people get used to seeing Lincoln around Purgatory and being involved in stuff. They now call us The Great Scala and Companion. I think it’s a crappy title compared to Princess-In-Waiting, which is what I get in Antrum, but Lincoln says he likes it just fine.
My tail bounces anxiously behind me. “Can I go inside and take a look?”
“Not yet,” says Walker. “There’s still a lot left to do.”
“Besides, we’re due in Antrum soon,” adds Lincoln. “Our transfer platform leaves within the hour.”
“Oh, that’s right. I almost forgot.”
Since our engagement, we’ve been spending six months in Purgatory followed by six months in Antrum. Wherever we are, I’ll always pop back to the Arena for my monthly iconigrations. Tonight, seeing this Tower prototype officially marks the end of our first six-month stint in Purgatory. To celebrate our return to Antrum, Octavia’s holding another royal Ball tonight. Lincoln says that after the first dozen or so, they won’t bother me so much. I say that as long as we get to sneak out early, I don’t mind them at all. We’re still taking it slow with my lust demon, and having a damn good time, too.
Lincoln and I say our goodbyes to Walker and walk away from the Tower, hand in hand.
“After the Ball, how about joining me on demon patrol?” asks Lincoln. This is where thrax sneak onto Earth’s surface and kill some baddies. It’s their whole raison d’etre, and it can be a kick-ass experience, depending on the demon in question.
“Anything good?”
“The House of Kamal reported some trouble in Bali. The weather there’s supposed to be really nice.”
Mister Sly. He knows I could care less about the weather.
“You know what I mean.”
“Oh, are the demons any good?”
“Yes, are the demons any good. Bali happens to be home to the very rare and interesting Blue Simia.” This variety of baddie is a monkey-giant hybrid that spits purple poison. I’ve been dying to fight one for ages.
“You know.” Lincoln taps his chin in, as if the thought were just appearing in his mind. “I think they may have reported seeing a Blue Simia or two.”
I exhale a bliss-filled sigh. “Oh, Lincoln. You say the sweetest things.”
“So, is it a plan?”
“Absolutely. Formal Ball followed by killing Blue Simia. Sold.”
As we finish our walk to the Pulpitum, I come to a very important conclusion.
Life for Lincoln and me may not always be easy, but all in all, it doesn’t get any better than this.