“Hells, no. I had them shipped off to a secret facility of mine on Earth. I’ll disclose the location once Acca gets dismantled.”
Interesting. Dad’s been alive since the dawn of time, so he has all these little pockets of cool stuff lying around. It’s not a superpower exactly, but I’m still putting that in my journal. A secret prison on Earth. Who’d have thunk it?
Talking about keeping things secure makes me remember Lucifer’s coin. “Hey, I need to ask you something.”
Dad’s face gets all serious. “What is it?”
I pull my father aside while everyone else talks in small groups about the excitement of the day. With so much chattering going on, I can speak confidentially with Dad, so long as I keep a quiet voice. “Remember when we were talking about finding Lucifer’s coin at the Wheeler Institute?”
“Of course.”
“Well, Lincoln and I found it.” I bob my head from side to side, thinking. “Actually, the human Prescott found it, and we took it from him. In any case, I’m wondering if you can stow it somewhere safe? Maybe up in the Heavenly vault where you put Lucifer’s Orb? The coin is simply too dangerous to leave around.”
“Of course. Where is it?”
I reach into my robes to pull the coin out. It isn’t there. I frown. I could have sworn it put it there, but then again, Lincoln also had it in the backpack. Plus, my brain is a little muddled, what with finding out that I’m getting married in front of sixty thousand people tomorrow. I’m sensitive like that. “Lincoln has it.” I think.
“Don’t worry about a thing. I’ll get it from him right away.”
It feels like boulders of worry roll off my back. Dad took care of Lucifer’s Orb. He’ll do the same with the coin, easy peasy. Just as my father heads off in Lincoln’s direction, Cissy and Zeke approach me. My BFF is still wearing her purple senatorial robes, which are super-flattering on her willowy figure. Damn. If I wore something like that, I’d look like a heifer. Cis air-kisses both my cheeks. “I’m so excited for tomorrow.”
Zeke lurks behind her, posing in his purple armor. That outfit has way too much padding for my taste. That said, I’m not the one running Purgatory’s national guard—Zeke is. Captain Lustboy rakes his hand through his blond hair and winks. “Hey, Myla.”
“Zeke.” I glare at him. He hasn’t said anything insulting yet. However, when it comes to Cissy’s guy, it’s simply a matter of time. Zeke is part lust demon and can’t imagine anyone not adoring his lame ass.
“So, it seems you’ve moved on from your infatuation with me.” The look on Zeke’s face can only be described as smug.
“Zeke!” Cissy steps back to elbow him in the ribs. “Don’t say things like that.”
Now, I can’t miss how Cissy isn’t calling him a lying liar. Unfortunately, they’re both back under the delusion that I once had a crush on Zeke. Whatever. It isn’t worth explaining for the hundredth time.
“What?” Zeke shrugs. “I’m only happy she moved on, that’s all.”
Cissy offers me a sympathetic glance as Mom approaches our group, pulling me into one of her über-clingy hugs. I know this particular kind of embrace, and it’s a warning sign. At this moment, my mother may be all decked out like the President of Purgatory, but inside? She’s all weepy Mom.
And weepy Mom soon becomes embarrassing Mom.
“My baby is growing up,” she says with a sigh. “I can’t believe you’re getting married tomorrow. And then, once you have sex for the first time, I know you’ll become pregnant right away with my grandchild.”
And there she is. Embarrassing Mom. I step back from her hug.
Zeke does a totally-on-purpose shitty job of hiding a chuckle behind his hand while Cissy looks even more sympathetic. I stifle the desire to run.
Mom pats under her eyes, clearing away a few tears. “Tell me you’re going to the ball tonight. I can’t wait to introduce you to everyone and tell them I’m about to be a grandmother.”
“That’s not a good idea. At this point, I’m adjusting to getting married in front of, you know, sixty thousand people.”
Mom shakes her head. “Sex is nothing to be ashamed of, baby. I’ve been working with Purgatory’s inner city youth. They talk about such matters all the time.” Her tail straightens the lapels on her sleek purple suit. “For example, it’s no big deal to say that your father and I got pregnant right after we banged uglies for the first time.”
Oh, no. Mom’s trying to act “inner city” in front of my friends. Is there anything worse that a parent can do? If there is, I can’t think of it right now. I put on my most authoritative voice. It’s the one I use before moving souls. “Mom.”
“What? I told you. He wrapped up his junk and everything. I still got knocked up.”
Cissy sighs. Zeke all-out laughs.
I raise my voice. “Mom!”
“It’s the igni that do it. I think they nibble little holes in the condoms, personally. Not that it makes a difference in getting me a grandchild.”
“MOM!”
Cissy steps in to break up the awfulness, which is one of the main reasons why I love her. “Oh my goodness, President Lewis. I just remembered something about the ball.”