“Fallen angels in Hell have jobs?” I asked.
“Everyone has a job, Trin the Trueborn. We call them Judges. They spend their time making sure really bad people spend eternity wishing they had made better life choices,” he said. “But the thing is, no angels have Fallen in a hella long time, like not since the Byzantine Empire kind of long time, and there’s Layla. She’s the closest thing to a Fallen, but not really.”
“Huh? I thought she was part Warden and demon?”
“She is and she’s not. Long story short, she was given the blood of one of the originals—you know, one of the very first of the angels to Fall. So was her mother, but again, she’s not a true Fallen. Neither is Lilith.”
I had not known that, and I felt like there was a whole lot of story there.
“Anyway, it’s not like I’m an expert on what is possible for a recently Fallen who has their wings and grace, so I can’t say if that Throne is telling the truth or not. I trust angels less than I do most demons, but I mean, it’s sort of sweet.”
My gaze flipped to him.
“That he Fell for you. That is...that is heavy, girl. The real deal kind of love. You know Roth went against the Boss’s orders to be with Layla.” He tipped forward. “That’s like tantamount to angel falling, and that’s real, deep love he has for you.”
“I know,” I whispered, sinking into the cushions of the couch.
“And call me a silly romantic demon, but I’ve got to believe anything is possible with that kind of love.” Leaning back, he rested his ankle on his knee.
“I believe that, too.” And I had to. I blew out a tired breath. “Did Zayne kill any demons?”
“Yeah. A couple. Okay, more than a couple. Took out a whole house of them to be honest,” he answered.
“Oh, no.” I rubbed my hand down my face.
Cayman chuckled. “Look at you, feeling bad for dead demons. You make a shit Trueborn, you know?”
“I know, but Zayne wasn’t all about killing...well, not-really-evil demons.”
“Yeah, I know. He’s a progressive Warden,” he said, and I dropped my hand. “Or was. Anyway, don’t worry. They weren’t ‘not all that evil’ demons. He got some who had it coming to them. Ones that were getting sloppy, blurring the rules. The ones in the house were nothing more than a pack of Ravers.”
“You could’ve started with that, you know?” Ravers were like giant, walking-on-two-legs rat demons that ate everything, including people...and their bones.
“And you could’ve started with ‘my boyfriend is now a fallen angel,’” he replied, and I thought I saw a smile on his face. “So, I guess we’re even.”
“I guess so. I’m sorry that he was chasing you,” I offered. “I really do mean that.”
“I know you do. And I don’t take it personal.” He paused. “And it was kind of hot.”
My gaze shifted over to him as my brows lifted.
“What? Fallen angel Zayne tops the hotness meter. I can’t help it.” He shrugged. “I’m a demon.”
“I’m sure Zayne would be happy to hear that he hasn’t lost you as his number one fan,” I said wryly.
“Oh, I’m not his number one fan. That’s Bambi.”
“What?” I held up my hand. “Wait. Don’t answer that. I don’t have the brain space to deal with hearing about that.”
Cayman giggled, and it was as creepy as I imagined a demon giggling would be. “By the way, has he come here since he Fell? If so, I love chatting with you, but I’m going to have to bounce out of here like a rubber ball.”
“He hasn’t yet. I don’t know if it’s because he doesn’t remember where he lives or if he’s avoiding the apartment.”
“Either way, I’m counting that as a bonus.” He rested an arm on the back of the couch. “And you should, too.”
I would, except Zayne coming here would make finding him a lot easier. Wouldn’t help in the catching him off guard department, though. “So, do you know if the Crone is still at that hotel?” I got us back on track, and it was weird to be the person doing that when I was usually the one veering everyone off track. “And can you tell me where the hotel is?”
“I can take you to the hotel, but I have no idea if the Crone is still around and you’re on your own once you get there,” he added. “I think you’re a cool little half angel, but I don’t mess with the witches unless I’m summoned to broker a deal. I don’t want to inadvertently tick one of them off and end with unmentionable parts of me that I’m fond of falling off or something equally terrible.”
“Understandable.”
“And before you demand that I take you there right now or when the sun comes up, you definitely won’t find the Crone up at this time or anywhere but with her family on Sunday.”