“We have several bottles left from the case in your private stock.”
Goddamn Samael was smart. I have a lot to learn about the evil game.
“Just one bottle for now but stand by for a possible drinking binge.”
“Yes, sir. The first dishes will start arriving in thirty to forty minutes.”
“You’re my hero.”
Hell yes, it’s good to be king.
Father Traven and the first round of food arrive around the same time. All he says as I take him through the grandfather clock is, “Oh.” Then, “Oh my” on the other side.
“Welcome to the dark side, Father.”
Waiters wheel in cart after cart of food and line them up neatly against the wall like a satanic buffet.
I pick up a pork rib in Texas red sauce and take a big bite. It isn’t Carlos’s tamales but it’ll do.
“Eat up. The Christians said this much food is gluttony and the Greeks said it’s a sign of a small mind. Might as well dive in because we’re already fucked.”
He smiles but approaches the food cautiously, like there might be a tiramisu-shaped pipe bomb somewhere. Traven picks up some red grapes and puts one in his mouth. Smiles and nods.
“Weak, Father. Very weak.”
He walks over and sits on the arm of a plush light blue sofa. He’s a little like Merihim. Out of his own space, all he can do is wander and perch.
“Have you ever heard of Blue Heaven?” I ask.
“It’s an old song.”
“Aside from that.”
“I’m afraid not. Are you sure, whatever, it is that’s its real name?”
“You’re right. Blue Heaven does sound a little carefree for an extra-dimensional power spot.”
“I’ll look into it if you’d like.”
“Thanks.”
He picks a couple of grapes off the stem, sets them on his plate, but doesn’t eat them.
He says, “I wanted to ask you a favor.”
“I’ve got plenty of everything. What do you need?”
“I reacted badly when you showed me your hand last night. I was wondering if you’d show it to me again.”
“Sure.”
I take off the glove and roll up my sleeve. I sit beside him on the sofa so he can get a good look.
“It’s just an arm, you know. Kind of an ugly one but it’s still just an arm.”
“How did you lose your real one?”
“In a fight. I used to be a gladiator but I’m a little out of practice. The Hellion I was fighting took it off in one clean shot.”