Keeley Thomson (Book 2): Keelzebub by P.S. Power Page A

killer, or even a traumatized girl, running around fearing capture. Marrying her off would work better in the long run. Maybe to Gary, if he wasn’t going to just come out as gay openly? Probably not though. The guy had only been bothering to hide that from his father, the homophobe.
    That was done now.
    Being jumped by gay bashers while with your boyfriend tended to put things right out in the open.
    Before she could yell, “quickly to the demonmobile”, Darla had started toward the garage door. Keeley followed, calling for Balthias to give the address.
    “I… must confess I did not look at such signs, intent as I was on my task, please…” The huge thing sounded scared and humble, as if expecting punishment for it.
     
    “Can you lead us there as we drive? You’ll need to stay invisible to the humans while you do.”
    The huge form bowed just a little, but still seemed terrified. Like she was scary? She grinned, a small and dark thing, as if she intended harm if he failed her. Just to see what would happen.
    “I can, Mistress of Souls.”
    That would work then. They took Darla’s little red sports car, a pretty little convertible which made her look good, but didn’t have the convenience of a large vehicle. Or the personal value of Frieda. This car didn’t even have a name yet. The feeling was that it was disposable, just something to help her play the part of Darla Gibson, cheerleader. A prop.
    Emergency or not, the blond didn’t drive any differently than normal, following all the traffic laws perfectly, not speeding even a little, following Balthias as he ran, hoofed feet making thunderous clomping sounds on the pavement ahead of them. If it was hard for him to run at over thirty miles per hour, it didn’t show at all. He was pretty good about not losing them though, stopping to all the lights, after the first two, understanding that Darla was serious about letting the situation have a chance to play out.
    It took half an hour to find the house, the Lesser Demon not making any wrong turns, but having to figure out how to get around a few sets of houses. Eve had gone over fences the first time, so naturally Balthias did too. He pointed to where Eve rested, lying on her stomach under a bush, to avoid being seen. It was dark enough for that at least. People moved inside the house, visible through the windows. Now it was Darla’s play, Because Keeley had no clue what to do here.
    Well, one clue.
    “Balthias, you did a great job, as a reward, would you please think of something that you would like, or like to do? It won’t be your freedom yet, but some small treat that might be within reason? Let me know when you have it and we’ll see about getting that for you.”
    The Lesser Demon just stared at her for a long time.
    “There is one thing.” His voice sounded foreboding.
    Keeley damped her emotions all the way, ready to try and allow him some horror or perversion that a human wouldn’t even think of. That being the case she wasn’t shocked at all when he spoke, even though she should have been.
    “There is a cliff, on an island that I like to go to at times, to watch the sun set over the world. If I could see that again someday, it would be rewarding.” He clearly didn’t think it was going to be allowed however, from the way he hunched his shoulders and looked down. As if it might just be used against him somehow.
    Darla snickered, which got Keeley to make a face at her.
    “Stop baiting my pet Darla. Just because you don’t have one yet, that doesn’t mean you should mock Balthias. That’s a fine reward and within reason. Yes, you may go to that place to watch the sunset, one time, as long as it does not interfere with my business in any way. No tricks or loopholes. Do you wish to go now, or would you prefer to continue your duties guarding the others? Darla and I will watch Eve for the time being.”
    The Lesser Demon clearly didn’t know what to do, not at all.
    “I, would return to my