A Demon's Guide to Wooing a Witch （Glimmer Falls, #2(100)

“I agree,” Calladia said. She looked at Astaroth. “Remember what I told you? Maybe hybrids aren’t just victims. Maybe they can be warriors.”

Themmie snapped her fingers. “Exactly. So we spread word on social media—wait, do demons have social media?”

“Yes,” Oz confirmed. “Or so I hear. I never wasted my time on such puerile activities.”

Mariel practically had hearts in her eyes. “That’s the curmudgeon I know and love.”

Oz returned her adoring look. “As much as I love you, my velina.”

“So,” Themmie continued, “we start a social media campaign.” She pulled out her phone, and her fingers danced over the screen. “I’ll set up a private server for logistics and start recruiting any hybrids I find. We’ll arrange some protests, maybe a march. Ooh, T-shirts!”

“And then what?” Astaroth asked. “Those protestors get thrown in prison, too? I’m sure the matching T-shirts will make up for it.”

Calladia elbowed him in the ribs for the sarcasm.

“Not if there are enough of them,” Themmie said, undeterred. “And not if we can figure out a decent defensive strategy.”

“If that means fighting, count the pack in,” Kai said. The other wolves cheered and pounded their fists on the table.

“I can help with magical defense,” Mariel said. “I’ve always wanted to see the demon plane anyway.”

Oz’s brow furrowed. “It will be dangerous.”

She pecked his cheek. “That’s why you’ll be with me to scare everyone off with your big, frowny face.”

“We also need high-profile allies.” Themmie looked at the two demonesses across the table. “If you would be willing to denounce Moloch’s bigotry and voice support of the hybrid community, it will sway some people.”

“Sounds chaotic,” Lilith said. “Fun!” She pulled a bone out of her hair and started gnawing on it.

“It will be complicated politically,” Sandranella said, drumming her fingers against the table. “The high council has always presented a united front. Publicly feuding with Moloch goes against precedence.”

“So because Moloch got his hateful message out first, he gets to be the only one speaking up?” Calladia asked. “If you don’t oppose him, you’re complicit in what he does.”

Sandranella pursed her lips. “True, but tradition . . .”

“Fuck tradition,” Astaroth said suddenly. “Calladia’s right. The demon plane has grown stagnant. We have a chance to change things.”

“If only you hadn’t conveniently forgotten your leverage over Moloch,” Oz said nastily. “Or is that part of your game? Fake amnesia, stir up unrest, then seize power once other people have taken care of him for you?”

“Hey!” Calladia straightened in her chair. “That’s not fair.”

“How would you know?” Oz asked. “I was mentored by him for centuries. The Astaroth I know is cold, calculating, and willing to do anything for advancement.”

Lilith beamed at Astaroth. “That’s my boy.”

Rather than looking pleased at his mother’s praise, Astaroth flinched.

“He’s not like that anymore,” Calladia said.

Oz scoffed. “He’s manipulating you, Calladia. Why can’t you see that?”

“I’m not manipulating her.” Astaroth’s fists were clenched on the table, and he’d still barely made eye contact with Oz. “And whatever I’ve done in the past doesn’t matter right now.”

“It matters to me!” Oz roared, shooting to his feet. “You trained me to suppress any soft emotions. You taught me how to torture, manipulate, and take advantage of humans. Now you claim to have suddenly changed?”

“I don’t expect you to understand.”

“I don’t expect anyone to understand,” Oz replied. “Because this amnesia scheme is obviously bullshit.”

“Oz,” Mariel said softly, touching his arm.

He looked down at her hand. A muscle in his jaw ticked. “It isn’t right,” he told her. “He can’t come back acting like some hero.”

“I’m not a hero.” Astaroth looked solemn and sad; even his shoulders were drooping. “I don’t remember what I did to you,” he said, his eyes fixing on Oz at last, “and I don’t expect you to forgive me, but if nothing else, think of this as a way to make amends. I could have come out as half human centuries ago, helped codify hybrid rights into law, but I didn’t because I was afraid to lose power. Now an entire group of people like me are in danger.” His lips twisted bitterly. “Hate me all you want. I’m still going to fight for this.”

Calladia’s chest ached for him. She squeezed his hand, wishing she could lend him strength.

Oz, Mariel, and Themmie clearly had no idea what to make of that. “He does seem a bit different,” Themmie said at last. “I mean, not that I saw much of him before Calladia punched him over a mountain.”

Mariel lightly brushed Oz’s forearm. “Sweetheart, I’m going to suggest something that you may think is a terrible idea.”

Oz looked down at her warily. “What?”