Epilogue

Joaquin slipped into No Witches Allowed behind Esau and immediately noticed Ash in a nearby booth. He searched the rest of the crowded bar which was filled with shifters and humans. It was a step up from a dive bar, with a couple of pool tables in the back, a row of booths across from the main bar, and barrel stools. The walls were covered in beer posters and neon signs, except for one area with a few dart boards, all in use.

He liked the vibe, and knowing he was amongst his kind, he could relax some. No worries of being found out due to some drunk asshole pissing him off and pushing his buttons. A stray claw appearing wouldn't be a concern there.

They slipped into the big booth across from Ash.

"Hey, guys," Ash said, waving at someone at the bar. "What are you having? First round's on me."

"Two Modelos, if they have it," Joaquin replied. He narrowed his eyes. "I know I have shifter hearing, but with all the noise in here, it shouldn't be so clear."

"Magical sound barriers between the booths," Ash said. "Allows you to have an actual conversation no matter how loud and rowdy it gets in here."

"No Witches Allowed, but it's full of magic?" Esau asked.

"Cassius did most of this for Pedro before the place opened. Speaking of," Ash said as a man neared their booth. "Pedro, meet the coven's newest members. Gideon's mates Joaquin and Esau. Guys, meet the owner, Pedro. He's also a member of the coven."

"Oh?" Joaquin asked, eyeing the dark-haired man. "Which witch is yours?"

Pedro's smile faded but was soon right back in place. "What are you two drinking tonight?" he asked with a hint of an accent, ignoring their question.

"?Hablas?" Joaquin asked.

"Sí," Pedro replied. "Soy Cubano." He grinned. "Miami originally, before I moved up to this cold-assed town for M—" The smile faded again. "For some reason."

"I feel you. We're from San Diego, and this winter shit is for the birds."

Pedro chuckled. "For the birds. Cute."

"Pedro's a flamingo shifter," Ash mentioned.

"For the birds,"Joaquin repeated, chuckling. "I guess it's not."

"Nope," Pedro said. "So, what can I get you two to drink?"

"Modelo?" Joaquin asked.

Pedro eyed Esau. "One or…?"

"Dos,"Esau murmured.

"Ahh, two new Latinxs when I'm about to leave," Pedro said, grinning. "Damn the luck."

"You're leaving?"Ash asked, frowning.

"Didn't you see the for-sale sign in the window when you came in?" Pedro asked.

Ash held Pedro's stare and was silent.

"Be right back with your drinks." Pedro wore a weary expression before he wandered away.

"Hold on," Ash muttered as he rose and trailed after Pedro.

"I wonder what that's all about," Esau asked.

"We have a steep learning curve around here, for sure," Joaquin replied.

Ash soon returned, the two Modelos in hand. He slid them in front of Joaquin and Esau. "Sorry about that, I just had to go apologize to Pedro." Ash sighed. "Me and my big fucking mouth." He took a gulp from his own beer. "I shouldn't have mentioned him being in the coven without explaining to you two first." Ash glanced toward Pedro, as if he wanted to ensure the man wasn't close enough to hear. Ash leaned across the table. "Pedro's witch used to be one of the seven. He died about four or five years ago. Nix was his replacement."

"What happened?" Esau asked.

"Not here," Ash replied. "I wouldn't want him to overhear something and get upset." Ash frowned. "I can't believe he's selling the place, but at the same time, I can. I'm sure being here without Malachi isn't easy." Ash shook his head. "Anyway, I invited you over to hang out, not to bum you out." He grinned. "So, how's settling in been?"

"It's a lot," Esau said. "A lot of people to learn. A lot of history, too."

"I remember when I first came here. I wasn't sure I'd ever fit in or learn everything." He smiled. "It comes. Eventually."

Joaquin chuckled. "I sure hope so." He took a drink from his beer and before long, Esau and Ash were deep into their discussion again and three beers deep. Joaquin offered his services in helping set Ash up in his office, but for the rest, it was a bit outside his zone of expertise. He sat back and let Esau do his thing, and it was clear their human was intrigued by Ash's idea.

And if he was working for the coven and paranormal clients, he'd work his own schedule, too, away from a building full of cops. Win-win in Joaquin's mind.

As the night wore on, one of the bouncers who'd let them in waved him over.

Me?He mouthed.

The bouncer nodded and angled his head toward the door.

"Be right back," Joaquin said to Ash and Esau.

"Okay," Esau said, barely cognizant he was leaving.

Joaquin wormed through the crowd toward the door. "What can I do for you?"

"There's a demon outside. Says he needs to see you."

Joaquin eyed the man, frowning.

"Said to tell you his name is Haman."

"Oh,"Joaquin said. "Yeah." He stepped outside and glanced around, the bouncer at his back.

"We don't welcome his kind here, so make sure he knows not to come back," the bouncer growled.

"Sure thing. Won't happen again," Joaquin said, his gaze landing on Haman. He walked down the sidewalk and stopped a few inches from the demon. "News?"

"I might have some for you," Haman said. "I heard tha?—"

"Where the fuck is it?"a roar came from the bar's open front door.

Joaquin turned to see Pedro marching down the sidewalk, a talisman in his uplifted hand. "We don't welcome demons here, beast!" Pedro stopped beside Joaquin and froze, his eyes widening and his mouth dropping open. His hand slowly lowered as he stared at Haman. "Who the fuck are you?"

Joaquin turned to Haman, who wore an odd look of wide-eyed horror. The two men stared at one another, silent.

Pedro seemed to snap out of the trance he was in. He turned to Joaquin for a split second before his gaze drifted back to Haman. "He's a friend of yours, Joaquin?"

"Friend might be stretching it, but he's… helping me with an issue that will hopefully protect the coven," Joaquin said. "This is Haman. Haman, this is Pedro."

The two continued to silently appraise one another.

The longer they stared, the more uncomfortable Joaquin became. "He doesn't seem to be… you know… totally evil. Just FYI."

Pedro and Haman continued to stare at one another, silent.

"I'll make sure he doesn't come back again," Joaquin added, trying to get one of them to answer and break their starring contest.

"It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance," Haman finally said, his Persian accent conspicuously thicker. "Pedro."

A shiver raced through Pedro before he looked between Joaquin and Pedro. Without another word, Pedro turned tail and returned inside the bar.

"What the fuck was that?" Joaquin asked Haman once Pedro was gone. "Some weird voodoo demon shit you put on him?"

Haman clenched his jaw. Opened his mouth. Closed it and clenched his jaw again. He turned to eye Joaquin. "So… Pedro. Is he mated to anyone?"

Joaquin lifted a brow. "I was just told he'd been mated to a witch, but the witch was dead."

Haman frowned. "Oh, that's too bad." He scratched at his beard. "He's a shifter, right? I got avian vibes."

"Yeah. He's a shifter."

Haman nodded. "So maybe he's got a human mate out there. Witches usually have triads."

"I'm in a triad, Haman. I know."

"I was once human."

"I'm aware," Joaquin said. "You've told me before."

Haman leveled a gaze at him.

Joaquin's eyes widened, finally getting where Haman might be going. "You, my friend, are fucking nuts."

Haman grinned. "You just called me your friend."

"I did not,"Joaquin spat, and then realized his mistake. He'd called a damned demon his friend. "Tell me what you came to tell me and get the fuck out of here."

Haman's lips pursed, as if he fought a smile. "Buer was working for Satan. They were planning to overthrow Lucifer, but now that Lucy's MIA, those plans seem to have been waylaid. There's a free-for-all going on in Hell right now." He grinned. "No one seems to be able to find Lucifer and no one seems to know who did it, but all the Kings are claiming responsibility. I'm assuming it was your coven?"

"Nope," Joaquin murmured, unwilling to point any fingers when he didn't trust the demon farther than he could throw him. No one outside the coven needed to know what Gideon had done, especially when no one had yet figured out where the Morning Star was sent. "Lucifer was pissed but fine when we left."

"Uh-huh," Haman said, lifting a brow. His gaze drifted back to the door. "You think they might kill me if I try to go inside?"

"Definitely. I'd likely help them."

Haman chuckled. "You're no fun."

Pedro appeared through the door again, glaring their way. His gaze landed on Haman and the staring contest began anew.

"You need to get out of here, man," Joaquin said to Haman. "Before they kick me out, too."

The demon ignored him.

Joaquin shoved his shoulder, demanding attention. When Haman looked his way, he cocked his head. "Night, Haman."

"Night," Haman said, his gaze going back to Pedro before he turned and left.

As soon as he was a good block or so away, Pedro marched over. "Who is he?"

"He helped us save Gideon a couple of weeks ago. They're…" Joaquin clenched his jaw. "Friends."

Pedro met his stare. "You trust that he's not evil?"

Haman's question was starting to look more possible by the second. Joaquin shrugged. "I can't fully trust a demon, but I barely know the guy. What I have seen… he's been okay. Without him, I don't know that Gideon would be alive today. Or the rest of the coven, honestly."

Pedro frowned. "I… don't want him around here again. Okay or not."

"I told him to split and not to come back. Your bouncer warned me demons weren't welcome."

Pedro nodded. "Good." He stared at Haman's retreating form.

"I'm going to go back inside now," Joaquin said. "You coming?"

"Good," Pedro repeated, still watching Haman.

Joaquin shook his head and returned to the door. When he opened it, he saw Pedro was walking down the sidewalk, in the same direction Haman had just left in. "Well, fuck me." He laughed and walked back inside, wondering if Pedro was about to go get some demon strange. Who was he to judge?