The devil screeched in rage and then disappeared. Time fell over him like a sonic wave. His arm continued to rise like before he’d slowed down time.... Anniel’s cries rose in crescendo. She loved him. “Ashriel, please. I love you.” Lucien tipped his head back, eyes closed as he drew a deep breath in preparation for the blow that would sever his head from his body. Ashriel backhanded him instead, sending him sprawling to the ground. His wings spread in surprise. They were putrid, practically. Right after we finished a very nice breakfast in her suite, Joe offered to take the woman on a private tour of the rock cut Hindu temples dating back to the 5th century BC, in the famous Elephanta Caves. Jane and I begged off. We said we’d already seen too many Hindu temples and that we would like to do some shopping instead. Of course, we were on our way back to the woman’s suite as soon as their cab was around the first corner out of sight.With the money in a small tote bag, from the hotel. “As for him, he never claimed me for himself.” There was a touch of sadness in her voice. “Sumo has claimed me, and as I said, I’m complete.”“Thanks, Sammy.”“Let me pick up Shirley today, Sumo. She is a beautiful child, smart and strong, the same as her mother, my Sumo.”“Sure thing.”I spent some alone time thinking about the Floozy.If Floozy was a partner, then she might have information on my collar. However, she told me she was under non-disclosure, so she might not be able to explain much. I. My heart pounded through my chest.Dad pulled out his phone. “I don’t have powers.”“You do!” I gasped. “Don’t lie.”“I don’t have powers ... precisely,” he said as he swiped across his phone’s screen. “I have this app. It lets me change things.”“What?” I asked, shocked by that. “Don’t lie to me. Don’t treat me like an idiot!” Hot rage flared through me. “I’m not dumb. I may not have Becky’s grades, but I know things!”He opened some app that I had never seen, not surprising. There was an option to.