“I came by to say hello. That’s all right, isn’t it? I heard you’ve been off having adventures.”
“Of course it’s all right. It’s great to see you. What I meant was how did you know I was here?”
“You are so wonderfully stupid. People are talking about you now that the other one is gone and you’re back.”
“I just got here. How do they know?”
“Oh my. How would they? Perhaps the huge motorcycle that fell from the sky by Hollywood Forever. Unlike you, normal people think that’s unusual.”
“Yeah. That. Well, at least Carlos’s business will pick up.”
She wraps her arm around mine and leads me to the bar. We lean in close so we can hear each other.
She says, “Tell me about yourself. What did you do on your summer vacation?”
“Can I tell you a secret? Something I haven’t told anyone? I have to tell someone and I think maybe it won’t freak you out the way it would most people.”
“Because I briefly joined the undead?”
“Because of who you are. It takes someone special to spend her whole life offing zombies. You can’t be afraid of much.”
“Only you and then just a little.”
Her smile is all wolf.
“I never got to ask you. Do you remember anything after you were bit? Did it leave a scar?”
“I don’t remember anything and the only change is that I eat more meat. Rare and bloody. People think of it as very European and eccentric. But I didn’t come to talk about that. You have a secret and that’s much more exciting. You must tell me.”
I crane my head around, making sure no one is close enough to hear.
“I’m the Devil. Not metaphorically. I killed the other candidate and Lucifer took off back to Heaven and stuck me with running Hell. I’m the new Lucifer.”
She takes a step back, a hand covering her mouth. She’s laughing.
“My o vlku, a vlk za dverË?mi.”
“What?”
“Of course you are. Who else would run off to find his old love and come back the king of wolves? You’re always an interesting boy, Jimmy.”
“If only I was ten percent less dangerous, right? Isn’t that what you said? Being Lucifer doesn’t exactly put me on the safe list. Guess you were right to leave.”
“I think so. Though some days I’m not so sure. Some days I miss the hunt. The dead lying at my feet. Fucking you in this bathroom afterward.”
“Aside from sex and murder dreams, how are you doing? Are you working much?”
She sighs at being dragged back to earth.
“I finished a couple of films. One large and one very large and artful. I costarred with a famous American actor, though I won’t tell you who. I’ll let it be a surprise when you come to the premiere. Will you bring a friend? That’s my subtle way of asking if you’re in love.”
“That’s it? That’s all you have to say about me being Lucifer?”
“As you used to say, that and five dollars will get you a cup of coffee. I’m more interested in you than I am the Devil.”
I point to where Candy and Rinko are sitting.
“The one with the short hair.”