I did the first thing that came to mind in the situation. I kneed him in the groin. I wasn’t expecting it to actually work.

It did, at least well enough to get him to hiss and step back. “What does it take to get through…”

Behind him, I could see that Kanesha and Hans were back to back, surrounded by war demons.

Then a massive clap of thunder, rumbling with energy, flowed through the place.

Everyone stopped. Including me.

“Now that I have your attention ladies, gentlemen and others.”

I turned towards the owner of the voice. He, she or it was as gender uncertain as Zaid. Small. Slender.

He, I decided after a moment. He reminded me of the angel.

“Tyz’vel.” The unadorned name. “Release the goddess.”

“He already did,” I couldn’t help but say, but I stepped away from him nonetheless, towards Kanesha. The war demons got out of my way. “It’s my father he needs to let go.”

It did occur to me this could be Coyote. Would even he be this brazen?

“He’s already gone,” Tyz’vel grumbled. “I’m going to skin that dog and hang it on my wall.”

I laughed. Then I looked at the figure that might or might not be the First Fallen.

He walked towards me, though, and I found myself unable to move. He put his hand under my chin. “I can see what you see in her.”

I could see out of the corner of my eye that Kanesha was shaking. I wanted to go to her, but I couldn’t.

I did sense a touch of my father’s mind, though. He was definitely out. Coyote must have stolen the keys or something. I could feel him. He was actually…apologetic. No words, just the thought and emotion of an apology.

I’d take it. It wasn’t even really necessary.

Lucifer, if that was who it was, released me, then stepped over to Tyz’vel. Then he turned to me. “What should I do with this?”

I answered honestly. “I don’t care as long as he stops stalking me.”

The demon smiled. “Oh, I don’t think…I think a few hundred years in an oubliette will make him think twice next time.”

He snapped his fingers and Tyz’vel vanished.

Then he looked at the three of us. “You are, of course, nothing but trouble. I can definitely see what he saw in you, but I think I prefer my lovers a little more…biddable.”

“We’ll…uh…we’ll be leaving now?” I tried, bravely. I had a feeling…no. He couldn’t really touch us. But he could immobilize us. Which meant he could just leave us to the war demons.

“Yes. I think you will.”

He snapped his fingers again, and the world went dark around us.