Both Trace and I were up till the time I had to leave. He'd decided to stay with me through the night. Through unanimous decision, after I convinced Trace and we went shopping for ingredients in the dead of the night, we'd made cake. And then we'd stayed up till the sun rose talking, eating cake and drinking hot chocolate.

I felt kind of bad for subjecting him to my new normal as I left. He had bags under his eyes, and was clearly exhausted. He's not getting any work done today.

I'd packed a set of clothes to wear to work so it didn't arouse any of Dottie's suspicions but the smile on my face from last night did.

Dottie smirked as she walked up to the counter. "Someone had a good night."

"More than good." No point in hiding it. I smiled at her, placing my hand in my chin as I leaned in to whisper. "We were up the entire night talking over cake and a hot drink."

"Hot drinks and hot moments, huh?" Dottie giggled, poking my forearm. "It's nice to see you like this. You've been off for the past few weeks."

"Yeah." I shrugged. "I really haven't been able to sleep well for a while."

"And sleep is affecting you that much?" My eyes flickered to her blue aura. Maybe that means intuitive. "I don't believe it. What's really going on, Ryleigh?"

I sighed, meeting Dottie's grey eyes. "Nothing is wrong." I almost felt like she could read my mind. It's surprising how well she could read me.

"There has to b-Coming!" She turned her head to side as she heard a customer call out. "We haven't had a chance to hang out in a while. Maybe your next day off?"

Days off with Dottie were indeed very therapeutic. I enjoyed them. Or rather I used to. But just the possibility that I might spilled everything over the comfort she exuded... I can't entertain it. Lou would kill me.

I scratched, my head giving her a sheepish smile. "I've already made plans with trace for that day. But how about I shut the bar early one of these days?"

"Well... I guess that's fine too. Miranda hasn't seen you in a while."

"Yeah, the kid must have grown so much."

"Yeah. She's practically taking care of me now." Dottie smiled sadly to herself, turning to walk away. "She's learnt how to cook without me."

There was a soft flash of yellow and pink in her aura. Confusion crossed through me but I didn't let it show on my face. What was Dottie feeling? Those colours were familiar. Trace had them. Dottie walked away before I could say anything, using my confused silence as a dismissal. I needed to figure this aura thing out. The only way I was able to read Dottie's was because I know her. The rest will have to be through studying.

Studying... that I gave up for bartending. This should be fun.

By the evening, I was none the wiser on what is going on because every damn site out there had a different version of it. And the two people I could possibly ask about it might be taking a vacation from the bar.

I had fifty tabs open when Lou walked in. My head shot up, and he paused in the middle of the bar, narrowing his eyes slightly. "What is it?"

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

"You look dead." He replied, eyes running over me. "You look good too, but you look slightly dead."

"Thanks, I like this shirt." I paused as he resumed walking towards his stool. "You're acting different today."

"Yeah." Lou sat down on his stool with a sigh, the universal sign for a huge drink. He didn't say anything else till I placed the drink in front of him. "Thanks." He mumbled.

I frowned to myself. "You're thanking me now?"

"I'm distracted. Shut up."

"Okay. We'll deal with you in a while." I replied dryly, heading back to the register.

"Can you deal with me now? I don't have a lot of time here."

I rolled my eyes. "Yeah, right. Because I can just ignore my other customers." I turned to look at Lou, shrugging. "Sorry, bud."

He rolled his eyes back at me, raising his hand. There was a loud snap, it echoed in my chest. "Get out, 'buds'."

"Now, that's just rude. People won't j-" I was cut off by the scraping sound of chairs, and glasses and spoons and the squeaking of the leather in the booths as everyone stood up together. "What th-"

"Leave the money on the table. Out, everyone."

And that was it. I watched with my jaw on the floor as everyone filed out in a single line without even a glance back at me. Their eyes were blank, mouths still chewing the peanuts they'd asked for. One had beer dribbling down his chin.

The bell rang for the last time as my last customer walked out. It took me a moment to comprehend it before I turned to Lou. He gave me a smile, tapping the counter. "Deal with me."

"Uh, okay." I started walking back over to him, glancing around the scattered chairs, the cash on the tables and the leftover alcohol. "What the hell did you do?"

"Ordered them to leave." Lou replied curtly as I took a seat in front of him. "I thought that was pretty obvious."

"It... It was, but how did you do it."

Lou smirked. "I could show it to you right now."

"If you're going to order me to sleep with you, I refuse."

"Well, that's no fun. I was going to order you to give me free drinks."

"For a demon who's lived since the concept of his existence existed, you're rather stingy."

"That's a lot of big words for you, Ryleigh." Lou snickered, sipping his drink. "Mike's growing on you."

"That's... completely not true." I paused. "Also where is he?"

"Who gives a fuck?" Lou shrugged. "He's not here for once. I'm fine with it."

"Why..." I looked around the place, scanning in case Mike might pop up like he always does. "Why isn't he here and why do you have to leave early?" I glanced at the clock. "It's only like forty-five."

"I know." Lou shrugged, dark eyes actually disinterested all of a sudden. "Probably protecting someone on the war council."

"What?" I blurted out.

"Don't make me repeat myself." He sighed. "I have to go there in a while."

"No, wait. War council?"

"Yes."

I waited. He didn't elaborate. I had to tap the table to draw his attention back to me. "What's the war about? You guys were on a truce."

"'Were'." Lou seemed absolutely uninterested. "There seems to be a missing weapon. It might lead to war. And I'm representing the demons... the only one representing the demons."

He was speaking on a level I wasn't privy to yet. "Uh, yeah." I pressed a finger to my lips. He could be extremely private when he wanted to, I have to tread carefully. "What's the weapon?"

"Something that can kill demons and angels." He replied, oh-so-casually. "It's been missing for a while, or so the angels claim. But now-"

"It's missing again." I raised an eyebrow. "Someone had to have it the first time."

"Yes. And we assume the angels knew who did or they themselves held it." Lou let his head drop forward, some stress leaked into his voice. "They think it got stolen."

"No." I shook my head. "That sounds like bullshit. They know it's been stolen. One of the angels probably took it out for a joyride and dropped it."

Lou snickered, reaching out to pat my shoulder. "A joyride? With an weapon that could potentially wipe out two of the most ancient races in the hands of a the right person?"

"Potentially?" I raised an eyebrow. "You said it kills for sure."

"I never said that. It's potentially because apparently according to those" he paused to snicker, "bullshitting angels. It's been dormant for years."

"Years? It can be activated." Is it a death ray?

"It's not like a death ray." Lou rolled his eyes, leaning back and tapping his glass. "It's a weapon. It's hand-held... or it was last time I saw it."

"What was it last time?"

"Excalibur."

My eyebrows shot up. "King Arthur was a demon-slayer?"

"No. Don't be rude." Lou narrowed his eyes. "He was also an angel slayer."

"What did h-"

"Whatever." Lou cut me off. "I've got to leave. It's time."

"Oh, okay." He got up, for once there was still alcohol left in his glass... And no cash on the counter. "That's on the house, I guess..." I trailed off as my eye fell on a black cloud on the floor. An aura. "Wait."

"What?"

"What's... that... that thing?"

Lou frowned, turning around to face me. "Don't be rude. That's my hellhound. It has a name."

"Oh...?" I glanced at the black cloud again. "It's a cloud?"

"You can't see it. And he's not allowed in the war council. I'm going to leave him here, and" he pointed at the shelve behind me "you're pet-friendly. See you."

"Wait! What is that?" I put more urgency in my voice. Lou threw me a glare. "What's a hell hound?" I quickly corrected.

"It's like a dog."

"Oh, really? The 'hound' part was kind of confusing." I stood up, rounding the bar. "What's the 'hell' bit?"

"A name given by humans. It stuck." He reached up to scratch his head. "You can't pronounce his real name. But you can name him what you want. Don't go too close in case he eats your soul."

I paused a foot away from the black cloud. "He what?"

"Eats souls. One scratch can be harmful." He waved over his shoulder. "See you."

"Listen, I'm not capable of..." The bell dinged. He was gone.

I stared at the cloud. It felt like it was staring back. A shiver went down my spine. It was familiar. I smiled at the cloud. "You know, I think we'll get along fine. I'm going to call you Cloud." My chest tightened. "I'll take that as a yes. Do you like dog food?" My fingers went cold. "Seems like another yes."

At midnight, the cloak went down again. That's what I'd started calling it. It always fell like one.

The hellhound, Cloud, hadn't made a single move. I don't think he liked dry dog food.

The bell dinged. But I barely glanced up. I'd been sitting at a barstool staring at Cloud for an hour now.

"Hey, Ryleigh."

"'Sup." I replied blankly.

"Oh, he left his hellhound here." The demon who'd walked in crouched by Cloud. "Hey, buddy. It's been a-never mind. He still hates everybody." His eyes flickered to the dog bowl. "He prefers raw meat."

"Oh." I raised an eyebrow. "There's some in the fridge, but Sasha locks it when he leaves."

"Well..." He shrugged. "Can I still get a drink?"

"Yup." I sighed, getting off my stool. "The usual?"

"Yup."

"Seven margaritas and two pitchers of beer coming up."

"You're a doll, Ryleigh."

"It would be nice to be a doll." I mumbled to myself.

"You're kidding me." I looked up at the voice, meeting blue eyes and a face contorted into a disgusted scowl. "There's a fucking hellhound here."

I met his eyes, smiling in my most customer-friendly way. "This place is pet-friendly. You guys can get your... uh... heavenhounds too."

"Heavenhounds?" The angel rolled his eyes. "Now, that's a joke if I've ever heard one." He walked up to the counter. He seemed alone tonight. "Angels don't need any help. We're stronger than demons. Hellhounds are nothing."

I felt the hair at the back of my neck stand up. My eyes flickered to the Cloud. His aura was roiling like a thunderstorm. I could see flashes of red. "Uh, yeah. That's great. Please don't anger Cloud, I'm the only one with a soul in here."

"How much of a soul could have after conspiring with a demon?" The angel drawled, clearly derisive of my actions.

"Enough of it to be worried that he can kill-"

"Wait, did you just name the hellhound?"

I met his blue eyes again, narrowed in confusion. "Yes. Cloud."

"You can... You can see the hellhound?"

I can see auras. But not the hellhound. But should I tell them I can see auras? I don't know if the fact I'd was common knowledge. "I can... sense it. He does the same thing that Lou does with the cold thing, and the freeze thing, and the... creepy thing."

"Does it now?" The angel sneered, turning to glare at Cloud. "Like master, like pet."

I mean, he's not wrong. But I can't touch Cloud and I have no idea what he looks like. "Right..." I droned out, trying to seem bored by this topic. "Can you order?"

"Yes. I want your finest alcohol."

I exhaled softly. Now, this was an angel who didn't know how to behave in a bar. I turned away from him, pointing at the top shelf of the bar. "Select one and tell me. I have other orders to get to."

"Don't just dismi-"

"Shut up. I'm not interested in entertaining an angel who doesn't even know what he likes to drink." I reached under the counter, sliding a packet of peanuts over to him as I picked up the beer mugs. "Chew on that while you're deciding."

"I..." He trailed off as he noticed I wasn't entertaining him anymore. It took more than a while for him to decide. I'd completed three demon group orders and two angel group orders by the time he finally asked for a margarita. Angels really are annoying.

There were fewer angels today, and they were all surprised when they walked in and saw Cloud. The rest must be the 'bodyguards' at that war council. I'd never really found out what the feud between these two had been about but I figured they were made to be naturally warring species. This was the first I'd heard of a weapon. And apparently, not just any weapon. It used to be Excalibur. And before that it might have been something else equally legendary but I doubt Lou will tell me about that until another war council pops up.

The night ended peacefully with the angels avoiding Cloud and the demons cooing over him before they realised that he hated everyone. I tried to get him to leave as I was leaving but everytime I spoke to Cloud, I would feel my body tense up. He really didn't like anyone. I probably looked like a piece of meat to them.

He was there when I came to work next morning, and he was still there by the evening but there was still no sign of Lou. For about a week, there was no sign of Lou. None of the demons talked about him because none of them knew where he was. I would be worried if he'd been killed by the angels, but I'm pretty sure there would have been some kind of hubbub about that. Mike didn't show up for a week either, expected considering he only ever tagged along with Lou.

I watched carefully every night. Waiting for Lou and Mike sitting alone behind the corner with some barely filled booths on the other side. I hadn't seen a few familiar demon faces for a while. The angels kept shuffling out too, each day someone new who I had to deal with. The only constant now was Cloud. He didn't seem to hate me that much anymore. Or atleast, I wouldn't feel the chill each time I sat down next to him and talked to him.

A few weeks passed by like this. My after-midnight crowd became as scarce as my normal evening crowd. Some of the demons had garnered the courage to sit at the counter and provide me company. Some angels sat there too. Demons on my left, angels on my right- like it was a precedent set by Lou and Mike.

Weirdly enough, I missed those two. They were almost friends. Almost. Very, very on the line. After all they'd done, it was hard to consider them friends but... they felt like it.

I started warning the demons and angels in the days before Halloween. They all seemed annoyed to not have a place to hang out for a day, but it wasn't something I could help. It was a huge tip night for Dottie. And I did feel guilty now and then for the tips these guys provided. They were very generous. At times, it even felt like I was hogging them.

Dottie looked me over the next day as I walked into work. She gave me a smile, throwing the extra bag in my hand a glance before returning to her customers.

I placed my backpack behind the counter before taking the duffel bag with me and heading to the changing room at the back of the kitchen.

Sasha was cutting vegetables at his usual cut-finger speed. He grinned up at me. "Good morning, Ryleigh. Happy Halloween!"

"You too, Sasha." I paused in front of him, looking over the array of food he'd already prepared. "Is all this for the evening?"

"Yes!" He pointed at a something coated with black sesame. "We have spider eggs, deep fried frogs, some eyeballs, cockro-"

"Can you just tell me their real names please because all of that sounds highly disturbing." My eyes were glued to these small eats. I could see what he was talking about but he kept it up, I wouldn't be able to unsee it.

"Fine." Sasha pouted. "You're no fun."

"I've been told." I replied dryly.

"Sweet sesame dumplings, fried chicken tenders, green goat cheese canapes, black chip loaded nachos, red devilled eggs with olives-"

"Wow." I leaned over the eggs. "Those do look like eyeballs. Well done."

"Thank you." Sasha flipped his metaphorical hair. "I surprize myself each year too."

I laughed, grabbing one devilled egg and popping it in my mouth. "Yeah. You're an... amazing cook." I turned away. "So, what are you dressed as tonight?"

"A chef."

I rolled my eyes as I heard him giggle. "Oh, really. That's the most boring costume ever."

"No, it's not!" He huffed, immediately taking offense. "I'm going to wear all black. I'll be a devil chef."

"Demon." I replied blankly, reaching for the door handle. "We're all demons tonight."

"What's the difference?"

"Fuck if I know, man." I mumbled to myself, closing the door behind me and heading my locker.

I tugged my shirt off, pulling on the cheap turtleneck dress I'd given a ripped look at home. There were slit cut in the back for the bat wing harness I'd bought online a while back. You could see the lines of the harness from how formfitting the turtle neck was the small bar wings looked cute. They were about as big as my hand, barely visibly until I turned to the side and the leather caught the light. My red lipstick went on. Some hesitation passed through me as I pulled out my sclera lens, maybe it was too early for the full get up.

The dress was one size below my actual size. That's what gave it the fitted look. The length was also drastically reduced. I'd probably be flashing someone if I bent over. I'd have to squat to get everything today. The ripped fishnets aren't going to protect my modesty.

I took the horns headband in one hand and the black boots in another before I stepped outside. Sasha looked up from the pan to check me out. He whistled lowly. "Nice."

"Thanks." I replied, absently unlacing the boots.

"But the b-"

"I bought them day before yesterday. They're absolutely new. I haven't worn them anywhere. The sanctity of your kitchen has been maintained."

"Thank you for your consideration." Sasha replied with a smile. Coming from anyone else, I'd take that as sarcasm. "Take theze plates out when you're leaving."

"Got it." I tied my hair after putting in the hairband. It hid the band and only showed the horns. I paused to pose in front of the changing room mirror, yelling to Sasha over my shoulder. "Is it too early to get this ready?"

"It's almost twelve fifteen. You should get out."

"Yeah, yeah." I closed my locker door, adjusted the dress, by which I meant tried to tug it down before walking out.

I felt slightly conscious about the eyes on me but my job started a bit earlier than the others. The chalkboard came into my hands, I wiped it down with a wet cloth before writing down the Halloween drinks I'd been testing out on my night crowd. The demons had loved it. The angels had loved it, not that they'll ever admit it. These were thoroughly tested and would hopefully, appeal to the humans too. Sasha and Dottie had liked them, but then again neither of them were regular drinkers.

My lunch regulars were already here. Most of their eyes were popping out through the entirety of the time they were here. If they stuck around till the evening they'd get to see the tail I bought.

I'd really gone a bit above and beyond for this costume. When Dottie had told me that we're all dressing as demons, it had really felt like some kind of stupid karma to me. If I was lucky, there would be no actual demon regulars tonight. They'd never let me live down this outfit.

When the lunch rush died down and the streets emptied out, which meant people were either taking full advantage of the day off and staying home or they were changing. Either way, Dottie sat down with me, changed into her evening outfit as well, a plunging black dress with chokers, leather bracelets and thigh-high boots. Considering the fact that I mostly saw her in her waitress uniform, I forgot how hot she actually was.

Of course, she seemed more like a sexy cocktail waitress than a demon in that dress, but she could tempt anyone into sin with her curves.

She sat down beside me, exhaling softly. "Whoo, it's so hard to get into a corset. Good thing, I gave up."

I chuckled as she said that, sipping my 'blood' lemonade. "You look hot like this. It's fine."

"I know but..." She pouted as she looked me over. "I wanted to look as badass as you."

"Thanks." I replied with an easy laugh. We heard the doors open, turning to look at Sasha as he stepped out.

He was wearing his chef's white, but in black. The nametag proclaimed him as 'The Devil' and there was a necklace of fake plastic fingers around his neck. His chef's hat was embroidered with red flames. All in all, a pretty good outfit.

"So?" He smoothed down his jacket, brown eyes slightly self-conscious. "How do I look?"

"Like the Head Demon's Head Chef." I smiled at him.

Dottie clapped behind me. "Very nice. You really do look like a demon chef."

"Thank you." Sasha gave us a bow that had the two of us giggling. His towering form bent over like that was still fairly towering. "Anyway, you girlz ready for tonight?"

"Aren't we always..." I replied dryly, swirling my lemonade.

"Miranda said she'd change and come after school." Dottie glanced at her watch. "She really want this extra money."

Worry crossed through me, I turned to look at Dottie's swirling aura. Pink. Reluctance. "This place does get pretty wild. Maybe you should tell her to go with her friends."

Dottie laughed sadly, grey eyes glued to the napkin in front of her. "No. She calls trick or treating 'boring' now. She's grown up so much."

Green. Fear? Fear of loss?

Sasha reached out to pat Dottie's shoulder. "It is okay. When I was her age I was already cooking at two restaurants."

"Yes, but..." Dottie started to tear up. "I don't want her to grow up like I did. I want her to enjoy her childhood and she's just... so grown up now."

"Aww..." I stood up, placing an arm around her shoulder right under Sasha's hand. "It's okay. We all grow up eventually. She's just following the example of her hardworking, super hot mother who's the best at her job-"

"I'm the only one at my job." Dottie cut me off, sniffling a bit now.

"But you are a really good waitress." Sasha joined in. "I've worked in a lot of places and you're the bezt so far, I've seen."

Dottie laughed softly, wiping her nose. "Thanks, Sasha. You're so nice."

"It is okay." He patted her shoulder again. My body shook with the weight in turn. "I am friend."

"You are." She twisted around in the barstool, wrapping her arms around both our waists and pulling us close. I barely heard her because her face was buried in both our stomachs. "I love you two."

Sasha and I glanced at each, matching expressions of sympathy and worry. "We love you too." Sasha spoke up for me. "Now if we can break up this group hug, I got some blood orange pudding I need to set in the freezer."