When Inky tried to call War that night, Clyde picked up the call.

"War is busy raising hell in Afghanistan, so you'll have the pleasure of talking to me tonight."

Clyde spoke in English, and was speaking rather loudly.

Inky responded in his native tongue, hushed voice. "What are you doing? Madelina will hear us!"

Madelina stirred in her bed.

"So? What's your problem? I'm sure that Madelina will enjoy seeing me again. I would."

Clyde grinned, knowing that Inky couldn't stop him.

He called over to Madelina.

"Hey! Madelina!"

Inky frantically hushed Clyde, but it was too late.

"My god. Can I never get a full night's sleep!"

She saw Clyde in the mirror.

"You again. Didn't my mother put an enchantment on that mirror so I didn't have to see you?"

"I can't get into the house, but I can call you on video. Did you miss me? I missed seeing your beautiful eyes during the past few months."

Something about this delivery reminded her of Roxanne, chilling her.

"Go away! Never talk to me again!"

Madelina crawled back into bed, putting the pillow over her head.

Clyde might have had an ego so big it could be considered a health hazard, but he had enough emotional intelligence to know that Madelina was reminded of something dark.

He turned to Inky. "if you're behind this..."

Inky responded in German so Madelina wouldn't overhear them.

Clyde nodded. "That's awful, but we'll need the both of you in Prasetigine. Your trial is long overdue."

Inky went from a bubblegum pink to a baby pink. "You're joking..."

Clyde's coloration went from lavender to plum. "You put this on yourself, Inky! Maybe think befoe assasinating someone next time!"

Clyde faded from view, ending the call.

After a while, Madelina spoke.

"Why'd he show up?"

Inky's ears twitched. "Did I ever tell you how I ended up bonded to the amulet?"

Madelina shook her head.

"I tried to kill him. Unfortunately, I failed, and my trial date has been set."

"Huh. And I thought the US justice system was slow."

Inky did not appreciate this wisecrack.

"I'll have you know that if I'm found at fault for assassination, I'll be killed!"

"Why? You already admitted to doing it."

"The trial is how Death themself is going to choose whether or not to forgive me of the crime! And I have a slow, painful death awaiting me if they decide I don't deserve forgiveness."

Madelina came closer to Inky.

"Will a hug help?"

Inky glared at her as if she was insane for a second, until seriously considering it.

"It doesn't seem like you'd ever hurt me, so you can try. But if you dare try anything-!"

"Inky, I doubt that I could ever hurt you-"

She was cut off by Inky's laughter. "Oh, that's a good one, Madelina!"

"If you keep acting like that, you're not getting a hug!"

Inky shut up and let Madelina hug him.

"For a demon, you're very soft and squishy."

"Easy, will you? This form is sensitive!"

"Alright, hush, I'll be gentle."