Page 21 of Devils Don’t Deal

It was amazing to wake up, stretch, and feel that streak of optimism raise its head. Everything was going to be okay. I had my very own bakery, and what was better than that?

“Good morning!” I said to the adorable rabbit.

It blinked its rheumy eyes and nibbled on my hair.

“That’s right, you’re probably hungry. Let me put some ointment on you first then we’ll go find breakfast.”

I quickly rubbed the stuff all over him then went to the closet. It opened into a small room that could’ve been the room above the bakery, except that it was finished, and absolutely beautiful. The walls were the color of my wings, framing a white metal bed with my old floral duvet with pink English roses and blue forget-me-nots. Next to the bed was my clothes rack on one side and my old white vanity on the other. My dad must’ve gotten everything from the apartment I was being evicted from, but when had he had time to paint and do repairs?

Now I’d never have to sleep in the creepy dead woman’s bed again!

I twirled with the rabbit, kissed his head, and rubbed his soft fur against my cheek as I stepped through the doorway from one world to another. My scalp tingled, but that was the only magical thing I felt. My footsteps were loud on my bedroom’s wooden floor. I should get a pretty rug to soften it and match my duvet. Did I have extra money for that? I’d have to ask the devil.

“Kesty, is that you?” my dad called from below.

“Yes! Just a second.” I put the rabbit on my bed and dressed hurriedly in a sensible pink coverall that I could use for baking or painting.

I picked Pavlov back up and hurried downstairs. I stopped halfway to stare at the kitchen. Everything was perfect, from the pale blue-and-white striped walls and wooden shelves with brass guardrails to the enormous oven. The ceiling was smooth and luscious with a slight curlicue in pale blue and white that swirled toward the large brass pendant light in the center.

I slowly finished descending, looking around in growing happiness. It was so beautiful, and happy, and charming, and I could start baking right away!

“There you are,” my dad said, coming out from the front. “Have you eaten?”

“I’ll bake some muffins.” I beamed at him. “This is the prettiest place I’ve ever seen. How did you get everything done so fast?”

He shook his head, lips tight with irritation. “The devil had his servants work on it while I was passed out next door. In the contract, it said you’d have everything you need to run your shop, but it feels like too much. There’s got to be a catch.”

I made a face at him as I felt a moment’s doubt thinking about the devil and his deals. I shook it off and smiled brightly as I headed for the oven. “Too much is better than not enough. Do you want blueberry walnut or banana muffins?”

“Don’t bake for me. I had far too much sushi. Speaking of walnuts, that Grand Sorcerer is certifiable.”

“Did you meet her husband? Was he jealous?”

He wrinkled his green nose. “Very jealous. That’s why he told me the epically long story of their true love. For all his money, he still couldn’t best the goblin forget-spell.” He grinned at me with his sharp teeth, and I smiled back at him, showing mine.

He blinked and leaned closer, eyes on my teeth. “Where are your caps?”

I rolled my eyes and grabbed the flour bin. “Probably in a closet in Wonderland. It’s fine. I get to be myself from now on.”

He hmphed and headed toward the doorway. “I don’t like it. I’ll work on the mushroom lights. The front is repaired and painted, with the basic display cases laid out how you planned, but it still requires some magical touches. I’ll take care of that while you bake. Figure out your menu. Get started on the things you can keep in the refrigerator. Apparently, everything’s already passed the city inspection. Makes you wonder who the devil doesn’t make deals with.” He left me alone to stare at the enormous industrial fridge then beam at the rabbit.

“Macarons, fudge, divinity…” I leaned closer to peer into his eyes, slightly less cloudy today than yesterday. “Divinity is white fluffy deliciousness studded with black walnuts. Much better than Pavlov for a name. What do you think? Divinity? And the fact that you’re owned by the devil makes it much more delightfully ironic. Divinity it is.” I kissed his head then got to work.

I whipped together some muffins then started on the macaronage while I waited for them to bake. As I worked, I had this growing nagging feeling, like storm clouds were gathering in the horizon, moving closer, ready to break.

It was the Lady of the Wild Woods, sure, but mostly it was the devil. He’d planned on the deal falling through when the sickly rabbit died, but Divinity was getting better. Devils were wily, so he must’ve put another clause in the deal that would ruin my life, but I wasn’t the best at logic puzzles. Still, I was half goblin, and goblins were notoriously clever. Which was why my dad had made a deal with the devil in the first place. If only I could talk to my mom about it.

Toward the end, she’d been disconnected, confused, sometimes not recognizing me or my dad. Once she’d even cowered in fear when she saw him. That had hurt him more than he’d ever admit. He must be devastated, but he was keeping it together. And so would I. We would prevail!

By the time I had a freezer full of delicate tasty morsels, the front bell jangled, a cheerful, slightly moody bell that had me wiping my hands, grabbing my rabbit, and popping my head out to the front.

The devil was at the door, looking around while my dad glowered at him. When the devil saw me, his dark eyes glimmered, and he gave me a slight bow. “Miss Kesty, are you ready to visit the police station?”

“Why would my daughter be going to the police?” my dad demanded.

“Just a second. Let me get my cake box. And don’t think of stealing it this time.”

Philius widened his eyes like he’d never dream of stealing someone’s cake box, and cake, which was ridiculous because that was exactly what he’d done.