Ten years later
***
The sound of a grand piano spilled through the hallways of our estate. The Demon technology was thriving this year.
Ten years. It had been ten years since the fire, since the blood, since the bet.
"Now you're even playing music easily, Junior," Darius commented, leaning casually against the doorframe, his presence as commanding and comforting as ever.
"Well duh. I'm going to be better than you, Dad," Darius jr said, puffing out his small chest like he owned the whole house.
"Then you'll have to put in more effort. I memorized the Iliad by your age completely," Darius bragged. After all these years, it still made my heart flutter.
"Ugh," junior huffed, slumping dramatically onto the piano bench. "That's so old-fashioned, dad."
"Are you guys competing with each other in here again?" I asked, stepping into the room, hands on my hips, a smile playing on my lips.
"Mommy! I missed you!" Junior leapt up, waving his little arms.
