“Damn, I’d forgotten about that.” “What?” “Elvis and Marilyn Monroe are talking to some drunk blonde over there. I hate that stuff.” “Don’t be so judgmental just because it’s not your kind of fun.” “People shouldn’t rent ghosts for their parties. Ghosts shouldn’t have better agents than live people.” “I never pegged you for a Puritan, Jimmy.” Errol Flynn is standing on the bridge railing, pissing into the canal. It’s just ghost piss, so it doesn’t make a sound, but he still gets a round of applause when he’s done. “Man, these rich assholes really love dead people.” “Do the math. Most celebrities are more valuable dead than they ever were when they were alive. Why shouldn’t they get a cut? Almost everyone important has a wild-blue-yonder contract these days. They get to keep working and it puts off the damnation that most know is waiting for them.” I want a smoke, but I’m tired of bumming Maledictions off Lucifer. I check my pocket and find the electronic cigarette. I take a tentative puff. It isn’t nearly as horrible as I thought it would be. “That’s the first time I ever heard you crack a joke about Hell.” “Hell is hilarious if you’re the one in charge.” The ballroom is like Rat Pack Las Vegas in a Hellraiser theme park. The Sub Rosas, civilians, and Lurkers are all sporting tuxes and evening gowns, but even here there are a few holdouts. Cabal Ash looks like he slept under a leaking Dumpster and he smells worse. Being repulsive is an Ash family tradition. A sign of their big-league status. And they’re not the worst clan. At least they wear clothes. There’s a band onstage, but no one’s dancing. Dead people are okay, but I guess metal bands are too harsh for this crowd. It takes me a minute to recognize them over the noise. “That’s Skull Valley Sheep Kill.” Lucifer sets his empty glass on a wandering golem’s tray. “Is it?” “Not the kind of band I’d expect at a party like this.” “That’s because they were my daughter’s favorite music, not mine.” It’s a woman’s voice, deep, melodious, and with an aristocratic German accent. Her skin is as white as a full moon and the irises of her eyes are gold. Lucifer says, “Koralin, so lovely to see you.” He takes her hand and she kisses both of his cheeks. “It’s been too long, my dear,” she says. “You’re one of the things that make coming to this silly world worthwhile.” She laughs and means it. “How interesting that your daughter chose tonight’s band. I think James here knew her.” “Is this true? You knew Eleanor?” “I don’t believe that she was using the family name at the time. What was she calling herself? Eleanor Vance?” “Yes. It was some foolish thing from an old book.”
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