"Strictly freelance. On a case-by-case basis. Cash up front. And I have to not object to the job."
"Is this the same deal you offered to Aelita?"
"Exactly."
"All right. But I'd still rather have the key."
I go to the bathroom and take some pebbles from a pot in the window holding the remains of a dead flower. I take the stones back to the bedroom and hand them to Lucifer.
"You can have these."
He looks at them and gives me a big, toothy Prince of Darkness smile.
"Seven stones. Seven stones to chase away the devil. Are you trying to prove that you're not afraid of me, Jimmy? That's adorable. And how very Old Testament. Don't tell me that you've gone and read a book?"
"I saw it in an old monster movie."
"Phew."
Lucifer picks up a stone between his thumb and forefinger, takes my hand, and drops the stone into it.
"Keep it. You just might need it someday, Sandman Slim."
I don't know what that means, but the way he says it makes the hairs stand up on the back of my neck.
He looks at his watch.
"I've got to run. Thanks for the flickers."
He gives me a wink and starts down the stairs.
I yell down after him, "You forgot your bowling bag."
Lucifer looks up at me.
"That's for you. I wasn't entirely sure I was going to give it to you, but after you gave me this lovely gift,"-he holds up the stones-"I think you deserve it."
That doesn't sound good. But if he wanted me dead, he could have done it without me even knowing he was there. I open the bag. Kasabian's head looks up at me from inside.
"Hello, asshole."
I slam the bag shut.
"I can't make these personal calls all the time," Lucifer says. "Kasabian here will be my voice when I want to get in touch. Of course, you can also relay messages to me through him."
"And the rest of the time he'll be your spy."
"O ye of little faith."
Lucifer vanishes from the stairs.
I can hear Kasabian's voice from inside the bag. I open it about an inch.
"Come on, man. You think I wanted this gig? You told me to ask for a job."
I open the bag the rest of the way and take Kasabian out. Clear a spot on the table and set him down.
"Is that a Malediction?" Kasabian asks. "Can I have one?"