“I actually thought about New Year's Eve.” Evelyn shrugged.

  “Huh. Starting the new year with your new self is actually a great idea.” Kate had joined her still human friend and the Hell cat Mochi on the terrace overlooking Dis.

  “I was actually considering our solstice celebration as my transformation date, but I wanted to get one st human Christmas with my dad. I know I will still be able to celebrate with him, but I want a special one this year. Also… yea, new year new me.” Evelyn chuckled.

  “Did you tell Eisheth about your pn yet?”

  “I did, she asked quite recently. I had a long time to think about it all and now it’s getting real.”

  “I know how that feels… did you get your bucket list all done?”

  Evelyn nodded. “Only thing tying me to my old life now are my patients and my dad. The former are also becoming fewer and fewer. I talked to my boss, she understands my desire to move on. I told her that I would at least take care of my patients until their end and even after that, if she needs me desperately, I’ll be happy to jump in once in a while. She’s been a great boss and a good mentor.”

  “That is a good pn, I am sure she appreciates your offer.”

  “I am sure she does. Anyway, once my duties at the nursing home are finished, I intend to travel a bit. Jorogumo got me in contact with a group of demons who build these mobile homes, basically a hovering house that can teleport or just hover wherever I want. I’ll go take a nice long trip through Hell and maybe settle down when I have found the right pce. While I do that, I want to just keep helping people. Jump in when you need someone at the library, or the wildlife rescue needs someone, or help Adelina with her school reading programs, that sort of stuff. I still need to find the one thing I want to do long term but I want it to be something that helps people or even animals. Just… I don’t really want to deal with people dying anymore.”

  “That’s totally fair. I’ll be gd to have you around to help out with stuff, no matter what it is.”

  “And I will be happy to help with whatever you need.” Evelyn paused for a moment. “Can I ask you something?”

  “Always.”

  “You have lived here for six years now, right? Have other demons always been this overly friendly?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Everyone treats me like I have lived here for a long time and at the same time like I am the most interesting person they ever met. Every time I go out for dinner, someone asks if they can join me and we just talk. So many people have offered to make something for my home too. Is that normal?”

  Kate ughed happily. “It’s just a sign you belong here. When word got out that I was pnning a home, so many demons sought me out to offer their skills. The only thing anyone ever wanted was to be recommended when someone else was in need of their skills. I insisted they all put their names on the stuff they made for me. I got Joro to coordinate with anyone who wanted to make like a piece of furniture or anything rge. All in all, I am certain there were seventy or eighty demons who made something for me in the end, from the actual house down to drapes and cutlery. Every single one of them volunteered without having to be asked. They just want people to appreciate their work. Same goes for me honestly. I want people to enjoy the library, see the things I love.”

  “How can demons be so nice…”

  “It’s in our nature. In yours too.”

  “I just don’t know how to deal with that.”

  “You accept it. When someone tells you they can make pillows for your couch and you don’t have someone who does that yet, you accept their offer. And if you have a pillow maker already? You tell them to work together. The people of this world want to share. Let them. And when the time comes, you share something with others as well, even if it’s just a cup of tea or showing them a nice flower you found. Trust me, you will get that urge if you don’t have it yet.”

  “I suppose that makes sense. Thank you.” Evelyn chuckled. “I think I will have to say those words a lot soon enough. And I already have more reason to say them than ever before.”

  “They are good words.”

  Kate sat at the reception desk, sorting through her Heroes deck, when Oliver approached her.

  “Preparing for the gauntlet?”

  “I want to give a good show and that needs a few updates to the deck. Did you actually hear back from him now?”

  “Called me st night, yea. He’s excited to see you again and that he and his friends are getting to a have fun day here.”

  “A long day as well. We might have to cut down to one game per gauntlet member, I got too many volunteers.”

  Oliver ughed. “I expected some enthusiasm but not this much.”

  “It’s going to be glorious. I told people that if they didn’t want to participate in the theme thing, you know demon library and all that, they didn’t have to. Well…”

  “Okay, yes, I am pying that gauntlet as well, you convinced me.”

  “Perfect!”

  “I am prepared to have my arse thoroughly handed to me. I know what level you guys py at and I expect nothing less from the people I haven’t met yet.”

  “You’ll love them.”

  “I have no doubt. Any tips you can give me to not totally suck?”

  “I have taught you all I have learned from Polly, my young apprentice.” Kate chuckled. “But honestly, just do your best and have fun. Maybe stick around after everyone is done and I’m sure they’ll be happy to give you some feedback.”

  “Feedback that will take a while to implement, knowing you. At least it will make me even better long term than just instant hints would. I have to admit that your philosophy stuff is weird but it works.”

  “And it makes it more fun, doesn’t it?”

  “Oh, absolutely. Speaking of fun, did you see the ads for the festival?”

  “The ones with the ‘demon’ on them?”

  “Those exact ones, yes.”

  “They’re cute. Too bad we can’t reveal ourselves properly, but I am gd they accidentally picked an image that’s so close to the truth. Any rumours about how those church guys reacted?”

  “To a big sign that shows demons giving out books? I haven’t heard anything but I’m certain they aren’t too happy.”

  “Goooood. I hope they seethe. We will have our fun that weekend and hopefully get some trick-or-treaters as well, they’ve been increasing in number every year.”

  “All the way out here?” Oliver raised an eyebrow.

  “Was one group the first year after I got turned, which then told some others that evening. Since then, news made the rounds that we have the best candy and are quite generous with it.”

  “I see. A dastardly pn to lure children into your halls to trust you and become educated eventually. How evil of you.”

  Kate grinned. “Truly the most evil of all pns. And it works! Most of those kids who come here for other reasons first tend to return for the books. We actually put out some more interesting stuff for them that they have to pass by to the get the reception desk. Usually that catches their eyes and it isn’t long until we have a few of them reading.”

  “Fascinating, I didn’t expect it to work this well.”

  “I didn’t either but I’m gd to be proven wrong.”

  “Indeed. Would you mind if I come by after the festival on Halloween? The building I’m in doesn’t do trick-or-treating and it gets a little lonely after a while.”

  “It’s Polly’s birthday, ask her. I’m sure she would agree to having you here but best to be sure.”

  “Is she around today?”

  Kate nodded. “Down in the vaults right now, fetching some stuff, but she’ll be back in a few minutes.”

  “I’ll wait for her then. You think I should get her something for her birthday?”

  “Maybe some nice chocotes or big bag of those gummy bears. You know we all got a sweet tooth.”

  “I have an idea then.”