*Sebastian's POV*

I had been sifting through the endless stacks of the libraries of Dis for three days, and found no truly useful information. All I'd run across were what I'd recalled from my youth: old textbooks that mentioned historical figures with multiple mates, and only in passing. Really, with a source bordering on fable, it was difficult to know if the stories were actually true.

I allowed myself a moment for a break. I sat, alone, at one of the many long, marble tables. I wondered what kind of beasts had hauled such massive, heavy tables up so many damned stairs? There was hardly a sound, which was peaceful. At the very least, I found it reassuring that I'd heard no bad news via the mirror I'd brought with me. Surely, by now, all traces of the 'forbidden fornication' were too stale to trace, and Andy and Oona were safe...

I caught a hint of brimstone in the air, and just barely had time to steel my nerves. I had to be strong, for my family.

I fought to turn calmly when the inevitable voice spoke out with His characteristic, resonant, deep bass. "Sebastian."

My Creator stood a few feet behind me, unflanked by any henchmen, which was unusual. Immediately, I rose from my chair, dropped to one knee, and bowed my head. I didn't have to look to feel fear. I had known Him for too long. "My liege."

He snorted, and the burnt smell intensified. Still, I did not raise my eyes. "Sebastian, rise. It's just us two. Are we not too ancient for such formality?"

At once, I stood. "Never, Highness."

What happened then was wholly unexpected. The Overlord of all Darkness and Death pulled up a chair, across from where I had been sitting, and had a seat. The chair creaked under his gargantuan weight. I blinked, unsure what to do.

He gestured with a massive forearm at where I had been sitting. "Very well. But sit. My hooves pain me, and I am tired."

Obediently, I sat. He pointed at a book I had been reading, and I felt the ball of fear in my stomach harden to the point of physical pain. "I know what you are looking for, Sebastian. If you seek answers to difficult questions, why would you not ask me?"

My mind raced. Perhaps He bluffed, but likely not. Chitchat didn't strike me as in keeping with the more common forms of psychological torture inflicted prior to execution... I wondered what He was doing-

He shook his head, looking irritated. "Disregard that. I should have realized that your emotional involvement would make you shortsighted. Instead, I will talk. In return, you will use discretion regarding what I choose to tell you."

He sighed. "I'd have you understand that, as you know, I am malcontent with the so-called 'balance' between Darkness and Light. How can there be balance, when I am, inherently, so much less powerful than my maker?"

I absolutely agreed with that statement. I nodded to indicate my support, but He wasn't really looking.

He smiled bitterly. "I could go on and on about that. But there's relevance, here and now. As there always is, of course." He looked at me, and it was hard to hold His gaze, it made my stomach flip-flop with terror. "There are a lot of rules in the game that I had no say in making."

He raised his eyebrows at me. "Of course, when an angel and a demon coupled in the Underworld, I dutifully sent many legions," and here He grinned, bringing his fingers up in quotation marks, "'after them.' Isn't it just a shame that they found nothing?"

What the heck? Was He implying what I thought? My expression must have spoken volumes, as his grin widened, displaying surely far more teeth than he had need for.

He cocked his head. "Listen well, Sebastian. I am a bored, old man. I like to shake things up a bit, and I think your grandson will do exactly that, one way or another. Odds are a little in my favor, at 25%, wouldn't you say?"

My mouth dropped open, and He laughed, startling me. "I'm joking! Relax! But do remember the take-home message: your grandson is interesting to me, and for someone like me, that is priceless. I grant him safe passage in the Underworld, within reason. Tell him to keep his mouth shut and his head down. I have a reputation to uphold."

He rapped his huge fist on the table, but started speaking again before I could thank Him. "I will answer your questions, because I like you."

He held up a finger. "Yes, an incubus can have more than one mate, so I infer your grandson could as well." He held up a second finger. "No, you cannot stop a mating ceremony once it has begun." He held up a third finger and chuckled. "Your grandson is the only being not purely of lust demon descent to ever begin a mating ceremony. So I have no idea if he would be able to accomplish such a thing with a vampire. I am curious to see. Very curious..."

I sputtered. "My liege-"

He held up his other hand, and instantly I fell silent. "There's more." He raised a fourth finger. "You cannot transfer energy to your human beloved, Sebastian."

I felt my heart hurt, and pressed my lips tightly together as I nodded. He went on. "However, you are not the first of your kind to love a human. I know from experience that, once she meets her mortal end, you can find one another in the Underworld."

He looked at me with appraisal. "You have served me well, for many, many millennia. Serve me again by protecting your grandson, and I will that see you are reunited with the woman you love, when the time comes. Though, erm, if memory serves, she is a devout Catholic. It might be for the best not to mention my involvement."

I nodded vigorously, struck dumb. I had no idea what to say. In all my existence, I had never had such a lengthy conversation with the Unholy of Unholies.

He chuckled as he rose, and I quickly sprung to my feet as well. "Remember, Sebastian. Discretion."

The acrid smell of brimstone filled my nostrils and I felt a burning in my eyes, making me blink and rub at them furiously. When I had finished, I was once again alone.