After he’d returned from the Crossroads the night before, he’d called her about a ride to school, hoping to formally invite her into his domain. From the moment he’d woken up to the time he’d started listening to their album L.I.F.E.G.O.E.S.O.N. in his car, Niko already had sunshine on his face. He’d reaped souls then eaten his breakfast in such a jolly mood that Sickleton thought he’d fallen and hit his head on the pavement. Even his minions stared at him with consternation, especially the twins. Paris and Rome mumbled to each other while sneaking glances at their master, but Niko had ignored them all, eager to be off. He eased in front of Arianne’s classic colonial and honked. She flew out like a bat from a cave and into the passenger seat with an irresistible glow, color high on her cheeks. Only the click of her seatbelt being fastened broke the intense attention he paid her every movement. “Good morning,”
