An uninvited guest

The doorbell sounded just as Belua was dishing up the evening meal.

"You expecting anyone?" Her brother Lou called out.

"Does it matter? You've got someone either way." Uncle Belzi snapped. He was hungry and hunger made him even more short tempered than usual.

"Don't either of you trouble yourselves, I'm not busy, I'll get it." Belua said, slamming the roasting tin on top of the stove in irritation. "What?" she demanded of the vistor as she yanked open the door.

"Don't be like that, Bel, I know you're just teasing." Damon said with his usual leer.

"My most sincere apologies oh great one, What are you doing here?" She asked as sweetly as she could.

"You invited me."

"No I didn't, I said it'd have to be a cold day in hell before you were welcome in my home. And it's still pretty hot outside."

"Turn the radio on, sweetness, the first level's already frozen solid." Damon said.

Sure enough, the announcer was going on about the freak conditions on the first level that were already spreading to the second, those on the ninth were safe though, no need for alarm.

Weren't they always, Belua thought. She cursed roundly but a deal was a deal. She set an extra place at the table, slamming the plate down. "I hope it chokes you."

"Roast Human, my favourite, honey. Is this a yes to that date?"

"I believe that was once all levels had frozen and thawed twenty billion times over." Lou offered helpfully.

"It was worth a try." Damon said with a shrug, despite the looks of hatred and anger she and her family kept sending him, he was sure that she was warming to him.