Devil in My Mind

Tension in the Tower

Dante returns to Titans Tower right before sunrise. The coke was too big for two people and he's still sipping on it. Seeing no harm in being out all night, he struts into the den and lounges on the couch. Robin enters, displeased.

"I know you went to the shop last night. Cyborg and I tracked you and Jinx using her communicator. We knew something was up when we woke up and you were both gone. What were you two doing there?"

Dante is compelled to lie but instead looks away like he doesn't give a crap, sips the coke and confesses...

"Devil hunting, plus I needed some weapons."

"You're going to get yourself into trouble being that reckless."

He gets up and walks up to Robin, tossing the coke in the trash on the way. Robin can feel himself losing patience. He stands poised, expecting Dante to challenge him. But instead, Dante takes a lean against the dining counter and folds his arms, trying not to laugh.

"You worry too much, kid."

"You're calling me a kid? Slade is trying to kill you. You can't go out partying all night."

Beast Boy staggers into the room with a yawn.

"What's everybody arguing about?"

"Dante went back to the shop last night."

"Tattletale."

"What?! Why would you do something so dangerous? Especially by yourself?"

Down the hall, Raven approaches the den, but can feel the energy is tense and stops. Around the corner, she eavesdrops.

"I wasn't by myself. Lucky joined me."

This ruffles Robin's feathers even more, while Beast Boy is just plain puzzled.

"Whose Lucky? Wait, are you talking about Jinx?"

"You're not helping yourself, Dante. Why would you take her with you?"

"Settle down, Robin. She was actually pretty useful. She'd make a good Devil Hunter and that's not something I say often."

"You went devil hunting with Jinx last night?! Dude, what were you thinking?"

"He wasn't."

But Dante only shakes his head and laughs. Why should a grown-ass man have to answer to a set of pedantic boys? He knows what he saw.

"The girl has a gift and an eagerness to harness it."

Frustrated, Robin tells him, "Going back to the place where Slade planned to have you destroyed won't keep you safe. And with Jinx? You know she worked for Slade once, right?"

"She didn't mention that," Dante responds, slightly more willing to hear them out, though with unbiased curiosity.

"What if she's a spy?" Beast Boy asks Robin.

"Nah," Dante confidently disagrees. Yeah, she followed him but he's had friends who've shot him point-blank in the head. Doesn't mean anything.

"I don't believe Jinx is a spy," Robin admits, "but I can't say I think taking her out devil hunting was a wise decision."

"Lucky," he corrects them.

Robin doesn't see any point in being tactful.

"There's nothing lucky about her. She's only recently joined our side. She still has a lot to learn."

"Does she now? And whose going to teach her?"

"She'll learn from us over time. One day, she'll be a true Titan."