Epel has mentioned having multiple friends, and references Deuce by name. He also refers to Sebek, Idia and Jade as his friends from school.
When Epel and the mayor of Harveston refer to the group as his friends he does not deny it, but when someone from Harveston refers to Malleus as he friends he says, “I wouldn’t call us that!”
He says he gave apple juice from his hometown to his friends in Book 5. After CHARON attack NRC, Epel says that he is “not gonna just take” people hurting his housewarden and his friends.
Twisted Wonderland Reference Note 