Page 7

CHAPTER SEVEN

“ A re you sure this is the right place?” I ask while looking hesitantly at the antique shop in front of us. It certainly doesn’t look like the sort of store a demon would own.

It’s a cute little place from the outside. Light blue wooden planters filled to the brim with flowers are set under each of the large bay windows, which are being used to display some of their strange wares. It almost makes me think of a cottage-style country shop, something that belongs more in a made-for-TV romcom than in the middle of a busy, real-life city. It certainly looks out of place, seeing as it’s surrounded by much taller and more modern buildings in all directions.

“It is,” Torrin confirms, nudging my shoulder lightly with his own. Though he has to bend a little to pull it off, given our difference in height. “You can relax, okay? I wouldn’t have brought you along if I thought it would be dangerous. I know demons don’t have the best rep, for some good reasons and some less, but I promise Eli’s great. If you give him a chance, I actually think you’ll like him,” he adds reassuringly.

“If you’re sure…” I say uncertainty, still feeling oddly unsettled despite his reassurance.

“I am. He’s my first stop when trying to track a demon down for a reason.” Torrin takes a cheery step towards the door, clearly not sensing whatever it is I am or realising just how nervous I feel.

Still hesitating, I nibble my lower lip and pull my jacket tighter around myself as I glance around at our surroundings one last time. I still don’t see anything that would explain why I’ve felt so damn twitchy since we left the car. Just regular city streets and normal-looking people going about their day.

Maybe it’s me having an off moment because of the pregnancy, just another unfortunate side effect of carrying a demon inside of me?

Then again, I felt fine when I arrived at their office this morning, if a little nauseous. Torrin had been there with a smile ready to greet me. The others, well, they certainly weren’t looking to join the welcoming committee. Daion was suspiciously on his way out the door just as I came in, offering only a quick wave while avoiding my eyes, while Rio was apparently working on some kind of research upstairs and definitely not just avoiding the demon-screwing harlot. Honestly, as long as I didn’t have to see his stupid face, I wasn’t about to complain or care about where he was.

Regardless, everything had felt fairly normal, even on the drive over here. It was only when Torrin and I got out of the car that I started to feel weird, like we were being watched…or assessed, maybe. Realising there’s nothing to be seen and that I can’t spend all day worrying over possibilities, I follow Torrin, determinedly shaking off the bad vibes. Well, it’s more like I shove the bad feelings into a mental box, chain it shut, and then dutifully ignore it like a politician ignoring their campaign promises the second they’ve won an election.

A rush of air blows my dark hair back, cooling the slight nervous sweat beading on my skin as I step inside. Immediately I pick up the scent of burning incense coming from somewhere in the store. I breathe deeply, relaxing a bit when the intense smell doesn’t immediately make me want to vomit. That surely has to be a good sign. I actively will my heart to stop racing so fast in my chest.

“Torrin Fletcher! What a pleasant surprise,” a deep and cheerful voice calls. I can’t see the speaker from here, just the back of Torrin as he disappears around a corner at the rear of the store.

“Eli! How are ya, man?” Torrin’s warm voice replies a moment later.

I head over towards the sound of their conversation slowly, too busy being distracted by the contents of the shop to be quick. My eyes roam over crystals, herbs, and empty vials. There are also decorations, tarot cards, and more things that I can’t identify scattered across the shelves and tables. It looks more like a spiritual shop than an antique store at first glance, but the further I get into the place, the more stuff I find. It seems like a cross somewhere between the two, I quickly realise, even if half the antiques are completely unrecognisable to me. Some of it has to be from other worlds. If the bizarre gold object reflecting light weirdly as it constricts and expands isn’t fae in origin, I’ll eat my own shoes.

“This is Eden.”

I look up from the strange object to find my favourite demon hunter standing with the man— correction, the demon —we came here to see.

The demon doesn’t look much like one, though Ash hadn’t either, so perhaps the stereotypes aren’t entirely accurate. He stands at about five-eight and is dressed in soft-looking clothes, which appear more than a little dated. Despite their age, they’re clearly well-loved and cared for, with signs of hand-stitched repairs. I’m fully convinced it's an outfit he’s personally held onto for decades. He honestly looks like the sort of gently spoken guy you’d find in a library, or maybe drinking tea in a quiet cafe somewhere in a small town. Or he would, if you ignored the black eyes and the small curved horns at his temples, anyway. Those features are the only obvious indications as to his demonic nature; the rest of him could pass for a timid human in their late thirties or early forties.

“It’s very nice to meet you, Eden. You may call me Eli,” the demon introduces himself with a quick, weird little half-bow.

“Hello.” I nod my head in greeting, not sure I should touch the stranger by offering to shake his hand, even if he does look mostly harmless. Thankfully, he doesn’t seem to be bothered by my lack of handshaking or other pleasantries.

“Let's get right to it then,” Torrin decides with a rap of his knuckles on the display table, glancing between the two of us before continuing. “Eden’s looking for a demon called Ash. Nothing bad. She just needs to speak to him.”

“Ash?” he repeats the name curiously. “That’s certainly not a demon name, though perhaps it comes from one, just as Eli is my chosen name while residing in this world. Names have power, especially over those from my species’ domain.”

“Oh.” I frown, not sure how to respond. Does he think witches are unfamiliar with the concept of nicknames? Or is it done differently for demons somehow?

“Let me rephrase: do you know any demons who use the name Ash?” Torrin asks, looking caught somewhere between sighing or laughing at his friend.

“I do not.”

“He’s probably an incubus, if that helps at all?” I add hopefully, even if it’s not looking good. I shouldn’t feel so disappointed; it’s not as if I expected we’d get answers this easily, and yet, I feel my stomach sink when he shakes his head.

“While I don’t know any who answer to Ash, I do know a few incubi and succubi living in this realm. I could pass on your inquiry to those I would trust with such things and see if any of them have information to share?” Eli offers, his tone surprisingly kind.

I glance at Torrin for direction, and he nods encouragingly, so I answer, “That would be great, thank you.”

“You’re most welcome. If you have any other info—” Eli abruptly cuts off mid-sentence, eyes going wide for a second before he snaps his head to face Torrin. Concern practically radiates from him as he puts his hands on the hunter’s shoulders, trying to urge him to the back corner they’d emerged from minutes before. Torrin’s like a wall, though, refusing to budge. “You must hide,” Eli hisses insistently, looking sharply between us. “Both of you. Quickly.”

“I don’t hide from demons, Eli,” Torrin replies bluntly, narrowed eyes staring at his friend with an odd look, one I don’t know him well enough yet to read.

“You should make an exception for her safety, if not your own,” the demon responds unhappily, gesturing impatiently to the back of the store. “Stay quiet and try not to draw any attention to yourselves at least. Hopefully this will be quick.”

Torrin nods, grabbing my upper arm and gently tugging me away just as the door to the shop swings open. I go to peek over my shoulder at the demon stepping inside, but the hand on my arm squeezes in warning. I meet his hazel eyes instead, and he shakes his head ever so slightly before redirecting my attention to a creepy black orb at the rear of the store.

While we pretend to be deeply interested in the orb, the prickling feeling of being watched that I tried to bury returns, only with the intensity ratcheted up tenfold. It’s unsettlingly quiet behind us for a few long moments as we all but hold our breaths waiting for something to happen.

“Lord Paimon,” Eli’s voice finally breaks the silence. The awkward friendliness I’d detected in his tone is completely gone now, replaced by formality and…fear?

What kind of demon scares other demons so badly?

“Eligos. Do you have the item I requested?” a cold voice demands.

“I wasn’t expecting you so soon?—”

“So, you do not?” Lord Piehole, or whatever his name is, cuts Eli off rudely, followed by an aggrieved sigh. “How disappointing.”

“It should arrive before the end of the week, as I said when you initially requested I source it for you,” Eli replies primly, ruffled feathers apparently somewhat overriding his terror.

I take a step to the side to look at another object without really seeing it, trying not to make it entirely obvious that all of our attention is on their conversation. Torrin sticks to my side so closely we’re practically pressed together. The tension in his frame is obvious, despite forcing himself to relax his hands at his sides. Great, so even the demon hunter is nervous about this Lord Piehole guy, then.

“Perhaps if you spent less time serving lesser beings, it wouldn’t take you so long to complete a simple task.”

Lesser beings?

I tune out their conversation as I bite my tongue in order to keep myself quiet, already deciding I really don’t like this particular demon at all. Spotting a large antique mirror and quietly creeping over to it, I use the reflection to get my first look at him, Torrin right at my heels the entire time. I’m distracted for a second from my goal by the odd double reflection of myself in the mirror, but I blink, and my second reflection is gone. Of course the mirror has some kind of odd magic to it. I roll my eyes, then refocus on my task of getting a good look at the arrogant demon.

The demon has a face I would describe more as pretty than handsome, or I would, if it wasn’t for the ugly expression on it. The sour twist to his oddly delicate features radiates disdain and contempt as he talks with Eli, quite literally looking down on him from his much taller height. He’s made no effort at disguising his true nature, not even hiding his large black wings with magic. His horns, while thin, are twisted and long as they curl back from the top of his forehead and over his shiny mane of black hair. And his eyes— fuck. His black and yellow slitted eyes are looking right at my reflection in the mirror. I’ve been caught blatantly staring, like a kid with a hand in the cookie jar.

Well, shit.

“It’s considered respectful to introduce yourself if you’re going to stare, witch. Though, I suppose your kind do tend to lack respect for your betters.”

“And how you talk to people is respectful?” I snap as I turn around, Torrin grabbing my shoulder roughly before I can take a step forward. I’m about to shrug him off and complain at the harsh grip when I realise what I’ve just done. Oh no. Foot, why must you put yourself in my mouth like this? Especially to a demon who scares the shit out of anyone with a modicum of sense, which apparently doesn’t include me today.

“Again, I apologise for the wait,” Eli says loudly, a blatant attempt to distract Lord Piehole. “I will deliver the item directly to you once it arrives, to save you another trip here. I know how you dislike having to come to this realm.”

“Unnecessary,” Paimon replies disinterestedly, before snapping his fingers. He points at me and then in front of him, a clear order. “You. Witch. Come here.”

Torrin moves forward, placing himself partially in front of my body without fully blocking me off. The bulk of his left shoulder in front of my right side is enough to keep me in place, unless I purposefully step around him. “I don’t think my friend wants to talk to you.”

“She appeared quite opinionated a moment ago,” the demon counters. He’s oozing with contempt in a way where it comes across as something he enjoys, like there’s pleasure to be found for him in his easy hatred. Something about it ticks me off, pushing a button I never realised I possessed.

“You know,” I begin to say, side-stepping around the hunter and walking forward, much to Torrin’s obvious horror as I pass him. “I am opinionated. And in my opinion, you should leave. You’ve been nothing but rude since you walked in here.”

“Goddess, fucking spare us,” Torrin mutters under his breath behind me. A quick glance to Lord Piehole’s left shows Eli is similarly concerned for all of our fates, lips pressed tightly together as he shifts his weight between his feet.

Just who the hell is this fucking demon?

After a moment that stretches too long for comfort, the demonic asshole throws back his head and laughs. It’s a deep, amused noise, one that’s oddly genuine in its sound. Apparently the prissy demon thinks I’m hilarious. Who’d have thought someone so terrible could have good taste about this one thing? Still a totally rude asshole, though.

“Well, aren’t you a brave one?” he says questioningly once he’s done laughing. The yellow slits of his eyes narrow further as he scans over me slowly, deliberately making a show of what he’s doing. “Surprisingly powerful too, I’d wager.”

“I’d argue I’m pretty average,” I reply with a shrug, trying to seem nonchalant. “Maybe you just underestimate witches.”

I’m not interesting at all. Nothing special to see here…

I think it over in my head like a mantra, suddenly realising the danger I’ve thrust myself into should he realise my current condition , but for a second I’d forgotten. Demons are known to have stolen some of the children of the rare unions between demons and witches before. Either syphoning the child’s power or raising them as their own, typically for nefarious reasons. Between searching for Ash and throwing up, I've been brushing up on my history of the topic with what little information is easily available. It’s been a depressing experience considering the majority of texts refer to the children as abominations, as a mistake of the past not to be repeated.

“I’d disagree,” the demon replies, and I swear he glances at my stomach for a split second before he turns back to Eli. “I expect it to be ready by the end of the week.”

“Uhh…of course, Lord Paimon,” Eli replies, clearly in shock.

The taller demon gives me one last creepily lingering look before striding back out of the store like it was his own idea. Once the door closes behind him, I think we’re all a little confused by the quick turn in events. I stare at the door for a good few seconds, wondering if I somehow imagined it all.

“You know, I’m actually sort of freaked out that he did what I asked,” I say in order to end the awkward silence left in the wake of his departure. Apparently it’s the wrong thing to say, or maybe it was stupid to say anything at all, as it immediately sets the hunter off.

“What the fuck?” Torrin suddenly demands, looking between Eli and me like he’s unsure who he’s madder at before finally settling on Eli first. “Why would you do anything to help that monster?”

“You must know that I do not have a choice in doing so,” Eli replies stiffly.

“Just tell him you can’t find whatever it is he wants or something then!” Torrin exclaims. He looks minutes, maybe even seconds, from a mental break as he drags a hand through his messy brown hair. “I can’t imagine he wants anything good, so why would you get involved with that, Eli? Do you know how many crimes he’s wanted for? His name has to be one of the ones right at the top of the council’s list!”

“You don’t understand the full situation. It’s not merely that he is dangerous; he is the current lord of the iracaedi!” Eli insists, clearly distressed. “I cannot refuse him. I may as well end my own life before doing so.”

Torrin takes a deep breath, seemingly attempting to calm himself before asking, “I noticed you referred to him with a title, but fuck. When did he become the new top dog of the iracaedi?”

“When he killed his predecessor. A few months ago, I believe,” Eli answers shakily.

“If he’s wanted, like he’s on the demon lists, why didn’t you do anything?” I question the demon hunter, partially from curiosity and partially to save poor Eli for a minute so he can breathe. Torrin was right. I do like the weird lil’ guy, and I don’t enjoy seeing him getting so upset. Clearly, he wasn’t happy about the situation. It’s hardly his fault if he’s being bossed about by a more powerful demon, especially seeing as he doesn’t come across as the violent type himself.

“Because I’m not suicidal, unlike some,” Torrin replies with a chuckle, one which sounds the tiniest bit unhinged. “You have no idea, Eden. That demon, the one you just sassed right to his face, is a thousand percent a full team job. You’d have to be crazy to try taking him on alone, and even with all three of us, I wouldn’t count on winning.”

“He’s…that bad?” Oh. I screwed up, alright.

“He’s a demon king. They’re about as powerful as demons get. Do you really not know anything about their kind?”

“I mean, until I met Ash, I don’t think I've ever spoken to one before,” I admit with a shrug. “I’ve seen a few from across the room and stuff, but I always kept my distance. I’ve also heard the stories all witches hear growing up, like the tale of the First Demon, but they were never very interesting to me, honestly. I’ve done some more research in the last few days, though, for obvious reasons .”

“Okay,” he concedes. “But you do know there are multiple demon kings, right?” Torrin raises an eyebrow, giving me a look like I’m crazy, which I’d argue is pretty damn unfair. He’s a demon hunter, so obviously he’ll know more about the topic than I will. I make freaking potions for a living!

“There are seven of them, right?” It’s a guess, something about the number ringing a bell. I did vaguely know that there are multiple demon kings, though. The significance of them or what it is they actually do? Not so much.

“Seven great lords for each of the subspecies of demon, plus the supreme ruler who sits above all others,” Eli mumbles, twitching and scratching at his arms like he’s uncomfortable in his skin just thinking about them. “Lord Paimon is the newest King of Wrath, as the humans dubbed their kind.”

Something clicks in my brain.

“Damn it—wait. I know this! It’s like the seven sins from that big human religion, isn’t it? The humans attributed one of them to each of your subspecies after demons started crossing more into our world, right?”

“And the rest of the people here picked it up, no matter how incorrect the beliefs may be. Vampires, shapeshifters, witches, all of you are more familiar with the terms the humans gave to us than those we choose for ourselves.”

“Is it rude for me to ask which one you are?” Because I really want to know. Whichever it is, he’s definitely not the same kind as Lord Piehole.

“Greed,” he answers simply and without hesitating.

“You know, I don’t see it.” I stare at Eli, wearing clothes decades old, chilling in his cute little antique store, and frown. “Why did your subspecies get named for greed?”

“The praeresi feed their vitav on the energy left in objects by their owners. The more valuable the object, the better the source, usually. Many individual praeresum hoard objects and wealth in order to obtain more sources of energy, and the humans saw this base need for survival as a sin of greed. As they saw the need for sexual energy from incubi as a sin of lust and the need for death energy as a sin of wrath,” Eli explains.

“While I’m sure Eden could use the demonology lesson, I think we better get moving before he decides to come back,” Torrin interrupts before I can ask anything else. He steps closer to the demon, clapping a hand on his shoulder in a friendly gesture. “Anyway, I’m sorry, Eli. I shouldn’t have gone off on you, buddy. Pretty sure I was just pissed because I knew there was nothing I could have done alone if he chose to attack us.”

“It is already forgotten. A few harsh words are nothing compared to my debt to you,” the demon replies, seeming to calm significantly at the apology.

“If you’re still happy to help us out, I'll message you the rest of the information we have on Ash. It’s not a lot, though,” Torrin says hopefully as he steps back and places a hand lightly over my mid back. I’m not sure if it’s to be reassuring or if he simply thinks I’m going to need herding back to the car like an errant, misbehaving sheep.

Then again, I did just walk right up to a freaking demon king and provoke him to his face, didn’t I? So maybe his concerns have some merit.

“Of course. It was a pleasure meeting your interesting friend,” Eli replies, giving me a small smile. “Even if I’m unable to find anything, I hope you find the demon you’re looking for and that you avoid the ones you aren’t.”