Page 98 of Spit

Dr. Wise chuckled. “We’re counting on that.”

When I woke up, I was back in my cell. Clear-headed but hungover.

I glanced at the glass wall, finding the redheaded demon facing the corner of his cell with his back to me.

It took a minute for me to stand and stretch out my limbs; being on a steel bed and then an uncomfortable floor had left my body with all sorts of aches and pains.

“I’m back,” I said weakly, trying to get the attention of the demons.

Quinn didn’t react to my voice.

With a sigh, I walked in a circle, eying the toilet and then studying the wall. The moment my back was turned, I heard the whir of the door, and every muscle in my body bunched in preparation for another appearance from the doctors. Instead, a bowl slid into the cell. It appeared to be filled with oatmeal, but I couldn’t be sure.

There was no spoon, but the bowl was covered in plastic wrap. I stared at it, wondering if my hunger would win against my common sense.

I decided I could forgo food for the moment as I turned back to the captive demon.

“Quinn, right?” My voice was raspy; the drug had left my throat dry as a bone.

The demon flicked his green eyes to meet mine before looking away, affecting boredom and disdain simultaneously. “I see you met Dr. Wise. A man that seems to be the antithesis of his name.”

I laughed without humor. “Quick question, which sin are you?”

“Greed, little human.” He blinked slowly, unaffected by my random questions. “Though my sin does not help in these walls.”

“Yeah. My magic doesn’t seem to be working either.”

Quinn unfurled his legs, shifting into a more comfortable position. His nude body was completely on display, with alabaster skin for miles. His shoulders were dusted with copper freckles to match his hair. “What is your magic, little human?”

“I’m a null,” I told him.

“That is a useful magic to have.” He said thoughtfully. “Much to think about.”

“Planning an escape?” I joked.

The demon rolled his eyes. “The drugs have devil’s silver in them. I grow closer to death whenever they push the vapor into my cell. I can feel the metal collecting inside my organs. Demons are not designed to sleep, yet I do when they bid because they have found our weakness.”

“I don’t get why Happy Cow is doing this to demons.” I shook my head in disgust. “It literally makes no sense. Legion thought that it was Magicktek. I mean, that would explain some things.”

“Happy Cow?” Quinn sat up.

“Does that mean something to you?” I felt myself straightening, alert.

Quinn’s brow furrowed. “It might, it might not. Much to think about.”

“Yeah.” I rocked on my heels. “You said that already.”

I sighed and pressed my back against the wall, sliding down until my butt hit the floor. “Dr. Wise told me that his boss wants Legion. I have no idea why, but from the sounds of the experiments they are already doing on you and your brother, it can’t be good.” I looked up at the ceiling as I rambled. “Why the hell would they want a drug that literally makes someone fuck and eat as much as they can? I’ve been cursed by Gluttony for fifteen years, and let me tell you, eating everything isn’t exciting. It’s a binge eating disorder.”

“Human things.” The demon scoffed, waving away my rambling. “Tell me more about this curse.”

“You’ve been on your own for too long,” I noted. “You’ve forgotten words like please and thank you.”

The demon gave me a look filled with dry sarcasm, conveying how little he thought of my statement without saying a single word.

I sighed again and explained my contract with Beezlebub and the curse that had come with it. I even went as far as describing Dylan and my first kiss—though I left out the stalking and the trauma that had eventually caused me to leave Beaux Bridge with a restraining order and a taser in my pocket. “Do you think the food is safe?” I asked.

The demon snorted, and I didn’t know if the sound was laughter or disgust. “You probably shouldn’t eat it.”

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