Page 27 of Spit

“You can answer a question without mocking me, you know.” I kept my voice quiet and even. “Most people would answer with:we’re visiting a friend,orwe’re going for a drive. Instead, you chose to be obscure. I have been patient. I allowed myself to be trafficked into a city filled with demons and placed in a residence of witches that would murder me in my sleep if they had the girl balls. I would like you to be honest with me. Is that a problem?”

Mr. Legion turned in his seat to face me more fully. He studied me like a rare butterfly that had just revealed its wings.

“I do not spend much time around humans.” He sniffed. “It has been an age since one of my kind has walked the earth. I am Legion, and before I came to the Red City, before Hell, I walked the earth when humans were creatures that lived in caves and bounced in delight at a simple flame.”

“You’re having trouble adjusting?” I quirked a brow.

Legion’s dark eyes burned into mine.

I squirmed under the weight of his attention. “Can you explain what a Steward is?”

Legion cocked his head to the side. “Certainly. A steward of the Red City is somewhat of a peacekeeper. We broker deals and handle disagreements. We enforce the laws of our sector.”

“Kind of like a sheriff?” I joked.

Legion tapped his chin. “I have seen films, so I understand the reference. I suppose the comparison is fairly accurate.”

“And you need a null?” I glanced at his lips.

“Yes. I need a null.” Legion replied simply, taking in my features before he turned away.

Though he was detached and somewhat haughty, I found my body reacting to the close proximity without my permission. I felt my fingers start tingling and my heart racing with a detached curiosity.

I must have been some kind of masochist because Ichi Legion was treating me like an annoying bug, and I was begging to be stepped on.

What was wrong with me?

Had I finally lost it?

My shadow was silent, though I didn’t know if that was good or bad.

“What kind of demon are you?” I asked.

“Do you endure to piss off every person you meet?” Mr. Legion asked delicately.

“Only demons, and yes. I do.”

“Hmm.” He turned away.

I wondered if Mr. Legion, Ichi, felt it too. The weird pulsing magnetism. I couldn’t stop needling him, and I didn’t know why. I didn’t want his attention, but at the same time, being under the full force of it reminded me what it felt like to feel anything at all.

“The missing demons?” I pressed. “It's why I’m here.”

“I didn’t intend to misdirect you.” He tipped his head in a sign of respect. “This information is privileged, and only a select few know of it.”

I nodded to imply I was listening.

Mr. Legion took a breath, his brow furrowed as he decided where to begin. “The Red City is a law unto itself in many ways. Each sin polices itself, and the guards police the wall to ensure that no unregistered humans enter and no demons leave. If you were to look down at the city, you might compare it to a clock. Divided into many neighborhoods, but each one belongs to a Sin. Some things are just not done. You do not hurt, main, or kill a human bearing the mark of another circle's Sin. You do not poach a human bearing the mark of another Sin. You do not kill another demon without the consent of the Steward of the city.”

“And that’s you?”

Mr. Legion gave me a grin showing all his white, straight teeth. It felt like a lion baring its teeth. “I am one of the seven. Although since Camio perished last fall, there are only six of us. I have been policing Gluttony to the best of my ability.”

“Mars and Quinn are the stewards of Greed and Envy?” I guessed.

“Yes.”

“Do you think they were killed because they were stewards?” I pushed a lock of pink hair behind my ear when it slipped into my eyes. “You broker deals, right? Could someone think they got a raw deal and decided to take revenge?”

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