Page 30 of Spit

My fists clenched. “I think you have two demons here. Mars and Quinn? They work for the office of the steward.”

“I’m sorry, but we don’t keep demons on our staff; I don’t think I can help.” She replied as she tilted her head to the side.

I tapped my foot against the floor. “Are you sure?”

Her smile didn’t falter, but her eyes seemed to darken. “I’m sorry. I don’t think I can help you.”

That was all I needed.

I thanked her and turned to walk away. Before I left, I gestured to the coffee machine in the corner. “Do you mind?”

“Go ahead.” She turned to the computer, but I felt her eyes on the back of my neck when I turned away.

I took my time making a coffee, adding a large amount of cream and sugar. When the receptionist looked away to answer a call, I swiped several pamphlets from the coffee table before I made my way back onto the street.

Chapter Six

Mr. Legion’s face was indecipherable when I crossed the street and returned to him, my fitted leather jacket filled with pamphlets.

My anger was a cool jagged burn as my shadow fell into step beside me.

“She said they don’t keep demons on staff, but she was pissed off when I wouldn’t take no for an answer,” I told him in a low voice. “I don’t think the demons are in the building. The wards were too strong.” I didn’t tell him that my demonic shadow hadn’t been able to cross the threshold.

“Honestly, I didn’t think you would get through the door.” His dark eyes flew over my head and locked onto the Magicktek building.

“It was a test.” I surmised, crossing my arms over my chest.

Mr. Legion tilted his head towards the parked car on the other side of the grass. “Yes.” The demon said simply, leading us away without another word.

“Well, the moment I mentioned your facets, the receptionist got more squirrelly than Rocky the flying squirrel.” I waved a hand as we walked towards the car. “I should have had a game plan. I looked like an idiot.”

“Better to look like a fool than to rouse suspicion.” Mr. Legion’s tone was dry enough to spark a wildfire. “Though I suspect you might have accomplished both.”

“How far did the other witches get?”

“They couldn’t get through the doors.” He said staunchly. “Their wards repel both witch and demon magic.”

I tapped my chin. “Maybe it’s the runes on the floor?”

Legion stopped walking in the middle of the street; a car horn sounded as a sports car swerved around us before braking. Whoever was inside the vehicle looked at my companion before driving away with a screech. “Runes.” He stated as if the idea was only just occurring to him. “What kind of runes? What did they look like?”

“Not Cyclian, I can tell you that much. The language on the walls surrounding the city. Enochian, I think.” I told him, flicking my pink hair out of my eyes. “I don’t know much about casting spells, but they felt weird. Salty.”

“Salty?” He echoed.

“Hmm.”

He opened the car door for me, and I slipped inside the limo, scooting over so that he didn’t have to walk around. The car pulled away from the curb as soon as the door shut.

“Where to, sir?” The disembodied voice of the driver came through the intercom.

“Take us to see Trey, please.” Mr. Legion replied courteously as he clipped his seatbelt and folded his hands across his lap.

“Trey?” I questioned. “Is that another one of your facets?”

“Quite.” Mr. Legion nodded. “He was the last person to speak to Mars and Quinn—he may know something that I don’t.”

“And you didn’t think to ask him some questions before pulling in a favor from gluttony?” I didn’t realize I had vocalized my thoughts until Mr. Legion gave me a look that said a thousand words. “Yes, yes, big scary demon. I’m just a lowly null who shouldn’t ask questions.”

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