Page 83 of Spit

We had just ruled out Magicktek, but it felt like someone was trying to push us back in their direction. But why?

Chapter Fourteen

“Iknow your game.” Katalina Dubois told me that as soon as breakfast ended.

We had made plans to go into the city to visit her acquaintance, Anna-Risa, in the human sector.

It took a moment for me to realize what Katalina was talking about and when I did, it took everything in me not to chuckle.

“My game?” I echoed, putting my hand on my hip.

Katalina’s green eyes narrowed. “Legion is mine.”

“Does he know that?”

She growled.

I waved my hand dismissively. “As much as I would love to revisit high school, we have two demons to find. Perhaps we should get on that.” I turned towards the door and started to walk away.

“I’ve seen the way you look at him.” She called, stopping me in my tracks.

I turned around, and my brow arched. “Oh?”

“You think you’re all that with your ass and leather, but you’re a drain.” Katalina jabbed a finger in my direction. “You are literally a black hole, sucking up magic. You take and take. No one wants to be around nulls. They serve a purpose, but that’s it. Legion is the Steward of the Red City. He’s important. He’s older than the dirt you’re standing on, and you have no respect.”

“I have no respect?” I echoed.

Katalina shook her head. “You don’t. You talk to them like they’re humans you met at a bar. You don’t even realize who the stewards are. What they are.”

“They’re demons,” I said. “Look, I get that you don’t like me. Witches typically don’t. They don’t like to feel powerless around me, and I can’t help that I’m a null. I’m not trying to take your magic. I’m here to do a job for Beezlebub and then return to New Orleans. Back to my life.”

Katalina digested my words, her lips pulled between her teeth. “I still don’t like you.”

“I know you don’t.” I sighed.

Katalina pinched the bridge of her nose. “Come on, let’s go meet the car out front.”

I didn’t know if we had come to an uneasy truce, but it felt like it.

Legion and Sev met us in the foyer as the driver brought the car around.

Every time I saw Lust and Pride together, my mind did a double take. Their facial features were so similar. Sev had his hands in his pockets. His shirt was undone, revealing his muscular stomach. He wore a pair of black suspenders, holding up a pair of tailored trousers, and his inky hair was wild, sticking up in several places. I didn’t know if it was Sev’s intention to look like he had rolled out of bed—but I wouldn’t have put it past him.

In comparison, Legion was absolutely immaculate. Not a hair out of place or a wrinkle on his suit.

We got in the car and drove around the edge of the city, through the sprawling suburbs with the expansive mansions that belonged to the other VIPs, before reaching the human sector.

The difference was striking. From expansive greenery and patches of forest, with mansions borrowing from architecture all over the word, and some from mythology, to a grey wash of square buildings that sat in uniform. Rows upon rows of buildings, convenience stores, and laundromats. Basic amenities, but the human sector lacked any sort of personality.

Sev nudged me, catching my frown. “What ya thinking about?” He asked.

“How many humans live in the Red City?” I wondered, frowning at the glass and the lifeless city outside the vehicle.

Sev shrugged. “I’m not too sure. Not many choose to life in the Red City of their own accord. Many that come across the walls do so because they owe a debt to society. They often trade a life sentence behind bars for one of servitude to a demon. Once their servitude ends, or the human earns enough to free themselves, they often choose not to return to life outside the walls.”

I hummed, deep in thought. “I wonder why?”

“I would wager it has something to do with how the general population views criminals. Even those that have served their time.” Legion cut in, his voice without emotion, sitting straight with his fingers knitted together on his lap.

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