Page 12 of The Demon's Tongue

"Calix," she repeats, testing it on her tongue. "It suits you."

I raise an eyebrow. "Oh? And how would you know what suits a demon?"

She shrugs, a hint of a smile playing at her lips. "Just a feeling."

I find myself chuckling. "Feelings can be dangerous things, little human."

"So can demons, I'd imagine," she retorts.

"Indeed." I slide down the wall, sitting across from her. "What else do you want to know about demons? I can see the questions burning in those pretty green eyes of yours."

Geneva bites her lip, considering. "Are you... are all demons like you?"

"Like me?" I lean forward, grinning. "Devilishly handsome? Incredibly charming?"

She rolls her eyes, but I catch the faint blush on her cheeks. "I meant powerful. Able to appear and disappear at will."

"Ah, that." I wave a hand dismissively. "Some are. Some aren't. We have hierarchies, just like you humans do. I happen to be... rather high up in the pecking order."

"Is that why you can make deals? For souls?"

I nod, impressed by her perceptiveness. "Exactly. Not every demon has that privilege."

Geneva falls silent for a moment, her brow furrowed in thought. Her eyes narrow as she focuses on her hands. Then she asks, "Do you like it? Being a demon?"

The question catches me off guard. I've existed for millennia, but no one's ever asked me that before. "I... It's all I've ever known," I answer honestly. "But I suppose there are worse things to be. Like you."

The look in her eyes gives me pause. I'm quite impressed by this human. No one has stared at me like that, not even other demons. What is it about this one? Why is she so determined to rip apart the customs that this world has always known?

Just as she's opening her mouth, perhaps to ask me more questions, footsteps start clicking against the floor. They grow louder and louder, catching Geneva's attention.

With her eyes off of me, I take the moment to disappear again, watching as Geneva flinches at the sight of one of the dark elf servants who orders around the human slaves in this manor.

"Geneva! What do you think you're doing, you stupid human?" she screeches, her eyes narrowing at the girl still kneeling on the floor.

Geneva scrambles to her feet, nearly losing her balance. "I-I was just finishing up here, ma'am."

The servant's nostrils flare, her eyes narrowing to dark slits. I can practically taste the venom in her voice as she spits out the words. "Finishing up? You've been at this hallway for over an hour! Are you trying to polish the wood right off the floor? Or are you just too stupid to understand simple instructions?"

I watch with interest as Geneva's spine stiffens, her chin lifting ever so slightly. Despite the tremor I can see in her hands, her voice remains remarkably steady. "No, ma'am. I just wanted to make sure it was done properly. I take pride in my work, even if it's just cleaning floors."

The girl's got guts, I'll give her that. It's almost a shame to see such spirit wasted on menial labor. Almost.

I lean against the wall, invisible to their eyes but thoroughly entertained. It's fascinating, watching Geneva try to navigate this precarious situation. The fire in her eyes hasn't dimmed, but she's learning to mask it. Clever girl.

The servant isn't buying it. "Don't get smart with me, you useless human. I know your type. Think you're too good for honest work, eh?"

Geneva's jaw clenches as she shakes her head. "That's not true. I?—"

"Silence!" The servant's hand whips through the air, stopping inches from Geneva's face. "One more word out of you, and I'll have you whipped until that pretty skin of yours is in ribbons. Understood?"

Geneva nods, her eyes blazing with barely contained fury. Oh, how I'd love to see her unleash that anger. But not yet. Not here.

The servant sniffs, adjusting her immaculate uniform. "Now, get your useless hide down to the kitchens. They need helppreparing for tonight's feast, and I won't have you making us all look incompetent."

"Yes, ma'am," Geneva mutters, her head bowed.

As she turns to leave, the servant calls out, "And Geneva? If I catch you dawdling again, it won't just be a threat next time. Now move!"

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