Page 44 of My Saintly Demon

I can’t look at him right now because the realization of what I just said is true has clawed into my skin. As long as Charles is in my life, there’s nothing I won’t do for him.

And that’s awfully close to being in love.

* * *

I’m sograteful Chuck is a deep sleeper. I made more noise than a bull in a china shop searching for clothes to throw on in all the shopping bags. This time I won’t show up in the kitchen shirtless and in pants three sizes too small.

Once in the kitchen, I search for a light but there’s no need. X uses magic to flick it on for me.

From the sitting room next to the kitchen, he sits in the dark wrapped in a fuzzy bathrobe with what looks like a teacup in his hand.

“Do you ever sleep?” I ask as I reach for the covered plate of cookies on the counter.

“I could ask the same of you. At least you’re wearing clothes this time.”

“Touche.”

Pouring a glass of milk and stacking four cookies on top, I join X, taking the seat across from him.

“I couldn’t sleep. There’s lots on my mind and I didn’t want to wake Chuck. He’s been through a lot. Oh! That reminds me. He was wondering if you could do one of your spells to help with the pain in his ribs.”

“I absolutely can. How is he feeling?”

“Sore, but that’s mostly my fault.” I stuff a cookie in my mouth as X smirks.

“I bet. The walls are thin here, FYI.”

Cursing under my breath, I shake my head. There doesn’t seem to be many secrets in this house and I guess I’ll have to get used to it.

“You know, Mike told us we were free to stay here and we should get to know each other. So if you don’t mind me asking, is there a real reason you don’t sleep or are you just naturally not a sleeper? I should know to be prepared all the time if you’re lurking in the dark.”

“Nightmares.” His voice is so soft I have to strain to listen. “I get them all the time and since I hate them, I just stay awake to avoid them.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to sound insensitive.”

“It’s okay. You didn’t know.”

“Do you want to talk about it?”

He cinches his bathrobe tighter and stares into his teacup. “Maybe another time I would. Thanks for the offer.”

We sit together; me munching the cookies and X sipping his tea, and it’s a comfortable silence. Like we could probably learn to be friends.

“When is your dad arriving? Should I have an offering or something when he gets here?”

“A what?”

“I’ve never met a demon before. Well, aside from you but I know you’re different, so that doesn’t count. I mean a real demon who might decide to incinerate me on the spot if he’s angry. I just want to know if I should make his favourite cake or something?”

“What do you mean, I’m different?”

His eyes widen, perhaps regretting his choice of his words. But he doesn’t know about my mother. So what else is there?

“Oh, ah, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to offend, but I’m a witch, right? Not a very good one, but that’s what I am. Part of my magic is seeing what’s under the mask. I sensed your horns when you walked in and… something else that’s not quite clear.”

“But you’ve never met a demon before. How would you know I’m different?”

X sips his tea before placing it on the table and leaning forward.

---