Page 10 of Zachary

I’m interested in learning about demons. Could you recommend some books or websites?

There. Even if he doesn’t see it for hours, at least I’ve made a start. In the meantime, I can go through all the notes on the artefacts that have been catalogued so far, see if there’s anything new. Maybe do some side research on what’s been identified. That would help to fill the day.

My phone dings.

I’m confused. Aren’t you in a town populated only by demons right now?

Yes. That’s why I want to learn more about them.

I regret sending that immediately. I know what he’s going to say next.

Why do you need books when you can ask them?

Shit. I stare at the screen for a long moment.

Good point. Never mind.

Then I change my mind.

Actually… there were some small problems before. With me. And the villagers. It’s mostly fixed, but

My clumsy thumb hits Send before I can finish the sentence. It’s probably just as well, since I don’t know what I’d even say.

Turns out, I didn’t need to tell him more.

Oh that’s right. Wil mentioned some people were upset.

And my humiliation is complete. Wil told everyone?

I shake my head, mostly to clear my thoughts. No. Wil wouldn’t do that. He doesn’t gossip, not like some of the others. He probably told Fabian because he’s involved in the project… which means he definitely told Brandt.

My breath hitches. So Brandt knows I nearly fucked things up beyond repair. My eyes sting, and I blink hard. This is fine. Wil would also have told him that I fixed it. He knows I’m trying not to let him down.

I hope.

My phone dings again.

You don’t need books, you need to get out and connect with people. Trust me.

I want to throw the phone in frustration. Doesn’t he get it? I’m not him. Fabian can talk to anyone. I’ve heard the story of the time he planned a fancy dinner for Rhys, his boyfriend, and a group of strangers at the store rallied together to help him. People like him. They can’t help themselves.

I’m the opposite.

Swallowing hard, I make myself reply.

It’s not that easy.

I can’t bring myself to explain. Dragons are by nature gregarious. Even the quieter ones, like Wil, are fun to be around. Steffen and I are the only exceptions I’ve ever heard of—him because he was tortured for hundreds of years until his brain evolved to protect him.

And me? I’m not a real dragon. Not in the ways that matter. I don’t even have a hoard.

The loud trill of my phone ringing makes me jump. Fabian’s name is on the screen, and for a second, I consider not answering. Unfortunately, he’s not the kind to give up.

“Hello?”

“Don’t worry, I got you,” he assures me confidently, not bothering with a greeting. “This is just like sex.”

I blink in the dawn gloom of the room and wonder if I’m actually still asleep and dreaming. “It… is?” How? Nothing I’ve ever heard about sex points to any connection.

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