Page 52 of Higher Demon

This is… disconcerting.

“That’s why I’m here,” I say, because I can’t quite bring myself to tell her it’s a pleasure. “My goal, and the goal of our leader in Crmærdinesgh, is to cement this truce. It’s an unfortunate reality that over time, the demons you’ve seen here are either those with only base animal instincts, the dregs of society, or those who are summoned and then goaded to violence by their slavery.” I shrug. “Occasionally there is overlap.”

She cocks her head. “That’s interesting. Most demons don’t want to kill humans?”

“Most demons find you fascinating,” I assure her. “News about your antics and trends is a hot commodity. But it’s only a select few who enjoy killing you, and they tend to also enjoy killing in general.” I hesitate. I’ve already shared more than I’m inclined to, but this can only help in making friends, surely. “There are demons who have no interest in humans or Earth at all.”

“Really?” She considers that. “That’s so different from everything we thought we knew.”

“Isn’t it?”

We both turn to look at Ian as he approaches.

“Getting to know Marc over these past few years has been a real eye-opener,” he continues. “It made me realize just how much of what we ‘know’ is guesswork and conjecture…” He winces. “Not to mention the odd bit of information acquired through torture.”

“Which is never reliable,” Gayle murmurs. “That was one of the few things Connor and I agreed on.”

I nod. “I also disagree with Connor about most things.” Ian told me to find common ground with others, and I did. I’m mastering this whole friendship thing.

Gayle snorts, and Ian laughs outright. “Stop being mean to my brother,” he chides. “He’s not as bad as everyone says.”

Turning to Gayle, I say, “I don’t have a lot of experience with human familial relationships. Is this level of delusion normal between family members?”

This time, she laughs. “No, most of us hate each other,” she assures me. “But Con practically raised Ian, so he’s got a blind spot.” She grins at Ian. “He was an adorable kid. Connor and I were in the same classes, and Ian and Matt used to tag along sometimes.”

Ian preens. “Adorable sounds right.”

“And then he hit his teen years and became a reckless smart-ass,” she adds, and I smile, remembering young Ian smacking me around the head with fake flowers.

“Yes, reckless is the word.”

The fond smile vanishes from her lips, her eyes narrowing, and I belatedly remember that most of the Collective doesn’t know I met Ian when he was a child.

I may need to work harder on perfecting my friendship skills.

Chapter21

Ian

Shit.This is… not ideal. At least it’s Gayle, though. She’s reasonable… ish. Even if right now she looks like she’s two seconds away from reaching for a weapon.

“That sounds like you knew Ian when he was younger,” she says softly. I’m not sure if she’s trying to keep anyone else from hearing or if she’s aiming for drama. “Maybe his parents introduced you?”

It takes me a second to realize what she’s implying, and I’m so relieved, I laugh. “Fuck no.”

“No?” Her eyes never leave Marc. Fuck.

“Nope.” I make a split-second decision. “Okay, this isn’t something we’ve spread around, for reasons that will be obvious in a minute. So I’m going to ask you to keep it to yourself.” I hold up a hand to stop any protest. “You can call Connor and confirm everything I’m about to tell you.”

Her chin lifts in a tiny nod. “Go on.”

“Hear me out all the way to the end, too,” I add. It’s the end that gives context. The middle isn’t so good.

She nods again. Her gaze is still on Marc. Her hands hang loosely by her sides, which might fool an unwary observer into thinking she’s relaxed, but I happen to know she keeps a pair of knives in hidden sheaths along her outer thighs.

“You remember that time Con found a higher demon in the house and it nearly killed him?”

Her shocked gaze shoots to me, then snaps back to Marc, who’s still sitting on the edge of the table, unconcerned. Nobody here would be stupid enough to think he’s not a threat, though. Except maybe Cal Highett.

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