Page 8 of Higher Demon

I shudder. Summoning is a barbarous, disgusting practice—something the Collective and I mostly agree on, though they maintain it’s necessary in order to destroy a demon that has gone rogue on Earth or formed a connection. Personally, the thought of being trapped in a summoning circle with few options to avoid doing the summoner’s bidding makes me want to wreak my own havoc on this dismal planet.

Although, to be fair, there are few humans experienced enough with summoning to bend a demon such as I to their will. Most of them are self-important idiots who think they can cheat reality.

Like the author of the ridiculous manuscript polluting my parlor.

With a thought, I send it to the recycling container in the garage. At least once it’s pulped and turned into something else, it can be useful. Now… how to occupy myself?

I look around, but the room is exactly the same as before I chased Ian off: empty and boring. Such a shame. I usually take pleasure in this little haven I’ve created in the midst of human chaos. This afternoon… not so much.

Giving in to the inevitable, I go to my desk and collect my favorite pen. I won’t need it, of course, but it lends an aura of businesslike respectability and efficiency to my mindset. Sliding it into my inside jacket pocket, I go home.

Nothomehome. My home is closed up, and I’ve sworn to myself I won’t return to it until I can do so for good. No point in maudlin visits that will just make me feel melancholy. I’m stuck on Earth for the time being, and I’m going to make the best of it.

Ugh.

So no, I don’t go to my home, but rather to the office of the current leader of Crmærdinesgh. It’s time for my monthly check-in, and though she won’t be expecting me this early, she won’t turn me away, either.

Sure enough, the moment I appear in the antechamber, her assistant, a very intelligent adiut spirit called Dyp, takes one look at me and goes into the office. They come out a moment later, followed by a disgruntled-looking demon who glares at me.

“Do you know how long it took for me to get this meeting?” she demands.

I don’t bother to reply, or even glare back—just look at her. How dare some midlevel demon question me?

She pales, mutters an apology, and scurries out. I turn to Dyp, whose manner is appropriately neutral. “You can go in whenever you’re ready,” they say.

“Thank you.” I incline my head. Common courtesies are the hallmark of a civilized being. If more humans realized that, their world might not be such a cesspit.

Inside the office, Vestia rises from her desk and comes around it to greet me. “Hello, Marc. You’re early today.”

“There was nothing interesting to do,” I explain, and she smiles. We’re both wearing human forms at the moment. I’d never tell Ian or any of the other humans I interact with, but everything humanity is very trendy right now.

“I can’t imagine having the whole of Earth to explore and still being bored. You’re such a picky demon, Marc.”

I shoot her a sour look as we both sit on the incredibly comfortable sofa by the window. We both know I’m only living on Earth because she and several others brought heavy pressure to bear. If I’d known that me not being interested in humans would lead to being seen as the ideal candidate for ambassadorship, I’d have spent an hour every day talking about how fascinating humans are to anyone who’d listen.

Alas, by the time I realized that might be needed, it was far too late.

“Does that mean you still haven’t found someone to take my place?”

Her apologetic expression is completely fake. “It’s not as easy as just picking someone. We need to be certain they can be trusted.”

Trust a higher demon not to mess with humans? I’m never going to be able to come home.

“I don’t understand why everyone is so fascinated by the grubby monsters,” I grumble. “They’re loud, uncouth, and most of them are completely lacking in style.”

“Their minds are pure chaos,” Vestia adds. “I could spend an eternity studying them, trying to predict what they think and do, and I’d never get it right. Plus, you know their soul energy is a delightful boost for younger demons.”

So I’ve heard. Humanity didn’t exist when I was a young demon, and by the time they did, I was more interested in forming minor connections to further my own interests than to feast on soul energy. Besides, a human without a soul is a dead human, and they’re of no use to me then.

Lesser demons aren’t quite so discerning, however, and even young higher demons lack patience and finesse.

Which is why I’m the one who’s stuck on Earth.

“So what you’re saying is that you’re not even looking.”

“We’re looking,” she corrects. “But not as hard as you want us to. Eventually, someone will mature enough to replace you.”

Considering how long it takes a demon to mature, that doesn’t bode well for me. “You know humans die, correct? It won’t be long before this current batch expires, and then I’ll need to start from scratch with the new ones.”

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