Page 40 of Demonic Division

Holding the vessel by the neck, I make my way over to the furs, where Cyprien and Lir have already made themselves at home. Cyprien has somehow managed to pull Dagny into his lap, one arm folded around her stomach and holding her in place while the other raises his glass to his lips. Meanwhile, Lir sits as close as he can to the human without touching her. He stares numbly down at the drink in his hands, though his gaze is pulled toward Dagny every couple of seconds, filled with a deep yearning.

I take a seat opposite them, clearing my throat at the awkward silence that envelops us. “So… terrible weather we’re having lately…”

Dagny snorts, clapping a hand over her mouth to suppress her giggle. Lir raises his head, eyes narrowing to thin slits. “It’s always fucking terrible.”

“Would you stop being such a grump?” Cyprien asks,his tone mocking. “It’s much too late in the day for your negativity.”

Lir’s mouth presses into a thin line. “It’s not negative. It’s honest.”

“Honestly negative as fuck,” Cyprien quips. Lir snarls, his canines lengthening, and Cyprien buries his face into Dagny’s neck with a chuckle.

“Stop poking the bear,” she whispers, elbowing him lightly. “And me, while you’re at it,” she adds, shifting her gaze pointedly to the huge bulge between his thighs.

“Whoops.” His smirk widens, but he doesn’t attempt to move.

“Incorrigible,” Lir huffs, bringing his drink to his lips and taking it back in one go. “I’m going to need more of this.”

I lean forward, filling his glass while Dagny swirls her portion. She brings it to her nose and sniffs, and her face contorts as the sharp odor assaults her senses.

“What is it?” she asks, pulling the drink up to the light to examine it.

“Welwig sap.”

“Is it safe?”

“Very,” Cyprien answers, his lips spreading in a wide smile. “In small amounts, that is.”

Dagny’s brow furrows, and Cyprien draws soothing circles on her stomach. “You don’t have to drink it if you don’t want to.”

“One of us will gladly consume your portion,” I add, leaning forward and placing a hand on her knee.

Dagny’s lips tip upward in a small smile. “I’ll try a little.” Slowly, she brings the rim of the cup to her lips, first sampling the liquid, then taking a large sip. A pleased hum echoes in her chest as she takes another taste, then another.By the time she lowers the bowl, the whites of her eyes are glinting with a pale blue light, reflecting beautifully in the gentle glow from the fire.

“Like it?” Cyprien asks, leaning down to nuzzle against her neck. “How do you feel?”

“Mmhmm.” She raises the cup to her lips again, her eyes glossing over with a faraway look as she downs the last of it. “Really good.”

“It’s made from the trees we passed on the way here,” Cyprien explains. “Their sap is filled with magic. When tapped and drank… well, you can see what it does.”

“Yeah…” Her voice fades away as she brings her hand up to her eyes, flipping it back and forth like it’s the first time she’s seeing it. “I’m glowing.”

We all chuckle at the reaction—even Lir—and a gentle warmth builds in my chest. Dagny leans back against Cyprien, her eyes drooping closed as a slow smile works its way onto her face. “This is good stuff…”

Lir’s eyes glaze over as he falls sideways into Dagny, nuzzling his face into the crook of her neck as a deep growl vibrates the air.

Dagny reaches up, running her fingers through Lir’s long blue locks. Her lids open lazily, and her beautiful copper-rimmed eyes trail toward the singular window, taking in the violent blizzard swirling just beyond.

“I don’t know… it doesn’t seem that bad out there,” she murmurs, her voice nearly silent. “It… reminds me of something… something nice. Something good.” A crease forms between her brows as she stares at the snowstorm, lost to a memory. The Welwig sap is working its way through her, intensifying her emotions and dulling her mind all at the same time. It’s a powerful drug, and the first time someone experiences it can be intense.

“There’s nothinggoodabout the snow and ice,” Lir says, following her line of sight with a frown. “It’s all bad.”

Dagny shakes her head, her lips quivering slightly. “That’s not true. I… I remember…” her voice fades away as her frown deepens, eyes flicking side to side as she tries to grab the fleeting memory. “I remember one time… It was my eighth birthday, I think. Mom took me to the park—which was weird because there was a literal snowstorm outside.” Dagny shakes her head, blinking rapidly against the tears welling in her eyes. “Those were her favorite days, though. She said they reminded her of a place she used to live… a place she used to love.” She takes a deep breath, closing her eyes as she loses herself to the memory. “We got hot chocolate and made snow angels in the park. It was so, so fucking cold. I thought my fingers were going to fall off. But… I was happy,” she murmurs. “That’s the last time I can remember.”

Tears stream down Dagny’s cheeks, but she doesn’t seem to notice. Her eyes have glazed over, and her face has no real expression. Whatever she’s feeling, it must have been long suppressed to have this effect. Everything in me wants to take away that helpless expression, to bring back her rare smile.

But how?

I slam my glass down on the ground, and everyone whips their head to me in surprise.

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