Page 31 of Unbinding the Demon
Although she claimed I was only invited so she wouldn’t have to be the fifth wheel,whatever that meant, I assumed it was a positive sign she was warming up to the idea of becoming a genuine couple... However, she was still very clear about this not being a date and made me promise not to do anything too unhinged.
As if I’d ever...
I walked up to the bar and stealthily ran a claw along the dingy green countertop, scraping deep into the paint. The bartender, who was wearing a crooked name tag that said “Kyle,” was texting behind the counter, oblivious to the spiral of dried green paint that now rested on the freshly scratched surface before him. My claw retracted just as he looked up at me. Other than myself, there were only a few people eating in the dining area, so I had his full attention.
“Can I help you, sir?”
I flashed him a predacious smile and looked down into his intimidated brown eyes. He slipped his phone into his pocket and nervously scratched his head, messing up his short, light-brown hair. Can’t say I blame him for feeling threatened. Many humans could sense a predator in their midst, no matter how well I hid my true demonic features.
“I’ll take a Bloody Mary,” I responded after scanning the drink menu.
“No problem. It’ll be right out.” He turned and hurried to fetch the drink.
As I waited, my eyes carefully scanned the seating area. There were a few commoners murmuring and laughing at various tables. Most were intoxicated as they shared about the various ways they were wasting their mundane lives. To my relief, none were the despicable mages I had to worry about. It was bad enough one was at the library the other day. Whether or not they would recognize me in this human disguise was still uncertain.
I had been mildly shocked at the state of that obnoxious, colorful-haired girl the other day. Dark abyssal essence had completely corrupted her. The light of her soul had turned into a forsaken black shadow. The only explanation for such a thing was that there were individuals in town using abyssal magic for malevolent purposes. It was also proof that someone possessed the book I was searching for.
Yet, try as I might, I could not seem to find them while in the shadow realm. It left me to conclude that they were using magic to shroud themselves and the book from demonic eyes. Whoever they were, they knew about me. It was a top priority to ensure that they wouldn’t catch wind of my plans regarding Gwendolyn. She was my only salvation, and I had to protect her from their esurient clutches if this whole seduction scheme was going to work.
“Here you go, sir.” The bartender slid the red beverage across the bar to me, causing it to slosh a bit.
“Thank you.” I nodded with a smile and then took a sip... My face contorted in disgust.“Ugh,what the fuck?Is there even any blood in this?” The atrocious flavors of the acidic concoction bombarded my mouth, utterly repulsing me.
“Uh, um... no, they’re made with tomato juice.” The man now looked quite confused and more nervous than before.
“So you allude to it being formulated with blood, and then serve a liquefied vegetable!?That’s just sick,” I scoffed.
Luckily for the pathetically stammering bartender, the bell on the main door jingled, signifying that someone had just walked in. I turned to see Gwendolyn and her friends laughing together as they strolled inside. I put down some money I had stolen from James’s wallet to pay for the abominable swill I had just been served. After that, I walked over to greet them, leaving the drink behind.
“Buttercup,” I said with a smile, and gave her a quick but tender kiss.
“Hey, Ashton.” She gave me a soft hug while smiling back.
Her sweet vanilla scent and dainty touch created a pleasurable, warm feeling in my chest. Although my plan was ultimately to use her to unbind my powers so that I could ditch this boring world and return to Hell, I still genuinely enjoyed her presence. Her soul was brighter than many other humans, and my sexual attraction to her was by no means a part of the façade.
“Buttercup? Oh my god, I love it.” William, the one who had already earned my favor, laughed. His eyes were reddened, and an amused smile was stretched across his face.
Gwendolyn blushed and cleared her throat in a shy manner. I knew that my little nickname was growing on her, but she seemed a bit embarrassed by my public use of the endearment. “Ashton, I know that you’ve already met William. This is his boyfriend, Oliver. And this is Lacey and her boyfriend, Darrell.” She pointed to each person as she introduced them. Each one said their hellos as she went around.
“It’s a pleasure to finally meet everyone,” I replied with a warm smile. “Gwendolyn has told me so much about all of you.” I beamed proudly at her, and her face reddened even more.
“Only good stuff, I hope!” Darrell said with a friendly laugh as we picked out a table.
“This one should fit all of us.” Oliver gestured to a large wooden table with pictures of painted flowers and farmlands decorating the wall beside it.
I observed Darrell pulling out a chair for Lacey, and so I did the same for Gwendolyn. She flashed me a quick, bewildered glance, but sat down anyway. I inwardly smiled with triumph as I pushed her chair in. I sat down next to her, careful not to bonk my head on the stained-glass swinging lamp that hung above, and got comfortable. As we started looking over the menus, Lacey began scrutinizing me with questions.
“So tell me, Ashton, what are you studying at Mount Greybirch?” Her usually sweet voice was full of sass.
“Turf grass management,” I replied apathetically.
“What made you choose that?” She didn’t seem to appreciate my indifference.
“My lack of hope for the future.” I made eye contact to acknowledge her this time.
“Do you have a criminal record?”
“None whatsoever.”
