Page 10 of Demon

Callan just blinked at him again.

Lonnie was coming to love that expression on the demon’s face. “There must be a reason you can’t hear me,” Lonnie mused. “I wonder what it is.”

Callan snorted again as he settled back against the couch. “You should be happy. Most people have thoughts better not shared.”

“Is it only humans you can hear, or do you hear them all?”

“Most everyone. It’s quiet at my work because Xavier uses magic to help those that hear too much. The ones with… What did you call it?”

“Psionics.”

“Yeah, that.”

Lonnie could imagine he heard some of the worst of what humans had to offer with that ability. In the short time Callan had been there, Lonnie had realized that the demon spoke very little, and he got the feeling he had trouble articulating. He wasn’t slow, but he did seem to think long before he spoke. Lonnie had had to work hard not to interrupt him—a habit he knew was wrong. But his mouth often jumped his brain. And his patience. He didn’t want Callan to feel like Lonnie didn’t accept him for how he was. He’d already learned the demon was pretty damn sweet-natured for being such a large, fierce looking preternatural. Lonnie bet most humans were scared of him. And that Callan was used to that and even took a bit of pride in it.

Or did it bother him?

Lonnie wanted to know everything about Callan. He managed to hold off until the end of the current episode buteagerly paused the stream before the next one could start. “Are you cool with more questions? I just find your long life fascinating.”

Callan shifted on the sofa as he focused his attention on Lonnie. “Sure.”

“Have you fought in any wars?”

“Yes.”

Lonnie waited for him to elaborate, growing frustrated when he didn’t. “The Revolutionary War? Was that one of them?”

Callan nodded. “Was a terrible time. I don’t like to think about it.”

“I can’t imagine. If wars are a bad question, let’s skip that one. What firsts did you experience?” That was probably confusing and when Callan tugged on his ear then glanced around the room, he rushed to explain. “I mean what are some of the first things that came out during your years that you experienced? Like having electricity in your home? Or driving a car? Those sorts of things.”

Callan took a long time to answer, his smile sheepish. “There are so many. Electricity was one of the best.” He pursed his lips, obviously thinking hard. “I rode on one of the first trains. Was exciting to be able to travel longer distance, though planes are better.”

“You like flying?”

This time, he gifted Lonnie with a real grin. “First class. The seats in coach are too small.”

Callan looked so different with a happy expression on his face and something in Lonnie’s chest tightened because he wanted to see that expression more. Wanted to be the one to put it there.

“Have you ever been married? Or had children?” A huge thought hit his brain—one that alarmed him because he’dalready realized he was highly attracted to Callan. “Wait, are you married now?”

“No, and never have been.”

He wasn’t sure why he inwardly breathed a huge sigh of relief—he’d have to think about that. Later. Because Callan went on and as he spoke, his tone was heavy with nostalgia.

“I was in one long relationship. Forty years. With a demon like me.”

“What was she like?”

“He,” Callan quickly interjected.

“Oh, you’re gay? I’m pansexual myself.”

Callan smiled. “Pansexual is new.”

Lonnie shrugged. “I’m not sure it’s new, though the term is. I think those of us attracted to people of all genders and identities have always been around.”

“I am also attracted to different genders, but my one relationship was with a man. I like men a lot.” He grinned again.

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