“Forgive me for asking, butwhatare you?”
She smiles. Just a small tilt of the lips, not entirely warm, not entirely cruel.
“A Demon, of course. Nightfall’s premier population comprises Demons.”
Of course. Like that’s just a thing now.
She tilts her head, studying me with those ink-black eyes.
“And you’re a hoo-man, yes? Here to be our Lord’sviyella?”
“It’s human,” I correct gently. “And you can call me Jules.” Then I blink. “Wait—what was that you just said? Your Lord’swhat?”
“Pardon, mistress, um, Lady Jules?” she tries, awkward now.
“Just Jules,” I say again.
But she looks uncertain, like calling me anything less than nobility might get her smote by a lightning bolt. So I let it go.
“Anyway, you said I’m Lord Alaric’swhat?”
“Oh, um…” She shifts like she’s suddenly realized she’s said too much. “I don’t think it is for me to explain, Lady—I mean, Just Jules.”
There’s a soft humming sound at the back of her throat, something melodic and strange, and it somehow calms me.
Like the magic in her voice is designed to soothe skittish humans.
She turns to resume stacking books on the rolling cart behind her.
“I will continue with my duties, if you please.”
“Wait,” I say, reaching out and touching her arm without thinking.
She goes completely still.
I quickly pull back, realizing I’ve broken some unspoken rule.
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to offend. I just,” I murmur and exhale. “Can we talk? Just for a bit?”
She looks down at where I touched her, then up again with something almost like surprise. Then she gives a small nod.
“Sure, Just Jules. We can talk,” she says carefully. “If I may work while we do? There is much to be done.”
“Of course! I can even help,” I offer, eager for connection.
Something normal.
Even if it’s between a human and a gray-skinned Demon steward with a lullaby for a voice.
Shade shakes her head with a ghost of amusement, but doesn’t shoo me away.
I take that as a win.
“I suppose it is confusing,” she murmurs, gently shelving another book. “Being in a new realm.”
“That’s one word for it,” I say. “Another is terrifying. A third might be shocked by all the beauty here. I mean, are all Demons hot-as-hell, so to speak?”
Shit. Did I just stick my foot in my mouth?