Page 101 of The Demon's Delight
I lifted the pendant away from my skin, the hum disappearing. As they reached for their magic and found nothing, the group all exchanged glances. Rylan looked at his hands, perplexed. Vassago and Calla just frowned.
“That’s a very strange feeling,” Rylan muttered. “Thank you.” The hum returned as I released the chain and the necklace touched my skin once again. Imogen described how the current inscription had been made and repeated the offer to find someone to make a duplicate. “I’m happy to help with the incantation,” he offered. “What is that ring?”
My chest squeezed. “Seir said he’s had that since shortly after he fell.”
The brothers exchanged a look. “And it’s with you because…?” Rylan plucked it from the box between his thumb and forefinger. In his grasp, it truly did look quite small.
“He snuck it in there before I banished him. He tried to make me choose one when we first bonded. This one drew my attention most from the several he showed me, but I told him rings could wait.”
Calla chirped a laugh.
“Sounds about right,” Rylan said with a grin. “Have you put it on?”
“No.”
“Shall we try?”
I hesitated as he held it out to me. “Is there something special about it?”
“Undoubtedly.” His words were cryptic, but his expression told me whatever he thought might happen wasn’t dangerous.
The band fit perfectly on my left ring finger and nowhere else. I flushed hot, cheeks burning as I settled it there.
“The hum is gone,” I blurted, unable to disguise my relief.
“Hum?” Greta asked.
“The necklace hums when I wear it. It’s low, a little annoying unless I’m trying to use my healing magic. Then it’s very irritating, like bugs are crawling under my skin.”
“May I see the necklace?”
“Take it off? But?—”
“Just for a moment,” he repeated, truly unbothered that without it I could be causing complete havoc anywhere my magic reached. “I need to see what I’m working with. We can be quick. And the dagger, as well.”
I did as he asked, hopeful that whatever was outside this place and within the range of my null ability wasn’t too negatively affected.
Imogen went to his side, their combined expertise assembling a plan of attack where the items were concerned. Vassago consulted as well, making suggestions that seemed mostly for aesthetic purposes before getting up to make us new mirrors. Lovette and Calla busied themselves by putting the remains of the food back in the baskets and taking all the dirty dishes down to the dining room.
A consensus reached about how to fix the obsidian items, I was given the necklace for the time being and put it back on as Calla and Lovette returned, talking animatedly. Hands gestured, bright laughs and unconstrained talk filled the room. The demon brothers were exchanging information about mirrors and stones and the best way to adjust an inscription on a polished rock that might be as old as time itself. Greta was examining the vials of her elixir, explaining to Imogen what she was looking for to ensure that it had cured properly.
It was chaos. Organized, beautiful chaos.
In that moment, I understood what Seir had meant about this family. My problems had been assumed as their own and were considered no less important than anything else they were already managing. They’d all considered my feelings at every step, and I knew to my bones would not hesitate to do what needed done, no matter what that might be.
I sat watching them interact around me, more grateful that I could express to have been given such a gift.
“Come back whenever you like,”Calla said, pulling me in for a hug as we prepared to leave the school grounds and walk back to Ophelia’s hut. “I meant it when I said there’s an apartment upstairs, ready for you. Just depends on when or if you’d like to stay here instead of with Ophelia.”
I could only nod, the generous offer equal parts tempting and overwhelming.
“We’ll coordinate a way to work on your stones so that everything is a bit easier for you,” Rylan assured me.
“Thank you all, very much.” I was still half in disbelief that their immense kindness was genuine. I’d never had more than Merry to occasionally lean on, let alone a whole clan of people who had no ulterior motives behind their helpfulness.
The gargoyles chatted amongst themselves as we strolled, both understanding without a word having been shared that I needed some time to process.
Night in Revalia evoked memories of Ravenglen by scent alone. The smell of cooking onions and spices floated out of apartment windows and hung on the air, florists peddling their wares from carts down the main streets during the rush to get home adding a layer to the scent.
