Page 35 of Immortal Throne

Chupey sauntered into the room, the handles of my duffle bag clenched between his teeth. After he passed Zane, he spat the handles out, dropping the bag at my feet. “You look ridiculous.”

I dropped the pants, no longer caring that I stood in my underwear and a string shirt in front of Zane. “Chupey, buddy. Please tell me that bag is—”

“Full of your gear. Yes. And clean underwear.”

“Underwear?” Zane raised both eyebrows.

“Yeah, humans are big on it for some reason,” Chupey said.

I dropped down on my knees and hugged him, scratching behind his ears, and ignored his comment that implied demons all walked around commando.

Zane snorted. “He’s not actually a dog you know.”

“I know.” I squeezed Chupey harder.

Chupey snuggled against my chest. “Don’t listen to him. Familiars live for this shit. It’s like crack.”

I laughed and gave his neck some more pats and scratches before pulling away and straightening.

Zane looked at both of us as if we’d lost our minds. “I’ll wait outside.”

“Thank you.”

After Zane stepped out, I quickly peeled off my clothes and redressed in something more comfortable and familiar. Chupey went through what to expect with the trials, and his information matched Zane’s almost word for word—vague and not insightful. Apparently, no one really knew what to expect, thanks to the non-disclosure spells. That wasn’t bad news for me. That meant I wouldn’t be the only person clueless.

I opted to wear my black training shorts. They might be tight and short, but they allowed for movement. After throwing on my armor-like sports bra with the enforced straps and front zipper, I pulled one of my sporty tank tops over the bra.

Turning to Chupey, I placed a hand on my hip and asked, “How do I look?”

“Like a human.”

I sputtered. I was human. Well, half human. “Is that such a bad thing?”

“It’s a weakness and best not to flash it around like a neon sign.”

I threw up my hands. “I don’t know what to expect and I need to be comfortable and able to move freely without worrying about my clothes. This is what I know.”

“I know.”

“And you said I looked ridiculous in the demon top.”

“You did.”

“Chupey! You’re not being helpful,” I said. Picking up the strappy shirt thing, I pulled it over the black tank top. “There.”

Chupey snorted.

“And I’m not wearing those boots.” I pulled on white ankle socks and slipped my feet into my running shoes.

Chupey whined.

“I’d rather look human than stupid,” I snapped.

Zane knocked on the door. “Times up. Get your ass out here.”

I opened the door and Zane stepped back, eyes widening as he scanned my body.

“I don’t want to hear it,” I shot.

---