Page 54 of The Demon's Pet

Sam didn’t answer us. He was already walking away, his wings unfurling, obsidian in the sun.

Then he took off, up into the clouds, disappearing out of sight.

I put up a hand to shade my eyes, shocked he’d just left us like that.

“Couldn’t he just… use his god powers to get us food or something?” I asked Os.

Os shook his head. “Two options. Either he lied to us completely and is doing something else, or he really is hunting down food in a nearby town. Sam is odd about using his celestial powers. When he can avoid it, he’d rather not.”

Interesting.

“Your wings,” I said. “Why are they purple? Sam’s are black…”

Os smiled at me, flashing perfect white teeth. “We all have secrets.” He gestured for both of us to come over by the house, and he waved a hand, making the air shimmer around us.

When the shimmers fell, a small camp appeared, complete with logs for seating and a small unlit campfire with a pot hanging over it.

“We travel a lot,” Os said by way of explanation. “I’m good at setting up a camp.”

Griffin came over to sit on one of the logs, sending a look of longing at the stream.

“Come. Let’s talk for a minute,” Os said, patting the log next to his as he sat down.

I walked over to sit, and as I did, my stomach growled, making me realize I truly was hungry.

“What will Sam bring back?”

Os shrugged. “One never knows with that guy.”

“He doesn’t seem right in the head,” Griffin muttered. “Why do the celestials keep him around?”

“We needed a slayer,” Os said.

Griffin perked up. “What do you mean?”

“You know, the demons have dedicated slayers for their kingdoms. The celestials… we lose authority by killing. It’s a job no one wants, and Sam signed up for it. With his power, we couldn’t really refuse him.”

“How often do you have to kill?” Griffin asked.

“Just when it’s needed. Like in the case of abominations. But, well, we have to give the havens what they want. And sometimes things truly are a danger. You two are anomalies.”

I wasn’t so sure about that, but I hoped he was right. The thought of Sam killing innocent creatures made my heart sore.

“Sam isn’t your regular celestial,” Os said. “Normally, we took turns with executions, but he’s happy to take all of them. He insists on it.” Os flushed as he looked down at his hands. “I think he might enjoy it.”

“I think he does,” I muttered.

“That’s right,” Os said. “You saw him kill. How was it?”

I shook my head because I didn’t want to think about it.

“Now, about you,” Os said, looking over at Griffin, who kept stealing shy glances at him. “Why did Sam save you?”

“Griffin wasn’t hurting anyone,” I said quickly.

“He should have been reported to the celestials,” Os said. “Sam called only me instead.”

I had no idea about that.

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