“That I’d like to see. You can’t even go out during the day without losing all your meat.” Devon’s short burst of laughter was cut off by Ylva’s death glare.
If her looks could kill, Eva’s master would be dead ten times over.
“I mean,” Devon said with a light cough, “that might work. If you’re certain about the domination. Though you being in town would bring at least one individual’s attention that we definitely do not want.”
“Zagan,” Eva said. “I don’t like this plan, but if Ylva is protecting Zoe…”
The hel gave a light nod of her head.
“I could try to talk down Zagan. Or at least explain. He was unhappy about the random demons popping up in town, last I talked to him. He might even lend assistance.”
“Stay away, girl. You,” Devon said with a harsh glare, “are lucky you aren’t in chains, forced to spend every night dancing for and on him beyond the point of exhaustion.”
“He’s been cordial in our interactions. Like I keep telling you, politeness will take you a long way.” Eva frowned as a thought occurred to her. “Well, except for the part where he pulled off my arms.”
“He what?” “He what!” Devon and Zoe shouted together. They shared a quick glance before turning questioning gazes back at Eva.
“He put them back and didn’t even let me feel pain. It wasn’t worse than a flesh wound.”
“You’re going to ruin all my work, girl.”
“Work?” Zoe asked with a quirked head.
“Nothing for you to concern yourself over, girly. You just focus on staying alive.”
Zoe frowned. She mouthed the word ‘girly’ towards Eva.
Eva answered her questioning glance with another shrug.
“We’re going with Ylva’s plan then?”
“No objections here.”
A quiet squeak prefaced a light clearing of Nel’s throat. “Lady Ylva? I’m being left alone?”
“Use your powers to watch over girly here. Let us know if something happens. I can’t make it simpler than that.”
“Do–How do I–I can’t leave. I don’t think cellphones work in here.”
“Assuming we’re not completely ditching school, Juliana, Shalise, and I will all be around. We can stop by now and again.”
“If something does happen, I can’t wait for you to decide to visit.”
“We will lend Our domain for the duration of Our absence.”
Eva blinked. Devon and Arachne both gave Ylva a look. Free reign over another demon’s domain? There had to be rules against that. Or common sense. Or something.
Zoe was the one to break the sudden silence. “You want them to live in here?” she asked with a twirl of her finger around the room.
“Our domain has been modified for mortal needs,” Ylva said with a short glance towards Nel. “They will not find their stay uncomfortable.”
That would be great. Amazing even. A smile spread across Eva’s face. Ylva had a library that she doubted she’d ever get such free access to ever again. “That’s–”
“What’s your game, demon?” Devon cut Eva off.
“No ‘game.’ Our generosity knows no limits to those who serve Us.”
That term broke Eva’s smile. She mentally ran over all the words she could remember Ylva speaking, ensuring she wasn’t putting herself in a corner.
None of it seemed like a trap. Ylva hadn’t asked anything of them. The only thing that came to mind was her usage of the word ‘subject.’ That wasn’t negative either, nor in reference to Eva. A ruler protects and looks out for their subjects’ interests.
Subjects weren’t property or servants, like Nel, either. Usually.
Ylva’s authoritative voice broke Eva out of her thoughts. Her master had said something that Eva missed, if the glare on Ylva’s face was any indicator.
“Our generosity and patience with
“That will work,” Eva cut in before her master could put any more feet in his mouth. Besides, the library was too lucrative to pass up. “Living here for a while won’t be a problem. And it can probably be better protected than my wards.”
Ylva simply nodded. “We expect an enlightening experience in the mortal realm.”
Women’s Ward
Zoe put on a light smile as she greeted her old teacher. “It is good to see you again, Genoa. Carlos.”
Juliana’s father gave a light nod of his head.
“I wish I could say the same.” Genoa slid down her circular sunglasses to peer over the top.
Zoe tried to maintain her smile. It felt strained and fake. She did not like the look she was getting.
Understandable though it was.
“A situation has arisen involving your daughter.”
“So I hear. Where is she?”
“Juliana, along with her two roommates, is currently at a prison and will be commuting–”
“A prison? What did,” Genoa almost looked ill before she got herself under control. “What did she do?”
“Nothing. She’s not in trouble. The prison was old and abandoned. It has been retrofitted for habitation. She is there because of a possible threat to her life. We were able to place far more secure wards around it than around the school dorms.”
“A threat to her life? And you didn’t think to contact me?”
