“Stabilization. With Arachne, there were no variables. You and her. One and one. Changing the demon, especially so late into your treatment, could bring thousands of unknowns into play. If we select the carnivean and only the carnivean, what if it is missing things that the ritual was drawing from Arachne?”
“Something bad, I assume.”
He scoffed. “To put it mildly. So we add a second demon. If the carnivean is a point seven-five to Arachne’s one, a second demon could help fill in the blanks. A third, even better. I would prefer five or seven, but we would probably have to summon at least a few demons. Given the situation with Hell, I would rather make do with what we have on hand.”
“Alright. I can see how that would make sense.” Barely. Eva wasn’t a diabolist and even further from a demonologist than Devon claimed to be. She might be able to puzzle out several functions of the ritual circle, but she’d have no idea where to begin in creating one from scratch or even how modify the existing ones without killing herself.
“Using your number analogy,” Eva said, “what happens if a demon is greater than one? Or Arachne was less than one? Wouldn’t two fractional demons add up to more than one anyway?”
He waved his tentacle, dismissing the concern. “It is just an analogy. But it shouldn’t matter. The ritual should take what you need. Anything extra should either be ignored or integrated without issue. However, once we perform this round of treatment, you will not be able to go back to Arachne alone. Even if it shows up the very next day.”
That felt like a mild punch to her stomach. “She could be one of the three, right?”
Devon nodded. “No reason she couldn’t.”
That was a relief. Partially. Arachne would be upset either way.
“Alright. And just who are these demons going to be?”
Devon actually smiled. “Well now, that’s going to be your job isn’t it? Go convince some of the demons around town to lend their aid.”
“Me?”
Devon ignored her. He moved around the desk and pulled a second notebook from the drawer. After flipping through a few pages, he started speaking again.
“The carnivean can be one. She had already agreed to the two-year contract, it would be pointless not to use her. Unless you really want a different third and convince that third. But I’m hoping that the fact that you have her eyes will aid in compatibility.
“The hel would be another good option. She’s powerful, which can’t hurt. Not sure how her pact with Death will affect things, but that is a minor issue at worst.”
Eva nodded at that. She had already considered Ylva back before she knew that they would need three demons.
A thought struck her as Devon flipped a few more pages through his book. An insane, suicidal thought.
“You said that powerful is good, right? What about–”
“No.”
“But–”
“I came plenty close to brushing shoulders with the pillar back in your domain, thank you very much.”
Eva pouted for a moment, just a moment, before a cruel smile crossed her lips. “The great demonologist. Scared.” She shook her head in mock sorrow. “Who would have thought that he would pass up the opportunity to experiment with and research a legitimate devil.”
Devon narrowed his eyes. “I don’t need your cheek, girl.”
“It isn’t like he doesn’t know. He doesn’t call me ’embryonic’ because I’m a teenager. Since you’re not dead, he obviously doesn’t care.”
“Exactly. He doesn’t care. Let’s not give him a reason to start.”
“It can’t hurt to ask.”
Devon brought his tentacle to his forehead and started rubbing it raw. “If you wind up enslaved, killed, disappeared, changed, or otherwise unable to undergo treatment in one week, I will find out where you are and murder you. Again, if necessary.”
Eva beamed at him. “See? You do care. Still going to ask though. It isn’t like he is going to say yes.”
Neighbors
“We decline your request.”
Eva blinked, not quite sure what to say. Her hands moved from the floor where she knelt to rub back and forth in front of her chest.
That had not been the response that she had expected or wanted.
“Rest assured, We do not decline out of malice.”
Eva looked up at Ylva.
The apartment adjacent to Zoe’s was a far cry from the splendor of Ylva’s domain. Everything was entirely mundane. The kitchen appliances were beige colored and looked like they belonged in the eighties. Black and white checkered linoleum covered the floor in half the apartment while shag carpet made up the rest.
Something that Eva had noticed inside of Ylva’s domain was that any messes that were made ended up disappearing in a short time. That seemed to have carried over to the apartment as well. Everything within was spotless.
Outside of Ylva’s room, the building wasn’t exactly a five-star dwelling. Inside, it looked as if someone had taken a fine bristled toothbrush over every inch of everything. The kitchen sparkled, the floor shined, the curtains looked brand new, and there wasn’t a hint of dust in the air.
Though clean, Ylva hadn’t acquired any new furniture for the place.
