Page 80 of Interior Design for Demons
They must have souls of some kind, because how else would they retain their self-hood from one form to the next? Their souls or spirits might be tattered, threadbare scraps, but they do exist. I’m convinced of it.
Somewhere in the middle of the melody, Apollyon glances up and meets my eyes. There’s no surprise in the look—he probably knew of Karaziel’s plan to meet with me. Maybe he decided to play in the speakeasy so he could see me.
But there’s no joy in his expression either.
Maybe he’s just very focused on the music. That would explain the slightly glazed expression in his eyes, the deadness of his gaze.
The lack of hope.
Oh god.
He thinks we’re done. He really believes this isit, that Ishtar’s order was the last word onus. The End.
We’re not supposed to talk, so I won’t get to find out what he thought of his room.
I turn and hurry up the narrow steps, out of the speakeasy, through the feathered wall, into the sparkly dancing crowd—jangling beads and rattling heels and glitter and champagne.
Rath is surprised when I pop up at his elbow. “Weren’t you just over there?” He points vaguely, confused.
“Um, yeah,” I say. “I was. And now I’m here. Can I go back to my room now? It’s after midnight, and I’m exhausted.”
We don’t speak on the walk back to the contestants’ quarters, until we’re halfway across the glassed-in walkway. Then Rath says, “It wasn’t going to work anyway.”
I know he means me and Apollyon. He sensed my mood change, the sinking of my spirits. He must think I’m the moodiest damn woman ever.
Ihavebeen a little extra moody lately.
Hmm.
Mentally I calculate the days since my last period, and—oh crap.
“Rath.” I clear my throat. “Are there feminine products in my bathroom? Like, monthly supplies?”
He stares.
“Tampons,” I say. “And pads. I have to use both sometimes, because—”
“We stocked the kind you use,” he answers quickly, walking faster.
“Slow down,” I say. “Damn, you really want to get away from me now. It’s not contagious, you know. I’m not about to drip blood. And if I do, I bet it won’t be the first time blood’s gotten on this floor.”
Rath glances around and ducks his head toward me. “Be careful how you handle it. They will film you and show it in the next episode,” he says tersely. “Demons are fascinated with human reproduction.”
“But—why? Don’t demons reproduce?”
“Not the same way. There are no cycles. It’s more of a germination, caused by the repeated joining of two demonic spirits in human form. It’s—”
I hold up a hand to stop him. “You know what? Never mind. I’ve had it up toherewith new information today. Some other time.”
He nods.
“Thanks for the warning about the videos. I’ll be discreet.” Although how I’m going to manage monthly hygiene in the dark is beyond me. “Can’t you delete those bits of my video? You said you held back some of it, right? The parts when the Apollyon-dragon was in my room?”
“I have access to your night feed, so yes, I could remove certain parts—but then I would have toseethem.” He makes a disgusted face.
“Oh, stop it. It’s a perfectly natural thing, okay? Geez. You’ve seen way worse. Like, actual gore. So don’t even start.”
He’s quiet until we reach my bedroom door. Then he says, “I put in the request for you to meet with your father.”
