Page 20 of Myths and Manuscripts
The demon bunny grew bigger, as if trying to intimidate me into walking away, but there was no chance I’d leave an injured animal. Not even a demonic one in a storybook. I reached into my bag, pulling out a container of dried fruit and some herbs I’d seen wild bunnies eating on the mountain before.
“Here, have some.”
The bunny’s black nose twitched. It hopped closer, flames inching toward me as it cautiously nibbled some of the herbs. Heat licked my fingertips, but I didn’t move. The bunny lunged forward to gobble them up, chubby cheeks bouncing as it chewed. My fears faded as the demon bunny happily ate the dried fruit too.
I exhaled in relief, finally regaining some control over my senses. Just because it was part demon didn’t mean it wasn’t adorable.
“Okay, let’s get that paw of yours fixed next.” I pulled out a bandage and healing salve that I was supposed to drop off for a client on my way back from the library, and reached for the bunny. It leapt back, snarling like no bunny ever should. “Okay,okay, no need to flame me. Why don’t I try it on myself first?”
My cheek was throbbing at this point, so it would be good to clean it up anyway. I spread some of the bright green salve onto my face and secured a bandage over it.
“See?” I leaned down, letting the bunny examine it. “It’s just a healing salve. It’ll help your paw.”
The bunny hopped one step toward me, then another, before it held out its paw, head turned away like it couldn’t be bothered with this nonsense.
“Well aren’t you the proud little thing,” I said with a laugh as I spread the salve over the cut on its leg and wrapped it up. “There, you’re all set! You should stay close so I can remove that bandage later and reapply the salve.”
Its deep red eyes blinked up at me. Could demon bunnies understand humans?
We stared at each other for a bit, question unanswered, before the bunny scurried into my bag, nibbling on all the other treats I had in there.
“Hey, those are mine too!” I laughed, daring to pet the adorable demon. It purred, settling into my bag like it was its new home.
I let out a breath. That had gone much better than I thought it would. If I could get on the good side of this demon bunny, then maybe I could show the townsfolk that they didn’t need to kill me on sight. I could at least stay safe until the Demon Lord returned and got me out of this book
I carefully stood up, trying not to jostle the bunny, but noticed the dead leaves had blown away revealing a path. I frowned, hoping this wasn’t some trick that would lead me deeper inside forest.
“What do you think Bun, should I follow it?” I opened the flap on my bag so the bunny’s head and big floppy ears could poke out over the edge. It chittered at me, nibbling some herbsand motioning its head the other way. “You want me to go that way?”
When the bunny’s head bobbed in what I took as a nod, I turned around. “Okay, let’s hope this is the way out.”
After what felt like hours, I stumbled out of the forest and back onto fresh grass. I grinned, taking a deep breath of the magic-infused air. I could see the castle! And the town! And the demons...
The demon with the spear whirled on me, like he’d been waiting here the whole time.
“It’ll be okay, little bunny.” I clutched my bag tight in case we had to run.
“How did you get out?” he demanded. “Did you kidnap a demon bunny?”
“I don’t think so? It just hopped in my bag all on its own.” The townsfolk stared in disbelief as I reached down to scratch behind the bunny’s ears. “I promise I didn’t come here to hurt you all. I’m here to help. I think.”
Whispers surrounded me as the baker demon slowly approached. “You said you came here with the Demon Lord, right?”
“Yes, but he had to run an errand,” I lied, “he’ll be back soon.”
The bunny hummed and chittered, making a bunch of bunny talking noises that reminded me of when Mochi spoke and I couldn’t understand him. The rest of the demons nodded.
“Cinder, the bunny, says you healed her?” When I nodded, the spear wielder continued. “Can you heal others too?”
“Of course!” I frowned, scrounging through my bag. “Well, I don’t have many supplies with me, so I’d need to gather a few things. I’m not even sure what this world has actually. I’m an apothecary where I’m from.”
I was babbling, but they were all staring at me, making menervous. The bunny hopped out of my bag, as if my rummaging around had disturbed her peace. She sat between my feet, staring right back at all the demons. My little bunny defender.
“Your name’s Cinder, huh?” I bent down to pet her. “It’s nice to meet you. My name’s Willow.”
Cinder’s nose twitched as I handed the bunny a few more herbs. She stuffed them in her mouth, chubby cheeks chewing fast. The demons around me relaxed, smiling at the bunny.
The baker from earlier stepped forward. “Do you really know the Demon Lord? Like you’ve talked to him in person?”
