Page 21 of Myths and Manuscripts
“Well, yeah?” I frowned, glancing at their curious faces. “Haven’t you?”
The soldier crossed his arms, muscles bulging. “Of course not. Our lord is far too busy to be talking to random demons like us. I bet you’ve never even met him. You’re just trying to infiltrate our town. You and your bunny are not welcome here.”
Interesting. How had nobody talked to him before? His generals had to get orders somehow, otherwise they’d never have been sent out on all those missions in the previous books. Unless the Demon Lordonlytalked to his generals and deemed everyone else unworthy of conversation. That felt right for the character I’d read about, but odd for the person I’d been getting to know. Like there was a disconnect between what I’d read and what I’d seen in person.
The delicious scent of spiced meat wafted through the air, making my stomach rumble. I’d intended to stop by Mochi for a snack before all this happened, but I’d just have to find something in the castle while I waited for the Demon Lord. Would eating storybook food still be filling?
“I’ll just leave you all be then,” I said as I backed away toward the castle. “I’ll wait inside for him to come back.”
“Inside?” The baker gasped. “She’s been inside the castle! We can’t turn her away. What if she truly is the DemonLord’s...?”
“Friend,” I finished for him. “We’re friends.”
Or at least, I thought we were. It sounded better than acquaintances writing a book together.
The baker raised his eyebrows. “Come along, little human. Let me get you a plate of food and you can tell me all about thisfriendshipyou have with our lord.”
Before I knew it, I’d been pulled into their circle, surrounded by tasty food and laughter. It was like a switch had flipped and their curiosity about the Demon Lord had taken over. I gladly sampled every food they gave me, marveling at how real it tasted. This world didn’t feel like a story at all. It was all so homey and warm, I never would have guessed we were in the infamous demon village.
That disconnect I’d felt earlier was growing. Something about this village just didn’t seem right. Demons were supposed to be evil incarnate, so why were they feeding me pastries and chatting about their day? Whatever the reason, it seemed like writing this final book just got a whole lot more difficult.
Chapter 9
Demon Lord
The sky was full of the purple miasma I’d only ever seen from my castle windows. Breathing it in felt strange, like power coiled in the air waiting to strike. If I stepped outside, stepped into this book’s world, I’d finally become part of it and people would see who I really was. A demon trying to act like a lord. I could probably fool normal people by just walking around with a glower on my face, but if I ran into any of my generals, they’d realize I wasn’t who I was supposed to be.
They were strong and terrifying, just like I aimed to be myself, and I was purposefully avoiding them until I achieved the villainy they’d expect. I was their leader, and I refused to let them down.
Honestly, it might be better to stay inside and leave Willow to fend for herself. Sure, I was partially responsible for her being here, but she was the one who’d run off on her own. So why was I the one walking outside as if my feet had a will of their own? Each step felt heavier and heavier and my back tensed up like people were watching me.
I inhaled the magically charged air, staring at the village ahead of me with its crooked rooftops, glowing lanterns, and bustling market full of demons. If something happened to Willow, I’d never hear the end of it. Nyssa and Roan would befurious, probably banning me from the library and interacting with patrons. Actually, that part didn’t sound half bad.
Maybe I should just return to the castle after all. Either Willow would find her way back or I’d finally get out of talking to people. It seemed like win-win.
But before I could retreat, the sound of Willow’s voice drifted over. She was laughing with one of the demons in town, smiling like she’d known them all her life. I couldn’t believe I’d been worried about her. I shook my head as she laughed again, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.
A bandage covered her cheek.
Shadows twisted against my skin as something even darker surged in my chest. That bandage hadn’t been there before. I stormed into town, each step fueling my anger as I searched for other injuries. Her pale skin was unblemished besides the bandage, but that didn’t mean she was fine. She was literally surrounded. By demons.
My long strides ate up the distance between us as my shadows swallowed everything in my path. Somebody had touched her. Hurt her. And they were going to pay.
“Hey, look who’s finally back.” Willow’s grin faltered when her gaze fell on my shadows. “I know I probably should have waited for you, but I was just too curious. And it’s totally fine. Turns out these demons are really nice.”
The demons in question froze in terror as I marched up to her. Her cheek was swollen and there was a tiny smear of blood on her skin. I reached out my hand, hovering just over the bandage. “Who did this to you?”
“What?” Her eyes widened. “Oh, that? It’s nothing. Just a misunderstanding.”
“It’s not nothing.” My voice was low, full of barely contained rage. I’d only left her for fifteen minutes. How had she gotten injured in such a short time? “Who hurt you?”
A hulking demon with a spear fell to his knees. “I’m sorry, My Lord. If I’d known she wasyourwoman, I’d never have touched her.”
My shadows coiled around him like a boa constrictor before my mind caught up to what he’d called her. Willow was definitely not my woman.
“Well aren’t you two just full of spit and vinegar.” Willow crossed her arms, glaring up at me. “If we’re going to put labels on me, I’d prefer consort.”
“Consort?” My shadows sputtered as my face warmed. “I think I’d remember if we’d....if we’d...”
