Page 74 of Not Today, Satan
He doesn’t appear to hear me. He’s staring at the wall, his eyes faraway. “I lost an entire year of my life. I turned eighteen a month ago and didn’t even know it.”
“Happy belated birthday?” I attempt a smile, but the realization that my own birthday is soon forces my lips into a line. No wonder Ferus was so anxious to prove himself to Father. I’m about to inherit the throne he wants so desperately.
I glance over at the portal. It’s invisible up here, but the energy surrounding it pulses enough to raise the hairs on my forearms. It’s quiet now, but it won’t remain that way for long. Surely Ferus and Father are strategizing to track me down.
“We should get going,” I say softly. “The faster we’re away from here, the better.”
Nate blinks and rubs his eyes, then looks me up and down. “Shouldn’t you do something about…” He gestures to my wings and sword. “Those aren’t exactly standard human issue. You’re going to stick out like…well, like a half demon with wings.”
I cross my arms over my chest and scowl. “What would you have me do? I left my cloak behind when I jumped off the bridge, and I can’t make these vanish.” I tuck the feathers as deep into my back as possible, then place a hand on the hilt of my sword. “Besides, you’re not the portrait of obscurity yourself. You’re wearing an outfit belonging to a demon souldier from Hell.”
“Fair point.” He peers around the corner again, rubbing at the dried red stains on his collar. “I mean, itisHollywood Boulevard. Lots of people in costumes here. Just follow my lead from now on. I know that might be hard for you.”
He strides down the sidewalk with heavy steps, not turning to make sure I’m behind him. People swarm the area, and my grip tightens on my sword.
This is the first time I’ve been around humans who are alive. Down in Hell, I have the upper hand. They’re in my home. But now I’m in theirs, and despite reading many books about Earth, they know more about this place than I do.
Closing my eyes, I take shallow breaths and steady my body.
They’re humans, Devica. You’re more of a threat to them than they are to you.
“Nate?” I shove my way through the people and jog to catch up to him.
He jerks away when I reach for his hand, and I frown.
He’s been different since we escaped. He hasn’t ignored me entirely, but there’s a coldness in his gaze I don’t recognize.
Doesn’t he know that I made up everything I said on the bridge to save him? He can’t believe I meant any of it. Not after I dove in after him, singeing my favorite pair of boots in the process.
Maybe this is Earth Nate. Hard as the concrete at our feet so that he could survive moving from place to place. Maybe this is how I’m supposed to survive here, too.
I square my shoulders and keep pace behind him.
We weave onto a sidewalk with pink stars and gold names etched into them—none of which I recognize. Our path is cluttered with humans of all shapes and sizes. They’re dressed in everything from the shortest denim shorts and shirts that expose so much flesh I practically develop a sunburn looking at them to long dark skirts and hijabs that shield all but their faces from the punishing light above. Almost all of them insist on stopping suddenly to point at buildings or aim rectangular devices at their faces or the stars that pattern the ground.
When anyone brushes against my bare skin, I connect without warning to their souls, and their sins knock the air out of me like a tidal wave suffocating a flame.
Cheated on his spouse. Cheated on her taxes. Treated their pets terribly.Treated his children worse.
Along with sins, I’m getting images of other aspects of their lives. The good things they’ve done.
Donated money to charity. Volunteered at a shelter. Started a recycling program at school. Helped a stranger in a crowd.
The latter sends my mind spiraling. It wasn’t only Nate. And it wasn’t because I kissed him. Something is wrong withme.
Nate walks ahead of me, never slowing or turning back, even as I pause to catch my breath and try to sort the questions battering my brain.
A large man with muscles that bulge beneath his shirt approaches me. I step into the street so I don’t have to deal with whatever sins he may be wrestling with, and there’s a loud honking as one of the metal vehicles thrums toward me. I freeze, my eyes locked on the headlights.
I’m yanked onto the sidewalk, and Nate spins me to face him, his eyes wide. “Devica, you can’t walk into the street. You’ll get run over.”
“I’m sorry.” He drops his arm, and I shield my eyes with my hands. “It’s hard to see. The light hurts. Aquarum may have three suns, but it’s not like this.”
The lines that have been etched in his face since we shot out of the portal soften. “I hadn’t thought of how different all this is for you. We need to get you sunglasses. But I don’t suppose you brought any money?” I shake my head, and he sighs. “Sorry, Dev. Without money, you’re also without sunglasses. Try not to stare directly at the sun.”
We pass a woman with brown skin and beaded braids carrying a satchel with a small furry animal over her shoulder. Hanging off the side of it are a pair of dark glasses. She doesn’t notice me slip them off the leather. Her strange animal growls at me, but she pats him before disappearing into the crowd.
I shove the glasses onto my face, and the pain behind my eyes lessens. “Much better.”
