“I’m not pestering. Demons know your name, Delaney.”
“So?” I moved closer to the wall, crowding her up.
“Even though you’re a pedestrian, plain, boring, rule-abiding, mostly-mortal, you aren’t quite as stupid as we’ve heard.”
“Thanks.” I changed my trajectory once again, and she had to pull up fast or risk running into a potted plant.
She did neither of those things. Instead, she just trotted right through the plant.
Okay, that was different.
“Also, you aren’t quite as ugly or pasty as everyone says. Your teeth could use work, and those tiny boobs…”
“What do you want, Xtelle?”
“I’m sure I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
We were close to the bathroom, so I sped up, opened the door long enough for her to precede me, then stepped in behind her and threw the lock.
“This.” I waved my finger in a circle. “You following me because you want to talk to me. Wrap it up.”
She shimmered and became just that little bit more solid looking, her eyes flashing pink for a moment before returning to the fake sweet-as-spring blue.
“You won’t let me into Ordinary to talk to you, so this is my only option. Although,” she glanced around the restroom and curled her lip, “it’s very…you.”
“The dragon pig is right outside in the parking lot.”
“I don’t know what that has to do with…”
“Ten,” I said.
“You are so tedious!”
“Nine.”
“I want to visit Ordinary. And stay.”
“Why?”
I shouldn’t consider her request, not after all the havoc she’d caused. But the rules of entering Ordinary were too long established inside me. If a supernatural wanted in, all they needed was Reed approval. We didn’t even ask most supernaturals to sign contracts, like we did for the gods.
Demons were the exceptions. They preferred breaking rules and sowing chaos. It was in their nature. Above all else, Ordinary was a vacation town. A place of rest and relaxation.
Demons had to sign a contract binding them to the rules of Ordinary. But the only demon who’d agreed to sign that contract was Bathin, Xtelle’s son, and Myra’s boyfriend.
He’d only agreed to it a month ago when he’d almost lost everything, including my sister.
I found it hard to believe that after centuries of breaking laws and ruining souls, Xtelle wanted to settle down to a nice quiet beach life.
“It’s…you won’t believe me,” she said. “You’ve already made up your mind.”
“This is your chance to convince me to change it.” I rolled my finger again.
“Fine. I…liked it in Ordinary. Okay? Are you happy? Ienjoyedmyself in yourstupidbackwater town.” She was breathing hard, challenge in her eyes. Then, a little softer, she added, “I want to enjoy it again.”
“You entered into Ordinary on a lie, told us you were a pink unicorn who had lost her herd.”
“Iama pink unicorn.” She trotted a circle, swished her tail, and glanced over her shoulder so the horn sparkled in the fluorescent light.
