“Oh god, you!” He flinched and backed up as if searching for an exit, but only managed to hit the back wall, knocking off a couple of bags of candy in the process.
“Indeed.” Kain stopped in front of the counter, placing both of his massive hands on it so he could lean in. “I'm pleased you remember me. That should save us the trouble of you pretending like you can't answer my questions, shouldn't it?”
The man, now sickly pale behind his adult acne, nodded. “W-What do you want?”
“Precise directions to the place I asked you about last time.”
Fred swallowed. “Man, you know I can't.” Kain growled again, making the slender man shake harder. “It's a spell! I can't!”
Kain scoffed. “Oh, really? I suppose we'll just have to see if a little of my magic will help, then.”
“No! Please, no!” Fred huddled in on himself as darkness suddenly filled the room, solidifying in tendrils that snaked toward the quivering man.
The Demon Lord hadn’t gone this far the last time he visited—but the stakes hadn’t been as high as they were now. Using his magic in another’s territory? That was bound to draw attention from the residing Lord Protector. But if he was quick enough, he and Selma would be gone by the time anyone came to investigate.
“Kain!” Out of nowhere, a small hand slapped hard against his back, breaking his single-minded focus. “Stop that! Right now!”
Kain blinked, his dark magic receding as he snapped his head around to stare down at Selma. “What?”
“What do you mean, 'what'?” she stuttered, some of the unease she’d displayed their first morning together flickering in her gaze despite the stubborn jut of her chin. “Stop attacking the poor guy! You can't just… bully someone like that!”
He cocked an eyebrow at her. “I gave him ample opportunity to speak of his own accord. He chose not to.”
Selma blinked. “He said it was a spell. I'm not entirely sure how magic works for y’all, but that doesn't sound like he could just choose to tell you. How about you ask the man?”
“What, ask him nicely and see if he'll comply? Look, I know you're a Breeder and therefore predisposed to being overly kind, but that's just not how the world works, sweetheart.”
The fear on Selma’s pretty face was swiftly replaced by anger at his patronizing tone, but before she could lay into him, the clerk interrupted.
“If the girl is a Breeder, I can tell her,” he croaked, slowly straightening behind the counter.
Kain flicked his black gaze back to Fred, pinning him in place. “Explain.”
He gulped. “Well… the spell ensures we only tell Breeders of the location. If she’s a Breeder, I will be able to tell her. Though… you should leave the room while we…”
Kain's raised eyebrows made Fred falter.
“Uh, but I suppose we can ignore that.” He fidgeted nervously. “She'll have to ask me directly.”
Selma glanced up at Kain, likely to ensure that he was once again safe to be around before she walked closer to the counter so the man could look at her without also getting an eyeful of the threatening demon.
“Where is the place that demons can't go?”
Fred exhaled, undoubtedly from relief. “Colorado, in the mountains. Here, let me show you on a map.”
While he bent to fish the map out from under the counter, Selma side-eyed her companion. “Yes, I see how much easier threatening people is. Why does anyone waste their time talking?”
Kain narrowed his eyes at her, but couldn’t quite suppress a flicker of amusement at her lip. “You should watch that smart mouth of yours.”
She didn’t retaliate, choosing instead to focus on Fred as his head reappeared and he slapped a map of Colorado in front of them.
“Here it is, just west of Routt National Forest off Route 40.” He pointed at the map. “But if you bring him, he won't be able to take you closer than three miles.”
“What's there?” She eyed the area that looked to be just a stretch of mountainous terrain. “Why can't demons enter?”
Fred's fingers twitched around the edge of the map. “I… I'm not sure.” He quickly glanced at Kain. “B-But it's a sanctuary. They take in Breeders who find their way there. The ones who can't accept their lot in life.”
Kain sighed. “Fred, don't make me do unpleasant things to you in front of the lady. She doesn't want to see that.”
