I chew on my tongue. She doesn’t have to sound so disappointed about it.
The boar demon regards me tensely. I don’t miss the way he sniffs the air. Distrust abounds.
Dealing with demons is entirely different than dealing with humans. We are a scheming sort. Dangerous by nature. There’s always something to gain, always a delicate balance to strike. I could be honest and tell him the truth, that we’re seeking a way out of this place. But what I’m more curious to know is why this horde of demons looks so much like a small army. I suppose even the worst of us seek out company rather than wander alone.
The boar demon and his goons don’t respond. Instead, they brandish their weapons and take a step closer. The muscles in my neck tense when Sonam slowly places his hand upon the hiltof his sword. Humans—stupidly reactionary. He needs to calm down. Any sudden movement may see to our quick and painful demise.
“Lower your weapons,” I say to the boar demon. “It hardly encourages friendly conversation.”
The boar demon snorts, nostrils flaring wide. “Conversation?” he says stupidly. I don’t think he has enough wits about him to understand more than three syllables at a time.
“I want totalk,” I clarify, speaking slowly so my words stand a chance of getting through his thick skull.
The boar, who is very obviously the leader of this strange demonic pack, shifts his gaze toward Sonam. “Human.” He grunts. “We kill.”
I wave a hand dismissively instead. “He’s harmless. Just a boy playing soldier.”
“Fox,” Sonam mutters tightly. I think I’ve offended him.
“He’ll behave.” I turn and fix him with a hard glare. “I just have a few questions, and then we’ll be on our way.”
Despite his ego, the captain gets my message. He relaxes his hand, though his posture remains bamboo-straight, his eyes flitting back and forth between the demons now closing in and his two trusted guards.
The boar stares at me for a beat or two, but eventually gestures for the rest of the horde to stand down. Satisfied, for now. “Lin say you anger guardian?”
“More like we stumbled into it.”
He snorts, his snout wet and dripping. “Bao think you stupid to face it,” he says. “It kill Bao’s friends every time we try get past.”
My ears perk up. “?‘Every time’? How many times, exactly?”
“Ten,” Bao answers without resistance. “We give up now. Make camp here. Eat human souls we can find.”
He takes a step forward, looking like he might attack, but I quickly catch him with another question. “Has anyone ever made it out before?”
“Bao can’t say. Never seen happen. The way through too hard, but Bao think it maybe.”
“How do you mean?”
“See Jade Palace? Look at ring walls. Each one a Court of Hell. Only souls good and brave can make it through. The Gates of Hell are in middle, like an egg yolk and you get through the shells. The Maskmaker say he only want smart ones. Only smart ones get through.”
I allow Bao’s words to sink in, goosebumps spreading up the back of my neck. So the Maskmaker reallyishere, hiding somewhere within the city. But what could he possibly want with demons? What awful plan is he stitching together?
And, most importantly, how am I supposed to get to him without being crushed to death first?
“The stars,” I mumble. “Lin mentioned the stars being the key. Do you know what she meant by—”
Wen screams something unintelligible around his gag, drawing everyone’s attention in his direction. I’d almost forgotten the fool was there. With my question interrupted, Bao appears to regain his composure.
“Enough!” he snaps. “Bao head hurt! We eat now!”
The demons close in on us. For the first time, Sonam gives me an almost pleading look. He’s been nothing but cold and distant, downright standoffish since our unfortunate encounter. It’s the weakest I’ve ever seen him. The most vulnerable.
“Help them,” Sonam whispers.
I’m used to listening to humans beg. Mostly for their own lives, though, never for the well-being of others.
“You’ve already made one deal with me,” I whisper back. “You cannot strike another.”
