“Willtheir soap melt my skin?” Bryce asked in alarm, but Toni merely shrugged.
“I dunno. Jude uses my soap, and he’s just fine. But I buy my soap at the store. Zef makes their own. They’re pretty… homophobic like that.”
Biting his bottom lip, Jude said, “You mean homeopathic?”
Another shrug. “Sure. That.”
At the mention of Bryce’s new roommate, another flurry of nerves swarmed to life in his gut. Back in September, Oliver had brought his demon coworkers to his parents’ ranch in Montana. Bryce had arrived to tend to an injured bull, and he’d spent a morning with Zef as the demon had watched him stitch up the animal’s leg. They’d peppered him with questions, slim antennas wriggling, flat wings buzzing with interest. It had been intimidating, being the sole recipient of such intense attention.
“You know not to touch them, right?” Toni’s question jarred Bryce from his thoughts. “Zef, I mean. They’re a Mantodea, and it’s a cultural thing. They would find it offensive if you touched them.”
Bryce had read up on Mantodeas, and he’d even asked Zef if there were any accurate books or articles he could read to educate himself better before he moved dimensions. Zef had supplied numerous links and offered to let Bryce borrow some of their books to read once he moved in. So, yes, Bryce knew not to initiate or force any type of physical connection, even platonic or polite touches.
Mantodeas didn’t shake hands, so Bryce was to bow in greeting. The deeper the bow, the higher the respect being shown. If Bryce ever met an older Mantodea or one of higher authority, he would need to bow deeply. Since he and Zef were of similar age and social standing, a slight bow would do.
At least, he thought so.
“Yeah, I know not to touch them,” he said, and Toni’s shoulders loosened.
The ride to Envy was longer than the one through the veil, but Bryce didn’t notice the time as he gazed out the window at the desert of teal sand rushing past. The sand gave way to craggy trees, then houses. Most of thetrain tracks were elevated off the street, winding through buildings, and Bryce was in awe.
He didn’t know which districts they passed through. There were rows of brick-like houses and buildings in varying shapes of disrepair. Then later, the train passed through gleaming skyscrapers and marble-pillared buildings. When they finally arrived at Envy station, Bryce was nearly buzzing with excitement.
Too many questions bubbled up his throat, but he couldn’t bring himself to ask any of them. He didn’t want to sound ignorant or stupid in front of who he hoped would be his new friends, and he didn’t want to annoy Toni by asking him things that were probably obvious.
On the platform, Bryce noticed that Envy station was much cleaner and fancier than Purgatory had been. The tiles under his feet were brighter and smoother, and the decorative accents were highlighted in golds and opal-esque stones. Electronic boards flashed with advertisements for skin creams and hair dyes and clothing brands.
They’d barely cleared the ticketing gates when a human with blond hair, brown eyes, and freckles approached them.
“Hey, man, how was your trip?” Oliver asked as he slapped Bryce on the shoulder.
“Oh, it was fine. The flight was the worst part. Never do well on planes,” he admitted sheepishly as he shrugged his backpack higher. “But the trains weren’t too bad.”
“Yeah, we took good care of him,” Toni boasted as he hitched Bryce’s duffel over his shoulder once more.
“Figured you would,” Oliver said diplomatically before he took Bryce’s wheelie bag from his hand. “I hear you about planes, though. I don’t like flying much either. Quin’s teleportation has come in handy before, but Inever want to take advantage or expect her to just pop us through the veil whenever we want. So we booked flights for New Year’s, Liel and I, and I am not looking forward to it.”
As if summoned by his name, Oliver’s demon boyfriend materialized through the crowd, dressed in a suit—sans tie—that complimented his sandy brown skin. Why anyone would choose to wear a suit on a Saturday afternoon, even without a tie, Bryce couldn’t fathom.
He hated dressing up. Loose jeans and a warm flannel. A t-shirt in the summer. That was his kind of outfit.
Even if he disagreed with Liel’s preferred clothing, Bryce still thought the demon looked good. Maybe that was why he insisted on the suit. Clean cut and confident, with bright yellow eyes and thick, yellow-streaked hair the texture of seaweed, the demon—who was clearly aquatic in some way given the fin-like ears—was striking. A little frightening given his needle-sharp teeth and even sharper grin, but Bryce couldn’t blame Oliver for flushing lightly when the two made eye contact.
“I found a parking spot for the rental, but it charges for every quarter of an hour,” Liel said in a smooth, somewhat fancy accent. “Hello, Bryce, welcome to the Pentagram.”
“Hey, Liel. Thanks,” Bryce said as the Gymnot fell into step with them. “I can pay your parking, if—”
“Don’t worry about it,” Oliver dismissed easily, dragging the wheelie suitcase behind him as their group headed toward the main entrance of the station. “Liel’s been promised a promotion, and he loves spending his money.”
“On new sex toys,” the demon growled, “not parking.”
“Stop whining, babe,” Oliver chided, knocking Liel’s shoulder. “I’ll get you a new sex toy for Christmas.”
This seemed to appease the demon, and Liel grinned wildly as he leaned in to press a kiss to Oliver’s cheek. “I look forward to it.”
“Gross, guys,” Jude mumbled, making Toni snigger.
Blood had surely turned Bryce’s ears red, judging from the heat taking up residence there, but he did his best to banish the embarrassment. He wasn’t a prude, and sure, he liked sex well enough. But he’d always found the act, and everything pertaining to it, a private affair. He’d never been overt about his sex life, even when he’d dated and even when he’d, briefly, tested out hook-up culture.
