Jason shook his head, his tentacles twitching in the process. He glanced to Ursuline. “There’s no way to get him out of this?”
They blanched, and my stomach twisted. The more I learned about Frederick and his family, the more uneasy I grew to be attached to them. So much was a mystery still, especially what happened when the family went under the sea to New Atlantis.
“I’m trying to figure that out,” they said, casting me an apologetic glance. I didn’t mind learning more about the contract here, though. They had told me enough, and they didn’t owe it to anyone to bare whatever past still burdened them. Even though I hoped one day they’d be able to open up to me. “Frederick wants a foothold with the wealthy humans, and he’s going about securing that by marrying his youngest to Elrich.”
Maybe if Jason was alerted, if he escaped now, then I could cancel the engagement. The idea began percolating in my mind, one to entertain before I signed anything.
“I’m going below in a week,” Jason said, taking another sip of his coffee.
The waitress swung back over with my steaming mug of water with the tea bag on the side and Ursuline’s Elixir, which was an oddish blue color. “Figured something to eat?” she asked, giving a nod to the menu.
“Uh, a burger for me,” I said, since I’d gotten so caught up in conversation I’d barely given the menu a glance.
“Rassoul,” Ursuline ordered. “With a side of rice.”
“Good choice,” Jason said with a grunt. “I’ll do the same.”
“Thanks,” the waitress said with a quick bob of her head before she darted off. The place was hopping tonight, so no doubt she was running from patron to patron. To the right of us, a groupof demons sat in a booth, deep in discussion, their black curled horns prominent. A human and an imp took up one of the other seats, sharing a root beer float, clearly on a date.
The diner was so colorful, same with the clientele. I loved how different Haven was from the staunch rigidity of the human functions in high society. This was an explosion of color and cultures, and I loved it with my whole heart.
“What’s prompting the visit?” Ursuline asked.
“I haven’t gone in five years,” Jason said. “Going back…it invites pain.”
Ursuline’s lips flattened, and they bobbed their head. “If only I could.”
“You can’t go below?” I asked.
Ursuline shook their head. “Underwater, yes. To New Atlantis, no. I’m employed for Frederick’s human relations.”
“Part of your contract,” Jason said, sympathy in his dark eyes.
What sort of terrible contract had they signed? They didn’t hold any fondness for the Triton family, but the more I discovered, the more I was almost terrified to find out the extent of what they faced.
They licked their lips and let out a sigh. “Can I ask a favor?”
Jason nodded.
“No one I know has gone below in awhile. Could you check on them for me?”
“Of course.”
The questions multiplied in my brain, but the tension in the air grew so dense I’d need a chainsaw to cut through. If I probed for more information here, Ursuline would shut me down.
“Here, try the Elixir,” they said, nudging the drink in my direction.
I didn’t hesitate, grabbing the glass and lifting it to my lips. The taste was a mixture of salty sweet, like a Bloody Mary. I didn’t hate it. “Interesting.”
“You can tell me if you don’t like it,” Ursuline said, amusement in their eyes.
“Just different,” I said. “But I like different.”
“I know.” Their eyes glittered with approval, which I soaked up. “You’re a rare sort, Elrich.”
Heat flushed through me. Praise from them lit me on fire, and I shifted in my seat again, all too aware of the ache in my balls. Of the way my cock pushed against the confines of the metal cage. They gave me a long and slow glance, their gaze resting on my trapped cock. A slight smirk lifted their lips.
“How’s your brushwork been?” Jason asked, cutting through the tension between Ursuline and me.
