“But we aren’t mindless, blood-hungry lunatics. We do crave blood, but we could, as you can see, obviously survive on animal blood and only hunt humans occasionally,” Asmodeus said, giving her a boyish grin and puffing up his chest. “The older, and much more handsome demons, like myself, have an easier time restraining ourselves and can go for much longer between feedings.”
She felt scandalized. Caspian had led her to think he needed to feed from her to survive. The knowledge that demons could survive on animal blood shook her to her core.
“We don’t kill everyone, sweetheart. Don’t look so put out. Plenty of humans beg us to feed from them.”
“I highly doubt that.” She couldn’t keep the disdain from her voice.
He gave her a lazy smile. “You’d be surprised. Immortality, demon magic, endless power, the ability to hunt and kill anyone who opposes you. Don’t think we don’t have mortals who petition us to turn them into one of us.”
She was revolted. “You’re kidding.”
“Nah. Not so much anymore, but a few centuries ago, loads of humans were begging us to make them immortal.”
“Can you really do that?”
“Haven’t you been paying attention? Caspian was once a man, and we turned him into a demon. We don’t do this often, though, because humans are very annoying, and I would lose my mind if I had to share this body with a human for eternity.”
“What?”
“Caspian allowed a demon to take him and use his body however he pleased. Now, the man and the demon share the same skin. They exist as one, and usually the demon is in control, but if Caspian sometimes says or does things that aren’t particularly demonic, that’s why.” Asmodeus shrugged. “I don’t bother myself about it much.”
“Why would anyone want that?” she asked, aghast.
Asmodeus rolled his eyes and crossed a leg over his thigh. He looked pleased to have someone other than Caspian to talk to, and she was starting to think he was a bit of a gossip at heart. “Well, it made him immortal and immeasurably more powerful.”
“Why would the demon care though? Isn’t it easier to kill the person?”
“Eh, Caspian didn’t put up a fight. Wanted his body to be used to cause general pain and destruction. He was a powerful magic user, too, so the demon thought it was advantageous for him to keep him alive in there as well.”
She furrowed her brow in confusion. “So, he’s a … a warlock? A male witch?”
“Nah, as a man, he was a human. A mage. Powerful one too.”
Her head was reeling from what she had just learned. “Wait, I have a question. Is there any defense if a demon tries to possess you?” She didn’t want to ever worry about getting possessed and having her soul eaten.
Asmodeus snorted. “Oh. That’s why you asked.” He contemplated. “Depends on the strength of the demon. If a mid-level demon tried it, be strong of will. Make it hard for them to take control. If a high-level demon tries to wrestle control of your mind and body … er … pray to whatever gods you believe in. That’s all you can do.”
A shadow crossed over her face. These were creatures that could wipe her from this earth without breaking a sweat.
“Chin up! You have nice demon lads to defend you now. Woe to the demon that tries to possess you now.” Asmodeus smirked. “Any more questions about demons or demon lore?”
“No,” she said, forcing her lips to curve upwards. It was a lie. She had so many questions, and every time she asked one, a hundred more popped into her mind. "Yes … and pardon me, but why do Mammond and Caspian have silver eyes while you and the others have black ones?"
“Silver eyes are the mark of a demon prince. If you see them, you know you owe them your allegiance.” He looked at her, and his face broke out in a mischievous smile. “Well, ifyousee silver eyes, that means your mortal ass should run.”
“And what happened with his family? Who did he seek revenge against?” she asked.
Asmodeus gave her a wry look. “I have known Caspian and fought at his side for many years. But evenIdon’t know the full extent of what happened to him as a mortal, or all the people he sought revenge against. I understand that there was once quite a list.”
Once.
She looked at Asmodeus expectantly, hoping he’d elaborate.
He grinned sheepishly. “Okay, now, I don’t knoweverything,but I do know that when his father died, it was the final straw. He staggered to us with a heart black as coal, with no love or light left in him. Only darkness. He was so angry, so full of hatred towards all of humanity that he would have destroyed the world out of spite if the demon he shared a body with hadn’t held him back.” Asmodeus chuckled, as if it were something funny. “Imagine, a mortal having to be held back from causing pain and destruction by a demon.”
Elizabeth pursed her lips. “One more question, if I may.”
“Certainly.”
