“That was a cultural misunderstanding,” one council member argued weakly from nearby.
“You called them ‘emotionally dangerous propaganda.’”
“They are.”
They definitely were. But I kept silent.
Kaelith’s thumb brushed once absently against my waist while he glanced toward the crowded cafe across the square.
A new sign hung above the entrance.
THE SUMMONING DISASTER
Extra strong. Questionable life decisions included free.
I laughed hard, my body shaking violently.
Kaelith stared at the sign for a long second. “The kingdom was more dignified before you arrived.”
“That’s not true. Your people used to duel over curtains.”
“That happened once.”
Anderson was exhausted. “It happened four times.”
Across the market, silver fire burst upward from a nearby balcony followed by Nina yelling:
“IF THIS EXPLODES AGAIN I’M DIVORCING YOU.”
Her demon leaned over the balcony railing grinning like the threat improved his mood.
“You already threatened divorce twice this week.”
“YOU SET THE LIBRARY ON FIRE.”
“It was a small fire.”
A section of balcony collapsed behind him. Kaelith didn’t even look surprised anymore. Neither did I.
“That seems serious,” I commented.
“They’re supervised now,” Anderson muttered.
“By who?”
A second explosion echoed across the district.
“…No one is competent apparently.”
The market barely reacted. At this point Hell treated Nina and her demon like a recurring natural disaster.
A tiny hand tugged against the sleeve of my coat. I looked down to find the same little demon girl from the lower district markets staring up at me with flowers tucked into both horns.
“You missed festival day last week,” she accused.
“I was in the human world.”
Her eyes widened. “Again?”
