Chapter Eleven

What was I even supposed to wear? I stared at my closet blankly. Agreeing to let Tsukiyo pick me up had seemed like a good idea earlier. Now I wasn’t so sure. Hell, I didn’t know if he was really going to drop by. It was totally possible our exchange has been purely to rile up those women.

My chest clenched. Possible? More like, almost definitely. Demon or human, there was no reason for anyone to want me. I sighed and pinched the bridge of my nose. Self-worth was an issue I’d struggled with for a long time. It didn’t help that being down on myself made me hate myself more.

It was like my brain wanted to finish the job my grandmother had started.

“Celia?” Mayar trotted into my room and tilted his head when he spotted me. “What are you doing?”

I hesitated, a knot forming in my throat. “Do…you know if your master was sincere when he said he’d pick me up tonight?”

“Of course he was. Did he not say where he’s taking you?” Mayar’s tail stopped wagging.

“No, he didn’t…” I murmured, turning my gaze away from the nighthound. That was a problem too. If I chose something too formal or too casual, I’d look ridiculous. ‘What am I even supposed to assume from this? What’s his aim? Is he trying to learn more about or get closer to my family?’

“You’re upset.” A low whine escaped Mayar as he trotted over and sat at my feet. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing to worry about. The usual self-sabotage.” I sighed and shook my head slightly. “You made a good point. I have no idea what to wear or even when he’ll arrive.”

“An hour.” Mayar’s tail started wagging again. He stood up and pranced over to my closet. “Dinner somewhere nice. Not gown-nice, but still with a dress code. Maybe something you would wear if you wanted to make an impression on a business acquaintance or potential boss?”

Business acquaintance…oh. My heart dropped as I wondered if Mayar’s example was literal. I looked at the dresses in my closet in silence. There were options in almost every silhouette, but my favorites were too casual for a “nice restaurant.”

With some hesitation, I pulled down a form-fitting scarlet bodycon dress and eyed it for any wrinkles or tears. The sleeves were off the shoulder and were translucent. Its neckline was a subtle V over my bust where the folds of fabric crossed.

I took a steadying breath before changing into the dress, then sat down at the vanity to do my hair and makeup. It had been a while since I needed or wanted to put effort into my appearance.

By the time I was finished, my nerves had truly set in. Was it business? Were we going in a date? Did demons—Aloryi, sorry—even date? I twisted a ring around one finger while I paced my living room.

I jumped when there was finally a knock on the door. When I pulled the door open, I peered around it timidly, my gaze landing on Tsukiyo. Judging by his tieless suit, my dress was a good choice.

“Skittish again?” Tsukiyo smiled at me, his eyes drifting down to examine my dress. “Well…to an extent. Are you ready?”

“Ready as I can be without knowing where we’re going,” I replied, before turning to go back inside. “Oh. Let me grab my purse.”

“I thought I’d take you to dinner,” Tsukiyo offered, following me inside. “You’ve shared your food and drink with me a few times now. I want to return the favor by treating you.”

He thinks he hasn’t already returned the favor? I wondered while shoving my keys, phone and a few other things into my purse. “Making Emily’s friends mad was just a bonus?”

“‘Friends,’” Tsukiyo scoffed. “It wasn’t difficult to work out what kind of women they are. Yes, making them jealous is an added bonus.”

“I will guard the house.” Mayar walked over and sat down beside me. “Call if you need me.”

“You’re really alright to be out and about?” I asked, turning to look at Tsukiyo. Addressing the problem now seemed better than waiting. “And…it’s okay for me to call you Tsukiyo?”

“I’m no longer bound to anything—at least not with this name.” Tsukiyo offered me his arm. “Any sorcerers who could recreate the pact seal are likely centuries gone.”

“That’s a relief.” I sighed, allowing Tsukiyo to lead me to his silver sedan. “So…this business with David…”

“David has…connections.” Tsukiyo shot me a mysterious smile and opened the door for me. “Don’t worry about it. I should be able to help with your stocking issues.”

“Uh huh…” I released a small sigh before getting in the car. Once he’d joined me, I glanced at him. “Is this really okay? Once the Moon is out…”

“Mmm?” Tsukiyo glanced at me then smiled. “Oh, you mean that. It’ll be fine. I’ll have you back home by moonrise—if not, we can find somewhere to spend the night.”

“U-um…” Whatever I was going to say escaped me when Tsukiyo shot me a sideways glance and a playful smirk. The car rolled forward and soon carried us through my neighborhood.

A while later, Tsukiyo parked in a more upscale part of the city. I glanced around but couldn’t find any familiar landmarks. The disguised Aloryi placed his hand against the small of my back and gently nudged me forward.

“This way.” Tsukiyo smiled, leading me toward what looked like an officer building.

Skeptical, I raised an eyebrow and followed him. His ass was amazing. I grimaced. Those were thoughts for either a few weeks from now, or at least after drinks.

“Huh?” I frowned when Tsukiyo pulled me between the buildings. “An alleyway? What—”

“Watch,” he whispered, placing his free hand against the nearby wall. His fingers slid into the brick until his hand was gone entirely. “This is the entrance to the restaurant. You need to walk through it.”

“…you want me to walk through a wall.” I pressed my fingers to my temples.

“It’s an open arch.” Tsukiyo laughed. He pulled my free hand over to the wall and eased my fingers through it. He was right, there was nothing there.

“I’ll try,” I relented, squaring up with the wall. I strode toward it confidently, but my body betrayed me. The moment my brain thought I was going to collide with a solid surface, I flinched back.

“You really have no form of magical sight? Huh.” Tsukiyo trailed his fingers along my shoulder and countered my sour glare with a sweet smile. “Close your eyes.”

“Why?”

“Because I’m going to guide you through.”

I hesitated, feeling my pulse quicken, but I had no better ideas. Once I complied, Tsukiyo slid the fingers of one hand to my waist and grasped the hand closest to him with the other. He murmured instructions by my ear as he guided me forward, his breath tickling my neck and shoulder.

“Open your eyes,” he purred, his lips brushing the ridge of my ear.

Vibrant textiles, paintings, and foreign architecture assault me the moment I obliged. The ultimate fusion of cultures was accompanied by the smell of food and incense, the sound of drunken joyous laughter, and not another single human.

When Tsukiyo passed me to address the wait staff, it was in his Aloryi form and at his full height. I hurried after him, doing my best to keep from staring at the various inhuman people around me. There were people whose physical appearance echoed folklore from dozens of regions, and some I had no idea what they were at all.

“Ohhh, what a cute human!” A man with translucent blue-white skin and frost pouring off him strode over. He promptly took my hands in his, and his eyes widened. “Oh? You didn’t freeze?”

“That’s enough.” Tsukiyo stepped between me and the frosty man. “She’s my guest.”

“You won’t share? She looks so delectable!” The other man bit his lower lip, his eyes drifting down my body. “And if touching me doesn’t freeze her, then…”

“Sir, please refrain from upsetting the Aloryi king.” A man with glowing tattoos and rose gold horns crossed his arms. Though he sounded formal and a little friendly, the frosty man stiffened before fleeing in the direction if his seat. “‘Tsukiyo,’ of all the humans to bring… She’s the reason you’re free, I take it?”

I flinched and hid behind Tsukiyo’s back when the other demon glared at me. Maybe letting Tsukiyo take me to dinner was a mistake after all. I could always call a taxi or something to take me back home.

“Celia isn’t her family, but you already know that.” Tsukiyo’s tone was one of warning, tinged with a growl.

His comment surprised me into speaking up, “They…do?”

“Lots of people keeping an eye on the Nightingale Family.” The tattooed man shrugged. “Do as you like, so long as you aren’t starting fights in my establishment.”

“That’s his way of saying you’re welcome here,” Tsukiyo informed me with a bright smile. A waiter wandered over to lead us to our seats, a pleasant expression on his face.

“Are you sure it’s okay for me to be here?” I asked once the waiter left to fetch water for us.

“They all know you’ve essentially been disowned by your family.” Tsukiyo shifted in the booth and threaded his tail through the gap in the back. “And now they know you’re responsible for freeing the Aloryi. If anyone wants to hurt you after that, they’re a fool or one of my enemies.”

“Okay…” I clasped my hands together in my lap since I wasn’t sure what else to do. No one had ever taken me to such a nice restaurant before, date or otherwise. Even if he was suspicious of me at first, Tsukiyo treated me…like a person. I couldn’t say that for most of my family.

“Order as much as you want.” Tsukiyo lifted a menu, his eyes focused on it.

I stared at him for a moment and then looked at the menu I’d been given. There were pictures alongside most of the food…but I had no idea what any if it was.

“What would you suggest?” I asked. Tsukiyo glanced around his menu at me. “I don’t recognize any if these foods.”

Tsukiyo arched an eyebrow. “Underrealm cuisine hasn’t made its way into human culture?”

I shook my head.

“Then I’ll order for you,” Tsukiyo stated, returning his gaze to the menu with renewed intensity.

I twiddled my thumbs and tried to calm myself. The atmosphere felt awkward to me, yet Tsukiyo seemed at ease. If that was the case, I was probably over-thinking things and worrying without reason. He said dinner was to pay me back for sharing food with him, but… I took a steadying breath. If I asked him about why he brought me to such a nice restaurant, I’d just sound ungrateful.

“Would you like wine?” Tsukiyo asked.

“Oh… You can’t have any because you’re driving, right? I’ll wait until we go home— Ah. You’ll probably have to leave when we get back, huh?” I felt my face growing hot when I realized I’d started to ramble. “Sorry.”

“You’re inviting me back to your place already?” Tsukiyo’s lips curved into a smile, his eyes twinkling. When I turned redder, he laughed, and I felt my heart drop. Was he making fun of me? “I’d love to join you for drinks after dinner, Celia. I was hoping the invitation to peruse your books was still open, too.”

Oh. That was what he wanted? I clenched my hands tighter. Or was I misreading him? Hell, why did it hurt to think he might not be interested in me? Of course he wouldn’t be. He would have said something about how I looked in my dress if there was any interest on his part.

“Yeah, I meant it when I said you could drop by for the books or the moon if you wanted.” I forced my voice to remain level, but his green eyes flicking up from the menu again made me wonder if I had failed. “I just assumed you probably have a lot of work left to do since you were at David’s for so long, and now you’re wasting your time on—”

I promptly shut my mouth, but it was too late. Tsukiyo’s full attention was on me now.

“Your family has more than slavery to pay for, I see,” Tsukiyo remarked when I glanced away from him. “I wouldn’t have asked you to join me if I thought you were a waste of time. I may have been…abrasive, at first, but I want to make amends for that behavior, and repay you for both your patience and generosity.”

Don’t cry, don’t cry, don’t cry. I told myself, pushing back the unwanted tears. “I’m…not keeping you from your duties?”

“No, but I wouldn’t mind if you were.” His statement made me falter, but his attention had returned to the menu.

Did he mean that?