Page 44 of Between Ghosts and Gods

Lady Camellia’s expression transformed to one of quiet fury. The flowers inside her eye socket were different from the ones she had worn when she had left Camellia House earlier. Two red chrysanthemums filled the empty hole, like a giant, burning crimson eye staring down at Kasu.

“So you agreed to steal it from me, hmm?”

“I didn’t think you would miss a few drops.” Even as she spoke, Kasu could hear how pathetic she sounded.

“And what did the Pale Lady promise you in return?”

“There was a lady from the heavens who stole a reincarnation wheel and fled to the under-realm. The Pale Lady said she would tell me more about that woman.”

It was not a lie.

“Ah, I see. I understand now. You always were keen to return to the mortal realm.” Lady Camellia’s gaze pinned her in place.

“I’m sorry, my lady.” Kasu bowed. With a sidelong glance, she caught sight of Arun preparing to stand up. Kasu discreetly shook her head.

“Of all the ghosts, I would never have expected you to sink so low,” said Lady Camellia gravely. “There’s nothing I want more than to devour you, right here and now.”

Kasu could only bow her head in shame. This was the end for her. She had tried. Gods, she hoped the heavens knew how hard she had tried.

“You’re lucky that you’re such a good appraiser. I want to keep you despite your treachery.”

Kasu jerked her head up so quickly the bones in her neck creaked in protest. Lady Camellia wanted to keep her? She wasn’t going to die?

The demon smiled just as she had done the day Kasu, newly dead, had first entered Camellia House and stepped into the demon lord’s office. Kasu remembered Lady Camellia placing several objects in front of her and asking her to pick one. Though every item in the demon lord’s collection was wondrous and terrifying, it had been a small statue of a stone carp on the edge of Lady Camellia’s desk that had caught her gaze. Unassuming though it was, something about the statue kept her glancing back again and again.

“That old thing? Why does it fascinate you so?” Lady Camellia asked.

Kasu, brand new to the under-realm, stammered, “It’s b–beautiful.”

“It’s the petrified corpse of a golden carp from the Celestial Empress’s own koi pond.”

“Oh.”

“It’s the most expensive thing in this room.” Lady Camellia smiled then, the gum-less teeth in her skull like a row of gravestones. “You have a good eye. A very good eye.”

Now, trembling like a leaf in the wind, Kasu stared once again at that graveyard smile. Lady Camellia stooped down and brought their faces together.

“You’ve been useful to me, Kasu. I think I’ll keep you for another three centuries. Here. Come with me.”

With a wave of her hand, the walls spun like a roulette wheel and a large red door appeared behind her.

Dragging her feet, Kasu followed Lady Camellia into her office. Ruo trotted by her side, tails down, ears still flat against the back of their head.

The room was dark, lit only by a single lamp sitting atop a large mahogany desk. A mirror loomed behind the desk, reflecting nothing back. The walls were decorated with trinkets of various sizes, some of which were from trades Kasu had made years ago.

Lady Camellia clicked her fingers and summoned a long, yellowing piece of parchment in one hand and an ink brush in another. Kasu recognized it immediately. With that one piece of paper, she had signed away her soul for a single, measly jade necklace.

One day, her mother returned from the village with an old lady Kasu had never seen before. Except the woman was not a woman but a demon wearing a mask that could hide her true self.

“And when you die, you will work for me,” Lady Camellia crooned in a voice like the rustle of dead leaves.

Her mother’s fingers dug into Kasu’s shoulders so deep they hurt.

“Please. Do this for me. Do this for your sister. It’s the only way.”

Kasu staggered back as the memory overwhelmed her.

“An extension of your contract. This is your punishment. Sign.” Lady Camellia held the parchment to Kasu’s nose.