Page 58 of Caught in the Devil’s Hand

Oka slid the outer door shut. “Do you have any yagikusa?”

“You’d have to chew the flowers raw,” she said and reached for one of the piles of herbs Vallen had neatly arranged while they were talking.

“I don’t care. Just as long as the pain stops,” he said as he came forward. He took the small, yellow petals from her hand and tossed them into his mouth.

“I’ll have something better ready for dinner,” Vallen promised, stowing the remaining plants in Shumei’s bag.

“Are you going to be okay?” Oka asked, staring at the bloodstained bandages.

“I’ll be fine,” she assured him. “I trust my own plants, don’t I?”

“You’d better. I’m chewing on them,” he joked. “Nice dress, by the way.” He settled into his original seat.

“It is,” she said, stroking her skirt.

While Vallen cooked a simple dinner consisting of rice and a medley of vegetables, she filled them in on what had happened in Majo’s hut that morning, which had her dodging a barrage of questions from both Vallen and Oka. By the time she and her brother had eaten, they reached the subject that concerned her most.

“A couple of merchants passed through the village with tales of demon attacks on Taba and Aizan,” she said. “Both saw the aftermath in Taba firsthand. Those who survived fled and are heading toward us.” Everyone’s expression was grim.

“I’ve heard…similar reports,” Vallen concurred.

“You? How?” Oka asked.

“It’s easy to stop someone on the road and ask a question. Either fear of me or enough kols will get me the information I want.”

“Not to put too fine a point on it, but as a demon, don’t you get news from ‘the other side’?” Shumei asked.

“I’m artificially made, so I answer to no one, except in death. Real demons wouldn’t dare share information with me.”

“Have you ever met one?” Oka asked with wide eyes.

“Of course. I killed quite a few when I was a member of the Dark Court. After my curse, I met a few then, too, and was just as motivated to kill them. Real demons that meet artificial demons have an annoying habit of attacking.”

“But why now?” she asked. “After all these years, why would so many demons rise up? We rarely saw any from behind the charms, and half the time, I suspect the witness was drunk.”

“That I do not know. Perhaps Majo would. She has a direct link.” Vallen idly tapped the arm of his chair, lips twisted in contemplation.

Oka loudly yawned. She looked to the closed doors leading outside and saw night had fallen.

“I’m sure you’re both tired,” Vallen said, coming to a stand. “I’ll show you to your rooms so you can get some rest.”

“I have my own room?” Oka said with excitement, his sleepiness momentarily alleviated. She smiled, preparing to stand, and gasped when a pair of strong hands pulled her up to her feet by her waist.

“This way,” Vallen said, gesturing at the inner doors.

The hallway, leading off in both directions, was only dimly lit by a couple of small lanterns, but the floor was clean and uncluttered. They turned right, and Vallen pushed Oka ahead of him with one hand on the boy’s shoulder until they came to a room at the end of the hall. The door was already open. Oka ran inside.

In the center was a thick, luxurious sleeping mat made up with a thick blanket. The walls were adorned with simple artwork, and a cabinet sat against the wall to the left. There was also some sort of table with drawers and a floor chair.

“I get to sleep here?” Oka whispered.

“You do indeed. And you can answer nature’s call next door. It’s not difficult to use,” Vallen said. Oka ran to the water closet to look inside.

“I just…pull this handle?” he asked. Vallen hummed in the affirmative. Shumei drew her eyebrows together in curiosity and leaned over Oka to see what this “handle” was.

“Let’s go see your room,” Vallen whispered in her ear, making her shiver despite the lingering warmth of the expired afternoon.

“Good night, Oka,” she called. She waited for her brother to come get his good-night kiss before following Vallen down the hall. As she walked away, she heard the thump of Oka flopping onto his bed.