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“I don’t eat fried food.”
Also interesting. That was exactly the type of thing Tula would say if she wanted to avoid eating demon food.
“There was mention of a Chef Boyardee stall. Canned ravioli on a stick?” Demons loved to eat anything unhealthy from a can.
“Sure. I guess,” Gola said drably.
Interesting again. She didn’t sound too thrilled about that either. But was it a clue? At least Zac would have a little time with each woman to figure this out. I hope.
“Shall we?” He extended his arm to Tula.
She took it, not looking too excited.
“I will return shortly, Gola,” he said.
“I’ll be here waiting.” Gola went back to watching the giant bonfire. She seemed hypnotized by it.
More interesting. Demons loved fire.
Zac and Tula—or whoever she really was—walked toward the docks, where a fleet of fishing vessels rocked gently in their boat slips with the quiet waves of the bay. At one time, these waters were infested with vicious, bloodthirsty, nocturnal mermaids, the land was crawling with violent mermen, and a dark evil spirit occupied the heart of the island. Now it looked like any other tourist resort. I like it. Maybe he’d make this his vacation home after he kicked the crap out of Maury and sent the demons back to their realm.
“So what’s going on?” Tula asked once they were halfway down the dock, away from the crowd. “What’s with the separate mini-dates?”
He didn’t want her to know about his suspicions. “I needed to talk to you alone.”
“Maury has people watching me. His spies are everywhere, so it’s better if we make this quick. I don’t want him to think I’m still into you.”
“Understood.” They stopped in the middle of the dock. No one was around them, but there were several fishing boats within earshot. Someone could be inside listening, so he whispered, “You said that Maury was up to something big. Do you have any indication of what that might be?”
“Just that he’s planning to seal all the portals when the last demon crosses over. After that, no one gets in or out. I overheard him talking to Gola the other night. He said that the festival is to mark a new dawn of demons, that they’ve almost emptied out their realm completely.”
Her theory made sense. First Maury got rid of all immortal life on the planet, and then he locked up the gods. That would give the demons free rein here on Earth. “But it still makes no sense. Demon energy is very toxic. Eventually, their humanlike shells begin to degrade. They will need new ones.” No portals meant no new bodies.
“I wonder if he’s found a way to change that. I keep thinking about black jade.”
Black jade was a substance discovered first by the Maaskab. The material came from mines near the gods’ portals and had several supernatural properties, but it was primarily used to absorb supernatural energy, like a giant sponge. One of Zac’s brothers, Chaam, the God of Male Virility, discovered that if a human wore it, a god could have intimate relations with them. Before, if a god had prolonged contact with a mortal, it would fry the human’s brain. It was because of black jade that the gods were now able to have human spouses and children. Black jade changed everything.
“I wonder,” said Tula, “if maybe Maury has been experimenting with it. Maybe he’s found a way to stop the decay of their bodies.”
It was a reasonable hypothesis, but Maury would have to know for certain before sealing off the portals for good. “It would take Maury decades to prove out any theories. He hasn’t had enough time.” Also, wouldn’t they see demons running around wearing black jade here on this island?
“But maybe he’s found another material. Something near the demon portals? Or…I dunno.”
Zac felt a strange tickle on the back of his neck. He turned around and swatted at it. “The mosquitos are out, I see.”
“They haven’t bothered me.” Tula shrugged. “Well, I think I should get back to Gola and look miserable around you.”
“Keep your eyes and ears open. Oh, and, Tula, feel free to slap me after I do this.”
“Do what?”
He grabbed her by the shoulders and kissed her. Her lips were soft and pliable against his mouth. The heat of her skin warmed his bare chest. She feels so right in my arms. Like his body knew hers. But was there a spark? He couldn’t tell.
She pushed back and slapped him.
“Ouch.” He pressed his hand to his cheek. “You didn’t have to do it so hard.”
Tula smiled and crinkled her nose. “Sorry.”
“Let’s get you back to the bonfire.”
Tula followed him down the dock to the beach, where the cocktail party was beginning to thin out.
“Where’s everyone going?” he asked one of the demon males dressed in a toga.
“The main stage for tonight’s big welcome event.”
