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“I will help you with the orcs, but once this is completed, you must return with me, WITH the book, back to my realm.”
I don’t like the idea of leaving my parents, but at least the orcs would be eradicated. A part of me is excited about being around Varzig, but I try to repress that for the time being.
“I agree to your terms,” I said, gazing up at him. “But I have a condition of my own.”
Varzig purses his lips. He looks closer to human than he ever has. His pupils have bloomed once more, the red of the iris softening into a rose hue.
“Go on.”
“When I go back with you, none of the other demons can touch me.”
Varzig doesn’t seem bothered by my request. He nods, then proceeds to shrink back into his average demon form. He comes back inside while the wind whistles above my head.
My parents' bellows don’t seem to bother him as he comes back into my bedroom and regards me on my knees.
I don’t rise up for some reason. His stare bares down at me, yet it doesn’t frighten me. He holds his hand out to me, and I take it without a thought.
His scales feel odd, like an ancient lizard of sorts, but it's warm as opposed to the chilly cold. He looks at me thoughtfully, and I feel frozen, held even, within it.
“Why are you doing this?” He asks, voice as soft as a calf’s tongue.
“I love the village. They are all like my family. They have done so much for me, and I will do the same for them in return.”
He nods, staring at me intently.
Varzig’s hand remains in mine for a time until my parents come barging into the room. They talk over each other, pointing out the absence of the roof aggressively, but I can’t hear a single word they are saying.
I’m captivated by this demon. When he asked me about my sacrifice for the people, the look in his eyes was one of curiosity but also admiration.
It made me feel as warm as a winter fire.
NINE
VARZIG
Looking at the book and knowing I cannot take it yet is torture.
I know now how demons lost in the desert without water felt. The book is my salvation.
For some reason, I feel the same way looking at Tessa.
Her parents are quite unhappy with me. Their disgust is palpable, and I cannot blame them.
I look at the book next to Tessa’s bed. Then I look around at the little house that I have destroyed again.
House is a kind word for it.
It’s a shack, though clean and neat. A sudden wash of anger burns in my chest. These humans are being forced to live in squalor by the damned orcs.
And they are all just doing the best they can with what they have. But the ruthless orcs have made their lives miserable.
I speak then, and my words surprise me. Though I know that there is no enchantment behind it.
“I will fix your roof,” I tell Tessa and her parents. “And I will clean up the mess I have made. Please accept my apologies.”
I incline my head in a bow of respect, and the three of them nod. Tessa’s father still looks at me grimly, his eyes hard and flat.
He doesn’t trust me, and I doubt he ever will.
