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I ignored her. Mary missed her demon sometimes, missed being bad. Did they only pick people with a propensity toward that kind of thing? Was I somehow badly made, so I could take on a demon?
Don’t overthink it. I took you because I wanted you.
Anytime I tried to find rhyme or reason, she shrugged that right off. The shampoo smelled like flowers, a bright scent to counterpoint my dark thoughts. I tugged on a t-shirt and pair of shorts for sleep, watching as snow swirled aggressively outside the windows. It was beautiful seen from a nice warm bedroom. I crawled beneath the covers and waited for sleep to claim me.
Only it didn’t.
And didn’t.
And didn’t.
“Are you doing this?” I asked her. Like everything else, she could make it so I couldn’t sleep. I sighed and got out of bed when she didn’t answer. Well, if she wasn’t going to let me rest, then I could at least leave the room. I wouldn’t wake or bother anyone, just watch the snow from elsewhere. She might be able to make me even more exhausted, but I didn’t have to stay in bed while she kept me miserable.
I tiptoed from the room, feeling like a kid doing something naughty, and followed the sound of music tinkling in the distance. Across from the dining room, I found a game room. Old, stand-up video games lined the walls, and a pool table stood in the center. Cruise, still dressed from dinner, hit a billiard ball into the eight ball in the corner of the table. In the background, the soft sound of jazz music played.
He turned when I entered. “Sorry, did I wake you?”
“No, she won’t let me sleep. I came out to just be somewhere else, and I heard music. I followed the sound.”
He winced. “That’s so mean of her. I can’t sleep, but I’m not possessed, just an insomniac. Have been for years.” He motioned toward the pool table. “Do you play?”
I shook my head. “I’ve never even seen anyone play, truthfully. There’s a foosball table at the bar where Ryker and I eat lunch twice a week. I’ve played that. I can play chess. My aunt taught me that when I was a kid. Checkers. Poker.”
He stepped back from the table. “Well, it’s time you learn how to play. It’s fun, and it helps me think.”
Cruise returned with a stick that he handed me. I stared at it for a second then I handed it right back to him. “Don’t give me a weapon or make it easy for me to get one.”
He seemed to consider my words for a moment before hanging the pool stick back on the wall. “Okay. Someday I’ll teach you. When it’s safe.”
He’d likely be done with me long before such a thing could happen. If it ever did. I would more likely die either tying to be exorcised at the hands of the demon or because of something she did…
It was best not to think about it.
“You play.” I walked to his couch and sat where I could gaze out the huge bay windows. The room was cozy and also beautiful. “I’ll watch.”
He lifted his eyebrows. “Let me ask you a question first. Does my house smell okay to you?”
Asshole.
What was her issue? I ignored her.
“Sure.” I took a deep breath. “I don’t smell anything. Should I? Am I being denied a really stinky smell, or worse…oh no. Do I smell bad? I showered.”
He held up his hand then shook his head. “You smell great. Clean. Don’t worry about that. No, I was curious about the house. Sometimes even those of us without demons can be nose blind. Good.” He set down his own stick and walked over to sit next to me, then abruptly stopped. “Hold on. Help me move the couch.”
Together, we turned the couch around so that it faced the windows instead of away from them.
“Let’s watch the snow together. An April storm like this deserves attention, I think.”
I never would’ve imagined he would be the type to be so interested in the snow. Twice, he’d stopped to watch it. I sat down next to him and watched the snow globe turned to life outside.
“You’re right. I mean, it’s pretty.”
“Sure.” He smiled. “Tomorrow it might be yellow and dirty. If I slip on it, I won’t think it’s so pretty.”
I grinned, but I shook my head. “No, I mean, tonight it’s pretty because tonight it can’t kill me.”
“Surely your demon would seek shelter before she would let you freeze. As you said, she wants to keep using your body. Best to have a healthy host for that.” He shook his head. “Never mind. I know better than to try to understand demon logic.”
